The term 'third world country' is something that has been open to interpretation for a long time now. It was first coined in the press during the Cold War era, but the definition has changed on multiple occasions throughout the years. Because of this, you're going to see some entries in here that you may think don't make any sense, and we can completely understand the logic behind that.
Alas, we have our reasons for including all twenty, and we can assure you that this list is not being done in a 'mockery' kind of way. We legitimately believe there are valid reasons to travel to all of these destinations, and as you can see by the title, we'd choose them over a visit to the United States - which has had its fair share of issues as of late.
As a country there are positives to living and even visiting America, but when you measure everything up, it just feels like there's too much negativity over there to deal with at the moment. If you want a quick summary of that then go and watch Childish Gambino's 'This Is America' video, and we pretty much guarantee that you'll get the message.
Even if you don't there's still no reason why you can't learn to love and appreciate the other entries on this list, because all of them will provide you with a fun and entertaining travel experience. Even if that isn't the case, though, they'll certainly be eye-openers, which is to be expected when you're on your way to a third world location.
20 Brazil - What An Experience
The Brazilians have had to deal with some tough times over the last few years, even though the fact they've suggested the Olympic Games and the World Cup would suggest otherwise. The poverty over there appears to be at an all-time high, especially when it comes to Rio de Janeiro.
This isn't about your personal feelings towards the nation, because instead, it should be about exploring and investigating one of the most beautiful countries on the planet. When things are great in Brazil there's nothing quite like it, and the party atmosphere speaks for itself. Trust us, it's quite the place.
19 Vietnam - A Gap Year Tradition
Vietnam is a mysterious country filled with many different opportunities and places to explore, but that wasn't always the case. The Vietnam War left a black mark on the country that will likely never go away, but now, they certainly seem to be coming out the other side of it.
It's one of the most naturally stunning destinations you could possibly visit, and that isn't an overstatement - at least not in our mind. It's also a standard stop on any gap year for kids who happen to be 'discovering' themselves before going off to college or university. So, you know, it must be good, right?
18 India - Growing Rapidly
Certain parts of India are home to unbelievably wealthy individuals, but that certainly isn't true of the entire country. In fact, the majority of folks that live over there suffer from some pretty bad conditions and illnesses, with the overpopulation of the country being a big factor behind that.
Still, the country as a whole has a lot going for it, and that'll be the case for many years to come as they continue to expand both financially and internally. If nothing else a quick trip to the Taj Mahal is more than worth your time, so that you can tick it off of your bucket list.
17 Barbados - Always Popular
Believe it or not, it's true.
Barbados is stereotypically dubbed a 'third world' country, even though everything about it (in the eyes of tourists) is great. It's frequently visited by many folks who want to experience what it's like to live on the other side for a week or two, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Sometimes you need to just sit back and relax in order to leave your troubles behind, because life can be difficult sometimes. You won't find yourself worrying about your job or the current political climate here, because you'll be too busy sunning yourself up and dancing the night away.
16 Rwanda - so much to love
Rwanda is located in East Africa, and based on that information alone, it could be easy for others to strike it down as being a country not worth visiting. Alas, that would be a tragic mistake, because Rwanda truly does represent everything that's great about the continent.
From the national parks to the mountainous landscapes there is so much to love about Rwanda, and we're not just saying that because they have one of the best flags in the world.
The spirit of the people that reside there is infectious, and everyone should praise them for possessing that kind of optimism.
15 Tunisia - Tourism Talks
This is actually an entry that we don't agree with, ironically enough.
The title of this piece does indeed indicate that a lot of people would rather go on a nice holiday away to Tunisia than go to the United States. We do in fact believe that's true, but we don't agree with the entry in the sense that we don't personally fall into that category.
Tunisia as a nation has made a series of major failings when it comes to the protection of tourists over the course of the last few years, and we would much rather spend some time over in the States. That doesn't go for everyone, but it's a personal belief of ours.
14 Comoros - Severely Underrated
Comoros is a country that is tucked away on an island in East Africa, and bizarrely enough, it's probably somewhere that very few people even know exist. That's a shame, though, because it's an absolute gem of a destination to visit if you just want to turn your brain off and explore for a few days.
The financial situation over there isn't quite as dire as some of our other entries but it still isn't great, and in the old school 'terms' as well as the new, it definitely falls into the third world category. Even then, though, it's not going to detract us from seeing what we want to see and doing what we want to do there.
13 Maldives - Utterly Breathtaking
We're confident in saying that we don't need to sell the Maldives to anyone, but we'll go ahead and try to give it a shot anyway. This is one of the most 'elite' destinations in terms of luxurious holidays, but it's worth remembering that many people still suffer over there despite the tourism numbers.
That's probably because there isn't enough to spread out throughout the entire nation, which shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Of course, it's an absolute paradise and getting the chance to visit would be an absolute dream, although it may cost an arm and a leg to save up for the honeymoon if that's the route you're going down.
12 Solomon Islands - Create Change
The Solomon Islands played an important role in WWII, which is something that'll never leave the nation (if you want to define it as such) when it comes to their identity. If you look at it in the present day, though, it has the aura of a tropical island that you'd never want to leave.
