Travel creator Drew Binsky has visited every country in the world, but some destinations have left him with little desire to return. Among them is Conakry, Guinea's capital, where he described a particularly uncomfortable stay.

In his video, “Ranking the top 20 best and worst cities on earth,” Binsky recalled police checkpoints, sanitation problems, and encounters that made him feel unwelcome. His account reflects his experience during what he described as a period of political upheaval.

A tense arrival

According to Binsky, police stopped him within roughly 10 minutes of his arrival. He said his visit coincided with a coup and described officers stationed along the streets wearing protective equipment and carrying large shields.

Binsky claimed that his driver, Marlin, had to negotiate with officers and pay what he described as a $20 bribe before they could continue. After leaving, they encountered another checkpoint.

Those early experiences helped shape his impression of the city as a place where he felt unsafe.

What made the visit difficult

Beyond the checkpoints, Binsky said he struggled with strong smells from rubbish and sewage. Despite having encountered challenging conditions throughout his travels, he described Conakry’s sanitation problems as particularly striking.

He also recalled an incident in which he said he was told to leave a restaurant without understanding why. That encounter contributed to his feeling of being unwelcome, though it reflects his individual experience rather than a broader assessment of the city’s residents.

One positive memory

A visit to a local mosque stood out as a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing trip. Nevertheless, Binsky said Conakry remained among his least favorite destinations and that he was unlikely to return.

His account describes one traveler’s visit under difficult circumstances. It should be understood in that context, rather than as a definitive judgment of Guinea or everyone who lives there.