travel advisory level 3

Places the U.S. Government Warns Not to Travel Right Now

You may want to reconsider traveling to these countries right now.

Do Not Travel to These Countries

Crime, civil unrest and terrorism are common risk factors for countries that end up on the State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory list. (Getty Images)

Global conflicts and climate crises , ranging from a series of coups across Africa to earthquakes and floods in catastrophe-prone countries, have affected international travel patterns in recent months.

Still, international tourist arrivals could reach 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to the World Tourism Organization . But some destinations warrant more caution than others.

On Oct. 19, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Gaza and flaring tensions in the region, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution advisory due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Prior to this update, the most recent worldwide caution advisory was issued in 2022 after a U.S. strike killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s successor as leader of Al Qaeda, causing “a higher potential for anti-American violence.”

The U.S. State Department issues travel advisory levels for more than 200 countries globally, continually updating them based on a variety of risk indicators such as health, terrorism and civil unrest. Travel advisory levels range from Level 1, which means exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, which means do not travel there.

About 10% of countries – 21 total – have a Level 4: “Do Not Travel” advisory as of Oct. 23. In Level 4 countries, the U.S. government may have “very limited ability” to step in should travelers’ safety or security be at risk, according to the State Department. Crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism are common risk factors associated with Level 4 countries.

In the last two months, the State Department updated the Level 4 advisories for Russia, Gaza, Iraq, certain states in Mexico and Lebanon.

Places With a Level 4 Travel Advisory

These are the primary areas the U.S. government says not to travel to right now, in alphabetical order:

Jump to Place: Afghanistan Belarus Burkina Faso Central African Republic Myanmar (formerly Burma) Gaza Haiti Iran Iraq Libya Mali Mexico Niger North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Russia Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Ukraine Venezuela Yemen

Afghanistan The Central Asian country is wrestling with “armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping,” according to the State Department. U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for violence or kidnapping. In December 2022, the government reinstituted public floggings and executions, and women’s rights are disappearing under Taliban control. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul halted operations in August 2021. In the two years since the Taliban took control, many forms of international aid have been halted . Meanwhile, in October of 2023, some of this year’s deadliest earthquakes killed more than 2,400 in Afghanistan while the country continues to face a years-long extreme drought.

Belarus: Belarus, which shares a western border with Russia and a southern border with Ukraine, has been flagged for “Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.” The U.S. Embassy in Minsk halted operations in February 2022.

Burkina Faso: Terrorism, crime and kidnapping are plaguing this West African nation. Terrorist attacks may target hotels, restaurants and schools with little to no warning, and the East and Sahel regions of the country are under a state of emergency.

Central African Republic: While there have not been specific incidents of U.S. citizens targeted with violence or crime, violent crime and sudden closure of roads and borders is common. The advisory states that “Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping” is a factor in its assessment. Recent data from UNICEF suggests the country has the worst drinking water accessibility of all countries in 2022.

Myanmar (Formerly Burma): Armed conflict and civil unrest are the primary reasons to not travel to this Southeast Asian country, which experienced a military coup in early 2021. COVID-19 restrictions, limited health care resources, wrongful detentions and “areas with land mines and unexploded ordnance” are also listed as risk factors.

Gaza : Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the State Department, controls much of the Gaza Strip, which shares borders with both Israel and Egypt. On Oct. 7, Hamas fighters broke across the border into Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers in a brazen attack that stunned Israelis. On Oct. 10, Israel hit the Gaza Strip with “the fiercest air strikes in its 75-year conflict” according to Reuters , and rescuers say they’ve been hindered by additional attacks and a dwindling fuel supply. Nearly one tenth of Gaza’s population, close to 200,000 people, have been displaced from their homes as they prepare for shortages of water, electricity and medical supplies. The State Department warns of terrorism, civil unrest and armed conflict within Gaza’s borders.

Haiti: In July, the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince in response to the increased risk of kidnapping and violent crime in the country , as well as armed conflict between gangs and police. That month, a U.S. nurse and her child were abducted near Port-au-Prince, according to the aid organization where she worked. The travel advisory states that cases of kidnapping “often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings.” The travel advisory states that “U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible … in light of the current security situation and infrastructure challenges.” A series of gang attacks in late September in the country’s central department caused thousands to flee their homes amid escalating violence.

Iran: Kidnapping and wrongful detentions are risk factors for all travelers to Iran, while U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for “arbitrary arrest and detention.” U.S.-Iranian nationals such as students, journalists and business travelers have been arrested on charges of espionage and threatening national security. Executions in Iran rose sharply between 2021 and 2022, bringing the country’s total to nearly 580 people over the year, according to a recent report by Amnesty International.

Iraq: The State Department cites “terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict [and] civil unrest” as cause for the country’s Level 4 distinction. Iraq’s northern borders, and its border with Syria, are especially dangerous. Since the escalation of conflict in neighboring Israel, there has been an increase in attacks against Iraqi military bases, which host U.S. troops and other international forces. On Oct. 20, non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members were ordered to leave the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Lebanon: Sitting on the Mediterranean Sea, Lebanon shares its northern border with Syria and its southern border with Israel, placing it in a region currently wrought with conflict . Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in early October, Lebanon was moved from a Level 3 to a Level 4 travel advisory level due to “the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges” between Israel and Hezbollah or other militant groups. Family members of U.S. government personnel and non-emergency personnel have been authorized to leave the country, and the advisory states that the U.S. Embassy in Beirut has “limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens.” The country’s borders with Syria and with Israel, as well as refugee settlements within Lebanon, are specifically noted as Level 4 regions.

Libya: Following the end of its dictatorship over a decade ago, Libya has been wrought with internal conflict between armed groups in the East and West. Armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping and terrorism are all risk factors. U.S. citizens have been targets of kidnapping for ransom, with terrorists targeting hotels and airports frequented by Westerners. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli halted operations in 2014. In mid-September, floods, which some say were intensified by climate change , killed thousands in eastern Libya. Clashes between armed factions have escalated across the country in the last several months, including in the capital city of Tripoli and in Benghazi, which as of mid-October was under a communications blackout that authorities attribute to a broken cable.

Mali: After experiencing a military coup in 2020, crime, terrorism and kidnapping are all prevalent threats in this West African landlocked nation. In July 2022, non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families were ordered to leave the country due to higher risk of terrorist activity. A U.N. report in August said that military groups in the country, including both Mali security forces and possibly Russian Wagner mercenaries, were spreading terror through the use of violence against women and human rights abuses. Democratic elections were supposed to occur in February 2024, but Mali’s military junta postponed the plans indefinitely. On Oct. 3, Reuters reported that the country “is in meltdown” and at-risk of civil war.

Mexico: Each state in Mexico is assessed separately for travel advisory levels. Six of the 32 states in Mexico are designated as Level 4: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Crime and kidnapping are listed as the primary risk factors throughout the country. Nearly 112,000 people are currently missing across the country, a number the U.N. has called “alarming.”

