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The Difference Between a Travel Alert and a Travel Advisory

Determine if your trip is still on after a travel alert or "do not travel" advisory from the U.S. State Department.

The U.S. State Department issues travel advisories to every country around the world. Each advisory is ranked on a scale that includes four standard levels of advice, from "Exercise normal precautions" to "Do not travel." When an alert or "do not travel" advisory includes a destination you were planning to visit, you likely have questions and concerns. But before you imagine the worst-case scenario and cancel a trip, here's what you need to know.

First of all, a travel alert is different from a travel advisory, and the biggest difference between the two is time. According to the State Department , an alert is issued by U.S. embassies and consulates abroad "to inform U.S. citizens of specific safety and security concerns in a country." Temporary situations, such as a disease outbreak, a public demonstration, or a weather event are among the things that could lead to a travel alert.

Travel advisories take into consideration more ongoing issues, like civil unrest or a rise in crime. When that happens, the U.S. State Department will rank that country a three or a four because it wants you to either reconsider travel or not travel at all . If a country is ranked one or two on the travel advisory scale, then you may feel free to travel but exercise caution and be aware of any heightened risks.

For example, Russia currently has a level four travel advisory due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, while a Labor Day demonstration in Greece got an alert even though the country's travel advisory level is one.

Although this information should never be taken lightly, understanding the events behind both alerts and warnings will give travelers context for planning their own itinerary. One thing to remember is that not every part of a continent or country with a high travel advisory is dangerous.

"Countries generally don't fit in a one-size-fits-all category," John Rendeiro, former Vice President of Global Security and Intelligence at International SOS, told USA Today back in 2016 . "Variable levels of risks exist within countries, as there are safer and more dangerous parts of the United States as well."

As an example from personal experience, I recently visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Although the U.S. government advises "to reconsider travel to the DRC due to crime and civil unrest," I visited the country's Virunga National Park, but I didn't blow off the recommendations. Prior to finalizing my plans, I e-mailed the park directly, and through our correspondence, a ranger assured me that a member of the park's team would escort me into the Congo at the border and I'd be accompanied by an armed guard throughout the entire trek. Overall, the park was extremely well run and I had no issues doing what I came to do: see the gorillas.

After being a few feet away from a gorilla family and watching one of the babies spin from a tree branch, I'd say it was one of the best experiences I've ever had.

No matter where travelers go, they should always prioritize their safety and exercise caution. When in a foreign country, keep in mind the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and the long list of U.S. embassies worldwide, which are there to help and inform citizens about how to handle themselves when visiting other countries.

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Is it safe to go there? The U.S. travel advisory system, explained

If you’re planning an international trip, here’s how to use the State Department’s country-by-country guide to minimize your risk of encountering crime, violence, or civil unrest.

On October 19, the U.S. Department of State issued a rare advisory that Americans overseas “exercise increased caution” due to heightened tensions and chances of terrorism around the world, spurred by the Israel-Hamas war. It’s part of a system of travel warnings that’s been around in some form since 1978, designed to help citizens assess how safe a destination might be at a given time.

The current version of the system, which launched in 2018, gives fluid rankings from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel), indicating how risky countries (and in some cases, regions) are for Americans to visit. Rankings are based on factors such as crime rates, civil unrest, and the threat of terrorism. They are meant to give “clear, timely, and reliable information about every country in the world so they can make informed travel decisions,” says a State Department spokesperson.  

Not surprisingly, on October 14, the State Department moved Israel and the West Bank to Level 3 (reconsider travel) and Gaza to Level 4.  

Here’s how the advisories work and how to use them.

What is a travel advisory?

The U.S. State Department inaugurated the travel advisory system in 1978, initially aiming warnings at airlines and travel companies. The system was scrutinized after the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight from London to New York , which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland , killing all 259 passengers and crew plus 11 people on the ground.  

Investigations found U.S. authorities had been aware of a credible threat to a Pan Am flight but hadn’t informed the public. In response, the media and consular offices began issuing travel warnings. In 2018 the U.S. introduced its current four-tier advisory system. There are near-identical versions in Canada , Australia , and New Zealand .

To determine rankings, the State Department considers a nation’s political volatility, crime trends, medical care standards, and the threat of kidnappings or terrorism. (Politics also ends up playing an unspoken role.) Some countries, such as Russia , receive a Level 4 ranking partly because the U.S. government may have limited ability to assist citizens there. Others rise to Level 4 due to a crisis, such as the military coup that recently rocked Niger .  

When the travel advisory system relaunched in 2018, it also included state-by-state evaluations for Mexico , which draws more than 11 million American travelers a year. “Some Mexican states are quite safe for U.S. tourists, while others are riskier due to narco-trafficking violence,” says Ryan Larsen , executive director of the Institute for Global Engagement at Western Washington University. Yucatán and Campeche states are currently at Level 1, while six other Mexican states are at Level 4, including Sinaloa.

( Solo female travelers share tips for staying safe on the road .)

Epidemics and natural disasters also can prompt a travel advisory number to rise. Americans may be prompted to reconsider visiting a country recovering from a tsunami or major wildfires, since their presence could hinder rehabilitation efforts. This occurred after the February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey . Such advisories can remain in place for weeks or months.

The strictest-ever advisories came in April 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic , says Larsen, who did a thesis   on U.S. travel warnings. At that time, about 80 percent of the world’s countries were at Level 4.

At press time, about 70 percent of the world’s countries were rated Level 1 or Level 2 by the State Department, indicating they’re relatively safe. There are currently 21 countries at Level 3 and 21 at Level 4.

How to use travel advisories

Before booking an international trip, consult the State Department website to see where your destination ranks. While Level 1 and 2 countries are considered relatively safe, you should still register with the U.S. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) . This lets Americans overseas use their smartphone to receive travel advisory updates and alerts about emerging dangers in their destination (protests, extreme weather).

Level 3 countries are considered more dangerous for foreign visitors, who should “reconsider travel,” according to the State Department. If you are headed to a Level 3 country, which currently includes Pakistan and Colombia , do wider research on its safety and on the places you’ll visit there, advises Jun Wen , a professor of tourism at Australia’s Edith Cowan University. For instance, while some remote areas in the Colombian Amazon still suffer from drug-related violence, cities such as Cartagena and Medellín are relatively safe. Going on a fully guided group or individual tour can also help you navigate destinations where political unrest or crime might impact your safety.

Travelers should study not only the advisories provided by their own country, but also by the U.S., United Kingdom, and Australia to broaden their understanding of the risks in Level 3 countries, Wen says. As for Level 4 countries, that “Do Not Travel” advice couldn’t be any clearer.

Other countries also issue warnings to their citizens about visiting the U.S. Canada recently informed its LGBTQ travelers they may be affected by laws in certain U.S. states. Australia, meanwhile, cautions its citizens visiting the U.S. to be wary of higher crime rates and gun violence, and even to learn safety strategies for active shooter scenarios.

People who visit countries with Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisories don’t just risk their safety. They also may have travel insurance complications, says Linchi Kwok , tourism management professor at California State Polytechnic University Pomona.

( How travel insurance can—and can’t—help when your plans change .)

They must pay much higher premiums, and their insurance can be invalidated if the advisory for their destination is elevated. “Medical coverage can be minimal, too, particularly if the travel advisory is put up against a disease or an outbreak,” says Kwok. “I encourage Americans to think twice before they travel to Level 3 and especially Level 4 destinations.”

Warnings and their impact on tourism

Travel advisories can be biased, Larsen argues. His research found that, while the U.S. didn’t often overstate the risk of travel to countries with which it had poor relations, it did often understate the danger of visiting nations that were its close allies. Elevating a travel advisory can stoke diplomatic tensions between two countries. Once a country is raised to Level 3 or 4, many tourists will avoid visiting, and many American universities won’t let students join study abroad programs.

The economic ramifications of a level change impact individual businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies. For instance, J 2   adventures , a Jewish-focused tour company, saw most of its fall group trips to Israel canceled after the start of the Israel-Hamas war (and the higher advisory level), says cofounder Guy Millo. “This is not just because of the violence on the ground, but because of practical considerations like accessibility of commercial airline flights,” he says. “Most tourists from North America and places around the globe simply couldn’t get here even if they wanted to.”  

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What Every Traveler Should Know About Travel Advisories and Alerts

Sarah Schlichter

Deputy Executive Editor Sarah Schlichter's idea of a perfect trip includes spotting exotic animals, hiking through pristine landscapes, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and soaking up as much art as she can. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed).

Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. Even years later, reading my notes from a trip can bring back incredibly vivid memories."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia."

Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.'—Freya Stark"

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else."

Email Sarah at [email protected] .

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These days, you’re probably not planning a trip to Iraq or Afghanistan—most nations are currently advising citizens against all non-essential travel to these countries. And due to the current COVID-19 outbreak , governments around the world are issuing even more travel advisories and alerts than usual.

Though global crises such as pandemics should always be taken seriously, not every government travel warning means you need to immediately cancel a trip to a particular part of the world. In fact, within the past few years the governments of the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. have released travel advisories and alerts about the following popular tourist destinations: Thailand, Mexico, China, India, and even the United States.

Before you decide to avoid these countries altogether, it’s worth taking a closer look at what a government’s travel advisories and alerts mean, why they’re released, and how to evaluate them.

What Is a Travel Advisory?

Governments issue travel advisories to let their citizens know about safety concerns that may affect travel to a particular country or region. Travel advisories may also note parts of the world where a government does not have the ability to respond to the problems of citizens traveling there—for example, if the government doesn’t have an embassy in a particular country, or if the functioning of its embassy is threatened by local violence.

In the United States, travel advisories are issued by the State Department.

The State Department’s travel advisories detail a variety of potential risks in a given destination, including terrorism, natural disasters, political unrest, wars, health concerns, and outbreaks of crime. The State Department offers travel advisories for all countries across the globe, along with a risk level for each on a scale of one (“exercise normal precautions”) to four (“do not travel”). In some cases, certain regions of a country may have a higher rating than the country as a whole.

The State Department uses eight different letters to denote the reasons for its travel advisory levels:

• T: Terrorism
• U: Civil unrest
• H: Health risks
• N: Natural disaster
• E: Time-limited event
• K: Kidnapping or hostage taking

Travel advisories may remain static for months at a time, or they may change rapidly when circumstances demand.

Governments occasionally publish global or worldwide travel advisories in extraordinary circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic , which pushed countries such as the United States, Canada, and New Zealand to advise their citizens against any non-essential international travel.

What Is a Travel Alert?

Travel alerts are issued to cover “specific safety and security concerns in a country, such as demonstrations, crime trends, and weather events,” according to the State Department . Alerts often come from embassies and consulates and may cover breaking news or shorter-term problems for travelers.

Alerts don’t necessarily mean “don’t travel,” but rather contain information that’s worth knowing about so you are prepared.

