The Key Travel Advisories Announced in May

by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 5:00 PM ET, Sun May 28, 2023

Indonesia - Level 2

1/9 In a May 2 update, the State Department encouraged Americans to exercise increased caution in Indonesia due to terrorism and natural disasters. Visitors should avoid travel to the provinces of Central Papua (Papua Tengah) and Highland Papua (Papua Pegunungan) due to civil unrest, officials advise.

Peru - Level 2

2/9 While attractions such as Machu Picchu have reopened, travelers should still exercise increased caution in Peru due to crime and civil unrest this summer. Areas to be avoided include the Colombian-Peruvian border area in the Loreto Region due to crime; the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), including areas within the Departments of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junin, due to crime and terrorism and the Puno Region, including the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, and the Apurimac Region due to civil unrest.

Micronesia - Level 1

3/9 Travelers exploring the island country of Micronesia in Oceania this summer can do so with peace of mind as the destination is listed at Level 1 as of May 8. As a result, visitors can exercise normal precautions. 

Chile - Level 2

4/9 Chile is at Level 2 as of May 8. Travelers should exercise increased caution upon arrival due to crime and civil unrest. According to the State Department, street crimes such as muggings, pick-pocketing and theft are common while violent crime rates are increasing.

Jamaica - Level 3

5/9 The State Department issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Jamaica on May 10. Officials ask Americans to reconsider travel due to crime, which is common in some parts of the island. If traveling to Jamaica, officials advise practicing common sense and avoiding walking or driving places at night and staying away from secluded places.

Colombia - Level 3

6/9 Americans are also asked to reconsider travel to Colombia due to crime and terrorism. If they do decide to visit, travelers should exercise increased caution due to civil unrest and kidnapping. There are several parts of Colombia to avoid entirely, including Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayán), and Norte de Santander departments due to crime and terrorism and the Colombia-Venezuela border region due to crime, kidnapping, and risk of detention when crossing into Venezuela from Colombia.  

Haiti - Level 4

7/9 Haiti is one of 19 destinations travelers should avoid entirely due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure. "U.S. citizens in Haiti should consider departing Haiti now by commercial or other privately available transportation options, in light of the current security situation and infrastructure challenges," the State Department advises.

Ethiopia - Level 3

8/9 In a May 19 update, the State Department advised Americans to reconsider travel to Ethiopia due to sporadic violent conflict, civil unrest, crime, communications disruptions, terrorism and kidnapping in border areas.

Ukraine - Level 4

9/9 Americans should continue to avoid travel to Ukraine due to Russia’s war against Ukraine. "The Department of State continues to advise that U.S. citizens not travel to Ukraine due to active armed conflict," the May 22 update states. 

The U.S. State Department has been busy assessing threats to Americans traveling abroad ahead of the peak summer travel period.

Officials have issued a handful of updated travel advisories during the month of May, including new guidance for popular destinations in Asia, the Caribbean and South America.

The advisories range from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel) and warn of a number of different threats such as crime, terrorism and natural disasters, among others.

Here are some of the most notable travel advisories issued over the past month.

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