Isabella Miller I check the State Department travel advisory page before I book anything overseas. A few popular spots got bumped up, and a couple of normally safe ones got fresh updates too. The four-level system runs from exercise normal precautions all the way up to do not travel. Here are the five countries with new or reissued warnings every American traveler should know about right now.
Colombia Stays at Level 3
Many travelers got a curveball when Colombia was reissued on March 31, 2026 at Level 3. Visitors should remain in groups, be vigilant about their liquor consumption and be cautious in touristy areas after dark. This will guide the cities of Cartagen and Medellin, still open to tourists.
The United Arab Emirates Was Bumped to Level 3
This one caught me off guard because ground safety in Dubai is genuinely incredible. The UAE was recently moved up to Level 3 because of regional tensions and airspace concerns. If you are flying through Dubai, build in extra time for possible delays or rerouting.
Mexico Sits at Level 2 With State-by-State Risk
Mexico has a broad level 2 advisory due to crime, kidnapping and terrorism. The advisory is broken down by state—this is the most helpful piece for trip planning, actually. Yucatan is rated as Level 1 and some northern border states are marked as Level 3 or Level 4.
Iceland Got an Updated Level 1 Advisory
But the State Department raised the advisory to Level 1 anyway in May 2026. It’s about the local weather and small rises in petty crime in tourist hot spots. The country is one of the safest places for Americans, but travelers should be aware of volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
New Zealand Also Got a Fresh Level 1 Update
This is a new Level 1 advisory for New Zealand, which goes to effect in May 2026, along with Iceland this week. Some of the notes address weather hazards, hiking risks, and petty crime in tourist areas. Register for STEP before you depart in case of emergencies the embassy will contact you.
Cyprus Is Currently at Level 3, Raised in March
Cyprus was elevated to Level 3 on 3 March 2026 with the escalation of hostilities in the wider Mediterranean region. Earlier this year, the U.S. even gave permission to the evacuation of diplomatic family. Visitors are strongly urged to only enter the island through official airports located in the southern part of the island.