Unlike travel advisories, which can remain in place for months, alerts tend to be much shorter-lived; most alerts on the State Department’s country pages are less than a month old.

How to Evaluate Travel Advisories and Alerts

In general, a travel advisory—no matter how strongly worded—cannot legally stop you from traveling to a particular place. After reading an advisory, it is up to you to decide whether to heed or ignore the advice, and to determine whether your planned trip is essential or not. While your government will usually try to help you if you run into trouble abroad, you will always be traveling at your own risk.

Not all travel warnings are created equal. When deciding how seriously to take a particular travel advisory, below are a few questions to ask yourself.

Is the Entire Country Affected?

In many cases, violence, unrest, or natural disasters are confined to a particular region while the rest of the country is still safe and welcoming to tourists. For example, in recent years the U.K. has cautioned visitors against traveling in Gulf Coast states of the U.S. during hurricane season. And while Mexico’s recent struggles with violence are well publicized, government warnings apply only to select states; many popular tourist destinations such as the Mayan Riviera have remained safe.

While your well-being always comes first, keep in mind that the fallout from an isolated act of violence can affect an entire country’s tourist industry—and have a disproportionate effect on the economy of a developing nation.

What’s the Danger?

For travel advisories dealing with violence or terrorism, pay attention to what kind of attacks are taking place and who the targets are. Assaults that specifically pinpoint foreign tourists should raise a bigger red flag than civil unrest among locals. If violence generally happens away from primary tourist locations, there may be less risk for visitors.

How Up to Date Is the Warning?

If you’re looking at a travel alert that’s more than a few months old, it may be worth doing a little research to check the current situation on the ground and see if there’s been any improvement. The websites of international newspapers are often a good source of accurate and up-to-date information. Searching Google News can help you find these. (Compare multiple sources to avoid being taken in by less reputable publications.)

Is the Warning Corroborated by Other Governments?

To get a fuller sense of what’s happening in a particular country, check travel warnings from multiple sources (see our links below). Critics have speculated that some advisories are unduly influenced by politics, so checking a U.S. advisory against a Canadian or an Australian one can give you a fresh perspective—or confirm that a threat is cause for a change in your travel plans.

Will You Have a Safety Net?

Find out whether your home country has an embassy or consulate in the place you want to visit, and make sure it’s fully staffed and functioning. If the worst happens, you don’t want to be stranded in a foreign country without an embassy to help with emergency evacuation or to get you in contact with family and friends at home.

Is Travel Insurance an Option?

Keep in mind that travel insurance may not cover you in all countries or circumstances. According to TripInsuranceStore.com , most policies do not cover acts of war, riots, or civil disorder. Other exclusions apply too, so read your policy carefully before purchasing.

Travel Insurance Coverage: 17 Things Your Policy Won’t Cover

What Happens If You Decide to Ignore Travel Advisories

Each year, many tourists choose to visit certain countries despite their government’s warnings. If you decide to do the same, consider taking the following safety precautions.

Register Yourself

Let your government know when and where you will be traveling so that you can be reached in an emergency. U.S. citizens can register themselves here ; Canadians can do so here . Other countries have similar programs.

Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home so that they know where you’re supposed to be and when. Stay in touch on a regular basis by email, phone, text, or Skype.

Stay Informed

It can be tempting to take a complete break from the world when you’re on vacation, but if you’re in a place where conditions are unstable, you’ll want to keep yourself posted on what’s happening by following the news on your phone.

Be Prepared

Have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. Find your home country’s embassy or consulate in the area you’ll be visiting and store its contact details in your phone. But be aware of what the embassy—and your home government—can and cannot do. (For example, if you’re injured, the State Department can help you find medical assistance in your destination, but you or your relatives will have to foot the bill.)

Protect Yourself

Purchase a travel insurance policy after reading carefully to see what is and isn’t covered. Consider getting a policy with a “cancel for any reason” option so you can back out of your trip without penalty if you feel uneasy. Check out 10 Smart Ways to Carry Money While Traveling to help shield yourself against crime. Finally, do your research; read up on the political or cultural situation of the area you’re visiting and know exactly which threats you might face.

How to Be Safe and Culturally Sensitive When You Travel

Where to Find Travel Warnings, Advisories, and Alerts

Below are a few governments offering travel advisories in English. (Keep in mind that the State Department does not offer information about U.S. territories such as the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, so you’ll need to turn to foreign governments for any advisories about these destinations.)

• United States
• United Kingdom
• New Zealand

The downside of travel alerts and advisories is that they can strike more fear into travelers than necessary. But read as a precaution, travel warnings and alerts can provide even the most seasoned travelers with the latest information, and are a good refresher for how to handle an emergency should you encounter one.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 6 Ways to Get Home Safely from Abroad in an Emergency
• What to Do If You’re Caught in an Emergency Overseas
• The One Thing You Need to Add into Your Phone Before Traveling Abroad

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Follow Sarah Schlichter on Twitter @TravelEditor for more travel tips and inspiration.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Kate Sitarz contributed to this story.

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The Difference Between Travel Alerts and Travel Warnings

By Danica Lo

These days, travel alerts and warnings seem ubiquitous—ingrained in our public consciousness via the Internet and social media, transmitted from the annals of the State Department to first class lounges and boarding areas and everywhere in between. Yesterday, the U.S. government re-upped its March 2015 warning against American citizens traveling to Iran, especially, emphatically, for travelers holding dual Iranian and American citizenship.

It was the fifth State Department warning this month alone—after Honduras, the Democratic Republic of Congo, North Korea, and Cameroon. Last month, the department issued a warning against travel to Turkey a day before the Ataturk airport bombing , which they renewed following the attempted military coup on July 15. It followed eight others in July: Mali, Iraq, Venezuela, Bangladesh, Sudan, Haiti, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon.

With everything happening in the world today, it can be hard to know what to do when confronted with new, potentially unnerving, information. But what are the actual differences between a warning and an alert—and should you cancel your trip ? It depends.

What is a travel warning?

According to the State Department, a travel warning is a broad-reaching caution—for when the government wants you to "consider very carefully whether you should go to a country at all." Travel warnings may stem from unstable governance, extenuating circumstances, frequent violence and terrorist attacks, or civil war.

How long do travel warnings last?

Of the two, travel warnings tend to stay in place for much longer than travel alerts: "Travel warnings remain in place until the situation changes; some have been in effect for years." For example, the warning against travel to the Darfur, Blue Nile, and Southern Kordofan regions of the Sudan were most recently updated in January this year—from an original warning that was published in June 2015.

What is a travel alert?

Travel alerts are issued on the heels of specific, one-off events. According to the State Department, examples of reasons for issuing an alert might include an election season that could mean strikes, demonstrations, or disturbances; a health alert like an outbreak of H1N1; or evidence of an elevated risk of terrorist attacks. These travel alerts are usually assigned an expiration date weeks or months in the near future. For example, the travel alert issued for Europe in May , following attacks in France and ahead of June's UEFA European Championship soccer tournament and the Tour de France, expires at the end of this month.

Which is more serious—a travel warning or a travel alert?

The short answer? It depends. While a travel alert is issued on the heels of what intelligence and government sources consider a one-off or short-term event (for example, the anti-government protests in Ethiopia ) with temporary repercussions that may appear to have more imminent danger, travel warnings are often rooted in longer-term instability endemic to a region that poses a great risk to travelers (like the conflict in Syria ).

Should I cancel my trip?

Every trip is different—and it's important to consider your own, individual circumstances when deciding whether or not to call off travel plans. The most important thing to remember when an unexpected warning or alert is issued is to keep threats in perspective . "By all means, we should review the State Department’s warnings and alerts," Traveler 's Ombudsman Eric Jordan wrote earlier this year. "Then, rather than avoid travel, we can take the precautions we believe are reasonable."

What about travel health warnings?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issue their own set of travel notices separate from the State Department. In addition to providing information on communicable diseases particular to regions and countries around the world, the CDC site also features recommendations for precautions and inoculations on a country-by-country basis—including the United States .

Remember...

The State Department also maintains a Worldwide Caution page, which is continually updated with "information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world." It also hosts a find-your-closest-embassy directory for consular assistance and help in case of an emergency.

1 (800) 605-2282

• Member Portal (Travel Medical)
• CBP Portal (Trip Protection)

+1 (800) 605-2282 Outside US: +1 (317) 262-2132

[email protected]

Send Us A Message

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What a Travel Advisory Means for Your International Trip

Before you get wrapped up in the more exciting aspects of travel planning, take some time to think about safety. Your destination may not have the same safety, health, and security conditions as your home country. Understanding these differences and preparing for them is a fundamental part of safe travel.

Thankfully, there are plenty of resources to help you understand the safety threats at your destination and prepare for an emergency. The right knowledge and proper precautions are the key to spending less time worrying and more time enjoying your trip.

Quick Links:

• See all  travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State .
• See all  travel health notices from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) .

Jump Ahead:

• How to Uncover the Potential Risks of Your Destination

Understanding U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories

Understanding cdc travel health notices, should you reconsider travel to countries with a travel advisory, how travel advisories affect your travel insurance coverage, recommended precautions to enhance travel safety, get to know the risks.

Safety should be at the forefront of your mind any time you plan an international trip. Research potential threats to your safety and health before deciding on a destination.

Effective research methods include searching for recent headlines in the news to get a feel for current events and politics. You should also refer to the trove of travel health and safety resources from the   U.S. Department of State   and the   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) .

Ask these questions about your destination to guide your research and identify potential risks to your health and safety:

• Has the U.S. Department of State issued a level 3 or higher travel advisory?
• Has the CDC issued a level 3 travel warning or a level 2 or higher COVID-19 travel warning?
• Has it recently appeared in the news for negative or concerning reasons?
• Does it have a reputation for pickpockets, muggings, or petty theft?
• Does it have a reputation for violent and/or organized crime?
• Is there a strong presence of tourist companies, taxi services, etc., known to scam foreigners?
• Is there a risk of natural disaster?
• Is there a high chance of contracting food poisoning or water contamination?
• Is there a prevalence of malaria or other infectious diseases?
• What is the quality of local health care?
• Does your domestic health care plan cover you abroad?
• Will you have access to a doctor that speaks your native language?

Use the primary information you uncover about your destination’s safety to decide whether to continue planning this trip or to find a new destination.

If you do choose to travel against U.S. Department of State or CDC-issued travel advice, it’s all the more important that you understand the risks involved and the precautions you need to take.

One of the most valuable resources for planning a trip abroad is the U.S. Department of State. You can find practical, instructive information about all aspects of   international travel   on the website of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs ( travel.state.gov ). This is a go-to resource for any traveler, especially because of its travel advisories.

What Is a Travel Advisory?

U.S. Department of State travel advisories   are regularly updated safety rankings assigned to every country in the world. Travel advisories also list other important travel information, such as entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, transportation, and more.

