Darien Gap, Central America
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The Darien Gap is an area of dense, mountainous jungle on the Panama-Colombia border. It’s both beautiful and biodiverse, with at-risk species such as jaguars and Central American tapirs roaming its rainforests. The near-impassable region also marks the only break in the 19,000-mile (30,000km) Pan-American highway, which otherwise stretches from Alaska to southern Argentina, and its remote location is a breeding ground for danger.
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As well as river rapids, impenetrable rainforest, poisonous spiders and venomous snakes, travellers may also have to contend with gun-toting guerilla groups, drug gangs and human traffickers. In 2022 alone, 137 migrants died attempting to cross the gap from Colombia, while tourists have also died trying to pass through. In 2013, a Swedish hiker was murdered there by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.