Niger: In early August, the country’s travel advisory status was changed from Level 3 to Level 4 following an attempted coup, and the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Niamey. In late July, soldiers led by General Abdourahmane Tiani, the former head of President Mohamed Bazoum’s national guard, detained Bazoum in the presidential residence in Niamey and announced that they had taken control of the country. In response, the World Bank has paused payments to Niger, the U.S. and the European Union have cut off aid, and neighboring Nigeria has cut power supply to Niger. The Economic Community of West African States, a regional bloc of 15 countries in West Africa, has threatened military action and imposed its own stringent sanctions on the country. In mid-September, France’s ambassador to the country was being held hostage in the French embassy by a military junta, and while he has since returned to Paris , France quickly withdrew troops from Niger. While America has not announced plans to withdraw their own troops, in October, the U.S. suspended counterterrorism assistance, military training and foreign assistance programs in Niger, all a result of officially declaring the country’s recent events a coup d’etat.

North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea): U.S. passports are not valid for travel “to, in, or through” this country, home to one of the world's longest-running dynastic dictatorships. The travel advisory states that the Level 4 distinction is due to “the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.” In July, a U.S. soldier fled across the border into North Korea, where he is believed to be in North Korean custody, the first American detained in the North in nearly five years.

Russia: The travel advisory for Russia cites its invasion of Ukraine , harassment of U.S. citizens by Russian government officials and arbitrary law enforcement as a few of the reasons for the Level 4 designation. Chechnya and Mount Elbrus are specifically listed as Level 4 regions. Terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping and wrongful detention are all noted as risks.

Russia Invades Ukraine: A Timeline

Somalia: A severe drought resulting from five failed rainy seasons in a row killed 43,000 people last year, and caused an ongoing famine amid conflict with Islamist insurgents . Violent crime is common throughout Somalia , pirates frequent its coast off the Horn of Africa, and medical facilities, where they exist, have limited capacity. Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health and kidnapping are all risk factors. In September, the European Union announced that aid to the country, meant to help it mitigate widespread famine, would be halted after a U.N. probe found theft and misuse in the system.

South Sudan: Several journalists with state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation were detained in January for releasing footage of President Salva Kiir, who has been in power since the country separated from Sudan in 2011. Crime, kidnapping and armed conflict are the primary risk factors, with violent crime common throughout the country. Weapons are readily available, and travelers have been victims of sexual assault and armed robbery.

Sudan: The U.S. evacuated its embassy in Khartoum in April 2023, and the country closed its airspace due to the ongoing conflict in the country, only permitting humanitarian aid and evacuation efforts. Fighting has escalated in the region between two warring generals seeking to gain control after a military coup in 2021 ousted the country’s prime minister. Civil unrest is the primary risk factor for Africa’s third largest country by area. Crime, terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict are also noted. The International Criminal Court is investigating alleged war crimes and violence against African ethnic groups in the country. Millions have fled their homes due to conflict, and the U.N. has said its efforts to provide aid have been hindered by a lack of support, safety and resources.

Syria: The advisory states that “No part of Syria is safe from violence,” with terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict and risk of unjust detention all potential risk factors. U.S. citizens are often a target for kidnappings and detention. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus halted operations in 2012.

Ukraine: Russian setbacks in their invasion of Ukraine have buoyed hopes in the country for 2023. However, Ukraine is a Level 4 country due to “Russia’s full-scale invasion,” with crime and civil unrest also noted as risk factors. The Ukrainian government declared a state of emergency in February 2022.

Venezuela: Human rights abuses and lack of health care plague this South American nation, which has been in a political crisis since 2014. In 2019, diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Threats in the country include crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, wrongful detention and poor health infrastructure.

Yemen: Six of the nine risk factors defined by the State Department – terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines – are all present in Yemen. Despite private companies offering tourist visits to the Yemeni island of Socotra, the U.S. government argues those arranging such visits “are putting tourists in danger.” Civil war and cholera are also both present throughout the country. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa halted operations in 2015. The country has experienced a relative lull in the civil war fighting, but as peace negotiations have gotten traction, flare ups in the fighting have jeopardized progress.

Other Countries to Watch Since August 1, the State Department has updated travel advisories for 18 different countries, adding information about specific regions or risk factors, or simply renewing an existing advisory. Travel advisory levels can change based on several factors in a nation, such as increased civil unrest, policies that affect human rights or higher risks of unlawful detention.

The State Department has given about 20 countries an assessment of Level 3, meaning it recommends people “reconsider travel” to those destinations.

On Oct. 14, one week after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel, Israel and the West Bank were both moved from Level 2 to Level 3. A travel advisory for the region updated on Oct. 19 states that U.S. citizens wishing to leave Israel should take advantage of charter flights leaving Ben Gurion Airport, as commercial options are limited. It also noted that some U.S. citizens had successfully left the West Bank and Israel through border crossings with Jordan, and that the U.S. government was working on “potential options” to allow U.S. citizens to leave Gaza.

China became a Level 3 country in late 2020, and remains at that level due to “the surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19-related restrictions,” according to an update in December. In late June, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) was moved from the Level 3 to the Level 2 list, but travelers are still advised to be cautious in the area due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.”

Several Level 3 countries are among the worst countries for human trafficking, as designated by the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report . Level 3 countries on this list include Papua New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, China and Chad. There are also nine Level 4 countries designated as among the worst for human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, South Sudan and Venezuela.

Over 70 countries are currently at Level 2, meaning the State Department recommends travelers “exercise increased caution” when traveling to those destinations.

Sweden is designated a Level 2 country, with terrorism noted as the primary risk factor in the country. France, which has seen nationwide protests throughout 2023, has civil unrest and terrorism noted as risk factors for its Level 2 status.

In September, Gabon was added to the Level 2 list for civil unrest after having been Level 1. The month prior, a coup in Gabon ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who had been in power since 2009, just minutes after it was announced he had been elected for another term. Within the week, the military junta swore in Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema – the former leader’s cousin and head of the republican guard – as the country’s head of state. The African Union suspended the country’s membership shortly after the coup, and the former president remains under house arrest. The cities of Libreville and Port Gentil are specifically noted for risk of crime, and some areas have a nighttime curfew in effect.

In June, Peru was newly designated Level 2 after having been Level 3 for the last several months. The Ambassador of Peru to the U.S. says the update “underscores the safe and stable reality we see on the ground in Peru.” Peru had been designated Level 3 while the country experienced a period of political unrest , following the impeachment and detention of a recently elected president in December.

Bangladesh 's Level 2 travel advisory was updated in October to add a note about the country’s upcoming general election, expected to take place by January 2024. The advisory states “demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.”

The State Department asks travelers to pay attention to travel advisory levels and alerts , review country information pages for their destinations and read related country security reports before going abroad.

