People of Colour Travel Advice - Tips & Destinations
Travelling as a person of colour
No matter someone's race or gender, they should have the freedom to travel without compromising their safety. However, even in 2025, there are still additional things to consider as a person of colour when travelling abroad.
In this guide, we'll go over the following:
- Things to consider before travel.
- Travel advice while abroad.
- Countries to visit.
Do your research
Researching potential destinations is essential for all travellers. No matter how safe an area is, you can never be too careful, and conducting sufficient research is a must. Before travel, you should know the country's general social etiquettes, unsafe areas, and laws.
However, as a person of colour, there are a few further things you should look into. One of these is the diversity of a country. Some countries have a vast majority of one specific race, and in some rural locations, you may be the first person of a different race they've seen in person. While this won't necessarily make you unsafe, it could mean you receive more stares than comfortable.
Another important thing to consider is the political state of the country. If there's been an increase in racial attacks in recent years or a lot of tension when it comes to immigration laws, then it might be best to avoid that country until things calm down.
Summary:
- Social norms
- Safe and unsafe areas
- Laws
- Diversity
- Political tensions
Stay in touch
While this is good practice for all travellers, it's especially important if you're travelling alone.
By keeping regular contact with loved ones, such as sending them a text or a photo every few hours, not only are you being a good friend or relative, but you're also ensuring your own safety.
Although it's not nice to think about, if the worst were to happen and you went missing, your friends or family would become aware of this almost immediately. After missing one or two expected calls, those you've been in contact with will know to take action, such as alerting authorities.
The quicker it gets noticed that something's amiss, the greater the chance that something can be done about it.
Summary:
- Phone calls
- Text messages
- Photos
- Regular schedule
Connect with other travellers
If you're solo travelling to a country, it can be a good idea to meet up with tour groups at your destination. This provides a safer travel experience and is particularly vital for groups that are more at risk of being targeted, such as people of colour, women, or LGBT+ travellers.
Finding a reliable company to tour with will give you added security and knowledge, thanks to the expert guides who will join you on your trip.
Summary:
- Join a reputable tour group
Be calm and confident
One of the most important things while abroad is staying calm and confident. Criminals tend to target those they perceive as weak and vulnerable, demonstrating confidence, such as looking like you know where you're going, can be the deciding factor in whether criminals go after you.
From petty crimes like pickpocketing to serious felonies like trafficking, by not appearing meek, you're lessening your chances of being at risk.
Summary:
- Lowers risk of being targeted
The safest countries to visit as a person of colour
These countries have the highest racial equity scores. Their societies focus on equal opportunities, respect and addressing the systematic roots of racism to prevent it. While everyone's experience will be different, and unsafe situations can arise, despite your race, gender or sexuality, in these countries your skin colour is less likely to have an impact on your experience.
How do other popular tourist destinations rank for racial equity?
Multiple things determine a country's racial equity. The key factor in the study mentioned on this page was perception. Researchers selected a subset of people from each country and asked them to state the extent to which they agreed with the statement, 'A country is stronger when it is more racially and ethnically diverse.' The more that agreed, the greater the racial equity.
- South Africa = 11th
- Australia = 12th
- Brazil = 14th
- Switzerland = 15th
- United Kingdom = 16th
- Spain = 19th
- France = 20th
- United Arab Emirates = 28th
- Mexico = 36th
- Greece = 37th
- United States = 55th
- Japan = 62nd
- Turkey = 64th
- Russia = 72nd
- China = 75th
- South Korea = 85th
What to do if there's an emergency abroad?
When travelling, it's always good to have a plan in place in case of an emergency. Most of the time, your time abroad will be entirely trouble-free, but being prepared won't do you any harm.
Travel Insurance
Nuisances like lost luggage and damage to equipment can be incredibly unfair and annoying. Thankfully, by ensuring you have travel insurance, the cost of that damage will be compensated to your account. If something even more serious were to happen and you were injured and had to go to the hospital, travel insurance assures that you're not left with a hefty bill after treatment.
Know the emergency numbers
Before visiting a country, it's essential that you know its emergency numbers, whether you need to call an ambulance or the police. Another part of this is making sure you have your phone on you. Although it can be nice to go entirely technology-free on holiday, keeping your phone is nestled in your pocket can be the saving factor in an emergency.
Stay calm
This is, of course, easier said than done, but by trying to stay calm, you can prevent an emergency from worsening. In high-stress situations, setting yourself a task can help. If you're with a family member and they're badly injured, stay with them and call the emergency number. Having a straightforward task in mind can make a bad situation more manageable. For other crises, like armed robbery, staying calm and not escalating the problem can make all the difference. It's better to lose your money than your life.
Experiences from seasoned travellers
We've asked a small sample size of seasoned travellers to share their experiences while travelling as people of colour. Here's a summary of what they had to say:
š Multiple people we asked stated that of all the locations they visited, France was where they were treated most negatively because of their race.
š On the other hand, many of the tourists we spoke to stated that Mediterranean countries such as Spain, Cyprus, and Greece were lovely experiences, as were Cosmopolitan countries like Canada, Dubai, and the Caribbean.
š One of the people we interviewed described an experience in Jamaica. They were staying at an expensive hotel with largely white residents. On multiple occasions, the other tourists assumed that because they were black, they were a staff member rather than a guest.
Advice from seasoned travellers
After sharing their experiences, we asked our sample of travellers to give their advice on being a person of colour abroad.
š Don't go into the holiday expecting a negative experience. Most of the time, you'll be able to travel without any bad incidents. If you do get attention, it will often be curiosity rather than overt rudeness.
š Be open-minded, and don't limit yourself. If you want to travel the world, do it, and don't let anything deter you. Nowhere should be off-limits unless it's an area with a recent history of racial attacks or trouble with foreigners.
š Most importantly, be confident and have fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any countries I should avoid as a person of colour?
Unfortunately, even today, there are still locations across the world where people of colour aren't entirely welcome. Travelling anywhere involves at least some element of risk, but with certain destinations, the colour of your skin heightens that risk. Make sure to research the destination you plan to visit in full, as often it can be specific parts of a country rather than the country as a whole where travelling as a person of colour poses greater challenges.
What are the safest locations to visit as a person of colour?
Countries with high levels of racial equity are great places for individuals of all races to visit. The top three countries with the highest racial equity scores are Denmark, New Zealand and the Netherlands. There are plenty of destinations where the colour of your skin won't impact travel even slightly. Still, it's always a good idea to research the area you'll be visiting beforehand so that you know exactly what to expect.