Most travel safety rankings focus on the worst places in the world. That is useful — but it is only half the picture. Operations teams, NGOs, and business travelers also need to know which countries offer manageable risk profiles, where tourism infrastructure is reliable, and where the security environment allows productive travel with standard precautions.
This ranking uses the same operational intelligence methodology we apply to high-risk environments: local-language source monitoring, incident tracking, political stability analysis, and infrastructure assessment. The difference is that these countries score well. They are not zero-risk — no country is — but they are destinations where informed travelers can operate confidently.
How We Define "Safe"
Our safety assessments evaluate six factors: violent crime rates, political stability, infrastructure reliability, healthcare access, tourism sector maturity, and absence of armed conflict. "Low Risk" means standard travel precautions are sufficient. "Moderate" means specific zones or seasons require additional planning. Every rating is based on current operational intelligence, not historical reputation.
Safest Countries to Visit in 2026 — Ranked
1. Georgia
Low RiskTbilisi is one of the safest capitals in the Caucasus region. Violent crime against foreigners is exceptionally rare. The tourism sector has grown dramatically since 2019, and infrastructure — hotels, transportation, healthcare — is well-developed in major cities and along the main tourist corridors.
Political protests occur periodically (notably the 2023-2024 "foreign agents" law demonstrations) but are generally peaceful and contained to specific locations. The main operational risks are winter driving conditions in mountainous areas and the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which remain under Russian military control and should be avoided entirely.
Key considerations: Avoid Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Monitor protest activity in Tbilisi during politically sensitive periods. Winter travel in mountain passes requires preparation.
2. Morocco
Low – Moderate RiskMorocco benefits from a stable monarchy that treats tourism as a national economic priority. The country maintains dedicated tourist police in major cities, and violent crime targeting foreigners is rare. Marrakech, Fez, Chefchaouen, and the coastal cities are well-established on international tourist circuits with reliable infrastructure.
Petty crime (pickpocketing, scams) is common in crowded medinas but is manageable with standard urban awareness. The Western Sahara border area is restricted and should be avoided. Earthquake recovery is ongoing in parts of the High Atlas region following the September 2023 earthquake — some areas remain affected.
Key considerations: Standard petty crime precautions in medinas. Avoid Western Sahara border zone. Check earthquake recovery status in Atlas mountain villages before travel.
3. Armenia
Low – Moderate RiskYerevan is a safe, walkable capital with low violent crime. Armenia's interior — including Lake Sevan, Dilijan, and the monastery circuit — is well-suited for travel with minimal security concerns. Infrastructure in the capital is good; rural areas are basic but functional.
The primary risk factors are geopolitical: the aftermath of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan, ongoing Syunik corridor disputes, and periodic tensions along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. These risks are concentrated in border regions and do not affect the capital or major tourist corridors. The closed Turkish border adds logistical complexity but not security risk.
Key considerations: Avoid all border areas with Azerbaijan. Monitor Syunik corridor developments. The Nagorno-Karabakh region is under Azerbaijani control and inaccessible from Armenia.
4. Belize
Moderate RiskBelize's tourist areas — Ambergris Caye, Cayo District, Placencia, and the cayes — maintain low crime rates and excellent tourism infrastructure. The country is English-speaking, small, and navigable. Dive tourism, jungle lodges, and archaeological sites are well-established with good security.
The risk concentration is in Belize City, specifically the south side, which has gang violence comparable to Central American urban hotspots. The Guatemalan border area sees smuggling activity. Outside these zones, Belize offers a Caribbean travel experience with manageable risk.
Key considerations: Avoid Belize City south side entirely. Use caution at the Guatemalan border crossing. Tourist zones on the cayes and in Cayo are well-policed and low-risk.
5. Ecuador
Moderate RiskEcuador's tourist corridor — Quito, Otavalo, Baños, Cuenca, and the Galapagos — remains functional with normal precautions. Quito's historic center and northern business districts are well-policed. Cuenca is one of the safest cities in South America. The Galapagos Islands have virtually no crime.
Guayaquil has experienced cartel-linked violence, primarily in southern neighborhoods. The government has declared periodic states of emergency to address organized crime. Mining and oil regions in the Amazon have security concerns related to community conflicts and criminal activity. The main tourist routes avoid these areas.
Key considerations: Avoid southern Guayaquil. Check state of emergency status before travel. The Quito-Otavalo-Baños-Cuenca tourist corridor is well-established and lower risk. Galapagos is very safe.
6. Indonesia
Moderate RiskBali and Java are very safe for travelers, with world-class tourism infrastructure and low violent crime. Jakarta's business district is functional for corporate travel. Yogyakarta, Lombok, and Komodo are well-established tourist destinations with good security environments.
Indonesia's 17,000 islands mean risk varies dramatically by location. Papua has an active separatist conflict. Natural disaster risk is high across the archipelago (seismic zone, volcanic activity, tsunamis). Large mining operations in Kalimantan and Sulawesi require dedicated security planning. The key is location-specific intelligence rather than a country-level assessment.
Key considerations: Avoid Papua entirely. Monitor volcanic and seismic activity. Bali, Java, and the main tourist islands are low-risk. Mining and extractive operations outside tourist areas require security planning.
7. Kenya
Moderate RiskNairobi's business district and the Westlands/Karen areas are functional for corporate travelers. Safari circuits (Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo) are well-established with professional security. Coastal tourism in Mombasa and Diani Beach operates at moderate risk. Kenya is one of Africa's most accessible markets for operations teams.
The Al-Shabaab threat is concentrated near the Somali border (Garissa, Mandera, Wajir counties) and has produced periodic attacks in Nairobi. Political protests occur in Nairobi during election cycles and in response to economic grievances. The informal settlements have elevated crime. For planned travel on established routes, Kenya is manageable.
