As the summer season unofficially begins this weekend, Newsweek analyzed the U.S. State Department's full list of global travel advisories, categorized by risk level.
The State Department regularly updates travel advisories for more than 200 countries, classifying them into four tiers based on security risks. These levels range from level 1 (“Take normal precautions”) to level 4 (“Do not travel”).
Level 4: Do not travel
Countries under the Level 4 advisory are considered extremely dangerous for Americans due to risks such as terrorism, civil unrest and crime. Since May 2024, the US government has advised against travel to the following countries:
Afghanistan: The country faces serious threats from terrorism, kidnappings and civil unrest. The US embassy in Kabul ceased operations in August 2021 when US forces withdrew from a 20-year war. The government is now back in the hands of the Taliban.
Belarus: The ongoing conflict in neighboring Ukraine and the presence of Russian military The armed forces in Belarus pose significant risks, according to the State Department.
Burkina Faso: Terrorism and violent crime are widespread, particularly in the Eastern and Sahel regions.
Central African Republic: Limited government control and violent crime make travel dangerous.
Burma: Following the 2021 military coup, the country has been gripped by armed conflict and civil unrest.
Haiti: Kidnappings and violent crimes are commonplace, prompting the U.S. government to evacuate non-emergency staff from its embassy in Port-au-Prince in July 2023. The main airport only recently resumed operations.
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Israel and in the West Bank: Hamas-Israel War and terrorist activities pose high risks to tourists.
Russia: The current invasion of Ukraine, along with arbitrary detentions and harassment of American citizens, makes travel very dangerous.
Level 3: Rethinking Travel
Countries under the Level 3 warning are considered high risk and travelers should reconsider non-essential travel, according to the State Department. Key countries include:
Mexico: Several states, including Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas, are particularly dangerous due to organized crime and kidnappings.
Lebanon:Ongoing conflicts and the presence of militant groups make some areas, particularly near the Syrian border, extremely dangerous.
ColombiaThe advisory notes that violent crimes, such as homicides, assaults and armed robberies, are common and that terrorist groups are active in some areas.
Sudan: Persistent conflicts between military factions have led to serious civil unrest and humanitarian crises.
Level 2: Exercise increased caution
For countries under Level 2 advisories, travelers should exercise increased caution due to various risks. Notable countries include:
France, Spain, Germany and the UNITED KINGDOM: Civil unrest and terrorism remain a concern, particularly in urban areas.
South Africa: Crime, especially in urban areas, poses a significant risk.
The Bahamas: Water safety concerns and gang-related violence contribute to the advisory.
Level 1: Take normal precautions
This level indicates that travelers should take standard safety precautions, similar to those they would take in any international destination. There are no major safety or security concerns in these countries.
Uncommon knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