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Tags: Russia , Ukraine , Travel , Coronavirus , Travel Tips , Israel , Gaza , violence , Civil War , crime , kidnapping

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Travel Advisory Updates

Office of the Spokesperson

April 19, 2021

State Department Travel Advisory Updates

In order to provide U.S. travelers detailed and actionable information to make informed travel decisions, the Department of State regularly assesses and updates our Travel Advisories, based primarily on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Health Notices (THNs) and secondary factors such as commercial flight availability, restrictions on U.S. citizen entry, and impediments to obtaining COVID test results within three calendar days.

The following Travel Advisories have been updated to reflect the current CDC THNs for COVID-19.

We continue to monitor health and safety conditions around the world, working with the CDC and other agencies, as conditions evolve.

This week, the following Travel Advisories have been assessed and reissued with updates, raised to a Level 4 – Do Not Travel:

This week, the following Travel Advisory has been assessed and reissued with updates, lowered to a Level 3 – Reconsider Travel.

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U.S. Department of State

The lessons of 1989: freedom and our future.

Confused by State Department travel advisories? Here's what they mean

As COVID-19 vaccination rates climb, mask mandates are lifted and countries all over the world begin to reopen borders to foreign travelers, it might feel like things are getting back to business as usual. However, that's not necessarily true, especially when it comes to international travel.

The United States Department of State has relied heavily on its travel advisories during the past year to help keep Americans informed and safe. But with roughly 80% of the world's nations bearing the agency's highest warning (Level 4: Do Not Travel), we wondered what the advisories really mean.

What are State Department travel advisories?

The advisories are government-issued recommendations that are conveyed by the U.S. State Department using a four-level warning system . The levels reflect how safe it is for U.S. citizens to venture abroad; each country has its own designation, with 1 being the lowest level, indicating relative safety, and 4 being the highest, suggesting that travelers avoid visiting, at least temporarily.

Separate sub-advisories can also be issued to particular regions within a country using the same four-level system if certain areas are especially risky or dangerous.

What do State Department travel advisories mean?

Level 1: exercise normal precautions.

This is the lowest possible level a country can achieve, meaning a nation that has it is one of the safest for Americans to visit. As with any travel, there is always some risk, so every country will have at least a Level 1 advisory at all times.

Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Under a Level 2 designation, a country has increased safety or security risks, but they're likely nothing that should preclude you from traveling there. Additional information is provided in each advisory on a case-by-case basis as the situation warrants.

Level 3: Reconsider travel

With a Level 3 advisory, the State Department is telling travelers they might want to hold off on trips to the country in question for now, as there are serious potential risks. Again, additional information is provided where relevant.

Level 4: Do not travel

Along with Level 4 advisories come strong recommendations to avoid travel to designated countries and areas if at all possible, due to a greater threat of potentially life-threatening risk and the possibility that the U.S. could be limited in its ability to help Americans who go there and find themselves in trouble. Nation-specific information is provided in each individual advisory at this level.

How are State Department travel advisories determined?

During a May 21 TPG panel discussion on travel safety in the current climate, we asked Karin King, deputy assistant secretary for overseas citizens services at the U.S. State Department, to fill us in on the process behind how advisory levels are chosen.

Although there are many people involved, the decision is ultimately up to the State Department's assistant secretary for consular affairs.

"As you're probably aware, the travel advisories cover a lot more than COVID," King said, noting that terrorist threats and civil unrest are other factors considered.

"I should make very clear: It is not a political decision, so we're not taking it up to the highest policy levels," King said. "It really is based on facts.... We've got some rubrics that [say if the] crime rate is such and such, homicide rate is such and such, that helps us to determine if it's 1, 2, 3 or 4."

According to the State Department's website , there are eight risk indicators that officials consider when deciding the level at which each country's advisory should be set.

• C -- Crime: Widespread violent or organized crime is present in areas of the country. Local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
• T -- Terrorism: Terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
• U -- Civil Unrest: Political, economic, religious, and/or ethnic instability exists and may cause violence, major disruptions, and/or safety risks.
• H -- Health: Health risks, including current disease outbreaks or a crisis that disrupts a country's medical infrastructure, are present. The issuance of a Centers for Disease Control Travel Notice may also be a factor.
• N -- Natural Disaster: A natural disaster, or its aftermath, poses danger.
• E -- Time-limited Event: Short-term events, such as elections, sporting events, or other incidents that may pose safety risks.
• O -- Other: There are potential risks not covered by previous risk indicators. Read the country's Travel Advisory for details.
• K -- Kidnapping or Hostage Taking: Criminal or terrorist individuals or groups have threatened to and/or have seized or detained and threatened to kill, injure or continue to detain individuals in order to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release.

However, it is not clear how each of those indicators is weighted in the specific rubric King mentioned.

"We are working with experts ... to see how risk changes, and that is a very well-thought-through process that involves a lot of experts regionally.... So that is something that is going to change on a more predictable timeframe."

Lately, though, developments are anything but predictable. The State Department has been working in tandem with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to align on appropriate advisories that take the widespread and everchanging COVID-19 situation into consideration.

How often are State Department travel advisories updated?

Currently, the advisories are updated about once a week, King said, adding that changes are made less frequently when the world isn't in the middle of a pandemic.

"In [normal] times ... we don't update the travel advisories that frequently," King explained. "The ones in the lower tiers -- Levels 1 and 2, 'exercise normal precautions' or 'increase precautions' -- we look at them annually. And then when you get into the upper tiers -- Levels 3 and 4 -- we look at them semiannually.

"Right now, because of COVID, and because we are linking to CDC, we are looking at them pretty much weekly. CDC looks at changes in COVID every day, and they tell us once a week when they are ready to make a change.... In terms of COVID specifically, CDC is going to tell us when they see a trend that's gone up or down that is holding sufficiently to allow a travel advisory to move."

What are the latest State Department travel advisories?

Americans can stay up to date on the latest advisories by visiting the State Department's website and searching for specific countries of interest or by signing up for Smart Travel Enrollment Plan (STEP) notifications that will automatically alert them to changes in status for nations to which they're thinking of traveling.

"I don't want to list particular countries because it's changing all the time," King said, when asked about countries that are safe for Americans this summer. "If I give you a country now, it may be very different by next week. Countries have gone up and down, even since we've made that change [to include 80% of them under a Level 4 advisory]."

How important are State Department travel advisories?

If safety is a concern for you when you travel -- and it should be -- the agency's advisories are crucial as you evaluate your options. Heed warnings, especially those at Level 4, which could severely limit aid that's available to you if you become sick, injured or the victim of a crime while in another country. You could also be on your own if you visit a high-risk area and can't get back into the U.S.

"The most important thing for us at the State Department is to make sure that U.S. citizens have good information so they can make safe decisions about their travel," King said. "We spend a lot of time putting together travel advisories.... Among those products, people should really be able to get a good sense of where the risk lies."

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What Does A U.S. State Department Travel Advisory Actually Mean?