Travel Advisory Risk Factors

Advisories are divided into four levels based on the presence of the   following threats to safety and security :

• Crime   – widespread and poorly regulated crime
• Terrorism   – terrorist attacks targeting groups or civilians
• Civil Unrest   – potentially violent or otherwise disruptive instability
• Health   – disease outbreaks and crises disrupting a country’s medical infrastructure
• Natural Disaster   – a dangerous natural disaster or its aftermath
• Time-Limited Events   – short-term events that may impede travel
• Kidnapping and/or Hostage-Taking   – by criminals or terrorists
• Other   – less common, but equally dangerous safety and security risks

Individual advisories may further list specific risk factors, which can include threats such as:

• Arbitrary enforcement of laws
• Armed conflict
• COVID-19, Ebola, or other specific viruses
• Embassy’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens
• Limited healthcare ability
• Maritime crime
• Political violence
• Serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals

Travel Advisory Levels

The U.S. Department of State assigns a number (1-4) to every country in the world to define the level of precaution necessary when traveling to the destination. Here is a breakdown of each advisory level and what it means for your trip:

A level 1 advisory is the lowest travel advisory level a country can have. Level 1 travel advisory countries are generally safe for travelers. Because there is always some risk involved with international travel, you should still exercise precautions when navigating these countries.

These countries present heightened safety and security risks but are generally safe to visit if you take the recommended precautions. Common risk indicators for level 2 advisory countries often include crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping, though a level 2 advisory may be the result of any of the risk factors noted above.

IMPORTANT!   Travel advisories are not only issued on a country-wide level. A country may have an overall travel advisory of level 2, but with elevated advisory levels for certain high-risk parts of the country. For example, Brazil and Mexico are often under a level 2 “exercise increased caution” advisory. However, certain cities or regions within these countries are labeled within their full travel advisories as “do not travel” or “reconsider travel.” That’s why it’s vital that you read the   entire   travel advisory.   Learn how to view and monitor travel advisories below .

Countries under a level 3 travel advisory present a serious risk to the safety and security of international travelers. The U.S. Department of State recommends that you avoid traveling to these countries. Common risk factors for countries under a level 3 travel advisory often include civil unrest, terrorism, crime, kidnapping, armed conflict, and disease outbreaks.

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These countries present life-threatening risks to travelers.   Do not travel to any country under a level 4 travel advisory.   The U.S. government cannot guarantee aid for travelers who experience an emergency in these countries. Any travelers already in a level 4 country at the time the travel advisory is announced should leave as soon as it is safe to do so.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  As of January 2023, the  CDC  advises all travelers to get  up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines  prior to travel. Keep in mind the additional risks of getting or spreading a COVID-19 variant posed by international travel even if you are fully vaccinated. Those who do travel should check out the travel recommendations provided by the CDC.  If you do choose to travel, it’s important to know that the U.S. and many other countries around the world currently require individuals to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test to enter the country.  Learn more here .

How to View U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories

Conditions in each country may change drastically at a moment's notice, so travelers should monitor their destination's advisory level. 

Follow these steps to view the current advisory for your destination. 

• Visit   travel.state.gov .
• Click “International Travel” in the navy-colored navigation bar toward the top of the page.
• Click “Country Information” in the beige-colored navigation bar.
• Type the name of your destination country into the search box in the left-hand sidebar.
• Hit “Enter” or click the search icon.
• You will see your destination country’s travel advisory at the top of the page.
• Click the “Read More” link to view the entire travel advisory.
• Read the travel advisory thoroughly, paying special attention to the information for any cities or regions you plan to visit.

PRO TIP!  U.S. citizens should also enroll in the U.S. Department of State’s  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .  Learn more about this program below .

Another indispensable resource to help you plan for international travel is the   U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website . Like the U.S. Department of State, the CDC also issues travel notices.

What Is a Travel Health Notice?

A travel health notice is a   notice issued by the CDC   that measures health threats worldwide and categorizes countries based on severity.

IMPORTANT!   CDC-issued travel health notices exist separately from U.S. Department of State-issued travel advisories and may or may not be issued in tandem.

Travel Health Notice Risk Factors

The CDC's original travel health notices are divided into three levels based on the presence of the following issues that impact travelers’ health:

• Disease outbreaks
• Special events or gatherings
• Natural disasters

Travel Health Notice Levels

Here is a breakdown of the three original CDC notice levels:

This is the CDC’s lowest travel notice. People visiting countries with a level 1 travel notice should follow the usually recommended travel precautions listed in the country’s   "Traveler View" page . Precautions include being up to date on all necessary vaccines, practicing appropriate mosquito avoidance, and more.

These countries pose a greater threat to travelers’ health due to disease outbreaks and crises. People planning to visit these countries should take extra measures to protect themselves against the health threat and prevent further transmission of any diseases. Travelers can find a full list of recommended precautions on the country’s “Traveler View” page.

The presence of life-threatening infectious diseases like Ebola, Polio, and Rubella may trigger a level 2 health notice from the CDC.

Destinations with this travel notice present the most severe cases of disease outbreak and pose a significant threat to travelers’ health. In these cases, the CDC’s recommended precautions are unlikely to protect you against the identified risk. You are advised to avoid visiting these countries.     

Travel advisories aren’t necessarily cause for alarm. Just because a safety threat is present in a country doesn’t mean it is likely to affect your trip. It just means that you should follow all recommended precautions and stay away from any specific areas listed within the travel advisory as “reconsider travel” or “do not travel.”

You   should   reconsider your trip if you intend on visiting a high-risk destination. These destinations present the most immediate risk to your safety, health, and security, and should be avoided.

What counts as a high-risk destination?

• Countries or areas under a level 3 or higher travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State
• Countries under a level 3 travel warning from the CDC

All travelers should properly research their destinations and take the safety precautions recommended by the U.S. Department of State and CDC.

Not only is monitoring your destination’s travel advisories a useful way to stay updated on the risks around you, but   advisories may also directly affect your travel insurance coverage .

Depending on your travel insurance policy, some of your benefits may be affected by health notices or advisories being issued for your destination. Other benefits may not apply if your destination has been under a certain level advisory prior to your arrival.

PRO TIP:  Review the full Description of Coverage for your plan to determine how your coverage works in the wake of a U.S. Department of State-issued travel advisory or a CDC-issued travel health notice. Pay special attention to your benefit limits and their conditions and exclusions. Also review the policy’s general exclusions carefully. If you have any questions about your coverage, contact your insurance provider directly.

How Travel Health Notices and Advisories Affect Atlas Travel Medical Insurance from WorldTrips

Let’s take a close look at the   Atlas Travel health insurance policy   from WorldTrips to better understand how a country’s safety conditions can affect travel health coverage:

As noted in the Atlas Travel Description of Coverage, a warning/alert level 3 issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a specific destination, or global or worldwide warning/alert level 3 issued by the CDC, can affect your coverage for treatment of disease. Here’s how:

Imagine you were to contract a disease as a result of an outbreak in a location currently under a CDC-issued level 3 travel warning. Your insurance would not cover you for treatment if the CDC-issued warning had been in effect within the 60-day period prior to your arrival in that location.

If the CDC were to issue a level 3 warning for your location   after   your arrival, you would be covered for disease-related expenses for up to 10 days following the level 3 warning issue date, given that your expenses did not arise directly or indirectly from another policy exclusion.

If you were to remain in the warned-against location for more than 10 days following the date the CDC issued the level 3 warning, you would not be eligible for expenses related to diseases contracted in the warned-against location. You would still be covered for other eligible expenses incurred in the warned-against location.

Additionally, if you were to depart the warned-against location and travel to a new location where there had   not   been a CDC-issued level 3 travel warning within the previous 60 days, you would be eligible for expenses related to a disease contracted in the new location.

As noted in the Atlas Travel Description of Coverage, a level 3 or higher travel advisory issued by the U.S. Department of State can affect your Political Evacuation benefit. Here’s how:

Say you were traveling abroad when safety conditions in your destination abruptly changed, causing the U.S. Department of State to issue a level 3 or higher travel advisory for your current location.

Your Political Evacuation benefit would cover the cost of transporting you to the nearest country of safety OR to your home country (as determined by WorldTrips), as long as the advisory had not been in effect for your location within the 60-day period prior to your arrival.

You must contact WorldTrips within 10 days of the advisory announcement to be eligible for this benefit.

As noted in the Atlas Travel Description of Coverage, a level 3 or higher travel advisory issued by the U.S. Department of State can affect your Terrorism benefit. Here’s how:

Imagine you were traveling abroad when a terrorist incident suddenly occurred in your destination, leaving you with terrorism-related injuries or illness. Your   Terrorism benefit   would help cover your medical expenses as long as there had   not   been a U.S. Department of State-issued level 3 or higher travel advisory for your location in the 60 days prior to your arrival.

Eligible terrorism-related medical expenses would be covered for up to 10 days following the date the advisory was issued, given that your expenses did not arise directly or indirectly from another policy exclusion.

IMPORTANT!   These benefits and exclusions apply if the location where you incur the expenses is under a level 3 or higher advisory, even if the rest of the country is under a level 1 or level 2 travel advisory.

Are you an Atlas Travel, Atlas Premium, Atlas Group, Atlas MultiTrip, or StudentSecure policyholder concerned about coronavirus?   Learn how the current coronavirus outbreak affects your travel health coverage .

How Travel Advisories Affect Atlas Journey Travel Insurance from WorldTrips 

Level 4 travel advisory being issued for your destination by the U.S. Department of State may affect your Atlas Journey Premier travel insurance coverage. Learn more below. 

(Note that neither travel health notices nor travel advisories are covered perils for the Atlas Journey Preferred or Atlas Journey Economy plans.) 

• Trip Cancellation   As noted in the Atlas Journey Premier policy documents, a level 4 travel advisory issued for your destination by the U.S. Department of State can affect your Trip Cancellation coverage. Here's how:   You purchase an Atlas Journey Premier policy. Two weeks before your trip begins, the U.S. Department of State issues a level 4 travel advisory for your destination.  Because this is listed as a covered reason for cancellation under your Trip Cancellation benefit, you will be covered for any prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses if you decide to cancel your trip.  However, if you were to purchase a policy after the U.S. Department of State had issued a level 4 travel advisory for your location, you would not be covered for your prepaid trip expenses if you decided to cancel your trip due to the travel advisory. 
• Trip Interruption  As noted in the Atlas Journey Premier policy documents, a level 4 travel advisory issued for your destination by the U.S. Department of State can affect your Trip Interruption coverage. Here's how:  Imagine you purchase an Atlas Journey Premier policy and then depart for your trip. While on your trip, a terrorist incident occurs and the U.S. Department of State issues a level 4 travel advisory for your destination. You decide to end your trip early and return home.  This is a covered reason for ending your trip early, so your Trip Interruption benefit will provide coverage for your unused trip expenses for the remainder of your trip, as well as reimbursement for eligible transportation expenses. 

