Recapping the US State Department's December Travel Advisories

Like many holiday travelers, the U.S. State Department had its hands full this December as it issued close to 30 travel advisory updates to close out 2019. Here's the important information that you may have missed.

The State Department reissued its Level 4 travel advisory for Venezuela following a periodic review without changes on December 2, warning Americans not to travel to the South American country due to crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure, kidnapping and arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens. The Department of Homeland Security suspended all flights between the U.S. and Venezuela due to safety and security concerns this past spring.

Americans are encouraged to exercise increased caution when traveling to Tanzania in the new year. The U.S. government's most recent Level 2 travel advisory warned of crime, terrorism and targeting of LGBTI persons.

Off Africa's west coast, Cabo Verde is at the lowest possible threat level. However, the State Department recommends visitors exercise increased caution in the capital of Praia due to crime. "Violent crime, such as burglary, armed robbery and assault occurs in Praia," the department stated in its December 4 update.

The tiny African nation of Equatorial Guinea closes out 2019 at a Level 1. The State Department reissued its lowest travel advisory for the destination following periodic review on December 11.

Rwanda is safe to visit as of the latest Level 1 travel advisory issued by the U.S. government. However, Americans are encouraged to exercise increased caution near the Rwanda-Burundi border and the Rwanda-Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) border due to armed conflict.

While The Gambia is a Level 1 destination heading into the new year, travelers should exercise increased caution near the country's "southern border area adjacent to Senegal's Casamance region due to the potential presence of landmines," the State Department warns.

The Central African Republic was the sixth consecutive African nation to receive an updated travel advisory in December, remaining off limits to Americans due to an array of threats, including crime, civil unrest and kidnapping.

Fiji is a bucket list destination for many and the good news is that the South Pacific paradise is a Level 1 country as of December 16. Americans should exercise normal precautions when exploring this beautiful archipelago.

The State Department reissued its Level 2 travel advisory for Sierra Leone on December 16, reminding travelers to exercise increased caution due to the threat of crime, including armed robbery and assault.

The State Department's updated travel advisory for Mexico remains at Level 2, but it was elevated in certain regions on December 17 due to an increase in violent crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robbery. Americans should continue to exercise increased caution in major tourist destinations, including Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Mexico City and Playa del Carmen, among others.

No changes here. An East African nation renowned for its gorgeous beaches, Mauritius remains at a Level 1 following a reissued travel advisory after periodic review in mid-December.

Nearby, the Seychelles archipelago is also safe to visit as of December 18. The African destination renowned for its stellar beaches, nature and wildlife is at Level 1 heading into 2020.

Belgium is one of the few European destinations to receive an updated travel advisory in December. The country remains at a Level 2, with Americans encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and monitor local media due to the ongoing threat of terrorism.

Americans should reconsider travel to Niger due to crime, terrorism and kidnapping. The U.S. government warns that violent crime such as armed robbery is common. If you do decide to visit, you're urged to stay in hotels with armed Nigerien security presence.

Americans should have no issues exploring South Korea in 2020 as the popular Asian country remains at a Level 1 as of the State Department's most recent December 20 update.

The State Department issued yet another updated travel advisory for Hong Kong on December 20, reissuing its previous Level 2 warning with updates to information regarding civil unrest, which has plagued the destination of late. "Protests, which can take place with little or no notice at any time of the week, are likely to continue and are often accompanied by vandalism and/or violence," the U.S. government warns. "U.S. citizens, as well as U.S. Consulate General employees, have been subject to a People's Republic of China propaganda campaign falsely accusing the United States of fomenting unrest in Hong Kong."

One of several Balkan destinations expected to be on sale in 2020, North Macedonia should benefit from its Level 1 travel advisory heading into the new year. As of December 23, Americans visiting this region of Southeast Europe should exercise normal precautions.

Many Americans will visit South Africa in 2020 but they should exercise increased caution as they would traveling anywhere unfamiliar, the U.S. government warns. South Africa is at a Level 2 due to crime, civil unrest and drought as of December 23.

Crime, terrorism and kidnapping continue to plague tourism to Mali. The State Department reissued its Level 4 travel advisory for the country on December 23, reminding Americans to avoid the West African country.

In Northwest Africa, Mauritania is at a Level 2 but the State Department warns Americans should not travel to areas designated as off limits by the Mauritanian military due to crime and terrorism. "These 'No Movement Zones' are extremely dangerous due to their proximity to Mali, where armed groups engaged in an active insurgency carry out cross-border attacks into Mauritania," it warns.

Iran remains a Level 4 destination for American travelers as of the State Department's latest update issued on December 26. U.S. citizens should avoid the country entirely in 2020 due to the risk of kidnapping and the arbitrary arrest and detention of Americans.

Botswana remains one of the safest countries that Americans can visit and was one of five destinations in southern Africa that received updated Level 1 travel advisories from the State Department on December 27.

Elsewhere in southern Africa, the tiny Kingdom of Eswatini is also at a Level 1 heading into 2020, making it an easy choice for travelers seeking a blend of wildlife and culture in the new year.

The same goes for nearby Lesotho, a similar landlocked kingdom surrounded by South Africa. Like so many places in southern Africa, Lesotho has plenty to offer outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Home to remarkable national parks and the otherworldly Sossusvlei, Namibia remains a safe choice for travelers hoping to cross Africa off of their bucket list in 2020.

Zambia is still among the safer destinations in the world and will continue to draw travelers from all over the globe thanks to its diverse nature and wildlife, which includes the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls.

The State Department reissued its Level 2 travel advisory for Indonesia on December 27, citing terrorism and natural disasters. Travelers are encouraged to reconsider travel to Central Sulawesi and Papua due to civil unrest that's included violent demonstrations and shootings.

Armenia remains at a Level 1. However, travelers are advised to avoid traveling to the Nagorno-Karabakh region due to armed conflict. "Casualties continue to occur in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Intermittent gunfire and occasional use of artillery systems, including land mines and mortars, result in deaths and injuries each year," the State Department warns. "Avoid roads near the 'line of contact' and roads near the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan."

The U.S. government also reissued its Level 2 travel advisory for Azerbaijan on December 30, recommending that Americans exercise increased caution when visiting the country due to the risk of terrorism, reiterating the armed conflict threat in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The State Department continues to encourage Americans to exercise increased caution in China due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws and special restrictions on dual U.S.-Chinese citizens. "The Chinese government has asserted broad authority to prohibit U.S. citizens from leaving China by using 'exit bans,' sometimes keeping U.S. citizens in China for years," officials warn.