The 29 riskiest countries for Americans to travel to

  • The US State Department's public travel advisories outline the potential dangers Americans face traveling abroad.
  • The agency uses four levels of travel guidance to inform potential visitors whether the country poses danger, or in some cases, is completely off-limits.
  • These 29 countries are designated "reconsider travel" or "do not travel."
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

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The US State Department's public travel advisories let Americans know what countries are safe to travel to and which ones they should be wary of visiting.

The agency uses four levels of travel guidance to let Americans know what to expect in each country:

Level 1 - Exercise normal precautions

Level 2 - Exercise increased caution

Level 3 - Reconsider travel

Level 4 - Do not travel

Twenty-nine countries around the world are designated "reconsider travel" or "do not travel," mostly because of ongoing armed conflicts. These are the nations we've outlined here.

Here are most dangerous countries in the world, ranked from least to most risky based on the State Department's designation levels.

Burundi - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of armed conflict and violent crime, including grenade attacks and armed robbery, which are common in Burundi amid fiery political tensions.

US authorities have limited abilities to deliver emergency assistance to travelers, even in the case of police raids and violent clashes at the border.

Honduras - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of violent crime, such as homicide and armed robbery, that runs rampant amid high-level criminal activity, including gang activity, rape, narcotics, and human trafficking.

The Gracias a Dios region is marked as especially dangerous for visitors, as it's "an isolated area with high levels of criminal activity and drug trafficking," where US government agents aren't able to deliver reliable emergency services.

Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador are the three Northern Triangle countries where the majority of migrants are fleeing to come to the US via Mexico.

Mauritania - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of terrorism and violent crime, including mugging, armed robbery, and assault.

El Salvador - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of violent crime, such as murder, assault, rape, and armed robbery in addition to widespread gang activity that includes extortion, violent street crime, narcotics, and arms trafficking.

Chad - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of terrorism, unmapped minefields along the borders with Libya and Sudan , and violent crime, including armed robbery, carjacking, and muggings.

Nicaragua - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The   US State Department   warns of civil unrest, crime, limited healthcare availability, and arbitrary enforcement of laws, and it says violent crime, including sexual assault and armed robbery, is common.

People pretending to be police known as parapolice are also dangerous, the agency warns, and road blocks may prevent food or fuel from reaching some areas.

Democratic Republic of the Congo - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of civil protests descending into violence and violent crime including armed robbery, armed home invasion, and assault sometimes committed by people posing as police or security agents.

The warning specifies threats of crime, Ebola, and kidnapping in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces in the northeast and armed conflict in the east of the country.

Lebanon - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict.

The agency does not recommend traveling to the borders with Syria or Israel due to terrorism and armed conflict, or to refugee settlements due to the potential for armed conflict.

Niger - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime including armed robbery.

The advisory warns of heightened terrorist activity in the areas bordering Mali, Libya, Burkina Faso, and throughout northern Niger. The US government has limited abilities to provide emergency services to travelers as they are restricted to the country's capital and required to maintain thorough security escorts.

Nigeria - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns   of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and piracy breaking out in rural and urban areas.

US government authorities have limited access to provide emergency services to US citizens who may experience violence, according to the advisory.

Pakistan - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of terrorism as attacks on major hubs across the country continue.

"Terrorist attacks continue to happen across Pakistan, with most occurring in Balochistan and KPK, including the former FATA," the advisory says. "Large-scale terrorist attacks have resulted in hundreds of casualties."

The US government has a limited ability to provide emergency service to traveling citizens and the US Consulate General in Peshawar is unable to provide any consular services, according to the advisory.

Turkey - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of terrorism and arbitrary detentions, which the US government has very limited ability to confront if an American citizen is affected. 

The agency also warns travelers to avoid areas near the Syria and Iraq border "due to terrorism and kidnapping."

Guinea-Bissau - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of civil unrest and violent crime, usually perpetrated by aggressive vendors, panhandlers, and criminals who target foreigners at popular spots in the country, including the airport and Bandim Market.

Furthermore, there is no US embassy in Guinea-Bissau.

Sri Lanka - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of terrorism that targets busy areas across Sri Lanka.

In April 2019, the agency ordered all school-age family members of US government employees to leave the country, and allowed "the voluntary departure of non-emergency US government employees and family members."

Burkina Faso - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of crime, kidnapping, and terrorism.

The advisory describes a military effort to cut down on widespread terrorism that resulted in declaring a state of emergency in several regions. The agency also warns travelers to avoid certain areas of Ouagadougou, the country's capital city.

Haiti - Level 4: Do not travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The   US State Department   warns of crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping. In February 2019, the agency ordered all nonemergency US personnel and their families to return to the US.

Royal Caribbean operates a private cruise port called Labadee   on the island, and the area is fenced in and under tight security.

North Korea - Level 4: Do Not Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of US nationals and says a US passport is not valid to travel to the country without special permission from the agency.

The advisory also describes how the complicated political relationship between the US and North Korea complicates travelers' safety:

"The US government is unable to provide emergency services to US citizens in North Korea as it does not have diplomatic or consular relations with North Korea. Sweden serves as the protecting power for the United States in North Korea, providing limited emergency services. The North Korean government routinely delays or denies Swedish officials access to detained US citizens."

Afghanistan - Level 4: Do Not Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict.

The advisory cites the "critical levels of kidnappings, hostage taking, suicide bombings, widespread military combat operations, landmines, and terrorist and insurgent attacks, including attacks using vehicle-borne, magnetic, or other improvised explosive devices (IEDs), suicide vests, and grenades," as threats to visitors across the country.

US government employees are under strict travel guidelines and require additional security measures for their time in the country.

Central African Republic - Level 4: Do Not Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of common violent crimes including armed robbery, aggravated battery, and homicide.

The warning also references armed groups that control large areas and often kidnap civilians, and the US government has limited ability to assist US citizens in the country.

Iran - Level 4: Do Not Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of kidnapping, arrest, detention of US citizens in Iran that the US government cannot confront with emergency services.

The advisory says:

"Iranian authorities continue to unjustly detain and imprison US citizens, particularly Iranian-Americans, including students, journalists, business travelers, and academics, on charges including espionage and posing a threat to national security. Consular access to detained US citizens is often denied."

Libya - Level 4: Do Not Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict, and crime.

Terrorist and militia groups are of particular concern for the threats they pose to travelers, including detaining them at random and without access to legal or embassy resources

"Outbreaks of violence between competing armed groups can occur with little warning and have the potential to impact US citizens. The capital, Tripoli, and other cities, such as Surman, Al-Jufra, Misrata, Ajdabiya, Benghazi, Sabha, and Dernah, have witnessed fighting among armed groups, as well as terrorist attacks. Hotels and airports frequented by Westerners have been caught in the crossfire. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence."

Mali - Level 4: Do Not Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime that is especially prevalent in certain areas and targets popular nightclubs, hotels, and places of worship.

The US government has restricted abilities to deliver emergency services to affected visitors.

Somalia - Level 4: Do Not Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of crime, kidnapping, piracy, and terrorism that could affect areas frequented by visitors.

Violent crime including murder is common throughout the country, as are illegal roadblocks.

South Sudan - Level 4: Do Not Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of armed conflict, kidnapping, and violent crime including carjackings, shootings, ambushes, assaults, robberies, and kidnappings.

Conflicts among various political and ethnic groups have created widespread armed conflict an created a restrictive atmosphere for the abilities of foreign agents like journalists and US government officials, according to the report.

Syria - Level 4: Do Not Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict.

The advisory says that "no part of Syria is safe from violence," including "kidnappings, the use of chemical warfare, shelling, and aerial bombardment."

The US Embassy in Damascus suspended its operations in February 2012, and the agency warns that US citizens and Westerners are a target for kidnapping.

Venezuela - Level 4: Do not travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The   State Department   warns of crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure, kidnapping, and the arbitrary arrest and detention of US citizens. The agency ordered government employees and their families to leave the country in January 2019.

Read more:   Water from sewer pipes, cooking with tiny candles, and a Happy Meal that costs a month's pay: Photos by ordinary Venezuelans show life under an economic meltdown

Yemen - Level 4: Do Not Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, and armed conflict across Yemen.

Terrorism and military activity have devastated the country's infrastructure, which is already struggling to deliver food, electricity, water, and adequate medical treatment to citizens amid the world's largest cholera outbreak.

The advisory notes that the US Embassy in Sana'a suspended its operations in February 2015.

Sudan - Level 4: Do Not Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict, and violent crime including kidnapping, armed robbery, home invasion, and carjacking . In April 2019, the department ordered the departure of non-emergency US government employees.

Iraq - Level 4: Do Not Travel

worst countries for us citizens to visit

The State Department warns of terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict that can be targeted particularly at Westerners and US citizens.

In May 2019, the agency ordered the departure of non-emergency US government employees.

The advisory includes a warning against US citizens traveling to Iraq to engage in armed conflict, saying they would face kidnapping, injury, or death and consequences including arrest, fines, and expulsion.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

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Level 4 (Do Not Travel)

Worst Countries To Visit 2024

Travel is highly subjective, with each individual's personal preferences influencing whether they think a given country is one of the worst countries in the world to visit (or live in ) or one of the best countries to visit (or in which to study abroad ).

Moreover, most travel enthusiasts generally feel that every country is worth a visit, from the world's most-visited countries to its least-visited countries . Ordinarily, these factors would make it impossible to compile an accurate and objective list of the "worst" countries for tourists. However, in a handful of countries, visitors face an unsettlingly increased risk of being violently harrassed or kidnapped, unlawfully imprisoned, seriously harmed, or even killed. These countries qualify as the worst countries in the world to visit.

The US Department of State's Travel Advisory system

The US Department of State conducts an ongoing Travel Advisory system that tracks conditions in each of the world's countries and territories and places each one into one of four categories:

  • Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
  • Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
  • Level 3: Reconsider Travel
  • Level 4: Do Not Travel

The State Department further designates the specific threats that earned each country its rank. While most of these concerns are man-made, such as crime, terrorism, and civil unrest, they can also include naturally occurring elements such as dangerous weather or natural disasters. Some countries, such as Russia and Ukraine or Israel and Palestine 's Gaza Strip, are currently at war . The travel advisories are frequently updated to reflect the current conditions in each country. As of February 2024, 19 countries carried a level 4 travel advisory, and three additional countries had an "other" advisory that warranted a customized ranking.

The 21 Worst Countries in the World to Visit (2024-02):

Profiles of the worst countries in the world for tourists to visit, afghanistan.

Since the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan upon the withdrawal of US forces in August 2021, the country has become even more dangerous—particularly for US citizens.

Belarus is a close ally of Russia and has allowed Russian forces to mass on the Belarusan/Ukrainian border, which has introduced elements of danger and civil unrest. The risk of unlawful detention is also high in Belarus, whose government has arrested thousands of people, including many US citizens, based upon often-unproven claims that those individuals have participated in political demonstrations or otherwise attempted to undermine the government.

Burkina Faso

Terrorist activity is a significant concern in Burkina Faso, where several areas are considered to be in a state of emergency. Insurgents may attack targets ranging from hotels and restaurants to police stations and places of worship with little or no warning. Kidnapping and hostage taking are additional ongoing concerns.

Central African Republic

Although Westerners are not believed to be specific targets, violent crimes such as armed robbery, aggravated battery, and homicide are common in the Central African Republic. Additional dangers include civil unrest, demonstrations, and election-related violence.

Kidnapping and ransom are a significant concern in Haiti. Carjackings and armed robberies are also quite common.

US citizens in Iran are often specifically targeted for unlawful kidnapping, arrest, and/or detention by the government, under the fictitious claim that they represent a threat to the country's national security.

Terrorist attacks are an ongoing threat in Iraq, where even peaceful demonstrations and protests can turn violent with little warning. US citizens are also at high risk for violence or kidnapping.

As of early 2024, Israel's 2023 conflict with the Gaza Strip region of Palestine was still ongoing, significantly increasing the likelihood of terrorist activity, violent civil unrest, or even armed conflict.

Libya is mired in civil unrest. Crime levels are high, and gunfire between various armed factions could break out with little to no notice in most locations. Westerners are frequently kidnapped and held for ransom, militia groups may capture or detain individuals illegally, and protests can turn violent.

Terrorism is high in Mali, where armed groups are known to attack locations ranging from places of worship to night clubs, Malian government offices, important infrastructure sites, or locations known to attract Westerners. Violent crimes including armed robbery and kidnapping are also common, particularly during local holidays or seasonal events, and are often facilitated by the use of roadblocks.

Currently locked in a drug war, Mexico is one of two countries whose current travel advisory falls outside the Level 1-4 system. While the states of Yucatan and Campeche are relatively safe, in many other parts of Mexico, foreign tourists are frequent targets for crimes ranging from pickpocketing and muggings to kidnapping, carjacking, and homicide.

Myanmar's elected government was deposed by a military coup d'état in 2021, leaving the country—which was already engaged in the world's longest running civil war —under military rule. Civil unrest and armed conflict are possible, landmines and other unexploded ordnance make some areas dangerous to traverse, and unlawful detentions have been reported. Myanmar also suffers from limited and/or inadequate healthcare resources.

North Korea

Known for its secrecy and its third-generation dictator, Kim Jong-un, North Korea is considered an extremely risky destination for international travelers. The lives of people in North Korea are very tightly controlled and policed, and once a tourist enters the country, there is no guarantee they will be allowed to leave again. US citizens are currently banned from traveling to North Korea. The US government instituted the ban in 2017, after an American student named Otto Warmbier, who had been detained in North Korea and imprisoned for 17 months, was returned to the United States in a coma, passing one week later. The ban is currently renewed 12 months at a time, with the most recent renewal having taken place in August of 2022.

Palestine (Gaza Strip, West Bank )

One of three countries, along with Mexico, that currently do not fit within the level 1-4 framework. As of early 2024, Palestine (particularly the Gaza Strip) was still locked in armed conflict with Israel, increasing the chances of terrorist activity, armed conflict, and civil unrest, rendering both countries unsuitable for travellers.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, visiting Russia has become more dangerous and logistically challenging for international travelers (and US citizens in particular). Travel in and out of the country is extremely limited, US credit cards no longer work in the country, and Russian law enforcement officials are known to target US citizens and arbitrarily levy harsh punishments. The most highly publicized example of this is the case of Brittney Griner, a WNBA player who was apprehended in Russia with less than a gram of hashish oil, for which she had a US prescription, but which is prohibited in Russia. Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Both civil unrest and terrorist activity are routine in Somalia. Illegal roadblocks, kidnapping and murder are common, and schools and other facilities are often repurposed as "cultural rehabilitation" centers where people are unlawfully detained and may be physically abused. Terrorist attacks often include suicide bombers, car bombs, physical attacks, or mortar fire; and often target places with large crowds and frequent Western visitors, such as airports, seaports, hotels, or shopping centers. Offshore, piracy is also a concern, particularly in international waters, with Somali pirates hijacking ships and either robbing the ships or holding the crew and passenger hostage in exchange for ransom.

South Sudan

Armed conflict is ongoing in South Sudan . Violent crimes occur frequently, including carjackings, shootings, robberies, kidnappings, and cattle raids. Foreign nationals have experienced armed robberies, sexual assault, and rape. Journalistic reporting is illegal unless one is properly licensed, and even journalists with their paperwork in order may be harassed or killed.

While Sudan's capital city of Khartoum is relatively secure (though travelers are still advised to steer clear of protests and demonstrations, in case they are violently dispersed), the rest of the country is notably less stable. The areas bordering Chad and South Sudan are particularly dangerous, as terrorist activity is known to be higher there.

The US has not operated an embassy in Syria since 2012 due to the threat of violence stemming from the country's ongoing civil war. No part of Syria is safe from violence. Kidnappings, terrorist attacks, unjust arrest, chemical warfare, aerial bombardment, torture, and extrajudicial killings have all been reported, and the country has long-standing border issues with Israel, Turkey , Iraq, Lebanon , and Jordan . US citizens and other Westerners are often sought-after targets for kidnappers as well as the corrupt government, which may be responsible for the disappearance of more than 100,000 people.

Although most travel experts consider Ukraine a beautiful place to visit during times of peace, Russia's invasion of the country has earned both nations a level 4 advisor, which will likely remain in place until sometime after the invasion ends.

Ruled by a dictatorial regime, Venezuela is currently experiencing frequent shortages of food, gasoline, electricity, water, and medical supplies. Violent crimes are common, including homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping, and carjacking. Finally, the government is known to violate human rights with acts including unlawful detention, torture, and extrajudicial killings.

Although the death toll in Yemen's ongoing civil war decreased greatly in 2022, violent terrorist attacks can still happen with little warning, particularly in public places. The fighting has also taken a toll on local infrastructure, which has impacted the reliability and obtainability of electricity, clean water, and medical care.

