You hear the term “red light district” being thrown around a lot, but what is the actual meaning of red light district?
According to Dictionary.com, the exact meaning is:
an area or district in a city in which many houses of prostitution are located.
Red Light Districts Explained
Wikipedia further explains that these areas are associated with the sex industry and businesses catering to sexual fantasies. Think strip clubs, adult toy shops, and prostitution. In some areas, the prostitution may be legal, while in others, it’s tolerated or decriminalized. Every region has it’s own way of enforcing, or not enforcing, these behaviors and sex acts.
For example the prostitution on Figueroa Boulevard in Los Angeles is tolerated.
In San Jose Costa Rica, it’s completely legal. However, pimping is not legal in Costa Rica.
Then you’ve got the famous red light district in Amsterdam, which is legal and not only that, the prostitutes are watched over by law enforcement and protected. Don’t even think about disrespecting any of the sex workers in that world famous zone, or you’ll end up in a jail cell.
While every areas you’ll encounter will bring you different joys, or perhaps, cringeworthy acts that you don’t wish to see, you can expect to find the drug dealers, sex shops, prostitution, and drug dealers offering everything from marijuana, crack cocaine, and heroine.
Be very careful in these types of areas, especially after dark, as these tend to be areas that cater to crimes of all types. Robbery is common, as are assaults.
An article published on Reason.com discussed a study that found that areas that have legal prostitution have substantially lower numbers of rapes. On the contrarian, areas that do not allow sex workers have higher numbers in reported rapes.
Wherever you stand on these types of activities, both legal and illegal, make sure you that you know what you are getting yourself into when you travel and someone tells you “that’s the red light district.”
Remember, an informed traveler is a savvy traveler.
About Peter C.
Peter is a digital nomad who largely writes from Asia, Europe, and South America. Always following the "vibe," he sets up shop in hostels and AirBNB's and continues to entertain us with wild stories from life abroad. Ask him anything in our community forum. Make sure to download the AllWorld Travel Hacks FREE ebook.
