The most welcoming people? (page 2 of 8)

from my point of view, you’re welcomed if you show you’re welcoming. A local who sees a busload of tourists or a big rental 4x4 pull up might feel put off (and that includes France), but if you step away from the group a bit and seem more interested in a smile than in snapping the perfect shot (and I’m not even talking about those cursed selfies), you might just share a moment of connection.

Mali, Senegal in the 70s-80s—hospitality and welcome like nowhere else. Never experienced anything like it since!

I see a lot of Middle Eastern countries mentioned. For my part: a really great experience in Lebanon indeed (2005), but my top rating goes to Cape Verdeans without hesitation!!! As you’ve already said, maybe it’s because of the political regime in the past, maybe because there still isn’t too much mass tourism, maybe because they themselves have little (or no) opportunity to travel... or maybe simply because they’re fundamentally kind and warm???!!! In any case, I highly recommend!!

As for me: a really great experience in Lebanon back in 2005,

Still, as a solo woman, the Middle East doesn’t always feel straightforward.

How about Cape Verde… a destination I’ve had "on the back burner"? For someone like me who loves getting around on foot (hiking, treks), are the islands too barren? Santo Antão maybe…

Oh no!!!! Cape Verde isn't barren!!! Cape Verde is 10 islands, each one different from the others!!! Overall, there are islands with beaches that are more or less touristy (Sal, Boa Vista, Maio) and mountainous islands (São Nicolau, Santo Antão, Santiago), plus Fogo with its volcano and São Vicente (Mindelo and its music)!!! On these islands, especially Santo Antão, it's a paradise for trekking and hiking!!!! With mountains, lush green valleys, terraced farms, volcanoes, and lunar landscapes—all on the same island!!! Seriously, you've got to go!!! Check out my travel journals with some photos—I’m sure it’ll make you want to go! ;o)

hey Tortue, one of my friends recently went to Cape Verde—she loved it! There are a lot of people from there in my city, and it’s true, they’re really lovely. Thanks for your post—it makes some people think, and helps others take that leap... 😎

Oh no!!!! Cape Verde isn't barren!!!

From the photos, it doesn’t look all that green, though! Still, Santo Antão is tempting me...

Well, it's still an equatorial African country, so there you go...

But it really depends on the season (and my travel journals might not be from the best time! Sorry). Santo Antão is super green after the rains, so between November and March, let's say. Otherwise, the rest of the time it's pretty dry, and the flat islands are dry almost all the time. Here, check out these green photos I took last September... but I haven't had time to make a travel journal yet! Do you like them better? ;o)

But we should discuss Cape Verde in the Cape Verde forum!! Otherwise, we’ll clutter Midounette’s post, which was about who’s welcoming or not—not whether Cape Verde is… green! ;o) But even if it’s not always green, it *is* welcoming! ;o)

Well, it's still an equatorial African country, so there you go....

Not really; maybe tropical, but I won’t split hairs😏

Otherwise, the rest of the time it's pretty dry, and the flat islands are dry almost all the time.

That’s what I meant... and based on your latest photos, Santo Antão is much greener!

But I haven’t had time to write a travel journal yet! Do you like it better?? ;o)

YES!! Too bad you camped and didn’t sleep in something "solid": a lodge, homestay, guesthouse, etc. Otherwise, I would’ve asked for info since I’ll likely be traveling with someone, and camping.... Sorry for going off-topic, but thanks to you, we now know Cape Verde is one of the most welcoming countries!

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Burmese—have they changed that much? I was there in '96 and was amazed first and foremost by their kindness and hospitality... Otherwise, of course, the Iranians and Pakistanis already mentioned, then Moroccans and Indians in non-touristy towns... Cape Verde? 😮😎 And what about Central and South America???

I also completely agree with what was said above—it’s all subjective, and you reap what you sow... 🙂

I also completely agree with what was said above—it’s all subjective, and you reap what you sow...

Sometimes it comes down to little things, too. A stroke of luck, for example, that makes you love a country right from the start... And geography plays a role as well. You inevitably meet fewer people in cold, gray countries since not many venture outside—Norway, for instance. Though that doesn’t apply everywhere. Despite the gloom, the Irish are cheerful, sociable, and welcoming... Oh, and I almost forgot the Belgians! Always ready to inform, advise, and help out strangers... I’m not saying this just because you’re Belgian!😏

And what about Central and South America???