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Home » Budget Travel » Top 10 WORST Countries to Travel – Honest Backpacker Experiences (2024)

Top 10 WORST Countries to Travel – Honest Backpacker Experiences (2024)

With 195 countries scattered across the globe, the world is your playground offering endless opportunities for exploration. Some countries beg for your attention, with endless recommendations from reliable sources (like us!).

We travel to open our minds and “find ourselves”. But sometimes, we end up finding a big, steaming heap of shit instead. 

At The Broke Backpacker, we’ve ended up at some of the most unexpected, worst countries to visit. They left us empty, hoodwinked, and perplexed. It’s not because they’re necessarily “bad” or dangerous countries, it’s just that they don’t always match the postcard-perfect image we’ve been sold.

In the midst of it all, trying to figure out the gems from the duds is a skill I’m yet to fully master. Usually, the only way to know is to hit the road and see for yourself.

Or… I ask my team mates 😉 W hich is the worst country to travel in the world? Because we’ve had our fair share of terrible travel destinations – and t hey were quick to answer with some hard truths. 

In the end, you’ll have two options:

  • Option one: ignore all of us and do you, baby.
  • Option two: make like Forrest Gump and RUN. 

Whatever path you choose, I’ve warned you.

Mount Rinjani Joe

2. Dubai, UAE

5. costa rica, 6. bali – indonesia, 7. honduras, 10. bolivia, final thoughts on the worst countries to visit.

‘Magical, mysterious Morocco’ has been a stalwart of the backpacking and indie-traveller scene for almost a century now.

As far back as the 1940s, Beat Generation writers like William Burroughs would spend extended sabbaticals in the pretty but gritty port city of Tangier (writing poetry and taking full advantage of the region’s laissez-faire attitude towards sex tourism). Then, of course, the first-wave hippies were quick to ride on the Marrakesh Express.

Men outside a mechanic stop in Marrakech, Morocco.

Morocco is entry-level North Africa for many budget backpackers seeking a taste of an Aladdin fairy tale. Each year, millions are tempted by promises of abundant hashish, surreal landscapes, and ancient Moor and Berber cities.

But what I found in Morocco was relentless, punishing heat, and some of the worst people I have ever encountered in all my travels.

Let’s start with Marrakech. As a foreigner, you will not be left alone. Ever. Aggressive and rude shopkeepers, panhandlers, beggars, con artists and drug-pushers will plague you every time you step outside your Riad.

A busy souk in Morocco

And while Marrakech is the worst example, it doesn’t end there. I had panhandlers trying to hard-sell pieces of utter tat on hiking trails and even inside the plunge pool of a fucking waterfall.

And yet some people love travelling to Morocco . Romantic Essaouira was the slaver city of Astador in Game of Thrones, the hash IS good, and there are plenty of lovely street cats.

photo of Aiden Freeborn, member of The Broke Backpacker team

Aiden : Gear Manager & Senior Editor

As a connoisseur of vintage cinema, I was excited to visit Casablanca but was of course totally disappointed by the squalid, dirty, and sad shithole that I found. I even sought out ‘Rick’s Cafe’ and was served an overpriced, tepid beer which made me ill.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

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I’m going to start this with a quote from a fitting meme: “ you can tell a lot about a person by how they feel about Dubai .”

Now I’m not judging… Ok fuck it, I kinda am. Most of the people I’ve met who love travelling to Dubai are dicks.

Yet I am an eternal optimist when it comes to travel. So in fact, it was quite hard to come up with somewhere I hated. I didn’t hate Dubai : I found it interesting to observe the excesses of capitalism gone wild from an outside perspective.

Though, I felt like an outsider who couldn’t get below the surface of the city – because it felt like it didn’t go any deeper. Everything about Dubai felt “top show”. There were no pavements to wander and to get lost in the rhythm of footsteps.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Instead, it was a battle against traffic consisting of as many supercars as taxis. Even the cultural areas of the city felt fake like a Disneyland version of the Arab world made palatable for Western suitabilities.

Gone are the busy, hot, dirty, and lively souks with locals flocking tanned leather goods and exotic ingredients. Instead replaced by an outdoor museum for the benefit of the tourists. 

Journey further out and you find the other side of relentless development of mega-cities. Impoverished immigrants live in poor conditions, tempted here by the prospect of riches and rewards, only to end up trapped thousands of miles away from home working in terribly dangerous environments. 

A playground where the rich try to outdo each other by building a new fuck-off skyscraper, diamond-encrusted Rolex, or gas-guzzling vehicle. All at the expense of the environment and immigrants filled with false hope.

photo of Nic Hilditch-Short, member of The Broke Backpacker team

Nic : Editor & Roaming Renegade

Dubai is sickening, fake and everything that the world shouldn’t be. But yeah, it’s still interesting to see.

A multicoloured land of incredible scenery and colourful traditions, India had long captured my imagination as a child. I yearned to visit the Taj Mahal, to bask in the ancient power of fallen civilisations, and to feast upon spiced meat of questionable origin.

A whirling juxtaposition of teeming metropolises and empty, vast landscapes, India would keep me guessing. I spent two years wandering dusty roads, camping out in dilapidated train stations and relying on the kindness of the Couchsurfing community to shave my scraggly beard and mend my tattered clothes.

I met incredible, amazing, generous, horrible, disgusting, and dishonest people during my journey – and India left a deep, lasting impression on me.

young will hatton at taj mahal

In truth, India remains one of my favourite countries. And yet, the country as it stands is in a freaking shambles – it’s one of the worst places to travel. With corrupt politicians pilfering the poor and everybody out to fuck everybody else over, I found it difficult to connect with people.

India, in fact, turned me into a bit of an asshole. I found myself increasingly turning to aggression to shake the touts who, (wrongly) assumed I had money. There are only so many times one can be grabbed on the street, or shaken rudely awake, as some motherfucker gazes upon thee with the three immortal India questions…

“What country you from?”

“You want look at my shop?”

And, of course…

“Are you married?” and if not “why?”

Shirtless will sitting on top of a cliff taking in a breathtaking view of India.

India stretched my patience, but it also stretched my cash and gave me incredible personal development. Whilst shouting at folks to “get the fuck out of my face”, I felt myself grow in confidence and wisdom.

photo of Will Hatton on a motorbike, founder of The Broke Backpacker site

Will : Founder & Chief Adventurer

India is an absolute gem, uniquely beautiful and horrible at the same time . If you’re broke and in search of adventure, go. If you don’t want to share personal space with human excrement, don’t.

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After endless recommendations and a lifetime of dreams, I was pumped to visit Vietnam . Young sprites talk about the cheap, life-changing voyage that always tops backpackers’ favourite destinations. 

What I was not expecting was the inordinate intensity of Vietnam.

From the moment I landed in Ho Chi Minh, I was greeted by extraordinary heat and humidity mixed with a waft of rotting food. Then there’s the locals – who can’t bring themselves to muster even a hint of a smile at any point in the day.

It’ll change after I get out of Ho Chi Minh – I told myself. 

oh, how naive of me.

The sheer amount of people is insanely overwhelming and the bikes… fuck me. Even I got road rage and I wasn’t even driving.

It seemed that my mere presence on the streets at any point pissed off any and every local, and I ended up adopting the same passive-aggressive attitude that 90% of people I crossed seemed to have.

Laura smiling painfully in the wet steets of hanoi in front of motorbikes and restaurants

Don’t get me wrong: Vietnam is still a fan favourite with many backpackers. If you’re a keen (and extremely confident) motorbiker, I’m assured the driving the Ha-Giang Loop is a must-do for you. Even most of the other Broke Backpacker team members have a deep passion for this country. 

So don’t just take my word for it. But if you’re looking for a relaxing, welcoming, easy-going country, Vietnam is one of the worst places to visit in the world.

Meet the Team

Laura : Senior Editor & Chill Goddess

I spent six long, stressful weeks travelling North to Hanoi. It was rainy season too, so all my stuff was humid for the entire trip and I spent Christmas day trying to dry out my backpack (that was growing its own fungus farm at this time) with a hairdryer.

Many people swear by Costa Rica being their favourite backpacking spots , and I can see why. The nature is stunning, the pura vida lifestyle is incredibly infectious and the geography of the country is just magnificent.

The cultural cocktail of volcanoes, jungles, and Pacific and Caribbean vibes here is phenomenal. Sounds idyllic, right?

I want to make one thing clear… I did (kinda) enjoy my trip to Costa Rica. HOWEVER, my time there was forcibly extremely brief.

Beach in Costa Rica. Caribbean Coast.

Well because no one warned me how expensive Costa Rica is !

I spent 5 months backpacking Central America in 2023. Whilst Costa Rica was beautiful, it was more of the same and about triple the price when compared to neighbouring countries such as Nicaragua. Costa Rica ran through my budget like Usain Bolt. 

In comparison to the rest of Latin America, it is far from the most dangerous of countries. Yet, I can confidently say it’s an overrated Instagram-hyped destination full of American tourists on “vacation”.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Joe : Junior Editor & Lover of Life

Don’t get me wrong, Costa Rica is gorgeous. I will come back one day. But, some advice for my fellow budget backpackers: guys… give this one a miss.

When you hear someone say “ That’s so Bali ”, they are usually talking about lush clothes shops, bangin’ brunch spots, or beautiful yoga studios.

Canggu is the pinnacle of this. Sexy Aussies roam the streets, HUGE billboards tower from above, and scooters zoom around playing Tetris on the roads.

There is a reason why everyone is backpacking in Bali ; it’s got it all. Whatever you dream of, you can have it here. And the cherry on top, it’s at a fraction of the cost you’d pay at home. 

Sounds bloody fantastic, right? 

Well, unfortunately, the desire to experience Balinese culture and get off the beaten track often gets lost on the sidelines. 

woman wearing a green robe in a pool washing her face with water pouring from a spout

I’m not going to lie, I had a great time eating mind-blowing food and getting 10x hotter at the un-airconditioned gyms. But did I get to experience local culture and nature here? Hell no. 

The hubs of Canggu, Ubud, and Uluwatu are brimming with bustling streets, wild traffic, and locals trying to sell you penis bottle openers to take home. It’s just not a bad place to visit as a tourist right now. I encourage you to venture out of these swarms of tourists and ex-pats into nature and local Balinese life. 

Where are these hidden gems in Bali, you ask? The good news is, you don’t have to travel far to find them. If you drive just 10 minutes out of these hell holes, you will be rewarded with magical, lush landscapes that fill your soul with happiness. 

To dive into the good stuff; head up north . Experience the magic of Amed, Munduk, or Sideman. Get off the beaten track , climb a mountain, marvel at vibrant coral reefs, or splash around in the waterfalls. 

Bali can be FUCKING AMAZING; if you let it show you what it’s got. 

bio pic for Danielle Wyatt

Dani : Junior Editor & Oceanic Explorer

An abundance of rice paddy fields, majestic temples, and authentic local warungs (restaurants) packed with friendly, welcoming faces await. You’ll feel the true Bali that lives underneath all its shiny, gentrified layers.

To be fair, my 72 hours in Honduras were very experimental. I went in with high hopes despite the HORROR stories of violence, I gave it a chance.

The first red flag was the look on the immigration officer’s face as I handed over my passport. His first comment was “You sure you aren’t going to Nicaragua?” I had a pit in my stomach, but I pushed my doubts to the side and embodied the badass female solo traveller persona. 

Woman smiling on a bus sat next to a young Hondurian girl smiling to her side

As I crossed the physical border, I was overwhelmed with unwanted attention. In Spanish, we call it “Mal de Ojo” Or Evil eye. As me and my friend boarded a bus, all eyes were on us, in the worst of ways. 

My Intuition was literally screaming “ ABORT ABORT” so I did. I found shelter in a hotel and took the next bus to Nicaragua. To be fair, I’ve also heard lots of amazing stories about Utila and Roatan , the best diving spots in Central America .

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Amanda : Junior Editor & Senior Dreamer

If I could go back, I would definitely plan a bit better, hire a car, and travel with locals. Honduras Is INCREDIBLE, I just had a shit start to my experience.

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Japan is a country that is on almost every traveller’s bucket list, it’s one of those dream destinations to visit . It’s a place that stands proud of its uniqueness, travellers here will often find themselves mumbling the words “only in Japan” and shaking their heads in utter culture shock.

From snow-capped mountaintops to world-class scuba diving, from ancient villages to futuristic cities, Japan truly has got it all.

Whilst I am extremely grateful that I got to experience this extraordinary country, travelling here I never really felt like I could relax, take a breath, and connect to the people around me. Japan is INTENSE … 

The Japanese culture is one that I found difficult to relate to. There is an epidemic of loneliness in Japan, which has led to high suicide rates and a rapidly declining population .

A girl stands amongst cardboard cutouts of anime characters in Kyoto, Japan.

In my greatest attempts to learn the language , and immerse myself in the culture, I was often met with smiling faces – yet a withdrawn and uninterested attitude.

In Tokyo, the metros were often packed shoulder to shoulder yet so quiet you could hear a pen drop, in the world’s largest city, I felt so surrounded by humanity yet so utterly alone . Japan is truly gorgeous but for many backpackers , it isn’t the most friendly or welcoming country and it can be hard to connect here with others and even to stay in touch with yourself!

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Audy : Junior Editor & Hitchiking Hero

Whilst I found parts of Japan to be utterly magical, ultimately, I found it one of the loneliest places I have ever visited. It’s important to note that Japan had an isolationist policy for hundreds of years and that this is a country where most people ONLY speak their native tongue.

Have you ever been hit in the face with an invisible brick wall? 

If your answer is no, then I’m just going to assume you haven’t yet been to Bahrain… I’m here to inform you of all the things you haven’t missed out on.

My visit to this minuscule Middle Eastern nation was the last stop on an otherwise glorious European summer that also took me to Oman. Though in Bahrain’s neighbourhood, Oman wowed with turquoise wadis, salty days in the Arabian Sea, and other magical moments that still have me yearning to return. 

But Bahrain… well… it may just be one of the most boring places I’ve ever visited in my life.

And it is absolutely ranked firmly as the hottest.

Bahrain World Trade Center, Manama, Bahrain

Even as I type this, the moment of stepping outside of a deep air-conditioned home to be smacked by heat so thick and all-consuming it felt like an assault rushes back in. If you think Bali’s hot, or another Asian, African, or South American country… rest assured that this tiny Kingdom has got it beat. 

But still: I tried. I visited the famous souq, spent a (admittedly nice) fiery sunset at a historical fort, and even popped into the desert for a bit. And even though I wasn’t too experienced of a traveller at the time, I couldn’t help but feel a distinct lack of life.

Natural beauty was all but non-existent, and any semblance of cultural exchange seemed to be out of reach. Perhaps the closest I came was while visiting the Al Fateh Grand Mosque, which is decked from top to bottom in creamy marble and despite being one of the largest mosques in the world, was still devoid of character that I’ve found in the dozens of places of worship I’ve visited in the years since then.

Though I spotted some apparent locals in the souqs, nearly everyone actually working appeared to be from somewhere else. There was nothing akin to the colourful Omani hats and distinct local vibe I’d seen just a few hundred miles away. To be brutally honest: I quite frankly felt like I was in a colony on the moon.

If culture, local life, and natural scenery call you the way it does me – Bahrain won’t be your cup of tea. But if you somehow find yourself there the way I did, you can visit the Sultanate of Oman , just an hour’s flight away. 

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Samantha : Travel Writer & Adventure Expert

Though I’d love to round Bahrain up with a positive, I’m on the struggle bus trying to find one.

Many say that Bolivia is the destination that separates comfortable backpackers from the adventurous. Cheap food, unique landscapes (like the famous Salar de Uyuni), colourful markets, and the best-preserved native culture in Latin America.

This was my first backpacking trip – hoping to have new experiences. And mate, did I have them.

Group of travelers in Uyuni flat salt tour on top of the truck.

After crossing the border from Argentina into Bolivia, I could feel the gazes of the locals. The energy as a whole isn’t welcoming, yet understandable if you consider the context of Bolivian history . At first glance, the street seemed like a vision of the past, as if technological advances had not reached this country.

The open-air markets, with questionable hygienic conditions (I’m talking about the heads dead animals hanging in the open air with flies dancing happily around them) , give off a smell of rotting food.

You’ll face long lines of shouting sellers harassing you to buy goods – to the point of being almost aggressive. And something as common as drinking water is scarce.

It’s one of the worst places I’ve travelled as a tourist in 10 years.

I spend 3 weeks exploring Bolivia , and the transportation (oh my god, the transportation) , it’s literally a pain in the ass with bused slamming down as we trudged across these routes with huge potholes. Long trips on packed, uncomfortable buses, with a cocktail of local food vendors, unbathed humans, heat and dust.

