The most dangerous cities in the world

San Pedro Sula, Honduras has been named the most dangerous city in the world. Picture: daarwasik/Flickr.

Thousands of guns are destroyed in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua State. Picture: Supplied

IT'S always a good idea to be mindful of your safety when travelling. However, some cities pose more risks to tourists than others. According to Mexican think tank the Citizens Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice, the top 20 most violent cities in the world are all in South America. When looking at the top 50, no cities from Europe or Asia were listed, but the US was represented by New Orleans, Baltimore, St Louis and Detroit. The rankings were based on the murder rate per capita in 2011. We've picked the top 10 most dangerous cities to visit: 10. Belem, Brazil Homicides: 1639 Inhabitants: 2,100,319 Murder rate: 78.04 9. Durango, Mexico Homicides: 474 Inhabitants: 593,389 Murder rate: 79.99

8. Chihuahua, Mexico Homicides: 690 Inhabitants: 831,693 Murder rate: 82.96

Chihuahua, Mexico, is one of five Mexican cities named in the top 10 most dangerous cities in the world. Picture: zug55/Flickr. 7. Torreon, Mexico Homicides: 990 Inhabitants: 1,128,152

Murder rate: 87.75 6. Caracas, Venezuela Homicides: 3164 Inhabitants: 3,205,463 Murder rate: 98.71

Caracas, Venezuela. One of the top 10 most dangerous cities in the world. Picture: DamienHR/Flickr. 5. Distrito Central, Honduras Homicides: 1123 Inhabitants: 1,126,534

Murder rate: 99.69 4. Acapulco, Mexico Homicides: 1029 Inhabitants: 804,412 Murder rate: 127.92 3. Maceio, Brazil Homicides: 1564 Inhabitants: 1,156,278 Murder rate: 135.26

Maceio, Brazil has been rated the third-most dangerous city in the world. Picture: JOSELITO MIRANDA/Flickr. 2. Juarez, Mexica Homicides: 1974 Inhabitants: 1,335,890 Murder rate: 147.77 1. San Pedro Sula, Honduras Homicides: 1143 Inhabitants: 719,447 Murder rate: 158.87