The U.S. Department of State and several U.S. embassies are advising travelers to remain vigilant of their surroundings as they head to various international destinations this spring break.
Here are the latest guidelines travelers should familiarize themselves with before leaving the US
South Africa Travel advice – Level 2: Be extra careful
Americans are being urged to take extra caution when traveling to South Africa due to crime and civil unrest.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns citizens about the potential dangers of using GPS navigation in the country.
GPS navigation systems can lead you through unsafe routes. While they may suggest routes through townships as the quickest option, following such directions could increase the risk of crime, according to the department.
Ecuador Travel advice – Level 2: Be extra careful
Due to civil unrest, crime and kidnapping concerns, the State Department has revised a Level 2 travel advisory for Ecuador, advising Americans to travel with extra caution – especially in light of the ongoing national emergency.
In light of criminal activity, Americans are advised not to travel to specific locations, including Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarquí Avenue; Huaquillas and Arenillas in the province of El Oro; Quevedo, Quinsaloma and Pueblo Viejo in the province of Los Rios; the canton of Duran in the province of Guayas; and all areas north of the city of Esmeraldas in the province of Esmeraldas.
Visitors are advised by the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico to “be informed” and “travel smart” during spring break. Although it is generally safe to travel to this Caribbean country, Americans should be aware of problems with drugs, alcohol abuse, crime, drownings, and other problems.
The embassy recommends avoiding areas with high crime rates and taking extra caution, especially when exploring the downtown areas of popular spring break spots, such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, especially after nightfall.
Colombia Travel advice – Level 3: Rethink travel
The US Embassy has warned citizens about the prevailing crime situation in the country, citing a recent increase in robberies at restaurants and commercial malls in Bogotá.
“Recently, robberies committed by armed individuals have occurred at popular restaurants, cafes and breweries in Bogota, frequented by tourists and the expat community,” says the warning.
Furthermore, the US government strongly discourages its citizens from using these apps in the country, due to the correlation between the use of dating apps like Tinder and incidents that lead to tourist fatalities. The main areas where these incidents occur are Bogotá, Cartagena and Medellin.
Moreover, it highly recommends Americans avoid Arauca, Cauca and Norte de Santander in all circumstances.
Botswana Travel advice – Level 2: Be extra careful
As of February 26, Botswana has been issued a level 2 travel advisory due to crime.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that Botswana regularly experiences crimes of opportunity, especially when it comes to theft of money and personal belongings.
Police reports often include violent crimes such as cell phone theft, robberies, home invasions, burglaries and incidents of “smash and grab” robberies in shopping center parking lots and vehicles stopped at intersections.