You get the picture of why it is one of the worst places I have ever visited.

But not everything is bad. As soon as you leave the tourist route, you’ll find places where time stops and smiles welcome you – because they rarely see a person from another country. You can contemplate what simple life is like, people know, talk, and help each other. 

People visiting the colourful Escadaria Selarón stairs in the bohemian neighborhood of Lapa.

Seba: Digital Wizard & Latino Legend

Bolivia will give you a large dose of grounding and humility. After travelling for 10 years, my perception would be very different and I think I would love to return.

Get Insured Before Your Travels

Even some top travel destinations can become some of the most dangerous countries in the world if you’re not well prepared. Solid travel insurance should be the first thing on your list when you’re jetting off for any adventure.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

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Look, in the opinion of The Broke Backpacker, most of the worst countries in the world to travel aren’t what you’d expect. Actually, we even had some pretty hard debates between us when we put this list together. 

Sometimes, it just comes down to the fact that it’s waaaay more expensive than our poor budgets can afford. Other times, it’s just because of how lonely and isolated we felt when we were solo travelling there. Though often, giving a country another chance can completely flip your perspective too – so there’s hope for Vietnam yet. 

Through it all, I believe the biggest takeaway is for you is to trust your gut and embrace the opportunity to explore. Think of how much Nic discovered about life in Dubai: each experience teaches you something valuable.

But yeah, if you still desperately want to visit Dubai – I’m probably going to think you’re a bit of a dick. 

Have you got a different opinion about some of the worst places you’ve visited? Let us know in the comments!

guy with a rain jacket on in south east asia

  • Don’t forget the essentials with our in-depth backpacking packing list . 
  • Sort your international SIM card out to avoid unnecessary hassle.
  • Real adventures begin when you learn how to travel off the beaten track .
  • Backpackers and frugal travellers can use our budget travel guide.
  • Get yourself covered with trusty travel insurance before you leave.  
  • Investing in the best travel backpack for you will change your life!

worst countries for us citizens to visit

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Laura Hall

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worst countries for us citizens to visit

Most dangerous countries for Americans to travel to

Traveling the world can be an excellent opportunity to learn about new cultures and to otherwise expand your perspectives. However, not every destination is safe to visit. Civil strife, government corruption, rampant crime, and environmental pollution can all create a situation where it is unadvisable to travel to certain places. The U.S. Department of State has issued travel advisories to several locations, including Venezuela, Uruguay, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, North Korea, and several Mexican states. While many of the nations on this list are at war, others—like China—are considered dangerous for political or ideological reasons.

Conversely, several nations have advised its citizens about travel to the United States. Ranked 49th on a list of safest nations by SafeAround,  travel to the U.S. is advised against due to the proliferation of mass shootings and other domestic terrorism incidents, high levels of violent crimes in cities like Chicago and Detroit, an unchecked homelessness problem, the potential for civil unrest, and the proliferation of gun ownership. Venezuela and Uruguay have both issued travel advisories against the U.S., with China, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Uruguay, and Venezuela all issuing travel warnings to nationals traveling to the U.S.

To better understand the risks in traveling abroad, Stacker has consulted the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs to determine the most unsafe nations for Americans to travel to. For this list, we will look at travel advisories issued by the State Department against the various nations. This list will not consider any political implications of said advisories, such as the president’s threat to meet travel advisories against the U.S. with retaliation.

While there are resources available to Americans who find themselves in trouble abroad, the effectiveness of these rescue efforts may vary. It is advised that tourists leaving the United States know what the entry and exit requirements are for any country they visit, carry proper identification at all time, and have a plan in place in case of emergencies. More information on this can be found on the State Department’s travel page.

Keep reading to learn if your next travel destination is on the list.

You may also like:  Reasons behind State Department travel warnings for 25 countries

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Burkina Faso

- Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Date advisory updated: 6/3/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 9.8

A highly food-insecure and impoverished nation in West Africa, Burkina Faso has been racked by political instability. Conditions have been inducive to incidents of terrorism, including a 2016 attack at a luxury hotel by an al Qaida-affiliated group that left 29 dead and more than 50 injured. The State Department recommends citizens avoid all travel to the northern Sahel border region because of crime and terrorism.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Date advisory updated: 6/12/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 6.6

Corruption, poor infrastructure, deforestation, overpopulation, and severe poverty have made the small Central African nation of Burundi a dangerous country. In 2018, Burundi was determined to be the least happiest nation on the planet  by the United Nations; though it did move up 11 spots in the " 2019 World Happiness Report ." Violent crimes in Burundi—including grenade attacks and armed robberies—are common, and local police do not have the resources to respond adequately. There are also continuous political tensions in the country, and some areas are vulnerable to raids and mortar fire from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Date advisory updated: 1/30/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 9.6

The Central African nation of Chad is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis, triggered by an onslaught of displaced persons coming in from Sudan, the Central African Republic, and from within Chad. This was triggered by famine and both internal strife and cross-border fighting. Minefields along Chad’s border with Libya and Sudan present a dangerous situation for U.S. travelers. Violent crimes in the country are common, and terrorists can easily cross the borders in the Lake Chad region, according to the State Department.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Democratic Republic of the Congo

- Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/9/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 13.3

U.S. citizens should rethink travel to the Central African nation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to civil unrest and crime. Travel to the eastern part of the country or the three Kasai provinces is strongly not advised due to armed conflict. Perpetrators of violent crime may pose as government officials or security agents, per the State Department.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

El Salvador

- Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Date advisory updated: 1/29/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 46

In the Central American nation of El Salvador, widespread gang activity raises activities such as extortion, violent street crime, and arms trafficking. If U.S. citizens decide to travel to the country, they should seek local guides when hiking in backcountry areas and avoid walking or driving at night.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Guinea-Bissau

- Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/25/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 9.2

Travelers to the western Africa nation of Guinea-Bissau are frequently targeted for theft and minor assaults, and an uptick in narcotics trafficking has led to an increase in crime in the rural parts of the country. Additionally, police and emergency officials lack sufficient resources to respond to crime and violence.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Date advisory updated: 6/11/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 28

On July 9, 2018, the U.S. government authorized non-emergency government employees and their families to voluntary depart from Haiti due to widespread crime and civil unrest. This was triggered by widespread destruction due to various hurricane strikes to the Caribbean nation, political corruption, and internal strife. Protests, tire burnings, and road blockages have become frequent, and as a result, the U.S. has limited services to respond to emergencies.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Date advisory updated: 6/24/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 55.5

In the Central American nation of Honduras, violent crimes such as gang activity, human trafficking, rape, and homicide are widespread, per the State Department. People traveling to Honduras should avoid using cell phones in public—even while in stopped cars—and should not wear expensive watches or jewelry.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/9/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 4.5

Terrorism threats, armed conflict, and outbreaks of violence in the Middle Eastern nation of Lebanon make it hostile to U.S. travelers. Refugee settlements, as well as the country’s borders with Israel and Syria, have a potential for armed conflict and should be avoided at all costs, according to the State Department.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Date advisory updated: 11/29/2018 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 11

U.S. citizens should reconsider travel to the west Africa nation of Mauritania due to crime and terrorism in areas frequented by Westerners. A nation where slaves make up a reported 2% of the nation’s population , poverty and extreme ideologies have made the region dangerous. Violent crimes including mugging, rape, robbery, and assault happen frequently, according to the State Department.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/3/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 13.9

Civil unrest, crime, and limited health care availability have contributed to an inhospitable travel environment in the Central American nation of Nicaragua, the State Department says. Government-controlled forces are known to attack and detain peaceful protestors—some of whom have gone missing.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/9/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 10.4

Armed robbery and violent crime is common in the west African nation of Niger, the State Department reports. People should avoid travel to the border regions due to extremist groups based in Mali crossing the border and attacking Nigerien forces.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/9/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 9.8

It is advised that Americans reconsider traveling to the west African nation of Nigeria due to crime and terrorism, in addition to piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. While Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy, the U.N. gives the nation a low human development index score —scoring low on education, health, income, and inequality. Tourists can be vulnerable to violent crime throughout the country—including armed robbery, assault, carjacking, rape, and kidnapping.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/9/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 9.6

Terrorism continues to occur in the Middle Eastern nation of Pakistan, and tourists should particularly stay away from the Azad Kashmir area, the Balochistan province, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. In the past six months, 225 people were killed and 475 were wounded as a result of terrorist attacks, according to the State Department.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/9/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 2.7

Travelers to the Middle Eastern nation of Turkey are at risk for terrorism and arbitrary detentions, the State Department says. Under the administration of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the nation has taken steps to strengthen the influence of Islam, attack the free press, and undermine Kemalist or modern Turkey policies. Turkish security forces have detained tens of thousands of people, including U.S. citizens, on charges of terrorism—with little to no evidence or political motivation.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Afghanistan

- Advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/9/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 7.4

Travel to the southern Central Asian nation of Afghanistan is unsafe due to kidnappings, hostage-takings, suicide bombings, landmines, and terrorist attacks, according to the State Department. The continuing war with Afghanistan has made the region hostile to Westerners. Evacuation missions in the country are incredibly restricted because of Afghanistan’s lack of infrastructure, geographic limitations, and hostile security situation.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Central African Republic

- Advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/9/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 13.8

Areas of the Central African Republic are controlled by armed groups who are known to kidnap, injure, and kill civilians—making this an unsafe country for tourists. The nation is in the midst of a civil war that has persisted—with several interludes—since 2004.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/9/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 4.5

American tourists in the Middle Eastern nation of Iran risk arrest and detention for arbitrary reasons—on charges including espionage and posing national security threats. The U.S. does not have diplomatic relations with Iran; Switzerland serves as the protecting power for U.S. citizens. However, Iran often denies Swiss officials access to detained American citizens. This may be due to the current state of diplomacy between the U.S. and Iran, with the U.S. abandoning the multinational Iranian nuclear agreement.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel - Date advisory updated: 5/15/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 15.5

American citizens are at a high risk for violence and kidnapping in the Middle Eastern nation of Iraq, as terrorist and insurgent groups often attack civilians. Even in Baghdad, attacks from improvised explosive devices can occur, the State Department reports. A former combatant of the United States, hostilities still run hot, with strifes between the nation’s internal factions common.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/9/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 2.5

Westerners and U.S. citizens are often the targets of kidnapping for ransom in the northern African nation of Libya, in addition to violent crime and terrorism. Militia groups often detain travelers for arbitrary reasons, and the country does not guarantee its detainees access to a legal process or allow them to inform others of their whereabouts.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/9/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 11.3

Violent crime is common in the western African nation of Mali, and especially so during local holidays and seasonal events. Terrorist groups also continue to operate in the country and target places of worship, Western diplomatic missions, hotels, and restaurants, the State Department says.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

- Advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel - Date advisory updated: 7/10/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 4.4

People cannot travel to North Korea using a U.S. passport without a special validation from the State Department, and even those are only granted in rare cases. Traveling to North Korea means risking arrest and long-term detention, and the U.S. cannot provide emergency services to citizens in the country. The Kim regime has promoted an attitude that Westerners—particularly Americans—are immoral, and have arrested American tourists on allegations of spying.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/9/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 5.6

In the eastern African nation of Somalia, U.S. citizens are at risk of violent crimes including kidnapping and murder, and are vulnerable to pirates active in the waters off the Horn of Africa. Terrorists have continued to be active, some targeting Westerners and places where large crowds congregate.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

South Sudan

- Advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/9/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 5.1

Travel to South Sudan is extremely dangerous due to armed conflict and crime that can include shootings, ambushes, and robberies. The State Department recommends that if you choose to travel tin South Sudan, you do so with a minimum of two vehicles. The State Department also recommends creating a proof-of-life protocol—which are a set of specific questions and answers that, in the case of being taken hostage, loved ones can quickly ascertain you are in danger instead of being taken for a hoax—and avoid all photography in public, as the area is strictly controlled.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/11/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 6.2

The U.S. government suggests citizens reconsider travel to the Central African nation of Sudan because of terrorism and civil unrest, and warns people not to travel to the Darfur region, Blue Nile state, and South Kordofan state because of crime and armed conflict. Terrorist groups in the country have stated their desire to harm and kill Westerners through bombings, shootings, and kidnappings, according to the State Department.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

U.S. citizens should not travel to the Middle Eastern nation of Syria due to the country’s widespread terrorism, armed conflict, and civil unrest. People in Syria face a significant risk of death or injury from the Bashar al-Assad administration’s use of chemical warfare, shelling, and aerial bombardment, according to the State Department, with no area of the country being safe.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/9/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 49.2

U.S. citizens should avoid travel to the South American nation of Venezuela due to crime, civil unrest, arbitrary arrest, and shortages of food, electricity, water, and medicine. The State Department says people should not travel at all to certain neighborhoods in Caracas, roads outside of Caracas after dark, or within 50 miles of the Colombian border.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

- Advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel - Date advisory updated: 4/9/2019 - Estimated homicide rate per 100,000 people: 6.1

No area of the Middle Eastern nation of Yemen is safe, according to the State Department, and visitors to the country could face terrorism, civil unrest, and armed conflict. The military conflict with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates   has caused a deterioration of infrastructure within the country, leading to limited electricity, medical care, and drinking water. Yemen was also home to the world’s largest cholera outbreak, and the U.S. government has a limited ability to provide emergency services.

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The 50 Most (& Least) Deadly Travel Destinations

Published on December 1, 2022 by Matthew H. Nash

One crucial factor when planning an international trip is safety. From homicide rates to natural disaster risk, some countries pose a greater threat to safety than others. Our research team crunched numbers on seven safety risk factors for 50 of the most-visited countries to create our “Travel Safety Index” .

worst countries for us citizens to visit

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Stay in the loop with our cutting-edge data analyses

Ranking Factors

The 50 countries included in our study were selected based on how popular they are among tourists. To determine the deadliest places in the world for tourists, we looked at the following ranking factors:

Please note: Due to ongoing conflicts in the region, Russia and Ukraine were omitted from the study.

1. Homicide Rate (0-100 points) – The number of intentional homicides per 100,000 people.

Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

2. Road Traffic Death Rate (0-100 points) – The estimated road traffic death rate per 100,000 people.

Source: World Health Organization

3. Poisoning Death Rate (0-100 points) –  The mortality rate attributed to unintentional poisonings per 100,000 people.

4. Unsanitary Conditions Mortality Rate (0-100 points) – The mortality rate that is attributed to unsafe sanitation, unsafe water, and a lack of proper hygiene per 100,000 people.

Source: World Bank

5. Life Years Lost Due to Communicable Diseases (0-100 points) – The number of life years lost due to infectious diseases (adjusted for disabilities) per 100,000 people.

Source: Our World in Data

6. Life Years Lost Due to Injury (0-100 points) – Age-standardized and disability-adjusted life years lost due to injuries (including conflict, violence, and self-harm) per 100,000 people.

7. Natural Disaster Risk (0-50 points) – An index created by the German non-profit Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft in partnership with the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security, the World Risk Report scores countries based on the risk of a natural disaster such as earthquakes, floods, or cyclones as well as the ability of the country to handle a disaster should it occur.

Source: WorldRiskReport

Study Limitations

An individual’s exposure to risk while traveling largely depends on the type of travel they choose and which areas of a country they visit. For example, going to a destination and staying in an all-inclusive luxury resort will often carry significantly less risk of bodily harm than staying in an area known for high crime, injury, or natural disasters. It’s impossible to account for every variable that a traveler may experience when analyzing countries as a whole. This study attempts to aggregate data taking into account a variety of factors to determine a nations overall risk profile.

Where Are the Most Dangerous Places to Travel?

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Below are the 20 deadliest travel destinations:

  • South Africa
  • Dominican Republic
  • Philippines
  • Saudi Arabia
  • United States

#1 Most Deadly Country: South Africa

Deadliest Travel Destinations

South Africa is a beautiful and exceptionally biodiverse country that attract millions of international tourist each year. However, it also tops the list of the most deadly countries for tourists. Out of the 50 countries studied, South Africa has the highest homicide rate (36.40 per 100,000 people) and the highest number of life years lost due to communicable diseases (23,778 years per 100,000 people). The country also has the sixth-highest road traffic death rate (22.22 per 100,000 people).

South Africa scored an F in six of the seven factors used in our research study. The U.S. Department of State indicates:

“Violent crime, such as armed robbery, rape, carjacking, mugging, and ‘smash-and-grab’ attacks on vehicles, is common. There is a higher risk of violent crime in the central business districts of major cities after dark.

Demonstrations, protests, and strikes occur frequently. These can develop quickly without prior notification, often interrupting traffic, transportation, and other services; such events have the potential to turn violent.”

Why is South Africa so unsafe?

