Worlds Friendliest Countries
Traveling around the world can be amazing, but it can also be pretty isolating. If you don’t speak the local language, people can treat you as if you don’t exist. But this definitely isn’t true everywhere. Some countries are full of friendly people and you’ll feel right at home as soon as you arrive. A 2018 survey from InterNations officially found out the friendliest countries. Here they are.
Canada
If you’re not very well traveled, you might just think of Canada as America’s next-door-neighbor. But it’s so much more than that. It’s the second biggest country in the world and it has one of the biggest hearts. Even in the height of rush hour, people are pretty polite to each other. A lot of Canadians feel like they get too much stick for being overly polite. Whether this is because they’re being compared to the USA or not is up for debate. Either way, if you visit or decide to live in Canada, you’re sure to feel pretty comfortable.
Vietnam
When a lot of people think of Vietnam, they’ll think of the Vietnam war. But since that ended over 40 years ago, it’s probably about time they got a new reputation. The other thing that Vietnam is famous for now is backpacking. Vietnam is part of a well-trodden backpacking route that involves other South East Asian countries like Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. And one thing that travelers always talk about is the friendliness of the locals. They are happy to invite you into their homes, they’ll giggle when you attempt the impossible language, and they’ll generally make your time in their country enjoyable. So prepare your backpacking backpack and hit the road.
Columbia
Columbia is another country that suffers from bad stereotypes. If you’ve been watching ‘Narcos’ on Netflix, you’ll probably think that Columbia is still the drug production capital of the world. Sure, it has a murky past, but that shouldn’t let you be put off from visiting there. Columbian people are some of the most welcoming in the world. They go out of their way to make visitors feel comfortable. This is probably because Columbian people, who are very patriotic, are embarrassed by their country’s past and they want to change the global perception.
Oman
Oman is an Arab country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It has a rich past of trading in frankincense and a great reputation as one of the friendliest countries in the world. Of course, as is the case with most Middle Eastern countries, there are certain rules you have to follow. You should research the laws before you go. Drugs are strictly prohibited, they don’t like people taking photos of government buildings, you can’t be drunk in public, and, unfortunately, homosexuality is still illegal.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful places on earth. If you visit there, you can expect beautiful beaches, incredible mountain ranges, and tropical rainforests. And to make it even better, the people in Costa Rica are super friendly. Costa Ricans are also known as Ticos, which comes from the Spanish word for little brothers – hermanticos. This should give you an idea for the Costa Rican people’s spirit. They care deeply about family, community, and togetherness.
Bahrain
Bahrain is another Middle Eastern country that is known for being a fantastic place to live and visit. One of the main reasons that so many expats and travelers love Bahrain is that it’s the most liberal Arab country. The rules are very relaxed when you consider the religious beliefs held in the region. And, it’s quite common for foreigners to become friends with the locals, which is less common in other Arab countries. They are also a lot more progressive when it comes to equal rights for women. Women aren’t required to wear burkas or other religious clothing, and many Bahraini women are business owners.
Cambodia
Like Vietnam, Cambodia is another country in South East Asia that is well-known for its friendly people. Travelers often say that Cambodia is like how Thailand was twenty years ago before it became westernized. This is a pretty accurate description. If you go to the main tourist hotspots, like Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, you’ll find a lot of tourists. But, if you leave the tourist trail, you’ll find some of the biggest smiles in the world. The locals might not have much, but they’re happy to share it with you.
Mexico
When you think of Mexico, you think of tequila, mariachi bands, and sunshine. But when you get there, you’ll be surprised at just how nice everyone is. The country is full of some of the most welcoming people in the world. They are heavily religious, care deeply about family values, and prefer social interaction to wealth. That means people aren’t focusing on their bank accounts and instead of making memories. We know this attitude to life will appeal to people that are traveling the world.
Taiwan
Taiwan is another Asian country with a lot of Western travelers. Most of these westerners are there to teach English as a foreign language. But most of them stay because the people are so nice. You won’t find anyone that left because they didn’t like the locals. Not everyone speaks English, but there are so many people in Taiwan who are willing to help you if you have a problem. You’ll be amazed by the kindness of the people, especially if you come from a western country.
Portugal
Portugal was actually voted as the friendliest country in the world for expats to live in. It’s also well thought of as one of the best places to visit. Not only is Portugal one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean, but you’ll also feel like one of the locals as soon as you arrive. The people in Portugal care deeply about the community and looking out for one and other. And this attitude isn’t just reserved for each other, they’ll extend their kindness to foreigners visiting the country. That’s why so many people move there!
Sources:
- What are Costa Ricans like? – Go Visit Costa Rica
- The World’s Friendliest Countries Revealed – Forbes
- These are the World’s Friendliest Countries – Far & Wide
