The Key Travel Advisories Announced in March

The U.S. State Department issued close to 10 in the month of March, with the majority of guidance encouraging travelers to reconsider plans to visit a handful of countries around the world due to a variety of factors, including crime, terrorism, armed conflict and wrongful detentions, among other potential threats. If the demand for passports and international travel is any indication, this summer is poised to see countless Americans travel abroad, many for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic brought about crippling travel restrictions. But before you leave home, here's a look at some of the most significant travel advisories published over the past month.

The State Department issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Guatemala on March 1. Officials are encouraging Americans to reconsider travel due to crime. Visitors should avoid some areas entirely, including the San Marcos (except the city of San Marcos) and Huehuetenango Departments (except the city of Huehuetenango), Zone 18 and the city of Villa Nueva in Guatemala City due to crime.

Travelers are also advised to reconsider plans to visit Honduras this spring due to the threat of crime and potential kidnapping. Visitors who do travel to Honduras are asked to avoid the Gracias a Dios Department at the moment due to crime.

The State Department is advising travelers to avoid Gaza due to terrorism, civil unrest and armed conflict and to exercise increased caution when traveling to nearby Israel and the West Bank due to terrorism and civil unrest.

On March 9, the State Department issued a Level 2 travel advisory for the Netherlands due to terrorism. Like much of Europe, officials advise travelers to exercise increased caution due to these potential threats.

Ethiopia is listed at Level 3 heading into April. Currently, the State Department recommends that Americans reconsider travel to the country due to a plethora of concerns, including conflict, civil unrest, crime, communications disruptions, and the potential for terrorism and kidnapping in border areas. Those who do visit Ethiopia should be sure to avoid a handful of potentially dangerous areas, including the Tigray Region and border with Eritrea; the Amhara-Tigray and Afar-Tigray border areas; the Gambella and Benishangul Gumuz Regions; the Oromia Region; the Southern Nations and National People (SNNP) Region; the border area with Somalia; border areas with Sudan, and South Sudan and border areas with Kenya.

A Level 3 travel advisory was reissued for China on March 10, with officials encouraging Americans to reconsider travel to the recently reopened Asian country, including Hong Kong and Macau, due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws. The State Department also advises travelers who do visit the region to exercise increased caution in China due to wrongful detentions.