Approximately 68 people are murdered in South Africa every day. Why this occurs is a complicated question to answer, but many believe it boils down to the following reasons:

  • Poverty and income inequality
  • High amounts of gang violence and organized crime
  • Weak, slow judicial system

Other factors like the prevalence of easy access to firearms, alcohol abuse, unemployment, and corruption have also been cited as causes for the extremely dangerous crime and hazardous living conditions within South Africa.

#2 Most Deadly Country: India

Deadliest Travel Destinations

India is second on the list of most deadly countries for tourists. While the country has a relatively low homicide rate and poisoning death rate, they are the top country for deaths from poor hygiene conditions, at 18.6 per 100,000 people.

Not only is India extremely populated, but it is also has extreme income inequality, with a massive gap between the country’s richest and poorest citizens. This wealth gap means that many of India’s over 1.3 billion people live in poverty and dangerous living conditions, with an estimated 60% of its citizens surviving on little over $3 a day.

Shoddy infrastructure, substandard health, and sanitation conditions are just some of the issues that Indians face on a daily basis, with the lowest classes being forced to navigate the worst of it.

Most and least deadly by category

worst countries for us citizens to visit

South Africa has the most documented incidents of homicide by a relatively large margin, with 36.4 homicides per 100,000. Mexico, the country with the second highest homicide rate, has 29.1 homicides per 100,000, and Brazil has 27.4 homicides per 100,000. The homicide rate drops significantly from there, with the remaining countries reporting 10.00 or fewer per 100,000. Notably, the US has the 7th highest rate of homicide when compared to these 50 countries.

The countries with the highest homicide death rates are:

Road Deaths

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Vehicle transportation is unavoidable for most travelers, and unsafe road conditions can provide a considerable safety hazard in many countries. According to the CDC , 1.35 million people globally are killed in motor vehicle accidents every year, making this a real danger and a serious consideration when traveling to countries with more lax driving laws and poorly maintained infrastructure.

The Dominican Republic has a road death every two hours, which accounts for a significant portion of Dominican Republic deaths per year. Reasons for the dangerous road conditions are attributed to “a lethal mix of alcohol, speed and blatant disregard for traffic laws,” according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.

The countries with the highest road traffic death rates are:

Poisoning Deaths

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Romania, China, and South Africa are all outliers when it comes to poisoning deaths. According one study by the NIH , China had 16,179 unintentional poisoning deaths in 2016 which made up 31% of the world’s total of 52,077 poisoning deaths that year. The details and causes of poisoning incidents in China is scattered which suggests these numbers may be underreported.

The countries with the highest poisoning death rates are:

Mortality Rate from Unsanitary Conditions

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Anyone who has had traveler’s diarrhea or another food-borne illness will know how vital sanitation is when it comes to a vacation. There are ways to prevent illness from unsanitary conditions, but it’s not entirely possible to eradicate the threat of sickness in all regions.

While India is a developing country and is modernizing quickly, there’s still much progress to be made in terms of general hygiene. An estimated one in ten deaths in India is attributed to poor hygiene conditions. Similarly, South Africa is having significant issues with clean water access and available sanitation services for its citizens, though this does appear to be improving.

The countries with the highest death rates from poor hygiene:

  • South Korea

Communicable Disease Deaths

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Covid-19 has shown us that infectious diseases are extremely serious, but many other diseases around the world also have devastating impacts and cause countless deaths every year. These include diseases like dengue fever, malaria, measles, cholera, typhoid, yellow fever, and more. It’s always a good idea to check with your medical provider before traveling to a new region because they will have data available to ensure you are immunized against local diseases as much as possible and can take other preventative measures such as wearing insect repellant.

South Africa has over double the number of life years lost due to communicable diseases as India. Some of the diseases affecting South Africans include HIV, tuberculosis, respiratory infections, and more, according to the CDC.

The countries with the highest number of years lost from communicable diseases:

Life Years Lost to Injury

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Injury in life is inevitable. You can’t prevent a broken arm or a sprained ankle anywhere in the world, but some regions are more prone to accidents or injury. This can be for various reasons, including infrastructure problems, inaccessible walkways, poorly maintained hiking paths, and much more.

South Africa has the highest years of life lost due to injuries, with many of those injuries coming from interpersonal violence and road traffic incidents. Saudi Arabia likewise reports many injuries, with most reported injuries affecting young males. These injuries were largely traffic-related.

The countries with the highest number of life years lost to injury are:

  • United Arab Emirates

World Risk Index

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Natural disasters are increasingly becoming a regular part of our modern life due to the impacts of climate change , and it would be unwise to fail to consider the likelihood of natural disasters when picking a travel destination. Not only should the location be factored in, but also the season. For example, many counties have significant and deadly monsoon and hurricane seasons, which can threaten tourists and locals alike.

The most dangerous country when it comes to natural disaster risk and readiness response is the Philippines, according to the annual World Risk Index. The Philippines garnered a score of 46.8. The second and third most dangerous countries are India and Indonesia, followed by Mexico and China. Notably the US and Australia ranked 7th and 8th respectively.

The countries with the highest natural disaster risk:

What Are the Safest Countries for Tourists to Visit?

Based on data for 50 of the most-visited countries in the world, these are the fifteen safest countries for tourists and their Travel Safety Index scores:

  • Netherlands
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom
  • Czech Republic

#1 Safest Country: Singapore

worst countries for us citizens to visit

According to our index, Singapore is the least deadly country for tourists. With a very low homicide rate, road death rate, and natural disaster risk, Singapore is an excellent choice for travelers in terms of safety.

What makes Singapore so safe? Well, crime does not pay in Singapore. The consequences for committing crimes in Singapore are incredibly high, even for “smaller” crimes. This, combined with high surveillance and police presence, makes Singapore the world’s safest country for travel.

This, of course, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still take universal safety precautions, even in Singapore. For some top travel safety tips, see the end of the article.

#2 Safest Country: Denmark

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Denmark’s high safety ranking likely won’t come as a surprise to those familiar with Denmark’s reputation. The low crime rate is often attributed to strong social safety nets that keep its citizens out of poverty, which decreases petty crimes like theft and pickpocketing. Denmark also has a robust police presence, a (relatively) transparent government, and high-quality technological surveillance, which makes Denmark an uncommonly safe place to live and travel.

This level of safety and community trust made Denmark go viral recently when people on social media discovered footage of Danish mothers and fathers leaving their newborns outside to sleep in their strollers while the parents go into shops and cafés. This is a common practice and is often believed to help babies and infants sleep comfortably and develop better immune systems. The idea of trusting the general public with an infant seems like madness in many other parts of the world. This goes to show the level of safety and transparency within Denmark.

Tips for staying safe while traveling, no matter the destination

worst countries for us citizens to visit

  • Never travel without doing your research – Each destination, from the most to the least deadly, will have its share of challenges and hurdles. Looking up common scams in your destination city or country will help you stay sharp and mindful of dangerous tactics.
  • Check the natural disaster risk for your region – Many places around the world, from Louisiana to Mumbai, are more prone to natural disasters at certain times of the year. Knowing if your destination is experiencing monsoon season, hurricane season, extreme heat or cold, and other potentially dangerous natural disasters will keep you and your family stay safe and help you avoid potentially high-risk areas.
  • Practice universal safety precautions – Just because you might be in a “safe” country, don’t let your guard down. Crime, unsanitary conditions, and injuries can happen anywhere, and tourists are often targeted everywhere in the world.
  • Invest in high-quality safety travel gear – Things like RFID neck wallets, money belts, and sturdy luggage locks will help keep you and your family’s items safe around pickpockets.
  • Register your trip with your local embassy – Your government having a way to find you and help remove you from a dangerous situation is incredibly important. If you plan to travel internationally, see if your country has a way to report your trip before embarking on your adventure. The United States has STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), Canada has Registration of Canadians Abroad, and other countries have equivalent programs for their citizens.
  • Save your embassy’s information – Speaking of embassies, know your country’s embassy information before traveling internationally. Whether you write down the embassy phone number and address on a piece of paper or add it to your phone’s cloud service, having a way to access your country’s representative embassy while traveling abroad could be lifesaving in the event of an emergency.
  • Travel with a friend or family member – Solo travel can be a fun, freeing activity. But it can also open you up to more potential risks. Traveling with friends and family is often a safer alternative to solo travel.
  • Don’t keep all of your cash in one place – Having all your funds in a central location could be disastrous should an emergency arise. If you get robbed, your wallet goes missing, or you get separated from the rest of your group, it’s essential to have emergency money to fall back on. Keeping extra cash in your phone case, in your shoe, or somewhere else inconspicuous may seem silly, but it could bail you out in a pinch.
  • Be careful where you eat – Not all countries enforce strict sanitation standards regarding food and beverages. Check reviews, go to restaurants suggested by friends and family, and practice precautions when eating out (particularly when it comes to street food).
  • Know the risks of your destination and travel accordingly – If, for example, you do some research and find that your destination may not have the safest water, you can bring a Grayl or filter bottle. Knowing what to expect by planning ahead can save money (and discomfort) during the trip.
  • Have your medical information (securely) available – Nobody wants to think about the possibility of hospitalization or injury while on vacation, but it can and does happen. Memorizing your blood type, having a list of your medications and dosages, as well as any allergies and other pertinent medical info available for medical professionals to review is critical should an emergency arise.
  • Hire a guide – While guides can’t reasonably protect you from all danger, they can use their local knowledge of the country to keep you safe. Many guides will provide translation services, ensure you eat in safe restaurants, and can help you avoid dangerous neighborhoods.
  • Keep a family member or friend aware of your travel plans – Having a friend or family member back home know your travel itinerary could be incredibly helpful if something goes wrong.
  • Listen to your intuition – If something doesn’t feel safe, seems too good to be true, or otherwise sets off “alarm bells” while traveling, trust your instincts and remove yourself if it is safe to do so.
  • Always travel with insurance – You never know what can happen while traveling. Whether you’re traveling domestically or across the world, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Travel insurance is often fairly inexpensive ( often costing less than $100 for a two-week trip ) and can save thousands in emergency expenses. See some of our guides here: Antartica , Belize , Costa Rica , Cruise , Dubai , and Europe .
  • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
  • World Health Organization
  • Our World in Data
  • WorldRiskReport
  • CNN: Seeing the new India through the eyes of an invisible woman
  • Business Tech: New data shows shocking rise in violent crime in South Africa
  • CNET: India spent $30 billion to fix its broken sanitation. It ended up with more problems
  • The Economist: Why it is so hard to fix India’s sanitation
  • Borgen Project: 10 Facts about Sanitation in South Africa
  • National Library of Medicine: The high burden of injuries in South Africa
  • National Library of Medicine: Burden of traumatic injuries in Saudi Arabia

The Most Difficult Countries for Americans to Visit

The stars and stripes won't get you far in these countries

As you might've read in the TripSavvy article about the world's best passports, the U.S. passport is right up there with the best of them, allowing you visa-free access to at least 173 countries as of April 2015. Several countries remain practically off-limit to Americans, however, certainly independent American travelers.

While none of the countries on this list ban American visitors outright, the difficulty of obtaining the proper visa – and the various other hoop you'll need to jump through – could be enough to dissuade you from visiting altogether. These are countries US citizens cannot visit very easily at all!

North Korea

Many people believe that Americans can't visit North Korea at all, but the fact is that unless you're a Christian missionary , it is the US government, not North Korea's, that bans you.

Prior to the murder of Otto Warmbier in 2017, if you were coming to North Korea with a government-approved tour company, stayed with your guide the whole time, avoided conversation and even eye contact with ordinary North Koreans and weren't a journalist, politician or any other professional North Korean's totalitarian regime might consider threatening, you could visit.

Unfortunately, geopolitics led the Trump administration to ban Americans traveling to North Korea indefinitely. North Korea is one of the countries Americans are banned from—by their own government, no less!

As is the case with North Korea, Iran allows American visitors – you just have to be on an organized tour for the entire duration of your stay, and not leave your guide's side under most circumstances. Where many people who might otherwise be able to visit Iran get tripped up is the so-called "authorization code," which your tour company must provide to the Iranian government in order to finalize visa approval. This often happens with weeks or even days to spare before your arrival, which can make you even more anxious about your trip to Iran than you probably are. 

In 2017, in the wake up Donald Trump's unexpected election victory and inauguration, Iran briefly banned US citizens, as a reciprocal measure for the administration's Muslim ban. Now, thankfully, Iran is no longer one of the countries US citizens cannot visit.

Americans have been traveling to Cuba illegally for years – but it's always been a matter of flying to Canada, Mexico or some other "third" country, then hopping over to Havana. Contrary to the beliefs of many Americans, the illegality of such a journey has to do with American law, not Cuban. As is the case with North Korea, Cuba is one of the countries US citizens cannot visit due to restrictions of their own government.

When Barack Obama was president, Americans could travel to Cuba legally , with some caveats. This is also the case, in practice, during the Trump era. In spite of the administration's tough talk, you can still book direct flights from the US to many of the Cuba's largest cities, including, most recently, Havana. It's possible that Cuba may return to the list of countries Americans are banned from at some point in the future, but as of now that's not the case.

Libya's place in the news the past several years can be summarized in three words: Qaddafi; Benghazi; ISIS. In spite of this, the country – namely, its portion of the Sahara Desert – is among the most unspoiled treasures of North Africa. Unfortunately traveling to Libya, especially in today's political climate, is near impossible for American, even if it's not officially on a list of countries US citizens cannot visit.

While the Libyan government has officially been issuing visas to U.S. citizens since 2010, there's no rhyme or reason when it comes to the approval process, nor any statistics on how often they grant approval – word on the street is that it isn't often. Plus, with the number of terrorist groups who've set up shop in Libya thanks to the vacuum the failed 2011 intervention left, the R.O.I. for travel to Libya just isn't very high right now.

Saudi Arabia

You would think, given Saudi Arabia's reputation as an American "ally," that visiting this oil-rich kingdom would be relatively easy for US citizens. Unfortunately, while the geopolitical realities of the world continue the two countries' mutual dependency on one another, it's very difficult for Americans to visit Saudi Arabia solely for tourism purposes, or at least it will be until the tourism visa officials have long promised goes lives.

Tip: If you're an American and want to visit Saudi Arabia, consider finding a job teaching English or working in the oil and gas sector. This not only permits you legal entry into the Kingdom, but a handsome salary that counteracts the notoriously high costs of traveling there.  Saudi Arabia is not among the countries US citizens cannot visit, so long as you're going for work!

Hundreds of Hotels in Cuba Now Prohibited for U.S. Citizens

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How to Travel to Cuba If You Are an American

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The World's 20 Most Dangerous Countries for U.S. Travelers

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The U.S. State Department issues travel advisories for every country in the world, ranging from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel). The level for China was raised last week from 1 to 2 (exercise increased caution) due to "arbitrary enforcement of local laws as well as special restrictions on dual U.S.-Chinese nationals."

The State Department warned that the Chinese authorities could prevent U.S. citizens from leaving the country by issuing exit bans to "to compel U.S. citizens to participate in Chinese government investigations, to lure individuals back to China from abroad, or to aid Chinese authorities in resolving civil disputes in favor of Chinese parties."

In most cases, people only become aware of the exit ban when they try to leave China, and there is no way of finding out how long they may be prevented from leaving.

Read more: The World's Most Powerful Passports in 2019

The State Department's Travel Advisory website contains must-read advice for anyone planning to travel to China or other potentially risky destinations.

For every country in the world with a rating of 2 or higher, the State Department also gives the reasons for that rating, spelling out the potential threats, such as crime, terrorism or civil unrest.

In this slideshow, Newsweek lists the world's 20 most dangerous countries for U.S. travelers, including ten countries rated as Level 4 (do not travel) and ten as Level 3 (reconsider travel). We also give some of the specific threats U.S. travelers may face in each country. For more details, read the full Travel Advisories on the State Department website .

worst countries for us citizens to visit

Watch CBS News

The safest (and most dangerous) travel destinations

By Elisha Fieldstadt

Updated on: November 1, 2019 / 4:23 PM EDT / CBS News

MEXICO-CRIME-VIOLENCE

Here, you'll find a countdown of the 37 countries Americans travel to most, ranked on safety and security, based on data from the World Economic Forum and the U.S. Department of Commerce . The list covers a broad range, from very safe to extremely dangerous. 

And in case you were curious, America is the 55th safest country for travelers. 

37. Iceland

Iceland's Tourism Industry Thriving

Iceland has an extremely low homicide rate and a high safety rating with the World Economic Forum, with only Finland scoring higher this year.

36. Switzerland

TOPSHOT-SWITZERLAND-SKI-MOUNTAIN-FEATURE

Switzerland has a very low homicide rate, and a very low rate of terror-related incidents.  

35. Hong Kong

TOPSHOT-HONG-KONG-LIFESTYLE

Hong Kong, a largely autonomous special administrative region of China, also has a very low homicide rate. 

