Sophia Lee Nears Record as Youngest Person to Visit Every Country Worldwide

Sophia Lee began her solo travels at age 13 and has since visited nearly every country recognized by the United Nations. Now 20 years old, she is just nine countries shy of breaking the record held by Lexie Alford, who completed the feat at 21 years and 177 days in 2019. Lee’s journey started with a trip to Costa Rica, which ignited her passion for global exploration. Coming from a family of world travelers, including grandparents who served in the U.S. Peace Corps, she was encouraged to pursue her own adventures.

Lee’s travels have not always been easy, but she has been continuously exploring since age 17, often combining travel with work such as yoga instruction and social media management to support herself. She completed high school early through homeschooling, allowing her to travel extensively. After learning about the world record, she officially registered with Guinness World Records and agreed to strict requirements, including GPS tracking and using public transportation. She resumed her record attempt in 2024 after a family-related pause.

Her travels have taken her across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, visiting 186 countries and territories so far, including challenging destinations like Somalia and Iran. Lee defines a visit as spending meaningful time engaging with local culture, often staying at a range of accommodations from budget hostels to luxury hotels. One of her most memorable experiences was visiting Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with her grandfather.

Despite occasional safety concerns and travel restrictions, Lee has encountered mostly kind people and values the confidence and cultural understanding gained from her journeys. She notes that most of her friends are much older travelers, reflecting her unique lifestyle. India stands out as her favorite country due to its vast cultural and natural diversity. Lee plans to complete her quest by visiting Venezuela, though recent earthquakes there may affect her timing.