5 Underrated Countries You Need To Visit Before They Become Popular (Part 1)

Before visiting Uruguay, my knowledge about the country was limited. I knew it was often referred to as Argentina’s “little brother,” that one of my favorite artists, Jorge Drexler, was from there, and that they always seemed to be grouped with Nigeria in the World Cup. However, Uruguay blew me away on so many fronts. It turned out to be the safest, most structured, and “put together” country I visited in South America.

As someone who values good urban planning, I found Montevideo to be exceptional. The city is clean, green, and walkable, with an incredible waterfront trail where even senior citizens can be seen jogging every morning. I borrowed a bike from a friend and cycled through the city, even on highways. When I wasn’t cycling, the public transportation was super reliable; I never had to worry about Google Maps giving me incorrect timings. Traveling to other parts of the country is also a breeze, whether you are heading to the beautiful beaches of Punta del Este, the quaint town of Colonia, or taking a ferry to Argentina.

While Uruguay is pricier than most South American countries, there were plenty of free activities to enjoy. Many museums, palaces, and other attractions offered free or heavily subsidized entry. I was fortunate to be in Uruguay during Carnaval, and tickets for the incredible 7-hour parade were very affordable. Admittedly, my experience was enhanced by visiting during the summer (December – March). I’ve heard winters can be quite gloomy. However, the country’s political stability means you can plan a trip for any time without worrying about sudden disruptions.

Myanmar is a controversial choice due to the ongoing civil war that began in 2021. It’s status as “underrated” is kind of debatable since the country was once a popular Southeast Asian destination before the pandemic and the conflict. I visited Myanmar in late 2023 and don’t regret it at all. I learned more about the country and its situation than I ever had from the news or my IR classes. Initially, I was reluctant to visit because I didn’t want to support a military dictatorship, and of course, the country is still infamous for the Rohingya genocide. However, after traveling through almost all of Southeast Asia, I found Myanmar to be the place where people most needed my tourism dollars and appreciated it the most. The financial hardship of many citizens is palpable, and they are genuinely grateful for the few tourists who bring in hard currency and support local businesses. Due to the lack of tourists, I ended up interacting with many locals and hearing their stories and opposition to the government—something rarely highlighted in the media. It’s probably the destination where I learned the most during my months travelling through Southeast Asia.

Despite the challenges, including exchanging money and frequent power outages, Myanmar easily became one of my favorite countries in the region. I think because the country is unmarred by tourist-centric arrangements unlike many of its neighboring countries, it felt less artificial. Also, the country offers incredible value for money. For example, Bagan is absolutely stunning and comparable to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, yet it’s free, whereas Angkor Wat costs $40 for a day pass. I might be biased because Yangon reminded me a lot of my hometown of Lagos, Nigeria, but I thought the major cities were quite captivating. Mandalay and Yangon’s amazing temples and pagodas were highlights and I think are close contender to those in Thailand. The people were also incredibly sweet and helpful, from assisting me when I missed my bus to Bagan to offering me free traditional food.

While you can never be too sure of the situation in Myanmar because of the conflict, I visited three cities across the country by bus without any safety issues. Of course, some areas should be avoided due to intense conflict, but that’s true for several countries. I sincerely hope the situation in Myanmar improves, bringing more tourists back. If you’re not easily scared by yellow journalism, I encourage you to visit. Not only will you gain firsthand insights into what’s going on there and help the local people in a dire situation, but you’ll also meet amazing, like-minded, risk-taking travelers. I’m still great friends with the travelers I met there—I even went to Thailand and the Maldives with one of them after we left Myanmar. 

This one is for the nature lovers! Initially, I didn’t have high expectations and planned to use Eswatini as a gateway to get from Mozambique to South Africa. However, I ended up staying for four days, enchanted by its beauty. The country’s landscape is like something out of a fairytale, with Sibebe Rock—Africa’s largest rock and the world’s second-largest monolith—being a must-visit. Beyond Sibebe, there are countless beautiful hikes through the picturesque mountains and hills.

Getting around the country is easy and inexpensive via public transport. Once you get used to the crowded taxis and the conductors shouting destinations, it’s a smooth ride, especially with the country’s excellent roads. Beyond nature, Eswatini offers rich cultural experiences as Africa’s last monarchy. The Swazi culture is fascinating, with numerous ceremonies to witness. I narrowly missed the Bushfire Festival in Malkerns in late May, which locals assured me is the best time of the year. If I return, I’ll make sure to attend.

While Eswatini might be small, it deserves more attention, especially given its proximity to South Africa which is so frequently visited. It’s definitely worth a visit in its own right.

Iraq, unfortunately, suffers from a negative reputation, but it stands out as one of my best experiences in the Middle East. It’s always frustrating trying to explain to people that the last significant conflicts ended in 2017, and the country’s recovery has been remarkable. I visited in the spring of 2023 and was surprised that their currency was actually appreciating against the dollar. Additionally, I found the country to be incredibly safe. I traveled across eight cities, from the north to the south, and even crossed into Kuwait on foot without ever feeling unsafe. The huge presence of soldiers and checkpoints, if anything, made me feel more secure. Yes, they are annoying, but the soldiers were always looking out for me and sometimes even using google translate to ask me if I was okay.

The diversity of experiences in Iraq is astounding. Kurdistan offers stunning gorges, with hikes in Rawanduz ranking among my top five worldwide. The central region is rich with ancient architecture, from Babylon to Nineveh to Ur (ancient cities that would be very meaningful to my fellow Christians). The mosques in Karbala and Najaf are breathtaking and like nothing I’ve ever seen before. And then there’s the marshes of Chibayish and myriad UNESCO World Heritage Sites in cities such as Mosul and Basra.

As a cherry on top, Iraqis are some of the most hospitable people I’ve ever met. I also forgot my fanny pack with lots of money at a major attraction in Rawanduz and found it untouched 40 minutes later—a level of honesty I rarely expect in America. I believe Iraq is the most underrated country on this list. The blend of nature, history, and culture is unmatched, and I anticipate it will become a top Middle Eastern destination as more people realize how much its situation has changed and discover its true charm.

Georgia is one of those places that left me astonished by the quality of experiences it offered compared to what I paid. Though geographically most of Georgia is in Asia, for the purpose of this post, I’ve placed it under Europe as it is more culturally European and has even previously applied to join the EU. It’s no wonder that under the USSR, it was considered the “French Riviera” for Soviet vacationers. Georgia is the perfect place to enjoy European holiday vibes without European prices.

For such a small country, Georgia has an incredible variety of offerings. Tbilisi provides classic European city atmosphere; Batumi boasts a gorgeous waterfront, and Gudauri offers snowcapped mountains and affordable skiing. Nature lovers can explore the Prometheus Caves, Martvili Canyon, and the vast deciduous forests of Vashlovani National Park. The architectural history is equally impressive, with some of the world’s oldest churches and monasteries scattered throughout the country. The best part is that many of these attractions are easily accessible, often as day trips from major cities because of the small size of the country.

I visited in early 2022, when global tourism was still recovering, so I assume the prices have increased since then. However, when I visited, I found tours to these places for under $30—a steal considering the distances involved. Georgian food is one of my favorite cuisines, their wine is delicious, and it comes at an incredible value. Given its proximity to Europe, I’m amazed at how underrated Georgia remains. The sheer quality of what you get for what you pay for is unparalleled.