We’ve prepared some fresh vacation ideas that welcome people of African descent so take a look at 10 best countries for African Americans to visit and plan your next trip.
Many people fear international traveling due to various reasons. It is no secret that humans are prone to prejudices and that they make certain conclusions based entirely on misconceptions and ignorance. This is a shame because the world is beautiful and there are so many stunning places we should see and things we should experience. We should meet other cultures and their beautiful and interesting customs, and no silly prejudices should prevent that.
When it comes to the African American community, it is quite understandable that some would refrain from visiting a country believed to be a little bit racist. Unfortunately, bigotry and ignorance persist in some parts of the world even though we have evolved and advanced so much in every possible field. These places remain a little bit prejudiced against other races or religions due to lack of contact with other cultures. But it’s not only isolated or ignorant places that are prejudiced; sometimes discrimination comes from educated people with important political functions. That said, it is believed that some of the worst countries for black tourists include Indonesia and South Korea, while many also still discuss that some parts of the USA may be struggling with discrimination against people of African descent. You can read more about countries with discrimination issues in 13 Worst Countries in Europe and Asia for Black People to Live and Visit.
I will not delve deeper into the matter of discrimination today but rather focus on a more positive idea and talk about places where African Americans are welcomed. Speaking of positive sides, if you want to know what the best countries for black families to live are, we wrote an article about that earlier so you should have a look.
When you are thinking of places to travel to, it is essential to research in order to find out whether African Americans are welcomed there and fortunately, tolerance is on the rise in most parts of the world which means the worst countries for African Americans may not be so terrible now. Hopefully, discrimination will be a distant memory soon for all of us as soon the black population will make about 40% of the entire world’s population. If we take a look at countries with the largest black population outside of the African continent, France, Haiti, Colombia, the United States, and Brazil are at the very top of the list. It’s almost impossible to find a country with no black population, but a few countries may be close to it. On the other hand, if you want to compare the percentage of white population in African countries, check out 12 African Countries with the Largest White Population.
In an effort to encourage not only African Americans but all people to travel and see the world, we have compiled a list of best countries for African Americans to visit. Break the stereotypes by traveling and experiencing something new. It is important to mention despite the progress we see in recent years, bits of racism may still exist even in the countries on our list but its level is negligible compared to other countries. We should also emphasize that our list was entirely based on experiences of travelers who visited these countries and shared their views on Quora, Reddit, and a few African American travel bloggers such as Oneika the Traveller, ‘N a Perfect World, and The Blog Abroad. We gathered enough information to compile the genuine “black vacation spots 2017” list so that you can decide which of the countries that love black guys as well as girls you are going to visit this year. The list represents the best countries to go to, but there are many other great countries not mentioned here that you can visit. And of course, not everyone’s experience is the same and we must take that factor into consideration as well. Our aim is not to limit but to encourage people to explore the world.
Here are 10 best countries for African Americans to visit.
10. Japan
Japan is a developed country with a strong culture and rich history that everyone should experience. Besides, what is often mentioned about Japan in a similar dialogue is the fact that it has a cool hip-hop culture ever since the 1980s which created a strong affinity for African Americans. Its capital, Tokyo, is a place where you will find plenty of amazing things and a mixture of the new vs. old (fashion and technology vs.tradition). According to experiences of some African Americans visiting Japan, the country seems to be pretty friendly when it comes to black people, so it should definitely be on the African American vacation spots lists.
9. The United Kingdom
The UK and especially London is a culturally diverse environment where African Americans are welcomed. The only thing that may stand out from the crowd may be your American accent, as there is a large community of black people in the UK. Quora may help understand this matter as this Londoner explains how Britons view black people in general as well as how they view African Americans in their country.
8. Germany
We are continuing our list of best countries for African Americans to visit with Germany which is often mentioned in dialogues related to friendly destinations for African Americans. The country itself is pretty liberal, especially Berlin, it’s capital city that boasts an international community. There is something for everyone here, and you are likely to be met with kindness should you decide to put Germany on your traveling list. If you are eager to learn more about what to expect when you’re in Germany, this article explains how Germans view African Americans and emphasize that even though like in any major city there are areas to avoid, Berlin is pretty safe for black people.
7. The Netherlands
The Netherlands is another friendly country where African Americans are welcome to spend their holiday without feeling unsafe. In fact, the Netherlands has a large Afro-Caribbean community, and black people are well-accepted. If you are thinking of visiting Europe, you should definitely consider starting from the land of tulips.
6. Switzerland
Switzerland is one of my favorite countries due to the fact it’s politically neutral and does not involve in any conflicts or wars. It’s also a very culturally diverse country, so it’s a great place to visit. This rich European country, especially Zurich and Geneva, has a significant black community and you are most likely to be met with politeness. Perhaps this discussion may shed some light on the matter in case you would like to hear from people living in Switzerland or who visited the country.
And now, let’s see the top five best countries for African Americans to visit.
5. Cuba
If you decide to travel to Cuba, you should definitely visit Havana; it’s capital. You should know that Cubans are used to tourists, so you can fully explore the Afro-Cuban culture that is rich with street art, good music, and even better food.
4. Italy
African Americans are more than welcome to visit Italy where you will be met with kindness. Italians may be genuinely curious and may ask questions, but according to experiences of black people who traveled or even lived in Italy, this curiosity is expressed in a loving manner that can only contribute to the bonding of the two cultures. This blogger who lived in Italy for a while says that Italian people like black women and her experiences do sound very positive.
3. Colombia
Up next on our list of best countries for African Americans to visit we have Colombia which is a multi-cultural country with a great number of Afro-Colombians, so naturally, it’s a place where you and your African American family will be welcomed. Although there is some class disparity between black and white Colombians, black tourists are usually well received, so you don’t have to worry about your safety if you decide to travel here.
2. Brazil
Brazil ranks second on our list of best countries for African Americans to visit. It has the largest population of black people outside of Africa, and this culturally diverse country is a great place to spend your next vacation. Besides the great weather all year round and its vibrant culture, Brazil is also a very affordable destination so visiting this country is a must not just for African Americans but for everyone seeking an adventure. Oneika claims that Brazil is largely shaped by the enslaved Africans brought there during the slave trade, and she sees Brazil as the ideal getaway for any African American traveler.
1. France
France is a country that claims to be colorblind, and even though statistics on ethnicity is not allowed in France, we know it is home to a large number of black people. It is also one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, and now you have one more reason to visit it. There is minimal racism in France compared to other countries, and therefore, it’s often ranked as the best country for African Americans to visit, which is why we ranked it first as well. On top of it all, Paris has always been the city where writers, artists and many other individuals who wanted to be often accepted came to spend their lives. According to CNN, Paris has embraced African American culture like no other place and many fled to Paris to seek freedom in this liberal country.
This wraps it up for our list of best countries for African Americans to visit.