This is the kind of place that can only be defined as a living, breathing rehab holiday facility, that will allow you to recharge and relax like you never have before. The phrase of forgetting about your troubles is often overused, but trust us, you won't even remember what it was you were worried about upon leaving.
11 Egypt - See The Pyramids
The pyramids that can be found throughout the historical nation of Egypt are truly remarkable, and they should feature on anyone's bucket list of things that they want to do before they leave this Earth.
We take for granted some of the things that we have in this life but there are some wonders of this world that just can't be ignored. Sure, there are some great pieces of architecture and things of that nature over in the States, but nothing can quite compare to that moment where you first lay eyes on the pyramids. It's magical, and we mean that sincerely.
10 Colombia - Ignore The Stereotypes
The reputation associated with Colombia stems from the culture of organised illegal activity there, which has been in place for decades now. Escobar tends to be one of the most notorious names that pop up when discussing it, but in reality, there's so much more to the country than just the former kingpin.
Colombia is a beautiful country that is doing everything in its power to restore their reputation, and a lot of the beauty on display can be found outside of the major cities. They have everything you could ever want from a trip abroad, and the locals there really know how to make you feel welcome.
9 Nepal - Climb Everest
Nepal is an exceptionally poor country and that isn't exactly something that we enjoy saying out loud. The nation struggles in terms of poverty and that's been the case for a long old time, but beyond that, you've got one of nature's finest creations right on their doorstep: Mount Everest.
It's often considered to be an unambitious goal to suggest that you can climb Everest one day, but that shouldn't be the case. The surrounding areas and Everest itself all make up this remarkable 'structure' if you will, and seeing pictures and videos of it online doesn't do it justice.
8 Fiji - What A Place
Fiji is gorgeous and that's the most blunt and honest way of putting it. Like many other countries here, they struggle financially and have done so for many years, but from a tourism perspective, it really is difficult not to fall in love with the place.
The locals are very proud of their many traditions as well as their heritage, with many comparing it to the popular US state of Hawaii. Whether you feel inclined to do the same or not, though, the white sand beaches and blue waters are always going to be there waiting for you to enjoy.
7 Mexico - So Much To Do
What is there to say about the country of Mexico that hasn't already been said? It's a crazy world over there and it's baffling to think that it's right next door to the United States, because the two countries couldn't be more polar opposites.
That's a good thing, too, because you need that kind of variety especially with travelling. You can always pop over to the States if you feel like it given the close proximity, but the Mexicans will almost certainly be able to show you a good time.
Oh, and the food & drink options are really tremendous.
6 Burundi - Make A Difference
The people of Burundi have been through a great deal and it doesn't feel like that should be 'taboo' to say out loud. For all of the stereotypes you see on television about the way of life over in Africa, Burundi lives up to that reputation.
From crime to poverty there are so many issues that still need to be resolved, and you can play a big role in that. Whether it be volunteering to help build houses or just donating some of your belongings, every little bit helps - and the same goes for many other nations in crisis. This way of living needs to stop.
5 China - Surprising But Accurate
You may be surprised to see somewhere like China on here, but don't be fooled by the larger than life technology companies that have taken up residence in Beijing and Shanghai. The country still has a long way to go, with many places still experiencing some rough times.
Nonetheless, China is a magnificent place to visit if only to see what it's like to be a part of an entirely different culture. The east and the west couldn't be further apart in so many ways, and it's important to educate yourself about that from time to time.
Trust us, this country is special.
4 Senegal - Experience Dakar
Senegal as a nation is arguably known for their exploits in the world of football more so than anything else, and that shouldn't be the case. Tourists should be flooding into the country in order to see what it has to offer, with the city of Dakar playing a big role in that.
We've actually criticised Dakar in the past, but it appears to be a city on the rise nowadays. From being selected to host the 2022 Youth Olympics to having a newly thriving economy, we're fascinated to keep learning more about Dakar and Senegal as a whole - and you should be too.
3 Cuba - Yes Please
The Caribbean isn't exactly perfect, but if you want a stress free holiday where you can enjoy life and try something new, then Cuba would be at the top of our suggestions list.
From the Havana to the many carnivals it's a party atmosphere unlike any other, and people shouldn't forget about how great it is just because of how many great alternatives there are to be found across the globe.
There are so many wonderful nations out there that we should all be going out of our way to try and explore in our lifetime, and Cuba is one of our favourites.
2 Haiti - A True Tragedy
The world will never forget the tragedy of the Haiti earthquake, and they shouldn't. We're talking about a country that is still full of life and hope even in the present day, and there's something so unbelievably admirable about that.
They are still feeling the effects from the earthquake almost nine years on, which will hardly come as much of a surprise. Once you visit, however, you start to get a real flavour for just how passionate the locals are about their home nation, in addition to just how inspirational they all are.
We'd recommend a trip there to quite literally anyone, because it really is a cleansing experience.
1 N-Korea - Odd But True
We're starting off with a bit of an odd one, which may cause some people to turn away immediately. Trust us, we aren't trying to start any conflict here, but we're instead choosing to try and educate folks regarding the ins and outs of these nations.
When it comes to NK, our logic rests in the fact that it's just such a fascinating country - to the point where it can be best described as intriguing. You don't have to like the practices that are put in place there, but seeing it for yourself is almost enough to take your breath away. No, we don't necessarily mean that in a good way either.