34. Singapore

SINGAPORE-ECONOMY-TOURISM

Singapore has little crime and its rate of terror-related incidents is very low.

33. United Arab Emirates

UAE-WEATHER

The United Arab Emirates ranks highest among the Middle Eastern countries for safety... with one exception, Oman.

JAPAN-CRIME

Japan has a very low homicide rate but a higher rate of terror-related incidents. 

31. Austria

AUSTRIA-TOURISM-HIKING

Austria also has a very low rate of terror-related incidents.

Barcelona: Tourism And Daily Life As Independence Crisis Deepens

Spain has a low rate of terror-related incidents and a very low homicide rate, according to the World Economic Forum data.

29. Czech Republic

CZECH-SLOVAKIA-CRIME-JOURNALIST-MEDIA-DEMO

In 2018, the U.S. State Department issued a security alert to U.S. travelers to this country, citing terror concerns. However, in 2019, the department advised only "normal" precautions when traveling there. 

28. Australia

AUSTRALIA-CRIME-FAMILY

Australia has a relatively low homicide rate, but the World Economic Forum rates it as having a moderately high risk of terror-related incidents. 

Police At The Scene Of A Burglary That Left One Dead And Two Critically Injured

Canada's homicide rate is a relatively low. The country is the second most popular destination for U.S. tourists. 

26. Netherlands

NETHERLANDS-FLOWER

Malta, Norway and Slovenia have higher safety rankings from the WEF, but they aren't as popular with Americans as Holland is.

TAIWAN-CRIME

New Zealand is a safer Asia-Pacific country, per the WEF, but Americans travel to Taiwan more often.

24. Ireland

Under-car Explosion In Belfast Injures A Prison Officer

Ireland has a low homicide rate, but a higher level of terror-related incidents.

The World Economic Forum uses data from the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism and Global Terrorism Database to determine the average number of terror attacks in each country. 

23. South Korea

SKOREA-SOCIETY-CRIME-WOMEN-SOCIAL-GENDER

South Korea has a relatively low rate of terror-related incidents, but the threat of terrorism is considered very high. 

22. Hungary

HUNGARY-CRIME-MINORITY-ROMA-TRIAL

Police forces in Hungary are relatively unreliable, according to World Economic Forum findings. 

21. Germany

GERMANY-TUNISIA-ARREST-BIOTERRORISM

Germany has a relatively high rate of terror-related incidents in the World Economic Forum ratings. 

20. United Kingdom

Police Investigate The Murder Of Alesha MacPhail

The U.K. has a higher rate of terror-related incidents. It is the third-most traveled to country by U.S. tourists. 

FRANCE-ROBBERY

France is No. 51 on the World Economic Forum's list of 140 countries. This popular tourist destination has a relatively high rate of terror-related incidents. The U.S. State Department recommends visitors exercise increased caution.

POLAND-RELIGION-CRIME-ISLAM

Poland's police services are rated as relatively unreliable. 

17. Vietnam

VIETNAM-CORRUPTION-TRIAL

The World Economic Forum says Vietnam's police force is relatively unreliable. 

CHINA-HOMICIDE

China has a high rate of terror-related incidents. The country is the 10th-most popular with U.S. tourists. The U.S. State Department recommends increased caution "due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws and special restrictions on dual U.S.-Chinese nationals."

GREECE-POLITICS-VIOLENCES-PARTY

Greece has a relatively high rate of terror-related incidents, but a very low homicide rate. 

PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-CONFLICT-ATTACK

Israel has a high rate of terror-related incidents. The U.S. State Department recommends visitors exercise increased caution.

ITALY-SHOOTING-ARREST

Italy has a relatively low homicide rate, but a high rate of terror-related incidents. The U.S. State Department recommends taking increased precautions.

12. Costa Rica

COSTA RICA-UBER-PROTEST

Costa Rica is a popular destination for U.S. eco-tourists. Overall, Costa Rica ranks No. 75 in the WEF's latest safety index of 140 nations.

11. Argentina

FBL-ARGENTINA-INDEPENDIENTE-NAKIS-ARREST

Argentina's police services are considered relatively unreliable. 

10. Thailand

THAILAND-SOUTH-UNREST

Thailand is poorly ranked in large part because of a high rate of terror-related incidents.

9. Dominican Republic

DOMINICAN REP-BRAZIL-ODEBRECHT-RAID

The Dominican Republic ranks as 117th out of 140 countries for safety on the World Economic Forum's list.

PERU-CONFLICT-SHINING PATH-REMAINS

Peru has a relatively low homicide rate, but the reliability of the country's police services is also very low. 

INDIA-CRIME-DELHI

India has a high rate of terror-related incidents. The U.S. State Department recommends increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism, and advises Americans not to visit the state of Jammu and Kashmir or the India-Pakistan border.

BRAZIL-CRIME-VIOLENCE-FAVELA-SECURITY

Brazil has a high homicide rate; in 2018, Brazil had a murder rate of 24.7 per 100,000 people.

MEXICO-CRIME

The U.S. State Department recommends visitors exercise increased caution here, and advises Americans not to visit the states of Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa and Tamaulipas due to high crime.

Daily Life In The Carribean

Jamaica's homicide rate is one of the world's worst. The U.S. State Department recommends visitors exercise increased caution.

3. South Africa

SAFRICA-MOSQUE-ATTACK

South Africa's low safety score is largely due to a lack of reliability of their police services. The U.S. State Department recommends visitors exercise increased caution.

2. Colombia

COLOMBIA-CRIME-VIOLENCE-GANGS-SECURITY

The homicide rate in Colombia is about 25 per 100,000 residents. 

1. Philippines

PHILIPPINES-CRIME-DRUGS

The Philippines is currently at the bottom of the World Economic Forum's safety list, largely because of a high rate of terror-related incidents and kidappings.

The U.S. State Department urges increased caution and warns Americans not to travel to the Sulu Archipelago or Marawi City in Mindanao due to terrorism and civil unrest.

Most Dangerous Countries to Visit (and Safe Alternatives)

North Korea

Travel at its best can be exciting, stimulating, thrilling and breathtaking. Discovering new places, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures often requires an effort to break out of your comfort zone, and, in doing so, travel becomes a learning experience.

Some of that education may come from things going wrong. A bus breaking down in a remote rainforest in Mexico or an airline losing your luggage for a week-long vacation to London can teach you a lot about patience, how to make the best of a bad situation and to travel lighter.

But travel can also be dangerous, especially if you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. The U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories keeps tabs on the world’s "danger zones," listing the most dangerous countries you should avoid.

These are the most perilous of them, so you can skip the dangerous places and keep the exhilaration of travel on the positive side.

North America: Watch Out for Haiti

Haiti earthquake

The Travel Advisories list rates countries on a scale of one to four, with Level 4 being the most dangerous, "do not travel" advisory. Haiti has been given a Level 4 rating in recent years because its socioeconomic and political crisis has not gotten any better, with kidnapping, crime and civil unrest listed as key reasons for not visiting. Those came to a head when President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in July 2021. 

Add to that another huge earthquake that happened in August 2021, and the country's economic conditions have only worsened, with protests and violent crimes continuing to increase.

Note: U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories are subject to change. Make sure to check for the latest information about countries before making travel plans.

Do Visit: Other Caribbean Islands

Cruise port Zante, Basseterre, Saint Kitts

The Caribbean is made up of 28 countries , a majority of which are perfectly safe to visit and are very much worth the trek. Take the sister islands of Saint Kitts for example. The rainforests here are particularly impressive, alongside an abundance of beautiful beaches. 

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is another country that attracts visitors from all over the world. In fact, it's where Princess Margaret vacationed, as highlighted in the television show, "The Crown."

Use Precaution in Central America

Dangerous Honduras

In Central America, the State Department urges Americans to reconsider traveling to Nicaragua, which has limited healthcare availability and arbitrary enforcement of laws that lead to more crime, while San Salvador has a higher level of violent crimes. Honduras has a heightened alert due to crime, but it isn't widespread across the country and tourist-centric zones may be safer than off-the-grid travel. Same can be said for Guatemala.

If you do decide to visit these countries, stay aware of your surroundings, avoid walking and driving at night, keep expensive jewelry and signs of wealth hidden, and only use certified tourist authority companies and guides.

Now Safe: Mexico

Oaxaca

Stories about travelers catching a taxi, only to be whisked off somewhere remote and left stranded after being robbed in Mexico circulate in the news, as do reports of bloody cartel wars. The dangers are real.

However, the U.S. Department of State has different advisories for different parts of this vast country, mainly because the most dangerous areas are not actually frequented by vacationers. You can still delve deep into Mexican culture in safer states like Oaxaca, which is home to the city of the same name. Here, you’ll find multicolored colonial buildings dating back to the 16th century as well as colorful foods in open-air markets.

Experience a lively central square, shop for handmade arts and crafts, and dine in intimate, authentic Mexican restaurants that won’t even know what queso dip is — Oaxaca is worlds away from overcrowded tourist destinations like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. With a mountainous setting, you won’t find beaches and all-inclusive resorts, but you will learn about the history of the region, particularly when reviewing the murals at Palacio de Gobierno.

Of course, Mexico's beaches and coastal cities are also worth a visit. Just check to see which ones are the safest.

South America: Watch Out for Venezeula

Dangerous country: Venezuela

There is political upheaval currently taking place in Venezuela, which lands it in the State Department’s “Do Not Travel” zone. The country is experiencing high violent crime rates, poor health infrastructure, and political rallies and demonstrations, not to mention the arbitrary arrest and detention of Americans.

With food, medical supplies, water and electricity shortages, the situation in Venezuela is so dire, thousands of residents are seeking asylum in neighboring countries.

Do Visit Bolivia and Argentina

Bolivia

That said, much of South America is safe for travel, including Bolivia and Argentina as well as some parts of Peru (although its advisory has been heightened due to crime along the Colombian border).

Both Peru and Bolivia straddle Lake Titicaca, which is the highest navigable lake in the world, rising more than 12,500 feet above sea level. Be sure to sample the local delicacy, which is guinea pig, served whole and skinned (not for the faint of heart!).

In Argentina, the cosmopolitan Buenos Aires is South America’s business hub, as vibrant and exciting as any capital.

Use Precaution in Colombia and Peru

Colombia

Although Bogota is booming, you should exercise caution in Colombia, avoiding Arauca, Cauca, Choco, Narino and Norte de Santander due to high crime and terrorism. Popayan, Nuqui and Cucuta in these areas are safer but only if you can travel directly to them. Demonstrations are held regularly throughout the country, and in 2021, several cities experienced looting and destruction during national protests.

For similar reasons, travel to Peru is also at a Level 3 advisory. It's best to avoid travel to the northern parts of Peru as well as to the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers (VAEMR), where the far-left terrorist group, Shining Path, is operating.

Now Safe: Falkland Islands

Falkland Islands

Under British rule for generations, the Falkland Islands were invaded by Argentina in the 1980s. The islands, just off the coast of Argentina, were claimed to be part of their land. Britain won the brief war, but in the minds of Americans, the remote Falklands received a bad rap for being a place of unrest.

This is absolutely not true.

These very safe islands in the southern Atlantic Ocean are gorgeous and filled with wildlife (and tout a Level 1 travel advisory). From stunning beaches to maritime exploration to colonies of penguins (the islands are near Antarctica, after all), there is much outdoor beauty to enjoy and explore here.

Africa: Watch Out for Countries of Unrest

Dangerous countries: Somalia

The State Department views a number of African countries as unsafe for American travel.

In Somalia, there are reports of “schools” being used as “cultural rehabilitation" centers, holding people against their will with physical abuse rampant. In Mali, terrorist and armed groups have targeted night clubs, hotels, restaurants and other places frequented by visitors with attacks and kidnappings.

Kidnappings and murders of civilians are common in Central African Republic, while political and ethnic fighting in South Sudan is so pervasive, journalists have been killed in the line of duty. U.S. citizens and government officials are especially targeted in Libya, where kidnapping for ransom is commonplace.

Do Visit Namibia, Botswana and Zambia

African giraffe

Did the warnings in Africa scare you? If you have always dreamed of taking an African safari, don’t be shy.

Namibia, Botswana and Zambia, far removed from the aforementioned dangers, are in completely safe zones, according to the State Department. Home to national parks and multiple game preserves, the countries offer a chance to see lions, giraffes, zebras, elephants and more in their natural environment.

You'll find friendly tribes of bushmen still living the same way of life that their forefathers lived for centuries. Take the San Bushmen, for example, who have lived in Southern Africa for 80,000 years. Children in the tribes especially love meeting — and are fascinated by — foreigners. Visiting a tribe provides a cultural experience like no other.

Use Precaution in Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Congo and Guinea-Bissau

Students in Nigeria

Besides the countries marked absolutely unsafe to visit, there are several countries that have higher security risks, which Americans are urged to reconsider visiting. 

Niger is experiencing higher levels of crime and terrorism, and armed robbery is common. This is also the case in neighboring Nigeria, where civil unrest and piracy are on the rise. Do not visit Borno and Tobe states or the northern Adamawa state of Nigeria due to terrorism.

Minefields along the borders of Libya and Sudan make Chad unsafe, along with its carjackings, muggings and crime, also found in Mauritania.

Keep an Eye Open in Egypt and Ethiopia

Egyptian safari

Egypt and Ethiopia have also been upgraded to Level 3 travel advisories in recent years, mainly due to terrorism. Terrorist groups have targeted diplomatic facilities in Egypt as well as tourist locations and transportation hubs. Plus, the U.S. Embassy in Egypt has "limited ability to assist dual national U.S.-Egyptian citizens who are arrested."

Ethiopia's Addis Ababa state seems to be stable, but several other parts of the country are dealing with armed conflict and civil unrest, making it unwise to visit at this time.

Now Safe: Morocco and South Africa

Morocco

In recent years, the State Department has advised heightened precaution in Morocco due to reports of travelers being mugged and attacked. However, there were no terrorist attacks reported in 2019, as the African country doubled its number of arrests from 2018.

Precautions are still in order, and you shouldn’t let your guard down in the markets. You should also stay in heavily populated areas unless with a tour operator, and be respectful to locals. The people of Morocco aren’t thrilled with having their photo taken, and they expect foreigners to cover their skin when visiting.

With this awareness, you can safely visit this country that's home to staggering mountains, expansive desert and the bustling city of Marrakesh, which Winston Churchill once called "the last paradise on Earth." The same can be said for South Africa, which is also under a Level 2 travel advisory.

Middle East: Watch Out for War-Torn Countries

Dangerous Countries: Afghanistan

Unrest in the Middle East has been a way of life for quite some time, with Americans urged not to travel to Iran, Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, where wars continue to rage and religious freedom is not commonplace.

Kidnappings, hostage-taking, suicide bombings, and insurgent and terrorist attacks are at "critically high levels" in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq. In Iran, the arrest and detention of U.S. citizens is a frequent occurrence, the State Department warns.

The killing of Iran's top military commander as well as a major Iraqi militia leader  in January 2020 has led to increased airstrikes and attacks against U.S. citizens in Iraq, who are warned to stay away from the country. Public consular services at the U.S. Embassy remain suspended until further notice.

Do Visit Qatar

Pearl Qatar Porto Arabia

Not all of the Middle East is closed off to the west, and Qatar just proved that by hosting the 2022 World Cup. While extremely safe, the country's strict laws caused much criticism during the tournament.

Regardless, Qatar's increasing number of high-end resorts, shopping and over-the-top grandeur found in Doha make it a top tourism destination in this part of the world. While it may provide only a limited view of the complexities of the Middle East, it's a fascinating place to explore.

Use Precaution in the UAE, Turkey and Lebanon

Dangerous Turkey

While the United Arab Emirates was once perfectly safe, it has since been upgraded to a Level 3 travel advisory, encouraging American citizens to reconsider travel here. The possibility of attacks from rebel groups in nearby Yemen has become an increasing concern. Lebanon has similar issues, in that its coastal areas are safer than its borders. An advisory remains not to visit the borders of Syria, due to terrorism, and Israel, due to armed conflict. Refugee settlements from Syria also carry heightened concerns for conflict.

Borders are an issue in Turkey as well, where Syria and Iraq have been plotting terrorist attacks in highly populated areas such as shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, churches, sporting events, airports and more. However, Turkey has received a downgrade in its threat level and is deemed safer than the UAE and Lebanon. Turkey is now a Level 2 country, with travelers advised to exercise increased caution . 

Now Safe: Oman

Oman

Oman’s neighbors of Saudi Arabia and Yemen may be the reason some travelers don’t think the country is stable enough to visit. But actually, Oman is a neutral country that tries to avoid the conflicts of other Middle Eastern nations, and it currently carries only a Level 2 security risk from the travel advisory.