Consider a Trip Cancellation for Any Reason Benefit

The Atlas Journey travel insurance plan, for U.S. citizens and residents, offer an option Trip Cancellation for Any Reason (CFAR) benefit upgrade that reimburses you for 50% or 75% of your trip cost - whichever you choose upon purchase - if you cancel your trip for any reason.

You may wish to add this upgrade to your plan if you want the option to cancel your trip for any reason, including health notices or travel advisories being issued for your destination by the CDC or the U.S. Department of State. 

Note that this upgrade is only available if you purchase your plan within 21 days of the date you made your first payment toward your trip. You must cancel your trip at least two days prior to your departure.

Monitor Travel Warnings and Alerts

Stay abreast of the political, security, and weather conditions in your destination by monitoring key travel resources from the   U.S. Department of State   and the   CDC . Be prepared to react in case security conditions suddenly change. 

Enroll in STEP

The State Department's free   Smart Traveler Enrollment Program   (STEP) is a service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to register their trip with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. 

Some benefits of enrolling in STEP: 

• You will receive important information about local safety conditions in your destination country
• The U.S. embassy will be able to contact you in case of a natural disaster, political or civil unrest, or other emergencies
• Family and friends can get in touch with you in case of an emergency

PRO TIP! Download the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler app to get quick, convenient access to all the latest travel advisory updates, alerts, and warnings, as well as access to maps and the locations of U.S. embassies. Check out the iOS App or the Android App .

Consider Travel Health Insurance or Travel Insurance 

Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage for your time abroad. Some domestic healthcare policies may not cover medical expenses incurred abroad, while others may offer limited international coverage. 

Travel health insurance can help cover the cost of an unexpected injury or illness abroad, as well as providing important travel-related benefits. It is available to citizens and residents of most countries who are traveling abroad. 

Travel insurance, also known as trip cancellation insurance, can provide some medical coverage as well as reimbursement for prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs when canceling a trip for a covered reason. It is available to U.S. citizens and residents traveling domestically and/or abroad. 

You can learn more about the difference between travel medical insurance and travel insurance   here  - or see highlights of each plan type from WorldTrips below. 

Atlas Travel Medical Insurance - Single-Trip Travel Medical Insurance for Residents of Most Countries Who Are Traveling Abroad

Here are several ways   Atlas Travel medical insurance   from WorldTrips can help you in the event of an emergency:

• Political Evacuation   – You may be covered for the cost of transportation to the nearest country of safety OR to your home country if the U.S. Department of State issues a level 3 or higher travel advisory for your location after your arrival.
• Emergency Medical Evacuation   – In situations where your life or limb depend on your ability to get adequate medical care quickly, this benefit can cover the cost of transporting you by air or ground to the nearest adequate health facility.
• Terrorism Coverage   – Those insured by Atlas Travel have coverage for treatment of an injury or illness resulting from a covered act of terrorism.
• Crisis Response   – Policyholders may have coverage in eligible situations for the cost of ransom, crisis response fees, and/or personal belongings surrendered in an express kidnapping.

Learn more about Atlas Travel insurance  or  see how much your plan would cost .

Atlas Journey Travel Insurance - Single-Trip Travel Insurance for U.S. Residents Who Are Traveling Domestically or Abroad 

Here are several ways Atlas Journey travel insurance from WorldTrips can help you in the event of an emergency: 

• Trip Cancellation -   Atlas Journey will reimburse you for your prepaid and nonrefundable trip expenses if you cancel your trip due to a covered reason, such as sickness or injury that prevents you from traveling, bad weather that causes your airline to cancel your trip, and more. The Atlas Journey Premier plan also include the U.S. Department of State issuing a level 4 travel advisory for your destination after you've purchased your policy as a covered reason for trip cancellation. 
• Trip Cancellation for Any Reason (Optional Upgrade Available Upon Purchase) -   If you add this optional CFAR upgrade to your Atlas Journey plan, you will be reimbursed for 50% or 75% of your trip cost - whichever you choose upon purchase - for a trip that you cancel for any reason. Note that this upgrade is only available if you purchase your Atlas Journey plan within 21 days of the date you made your first payment toward your trip. You must cancel your trip at least tow days prior to your departure to use this benefit upgrade. 
• Trip Interruption -   If you decide to end your trip early for a covered reason, you could be reimbursed for your unused expenses and eligible transportation expenses. Note that Atlas Journey Premier is the only Atlas Journey plan that includes a level 4 travel advisory being issued for your destination by the U.S. Department of State as a covered reason to use the Trip Interruption benefit. 
• Emergency Accident and Sickness Medical Expenses -   In the event you experience a medical emergency while traveling, you could be covered for necessary treatment with this benefit. 
• Medical Evacuation & Repatriation of Remains -   If adequate medical treatment cannot be provided, this benefit can provide coverage for transportation to a nearby hospital with such treatment available. If you or your travel companion suddenly passes away during your trip, you may also have coverage for transportation home of the deceased. 

Learn more about Atlas Journey Insurance  or  see how much your plan would cost .

PRO TIP!  Review the policy documents for any policy you’re considering, paying special attention to its benefit limits, conditions, and exclusions. Make sure you know  how your coverage is impacted  - if at all - by the issuing of a travel health notice or advisory.

For Atlas Journey plans, note that coverage can vary by state of residence. You can see policy documents for your Atlas Journey plan and state of residence   here .

Get Vaccinated

Travel to your destination may expose you to diseases you aren’t exposed to at home, such as yellow fever or typhoid. You may not have had the vaccines you need to protect yourself. Consult your destination’s   “Traveler View” page   on the CDC website to find out which vaccines medical experts recommend. Then, make an appointment with a doctor to get vaccinated.

Your regular doctor may not carry the vaccines you need, so call ahead to confirm they will be able to administer them. If not, you’ll need to make an appointment with a   travel medicine specialist . If you are visiting a country that requires a yellow fever vaccination, such as Ghana or Brazil, you will need to visit an authorized   yellow fever vaccine clinic .

Keep in mind that most vaccines must be administered about a month ahead of your arrival date. You should also use this opportunity to make sure you are up to date on all your   routine vaccines .

Be Proactive About Bug Bite Prevention

Bug bites are another common cause of disease transmission. Mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and even some flies can spread diseases like malaria, yellow fever, Lyme, Zika, and dengue. Avoid bug bites as much as you can to reduce your chances of contracting a disease.

Here are some tips for preventing bug bites:

• Avoid exposing too much skin
• Use EPA-registered insect repellents on areas that are exposed
• Treat your clothes and shoes with an insecticide
• Choose accommodations with air conditioning or screened windows
• If exposed to the outside, sleep under a mosquito net

Know How to Get Medical Care While Traveling

Prepare yourself for a medical emergency before you embark on your adventure abroad. Research local doctors and hospitals, especially ones that speak your native language. Keep this information in a wallet-sized card you can easily carry with you during your trip.

On that card, you may also want to include your essential health information, such as your blood type, chronic conditions, serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take. Keep this card next to your travel health insurance ID card.

Copy Your Travel Documents

Make copies of your travel documents so you’re prepared in case you become separated from them. Copy the ID page of your passport and visa as well as your travel health insurance card, your prescriptions, and your credit cards. Then, store one set of copies in your luggage and give another to someone you trust at home.

Upon arriving at your destination, it’s also wise to photocopy the page of your passport with the country’s entry stamp. This will come in handy in case you lose your passport and need to prove your presence in the country.

Use the CDC “Healthy Travel Packing List”

The CDC provides a customized packing list for each country with everything you need to stay healthy abroad. These “Healthy Travel Packing Lists” include prescription medicines, medical supplies, over-the-counter medicines, and other preventative supplies that may help protect you against a country’s health threats.

They also identify which health documents to take with you in case you require medical care abroad. These documents include your travel health insurance ID card, proof of vaccinations, copies of prescriptions, contact cards, and travel documents.

You can find the packing list for your destination on its   "Traveler View" page .

Watch What You Eat and Drink

Unclean food and   contaminated water  can cause diarrhea, food poisoning, and other diseases. Reduce the risk of these uncomfortable travel setbacks by sticking to safe foods and drinking bottled water.

Generally safe to eat:

• hot prepared dishes
• pasteurized dairy products
• thoroughly washed fruit and vegetables

Stay away from:

• raw or undercooked meats
• unpasteurized dairy
• bushmeat (meat from wild animals)

Bushmeat has proven to increase the transmission of zoonotic diseases like Ebola, HIV, and Coronavirus.

Be Smart About Transportation

Use your common sense when navigating your destination. Old vehicles, especially without seatbelts, are more likely to cause injury in case of an accident. Always arrange payment ahead of time when hiring a taxi to prevent being scammed.

When walking, stay in safe areas and try to stick to the sidewalk. Enjoy the new and unfamiliar environment around you but stay alert. Burying your nose in a map or keeping your eyes glued to your smartphone may make you look like an easy target for pickpockets, muggers, and scammers.

Take Cues from the Locals

Research the culture of the places you’ll be traveling via blogs and websites like   Wikitravel ,   Commisceo Global , and   Trip Advisor . Learn about the customs so you’ll be less likely to offend the local people by accident.

When it comes to your safety, having a solid knowledge of cultural aspects—like how to dress—can help you to better blend in and be less likely to become a target of pickpockets or muggers.

PRO TIP!  Use our list of the  top 50 travel websites  to help you prepare for your trip. This list includes the best sites and resources to help you plan for your destination, accommodations, transportation, budget, safety, and more.

Don’t Flaunt Your Wealth

Avoid traveling with items of great value. Expensive jewelry and gadgets may make you stand out, especially in a country less wealthy than your own. Signs of wealth might make you look like a worthy target to people aiming to take advantage of vulnerable travelers.

Keep Valuables Concealed

Money belts may not be fashionable, but they are indispensable for keeping your valuables safe. Wallets and purses are easily stolen by petty thieves, putting your money, passport, and cell phone at risk. Keep these items safe and secure by storing them in a money belt that you wear close to your body.

Let People Know Where You’ll Be

Enlist your loved ones at home in your safety efforts by sharing your itinerary and means of contact. If you haven’t planned an itinerary, be sure to check in with someone as soon as you arrive at a new place. Let them know how they can contact you if necessary.

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WorldTrips is a service company and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies.

WorldTrips’ Atlas Travel Series and StudentSecure international travel medical insurance products are underwritten by Lloyd's. WorldTrips has authority to enter into contracts of insurance on behalf of the Lloyd's underwriting members of Lloyd's Syndicate 4141, which is managed by HCC Underwriting Agency, Ltd.