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Should I stay, or should I go?

You’ve probably seen travel advisories in the news, and they go something like this: U.S. State Department issues (insert level) travel advisory for (insert country). 

The alerts can instantly inspire fear, nerves and bring travellers to question even the best laid future plans, or ones already booked.

This raises one question: what do U.S. State Department Travel Advisories actually mean, and should you really be worried about travel plans to a country that has one?

Short answer: it depends on the level, and the reason for the advisory. These days, it’s more difficult than ever to tell, but here’s how to approach each level.

Four Tiers To U.S. Travel Advisories

All destination countries are broken up into four tiers.

The lower the number, the safer the United States deems that the country is to visit. And it’s worth noting that the US isn’t regarded as low risk by most countries either, so bear in mind that there can be a reciprocal warning system.

This system can be used for tit-for-tat insults between countries, so it wouldn’t be “wrong” to say that advisories can have a political element to them.

The key with these advisories is to note them, read them and then just behave like a logical tourist, if you decide to travel. The U.S. State Department Travel Advisories go like this…

• Level 1: Exercise Normal Precaution. 
• Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. 
• Level 3: Reconsider Travel. 
• Level 4: Do Not Travel.

A level 1 from the US State Dept means that the destination is as safe as travel can ever be. There’s quite literally no “safer” level of destination. The simple call to exercise normal precautions means effectively that, you shouldn’t act like an oblivious tourist or do anything your parents wouldn’t be proud of.

Read as: if you go out trying to buy drugs at 2AM, you’ll probably get robbed or worse.

If you wear flashy jewelry for a night out in the worst part of town and start a fight, you guessed it again – you’ll probably get robbed. Think as logically while traveling as you do while taking care at home and you’ll be fine.

Level 2 State Department warnings are interesting. Know this: they do not mean “don’t travel”. They simply mean to be extra cautious.

Many countries you wouldn’t ever imagine to be on an increased travel warning list are featured in level 2 and in the grand scheme, are perfectly safe.

Think: Maldives, Italy, Turks & Caicos, Spain, United Kingdom, India and even the Bahamas. Yes, all of these have been, or are “level 2” or worse.

These are countries where there’s a slightly increased risk of terrorism or civil unrest. For example, the USA often fits a similar level to a level 2 warning on many other countries reciprocal travel lists.

When you see Level 2, just read “why” here , and register for free safety updates with STEP , the smart traveler program. STEP is a vital “step” for any traveler.

All US Level 3 Travel warnings should be read and considered very carefully.

The 3rd tier warnings don’t specifically say not to travel at all, but that you need to be abundantly careful, and potentially reconsider plans. These can be due to things like covid-19 outbreaks, security concerns or other unappealing woes.

And furthermore, they also mean that there are areas within the country which should entirely be avoided. For example, the warning may be specific to a certain region and not the entire country.

By reading the Level 3 U.S. Travel Advisory you’re able to read between the lines and make your own personal risk assessment. These warnings may also apply to countries where the U.S. government has limited diplomatic resources to help if you get in a pinch, which is an important consideration.

This one is simple. Level 4 US State Dept warnings could not be more simple or explicit: don’t travel.

These are places engulfed in war, famine, unrest or perilous health situations and danger and it’s the uncolored advice of the U.S. State Department that you should not go. If you do… you’re somewhat on your own.

In many cases, that doesn’t mean that you cannot go, but doing so puts you in grave danger and will likely secure you the beloved “SSSS” extra security status on many boarding passes to come.

Like all other warning levels, these are subject to change, so a country that’s level 4 now, might be level 1 at a later time.

Travel Is The Best, So Just Be Smart

A level 2 travel alert shouldn’t keep you from tasting Paella in Spain, wine in France or Pasta in Italy, let alone seeing the crystal blue waters of the Maldives or stunning beaches of Barbados in the Caribbean.

But it’s better to know that there are dangers, however large or small than not, and these alerts are designed to keep travelers informed and aware of potential issues to look out for, so that issues don’t happen at all.

Read them, follow them but don’t let them keep you from your dreams, unless they say not to go at all. Level 4 is not worth messing with, but everything else you can decide for yourself. Alerts change all the time, so registering for STEP is a great step in staying in the know…

Gilbert Ott

Gilbert Ott is an ever curious traveler and one of the world's leading travel experts. His adventures take him all over the globe, often spanning over 200,000 miles a year and his travel exploits are regularly... More by Gilbert Ott

Join the Conversation

I had no idea what the specific things mean and generally I just avoided them, not even checked them before I traveled. But it seems that now that I understand them I can know when to go and when not to go. I remember going to Bosnia in the times of the war there and when I got back I’ve been told that the gov. told everyone not to go there under any circumstances. Well, I got back safely 😀

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As our government plans to issue a level 4 for most of the civilized world, despite vaccine roll outs it makes me wonder how much is political tit for tat

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I disagree w you. With so many countries at level 4 mainly due to COVID (even though many parts of the US are higher) I feel the warnings have lost all meaning. When Antarctica and Iceland were out at level 4 it was a joke! Obviously North Korea, Iran etc shouldn’t be traveled to but I have zero problem going to many of the level 4 locations and there are no restrictions- it is simply advisory. BTW have been to a few and have NEVER gotten the SSSS boarding pass so please quit trying to scare people.

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Is it safe to go there? The U.S. travel advisory system, explained

If you’re planning an international trip, here’s how to use the State Department’s country-by-country guide to minimize your risk of encountering crime, violence, or civil unrest.

On October 19, the U.S. Department of State issued a rare advisory that Americans overseas “exercise increased caution” due to heightened tensions and chances of terrorism around the world, spurred by the Israel-Hamas war. It’s part of a system of travel warnings that’s been around in some form since 1978, designed to help citizens assess how safe a destination might be at a given time.

The current version of the system, which launched in 2018, gives fluid rankings from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel), indicating how risky countries (and in some cases, regions) are for Americans to visit. Rankings are based on factors such as crime rates, civil unrest, and the threat of terrorism. They are meant to give “clear, timely, and reliable information about every country in the world so they can make informed travel decisions,” says a State Department spokesperson. 

Not surprisingly, on October 14, the State Department moved Israel and the West Bank to Level 3 (reconsider travel) and Gaza to Level 4. 

Here’s how the advisories work and how to use them.

What is a travel advisory?

The U.S. State Department inaugurated the travel advisory system in 1978, initially aiming warnings at airlines and travel companies. The system was scrutinized after the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight from London to New York , which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland , killing all 259 passengers and crew plus 11 people on the ground. 

Investigations found U.S. authorities had been aware of a credible threat to a Pan Am flight but hadn’t informed the public. In response, the media and consular offices began issuing travel warnings. In 2018 the U.S. introduced its current four-tier advisory system. There are near-identical versions in Canada , Australia , and New Zealand .

