Where to Travel in 2020: The World's Most Tolerant Countries

As our world reopens and travelers look forward to boarding flights and exploring new destinations, we must understand we are traveling in a new world. Although we will all miss the carefree aspects of an impulse trip, this new world offers us the opportunity to be more informed and thoughtful about the destinations we visit, the people and cultures we support, and the footprint our experiences leave behind long after we return home.

Building my own knowledge and understanding of other cultures has long been a highlight of every trip I take, but once we are able to travel again, I plan to make a conscious effort to visit and support countries embracing diversity, welcoming outsiders and promoting personal freedom. Read on to learn more about some of the world’s most tolerant countries now topping my bucket list.

Canada

Our neighbor to the north is a liberal standout on a global scale and known for its racial and religious tolerance. Canada adopted multiculturalism as an official policy before I was born and under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership, has continued to reaffirm the value of immigration. The massive country is also home to unparalleled natural wonders, making it an excellent option for a socially distant getaway in the Great Outdoors. Bonus, if you’re an American who is still hesitant to fly during the pandemic, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal (as well as Banff National Park, pictured above) are within driving distance of several major U.S. cities.

Luxembourg

Itching to visit Europe? Landlocked Luxembourg may be tiny but it’s chock full of human rights and personal freedoms. Boasting the continent’s most tolerant attitudes towards minorities and immigrants, the country also offers the easiest access to legal rights and is even home to the European Court of Justice. In 2019, Luxembourg took another progressive step that will inevitably attract travelers by legalizing cannabis. The government vowed to invest the newly earned tax revenues towards drug education and addiction treatment.

Dominica

After enduring devastating destruction left by Hurricane Maria, Dominica is rebuilding with the intent to be the planet’s first “hurricane proof” nation. To do this, the country has invested in ecotourism and banned single-use plastics, protecting its unspoiled waters and forested mountains as well as local communities. International resort chains are noticeably absent from this tropical paradise and the island’s indigenous people are actively involved in welcoming visitors to their shores.

Uruguay

South America’s second-smallest country is also one of it’s most socially progressive. Same-sex, age of content, sexual activity has actually been legal in Uruguay since the 1930s but in 2013, the country became the first on the continent to pass the Equal Marriage Act. During the same year, the government fought back against drug cartels by legalizing marijuana and went on to meet 95% of its energy needs through renewable sources in 2015. Despite its Catholic roots, the liberal country increased women’s rights by passing laws to legalize abortion, reduce domestic and end gender bias in classrooms. The small country’s live-and-let-live policy extends to visitors who come to experience the pristine beaches and colonial villages.