Crime is very rare in the country, and terrorism is relatively uncommon. Americans should avoid travel along the borders but can otherwise enjoy this country's 2,000-mile coastline along the Arabian Sea, Indian Sea and Gulf of Oman.

Other highlights can be found in the Sharqiya Sands desert and Jebel Shams mountains. The capital city of Muscat touts a fantastic golden-sand beach, beautiful mosques and palaces, and lively markets and shopping.

Asia: Watch Out for North Korea, China, Macau and Hong Kong

Dangerous Countries: North Korea

Spanning more than 57 million square miles in size, Asia offers endless travel possibilities. However, the government urges travelers to stay out of North Korea.

The U.S. does not have any official diplomatic relations with the country to assist with emergencies, and U.S. passport holders are not allowed to travel to, in or through North Korea without special validation from the Department of State, and these special validations are limited.

The China Travel Advisory still remains at a Level 3 due to its zero-tolerance approach to the coronavirus. Travelers should prepare to be tested for COVID upon arrival, with quarantines a strong possibility. Macau and Hong Kong also have Level 3 ratings for the same reason.

Do Visit Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan

Vietnam

Asia is an expansive continent, made up of nearly 50 countries that provide as many unique travel opportunities for wanderlusters. 

One of the safest countries is South Korea, with 5,000 years of history and an exotic, bustling capital city, Seoul. Another excellent choice? Taiwan, which was ruled by Japan for 50 years and by China since 1945, and offers a blend of both cultures.

There is no unusual need for caution when visiting Japan, a mix of old and new, home to thriving, fast-moving Tokyo and the temples and geisha culture of Kyoto.

Vietnam is also a combination of lush mountains and beautiful beaches paired with the historic Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong Delta.

Use Precaution in Azerbaijan, India, Nepal and Tajikistan

Bodhnath stupa

Overall, Asia is a welcoming and safe place for Americans. But travelers are asked to exercise a bit more caution in some areas. 

Nepal's slight increase in political violence has landed the normally safe country on the precautionary list. An increased risk of terrorism has also moved the nations of Azerbaijan, India and Tajikistan onto the list, with civil unrest taking place near the India-Pakistan border and the states of Jammu and Kashmir. It's advised that especially women should not travel alone.

Now Safe: Singapore

Street view of China town in Singapore

Singapore's strict laws have earned it a bad rap in the past, but as of Oct. 5, 2022, it's completely safe to travel to this city-state.

Its blend of cultures makes it particularly interesting and a haven for foodies looking to indulge in Indian, Chinese and Singaporean food. And don't forget to try the Singapore Sling in one of its famous, historic hotels.

Europe: Watch Out for Russia and Ukraine

Ukraine

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has landed both countries on the Level 4, "do not travel" list. American citizens traveling in either the European or Asian parts of Russia will have limited help from the U.S. Embassy, and they should note that U.S. credit and debit cards no longer work here. 

Of course, the active armed conflict in Ukraine also makes it a country that travelers should avoid until military attacks and civil unrest stop.

Do Visit Eastern Europe and Scandinavia

Norway

Terrorist attacks are not taking place in Eastern European countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia, which are all experiencing a boom in travel with more adventurous Europe-lovers branching deeper into the continent.

Switzerland's notorious gendarmerie, neutrality and wealth have kept the country on the safe list, and the country has not experienced any terrorist attacks.

Scandinavian countries, with the exception of Denmark, also appear on the State Department's clear list. Enjoy Norway, Finland and Sweden's natural beauty, as the countries are revered for their outdoor activities. In the winter months, hordes of tourists visit in hopes of catching the northern lights.

Use Precaution in Touristy Cities

Dangerous Nice

Terrorism targeting unsuspecting tourist areas in Europe has increased over the years. While formerly the alerts were in larger cities like Paris and London, more and more attacks have been occurring in cities such as Munich, as well as Nice, France and Manchester, England.

When visiting Western Europe, use caution if visiting crowded areas and public venues; stay aware of your surroundings and watch the news for any alerts, especially in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Belgium.

Now Safe: Albania

Albania

In the late 1990s, Albania went through a civil war that toppled its government. The war consisted of riots, civil unrest and deaths. Since then, Americans have been wary of traveling to the country.

You may be surprised to learn, then, that Albania is deemed a fairly safe country by the U.S. government, with low violent-crime rates and minimal attacks on foreigners. With a Level 2 advisory, more and more travelers are beginning to uncover this welcoming country along the Adriatic Sea on the Balkan Peninsula.

Like its northern neighbors of Croatia and Montenegro, Albania is filled with castles and archeological sites. This mix of history and stunning scenery, plus warm people, makes Albania a true uncovered gem.

Oceania: Watch Out for Papa New Guinea

Aerial of Reef and Islands in Papua New Guinea

The idyllic islands that makeup Papua New Guinea have a Level 3 travel advisory due to crime and civil unrest as well as volcanic activity.

Travelers should avoid Southern Bougainville and The Highlands region as well as remote parts of the country.

Do Visit Palau

Palau

The island nation of Palau is deemed a low-level threat to American visitors and is listed as a Level 1 country.

Visitors will want to snorkel its aquamarine waters, dotted with reefs and filled with underwater caves, or to kayak along its coastline. 

Use Precaution in Indonesia

Indonesia

Although the travel advisory for Oceania remains low, the U.S. State Department does feature a Level 2 alert to exercise increased caution in Indonesia.

Terrorism and natural disasters such as tsunamis, volcano eruptions and earthquakes are reasons for the extra precautions, although, in Central Sulawesi and Papua, civil unrest is also causing some trouble.

Visitors are advised to use caution when in crowded areas, nightclubs and bars, shopping areas and restaurants.

Now Safe: New Zealand

New Zealand

The terror attack on a mosque in New Zealand in March 2019 scarred a country renowned for its hospitality. While the attack reminded people around the world that such horrors can take place in even the most beautiful settings, the country reacted quickly to ensure foreigners would continue to feel safe and welcome, including by implementing a successful gun buyback program . 

The country’s outstanding natural landscape is ideal for outdoor-loving travelers looking to hike, mountain bike, kayak, fish and more. The capital city of Wellington and exciting city of Christ Church offer many modern luxuries, while guests should make an effort to meet and interact with the Maori, who love to show off Polynesian dances, songs and traditions.

Bottom Line: See the World

Detailed Political World Map with Names of Cities, Rivers, Lakes, Islands etc.

Remember, some vacations may be about relaxation, but travel at its best is an immersive experience. It can be rewarding to seek out new experiences and get uncomfortable. But take precautions to make sure you have a good time and get home safely.

Trust yourself and stay aware of your surroundings, and you'll find plenty of places to explore in this complicated world that contains ample risks and rewards. 

Atlas & Boots

The UK's most popular outdoor travel blog

Barbed wire at a dangerous border crossing

Ranked: most dangerous countries in the world 2024

The most dangerous countries in the world to visit in 2024 have been updated in the latest Travel Risk Map

The most dangerous countries to visit in 2024 are Afghanistan, the Central African Republic , Iraq, Libya, Mali , Somalia, South Sudan, Syria , Ukraine and Yemen according to the latest Travel Risk Map , an interactive tool produced by security specialists at  International SOS .

The map is used to predict the safest and, conversely, the least safe countries in the world to visit and has four layers in total covering a country’s security risk, medical risk, and the impact of the pandemic on travel and domestic operations.

For the security layer of the map, countries are indexed according to their travel security risk rating, which uses five risk definitions : insignificant, low, medium, high and extreme.

International SOS uses several criteria to assess how the conditions in the country may impact visitors’ safety and security.

map of the most dangerous countries 2024

These include the threat posed to travellers by political violence (including terrorism, insurgency, politically motivated unrest and war), social unrest (including sectarian, communal and ethnic violence) and violent and petty crime.

Other factors assessed include transport infrastructure, the capability of security and emergency services, and the threat of natural disasters. It’s also possible to use the map to assess medical risk and road safety standards around the world.

MOST DANGEROUS COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD

These are the nine most dangerous countries in the world according to International SOS. They have been assessed as carrying an ‘extreme travel security risk’.

  • Afghanistan
  • Central African Republic
  • South Sudan

most dangerous countries in the world lead image with barbed wire

The most dangerous countries in the world include Ukraine, where Russia launched an invasion in February 2022; Afghanistan, which saw the Taliban take over in August 2021 as foreign forces pulled out of the country; Syria, which has been embroiled in civil war since 2011; and Yemen, which has also been mired in a years-long civil war leading to the deaths of thousands and a major humanitarian crisis .

Despite ongoing instability in Mali – which saw the UNESCO-listed historic city of Timbuktu taken under siege by jihadists in September 2023 – the West African nation has been reassessed as ‘high security risk’ as opposed to ‘extreme’.

“Government control and law and order may be minimal or non-existent across large areas. Serious threat of violent attacks by armed groups targeting travellers and international assignees. Government and transport services are barely functional. Large parts of the country are inaccessible to foreigners.” International SOS

In October 2023, Israel launched an invasion of the Gaza Strip in Palestine after a surprise Hamas attack on southern Israel led to the death of 1,200 people and 240 hostages. As of 16 February 2024, the retaliatory campaign has killed over 28,000 Palestinians. To date, International SOS has not updated the map to reflect this.

A close-up of the Middle East

SAFEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD

At the other end of the spectrum, the following 18 countries or territories have been assessed as carrying an ‘insignificant travel security risk’ to travellers and therefore the safest countries to visit.

  • American Samoa
  • Liechtenstein
  • Marshall Islands
  • Switzerland

Sant Esteve church in Andorra

“Rates of violent crime are very low. There is no significant political violence or civil unrest and little sectarian, communal, racial or targeted violence against foreigners. Security and emergency services are effective and infrastructure is sound. Transport services are of a high standard with good safety records and only occasional travel disruption. Industrial action affecting essential services is rare.” International SOS

Complete rankings

Most countries in Europe along with the USA , Australia , New Zealand and Canada  have been assessed as carrying a ‘low travel security risk’. Ukraine is the only European country categorised as a ‘high’ or ‘extreme’ security risk.

Many countries in Asia and the Middle East including Jordan , Oman , Singapore, Japan , China , South Korea , Vietnam , Malaysia and Brunei are considered ‘low risk’.

The most dangerous countries in Asia are Afghanistan and Pakistan ; and Syria, Iraq and Yemen in the Middle East.

The most dangerous countries in Africa are the Central African Republic, Libya, Somalia and South Sudan. In the Americas, Haiti , Honduras and Venezuela are considered ‘high security risk’.

EXTREME (15) Afghanistan Central African Republic Iraq Libya Somalia South Sudan Syria Ukraine Yemen

HIGH (15) Burkina Faso DR Congo Egypt Ethiopia Haiti Honduras Mali Myanmar Nigeria Pakistan Papua New Guinea Venezuela

MEDIUM (68) Algeria Angola Bahrain Bangladesh Belize Bolivia Brazil Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Chad Colombia Comoros Congo Costa Rica Djibouti Dominican Republic East Timor El Salvador Eritrea Fiji Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana India India Indonesia Iran Israel Ivory Coast Jamaica Kazakhstan Kenya Korea, North Kosovo Kyrgyzstan Laos Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Madagascar Mauritania Mexico Mongolia Mozambique Myanmar Nepal Nicaragua Niger Peru Philippines Russia Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone Solomon Islands South Africa Sri Lanka Sudan Swaziland (Eswatini) Tajikistan Tanzania Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Uganda Ukraine Zimbabwe

LOW (91) Albania Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Barbados Belarus Belgium Benin Bhutan Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brunei Bulgaria Canada Chile China Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Dominica Ecuador Equatorial Guinea Estonia France Gabon The Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Hungary Ireland Italy Japan Jordan Korea, South Kuwait Latvia Lithuania Macedonia Malawi Malaysia Maldives Malta Mauritius Micronesia Moldova Monaco Montenegro Morocco Namibia Netherlands New Zealand Oman Panama Palau Paraguay Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Rwanda Saint Kitts & Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Senegal Serbia Singapore Slovakia Spain Suriname Sweden Taiwan Thailand Tonga UAE United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City Vietnam Zambia

INSIGNIFICANT (17) Andorra Cape Verde Denmark Finland Greenland Iceland Kiribati Liechtenstein Luxembourg Marshall Islands Nauru Norway San Marino Seychelles Slovenia Switzerland Turks & Caicos Tuvalu

The full interactive map by International SOS can be accessed here .

More rankings and articles can be found in our  remote work  area: ►  Best cities in the world ► Countries with the best healthcare in the world ►  World’s worst countries to drive in ►  Most peaceful countries in the world ►  Best countries for women ►  Poorest countries in the world – ranked ►  Happiest countries in the world ►  World’s most powerful passport ►  Countries with the fastest internet in the world ►  Most stressed countries in the world ►  Most expensive cities for expats ►  World’s most democratic countries

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most dangerous countries

The 10 Most Dangerous Countries for U.S. Travelers

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Tim Winship

After 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship .

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If you were to judge solely by the number of travel advisories issued by the U.S. State Department, Mexico would be the world’s most danger-prone country for U.S. overseas travelers. Indeed, far more Americans have been killed in Mexico — 598 between 2009 and 2016 — than in any other country. Afghanistan, where 84 Americans were killed during the same period, is a distant second.

But that doesn’t mean Mexico is the most dangerous country, because the raw data doesn’t account for the fact that vastly more Americans visit Mexico than Afghanistan. What’s needed is an analysis that puts deaths in the context of travel volume.

With that in mind, data.world looked at the number of Americans killed in other countries compared to the number of American visitors to those same countries. Ranking countries according to the number of deaths per 100,000 visitors yields the following most-dangerous-10 list, from most to least risky:

1. Pakistan 2. Thailand 3. Philippines 4. Haiti 5. Honduras 6. Nigeria 7. Belize 8. Guyana 9. Egypt 10. Mexico

In a perfect world, the number of State Department warnings might be expected to roughly mirror the above ranking. If, for example, Americans are 421 percent more likely to be killed in Pakistan than in Mexico, as the data shows, the State Department should be issuing a correspondingly higher number of Pakistan advisories than Mexico advisories. In fact, between 2009 and 2017, 28 Mexico warnings were issued, versus 25 for Pakistan.

Indeed, the connection between real danger and State Department advisories is spotty overall. In some cases, the State Department gets it right. But elsewhere, they fail to provide appropriate warnings. For Belize, Guyana, and Guatemala, for example, no warnings were issued between 2009 and 2017, in spite of the relatively high levels of danger in those countries. And many other countries get more warnings than are justified by the actual death risk.

The takeaway from the data.world study is that travelers shouldn’t rely on State Department advisories when assessing a country’s safety quotient. They’re as likely to over- or understate the risk as they are to get it right. And for the State Department, the disconnect between warnings and actual risk should prompt them to reassess how they choose which countries to warn citizens about, and how often they issue those warnings.

Reader Reality Check

Do you factor the risk of violent death into your planning when choosing which countries to visit?

More from SmarterTravel:

  • America’s 10 Most Dangerous Cities
  • 5 Dangerous Places to Take a Selfie
  • State Department Bans Americans from Traveling to North Korea

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UPDATED: Americans can now visit 112 countries and territories — here’s the complete list

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The United States has had one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the world, with more than 36.6 million cases and 621,253 deaths as of Aug.15, 2021, according to Johns Hopkins University . Despite a new surge in cases from the delta variant, travelers are again exploring the world.

Indeed, the welcome mat that had been rolled up for Americans for much of 2020 is now back in place, and more than 110 countries and territories have reopened to U.S. tourists, including Iceland, which began allowing in vaccinated U.S. travelers as of April 6, 2021, and Greece, which did the same as of April 19, 2021. France opened to fully vaccinated tourists as of June 9, 2021, Spain began welcoming fully vaccinated Americans on June 7, 2021 and Denmark reopened to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens on June 5, 2021 .

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

So what else is open? The full list is below. We included two U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and the USVI) among our destinations. Mexico, Central America and most islands in the Caribbean are also open to tourists, with varying degrees of testing and quarantine required — from no testing or quarantine in Mexico, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic to pre-travel testing and 14-day resort quarantine in St. Lucia.

Unfortunately, many South American countries are currently COVID-19 hot spots, as are India and several other nations in Asia. Most of Oceania remains off limits (but French Polynesia has reopened to Americans ). Europe has also now mostly reopened to Americans. Even England is now open to Americans.

Related: A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery

Be sure to consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , U.S. State Department and local U.S. Embassy websites, and read restrictions for U.S. residents carefully before planning a trip.

Which places are open for Americans?

COVID-19 test required: No

Other restrictions: Daily 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew; masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces.

What's open: Most businesses, beaches and restaurants and cafes have reopened (but restaurants can offer takeout and delivery only during curfew hours).