WorldTrips' Atlas Journey, Atlas Cruiser, and Atlas On-The-Go trip protection insurance products are underwritten by Tokio Marine HCC's U.S. Specialty Insurance Company (USSIC). USSIC is a Texas-domiciled insurance company operating on an admitted basis throughout the United States. Coverage is available to U.S. residents of the U.S. states and District of Columbia only. This plan provides insurance coverage that only applies during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home, and automobile insurance policies. Coverage may not be available in all states.

In the State of California, operating as WorldTrips Insurance Services. California Non-Resident Producer License Number: 0G39705

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Travel advisories

A travel advisory about a country or region is issued by the government of another country to provide its travelling citizens and expatriates with information and advice on situations that may affect their safety and well-being.

If the country you will be visiting becomes subject to a travel advisory, your travel health insurance or your trip cancellation insurance may be affected. You may also wish to consult the advice of governments other than your own, but their advice is designed for their citizens. As one example, American citizens in the Middle East might face different situations from Europeans or Arabs.

While extensive information on everything from armed conflict to wildfires to natural disasters is available from multiple sources, a widely cited group of travel advisories is published by the diplomatic corps of various nations. These differ in tone from the flood of information delivered by mass media as the twenty-four hour news cycle presents events as nominally-neutral facts ("A seismological expedition rode into Pompeii today to investigate quakes which may signal an imminent volcanic eruption ...") while a travel advisory is a political construct which represents a summary of the situation on the ground, as an opinion and a form of advice ("The Pharaoh of Egypt advises all loyal citizens journeying through Imperial Rome to avoid all travel to Pompeii ...").

The respective national diplomatic corps of the principal political and industrial powers usually establish local presence in many far-flung lands, where they dedicate substantial resources to obtaining up-to-date information on the situation on the ground. If a destination's infrastructure has been completely destroyed by war or disaster, diplomats who serve or work in the stricken areas will be well aware of the local situation.

Nonetheless, there are some caveats when relying on governments as a source of advisories:

• Advisories are merely a brief summary of the security situation in one country. The views presented are often cursory, general and oversimplified compared to the more detailed information available elsewhere. They will explain that " Somalia is a war zone" but sometimes will not explain the full context.
• Advisories tend to contain generic advice which could apply anywhere ("don't leave valuables on open display in your unlocked vehicle") and are prone to pointing out the blindingly obvious. There's also a tendency to oversimplify. As one example, the distinction between peaceful protest and violent protest is often lost on governments that see any large gathering as a potentially-deadly riot waiting to happen.
• Advisories are intended for international travel only. The US State Department won't warn if an individual Chicago neighbourhood becomes dangerously crime-ridden but will eagerly alert voyagers to a Mexican drug gang running roughshod across Tijuana . That doesn't mean that some random Nebraskan couldn't run into serious trouble on the wrong side of an inner city in the US Rust Belt , just that there is no consular assistance for purely-domestic travel.
• Governments are political entities. They may be reticent to offend a major trading partner, quick to condemn a political adversary or slow to judge an ally. For example, China and the United States are often accused of issuing politically-motivated travel warnings, and Hong Kong maintained a 3.5-year travel warning against the Philippines in protest of the badly-dealt Manila hostage crisis.
• Advisories focus unduly on issues relating to government and diplomacy, such as the inability of Western voyagers to Crimea to obtain consular assistance (Western governments are obliged de jure to respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine , while de facto Crimea has been occupied by Russia since 2014).
• Conversely, natural hazards (such as attacks by dangerous animals ) may receive less attention than political issues (like riots or terrorism).
• Advisories tend to broadly cover entire countries or large regions. It is often unclear what impact a purely-local issue (like Hong Kong 's warning "On 1 October 2017, attacks occurred in the city of Edmonton , Alberta . A police officer was stabbed and a few pedestrians were hit by a car...") will have on voyagers bound for some other region of the country.
• Travel advisories are often more alarmist than other sources. (Many pages on the US State Department's travel advisory site advise prospective travelers to high-risk nations to "Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.") They want to reduce the risk of citizens coming to harm, because it could cost money, time and effort for an embassy to attempt to get their citizens relocated/rescued/bailed out or the diplomatic incidents wayward voyagers not knowing how to behave might cause.

Still, erring on the side of caution can never do harm and there is often a lot of valuable advice that is usually fairly up to date in major travel advisories.

It's useful to see what individual governments are saying about a destination, but don't use this as a substitute for doing your own research to see what news reports, online reviews or other sources - including the opinions of other voyagers - are saying about a place which you are considering for travel.

Government travel advisories

Various governments have placed their advisories online, freely available to all. The sites vary in quality; some are merely a collection of press releases, while others have one dedicated page for each destination country - typically ranking each on a scale ranging from "exercise normal precautions" to "avoid non-essential travel" or "avoid all travel". The advisories are usually available only in the official languages of the countries.

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The difference between CDC and State Department travel warnings

Throughout much of 2020 and 2021, you've probably noticed increased travel warnings issued by the U.S. government, cautioning Americans who traveling abroad during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But exactly what do these warnings mean and how much weight should be placed on them?

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Each week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of State congruently release updated guidance with the latest travel levels for countries across the world, ranging in severity from Level 1 to Level 4, reflective of the overall literal health of a country — COVID-19 and otherwise.

They are issuing guidance based upon ongoing safety concerns of all types. Not necessarily resulting just from the pandemic, although you could probably draw a causal relationship between a country's safety outlook and its subsequent ability to manage the pandemic for its residents and visitors.

Although issued congruently, the CDC's COVID-19 travel recommendation and State Department's travel advisory essentially are different in scope in that the latter encompasses present concerns beyond COVID-19. Therefore, the information presented in each should be personalized to your situation as a traveler.

"The data has to be individualized to the traveler," says Dr. Daniel Caplivski, director of the travel medicine program and a professor in the division of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai. "I would follow the advice of these government agencies."

CDC's COVID-19 travel recommendations

As I've previously reported , the CDC offers recommendations for countries based on COVID-19 data from the World Health Organization.

For countries whose population exceeds 100,000 residents, the CDC examines the number of new COVID-19 cases in a given area within the past 28 days, along with the testing rate and test-to-case ratio in the preceding 28 day days. The incident rate is the primary criteria used; the other two are secondary. In places with fewer than 100,000 people, levels are based on case count and testing data.

Together, those numbers are used to provide international travel advice based on the risk of contracting COVID-19 for vaccinated travelers versus unvaccinated travelers.

Related: CDC updates mask guidance

On Nov. 21, 2020, the CDC modified its three-level notice system to a four-level system for COVID-19 to "align with the same incidence rate or case count thresholds adopted by recognized public health organizations and shares a common 4-level structure with the U.S. Department of State's Travel Advisory external icon system."

If a country does not provide official government data on their COVID-19 numbers, such as Monaco or Venezuela, their THN level will be marked as "unknown" and should be treated as if it is a Level 4 country.

Level 1: Low Level of COVID-19: 50 cases or less

Level 1 is reserved for countries that have reported fewer than 50 cases per 100,000 people in the last 28 days. The CDC says only fully vaccinated travelers should visit.

Level 2: Moderate Level of COVID-19: 50-99 cases

Level 2 is for places that recorded between 50 and 99 cases per 100,000 people in the 28-day window.

"Unvaccinated travelers who are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should avoid nonessential travel to this destination," says the CDC.

Level 3: High Level of COVID-19: 100-500 cases

Level 3 is for destinations with anywhere from 100-500 cases per 100,000 people, and again the CDC advises that "unvaccinated travelers should avoid nonessential travel to this destination."

Level 4: Very High Level of COVID-19: 500 or more cases

Level 4 is the most severe and all-encompassing as it incorporates countries with more than 500 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people. Per the CDC, all Americans, regardless of vaccination status, should "avoid travel to this destination."

"Primary and secondary criteria used to determine Travel Health Notice levels were updated to better differentiate countries with severe outbreak situations from countries with sustained, but controlled, COVID-19 spread," the CDC previously said. "This update gives specific travel advice for vaccinated and unvaccinated people according to the THN level, ensuring THN levels reflect the current global situation and are aligned with guidance for international travel."

The CDC did not respond to four requests for comment at the time of publication.

Read more: CDC issues 7 new travel warnings, including Switzerland

State Department's travel advisories

The State Department, as you might suspect, issues advisories that incorporate those of the CDC but also encompass additional factors outside of a country's health situation, namely specific crime segments reflective of ongoing safety concerns in a given place, which accounts for eight risk-specific indicators, marked with initials in the top right-hand corner:

• T=Terrorism.
• U=Civil unrest.
• H=Health risks, including COVID-19.
• N=Natural disaster.
• E =Time-limited event.
• O =Other potential risks not covered by previous risk indicators.
• K= Kidnapping/hostage-taking.

"In each Travel Advisory, we provide an overall Travel Advisory level and clearly explain the risk level for each indicator and describe the safety and security concerns," a State Department official said on background via email.

Like the CDC, the State Department also categorizes advisories based on risk level, with Level 1 being the safest and Level 4 being the most dangerous.

• Level 1: Exercise normal precautions.
• Level 2: Exercise increased caution.
• Level 3: Reconsider travel.
• Level 4: Do not travel.

"We routinely review safety and security conditions in destinations across the world, and will update destination-specific information when it is appropriate," the State Department official said. "We assess COVID-19 related conditions in each destination regularly, and as conditions change that materially affect U.S. citizen safety, we will update the information we provide to U.S. citizens – whether in the Travel Advisory or through timely health and safety Alerts – to help them make informed travel decisions."

Read more: Confused by State Department travel advisories? Here's what they mean

The difference between them

The CDC notes that their travel health notices "inform travelers and clinicians about current health issues that impact travelers' health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters, in destinations around the world." While the agency issues non-COVID-19 travel health notices , most travelers these days are paying attention to their COVID-19-specific warnings. Overall, the CDC focuses exclusively on health-related concerns, the majority of which are tied to COVID-19 at the moment.

"The CDC's Travel Health Notices focus exclusively on health-related concerns, while the Department of State's Travel Advisories are based on a broader set of risk indicators," said the State Department. "This means that in some instances, the Department's advisory for a given country will reflect a different level than the CDC's notice for that country."

Related: State Department and CDC advise against travel to the Bahamas

As of Sept. 16, 84 countries are at the CDC's Level 4: Very High Level of COVID-19 and 105 (out of 216 total) locations across the world are at the State Department's Level 4: Do Not Travel status.

Interpreting the two

When it comes to travel advisories issued by the CDC and State Department, you might be wondering how much weight to place on the two. In short, the answer is to pay attention to both.

"The CDC's methodology makes sense for many travelers as a general recommendation. I would look at the broader picture in the country beyond the infectious diseases risk," said Dr. Caplivski. "There may be additional factors beyond COVID-19 that might affect a person's decision to avoid a country."

A U.S. government-issued travel advisory becomes much more personal for moderately to severely immunocompromised travelers, who the CDC says are "especially vulnerable to COVID-19."

