U.S. State Department Issues Travel Warnings for Two Caribbean Destinations

The U.S. State Department this week updated its travel advisories for two Caribbean destinations.

The first is a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution advisory for Costa Rica, which specifically warns Americans about petty crime in the country, though it stops short of advising against travel there (Germany, The Bahamas, the U.K., and Italy are also under a Level 2 advisory).

“Petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica. Violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide, and sexual assault, also affects tourists,” the advisory reads.

The second is a Level 3: Reconsider Travel warning for Honduras, which also cites crime as a concern across the country. It specifically advises Americans to avoid travel to one region in particular — the Gracias a Dios Department, located in the most eastern part of the country.

“Violent crime, such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping, remains common,” the warning reads. “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.”

As with all its warnings, the State Department makes several recommendations for Americans traveling to either Costa Rica or Honduras. These include being aware of their surroundings, monitoring local news, and enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service that allows Americans traveling abroad to register their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.