My heart goes to Colombia! (I’ve been there 4 times.) Security seems to be improving over the past few years. Bogotá has become a lively and joyful city (especially the cultural center), and what can I say about Cartagena! (The most beautiful city in Latin America—and also the biggest party town.) In the mountains, the people are easy to connect with and incredibly welcoming. Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador definitely have their charm, but the locals tend to be a bit more reserved and distant—at least that’s my impression. Of course, you can’t really get a solid sense of a place after just one trip...

🙂 Hi Djalama, I share your feelings about Peru and Bolivia, though... after a grueling stretch of dirt roads in Bolivia, we stopped in a small town for the night, and a woman came over to offer us her garden and—oh, the supreme pleasure of taking a shower at her place! 😛 I mean, a shower where you don’t bang your elbows with every move!!! 😛 Because in the camper van, it’s great, but after months of water-saving showers and bumping into everything, the comfort of a "real" shower is an amazing gift! Otherwise, Argentinians seem adorable at first, but they can quickly become intrusive, even clingy and superficial. You eventually get tired of people knocking on the camper van door at the crack of dawn "just to visit," ask about the vehicle’s price, and chat while their banging has just woken you up from under the covers and you still haven’t had breakfast. You also get tired of people talking your ear off for ages, only to end up saying, "I’m from Mendoza, Córdoba, Rosario, Buenos Aires, etc... I’m Pedro, Carlos, Juan, etc... if you pass through, come see me!"—all while conveniently forgetting to give you any useful info (not even their last name) to actually find them! After the tenth time, you just give up, resisting the urge to say, "Come on, we’re not asking for that much!" On the other hand, Chileans, who may seem "colder" at first, are actually really friendly. You can genuinely build lasting friendships with some of them that still endure today. 🙂 That’s my experience after a year in South America, but hey, it’s just my take.

Hi Catherine, All these posts are inevitably everyone’s personal feelings based on their experiences and how long they stayed—it’s what makes a discussion so rich, an exchange like this 😉 Thanks for your input on South America.

Thanks!!! 😊😉

You’re making me want to take a trip to Colombia... Hope I get the chance in this lifetime 🙂 And then Chile... It must be really beautiful and so different from Asia...

Can we talk about the least welcoming populations too? 😎

I’d say the French... 🤪 but I’m not putting everyone in the same boat! There aren’t many who, at the sight of a tourist, come up and welcome them, ask where they’re from, etc...

I say this because while traveling, we got a real wake-up call—a serious reality check. Everywhere we go, we’re always warmly welcomed. People say welcome, and when we say we’re French: *i love paris!* Yeah, except that until now, we didn’t care much about tourists. Now, we see things differently—we welcome, we say hello, and we help.

Hello, in my opinion, it's the Indonesians!

I also really like Americans—they’re very curious, welcoming, and super friendly.

Hi there, It seems like in the end, every nation will be mentioned. Each one appears super welcoming to at least a few people. That’s great 😛 and it also shows just how subjective it is. Our mindset during the trip already plays a big role in how we perceive the people we meet. And then there are our tastes. And our stubborn prejudices sometimes. Our expectations. Who we cross paths with. Someone who had everything go smoothly won’t come back with the same impression as someone who was assaulted.

I mentioned Armenians as the most welcoming people because that’s my experience. But some have told me it was difficult with them, which just goes to show...

I share your feelings about Peru and Bolivia,

Hello, For Peru, it’s a bit old now, but I was really surprised by the Andean people (Quechua) in general. In touristy places like Cusco, Puno, and the well-known villages around for their typical markets, we were often called gringos! Nothing too serious, but we felt that white people in general were all lumped together and not particularly liked. Since we also ventured off the beaten path, we noticed that in isolated mountain villages, people were actually afraid of us. Women and children would run away as we approached; doors and windows would slam shut to the point that once, we couldn’t even ask for water to fill our bottles. At a crossroads, hesitating about my route, I approached a farmer—though I had a rock in my hand to scare off the many sometimes aggressive dogs near the villages. As I got closer to ask him a question, he suddenly looked terrified and backed away, covering his face with his hands as if I were about to attack him!

Anyway, I’d never experienced that anywhere else. It was quite the opposite in Asia—my presence in remote places always drew a crowd! - Things have certainly changed since travelers now visit in large numbers.