"We try to individualize the risk assessment based on their vaccination status and the state of their immune system," says Dr. Caplivski. "For some patients, they might decide to wait on travel until the levels of COVID-19 are significantly lower."

Each advisory considers the ability of government officials to assist Americans abroad in emergency situations.

"The state department is letting you know that their ability to evacuate you in an emergency might be limited in a country with a Level 4 travel advisory," Caplivski continued. "COVID-19 remains a global pandemic, including here in the U.S. We often watch out for the balance of available health care resources in addition to the actual COVID-19 infection rates. In the event of an emergency, it is good to be aware of whether local hospitals have the capacity to respond to a surge of cases."

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Evaluating the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory System

Many colleges and universities, including Northwestern, pay close attention U.S. Department of State (DOS) consular announcements, which are disseminated to the public to help assess travelers’ risks. It’s important for travelers to understand the different announcement types and sources.

The Consular Travel Advisory System

Under new DOS Travel Advisory system every country is assigned a color-coded risk rating from one to four, defined as:

• Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions: This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk.
• Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution: Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. 
• Level 3 – Reconsider Travel: Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. 
• Level 4 – Do Not Travel: This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance. The Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the country or leave as soon as it is safe to do so. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory.   

Additional country-specific information is provided in each advisory, including clearer, actionable steps for that travelers can take to mitigate risk. (See Risk Indicators below). The DOS will update the advisories as needed, based on changes to security and safety information.

Risk Indicators

By using established risk indicators, the Travel Advisories at levels 2-4 provide clear reasons for the level assigned:

• E - Time-Limited Event:  A short-term event, such as an election, sporting event or other incident that may post a safety risk.  
• C – Crime: Widespread violent or organized crime is present in areas of the country. Local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
• T – Terrorism: Terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
• U – Civil Unrest: Political, economic, religious, and/or ethnic instability exist and may cause violence, major disruptions, and/or safety risks.
• N – Natural Disaster: A natural disaster, or its aftermath, poses danger.
• H – Health: Health risks, including current disease outbreaks or a crisis that disrupts a country’s medical infrastructure, are present. The issuance of a Centers for Disease Control Travel Notice may be a factor.
• K– Kidnapping or Hostage Taking : Criminal or terrorist individuals or groups have threatened to and / or have seized or detained and threatened to kill,  injure or continue to detain individuals in order to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release.
• D – Wrongful Detention: The risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by a foreign government exists.
• O – Other: There are potential risks not covered by previous risk indicators.

U.S. embassies and consulates will now issue Alerts to replace the Emergency Messages and Security Messages. Alerts will inform travelers of specific safety and security concerns in a country and will be labeled according to their issue: Security Alert; Health Alert; Weather Alert; or Demonstration Alert. Recent Alerts for a country appear below the Travel Advisory. Alerts can also be found on individual embassy or consulate websites.

Click here for an example of an embassy Alert message.

Additional Information

For an even more detailed description of these terms, please see the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) document, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System .

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Travel Health Notices

Search By Country Name or Disease

CDC uses Travel Health Notices (THNs) to inform travelers about global health risks during outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters, and to provide advice about protective actions travelers can take to prevent infection or adverse health effects.

A THN can be posted for: 1) a disease outbreak (higher number of expected cases) in a country or region, 2) sporadic cases of a disease in an unusual or new geographic location, 3) natural and human-made disasters with severe environmental health risks, or infrastructure damage that would limit healthcare services availability and 4) mass gathering events that can lead to disease outbreaks. See types of travel notices .

Level 4 - Avoid All Travel

• Currently there are no Travel Health Notices at this level.

Level 3 - Reconsider Nonessential Travel

Level 2 - practice enhanced precautions.

• There is an outbreak of mpox in 25 out of 26 provinces, including urban areas, in the DRC.Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo438 Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo June 10, 2024 There is an outbreak of mpox in 25 out of 26 provinces, including urban areas, in the DRC. Read More >>
• There is an outbreak of chikungunya in the Malé and Hulhumalé regions of Maldives. Mosquitoes spread the virus that causes chikungunya.Chikungunya in Maldives761 Chikungunya in Maldives May 28, 2024 There is an outbreak of chikungunya in the Malé and Hulhumalé regions of Maldives. Mosquitoes spread the virus that causes chikungunya. Read More >>
• Some international destinations have circulating poliovirus. Before any international travel, make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines. Country List : Afghanistan, Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen, Indonesia, Sudan, Mali, Botswana, Zambia, Republic of the Congo , Burundi, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Tanzania, including Zanzibar, Guinea, Mauritania, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Angola, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra LeoneGlobal Polio734 Global Polio May 23, 2024 Some international destinations have circulating poliovirus. Before any international travel, make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines. Destination List: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Guinea, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, including Zanzibar, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Read More >>
• There are confirmed and suspect cases of diphtheria in several regions in Guinea. Vaccination against diphtheria is essential to protect against disease. If you are traveling to an affected area, you should be up to date with your diphtheria vaccines.Diphtheria in Guinea751 Diphtheria in Guinea April 23, 2024 There are confirmed and suspect cases of diphtheria in several regions in Guinea. Vaccination against diphtheria is essential to protect against disease. If you are traveling to an affected area, you should be up to date with your diphtheria vaccines. Read More >>
• There is an outbreak of chikungunya in Timor-Leste.Chikungunya in Timor-Leste759 Chikungunya in Timor-Leste April 05, 2024 There is an outbreak of chikungunya in Timor-Leste. Read More >>
• Yellow fever cases remain elevated in Nigeria, after an outbreak was first reported in November 2020. Travelers to Nigeria should take steps to prevent yellow fever by getting vaccinated at least 10 days before travel and taking steps to prevent mosquito bites.Yellow Fever in Nigeria392 Yellow Fever in Nigeria March 28, 2024 Yellow fever cases remain elevated in Nigeria, after an outbreak was first reported in November 2020. Travelers to Nigeria should take steps to prevent yellow fever by getting vaccinated at least 10 days before travel and taking steps to prevent mosquito bites. Read More >>
• There is an outbreak of diphtheria in Niger. If you are traveling to an affected area, you should be up to date with your diphtheria vaccines.Diphtheria in Niger752 Diphtheria in Niger February 25, 2024 There is an outbreak of diphtheria in Niger. If you are traveling to an affected area, you should be up to date with your diphtheria vaccines. Read More >>
• There is an outbreak of diphtheria in several states in Nigeria. Vaccination against diphtheria is essential to protect against disease. If you are traveling to an affected area, you should be up to date with your diphtheria vaccines.Diphtheria in Nigeria 740 Diphtheria in Nigeria February 16, 2024 There is an outbreak of diphtheria in several states in Nigeria. Vaccination against diphtheria is essential to protect against disease. If you are traveling to an affected area, you should be up to date with your diphtheria vaccines. Read More >>

Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions

• There are outbreaks of Oropouche fever in parts of Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Cuba. Travelers to affected areas should take steps to avoid bug bites. Country List : Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, CubaOropouche Fever in the Americas758 Updated   Oropouche Fever in the Americas June 27, 2024 There are outbreaks of Oropouche fever in parts of Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Cuba. Travelers to affected areas should take steps to avoid bug bites. Destination List: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Peru Read More >>
• Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every 2–5 years. Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites. Country List : Argentina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, French Guiana (France), Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Laos, Mali, Martinique (France), Mauritius, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Uruguay, AfghanistanGlobal Dengue762 Updated   Global Dengue June 25, 2024 Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every 2–5 years. Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites. Destination List: Afghanistan, Argentina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, French Guiana (France), Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Laos, Mali, Martinique (France), Mauritius, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Uruguay Read More >>
• Some travelers who have spent time in Mexico have been infected with multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella Newport. Salmonella Newport in Mexico732 Salmonella Newport in Mexico May 30, 2024 Some travelers who have spent time in Mexico have been infected with multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella Newport. Read More >>
• Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles. Country List : Afghanistan, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, India, Indonesia, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo , Senegal, Somalia, Republic of South Sudan, Sudan, Tajikistan, Togo, Yemen, Zambia, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Mauritania, Lebanon, Equatorial Guinea, Syria, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Burkina Faso, Turkey, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Libya, Burundi, Romania, Malaysia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Philippines, Austria, BelarusGlobal Measles743 Global Measles May 28, 2024 Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles. Destination List: Afghanistan, Angola, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zambia Read More >>
• The Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is one of the world’s largest mass gatherings. Mass gatherings, such as Hajj or Umrah, can increase the risk for infections such as meningococcal disease.Meningococcal Disease in Saudi Arabia - Vaccine Requirements for Travel During the Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimages146 Meningococcal Disease in Saudi Arabia - Vaccine Requirements for Travel During the Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimages May 20, 2024 The Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is one of the world’s largest mass gatherings. Mass gatherings, such as Hajj or Umrah, can increase the risk for infections such as meningococcal disease. Read More >>
• There have been reports of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in people traveling to the United States from Tecate, in the state of Baja California, Mexico.Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Mexico 756 Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Mexico March 12, 2024 There have been reports of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in people traveling to the United States from Tecate, in the state of Baja California, Mexico. Read More >>
• An outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid fever in Pakistan is ongoing. Extensively drug-resistant infections do not respond to most antibiotics.XDR Typhoid Fever in Pakistan397 XDR Typhoid Fever in Pakistan May 30, 2023 An outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid fever in Pakistan is ongoing. Extensively drug-resistant infections do not respond to most antibiotics. Read More >>

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Visit U.S. Department of State's website for the latest Travel Advisories .

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Risk Management and Safety

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Phone: (307) 766-5767

Fax: (307) 766-3024

Email: [email protected]

Definitions of Travel Advisories

Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution : Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. The Departments of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.

Level 3 - Reconsider Travel : Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.

Level 4 – Do Not Travel : This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance. The Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the country or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.

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Categorizing or quantifying risk is difficult, particularly for individual travelers and unique locations. The university uses the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories as a baseline for initial identification of high-risk destinations. 

The university values Department of State expertise. University staff review and consider advisories and warnings as an experienced source of information. At the same time, travel advisories address travel at a basic level. Consequently, the university assesses identified destinations on a case-by-case basis (see Approving Travel to High-Risk Destinations ).

Understanding Department of State Advisories

The U.S. Department of State assesses destinations from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel). The levels are assigned based prevailing indicators and degree of risk. The country and regional advisories, as well as the risk indicators, are explained below. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Frequently Asked Questions.

Country Levels

The U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory system has four advisory levels, each with a corresponding color. Every country receives an advisory. Regions and cities may also receive an advisory level. Remember: Conditions and advisory levels may change at any time.

• Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions (Blue): This is the lowest advisory level. There is risk for all international travel but travelers should be able navigate these risks.
• Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution (Yellow): Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security.
• Level 3 - Reconsider Travel (Orange): Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security.
• Level 4 – Do Not Travel (Red): This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to assist travelers. The U.S. Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the country or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so.

