24 Countries To Reconsider Traveling To, According to the DOS

Planning an international trip is exciting. But it also requires due diligence from a safety standpoint.

I’ve traveled to over 50 countries in the past decade, and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) is my go-to source to learn about each country’s safety.

I combed through the DOS’ travel advisories to find the 24 countries that it currently labels as Level 3 (Reconsider Travel). That said, these advisories can change for the better or worse at any time; always check the DOS’ website before planning your trip and boarding the plane.

1: Lebanon

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On January 29th of this year, the DOS lowered Lebonon’s travel advisory score from a Level 4 (Do Not Travel) to a Level 3. However, significant threats still remain for travelers thinking about visiting there.

The DOS discourages Americans from visiting refugee settlements because of the possibility of armed clashes. It also cites armed conflict as an issue in the southern part of Lebanon and the border with Syria.

2: Saudi Arabia

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Americans who travel to Saudi Arabia undergo the possibility of missile and drone attacks. Iran and Iran-supported missile and drone attacks have happened as recently as September 2023.

Social media lovers also need to watch it in Saudi Arabia; arrests are known to be made there for people who post content that Saudi authorities consider offensive, critical, or disruptive to public order.

3: Jamaica

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Many Americans think of Bob Marley and beautiful beaches when they picture Jamaica. But the DOS paints a different tale; they recommend avoiding the Caribbean country due to crime and under-resourced medical services.

Should you choose to travel to Jamaica, the DOS strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance. An air ambulance from Jamaica to the U.S. alone could cost $30,000 to $50,000. On top of that, they discourage Americans from walking or driving at night, taking public transportation, and outright avoiding several regions in Jamaica that they list on their website.

4: Papua New Guinea

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Papua New Guinea looks postcard-perfect from an aerial view. But the Oceania country suffers from violent crime and civil unrest.

Piracy is another issue that plagues Papua New Guinea. Should you visit, the DOS recommends avoiding boat travel on the Bismarck and Solomon Seas along the north and eastern coasts of the country, for sailboats have been known to be boarded by criminals.

5: Nicaragua

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The DOS wants travelers to know this before deciding to travel to Nicaragua: Officials have been known to arbitrarily prevent people from entering or departing the country due to perceived associations. Arbitrary enforcement of laws as a whole is a significant issue too.

The risk of wrongful detention can run high in Nicaragua, particularly if the government believes you’re a pro-democracy advocate. Should you choose to visit Nicaragua, the DOS implores Americans to “Consider arrangements to depart the country quickly.”

6: Niger

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On January 8th, the DOS lowered Niger’s risk level from Level 4 to Level 3. Nevertheless, crime, civil unrest, terrorism, and kidnapping are still prevalent enough that the U.S. government doesn’t recommend Americans visit it.

Armed robberies and other violent crimes are common in Niger. Demonstrations are also fairly common. While the DOS notes that they’re usually peaceful, they have the potential to become violent.

7: Colombia

Colorful buildings in La Candelaria, Bogota.
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Try as it might to move past its reputation of being dangerous from the Pablo Escobar days, the DOS currently considers Colombia a country Americans should reconsider travel to. The risk of crime and terrorism are the reasons it gives.

If you choose to visit Colombia, the DOS encourages Americans to keep a low profile. They should also avoid traveling to the Colombia-Venezuela border. Crime, kidnapping, and the possibility of detention if crossing from Colombia to Venezuela are all heightened possibilities there.

8: Uganda

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Terrorist attacks are an ongoing threat in Uganda, including in areas frequented by tourists. The DOS also notes that violent crimes are a “serious threat” there, particularly in larger cities.

Furthermore, the DOS implores people who are LGBTQI+ or those who could be perceived to be LGBTQI+ to avoid traveling to Uganda. In May 2023, the country passed laws that could prosecute this group of people, including life imprisonment.

9: Guinea

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A devastating explosion occurred at Guinea’s primary fuel depot on December 18, 2023, resulting in fuel shortages throughout the country. The ongoing impact of this incident remains, including strained hospital staff due to the continued treatment of injured citizens.

Demonstrations are also common in Guinea. They’re often unplanned, making it easy for tourists to find themselves in one, which can turn violent.

10: Nigeria

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Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed gangs are the reasons the DOS cites for encouraging Americans to reconsider travel to Nigeria. Americans who plan on visiting there should check the DOS’ long list of regions to avoid.

Armed gangs are a major issue in Southern Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta and Southeast regions. Assaults on Nigerian security services are common in this area.

11: Mauritania

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Mauritania’s DOS travel advisory is shorter compared to many other countries on this list, but the information it contains is serious enough that the DOS recommends travelers avoid it. Crime and terrorism are the reasons that it cites.

