Sophia Lee, now 20, is just nine countries away from becoming the youngest person to visit every UN-recognized country and territory. Her journey began at age 13 with a solo trip to Costa Rica, and she has been traveling continuously since she was 17.
Lee, who is from Alaska, is close to beating the record currently held by Lexie Alford, who completed the feat in 2019 at 21 years and 177 days. Lee has visited 186 countries and territories so far, with only nine remaining on her list.
“I think that building that self-confidence at a young age and going to these destinations and meeting with people from other cultures and backgrounds is really one of the best experiences you can have as a young person,” Lee told CNN Travel.
Her first solo trip was to Costa Rica at age 13, which required written permission from her parents. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for travel. After being homeschooled and graduating high school early at 16, Lee decided to pursue travel full-time.
Lee began her official Guinness World Record attempt in 2023 but had to pause due to a family situation. She restarted in 2024 and has been traveling continuously since. She has visited 186 countries, including Iran, Vietnam, Libya, and Albania.
Lee has faced numerous challenges, including health issues in Congo and security concerns in Somalia, where she required a security escort. She has also dealt with visa restrictions in countries like Sudan, where conflict has displaced millions.
Despite the difficulties, Lee remains grateful for the experience. Her favorite country is India, which she has visited five times. She hopes to complete her journey in Venezuela by August 2025.
“I think that’s the great thing about a record,” she says. “More people can challenge it and take it on. And honestly, that’s the gift in it.”
Lee hopes her story inspires young people to step outside their comfort zones and explore less-traveled destinations. After completing her record attempt, she plans to find a home base and continue sharing travel stories through content creation and collaborations with NGOs.