Regional Levels

The U.S. Department of State assigns a Travel Advisory Level to countries, but risk (and the associated advisory) may vary within a country. For instance, an advisory may advise travelers to “Exercise increased caution” (Level 2) in a country, but to “Reconsider travel” (Level 3) to a particular region or city based on specific hazards.

• Read the travel advisory. This is preferred as travelers must understand the affected area, the associated risk, and potential mitigation advice. Travel Advisories with regional differences clearly state “Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire advisory.” The advisory lists and describes the variations.
• Review World at a Glance Map. The map displays each country by color. (Countries with no color are Level 1, Exercise Normal Caution.) Countries with a diagonal crosshatch (//////) have a region with elevated risk higher than the country designation. Travelers to these countries must read the Travel Advisory to understand the elevated risk.

Risk Indicators

Travel Advisories at Levels 2-4 contain clear reasons for the level assigned, using established risk indicators and specific advice to travelers who choose to those destinations.

C – Crime : Widespread violent or organized crime is present in areas of the country. Local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.

T – Terrorism : Terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.

U – Civil Unrest : Political, economic, religious, and/or ethnic instability exists and may cause violence, major disruptions, and/or safety risks.

H – Health : Health risks, including current disease outbreaks or a crisis that disrupts a country’s medical infrastructure, are present. The issuance of a Centers for Disease Control Travel Notice may also be a factor.

N – Natural Disaster : A natural disaster, or its aftermath, poses danger.

E – Time-limited Event : Short-term event, such as elections, sporting events, or other incidents that may pose safety risks.

D – Wrongful Detention : The risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by a foreign government exists.

O – Other : There are potential risks not covered by previous risk indicators. Read each country’s Travel Advisory for details.

Graduate and Undergraduate Students: Identifying High-Risk Destinations

The identification of high-risk destinations is the same for all University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students. International Safety and Security monitors insurance enrollments and attempts to assist students in identifying high-risk destinations but responsibility remains on the student.

• Open the Department of State’s Country Information webpage and select the advisory for each country to be visited.
• On each country page, observe two things:
• Color and Advisory Level. Observe the color of the country banner (blue, yellow, orange, or red) and the associated level (Exercise Normal Precautions, Exercise Increased Caution, Reconsider Travel, or Do Not Travel).
• Areas of Higher Risk. In the first two lines of the advisory, look for: “Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.”
• The destination is high-risk if:
• The country color and advisory level is Orange (Level 3) or Red (Level 4).
• The country color and advisory level is Blue (Level 1) or Yellow (Level 2) but the advisory for the intended destination (city or region) is Reconsider Travel or Do Not Travel.
• Travelers that identify the destination (country, region or city) as Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or Level 4 (Do Not Travel) submit a travel request as explained at Approving Travel to High-Risk Destinations.

Note: If a country is Level 1 or Level 2 with areas of higher risk (Level 3 or Level 4) that will not be visited, the travel is not to a high-risk destination and no further action is required. It is only travel to a high-risk destination if a traveler intends to visit a destination identified as Level 3 or Level 4. If unsure, the traveler should contact International Safety and Security to discuss the situation.

Faculty-Staff: Identifying High-Risk Destinations

The university encourages faculty and staff to review the risks associated with their intended destinations and plan accordingly. International Safety and Security is available to consult with travelers on any destination. While the university affords faculty and staff significant personal discretion for travel, some destinations have significant risk that makes travel of interest to the university for the well-being of the traveler.

Consequently, International Safety and Security works with faculty-staff to identify travel to high-risk destinations during enrollment in the university-approved international insurance. However, we encourage faculty-staff to review the travel advisory for each intended destination to plan their travel. Travel advisories can be reviewed at the Department of State’s Country Information webpage.

For questions regarding a Travel Advisory or university approval, contact International Safety and Security for more information.

Security Alert May 17, 2024

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Mexico Travel Advisory

Travel advisory august 22, 2023, mexico - see state summaries.

Reissued after periodic review with general security updates, and the removal of obsolete COVID-19 page links.

Country Summary: Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities.

U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on U.S. government employee travel. State-specific restrictions are included in the individual state advisories below. U.S. government employees may not travel between cities after dark, may not hail taxis on the street, and must rely on dispatched vehicles, including app-based services like Uber, and regulated taxi stands. U.S. government employees should avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas. U.S. government employees may not drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico, except daytime travel within Baja California and between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, and between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Mexico.

Do Not Travel To:

• Colima state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Guerrero state  due to  crime .
• Michoacan state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Sinaloa state due to  crime  and  kidnapping
• Tamaulipas state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping.
• Zacatecas  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .

Reconsider Travel To:

• Baja California  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Chihuahua state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Durango state  due to  crime .
• Guanajuato state  due to  crime and kidnapping .
• Jalisco state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Morelos state  due to  crime .
• Sonora state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .

Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:

• Aguascalientes  state due to  crime .
• Baja California Sur state  due to  crime .
• Chiapas state  due to  crime .
• Coahuila state  due to  crime .
• Hidalgo state  due to  crime .
• Mexico City  due to  crime .
• Mexico State  due to  crime .
• Nayarit state  due to  crime.
• Nuevo Leon  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Oaxaca state  due to  crime .
• Puebla state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Queretaro state  due to  crime .
• Quintana Roo state  due to  crime .
• San Luis Potosi state  due to  crime and kidnapping .
• Tabasco state  due to  crime .
• Tlaxcala state due to  crime .
• Veracruz state  due to  crime .

Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:

• Campeche state
• Yucatan state

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

If you decide to travel to Mexico:

• Keep traveling companions and family back home informed of your travel plans. If separating from your travel group, send a friend your GPS location. If taking a taxi alone, take a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate and text it to a friend.
• Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night. In many states, police presence and emergency services are extremely limited outside the state capital or major cities.
• Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Follow the U.S. Embassy on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Mexico.
• Mariners planning travel to Mexico should check for U.S. maritime  advisories  and  alerts , which include instructions on reporting suspicious activities and attacks to Mexican naval authorities.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information related to your travel. 

Aguascalientes state – Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution due to crime.

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Aguascalientes state.

Baja California state – Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.

Transnational criminal organizations compete in the border area to establish narco-trafficking and human smuggling routes. Violent crime and gang activity are common. Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations. Of particular concern is the high number of homicides in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana. Most homicides appeared to be targeted; however, criminal organization assassinations and territorial disputes can result in bystanders being injured or killed. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

U.S. government employees must adhere to the noted restrictions:

• Mexicali Valley:  U.S. government employees should avoid the Mexicali Valley due to the heightened possibility of violence between rival cartel factions.  The boundaries of the restricted area are: to the east, the Baja California/Arizona and Baja California/Sonora borders; to the south, from La Ventana (on Highway 5) due east to the Colorado River; to the west, Highway 5; and to the north, Boulevard Lazaro Cardenas/Highway 92/Highway 1 to Carretera Aeropuerto, from the intersection of Highway 1 and Carretera Aeropuerto due north to the Baja California/California border, and from that point eastward along the Baja California/California border.
• Travelers may use Highways 2 and 2D to transit between Mexicali, Los Algodones, and San Luis Rio Colorado during daylight hours. Travelers may also use Highways 1 and 8 to transit to and from the Mexicali Airport during daylight hours.  Travel on Highway 5 is permissible during daylight hours.

There are no other travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Baja California state. These include high-traffic tourism areas of border and coastal communities, such as  Tijuana ,  Ensenada , and  Rosarito .

Baja California Sur state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Baja California Sur state.

Campeche state – Exercise Normal Precautions

Exercise normal precautions.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Campeche state.

Chiapas state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Chiapas state.

Chihuahua state – Reconsider Travel

Violent crime and gang activity are common. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Battles for territory between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens and U.S. government employees, including restaurants and malls during daylight hours. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shooting incidents. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

U.S. government employee travel is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:

• Ciudad Juarez:  U.S. government employees may travel to the area of Ciudad Juarez bounded to the east by Bulevar Independencia; to the south by De los Montes Urales/Avenida Manuel J Clouthier/Carretera de Juárez; to the west by Via Juan Gabriel/Avenida de los Insurgentes/Calle Miguel Ahumada/Francisco Javier Mina/Melchor Ocampo; and to the north by the U.S.-Mexico border.  Direct travel to the Ciudad Juarez airport (officially called the Abraham González International Airport) and the factories located along Bulevar Independencia and Las Torres is permitted.  Travel to San Jerónimo is permitted only through the United States via the Santa Teresa U.S. Port of Entry; travel via Anapra is prohibited.

U.S. government employees may only travel from Ciudad Juarez to the city of Chihuahua during daylight hours via Federal Highway 45, with stops permitted only at the Guardia Nacional División Caminos station, the Umbral del Milenio overlook area, the border inspection station at KM 35, and the shops and restaurants on Federal Highway 45 in the city of Ahumada.

• U.S. government employees may travel between Ciudad Juarez and Ascension via Highway 2.
• Nuevo Casas Grandes Area (including Nuevo Casas Grandes, Casas Grandes, Mata Ortiz, Colonia Juárez, Colonia LeBaron, Paquimé and San Buenaventura):  U.S. government employees may travel to the Nuevo Casas Grandes area during daylight hours via Mexico Federal Highway 2, and subsequently Federal Highway 10, to Nuevo Casas Grandes.  Employees are permitted to stay overnight in the cities of Nuevo Casas Grandes and Casas Grandes only.
• City of Chihuahua:  U.S. government employees may travel at any time to the area of the city of Chihuahua bounded to the north by Avenida Transformación; to the east by Avenida Tecnológico/Manuel Gómez Morín/Highway 16/Blvd.José Fuentes Mares; to the west by the city boundary; and to the south by Periférico Francisco R. Almada.
• U.S. government employees may travel on Highways 45, 16, and 45D through the city of Chihuahua and to the Chihuahua airport (officially called the General Roberto Fierro Villalobos International Airport). 
• U.S. government employees may travel to Santa Eulalia to the east of the city of Chihuahua, as well as to Juan Aldama via Highway 16 to the northeast.
• U.S. government employees may travel south of the city of Chihuahua on Highway 45 to the southern boundary of Parral, including each town directly connected to Highway 45, including Lázaro Cárdenas, Pedro Meoqui, Santa Cruz de Rosales, Delicias, Camargo, Ciudad Jiménez, and Parral itself.
• U.S. government employees may only travel on official business from the city of Chihuahua on Highway 16 to Ciudad Cuauhtémoc bounded by Highway 21 to the north and east, Highway 5 to the west, and Bulevar Jorge Castillo Cabrera to the south. 
• Ojinaga:  U.S. government employees must travel to Ojinaga via U.S. Highway 67 and enter through the U.S. Port of Entry in Presidio, Texas.
• Palomas:  U.S. government employees may travel to Palomas via U.S. highways through the U.S. Port of Entry in Columbus, New Mexico, or via Highway 2 in Mexico.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Chihuahua, including  Copper Canyon .