To determine rankings, the State Department considers a nation’s political volatility, crime trends, medical care standards, and the threat of kidnappings or terrorism. (Politics also ends up playing an unspoken role.) Some countries, such as Russia , receive a Level 4 ranking partly because the U.S. government may have limited ability to assist citizens there. Others rise to Level 4 due to a crisis, such as the military coup that recently rocked Niger . 

When the travel advisory system relaunched in 2018, it also included state-by-state evaluations for Mexico , which draws more than 11 million American travelers a year. “Some Mexican states are quite safe for U.S. tourists, while others are riskier due to narco-trafficking violence,” says Ryan Larsen , executive director of the Institute for Global Engagement at Western Washington University. Yucatán and Campeche states are currently at Level 1, while six other Mexican states are at Level 4, including Sinaloa.

( Solo female travelers share tips for staying safe on the road .)

Epidemics and natural disasters also can prompt a travel advisory number to rise. Americans may be prompted to reconsider visiting a country recovering from a tsunami or major wildfires, since their presence could hinder rehabilitation efforts. This occurred after the February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey . Such advisories can remain in place for weeks or months.

The strictest-ever advisories came in April 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic , says Larsen, who did a thesis  on U.S. travel warnings. At that time, about 80 percent of the world’s countries were at Level 4.

At press time, about 70 percent of the world’s countries were rated Level 1 or Level 2 by the State Department, indicating they’re relatively safe. There are currently 21 countries at Level 3 and 21 at Level 4.

How to use travel advisories

Before booking an international trip, consult the State Department website to see where your destination ranks. While Level 1 and 2 countries are considered relatively safe, you should still register with the U.S. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) . This lets Americans overseas use their smartphone to receive travel advisory updates and alerts about emerging dangers in their destination (protests, extreme weather).

Level 3 countries are considered more dangerous for foreign visitors, who should “reconsider travel,” according to the State Department. If you are headed to a Level 3 country, which currently includes Pakistan and Colombia , do wider research on its safety and on the places you’ll visit there, advises Jun Wen , a professor of tourism at Australia’s Edith Cowan University. For instance, while some remote areas in the Colombian Amazon still suffer from drug-related violence, cities such as Cartagena and Medellín are relatively safe. Going on a fully guided group or individual tour can also help you navigate destinations where political unrest or crime might impact your safety.

Travelers should study not only the advisories provided by their own country, but also by the U.S., United Kingdom, and Australia to broaden their understanding of the risks in Level 3 countries, Wen says. As for Level 4 countries, that “Do Not Travel” advice couldn’t be any clearer.

Other countries also issue warnings to their citizens about visiting the U.S. Canada recently informed its LGBTQ travelers they may be affected by laws in certain U.S. states. Australia, meanwhile, cautions its citizens visiting the U.S. to be wary of higher crime rates and gun violence, and even to learn safety strategies for active shooter scenarios.

People who visit countries with Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisories don’t just risk their safety. They also may have travel insurance complications, says Linchi Kwok , tourism management professor at California State Polytechnic University Pomona.

( How travel insurance can—and can’t—help when your plans change .)

They must pay much higher premiums, and their insurance can be invalidated if the advisory for their destination is elevated. “Medical coverage can be minimal, too, particularly if the travel advisory is put up against a disease or an outbreak,” says Kwok. “I encourage Americans to think twice before they travel to Level 3 and especially Level 4 destinations.”

Warnings and their impact on tourism

Travel advisories can be biased, Larsen argues. His research found that, while the U.S. didn’t often overstate the risk of travel to countries with which it had poor relations, it did often understate the danger of visiting nations that were its close allies. Elevating a travel advisory can stoke diplomatic tensions between two countries. Once a country is raised to Level 3 or 4, many tourists will avoid visiting, and many American universities won’t let students join study abroad programs.

The economic ramifications of a level change impact individual businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies. For instance, J 2  adventures , a Jewish-focused tour company, saw most of its fall group trips to Israel canceled after the start of the Israel-Hamas war (and the higher advisory level), says cofounder Guy Millo. “This is not just because of the violence on the ground, but because of practical considerations like accessibility of commercial airline flights,” he says. “Most tourists from North America and places around the globe simply couldn’t get here even if they wanted to.” 

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• Travel Security

Evaluating the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory System

Many colleges and universities, including Northwestern, pay close attention U.S. Department of State (DOS) consular announcements, which are disseminated to the public to help assess travelers’ risks. It’s important for travelers to understand the different announcement types and sources.

The Consular Travel Advisory System

Under new DOS Travel Advisory system every country is assigned a color-coded risk rating from one to four, defined as:

• Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions: This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk.
• Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution: Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. 
• Level 3 – Reconsider Travel: Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. 
• Level 4 – Do Not Travel: This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance. The Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the country or leave as soon as it is safe to do so. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory.   

Additional country-specific information is provided in each advisory, including clearer, actionable steps for that travelers can take to mitigate risk. (See Risk Indicators below). The DOS will update the advisories as needed, based on changes to security and safety information.

Risk Indicators

By using established risk indicators, the Travel Advisories at levels 2-4 provide clear reasons for the level assigned:

• E - Time-Limited Event:  A short-term event, such as an election, sporting event or other incident that may post a safety risk.  
• C – Crime: Widespread violent or organized crime is present in areas of the country. Local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
• T – Terrorism: Terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
• U – Civil Unrest: Political, economic, religious, and/or ethnic instability exist and may cause violence, major disruptions, and/or safety risks.
• N – Natural Disaster: A natural disaster, or its aftermath, poses danger.
• H – Health: Health risks, including current disease outbreaks or a crisis that disrupts a country’s medical infrastructure, are present. The issuance of a Centers for Disease Control Travel Notice may be a factor.
• K– Kidnapping or Hostage Taking : Criminal or terrorist individuals or groups have threatened to and / or have seized or detained and threatened to kill,  injure or continue to detain individuals in order to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release.
• D – Wrongful Detention: The risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by a foreign government exists.
• O – Other: There are potential risks not covered by previous risk indicators.

U.S. embassies and consulates will now issue Alerts to replace the Emergency Messages and Security Messages. Alerts will inform travelers of specific safety and security concerns in a country and will be labeled according to their issue: Security Alert; Health Alert; Weather Alert; or Demonstration Alert. Recent Alerts for a country appear below the Travel Advisory. Alerts can also be found on individual embassy or consulate websites.

Click here for an example of an embassy Alert message.

Additional Information

For an even more detailed description of these terms, please see the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) document, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System .

• MyU : For Students, Faculty, and Staff

Central international office for the University of Minnesota system

Global Programs and Strategy Alliance

• Internationalizing the Campus
• Partnerships
• Current Travel Advisories

University policy requires special permission from the University’s  International Travel Risk Assessment and Advisory Committee (ITRAAC)  prior to travel based on Travel Advisory level for students* and faculty/staff leading students abroad.

