5 Deadliest Luxury Vacation Spots on EarthWhen "murder capitals" and "high-end tourism" meet, tourists check in but they don't always check out.

This story was originally published on May 2, 2016.

Seventy-five percent of cocaine smuggling flights in South America first land in Honduras, with close to 40 confirmed drop zones. Unfortunately, during my recent trip to the land of cartels and coconuts, I couldn't find any of them. And Ireallylooked. Which is probably a good thing despite the fact that one of the country's largest city, San Pedro Sula, is second only to San Salvador in the ongoingMurder Capital Of The Worldgame, (more on the reigning champ in a moment). Luckily for me, I was safely ensconced within the fortified confines ofThe Lodge At Pico Bonito.

Nestled below its mountain's namesake and surrounded by the kind of flora, fauna and fierce creatures normally found within a David Attenborough special. Their beautiful high-end bungalows come complete just enough Wi-Fi to remain in contact with an outside world that's never seemed further away. Giant anteaters, impressively endowed monkeys, big cat predators and more snakes than you can shake another, less venomous, snake at all reside within a rain forest that would make Rudyard Kipling poop his pantaloons.

I sweat through intensive hikes atop 200 acres of other-worldly waterfalls (despite TLC urging visitors not tochase them) andjaguar-cam-equippedmahogany trees while safely separated from the everyday strife strewn throughout the always aggrieved countryside. Not only did I love this little slice of eco-tourism heaven but lived to tell about it, as well. The presence of armed military guards during our off property snorkeling ventures certainly helped. With a taste for death-defying getaways, I created this list of high-end resorts located within high murder rate cities around the globe.

Caracas, Venezuela: 119.87 murders per 100,000 people

“现在委内瑞拉是纯粹的混乱。在我看来is no way back," a former local cop recently toldThe Financial Times. But what's a little anarchy when rooms at 3.5-starHotel Alexstart at $60 a night and kids stay free? Iwastaken aback by their strict no pets policy. A loyal Labrador coming between me, and the bullet of a hardened drug lord, seems like the very definition of "service animal."

San Salvador, El Salvador: 108.54 murders per 100,000 people

这个国家的capital is long on beheadings and short on bonhomie, but there's fun to be had less than 20 miles away in the beachside tourist town of La Libertad. Beautiful boutique hotelBoca Olas Resort Villasoffers volcano and Mayan ruins tours, babysitting services (but considering the bloodthirsty nature of the local "maras" street gang … maybe don't bring the kids) and 24-hour on-site security. As comforting as that is, our nerves tell us to take the smoking room option.

Acapulco, Mexico: 104.73 murders per 100,000 people

Once the spoiled stomping grounds of America's globetrotting elite, the grim state of state of Guerrero is now less with jet-ski sightseeing and more withjet-ski shootings. A respite from the rifles comes in the form of the brand-newFiesta Americana Grand Diamante$85 million sanctuary with the promise of more than 350 rooms, four restaurants, luxury spas and three pools. (Note: Government employees areurged to avoid this recommendation.)

Maturin, Venezuela: 86.45 murders per 100,000 people

Celebrity tourists now abide but the brand new travel maxim "don't take the dogs to Sidney," but for the rest of us the old adage "don't go to Venezuela" still applies. The kooky communist country makes a repeat appearance on our evil itinerary in the form of a city that's short on creature comforts but long onsexually transmitted Zika. If you go, try theStauffer Hotel Maturin, which is supposedly situated in "the "rich area" of this super poor city. Be sure to enjoy their 5,652 square foot, swimming pool, beautiful fountains and the nearby San Miguel Golf Club. Just don't have sex with a mosquito.