14 Inclusive Destinations That Are Exceptionally Hospitable To Travelers Of Color, According To People Who Have Made The Trip

I spoke with:

 • Kareemah, a YouTube Travel Content Creator and founder of the Hijab Globetrotter.

 • Marinel de Jesus, founder of Brown Gal Trekker and Equity Global Treks.

 • Annette Richmond, founder of From Annette With Love and Fat Girls Traveling.

• Tomiko Harvey, founder of Passports and Grub and VP at the Black Travel Alliance.

When the pandemic started, Marinel de Jesus found herself unexpectedly stranded in Mongolia. She ended up staying there 294 days, but didn’t once feel unwelcome. “As a Nomadic people, Mongolians have an interesting perception of travelers,” she said, referring to the fact that a third of Mongolians practice seminomadic herding. “They take care of you; they don’t want you to be alone. It’s almost like they join you on your journey back home.” Even as the only Filipina and foreigner in her region, she said she was greeted with kindness everywhere she went.

Start your adventure in this pastoral country in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, then head to the mountains as quickly as you can. In the summer, you’ll find a beautiful, remote landscape, tons of hiking opportunities, and amazing horseback riding.

While De Jesus admits that being Asian might have made her experience in Bhutan a bit easier, she says that this country on the edge of the Himalayas is generally pretty welcoming. Perhaps, she explained, it’s because Bhutan is difficult to visit. (In fact, Bhutan charges a hefty $200 per day entrance “fee”).

In addition, Bhutan is considered one of the happiest countries in the world — if not the happiest country in the world. A Buddhist peace-loving attitude might have something to do with that.

If you’re willing to pay, you’ll find surreal Buddhist monasteries hanging on mountain cliffs, amazing vegetarian food, and Himalayan trekking.

When the pandemic started, Annette Richmond left Thailand in a hurry for her home country of the U.S., thinking it would be safer. “That was a mistake,” she said, citing the continued police brutality against Black people.

In Mexico, Richmond says she’s found a home base for the first time. “There’s a huge Black community here,” she said. “It was really nice to be around beautiful Black people. You don’t often get that when you’re traveling abroad.”

Besides the sense of community, you’ll also find elegant architecture, some of the best food in the world, historical archeological sites, and a world-renowned art scene.

And there’s another priceless pro to being in Mexico: “If I ever see the police here, I am not fearing for my life. You can’t put a value on not fearing for your life when you see the police.”

“As a fat person, I love India because you’ll see all types of women — thin women, older women, fat women — wearing crop tops; various sizes are more accepted,” said Richmond. She did get a few requests for photos, but never with a negative intent. She also said she never experienced microaggressions — like the catcalls she received in another city in Europe.

She recommends that anyone touring India try authentic cuisine and dancing. “The music makes you want to dance and I learned some moves during a local cooking tour. Bollywood films will keep you in the theater for a few hours (intermission included) but the dancing and singing make it worth it.”

Home to the Taj Mahal, incredible religious monuments, delectable Indian cuisine, fine beaches, India is a vast country that’ll appease athletic mountain climbers and food tourists alike.

Japan has one of the lowest rates of gun violence in the world and gun violence is extremely rare (in 2014, the country had just six gun deaths, compared to 33,599 in the US). This fact alone makes the country safer to visit for some travelers, notes Richmond.

For her, the biggest roadblock was a language barrier, but with the help of a pocket wi-fi router, she was able to enjoy the country’s many spoils, including the freshest seafood, Tokyo Disney, the Harajuku district, and friendly locals. 

“Amalfi Coast is the first destination that I fell in love with that is absolutely stunning,” said Tomiko Harvey. “Everybody was so friendly and I didn’t feel unwanted or unwelcome.”

Often referred to as one of the best destinations in the world, the Amalfi Coast is truly a postcard come to life. It’s got mountain cliffs that are sure to inspire, boat rides that’ll have you feeling like a million bucks, and seafood and Italian cuisine that’ll make the whole trip worth it.

Located southeast of Florida and the Bahamas, this island is known for its crystal clear blue waters, scuba diving, snorkeling, and luxurious resorts.

For Harvey, it’s also her favorite family-friendly destination where she celebrates her daughter’s birthday every year. “Everybody is just so welcoming and friendly. The people that live there — they really want you to have a good time at their destination.”