10 Key Travel Advisories Announced in June

The busy summer travel season is in full swing ahead of July 4th and the U.S. State Department has been hard at work assessing the various threats to travelers visiting countries all over the world. Officials issued more than 50 updated travel advisories during the month of June ranging from "Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions" to "Level 4: Do Not Travel." The latest guidance includes recommendations based on several potential risks travelers may face when venturing abroad, including crime and terrorism. Here's a look at the most up-to-date advice for some of the more popular places to receive an updated travel advisory in June.

The Bahamas is listed at Level 2 this summer, with officials encouraging visitors to exercise increased caution due to crime. "The majority of crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands. In Nassau, practice increased vigilance in the 'Over the Hill' area (south of Shirley Street)," the State Department advises as of June 8.

Travelers visiting the tropical paradise of the Maldives are advised to exercise increased caution due to terrorism this summer. The State Department warns that "terrorist groups may conduct attacks with little or no warning."

The State Department updated its "Other" travel advisory for Mexico on June 13, pointing out that "some areas of Mexico have increased risk of crime and kidnapping." However, most tourist-friendly states and destinations, including Baja California Sur, Mexico City and Quintana Roo are listed at Level 2, with officials encouraging travelers to exercise increased caution due to crime.

As of June 14, Americans are encouraged to reconsider plans to visit the United Arab Emirates due to the threat of missile or drone attacks. "The possibility of attacks affecting U.S. citizens and interests in the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula remains an ongoing, serious concern," according to the State Department.

Fiji is among the dozens of countries around the world listed at Level 1 this summer. Travelers should exercise normal precautions in the inviting archipelago, for the time being, the State Department advises as of June 21.

Travelers to Europe should also exercise normal precautions in the Scandinavian country of Sweden, based on the State Department's latest assessment.

"Exercise increased caution in Morocco due to terrorism," the State Department advises. The North African country, which reopened to travel at the start of the year, recently eased COVID-19 entry protocols.

The State Department reissued a Level 3 travel advisory for Ecuador on June 22. "Reconsider travel to Ecuador due to civil unrest and crime. Some areas have increased risk," officials say while also advising against travel to Carchi, Sucumbios, and the northern part of Esmeraldas provinces, including Esmeraldas city, Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarquí Avenue, due to crime.

As of June 27, the State Department recommends that travelers exercise increased caution in the Dominican Republic due to crime. "The development of a professional tourist police corps, institution of a 911 system in many parts of the country and a concentration of resources in resort areas means these tend to be better policed than urban areas like Santo Domingo," the Level 2 travel advisory states.

Americans are advised to reconsider travel to Peru due to crime this summer. Currently, the State Department recommends that travelers avoid the Colombian-Peruvian border area in the Loreto Region due to crime and the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), including areas within the Departments of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junin, due to both crime and terrorism.