After a quiet start to August, the U.S. State Department published rapid fire travel advisory updates this week, issuing new guidance for 18 countries and territories from Tuesday to Friday.
The key takeaway is that the vast majority of these advisories are Level 1—exercise normal precautions—that have been refreshed following periodic review.
Popular Caribbean Islands Maintain Stellar Reputation
Three of the updates pertain to the ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. All three destinations, which happen to be among the safest in the Caribbean heading into peak Atlantic hurricane season, continue to receive Level 1 travel advisories from the State Department.
Other destinations at Level 1 following this week's flurry include Guadeloupe and Martinique in the French West Indies, the Caribbean islands of Saba and Sint Eustatius, Austria, Paraguay, Australia, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein.
Level 2 Travel Advisories for South American Hotspots
Santiago, Chile. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Fyle)
In South America, Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador continue to receive Level 2 travel advisories this summer.
Americans are advised to exercise increased caution in Bolivia and Chile due to the threat of crime, unrest and health concerns. Visitors to Bolivia should avoid the Chapare Province entirely, with U.S. officials warning that "large amounts of coca are produced illegally in Chapare province. Local police presence is limited. Violent crime is high and connected to narcotrafficking."
Travelers are also encouraged to exercise increased caution in Ecuador due to risk of crime, terrorism, unrest and kidnapping.
Visitors should avoid the following areas of Ecuador due to crime and terrorism:
- In Guayaquil, Nueva Prosperina and Pascuales districts, and all areas south of Portete de Tarqui Avenue
- Huaquillas and Arenillas, in El Oro province
- Quevedo, Quinsaloma, and Pueblo Viejo, in Los Rios province
- Duran, in Guayas province
- Esmeraldas City and all areas north of Esmeraldas City, in Esmeraldas province
- The area north of Esmeraldas City to the Colombian border and east to Carchi province
Travelers to Ecuador are advised to reconsider travel to these parts of the country due to crime and terrorism:
- In Guayaquil, all areas north of Portete de Tarqui Avenue
- El Oro province, outside Huaquillas and Arenillas
- Los Rios province, outside Quevedo, Quinsaloma, and Pueblo Viejo
- All areas south of Esmeraldas City, in Esmeraldas province
- Sucumbios, Manabi, Santa Elena, and Santo Domingo provinces
In Central America, Panama also receives a Level 2 travel advisory due to crime, with visitors asked to steer clear of the Mosquito Gulf and parts of the Darién Region due to crime.
Europe Remains Among Safest Regions
The Alpine town of Kitzbuhel, Austria. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/chrisy50)
After the State Department reissued a Level 1 travel advisory for Switzerland on August 14, officials followed up with Level 1 advisories for Austria and Liechtenstein this week, as well as republished Level 2 guidance for the Netherlands due to the potential for terrorism.
The lone Level 3 travel advisory in this week's dump was applied to the African nation of Mauritania.
Travelers are advised to reconsider plans to visit due to terrorism, crime and limited health infrastructure and should avoid all areas north of the Tropic of Cancer and all areas within 60 miles of the Mali and Algeria border.
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