UPDATED:
If you’re planning to travel internationally this summer, it’s important to check for any travel advisories to your planned destination.
While the list of advisories from the U.S. Department of State is long—ranging from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel)—new warnings are frequently issued and Levels are often updated. Here is a running list of travel advisories. New to the list are the Dominican Republic and Indonesia.
A Level 2 advisory has been issued for the Dominican Republic, due to increased violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault. The country has also seen an increase in robberies as people meet strangers on dating apps. The agency is not suggesting travelers avoid the country, but to take precautionary measures. Resort areas are better policed than other areas of the country, so tourists should be aware when traveling to urban areas.
Indonesia has been updated to a Level 2 advisory due to the risk of terrorism and natural disasters. An additional Do Not Travel warning has been issued for the provinces of Central Papua (Papua Tengah) and Highland Papua (Papua Pegunungan) due to civil unrest.
Chile is on the list with a Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) advisory, as that crimes, thefts and muggings are on the rise, and actions of civil unrest such as demonstrations have occurred in its larger cities like the capital of Santiago.
An advisory for Jamaica was updated, reissuing a Level 3 (Reconsider Travel). The State Department says that the island nation has a strong crime presence but insufficient response from law enforcement. Violent crimes (home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults and homicides) are common, and all-inclusive resorts have seen frequent reports of sexual assault. Jamaica’s homicide rate has been among the highest in the Western Hemisphere.
Colombia was also reissued as a Level 3 warning due to crime and terrorism and an increased risk of kidnapping. The government warns against all travel to the regions of Arauca, Cauca (Popayán), Norte de Santander and the Colombia-Venezuela border. The warning explains that terrorist organizations may carry out attacks with little or no warning, targeting transportation hubs, markets, malls, clubs, restaurants, airports, hotels or other public areas.
Americans aren’t forbidden to visit these destinations but the U.S. Department of State urges travelers to consider the risks of visiting, and check advisories for any other destinations in your travel plans.