Types of Travel Advisories

The U.S. State Department issues Travel Advisory Levels for all locations outside the United States. There are two types of Travel Advisories:

Country-wide Travel Advisories

Each country has a designated advisory level from 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to 4 (Do Not Travel). The ITRAAC process refers to these as “Travel Advisories.”

If you are traveling to a Country with a Level 3 or Level 4,  ITRAAC approval  is required .  Check your destination:

+ Countries with a Travel Advisory Level 3 or Level 4

• Afghanistan
• Burkina Faso
• Burma (Myanmar)
• Central African Republic
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• El Salvador
• Guinea-Bissau
• North Korea
• Papua New Guinea
• Saudi Arabia
• South Sudan
• Trinidad and Tobago

Regional Travel Advisories

Select countries have within-country advisories that pertain to localities or sub-sections where higher levels of vigilance are recommended. The ITRAAC process refers to these as “Regional Travel Advisories.”

If you are traveling to a Country with a country-wide Level 1 or 2 AND a Regional Travel Advisory Level 3 or 4,  ITRAAC approval  may be required .  Check your destination:

+ Countries with a Regional Travel Advisory Level 3 or Level 4

• Cote d Ivoire
• Israel and the West Bank and Gaza
• Philippines

*For purposes of this University policy, “students” include undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree students, residents, and fellows.

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U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Ecuador

Social / search.

Message for U.S. Citizens: Level 3 Travel Advisory

Date:   March 29, 2022

Location:   Nationwide

Event:   The Department of State downgraded its  Travel Advisory  for Ecuador on March 28 to Level 3:  Reconsider Travel.    While the Travel Advisory level has been downgraded, COVID-19 case counts in the country remain high.  Before planning international travel, please review the  Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s specific recommendations  for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.  Visit the Embassy’s  COVID-19 page  for more information on COVID-19 in Ecuador.  

Please take the following actions:

• Review the Department of State’s  Ecuador International Travel Information  for detailed information related to travel to Ecuador, including safety and security.
• Follow all CDC health  guidance  for international travel.
• Monitor the U.S. Embassy COVID-19  page  for updates.
• Enroll in the U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment  Program  (STEP) to receive important alerts and messages.

Assistance :

• U.S. Embassy Quito, Ecuador +(593)(2) 398-5000 +(593)(2) 398-5000  (after hours) [email protected]
• U.S. Consulate General Guayaquil, Ecuador +(593)(4) 371-7000 +(593)(4) 371-7000  (after hours) [email protected]

By U.S. Mission Ecuador | 29 March, 2022 | Topics: Alert , Messages for U.S. Citizens , Security & Emergency Messages , U.S. Citizen Services

Message to U.S. Citizens – Significant Planned Electrical Outages

Security alert – u.s. embassy quito, ecuador.

Footer Disclaimer This is the official website of the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Ecuador. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico

Location: Mexico

The U.S. Department of State updated the  Travel Advisory  for Mexico on September 8, 2020.  Reconsider travel to Mexico due to COVID-19.  Exercise increased caution in Mexico due to crime and kidnapping.  Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire  Travel Advisory .

Read the Department of State’s  COVID-19 page  before you plan any international travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a  Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Mexico  due to COVID-19.

Mexico has lifted stay at home orders in some areas and resumed some transportation and business operations. Visit the Embassy’s  COVID-19 page  for more information on COVID-19 in Mexico.

Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread. Armed criminal groups have been known to target and rob commercial vessels, oil platforms, and offshore supply vessels in the Bay of Campeche.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or significantly restricted.

U.S. government employees may not travel between cities after dark, may not hail taxis on the street, and must rely on dispatched vehicles, including from app-based services like Uber or from regulated taxi stands. U.S. government employees may not drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico, with the exception of daytime travel within Baja California, between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, and between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D (during daylight hours and with prior Consulate authorization only).

Read the  country information page .  For detailed information on all states in Mexico, please read the entire  Travel Advisory .

If you travel to Mexico:

• See the  U.S. Embassy’s web page  regarding COVID-19.
• Visit the CDC’s webpage on  Travel and COVID-19  and  CDC’s Travel Health Notice for Mexico .
• Keep your traveling companions and family back home informed of your travel plans.  If separating from your travel group, send a friend your GPS location.  If taking a taxi alone, take a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate and text to a friend.
• Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night.  In many states, police presence and emergency services are extremely limited outside the state capital or major cities.
• Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Mexico on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Crime and Safety Reports  for Mexico.
• Mariners planning travel to Mexico should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at   https://www.maritime.dot.gov/msci-alerts , which include instructions on reporting suspicious activities and attacks to Mexican naval authorities.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Assistance: 

• For Emergency Assistance for U.S. citizens in Mexico, call (55) 8526 2561 from Mexico or 1-844-528-6611 from the United States.
• The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is located at: Paseo de la Reforma 305 Colonia Cuauhtémoc 06500, Ciudad de México Phone:  +52-55-5080-2000 Fax:  +52-55-5080-2005 E-Mail:   [email protected]
• State Department – Consular Affairs:  888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444

From Mexico: (55) 8526 2561

From the United States: 1-844-528-6611

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Embassy In Nicaragua

Travel Advisory Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Date: December 5, 2022 Location: Nicaragua Travel Advisory Level 3: Reconsider Travel 

The U.S. Department of State renewed its Travel Advisory for Nicaragua on December 5, 2022. The Department continues to advise travelers to reconsider travel to Nicaragua.

Reconsider travel to Nicaragua due to  limited healthcare availability  and arbitrary enforcement of laws . Exercise increased caution in Nicaragua due to  crime  and wrongful detentions .

Country Summary: The government of Nicaragua arbitrarily enforces laws for political purposes. Throughout Nicaragua, government officials and law enforcement continue to target those opposed to the rule of President Ortega. The government and its affiliated groups have been reported to:

• Systematically target opposition figures (regardless of nationality), including former allies, political activists, business representatives, clergy, human rights advocates, and members of the press.
• Arbitrarily target pro-democracy advocates.
• Prevent certain individuals from departing Nicaragua by air or land for political reasons.
• Arbitrarily seize and/or search private property including personal phones and computers for anti-government content.
• Arbitrarily charge individuals with terrorism, money laundering, and organized crime offenses for political reasons.

U.S. citizens have reported being subject to this treatment. U.S. citizen residents of Nicaragua also report increased scrutiny of alleged political speech and additional scrutiny by immigration officials.

The Department has determined the risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by the Government of Nicaragua exists.

Travelers should exercise increased caution and be alert to the risks of crime, including violent crimes such as sexual assault and armed robbery.

Poor infrastructure in parts of the country limits the Embassy’s ability to assist U.S. citizens in emergencies. U.S. government personnel may be subject to restrictions on their movements at any time.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Nicaragua.