Muggings, armed robberies, and assaults are common in Mauritania. Terrorism is also possible. The DOS recommends travelers in Mauritania keep an eye on local news and be willing to change their plans in the case of a breaking event.

12: Guinea-Bissau

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Civil unrest and crime are prevalent in Guinea-Bissau, making it dangerous for Americans to travel there. Residents are no strangers to intermittent political instability. As a result, demonstrations are frequent.

Should you travel to Guinea-Bissau, the DOS recommends that you only move around during the daylight and don’t display signs of wealth.

13: Ethiopia

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Ethiopia is on the DOS’ reconsider travel list because of sporadic violent conflict, civil unrest, crime, communications disruptions, and kidnapping in border areas.

The DOS provides a long list of areas tourists should steer clear of. That said, the security situation in Addis Ababa is currently stable.

14: Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Crime and civil unrest are common in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The U.S. government warns that it has “extremely limited” means to provide emergency consular services to any U.S. citizen who isn’t in Kinshasa.

According to the DOS, Americans who decide to travel to the DRC must avoid demonstrations and exercise caution when walking or driving.

15: Chad

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Armed conflict and minefields are common at many of Chad’s borders. The Lake Chad region is also prone to terrorism, causing the DOS to encourage Americans not to travel there.

If you decide to travel to Chad, the DOS encourages Americans to have a contingency plan in place to leave the country in the event of conflict. One should also heighten their awareness in areas frequented by Westerners, as terrorist attacks can happen.

16: Burundi

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The DOS warns that Burundi’s police don’t have the resources or training to effectively respond to the violent crime the country faces. Furthermore, tourists needing medical services in Burundi often don’t get the support they need, for the quality of services is significantly below U.S. standards.

If you travel to Burundi, pack enough prescription and over-the-counter medicine to get you through your trip. Purchasing medical insurance is also wise.

17: Trinidad and Tobago

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Crime is such a major problem in Trinidad and Tobago that the DOS cites it as the only reason for giving the Caribbean country a Level 3 ranking. That said, it notes travelers should also exercise increased caution due to terrorism and kidnapping.

Gang activity is widespread in Trinidad and Tobago. Terrorist attacks also happen, and tourist areas are often a target.

18: Honduras

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The DOS implores Americans to reconsider travel to Honduras because of issues with crime and kidnapping. They especially advise against visiting the Gracias a Dios Department.

Violent street crime, extortion, and homicide are some of the risks travelers to Honduras face. Should you choose to visit, the DOS recommends avoiding demonstrations and being extra cautious when using ATMs and entering banks.

19: Guyana

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The South American country of Guyana is on the DOS’ reconsider travel list because of violent crime. Armed robberies and other violent crimes are prevalent, particularly at night.

Despite the police’s efforts, they often don’t have enough resources to effectively tackle Guyana’s crime problem. If you visit Guyana, the DOS says one shouldn’t walk or drive at night, nor should one flash expensive jewelry and other belongings.

20: Guatemala

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Although the DOS recommends that Americans avoid Guatemala altogether because of high crime rates, it particularly cautions against visiting the San Marcos and Huehuetenango departments. Zone 18 and the city of Villa Nueva in Guatemala City should also stay off your to-visit list.

Guatemala is notorious for its low arrest and conviction rate, which the DOS attributes partly to the fact that its police departments lack resources. If you visit Guatemala, check the DOS’ website to see their recommended precautions, as they’re long and detailed.

21: El Salvador

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El Salvador has been struggling with high crime rates for many years. But in 2022, the government issued a “State of Exception” due to an alarming increase in homicides. To this day, the declaration remains and is a huge reason why the DOS encourages Americans to reconsider travel to El Salvador.

If you must travel to El Salvador, the DOS discourages Americans from walking outside after dark. Furthermore, one mustn’t drive to unfamiliar areas.

22: Egypt

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The threat of terrorism runs high in Egypt, with the Sinai Peninsula and the Western Desert being largely prone to them. There are also military zones along the Egyptian border that Americans shouldn’t go to.

If you travel to Egypt, never participate in protests or demonstrations. Doing so without a permit is illegal. Furthermore, always practice increased caution, as terrorists can strike at any time.

23: Mainland China/Macau

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The DOS recommends that Americans reconsider travel to Mainland China as a whole, for arbitrary enforcement of local laws and the risk of wrongful detentions is high.

Emergency consular services for Americans are also limited in Macau, and arbitrary enforcement of local laws is an issue there.

24: Pakistan

Karachi, Pakistan.
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Terrorist groups are active in Pakistan, causing the DOS to encourage Americans to avoid traveling there. The Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces are particularly susceptible to terrorist attacks.

Both terrorism and armed conflict are common at the India-Pakistan border. The DOS recommends that Americans who visit Pakistan vary their travel routes and timing, particularly for routine trips.

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