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When the U.S. State Department issues a safety alert for a popular vacation destination, it’s easy to panic and assume your entire trip is ruined.
But if you actually look past the scary headlinesthese government warnings tend to be incredibly hyper-targeted.
A protest in a specific downtown square or a chokepoint at a remote land border rarely means that the beaches, resorts or safari camps hours away are dangerous.
In July this year, the US government rolled out new security alerts for 4 major global destinations. To help you separate the internet panic from reality, we’ve broken down exactly what’s happening on the ground, how it’s actually affecting your vacation, and the exact steps you need to take to ensure your trip runs smoothly.
Cuba: Collapse of the national electricity grid
Cuba currently has a travel advisory level of level 2 and a Traveler Safety Index score of 71. Cuba is facing enormous infrastructure problems. On July 6, the country experienced a total collapse of the national electricity grid. This is the third nationwide power outage of the year and the eighth since late 2024. The US Embassy in Havana has officially classified the network as increasingly unstable.
There is no single cause for why the lights go out. It’s a mix of aging infrastructure and severe diesel and jet fuel shortages, which in many sources are directly linked to the lingering impact of US sanctions. Currently, local authorities are working to restore power using localized microsystems to get hospitals and vital services back up and running first, but there is no set timeline for a full solution.
This causes a major ripple effect for travelers. Airlines are actively suspending or restricting flight routes because there is simply not enough aviation fuel available. In practice, many hotels are forced to consolidate their guests or temporarily stop rationing diesel for their backup generators. If you go to the island, expect poor air conditioning, lower water pressure, and no internet or cell service if the local power grids are down.
If you have booked travel, you will need to contact your airline directly today and twenty-four hours before you fly to confirm that your route is still active. Before you check in, you must request in writing from your hotel or rental company that they have a functioning generator and a steady water supply. Because ATMs and ticket machines immediately shut down during a power outage, you should bring enough cash in US dollars or euros. Finally, make sure you have sturdy power banks, a sturdy flashlight, and non-perishable snacks. If you rely on refrigerated medications such as insulin, you should have a backup refrigeration plan in place immediately.
Kenya: protests and roadblocks in Nairobi
Kenya is a huge bucket list destination and currently has an advisory level of Level 2 and a Traveler Safety Index score of 75. While its famous safari circuits function perfectly, the capital Nairobi is experiencing heavy political friction.
On July 7, known locally as Saba Saba Day, authorities declared the planned protests in Nairobi illegal. This led to heavy police checkpoints and massive roadblocks along major arteries such as Thika Road, Waiyaki Way and, most importantly, Mombasa Road. It is incredibly important to note that although the city center was largely locked down and a few people were detained, this particular event in July remained contained and no deaths were reported – unlike the deadlier waves of protests that hit the country earlier this year.
If you go to the Masai Mara or stay in a remote lodge, your trip will likely be completely unaffected. The biggest danger for tourists right now is getting stuck in heavy traffic on the way to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as Mombasa Road is the main route to catch your flight.
The advice here is simple: avoid all large gatherings and protests, even if they look peaceful from a distance. If you’re flying from Nairobi, you’ll need to build a huge buffer into your airport transfer time. Depart hours earlier than usual, confirm your route with your driver on the morning of your flight, and keep your physical passport and visa easily accessible for police checkpoints.
South Africa: border delays and anti-migrant unrest
South Africa is another safari heavyweight with a Level 2 advisory and a Traveler Safety Index score of 75. Recent weeks have seen a huge increase in anti-migrant demonstrations, fueled by local coalitions such as Operation Dudula. After an unofficial deadline was set for undocumented migrants to leave the country, more than fifty thousand people fled, mainly northwards, towards the Beitbridge border crossing in Zimbabwe.
The subsequent protests resulted in more than nine hundred arrests due to public violence and roadblocks. However, you have to look at the context of this unrest. The protesters specifically target foreigners living and working in the country, in addition to transport vehicles near the borders. Tourists are not the target here.
If you fly to Cape Town to drink wine or go to the Kruger National Park for a luxury safari, the tourist infrastructure is functioning normally. The real impact for travelers is the absolute chaos at the northern land borders and local roadblocks.
If you rent a car, don’t blindly rely on your GPS. It might try to take you through an unstable town or a blocked road just to save five minutes. Stay on major highways, avoid driving at night, and never try to push your car through a crowd or a makeshift roadblock. If your route involves crossing the land border into Botswana or Zimbabwe, expect huge delays and make sure you cross in broad daylight.
Guatemala: local riots at Lake Atitlán
Guatemala is currently under a Level 3 advice and has a lower Travelers Safety Index score of 50. Recently, the US Embassy banned all government personnel from traveling to the city of Santiago Atitlán following a serious escalation of local riots.
The unrest stems from a long-standing political conflict over the reinstatement of a local mayor. Things boiled over in early July, resulting in burned vehicles, a destroyed museum and gunfire. The country’s official tourism authority strongly advises all visitors to postpone their trips to this particular city.
But here’s where geography matters. Santiago Atitlán is just one of about a dozen small villages scattered across the enormous Lake Atitlán. The rest of the lake, including major tourist centers such as Panajachel, San Marcos and San Pedro, remains completely safe and open for business.
Santiago Atitlán should definitely be skipped until the dust settles, but you don’t have to cancel your trip to the lake. Just build some flexibility into your days. The villages are connected by small public boats called lanchas. Due to the tension, the boats’ schedules can fluctuate, and they do not sail reliably in the dark anyway. Do all your village walks during the day, hire a local guide if you plan to hike any of the surrounding volcanoes, and opt for a tuk tuk instead of walking alone once the sun sets.
The most important thing before you book
When you’re planning an international trip, the most important thing you can do is filter out the noise and look at the actual data. Before you book your flights or finalize your hotel stay, check out the latest information Traveler Safety Index scores to see exactly what travelers are experiencing on site in real time. Combine that with a quick check of the final warnings from the US embassy to ensure you get the full picture. Government warnings are a good foundation, but knowing how real tourists feel when they walk the streets gives you the ultimate peace of mind. Stay flexible, stay informed and enjoy the journey.