If you decide to travel to Nicaragua:

• Read the  Department of State’s COVID-19 page  before planning any international travel, and read the  Embassy COVID-19 page  for country-specific COVID-19 information.
• Consider arrangements to depart the country quickly.
• Ensure your U.S. passport is valid and available for a quick departure from the country, if needed.
• Avoid demonstrations and restrict unnecessary travel.
• Do not attempt to drive through crowds, barricades, or roadblocks.
• Maintain adequate supplies of food, cash, potable water, and fuel in case you need to shelter in place.
• Use caution when walking or driving at night.
• Do not display signs of wealth such as expensive watches or jewelry.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Nicaragua.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Assistance:

Please follow the links or call the numbers below for consular assistance.

• Contact the U.S. Embassy in Managua , located at Km 5 ½ C. Sur Managua, Nicaragua, by calling +505-2252-7104, 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Fridays. The American Citizen Services unit is also available by email during regular business hours at  [email protected] . For after-hours emergencies, call +505-2252-7171 and ask for the Embassy Duty Officer.
• Nicaragua Country Information 
• Enroll in  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security updates
• Follow us on  Facebook  and Twitter

Please call: 2252-7104

Outside of Office Hours, contact: 2252-7100 or 8768-7100

Outside of Nicaragua: 011 505 2252-7104; 011 505 2252-7100; 011 505 8768-7100

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Embassy in Guatemala

The Embassy of the United States of America Guatemala City, Guatemala

Location:  Guatemala

Travel Advisory Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel to Guatemala due to  COVID-19.  Exercise increased caution in Guatemala due to  crime .

Read the Department of State’s  COVID-19 page  before you plan any international travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a  Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Guatemala  due to COVID-19.

Guatemala has lifted stay at home orders, and resumed some transportation options and business operations. Visit the Embassy’s  COVID-19 page  for more information on COVID-19 in Guatemala.

Reconsider travel to:

• Guatemala department due to  crime .
• Escuintla department due to  crime .
• Chiquimula department due to  crime .
• Quetzaltenango department due to  crime .
• Izabal department due to  crime .
• Petén department due to  crime .

Violent crime, such as armed robbery and murder, is common. Gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, and narcotics trafficking, is widespread. Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.

Read the  country information page .

If you decide to travel to Guatemala:

• See the  S. Embassy’s web page regarding COVID-19.
• Visit the CDC’s webpage on  Travel and COVID-19 .
• Consider hotels that offer secure parking, doormen, and a dedicated and professional security staff.
• Request security escorts, available for tourist groups, from the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (INGUAT).
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Avoid walking or driving at night.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Do not use public ATMs.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook and  Twitter .
• Review the  Crime and Safety Report for Guatemala.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist .

Guatemala Department– Reconsider Travel

The following zones are of particular concern in Guatemala City due to crime: 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 21, and 24. Guatemala International Airport is located in Zone 13. Take appropriate security measures when traveling to and from the airport.

Do not hail taxis on the street in Guatemala City. Use radio-dispatched taxis (Taxi Amarillo), INGUAT approved taxis from the “SAFE” stand from the airport or hotel taxis.

Avoid areas outside of major roads and highways in the Guatemala Department and listed zones in Guatemala City.

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Escuintla Department – Reconsider Travel

Avoid areas outside of major roads and highways.

Chiquimula Department– Reconsider Travel

Quetzaltenango Department – Reconsider Travel

Izabal Department – Reconsider Travel

Petén Department – Reconsider Travel

Tikal is located in Peten Department. Fly directly into Flores airport if possible.

Last Update: Reissued with updates to COVID-19 information.

Assistance: 

U.S. Embassy Guatemala City  https://gt.usembassy.gov  Tel. (502) 2326-4000  [email protected]

State Department – Consular Affairs 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444

Guatemala Country Information and Travel Advisory Page

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates

Follow us on  Facebook  and  Twitter

Please call: 2326-4000

Outside of Guatemala: +502 2326-4000

U.S. Embassy Mauritius, U.S. Embassy Seychelles

Social / search – en, travel advisory level 3 – reconsider.

Event:  The Department of State, in close coordination with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has adjusted the travel advisory for Mauritius.

Mauritius – Level 3:   Reconsider travel due to  COVID-19 and related restrictions .

Read the Department of State’s  COVID-19  page before you plan any international travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3  Travel Health Notice for Mauritius  due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country. There are restrictions in place affecting U.S. citizen entry into Mauritius. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an  FDA authorized vaccine . Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendations for  vaccinated  and  unvaccinated  travelers.

Visit the Embassy’s  COVID-19 page  for more information on COVID-19 related restrictions and conditions in Mauritius.

Read the  country information page .

If you decide to travel to Mauritius:

• See the  U.S. Embassy’s web page regarding COVID-19.
• Visit the CDC’s webpage on  Travel and COVID-19 .
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler  Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook and  Twitter .
• Review the  Crime and Safety Report for Mauritius.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Assistance:

• U.S. Embassy Port Louis, Mauritius
• 4th Floor, Rogers House
• John Kennedy Avenue
• +230 202 4400
• [email protected]
• https://mu.usembassy.gov
• U.S. Consular Agency Victoria, Seychelles
• 2nd Floor Oliaji Trade Centre, Victoria
• +248 422 5256
• [email protected]
• State Department – Consular Affairs
• 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
• Enroll in  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
• Follow us on  Facebook and  Twitter

By U.S. Embassy in Port Louis | 26 October, 2021 | Topics: Alert

Security Alert: Worldwide Caution

Weather alert – u.s. embassy port louis, mauritius (february 19, 2023).

Footer Disclaimer This is the official website of the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius and Seychelles. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

Caution November 14, 2023

Worldwide caution, update november 14, 2023, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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Egypt Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 13, 2023, egypt - level 3: reconsider travel.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Reconsider travel to Egypt due to  terrorism . Exercise increased caution in Egypt due to  the Embassy’s limited ability to assist dual national U.S.-Egyptian citizens who are arrested or detained.

Do not travel to:

• The Sinai Peninsula (with the exception of travel to Sharm El-Sheikh by air) due to  terrorism .
• The Western Desert due to  terrorism .
• Egyptian border areas due to  military zones .

Country Summary: Terrorist groups continue plotting attacks in Egypt. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, and have targeted diplomatic facilities, tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, western businesses, restaurants, resorts, and local government facilities. Terrorists have conducted attacks in urban areas, including in Cairo, despite the heavy security presence. Terrorists have targeted religious sites, to include mosques, churches, monasteries, and buses traveling to these locations.

Due to risks to civil aviation operating within or in the vicinity of Egypt, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). For more information U.S. citizens should consult the  Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices .

Local law prohibits protesting or demonstrating without a permit. Being near anti-government protests can draw scrutiny from Egyptian police and security forces. U.S. citizens have been detained for participating in protests and for posting content on social media perceived as critical of Egypt or its allies.

The U.S. Embassy may have a limited ability to provide consular services to dual U.S.-Egyptian citizens. Egyptian law considers dual citizens to be Egyptian citizens.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Egypt.