Coahuila state – Exercise Increased Caution

Violent crime and gang activity occur in parts of Coahuila state. 

U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions:

• Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo municipalities : U.S. government employees may not travel to these municipalities.
• Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña:  U.S. government employees must travel directly from the United States and observe a curfew from midnight to 6:00 a.m. in both cities.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Coahuila state.

Colima state – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping.  

Violent crime and gang activity are widespread. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed bystanders. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.  

Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with noted restrictions: 

• Manzanillo:   U.S. government employee travel is limited to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo.  
• Employees traveling to Manzanillo from Guadalajara must use Federal Toll Road 54D during daylight hours.  

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Colima state. 

Durango state – Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel due to crime.

Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Durango state.

• West and south of Federal Highway 45:  U.S. government employees may not travel to this region of Durango state.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Durango state.

Guanajuato state – Reconsider Travel

Gang violence, often associated with the theft of petroleum and natural gas from the state oil company and other suppliers, occurs in Guanajuato, primarily in the south and central areas of the state.  Of particular concern is the high number of murders in the southern region of the state associated with cartel-related violence. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Areas south of Federal Highway 45D:  U.S. government employees may not travel to the area south of and including Federal Highway 45D, Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Guanajuato state, which includes tourist areas in:  San Miguel de Allende ,  Guanajuato City , and  surrounding areas.

Guerrero state – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to crime.

Crime and violence are widespread. Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping in previous years.

Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following area with the noted restrictions:

• Taxco:  U.S. government employees must use Federal Highway 95D, which passes through Cuernavaca, Morelos, and stay within downtown tourist areas of Taxco. Employees may visit Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park during the day with a licensed tour operator.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of the state of Guerrero, including to tourist areas in  Acapulco ,  Zihuatanejo , and  Ixtapa .

Hidalgo state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Hidalgo state.

Jalisco state – Reconsider Travel

Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco state. In Guadalajara, territorial battles between criminal groups take place in tourist areas. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed innocent bystanders. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Jalisco-Michoacan border and Federal Highway 110:  U.S. government employees may not travel to the area between Federal Highway 110 and the Jalisco-Michoacan border, nor travel on Federal Highway 110 between Tuxpan, Jalisco, and the Michoacan border.
• Federal Highway 80:  U.S. government employees may not travel on Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S government employees in Jalisco state which includes tourist areas in:  Guadalajara Metropolitan Area ,  Puerto Vallarta (including neighboring Riviera Nayarit) ,  Chapala , and  Ajijic .

Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution

Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico City. Use additional caution, particularly at night, outside of the frequented tourist areas where police and security patrol more routinely. Petty crime occurs frequently in both tourist and non-tourist areas.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Mexico City.

Mexico State (Estado de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution

Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico State. Use additional caution in areas outside of the frequented tourist areas, although petty crime occurs frequently in tourist areas as well.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Mexico State.

Michoacan state – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping.

Crime and violence are widespread in Michoacan state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:

• Federal Highway 15D:   U.S. government employees may travel on Federal Highway 15D to transit the state between Mexico City and Guadalajara.
• Morelia:  U.S. government employees may travel by air and by land using Federal Highways 43 or 48D from Federal Highway 15D.
• Lazaro Cardenas:  U.S. government employees must travel by air only and limit activities to the city center or port areas.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of the state of Michoacan, including the portions of the  Monarch Butterfly Reserve  located in Michoacan.

Morelos state – Reconsider Travel

Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Morelos state.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Morelos state.

Nayarit state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nayarit state.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S government employees in Nayarit state.

Nuevo Leon state – Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping.

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Nuevo Leon state.

Oaxaca state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence occur throughout the state.

U.S. travelers are reminded that U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions:

• Isthmus region:  U.S. government employees may not travel to the area of Oaxaca bounded by Federal Highway 185D to the west, Federal Highway 190 to the north, and the Oaxaca-Chiapas border to the east.  This includes the cities of Juchitan de Zaragoza, Salina Cruz, and San Blas Atempa.  
• Federal Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa:  U.S. government employees may not use Federal Highway 200 between Pinotepa and the Oaxaca-Guerrero border.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees to other parts of Oaxaca state, which include tourist areas in:  Oaxaca City ,  Monte Alban ,  Puerto Escondido,  and  Huatulco .

Puebla state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Puebla state.

Queretaro state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Queretaro state.

Quintana Roo state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence may occur in any location, at any time, including in popular tourist destinations.  Travelers should maintain a high level of situational awareness, avoid areas where illicit activities occur, and promptly depart from potentially dangerous situations. 

While not directed at tourists, shootings between rival gangs have injured innocent bystanders.  Additionally, U.S. citizens have been the victims of both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist and non-tourist areas.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Quintana Roo state. However, personnel are advised to exercise increased situational awareness after dark in downtown areas of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and to remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones.

San Luis Potosi state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.  U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi state.

Sinaloa state – Do Not Travel

Violent crime is widespread. Criminal organizations are based in and operating in Sinaloa. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Mazatlan:  U.S. government employees may travel to Mazatlan by air or sea only, are limited to the Zona Dorada and historic town center, and must travel via direct routes between these destinations and the airport and sea terminal.
• Los Mochis and Topolobampo:  U.S. government employees may travel to Los Mochis and Topolobampo by air or sea only, are restricted to the city and the port, and must travel via direct routes between these destinations and the airport.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Sinaloa state.

Sonora state – Reconsider Travel

Sonora is a key location used by the international drug trade and human trafficking networks. Violent crime is widespread. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. Travelers should maintain a heightened level of awareness of their surroundings in all their travels in Sonora.  Security incidents may occur in any area of Sonora.

• Travel between Hermosillo and Nogales:  U.S. government employees may travel between the U.S. Ports of Entry in Nogales and Hermosillo during daylight hours via Federal Highway 15 only. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures. Travelers should exercise caution and avoid unnecessary stops as security incidents, including sporadic, armed carjackings, and shootings have been reported along this highway during daylight hours. Travelers should have a full tank of gas and inform friends or family members of their planned travel.
• Nogales:  U.S. government employees may not travel in the triangular area north of Avenida Tecnologico, west of Bulevar Luis Donaldo Colosio (Periferico), nor east of Federal Highway 15D (Corredor Fiscal). U.S. government employees also may not travel in the residential and business areas to east of the railroad tracks along Plutarco Elias Calle (HWY 15) and Calle Ruiz Cortino, including the business area around the Morley pedestrian gate port-of-entry. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in Nogales due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.  
• Puerto Peñasco:  U.S. government employees may travel between Puerto Peñasco and the Lukeville-Sonoyta U.S. Port of Entry during daylight hours via Federal Highway 8 only. They may not travel on any other route to Puerto Peñasco. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in Puerto Peñasco. due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
• Triangular region near Mariposa U.S. Port of Entry:  U.S. government employees may not travel into or through the triangular region west of the Mariposa U.S. Port of Entry, east of Sonoyta, and north of Altar municipality.
• San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea, and Agua Prieta : U.S. government employees may travel directly from the nearest U.S. Port of Entry to San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea (via Douglas Port of Entry), and Agua Prieta, but may not go beyond the city limits. Travel is limited to daylight hours only. Travel between Nogales and Cananea via Imuris is not permitted. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in these cities due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
• Eastern and southern Sonora (including San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas and Alamos):  U.S. government employees may not travel to areas of Sonora east of Federal Highway 17, the road between Moctezuma and Sahuaripa, and State Highway 20 between Sahuaripa and the intersection with Federal Highway 16. U.S. government employees may travel to San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas and Alamos; travel to Alamos is only permitted by air and within city limits.  U.S. government employees may not travel to areas of Sonora south of Federal Highway 16 and east of Federal Highway 15 (south of Hermosillo), as well as all points south of Guaymas, including Empalme, Guaymas, Obregon, and Navojoa.  U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in these areas due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.

U.S. government employees may travel to other parts of Sonora state in compliance with the above restrictions, including tourist areas in: Hermosillo , Bahia de Kino , and Puerto Penasco .

Tabasco state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Tabasco state.

Tamaulipas state – Do Not Travel

Organized crime activity – including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault – is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Criminal groups target public and private passenger buses, as well as private automobiles traveling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers and demanding ransom payments.

Heavily armed members of criminal groups often patrol areas of the state and operate with impunity particularly along the border region from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo.  In these areas, local law enforcement has limited capacity to respond to incidents of crime. Law enforcement capacity is greater in the tri-city area of Tampico, Ciudad Madero, and Altamira, which has a lower rate of violent criminal activity compared to the rest of the state.

U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo:  U.S. government employees may only travel within a limited radius around and between the U.S. Consulates in Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros, their homes, the respective U.S. Ports of Entry, and limited downtown sites, subject to an overnight curfew.
• Overland travel in Tamaulipas:  U.S. government employees may not travel between cities in Tamaulipas using interior Mexican highways. Travel between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey is limited to Federal Highway 85D during daylight hours with prior authorization.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other parts of Tamaulipas state.

Tlaxcala state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Tlaxcala state.

Veracruz state – Exercise Increased Caution

Violent crime and gang activity occur with increasing frequency in Veracruz, particularly in the center and south near Cordoba and Coatzacoalcos. While most gang-related violence is targeted, violence perpetrated by criminal organizations can affect bystanders. Impromptu roadblocks requiring payment to pass are common.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Veracruz state.

Yucatan state – Exercise Normal Precautions

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Yucatan state, which include tourist areas in:  Chichen Itza ,  Merida ,  Uxmal , and  Valladolid .

Zacatecas state – Do Not Travel

Violent crime, extortion, and gang activity are widespread in Zacatecas state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Zacatecas City : U.S. government employee travel is limited to Zacatecas City proper, and employees may not travel overland to Zacatecas City.
• U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Zacatecas state.

Travel Advisory Levels

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• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of travel advisory in English

• The governor's office issued a travel advisory on Thursday afternoon urging people not to make unnecessary trips .
• Many people ignored the travel advisory and tried to flee the state as the hurricane made landfall .
• The government's travel advisory warns against all but essential travel to the war-torn country .
• advice column
• advice columnist
• advisability
• advise against doing something
• agony uncle
• Monday-morning quarterback idiom
• on the advice of someone/something
• piece of advice
• Privy Councillor
• recommendation
• run over/through something
• waste your breath idiom

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Travel advice and advisories by destination

COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

The Government of Canada’s official source of travel information and advice, the Travel Advice and Advisories help you to make informed decisions and travel safely while you are outside Canada. Check the page for your destination often, because safety and security conditions may change. See Travel Advice and Advisories – FAQ for more information.

Where are you going?

Take normal security precautions

Exercise a high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Travel advice from other countries

Travel advice is also provided by the governments of Australia , New Zealand , the United Kingdom and the United States .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.