10 Key Travel Advisories Announced in September

The U.S. State Department issued nearly two dozen updated travel advisories for countries all across the globe in September. The vast majority of updates were Level 1 advisories encouraging travelers to exercise normal precautions but among the updates were some Level 2 and Level 3 advisories due to potential threats to visitors ranging from crime to hurricanes. For those with plans to travel internationally this fall, the advisories can be a useful tool for planning, knowing what to expect and how to protect yourself. Here are the most significant updated travel advisories to make note of heading into October, from the Caribbean to the South Pacific.

Travelers to Kenya are advised to exercise increased caution due to various potential threats, including crime, terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping. As of September 12, travelers should avoid Kenya-Somalia border counties and some coastal areas due to terrorism and kidnapping as well as areas of Turkana County due to crime. Visitors should also reconsider traveling to the Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera at all times due to crime and kidnapping.

Travelers can visit Fiji with confidence this fall as the country enters October with a Level 1 travel advisory. According to the State Department, visitors can exercise normal precautions at the moment.

St. Kitts and Nevis is another Level 1 destination that travelers can visit without worry this fall. The federation recently eliminated COVID-19 entry requirements, opening to travelers regardless of their vaccination status.

Elsewhere in the Caribbean, Sint Maarten also received an updated Level 1 travel advisory on September 19. The Dutch island transitioned from pandemic to endemic status back in March, relaxing COVID-19 entry requirements.

As of September 19, U.S. officials recommend that visitors to Morocco exercise increased caution due to terrorism concerns. "Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Morocco. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities," the State Department warns.

The State Department issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Bermuda on September 20 due to the potential impact of Hurricane Fiona. However, the destination is already back up and running following the storm, with the territory's airport, hotels, and restaurants reopening for business. As of September 27, travelers can exercise normal precautions in Bermuda.

Visitors to Sri Lanka are encouraged to exercise increased caution due to fuel and medicine shortages, civil unrest and terrorism. "Sri Lanka is experiencing shortages of imported goods, including fuel, food, and medicine due to the ongoing economic situation in the country," the State Department said in a September 22 update. "Disrupted supply chains have caused food and medicine shortages, especially in remote areas, but most hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, and private hospitals have supplies. Limited duration power outages occur frequently, but most tourist facilities have backup generators...Travelers should monitor local media for updates on the ongoing situation."

Travelers to Armenia are advised to exercise normal precautions in the country as of September 12. However, the State Department also asks visitors to avoid traveling to the Nagorno-Karabakh region and surrounding territories due to recent hostilities.

Guatemala was one of only a few Level 3 travel advisories to be issued during the month of September, with officials recommending Americans reconsider travel to the Central American country due to crime. Visitors should avoid a handful of areas within its borders, including San Marcos Department (except the city of San Marcos), Huehuetenango Department (except the city of Huehuetenango) and Zone 18 and the city of Villa Nueva in Guatemala City as these places have a high risk of crime.

Travelers visiting the gorgeous beaches and reefs of Mauritius off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean can do so without concern this fall as the State Department issued a Level 1 travel advisory for the country on September 19, encouraging travelers to exercise increased caution.