Key considerations: Avoid the Somali border region. Monitor protest activity in Nairobi. Safari circuits and coastal resorts are well-secured. Nairobi requires standard urban security awareness.
8. Tajikistan
Moderate RiskDushanbe is safe for travelers, with low street crime and a functioning business environment. The Pamir Highway (M41) attracts adventure travelers and is generally secure, though GBAO requires permits and has periodic closures. Khujand in the north is stable and accessible.
The Afghan border area is restricted and high-risk. Mining operations in the interior need dedicated security planning. Tajikistan's authoritarian government means political risk is real — avoid any involvement in political activities — but the same authoritarianism keeps street crime low. Infrastructure is basic outside Dushanbe.
Key considerations: Avoid the Afghan border zone. Obtain GBAO permits well in advance. Infrastructure outside Dushanbe is limited. Political sensitivity requires discretion. Street crime is low nationwide.
9. Guatemala
Moderate RiskAntigua Guatemala and the Lake Atitlán corridor are well-policed and popular with international travelers. Guatemala City zones 1, 10, and 14 are functional for business travel with standard precautions. The Tikal archaeological site in Petén has dedicated tourism security. The country's colonial and Mayan heritage sites are well-established on tourist circuits.
Gang territory exists but is concentrated in specific urban barrios, primarily in Guatemala City's outer zones. Rural areas and parts of Petén have limited security presence. Drug trafficking routes along the Mexican border create risk in specific corridors. For travelers on established routes, Guatemala offers a manageable security environment.
Key considerations: Stick to established tourist corridors (Antigua, Atitlán, Tikal). Avoid Guatemala City outer zones at night. Rural travel requires route planning. The Antigua-Atitlán-Tikal triangle is well-secured.
10. Egypt
Moderate RiskCairo and the Luxor-Aswan tourist corridor are well-secured with a heavy tourism police presence. The pyramids, Egyptian Museum, and Nile cruise routes operate with professional security. Alexandria and the Red Sea resorts (Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh) are established international tourism destinations.
The Sinai Peninsula remains high-risk due to ongoing military operations against militant groups. The western desert border with Libya is restricted. The Suez Canal corridor is strategic and heavily monitored. Egypt's massive tourism infrastructure makes the main tourist routes safe, but the country has experienced periodic political instability and isolated security incidents.
Key considerations: Avoid the Sinai Peninsula (except Sharm el-Sheikh resort zone). Western desert border area is restricted. Cairo and the Nile corridor are well-secured. Political instability can emerge quickly — monitor local developments.
What Makes These Countries Safer?
The countries on this list share several common factors that contribute to their manageable risk profiles:
- Stable governance — whether democratic (Georgia, Armenia) or authoritarian (Tajikistan, Egypt, Morocco), these governments maintain effective control over their territories and prioritize the safety of foreign visitors
- Established tourism infrastructure — dedicated tourist police, reliable hotel and transportation networks, and well-maintained tourist corridors
- Dedicated security for foreign visitors — Morocco's tourist police, Kenya's safari security protocols, Egypt's tourism police force, and Belize's tourism police unit
- Low frequency of attacks targeting international personnel — violent crime in these countries tends to be domestic and gang-related, not targeting foreign nationals
- Functional healthcare in major cities — all ten countries have accessible medical facilities in their capitals and main tourist areas
These factors combine to create environments where informed travelers can operate with standard precautions rather than requiring full security details or armored movement.
"Safe" Still Requires Intelligence
Even the lowest-risk countries on this list have zones to avoid and seasonal risks that require awareness. Georgia has protest cycles tied to political developments. Morocco has earthquake recovery zones where infrastructure remains compromised. Kenya has Al-Shabaab spillover risk near the Somali border. Ecuador's security situation shifts with state of emergency declarations.
"Safe" means manageable with proper planning — not zero-risk. The difference between a smooth operation and a security incident is often knowing which neighborhood to avoid, which border crossing is currently functional, or which protest route to steer clear of. That is the kind of granular, real-time intelligence that country-level ratings cannot provide.
The Value of Granular Intelligence
A country rated "Moderate" on a government travel advisory might have a capital city that is perfectly safe and a border region that is genuinely dangerous. Operations teams, NGOs, and business travelers need region-level intelligence — not a single color on a map. Each country guide linked above provides that granularity.
Countries With Improving Safety Profiles
Several countries that were recently considered high-risk are trending in a positive direction:
- El Salvador — President Bukele's security crackdown has dramatically reduced homicides, transforming the country from one of the most dangerous in the Western Hemisphere to a significantly safer environment. The approach is controversial, but the operational reality is that street crime has dropped precipitously. → El Salvador Safety Guide
- Colombia — The ongoing peace process and sustained investment in urban security have made Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena significantly safer than a decade ago. Rural areas and border zones remain high-risk, but the major cities now function as viable business travel destinations. → Colombia Safety Guide
- Egypt — Post-2013 stability has progressively improved the security environment for tourists. The government has invested heavily in tourism security infrastructure, and the main tourist corridors operate at a lower risk level than at any point in the past decade. → Egypt Safety Guide
These improving trajectories are worth monitoring for organizations planning future operations or expansions.
See the Full Risk Picture
For the complete risk picture including high-risk countries, see our Most Dangerous Countries 2026 ranking and Travel Warning Map.
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Request a Free Sample ReportRelated Resources
- Most Dangerous Countries to Visit in 2026 — high-risk destinations ranked by operational intelligence
- Travel Warning Map 2026 — color-coded risk ratings for 20 countries
- Travel Risk Management Companies 2026 — comparing providers and platforms
- Travel Risk Management Guide — comprehensive framework for managing travel risk
- ISO 31030 Compliance Guide — meeting the global travel risk management standard