The State Department warns travelers against traveling to certain countries.
Cape Town, South Africa | Ben1183/iStock/Getty Images
Now that international travel has flourished post-pandemic and more people are on the move (sometimes to the point of creating an overtourism problem), it’s important to research your destination before you actually arrive. is. A simple Google search can go a long way, especially when it comes to government-issued travel advisories.
It may not seem like it, but at any given time, many countries around the world have issued warnings for American travelers. To help you more easily navigate international travel and better understand how different types of advisories may impact your travels, the U.S. Department of State has released new (or updated) We’ve put together a handy guide to countries that have issued travel advisories. Throughout January and February. This guide will be updated regularly as more advisories are issued.
Each recommendation in the list below is categorized into a different degree, highlighting the level of risk assessed by the department. Level 1 is the lowest level and states “Use normal precautions.” Instead, Level 2 warns travelers to “take extra precautions.” Levels 3 and 4 are the highest levels and ask travelers to “reconsider traveling” and “please refrain from traveling,” respectively.
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico recently released a message to American tourists planning to visit the country for spring break vacation. The warning said travelers should keep in mind that crime, including violent crime, can occur even in popular tourist destinations. Additionally, the warning reminded travelers of the risks associated with drugs, uncontrolled alcohol, pharmaceuticals, sexual assault, guns and ammunition, among others.
For more information and a complete list of valid travel advisories for Americans, please visit the State Department’s website. You can also enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to stay up to date on travel advisories that may affect your next international trip.
Read below to learn more about new travel advisories for Americans as of the past two months.
Travelers heading to Ecuador should take extra precautions due to civil unrest, crime, and kidnappings.
However, additional precautions are required in some areas. Officials advise travelers to reconsider traveling to the following areas:
Guayaquil, north side of Portete de Tarqui Street El Oro, Huaquillas, outside of Arenillas Los Rios, Quevedo, Quinza Loma, outside of Pueblo Viejo Esmeraldas, all areas south of Esmeraldas, Sucambios, Manabí, Santa Elena, and Santo Domingo
Additionally, travelers should avoid traveling to:
Guayaquil, south of Calle Portete de Tarqui The cities of Huaquillas and Arenillas in the department of El Oro The cities of Quevedo, Quinza Loma and Pueblo Viejo in the state of Los Rios The province of Duran in the state of Guayas The city of Esmeraldas and all its parts Esmeraldas, department of Esmeraldas Area in the northern part of the city
U.S. authorities are urging citizens traveling to South Africa to use increased caution due to crime and civil unrest.
Due to high levels of crime, travelers to Botswana should be extra careful.
The US government says travelers should reconsider traveling to Jamaica due to crime and strained health services. U.S. government employees are specifically directed not to travel to certain parishes outlined in the latest travel advisory.
Authorities are advising travelers to reconsider traveling to Colombia due to crime and terrorism, and warning of increased vigilance against civil unrest and kidnappings.
In addition, some areas have been set to a “no travel” advisory level. They include:
Department of Arauca, Department of Cauca (excluding Popayan), Department of Norte de Santander Colombia-Venezuela border area
Due to the ongoing conflict, U.S. authorities are advising travelers to reconsider or avoid traveling to Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.
Specifically, the State Department has issued a “Do Not Travel” advisory for the Gaza Strip due to terrorism and armed conflict, and a “Do Not Travel” advisory for American visitors to both Israel and the West Bank due to terrorism and civil unrest. We encourage you to reconsider.
The State Department advises U.S. citizens to use increased caution when traveling to Cuba for criminal purposes.
Travelers should reconsider traveling to Niger due to crime, civil unrest, terrorism, and kidnapping.
U.S. citizens should reconsider traveling to Nicaragua due to arbitrary enforcement of the law, risks of illegal detention, and limited health care services. Additionally, crimes occur within the country, so we need to be more vigilant.
The State Department has placed a “do not travel” label on Iran, citing risks of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and arbitrary arrest of U.S. citizens. Additionally, travelers should be more vigilant against unjustified detention.
Official advice says travelers should reconsider traveling to Papua New Guinea due to crime, civil unrest and piracy. In addition, increased vigilance is needed against kidnappings, unexploded ordnance, inconsistent health services, and the potential for natural disasters.
Authorities have also issued “do not travel” advisories for the following areas:
Central Bougainville, especially the area near the Panguna mine; Highland areas excluding the towns of Mount Hagen and Goroka.
Authorities advise against traveling to Burma due to civil unrest, armed conflict, and arbitrary enforcement of local laws. Travelers should also reconsider traveling to Burma due to limited or inadequate medical and emergency medical resources and the presence of land mines and unexploded ordnance in some areas. Finally, they should be more vigilant against unjustified detention.
Travelers should reconsider traveling to Saudi Arabia due to the threat of missile and drone attacks.
Additionally, the advisory encourages greater caution against terrorism, the risk of arrest based on social media activity, and the importation of prohibited items. Due to the threat of missile and drone attacks and terrorism, U.S. authorities advise travelers to avoid traveling to the following areas:
Within 80 miles of the Saudi-Yemeni border and the cities of Abha, Jizan, Najran, and Khamis Mushait Abha, Qatif Airport and its suburbs in the Eastern Province (including Awamiyah)
Crime is high in the Bahamas, so travelers should use extra caution.
According to an official travel advisory, travelers should reconsider traveling to Lebanon due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, unexploded mines and armed conflict.
In addition, authorities have placed certain areas under a “do not travel” advisory level. these are:
Southern Lebanon Border with Syrian refugee settlements
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