Caribbean Travel? Urgent U.S. Travel Advisories!
Active advisories for popular destinations (like Cancun, Cozumel & Tulum) - and what's the deal for Royal Caribbean's Labadie, Haiti "private destination" ?
If your holiday travel plans include a Caribbean destination you need to be aware of some important U.S. Government Travel Advisories for American Citizens that are in effect.
The U.S. State Department issues four levels of Travel Advisories ranging from "Exercise Normal Precautions" to "Do Not Travel" warnings.
There are two Western Caribbean Countries that are under "level 4" U.S. "Do Not Travel" Warnings as indicated in red on the Caribbean Map below.
(US Embassies are indicated as a circled "E" while US Consulates and Consular Offices are indicated as either a circled "C" or "O"):
Haiti (including Labadee):
Although Haiti is under a blanket "Do Not Travel" warning by the U.S. State Department (more on that in a moment) the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line is still calling on its "private destination" of Labadie, Haiti.
The cruise line describes Labadee as "a 260-acre wooded peninsula ... on the mountainous and secluded northern coast of Haiti." The resort is fenced and staffed with security, however, the cruise line has occasionally suspended port calls there during times of political unrest, replacing them with calls on its other private island, CocoCay, as well as Falmouth, Jamaica; Nassau, Bahamas; or sea days.
Nonetheless, the entire island remains under a blanket "Do Not Travel" warning due to a "State of Emergency" declared by its government in March and pervasive violent crime and political instability:
"Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti. They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom. Kidnapping is widespread, and U.S. citizens have been victims and have been hurt or killed. Kidnappers may plan carefully or target victims at random, unplanned times. Kidnappers will even target and attack convoys." (excerpt of) US "Do Not Travel" Warning for Haiti
Venezuela (including the islands of Margarita & La Tortuga):
Venezuela - including the popular Western Caribbean islands of Margarita and La Tortuga are also under a blanket "Level 4 - Do Not Travel" warning "due to the high risk of wrongful detentions, terrorism, kidnapping, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure."
"The U.S. government has no ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Venezuela ... Avoid travel to Venezuela by any means ... U.S. citizens in Venezuela should draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney." (excerpt of) "US Do Not Travel" Warning for Venezuela
Now let's look at other country-specific US State Department travel advisories for the Western Caribbean:
Level 3 with risk: "Reconsider Travel" with higher security risk areas to avoid:
Four Western Caribbean countries are under "Level 3 - Reconsider Travel" Advisories and are flagged by the US State Department as posing "higher security risks" to its citizens:
Guatemala:
"Reconsider travel to Guatemala due to violent crime such as extortion, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, narcotics trafficking, and gang activity (which) are common in Guatemala. Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to criminal incidents resulting in a low arrest and conviction rate." (excerpt of) US "Reconsider Travel" Advisory for Guatemala
Honduras (including Roatan/Bay Islands):
"Reconsider travel to Honduras due to violent crime, such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping (which) remains common. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, narcotics, and human trafficking, is widespread. Local authorities may lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime incidents. Around resort areas in the Bay Islands, which include Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja, there is a concentration of resources, and these areas are better policed." (excerpt of) US "Reconsider Travel" Advisory for Honduras
Jamaica:
"Reconsider travel to Jamaica due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than other parts of the country (however) the U.S. Embassy routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizen tourists at resorts. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common. Exercise increased caution regarding medical services. We strongly encourage you to obtain traveler’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling. The Department of State does not pay medical bills." (excerpt of) US "Reconsider Travel" Advisory for Jamaica
Nicaragua:
A "level 3" Advisory to "Reconsider Travel" has been issued for US Citizens traveling to Nicaragua:
"Reconsider travel to Nicaragua due to arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of wrongful detention, and limited healthcare availability. Exercise increased caution in Nicaragua due to crime. The Department has determined there is a risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by the Government of Nicaragua. Departure from Nicaragua (can be arbitrarily denied) to U.S. and Nicaraguan citizens. The government is not required to provide a basis for its denial." (excerpt of) US "Reconsider Travel" Advisory for Nicaragua
Riviera Maya, Mexico (including Cancun, Cozumel, & Tulum):
If you are traveling to the area often referred to as the "Riviera Maya" (on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula you should know that there are active travel advisories for those areas.
All popular tourist destinations within the State of Quintana Roo are under a level two "Exercise Increased Caution" advisory due to crime.
"Criminal activity and violence may occur in any location, at any time, including in popular tourist destinations. While not directed at tourists, shootings between rival gangs have injured and killed innocent bystanders, including U.S. citizens. Violent crime, including homicides and assaults, has increased in Tulum." (excerpt of) US "Exercise Increased Caution" Advisory for Quintana Roo, Mexico
There are no travel advisories in effect for neighboring Yucatán State - which includes the cities of Mérida and Progreso - or in the adjoining State of Campeche, Mexico.
(I have devoted an entire article to travel advisories for other Mexican tourist destinations - which you can read HERE).
Belize:
The US State Department has issued a "Level 2" advisory urging its citizens to "Exercise Increased Caution" while visiting Belize:
"Violent crime – such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder – are common even during daylight hours and in tourist areas. A significant portion of violent crime is gang-related." (excerpt of) US "Exercise Increased Caution" Advisory for Belize
Cuba:
The US State Department has issued a "Level 2" advisory urging its citizens to "Exercise Increased Caution" while visiting Cuba.
"Exercise increased caution in Cuba due to crime. Petty crime, such as pick pocketing, purse snatchings, and car break-ins, is a threat for tourists in Cuba. Also, violent crime, including armed robbery and homicide, sometimes occurs in Cuba." (excerpt of) US "Exercise Increased Caution" Advisory for Cuba
Dominican Republic:
The US State Department has issued a "Level 2" advisory urging its citizens to "Exercise Increased Caution" while visiting the Dominican Republic.
"Exercise increased caution in the Dominican Republic due to crime. Violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide, and sexual assault, is a concern throughout the Dominican Republic. The development of a professional tourist police corps, institution of a 911 system in many parts of the country, and a concentration of resources in resort areas means these tend to be better policed than urban areas like Santo Domingo." (excerpt of) US "Exercise Increased Caution" Advisory for the Dominican Republic
Other Caribbean Countries - Including the Eastern Caribbean
With one exception - The Bahamas (more on that below the map) - "Exercise Normal Precautions" advisories prevail for other Caribbean destinations (you can confirm the advisory status of those destinations HERE).
Bahamas:
The US State Department has issued a "Level 2" advisory urging its citizens to "Exercise Increased Caution" while visiting The Bahamas:
"Exercise increased caution in The Bahamas due to crime. The majority of crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands. Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence. Activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated. Commercial watercraft operators have discretion to operate their vessels regardless of weather forecasts; injuries and fatalities have occurred." (excerpt of) US "Exercise Increased Caution" Advisory for The Bahamas
(NOTE: This article is current as of December 17, 2024, when it was written. To check for updated advisories for the area you plan to visit, consult the official US government information source at: (travel.state.gov).
Do any of these U.S. State Department Warnings make you reconsider Caribbean Travel?
Share your opinion in the comments on this article!
Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
