Have you ever wondered, Can I travel to any country in the world? The simple answer is Yes. Of course, it’s a little more complicated than that. But the real value of asking this question is realising just how many places there are to consider. Travel isn’t only about popular destinations, but about stepping off the beaten path and discovering parts of the world most people overlook. The world is vast, diverse, and more open than ever to curious travellers. Some of the most rewarding journeys lie in the lesser-known corners of the map. If you’re open to the idea of visiting any country in the world, here are a few things worth thinking about before you start planning.
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Global Travel – What’s Possible?
With the modern world becoming much more accessible, people are looking for new experiences and different countries to explore. The United Nations recognises 195 official countries, with many of them remaining largely unknown and obscure. So, can you travel to and visit all of these countries? Theoretically, there are no countries on the planet that ban tourists. If you have the necessary entry visa, then you’re good to go. Obtaining a visa might not be straight forward, and your application may be denied, however, tourists are not banned.
Holiday makers flock to the same thirty or forty well-known places, because it’s easy. Tourism in these popular spots is well established, while modern resources are everywhere. A significant portion of global tourism is concentrated in just a few regions. Away from these busy areas lie places many people would never have heard of. People are afraid of what they don’t know. Furthermore, there can be limited information and challenges involved with getting to and visiting these obscure destinations.
But before you set your sights on somewhere new, it’s important to consider a few practicalities – things like travel restrictions, safety, accessibility, and costs can all shape where you go and how easily you get there.
Travel Restrictions
Can You Travel to ANY Country in the World?
A handful of countries have rules and regulations in place when it comes to foreign visitors. This can be a deterrent, with the extra hassles and costs involved making easier options more attractive.
North Korea allows foreigners to enter, but you must be on a tour. Independent travel is forbidden. This isn’t a bad thing, as North Korea is such a unique destination, that having a guide to explain things is a huge benefit. Turkmenistan, Eritrea and Bhutan have similar rules in place – you can only visit the capital cities independently. Travel outside of the capital is only possible with a registered guide. Other countries may have areas that are off-limits, even with a guide. Yes, travelling to such places has additional costs, but the rewards at the end of the trip are far greater than the extra expense.
Countries often change their restrictions. Angola had a complicated visa system in the past, now entry is visa free for many. Algeria and Saudi Arabia made entry difficult previously, now it’s much easier and they are both launching new campaigns to encourage people to come. Shrouded in mystery for years, exploring ‘new’ countries is exciting. You’ll feel like an early explorer, interacting with curious locals, and uncovering new marvels.
Adventure awaits! Get tips and inspiration for Angola
Government Advice
Can You Travel to ANY Country in the World?
Most Western Governments issue travel advice for nearly every country. This starts at the ‘take normal precautions’ level, and ends with ‘do not travel’. Many travellers may not be aware of their government’s advice, while others might not even care.
There is one important aspect that can’t be ignored: most travel insurance companies will not cover you in countries under a ‘do not travel’ advisory. Finding coverage for these destinations is possible, but usually very expensive.
Travel advice levels change constantly. Governments issue them as part of their duty of care – they cannot stop you from going; it’s just advice. Take it seriously, because it exists for a reason. Always have a plan.
Australia’s ‘do not travel‘ list currently includes twenty-three countries. Active war and conflict zones are always listed, along with politically unstable regions. Others may be due to disease outbreaks or recent natural disasters. There are times when ‘do not travel’ advice covers the whole country, even though the areas of concern may be small and isolated. Governments are always cautious. Sometimes, ‘do not travel‘ advice is only for certain parts of a country.
A lot will depend on where you are from, and the political relationship your nation has with the country you wish to visit. Basically, the advice level comes down to the current security situation. Very few people are going to be rushing off to a country with a ‘do not travel‘ warning. There’s no doubt that destinations on this list have amazing things on offer, but realistically, discovering them is best left until conditions are more settled.
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Entry Requirements
Can You Travel to ANY Country in the World?
Entry requirements are another consideration when planning an adventure. No-one wants to fill out page after page of forms, pay excessive fees, and wait weeks for a potential entry visa. Invitation letters, proof of funds, along with hotel and flight booking receipts may be required by some countries. E-visas are making things a little easier and faster, eliminating piles of paperwork.
Small and obscure countries don’t have embassies abroad, where you can apply for a visa. They may only have one or two in neighbouring countries, making the application process very challenging. Additionally, visas cost money, and can be expensive. A visa for Mongolia costs $230, while Bangladesh and Nigeria will set you back $180 each! It’s no surprise that none of these places have high visitor numbers. Until countries make it more affordable and easier to visit, most people won’t bother.
Thinking about visiting any country invites you to look beyond the familiar and discover destinations you might never have considered.
Location and Cost
Can You Travel to ANY Country in the World?
The geographical location of a country is a major factor when deciding to visit. Obscure destinations are seldom easy to reach, that’s the beauty of them. Three or more flights may be required to get there, at a substantial cost. Additionally, getting there and back can take days, chewing up valuable time.
These are the first questions to ask yourself, ‘how much time do I have?’ and ‘what’s my budget?’ Once you’ve answered these two questions, your list will start getting shorter. Time and money will more often than not determine a holiday.
Why Go?
Can You Travel to ANY Country in the World?
Some people fly into a country, stay a night or two, and leave – ticking it off their list. Sure, they’ve got the passport stamp to prove they were there, and maybe that’s all they wanted. But that’s not what travel means to us.
To truly visit a place – to begin to understand how people live, think, and connect – takes time. Slow travel is the only form of travel that makes sense. Anything else misses the point. And it’s not just about visiting every country – it’s about being open to going anywhere, even the lesser-known places. Some of the most memorable travel experiences happen in places you didn’t even know existed.
What’s your purpose when you travel? If it’s to get the most out of the experience – to meet people, understand their lives, and learn something new – then slowing down and staying curious is the only way to go.
Safety
Can You Travel to ANY Country in the World?
Your safety is the number one consideration before going anywhere. Obviously, destinations going through periods of conflict or war are not an option. That would mean Ukraine, Russia, Sudan’s and Israel are better left for future plans. Some people may be put off from going anywhere near these places, with neighbouring countries unfairly disadvantaged through no fault of their own. Take Moldova for example. A small peaceful country on Ukraine’s Western border – it has nothing to do with the war. The fighting is almost one thousand kilometres away, We spent a month in Moldova and had a safe and memorable time.
Georgia and Azerbaijan also border a current country in conflict, but they are well out of harm’s way, and travelling here is as safe as anywhere else. Belarus is an intriguing destination to discover, but it now has ‘do not travel‘ advice, due to its location and political philosophy.
Truly experiencing and understanding certain countries may not be possible at present, and discovering them best left for more stable times.
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Final thoughts on visiting ANY country in the world?
Visiting any of the 195 countries on the planet is possible – you can travel to them all. Of course, the time and costs involved will vary. Visa’s, tours, guides, flights, and the security situation at the time, are all going to be major considerations. BUT, there are still plenty of safe and accessible destinations to discover. So how many can we realistically experience? We won’t consider the twenty-three countries with ‘do not travel‘ advice, the ten most difficult-to-reach nations, or the ten with the most expensive and difficult entry visas – that’s forty-three countries off the list. We’ll also remove the fifty most visited countries, for a total of ninety-three. That still leaves over one hundred destinations to discover – almost half the world. Thinking about visiting any country invites you to look beyond the familiar and discover destinations you might never have considered. So be brave, broaden your mind, and visit an obscure destination on your next trip.