35 Countries Where Tourists Get the Royal Treatment (And 20 Where They Don't)

48. Eritrea: Highly Restrictive and Unpredictable

Eritrea is one of the most difficult countries in the world for independent travel due to its highly authoritarian government and restrictive policies. Obtaining a visa is notoriously difficult, and once inside, visitors face severe restrictions on movement, requiring permits for travel outside the capital. Surveillance is pervasive, and photography can be problematic. This extreme control, coupled with limited infrastructure and a general lack of open interaction with locals due to government fear, creates an exceptionally unwelcoming and often uncomfortable experience for anyone venturing there as a tourist.