Commercial flights returned to Albania in June 2020, and the government lifted all restrictions on tourism on July 1, 2020. There are no testing requirements for visitors, but a health screening at the airport is mandatory. If a passenger has COVID-19 symptoms and/or a fever, they may be required to undergo testing and a government quarantine. As the U.S. Embassy in Albania notes, "Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice."

For details on PCR or rapid antigen testing requirements (as of January 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Albania is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution . Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Albania.

Related: 5 reasons to visit Albania

COVID-19 test required: Yes

• Three to five days (72 to 120 hours) before departure, again upon arrival and a third time on day 7 or 14 (if not vaccinated) • PCR test required (including infants and toddlers)

Other restrictions: Travel Authorization is required for short-stay tourists and anyone seeking to work from Anguilla. Each individual traveler (including children) needs an authorization, and travelers entering/transferring via Dutch St. Maarten also must complete St. Maarten's health screening application form and pre-arrange boat or air travel to Anguilla. Quarantine/movement restrictions for seven to 14 days (depending on country of origin and vaccination status) and additional on-island testing are required; all travelers need health insurance valid in Anguilla.

Beginning July 1, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers will be able to visit Anguilla without having to pay fees, have travel health insurance or quarantine.

What's open: Anguilla has certified many resorts, restaurants and activities for Safe Environment use by tourists.

Anguilla is, once again, welcoming pre-approved travelers as of May 25, 2021, following a month-long suspension on all entries. Travelers must follow step-by-step instructions involving authorization, hotel and transfer reservations, and testing. However, with the reopening, quarantine time has been reduced to seven days for fully vaccinated travelers who are at least three weeks past their final dose, and that will be lifted as of July 1.

The government recommends starting the application process at least seven days before your intended travel date. All visitors seeking a short-term stay or a work-from-Anguilla arrangement need to seek a Travel Authorization (each individual traveler, including children, must get an authorization; the fee is $300 for an individual, plus $200 for any additional person on the application), provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken three to five days (72-120 hours) before departure and then undergo a temperature check and take another test upon arrival.

For unvaccinated travelers, a third test on day 7 or 14 (depending on where the traveler is from) is also required. The U.S. is a high-prevalence country, so a 14-day stay in your resort "bubble" is required until the second on-island test results are received. Multigenerational families and/or groups with a mix of unvaccinated and vaccinated persons will all have to quarantine for a 10-day period, utilizing only approved short-stay services.

Guests must stay in place at their accommodations until receiving their second on-island test result or use Safe Environment-approved ground transportation to visit Safe Environment-certified restaurants or participate in Safe Environment-approved activities. See FAQs here .

Travel health insurance that covers COVID-19 and is valid in Anguilla is also required for unvaccinated travelers. In addition, travelers entering/transferring via Dutch St. Maarten must complete St. Maarten's health screening application form and prearrange boat or air travel to Anguilla.

For details on PCR or rapid antigen testing requirements (as of January 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here . Note: Many resorts in the Caribbean are offering on-site COVID-19 PCR and rapid antigen tests to their guests.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Anguilla is Level 1: Excercise Normal Precautions . Visit the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean , which oversees Anguilla, for additional information.

Antigua and Barbuda

Ffryers Bay in Antigua. Image by Ian Rogers Photography / Getty Images.

• Seven days before departure • PCR test required (for all travelers 12 and older)

Other restrictions: All travelers must stay at a certified property, where they will quarantine and be monitored for COVID-19 for up to 14 days, (As of May 14, 2021, travelers who are two weeks past having completed vaccination must only quarantine for seven days .) Further testing upon arrival or at the place of lodging is required as determined by the Health Authorities (cost: $100 per person); there is an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.

What's open: Beaches from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. (music, alcohol and parties prohibited), as well as certified hotels, excursions and restaurants. Bars had been closed, but a phased reopening started on May 19, 2021.

Antiqua and Barbuda reopened to tourists on June 4, 2020, and American Airlines has resumed flights there. However, according to the islands' latest Travel Advisory , visitors must complete a health declaration form, stay in certified accommodations and only book certified tours . They must also adhere to social distancing guidelines, including face masks in public. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to $5,000 XCD ($1,850) and/or imprisonment for up to six months.

The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly canceled an early June 2020 trip to Antigua but eventually was able to reschedule.

  View this post on Instagram   AMAZING NEWS- Scientists discovered a way to reduce #covid19 transmission by 70% and its called wear a damn mask when you're in public ?????? #antigua #travel #thepointsguy #wearamask A post shared by Brian Kelly (@briankelly) on Jun 27, 2020 at 6:02pm PDT

For details on PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of January 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here . Note: Many resorts in the Caribbean are offering on-site COVID-19 PCR and rapid antigen tests to their guests.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Antigua and Barbuda is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions . Visit the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean , which oversees Antigua and Barbuda, for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Antigua and Barbuda.

Sign up for TPG's weekly newsletter written by Brian Kelly.

COVID-19 test required: Yes (unless fully vaccinated)

• 72 hours before arrival (or submit to a test upon arrival) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Passengers who opt to test upon arrival (cost: $40) are required to self-isolate until they receive the result (usually within 24 hours). Face masks are required in all public spaces and on public transportation; violators could face fines of 10,000 dram ($19).

What's open: Most hotels, businesses and public transportation.

Armenia is welcoming visitors arriving via Zvartnots International Airport (EVN). Visitors can travel to the country without restrictions, and there is no curfew in place. Travelers older than one year are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken with 72 hours of arrival. U.S. travelers who are two weeks or more past completing their COVID-19 vaccination can present vaccination documentation instead of a test result.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Armenia is Level 3: Reconsider Travel . Visit the U.S. Embassy in Armenia website for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Armenia.

Aruba December 2017. (Photo by Clint Hederson/The Points Guy)

• 12 to 72 hours before departure (or test upon arrival) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: All travelers (including children and infants) must submit an online Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) card within 72 to four hours prior to travel and purchase visitors insurance from the nation of Aruba, which covers up to $75,000 in health expenses (cost: $30 for travelers age 15 and older and $10 for those 14 and younger). Masks must be carried at all times and worn in all indoor public spaces, including casinos.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses, although they are subject to capacity restrictions. Nightclubs are closed, but beach bars, hotel bars and restaurant bars are open; casinos are open with safety measures in place and 1 a.m. closure time as of June 9, 2021. Details on restrictions can be found here .

Aruba began welcoming American travelers on July 10, 2020, following the admittance of visitors from Europe on July 1, 2020. As part of the required online ED card process, travelers 15 and older must provide a certified negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 12 to 72 hours of travel to Aruba or take a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival ($75) and quarantine in their hotel room until receiving a negative result (typically within 24 hours). Testing requirements can be found here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Aruba is Level 4: Do Not Travel . Visit the website of the U.S. Consulate General in Curacao , which overseas Aruba, for additional information.

(Photo courtesy Knight Frank)

COVID-19 test required: Yes (vaccinated travelers are exempt from testing as of May 1, 2021)

• Five days (120 hours) before arrival • PCR test required

Other restrictions: All U.S. visitors, even those who are fully vaccinated, must purchase a "Bahamas Health Visa" (choose international) prior to arrival ($40 or $70, depending on length of stay; minors 17 and younger added to an adult's visa), as well as health insurance, and upload negative pre-travel test results into the online visa form. (Travelers who are two weeks or more past completing vaccination must upload proof of vaccination .)

A second rapid antigen test is required for any unvaccinated traveler staying more than four nights/five days. Unvaccinated travelers must also self-report through the completion of a daily health questionnaire for a period of 14 days or the duration of stay (whichever is shorter). Face masks are mandatory in all public settings (excluding the beach); violators are subject to a $200 fine for not wearing a mask and $1,000 for not taking the second test (with one-month imprisonment also possible).

There are nightly curfews from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Nassau/Paradise Island and 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Grand Bahama. In addition, all inter-island travel requires the completion of another online health application (choose domestic) and a negative test (for unvaccinated travelers).

What's open: Hotels, restaurants and most businesses and attractions are operating, with social distancing measures in place; conditions may vary from island to island, requiring increased restrictions. (Only outdoor dining and takeout/delivery are allowed at restaurants on Nassau and Paradise Island.)

After hitting several speed bumps in its reopening — first opening up in July 2020, then shutting down again — the Bahamas has fully reopened to international travelers, including Americans. There are still a few hurdles for visitors, but the process is fairly straightforward . Complete details on pre-arrival requirements, including the Bahamas Health Visa, can be found here .

Related: Bahamas reopening

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Bahamas is Level 3: Reconsider Travel . Visit the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas website for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in the Bahamas.

Related: Bahamas making it easier to visit; everything US citizens need to know

COVID-19 test required: Yes (for non-vaccinated travelers before travel and for vaccinated travelers upon arrival)

• 48 hours before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: All travelers must download the BeAware Bahrain app , and nonvaccinated passengers must quarantine for 10 days on arrival at their own residence or at a government-designated hotel. All travelers must submit to and pay for a test upon arrival and another on day 10 (cost: 36 Bahraini dinars/$95), with steep fines of 1,000 Bahraini Dinars/$2,645 to 10,000 dinars/$26,500 and possible jail time for noncompliance. Any positive test results will necessitate quarantine at a government facility until a clean bill of health is received; face masks are mandatory in all public spaces (with a 20 Bahraini dinar/$53 fine for noncompliance).

What's open: Most hotels and businesses. Indoor dining and other indoor (and large outdoor) activities are restricted to those who are fully vaccinated.

U.S. travelers have been permitted to receive a visa upon arrival and enter Bahrain since September 4, 2020. While non-vaccinated travelers must undergo a pre-travel test 48 hours before departure and receive a QR code, travelers vaccinated in the United States with approved vaccination certificates do not need to pre-test. But like non-vaccinated travelers, they will undergo a PCR test at their own expense on arrival and on day 10 in Bahrain. They are, however, exempt from quarantine and will be given a certification card for use within Bahrain.

The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain reports that flight schedules are reduced and remain subject to cancellation. Visitors should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into place with little or no advance notice.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bahrain is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Bahrain.

• 72 hours before departure to Bangladesh and also 72 hours prior to departure from Bangladesh • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Travelers must have existing Bangladeshi visas (as long as they have not yet expired, they can be renewed); all visitors in possession of a negative test result must still undergo "home quarantine" in their accommodations for 14 days.

What's open: With COVID-19 cases and deaths reaching record highs, the country entered a national lockdown on April 5, 2021 (through at least June 16, 2021) and suspended international flights through April 2021 (limited flights resumed on June 1, 2021). During lockdown, public transportation is limited, all tourist sites are closed, and most businesses are closed or have limited hours.

Bangladesh is open to U.S. travelers, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh, which notes there is a countrywide lockdown through at least mid-June 2021 after the country experienced record cases and deaths in April and early May. The U.S. is considered a Group C country, and all travelers 10 and older must present written proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel upon arrival in Bangladesh, followed by 14 days of home/self-quarantine. Authorities will also collect health information cards and conduct temperature screenings. Further, travelers are required to produce a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departing the country.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bangladesh is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

• 72 hours before arrival (plus testing while in Barbados) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Travelers must complete an online immigration and customs form at least 24 hours before arrival in Barbados ; all visitors must then board approved transportation to their resort and unvaccinated travelers must quarantine in their rooms for seven days as they await results of a PCR test taken on day five. As of May 8, 2021 , travelers who are two weeks or more past completing vaccination — and who have not traveled through countries of special consideration (South Africa, Brazil or India) within the past 21 days — will need to show proof of vaccination, be tested upon arrival and only need to remain at their preapproved accommodations until receiving a negative result (one to two days). Then they are free to move around the island.

What's open: Most hotels, but hotel restaurants are open for room service only for quarantining guests. Beaches are now open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. for swimming or exercise only. Indoor dining has resumed, but bar capacity is capped at 50%. There is an 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew from Thursday night to Monday morning.

Barbados reopened to international travelers on July 12, 2020. JetBlue resumed commercial flights from the U.S. on July 25, 2020, and American Airlines on August 5, 2020. In mid-November, Barbados announced a partnership with Stage Zero Life Sciences for pretravel testing for U.S. visitors (required for everyone ages 5 and older).

As of May 8, 2021, all unvaccinated travelers must:

  • Have proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test from an accredited laboratory taken within 72 hours prior to departure, which is required for travelers age 5 and older from countries of all risk levels.
  • Within 24 hours before traveling to Barbados, complete an online immigration/customs form (or use the BIMSAFE app ) with personal health questions relating to COVID-19 symptoms and upload their negative COVID-19 test results.
  • Board transport to their preapproved accommodations (for a minimum of seven nights) and agree to in-room quarantine (no beach or leaving the property) for five days until they take a second PCR test and receive a negative result (available within another 48 hours). They must also self-monitor for symptoms for seven days, including daily temperature checks (bring a thermometer) and report them via the app or to public health teams who will call or text.

As of May 8, 2021, all fully vaccinated travelers must:

  • Provide official proof of vaccination.
  • Take a COVID-19 rapid PCR test upon arrival in Barbados, either at the airport or at their preapproved accommodation.
  • Board approved transport to their government-approved accommodations to await their arrival test results (typically within 48 hours) before ending their on-property quarantine.

Complete details on protocols can be found here .

Related: Barbados wants you to move there and work remotely

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Barbados is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Information on Barbados' response to coronavirus and any updates to its protocols can be found on the government website . You can also visit the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean website for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Barbados.

• 72 hours before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: A 10-day quarantine is required for all travelers from "red zone" countries, which include the U.S. Travelers must complete their quarantine in Belarus and will not be allowed to leave the country until doing so. Americans also require a visa for entry and must submit a health questionnaire and undergo temperature checks upon arrival.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses are open; there are neither curfews nor restrictions on movement throughout the country.

Belarus is in the middle of a popular uprising against the man called the "last dictator in Europe," and the country's government set off international furor on May 23, 2021, when it ordered the diversion of a Ryanair flight traveling from Greece to Lithuania in order to arrest a journalist. The CDC also places the country at Level 3: High Level of COVID-19 , so it might not be the best time to visit. However, since August 15, 2020, the country bordering Russia is open to American tourists.

U.S. travelers are only allowed to enter via Minsk National Airport (MSQ), according to the U.S. Embassy in Belarus . Land borders are currently closed to U.S. citizens.

For details on PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of January 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Belarus is Level 4: Do Not Travel.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Belarus.

Other restrictions: Travelers must complete a passenger health locator form

What's open: Most establishments are open; public transportation is operating with a mask requirement

Belgium reopened to American travelers on June 21. There are no testing or vaccination requirements because the U.S. has been designated as an "orange" country as part of Belgium's color-coding initiative to assess COVID-19 risk for incoming travelers.

Travelers from the U.S. and other countries designated as orange or green — according to the Belgian Embassy — just need to complete a passenger health locator form within two days before arrival to enter the country.

Travelers who have been in a "red" country within two weeks of travel to Belgium are subject to testing and quarantine requirements.

Most businesses and restaurants in Belgium are open with restrictions. However, take note that the CDC has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Belgium, which means that there is a high level of COVID-19 in the country.

A reader told TPG, "Ecolog is running the two testing facilities in BRU (departure and arrival). I paid 55€ for a rapid 15 minute Antigen test for the return to the U.S." Link here: https://brusselsairport.ecocare.center/ .

For details on new PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of Jan. 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Belgium is Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to COVID-19.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Belgium.

One of the most famous diving spots in the world is Belize's Blue Hole. (Photo via Shutterstock)

COVID-19 test required: Yes (but not for fully vaccinated travelers)

• 96 hours before departure for PCR tests or 48 hours before departure for rapid antigen tests (Sophia, SD Biosensor and Abbott Panbio only) • Testing upon arrival is also possible at a cost of $50

Other restrictions: All travelers must download the Belize Health App and complete the required information within 72 hours of their flight to Belize. They must also present a confirmed booking at one of Belize's Gold Standard hotels. If a traveler tests positive upon arrival in Belize, they will be required to quarantine at a Ministry of Health-approved hotel for a minimum of 14 days at their own expense. Face masks are required in public spaces, and social distancing is practiced.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses are open, and there are no regional travel restrictions, but travelers are encouraged to stay within Belize's "Safe Corridors" and to use Gold Standard tour operators and dine at approved restaurants. There is currently a nightly curfew from 10 p.m. to 4:59 a.m., and restaurants are open for outdoor dining and takeout/delivery only.

Belize's Philip Goldson International Airport (BEZ) reopened on August 15, 2020, and tourism to Belize resumed on October 1, 2020, with travel requirements and restrictions in place. The latest updates can be found here .

Related: Planning your trip to Belize during coronavirus

As of March 13, 2021, anyone who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can visit without pre-travel testing by presenting proof of vaccine completion at least two weeks prior to arrival.