If you decide to travel to Egypt:  

• Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Obtain comprehensive medical insurance that includes medical evacuation.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)   to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on   Facebook   and   Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report   for Egypt.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest   Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the   Traveler’s Checklist .

Sinai Peninsula – Level 4: Do Not Travel The Sinai Peninsula remains a particularly dangerous area, with frequent attacks on security forces and civilians.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens anywhere in the Sinai Peninsula as U.S. government employees are not authorized to travel to these areas (with the exception of the beach resort of Sharm El-Sheikh; travel to Sharm El-Sheikh is only permitted by air). Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, search for travel advisories, external link.

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U.S. Embassy in Moldova

Social / search, travel advisory: moldova – level 3 reconsider travel.

Reconsider travel to Moldova due to armed conflict in neighboring Ukraine .   Some areas have increased risk.   Read the entire Travel Advisory. 

Do Not Travel To:  

• The Transnistria breakaway region due to the unresolved conflict with the central government .

Reissued with updates regarding the security situation.  

Country Summary :   On February 23, Moldovan authorities declared a State of Emergency for a period of 60 days in light of the regional crisis, which has been extended until June 20.   As a result of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, there are approximately 90,000 refugees residing in Moldova, but there has been no military spillover from the conflict.   Chisinau airport is operating, although there are no flights currently available to Ukraine, Russia, or Belarus.

Read the Moldova  country information page  for additional information on travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined Moldova has a moderate level of COVID-19.   Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

If you decide to travel to Moldova:

• Read the  Department of State’s COVID-19 page  before planning any international travel, and read the  Embassy COVID-19 page  for country-specific COVID-19 information.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Moldova.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Transnistria – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Do not travel to Transnistria due to armed conflict in neighboring Ukraine and the unresolved conflict between this breakaway region and the central government.   Several small explosions occurred in the Transnistria region in April and early May, but there were no casualties.   Transnistria is a breakaway region that is not under the control of the Moldovan government in Chisinau. Ukraine has closed its border crossing points into the Transnistrian region. U.S. citizens should depart Transnistria immediately via commercial or private means. Visitors may encounter difficulties at checkpoints along roads leading into and out of Transnistria. Taking photographs of military facilities and security forces is prohibited and may result in trouble with authorities.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens traveling in Transnistria as there are restrictions on U.S. government employees traveling to the area.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas .

By U.S. Embassy Chisinau | June 5, 2022 | Topics: Alert

Security Alert – Worldwide Caution

Demonstration alert – u.s. embassy chisinau, moldova.

Footer Disclaimer This is the official website of the U.S. Embassy in Moldova. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

National Post

U.K. says terror attack ‘very likely’ to strike Canada as Ottawa labels threat ‘medium’

Posted: November 10, 2023 | Last updated: November 10, 2023

The U.K. and Canadian governments are currently showing very different levels of terror threat assessments for Canada.

On the British government’s travel advisory page for Canada , an update  from Nov. 3 reads: “There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting U.K. interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the U.K. and British nationals as targets. You should remain vigilant at all times.”

This is followed by a boldface warning: “Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Canada.”

It adds: “Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. You should remain aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.” It then lists recent attacks, including a stabbing this year in Surrey, B.C., and the 2021 van attack that killed four members of the same family in London, Ont.

The website includes a link to the government of Canada’s web page for national terrorism threat levels. But that page indicates that the current level is medium, defined as “a violent act of terrorism could occur.”

“Medium” is the middle of five levels. The next highest, “high,” says that a violent act of terrorism “is likely,” while the highest level, “critical,” warns that an act “is highly likely and could occur imminently.” The British warning of “very likely” attacks would seem to fall between these two highest levels.

The Canadian website notes that the terror threat has been at “medium” continuously for almost 10 years, since October of 2014.

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The issue was raised Wednesday during Question Period in the House of Commons, when opposition leader Pierre Poilievre asked the Prime Minister if he agreed with the U.K. foreign office’s assessment.

“We are continuing to make sure that we are doing everything we possibly can to keep Canadians safe,” Justin Trudeau answered. “We understand that these are trying times around the world right now, but the best thing we can do as Canadians is stay true to our values, be respectful of one another, feel each other’s pain, and be there to support others through these very difficult times of a rise in hatred, including Islamophobia and antisemitism.”

Poilievre then pushed the point, noting that “terrorists are not interested in feeling other people’s pain; they are interested in causing other people pain,” and asking Trudeau to explain the difference in threat level assessments.

“I cannot speak to how other countries make their determinations on travel advisories,” the Prime Minister answered, “but I can say that the work is done daily in Canada to assess the threat level to Canadians and what can be communicated to keep them safe. We elevated the threat level to medium in 2014, and it has remained at that level since. Every single day, we re-evaluate and ensure that we are doing everything we can, privately and publicly, to keep Canadians safe.”

He added: “We have top security agencies and officials who work daily to reassess the threat levels to Canadians. They are working every single day to keep Canadians safe, and they will continue to keep Canadians informed on the best ways to keep safe.”

In a statement obtained by the Globe and Mail, a spokesman for the British High Commission in Canada declined to comment on the difference in assessments, merely noting: “We continue to work with Canadian authorities to ensure the safety of all British nationals in Canada and encourage British nationals to remain vigilant and monitor media and advice from local authorities for updates.”

He added: “It’s not for the U.K. government to comment upon the Canadian government’s assessment of the threat from terrorism.”

Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our newsletters here .

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Chikungunya in Burkina Faso

• There is an outbreak of chikungunya in Burkina Faso. Several districts have reported cases (see map).
• Mosquitoes spread the virus that causes chikungunya.
• You can protect yourself by preventing mosquito bites , which includes using insect repellent; wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants; and staying in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens.
• If you are pregnant, reconsider travel to Burkina Faso, particularly if you are close to delivering your baby. Mothers infected around the time of delivery can pass the virus to their baby before or during delivery. Newborns infected in this way or by mosquito bite are at risk for severe illness, including poor long-term outcomes.
• You should seek medical care if you develop fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash , during or after travel.

Traveler Information

• Travelers’ Health Chikungunya Website
• Health Information for Travelers to Burkina Faso
• CDC Chikungunya Website
• Prevent Mosquito Bites

Clinician Information

• Chikungunya in the CDC Yellow Book (Health Information for International Travel)
• Information For Health Care Providers | Chikungunya virus | CDC

Chikungunya disease is caused by the chikungunya virus and is spread to humans through mosquito bites. Outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and Indian and Pacific Oceans

Most people infected with chikungunya virus develop some symptoms. Symptoms of chikungunya usually begin 3–7 days after a bite by an infected mosquito. The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and rash. Most people get better within a week; however, some can have severe joint pain for months to years following acute illness.

People at risk for more severe disease include newborns infected around the time of birth, older adults (65 years or older), and people with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease. Death from chikungunya is rare.

There is no specific treatment or approved vaccine for chikungunya.

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