Not all travel horror stories come from pickpockets or flight delays. Many are born from food poisoning, polluted streets, or unhygienic hotels. The truth is that some cities, however vibrant and historic, have serious sanitation challenges that affect visitors. As both a cleaning industry professional and an avid traveler, I’ve spent years studying how hygiene—or the lack of it—shapes tourism.
Let’s look at the eight cities that most often frustrate travelers due to poor cleanliness standards—and, more importantly, three clean alternatives for each.
1. Delhi, India
Why it’s risky: Delhi is a cultural powerhouse, but also one of the most challenging cities for hygiene. Street food often fails safety checks, air pollution regularly hits hazardous levels, and waste management remains inconsistent. Studies show that 65% of backpackers in Delhi report stomach-related illness during their trip.
Top 3 Clean Alternatives in Asia:
- Singapore– With a sanitation score of 95/100, spotless streets, and food stalls regulated by strict government checks, it’s one of the world’s cleanest destinations.
- Tokyo, Japan– Renowned for its clean subways, public toilets, and near-obsession with hygiene. Tap water is safe everywhere.
- Seoul, South Korea– Combines vibrant street food with high sanitation standards. Seoul’s food stalls are routinely inspected, making it far safer for food lovers.
2. Cairo, Egypt
Why it’s risky: Cairo’s history is unmatched, but its infrastructure struggles. Tap water is not safe, sewage systems are outdated, and food handling can be questionable. Travelers report foodborne issues in 40%+ of short-term visits.
Top 3 Clean Alternatives in North Africa & Middle East:
- Dubai, UAE– Ultra-modern sanitation systems, safe drinking water, and hotels ranked among the cleanest worldwide.
- Doha, Qatar– A rising tourist hub with strong environmental controls and luxury hotels that maintain spotless standards.
- Marrakech (luxury zones only)– While much of Morocco faces hygiene challenges, high-end riads in Marrakech maintain exceptional cleanliness for guests.
3. Manila, Philippines
Why it’s risky: Manila is friendly and lively, but its sanitation challenges are real. Congested streets and inconsistent waste disposal mean 35% of visitors face mild stomach upset.
Top 3 Clean Alternatives in Southeast Asia:
- Singapore(again earns its spot as Asia’s hygiene leader).
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia– Generally cleaner and more modernized than Manila, especially in high-rise tourist districts.
- Chiang Mai, Thailand– Offers rich street food culture, but with better regulation and noticeably higher sanitation than Manila.
4. Jakarta, Indonesia
Why it’s risky: Jakarta’s poor drainage leads to frequent flooding and contamination. Combined with chaotic waste systems, it creates serious hygiene issues. Around 32% of tourists report digestive illness.
Top 3 Clean Alternatives in Indonesia & Nearby:
- Bali (Ubud and resort areas)– While parts of Bali suffer from litter, major resorts and eco-villages maintain far higher sanitation standards.
- Yogyakarta, Indonesia– Cleaner and calmer than Jakarta, with better food hygiene practices.
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia– Again emerges as a safer Southeast Asia city for travelers.
5. Marrakech, Morocco
Why it’s risky: Marrakech’s vibrant souks are unforgettable—but food stalls often lack refrigeration, and water safety is a concern. Around 30% of tourists experience moderate stomach upset.
Top 3 Clean Alternatives Nearby:
- Casablanca, Morocco (modern districts)– More reliable infrastructure than Marrakech.
- Tunis, Tunisia– Offers North African history and cuisine with cleaner urban environments.
- Lisbon, Portugal– Not geographically close, but for Mediterranean culture seekers, Lisbon provides cleanliness with rich history.
6. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Why it’s risky: Street vendors are part of the city’s charm, but food hygiene is inconsistent. Hotels also vary in sanitation quality. Around 28% of foreign travelers report illness.
Top 3 Clean Alternatives in Vietnam & Asia:
- Da Nang, Vietnam– A coastal city with stricter tourism cleanliness standards.
- Singapore– The hygiene leader in Asia makes another appearance.
- Kyoto, Japan– Combines culture with near-perfect cleanliness.
7. Naples, Italy
Why it’s risky: Unlike others on this list, Naples doesn’t usually cause food poisoning, but garbage collection strikes frequently leave streets piled with trash. This damages both perception and experience.
Top 3 Clean Alternatives in Europe:
- Florence, Italy– Rich in culture but far cleaner in presentation and street management.
- Vienna, Austria– Routinely ranks in the top 3 cleanest cities globally.
- Munich, Germany– Immaculately clean streets, excellent sanitation systems, and high hotel standards.
8. Tijuana, Mexico
Why it’s risky: Known for nightlife, but also water safety issues, food handling risks, and crime-linked sanitation neglect. About 34% of tourists report stomach issues.
Top 3 Clean Alternatives in Latin America:
- Cancún, Mexico– Maintains far better tourist infrastructure with strict sanitation in hotels.
- San José, Costa Rica– Prioritizes eco-tourism and cleanliness across resorts.
- Panama City, Panama– Cleaner than Tijuana, with safe tap water in most hotels.
Hygiene Travel Strategy
Traveling to high-risk hygiene cities doesn’t have to mean disaster—if you prepare. According to CDC data, carrying personal sanitation tools reduces the risk of traveler’s diarrhea by up to 45%.
- Pack disinfectant wipes for cutlery and surfaces.
- Use portable UV sterilizers for hotel rooms.
- Carry a small HEPA-filter travel vacuum to keep allergens under control.
- Invest in travel cleaning kits designed for mobility.
For curated solutions, you can explore VANAPURE’s portable travel cleaning kits, which include sterilizing sprays and compact HEPA options. These tools are a simple way to add peace of mind if you’re heading somewhere with questionable sanitation.
Global Tourism and Sanitation: The Data Speaks
- WHO estimates that 60% of global foodborne illness casesare linked to poor urban sanitation in developing cities.
- A 2023 OECD tourism report found that tourists are 4x more likelyto revisit cities ranked in the top cleanliness quartile compared to the bottom quartile.
- Singapore, Tokyo, and Vienna consistently top rankings of the cleanest cities in the world, while Delhi, Cairo, and Manila rank near the bottom.
Hygiene is more than a comfort factor—it’s a deciding factor in global tourism growth. Cities that clean up thrive; those that don’t lose repeat visitors.