All visitors must also stay at one of the country's full-service hotels or resorts that have received the Belize Tourism Gold Standard Certificate of Recognition — and arrive with a confirmed reservation. Among the requirements for Gold Standard designation are transportation provided to and from the airport, a restaurant on the property and strict cleanliness protocols.

For details on PCR or rapid antigen testing requirements (as of January 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here . Note: Many resorts in the Caribbean region are offering on-site COVID-19 PCR and rapid antigen tests to their guests.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Belize is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution . Additional information is available on the U.S. Embassy in Belize website.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Belize.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, upon arriving and departing Benin (must be pre-booked at cost of 50,000 CFA, or $92)

Other restrictions: Travelers are encouraged to self-isolate for 14 days.

What's open: Businesses and transportation are operating normally; there is no curfew.

Benin is welcoming international travelers via Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport (COO), which is operating at close to pre-pandemic levels, according to the U.S. Embassy in Benin . To enter the West African country, travelers will need to apply for an eVisa and, upon arrival, undergo both a COVID-19 rapid test and a PCR test; testing is also required prior to departure from Benin. A positive rapid test upon arrival will result in quarantine until receiving a negative PCR result. All travelers are encouraged to self-isolate for 14 days. Anyone staying longer than 15 days must also undergo a third test. If all testing is negative, no quarantine is required.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Benin is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Benin.

Fly United between Bermuda and Newark. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

• Five days (120 hours) before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: All travelers must complete the online Bermuda Travel Authorization process within 72 to 25 hours of departure for the island. A $75 fee per traveler covers the cost of required on-island testing. (Children 9 and younger are exempt from testing, and their Travel Authorization fee is $30.) All travelers must also have health insurance that's valid in Bermuda and which covers treatment of COVID-19. They must test again upon arrival, as well as on days four, eight and 14 of their visit; face masks are required in public spaces.

Note: Fully immunized travelers must quarantine only until receiving their arrival test results (generally 24 hours or less). They are then are free to explore and do not have to wear wristbands, but they still must test on days four, eight and 14 (if their stay is that long). Details are here .

What's open: Most hotels and businesses, subject to social distancing requirements. As of April 20, 2021, there is an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, and restaurants are open for takeout and delivery only.

Bermuda reopened to tourists, including to Americans, on July 1, 2020. There are strict protocols to follow, both before and after arrival. For details on the process, check the Travel Authorization FAQ .

Within five days of departure, visitors age 10 and older are required to take a COVID-19 PCR test. Children who are 9 and younger are exempt but are subject to their adult travel companion's quarantine. Children 10 to 17 must receive parental consent to be tested, and if consent is denied, young travelers must quarantine for 14 days on arrival. Negative test results must be entered as part of the online travel authorization process and be presented upon arrival in Bermuda.

Related: Bermuda opened to Americans July 1, 2020

All travelers must also take a mandatory second COVID-PCR test upon arrival in the airport and self-quarantine in their accommodations until receiving results (generally 24 hours or less). Visitors must also submit to subsequent tests on days four, eight and 14 of their visit (if their stay is that long).

Health insurance covering illness and injury outside of home jurisdiction, including those related to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis while in Bermuda, is required. If proper insurance is not obtained, visitors will be responsible for all health and accommodation costs should they require treatment for COVID-19 and/or quarantine.

Related: Visiting Bermuda with kids

Visitors to Bermuda are also required to pack thermometers to record their temperatures twice a day and, if not yet immunized, wear a series of Traveller Wristbands for the first 14 days of their stay, which will remind them to be careful of their movements (restricted by color). Removal of the wristband will result in a fine of $500 and home quarantine with an electronic monitoring bracelet. More information on coronavirus in Bermuda can be found here.

For details on PCR or rapid antigen testing requirements (as of January 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here . Many resorts in the Caribbean have begun offering on-property rapid antigen and PCR tests to guests prior to departure for the U.S., so check your resort's policy before traveling.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bermuda is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution . The U.S. Consulate General in Bermuda website has additional information.

More reading: New resort and hotel options in Bermuda

COVID-19 test required : Yes

Other restrictions: American travelers need a tourist visa is (available at any Bolivian land or air border or at the Bolivian Consulate in the U.S. for $160). All arriving passengers must also submit a sworn statement of location of stay within Bolivia, undergo temperature checks and health screenings, quarantine for 10 days and take another PCR test seven days after arrival (at the traveler's cost). Those who do not have permanent residence in Bolivia must have health insurance with coverage for COVID-19 valid in the country.

What's open: Most businesses and public transportation are operating.

Bolivia had been off-limits to Americans until recently, but the country is again welcoming U.S visitors. The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bolivia, however, is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

All passengers must also submit a certified negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their flights (except children 5 years and younger) and quarantine for at least 10 days after entering Bolivia (diplomats exempt), with a PCR test on day seven. The wearing of face masks in public places is mandatory, and social distancing requirements remain in effect. There is no curfew, and there are no restrictions on intercity travel.

The U.S. Embassy in Bolivia reports that commercial flights have resumed — Boliviana de Aviacion (BoA) airline has periodic flights between La Paz and Miami — but travelers should expect that additional restrictions affecting international travel could be put in place with little advance notice.

For details on PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of Janiaru 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Bolivia.

• 72 hours before arrival • PCR test required (plus a negative rapid Antigen test taken no more than 24 hours prior to arrival)

• A negative COVID-19 NAAT test taken within 24 hours of departure

Other restrictions: All travelers must complete a health declaration form 48 hours prior to departure for Bonaire. Having travel insurance valid in Bonaire is recommended but not required.

What's open: Most businesses and public transportation are open, with social distancing measures in place. Bonaire enacted Phase 6-level lockdown measures for two weeks beginning March 18, 2021, after a surge in cases. Most restrictions and a curfew were lifted on April 23, 2021.

Americans are welcome to visit Bonaire , but because the U.S. is considered a high-risk country, all travelers 13 and older are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival and undergo a rapid antigen test taken upon arrival. Another option is a negative COVID-19 NAAT test taken within 24 hours of departure. All travelers must also complete a health declaration form .

Face masks are required in the airport and on public transportation.

Delta Airlines, American Airlines and United Airlines are scheduled to resume regular service to Bonaire in June 2021, with the first flights occurring on June 5, 2021.

For more information on health and safety protocols in Bonaire, check here . You can also visit the website of the U.S. Consulate General in Curacao , which oversees Bonaire.

For details on PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of January 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here . Many resorts in the Caribbean have begun offering on-property rapid antigen and PCR tests to guests prior to departure for the U.S., so check your resort's policy before traveling.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bonaire is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Bosnia and Herzegovina

• 48 hours before arrival • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Face masks are required in all public spaces.

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants and other businesses

Bosnia and Herzegovina reopened to international travelers on Sept. 13, 2020, and Americans can visit, although the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to report that the country is currently experiencing a high number of COVID-19 cases.

A negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of arrival is required to enter. According to the U.S. Embassy, requirements and restrictions may change with little or no advance notice.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bosnia and Herzegovina is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

• 72 hours before departure for Botswana (and also 72 before departure from Botswana) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Health screening and rapid Antigen test upon entry; a negative test is also required to exit the country.

What's open: Some businesses, many safari lodges and Chobe National Park; some transportation within Botswana is limited; restaurants are open at reduced capacity.

Botswana , one of Africa's top safari destinations, is open to American tourists. A visa is not required, but the U.S. State Department's advisory for Botswana is Level 4: Do Not Travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Botswana due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Botswana , limited commercial flights to Botswana are available through South Africa and Ethiopia and some charter flights to Kasane and Maun may be available (check with tour companies operating in Botswana). The U.S. banned travel from South Africa (for non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents) on Jan. 30, 2021, due to the COVID-19 variant circulating there, so flight schedules transiting through South Africa may be more limited or subject to change.

All passengers must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel to Botswana; quarantine is not required.

All passengers must also present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their departure from Botswana, which parallels a Jan. 26, U.S. requirement that everyone aged two and older traveling to the U.S. from Botswana must show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights. Details are available here .

Gaborone has a 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew in place until further notice. Permits are required to travel between any of Botswana's nine zones and are restricted to essential travel. Tourism is considered essential, but additional COVID-19 testing may be required to travel between zones.

There are fines for non-compliance of Botswana's mask mandate and other restrictions.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Botswana.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil May 2018. (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)

Other restrictions: Passengers must complete a Traveler's Health Declaration form.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses; the Brazilian government has imposed very few restrictions.

Brazil has the third highest number of coronavirus cases in the world—and the second-highest number of deaths, after the United States—and throughout March and April 2021 experienced record-high surges in cases, topping 4,000 deaths in a single day, because of a troubling new COVID-19 variant that has caused many countries, including the U.S., to ban entry of travelers from Brazil.

Brazil lifted its own travel ban on foreigners at the end of July 2020 and tourists are welcome. However, the U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Brazil and the U.S. Embassy in Brazil continues to recommend that all travelers who do choose to go to Brazil purchase insurance before departing the United States even though Brazil no longer requires proof of health insurance to enter the country.

Since December 2020, all travelers aged 12 and older arriving in Brazil by air, both tourists and residents, must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to boarding and complete a Traveler's Health Declaration form.

Brazilians are currently not allowed to travel to the U.S., which has also banned entry by foreign nationals who have been to Brazil in the past 14 days.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Brazil.

The British Virgin Islands

• 120 hours before departure (and twice while in the BVI) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: All visitors must register no later than 48 hours of travel; take a second PCR test upon arrival and a third on day 4; and download a tracking app and wear a wristband; as of May 15, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers (two weeks or more past completion of vaccination) must follow all protocols, but can end quarantine after getting a negative result from their arrival test in the BVI.

What's open: Most hotels, resorts, restaurants, businesses and activities, with social distancing measures in place.

The British Virgin Islands officially re-opened to tourism on Dec. 1, 2020. Americans can visit, but all travelers must follow strict protocols. These include:

  • Providing a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 120 hours (5 days) of departure for the BVI.
  • Registering on the BVI Gateway seven days (and no later than 48 hours) before travel, and completing the application no later than 24 hours before travel.
  • Obtaining COVID-19 health insurance valid in the BVI .
  • Taking a second PCR test upon arrival in the BVI (as of May 15, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers can end their quarantine after receiving the results of this test).
  • Quarantining at their resort for four full days while using an activated tracking system on their phones and wearing a wristband monitoring device.
  • Taking a third PCR test on day 4 and await the results (typically given within 24 hours) before being able to move freely around the islands.
  • Pay a $175 per person fee for testing and tracking devices.

Complete details on travel requirements and restrictions can be found here .

For details on new PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of Jan. 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here . Many resorts in the Caribbean have begun offering on-property rapid Antigen and PCR tests to guests prior to departure for the U.S., so check your resort's policy before traveling.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the BVI is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution . Check the website of the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, which overseas the BVI, for additional information.

COVID-19 test required: Yes (if a traveler is not fully vaccinated or fully recovered from COVID-19)

• 72 hours before arrival (for PCR test) or 48 hours before arrival (for Antigen test) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Mask are required in all indoor public spaces and on public transportation.

What's open: Most businesses and essential retail stores

U.S. citizens are allowed to enter the country as of May 1, 2021, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria , but only under certain conditions.

Travelers currently allowed to enter are Bulgarian nationals, permanent residents and their family members; citizens of the European Union, the Schengen Agreement States (including San Marino, Andorra, Monaco and Vatican City); and citizens of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Australia, Canada, the United States, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, the United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Moldova, Israel, Kuwait, the Republic of Belarus, and Turkey.

To enter Bulgaria, a person from the above countries must present one of the following:

  • a vaccination certificate for a completed vaccination course against COVID-19; the vaccination certificate is considered valid 14 days after receiving the final dose and must include the full name of the vaccinated person as per the identification document, date of birth, dates the doses were administered, vaccine name and batch number, name of the producer, details of the vaccine certificate issuing authority and country
  • a positive result from a PCR or antigen test for immunity for COVID-19 for persons who had the infection not more than 6 months from the date they enter the country
  • a negative result from a PCR test performed within 72 hours of their entry into Bulgaria or a negative antigen test performed within 48 hours of their entry into the country

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bulgaria is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVOD-19 cases in Bulgaria.

• 72 hours before departure to Canada • PCR test only

Other restrictions: Travelers face mandatory quarantine without vaccination and test results.

What's open: Most businesses, public transportation and tourist sites; some may have reduced opening hours and capacity restrictions.

Americans who are fully vaccinated may now enter Canada for tourism or other nonessential purposes by air and land so long as they provide a negative PCR test result.

Here are the entry requirements for Canada without mandatory quarantine. You qualify for the quarantine exemption.

You must prove the following:

  • You're fully vaccinated and received your last dose at least 14 days prior to entry.
  • You bring a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of your flight's scheduled departure to Canada.
  • You show no signs of COVID-19.
  • Have a quarantine plan in place if you do not qualify for the quarantine exemption.

Currently, the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are accepted by the Canadian government. It's worth noting that antigen rapid tests are not accepted as proof of entry, so make sure you get a PCR, LAMP or other accepted test within 72 hours of departure. Check out TPG's full guide to getting a fast COVID-19 test for more information.

• 72 hours before departure to Cape Verde (and 72 hours prior to departure from Cape Verde) • PCR test or rapid Antigen test required (PCR is required to transit through Lisbon or the Azores)

Other restrictions: Travelers must complete a health questionnaire; face mask mandates and inter-island travel restrictions are in place; there is a State of Calamity declaration in place through at least June 28, 2021.

What's open: Most businesses, public transportation and tourist sites; some islands may have reduced opening hours and capacity restrictions.

Americans are allowed to visit Cape Verde , a group of 10 islands located off of Africa, where international flights resumed on Oct. 12, 2020. According to the U.S. Embassy in Cape Verde , all travelers must complete a health questionnaire and provide a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid Antigen test taken within 72 hours of travel (children under age seven are exempt from testing). Authorities will also conduct a health screening upon arrival.

Cases surged throughout April and May 2021 and while there is currently no curfew, inter-island travel restrictions are in place. Islands with a COVID-19 infection rate below 20 per 100,000 inhabitants are considered "green" and passengers from those islands do not need COVID-19 tests for inter-island travel. But those traveling from "non-green" islands to any "green" island must show a negative COVID-19 rapid test result taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure.

Face masks are required in public spaces, including sidewalks, and violators are subject to fines of about $165.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Cape Verde is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Cape Verde.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, but Chile has temporarily suspended entry by non-resident foreigners through at least September, 2021 due to record high COVID-19 cases

Other restrictions: All travelers need to complete an electronic affidavit and have proof of health insurance valid in Chile for COVID-19 health issues; there is also a mandatory 10-day quarantine.

What's open: Most businesses and some hotels and restaurants, with varying restrictions in place; public transportation is running; there is 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. national curfew.

A trip to Chile is no longer possible, at least through September, 2021, as the country has temporarily suspended entry by all non-resident foreigners. Americans had been allowed to visit Chile since Nov. 23, 2020, according to the U.S. Embassy in Chile , when the country began to gradually reopen its borders to foreign visitors via Santiago Airport.

When travel for non-citzens and non-residents resumes, all travelers are required to present three documents: a completed Affidavit of Travelers electronic form (done within 48 hours of travel); proof of a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure; and proof of a health insurance policy that provides coverage for COVID-19 and related health issues during the traveler's stay in Chile.

Since Dec. 31, 2020, anyone entering Chile with those three documents had also has to undergo a 10-day quarantine, with a test taken on day 7 and a negative result releasing them from quarantine.

As of March 31, 2021, however, the government said the first five days of quarantine need to be spent in a "transit hotel" (at the traveler's cost); after receiving a negative test, travelers would then be released to finish their 10-day quarantine at their chosen hotel or residence. All non-resident foreigners are also required to complete a 14-day "Period of Vigilance for Travelers" by reporting their location and health condition to authorities daily via email.

Related: Chile is Open to Americans, But There are New Restrictions

Chile is under a State of Emergency through June 2021 and much of the country is under mandatory quarantine restrictions, which vary by region and neighborhood; there is a nationwide 9 p.m. curfew and face masks are required in public.

LATAM has resumed flights between Santiago and the U.S., but before November 2020 they had been used mostly for humanitarian and repatriation flights.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Chile is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Chile.

COVID-19 test required: No (as of June 8, 2021)

Other restrictions: Health screening upon arrival and face masks must be worn in public spaces.

What's open : Many hotels, restaurants and businesses, with safety protocols in place; restrictions vary widely by city, with some curfews starting at 6 p.m.

Americans can travel to Colombia for tourism, where international flights resumed on Sept. 21, 2020, and are now available to Bogota and seven other cities, according to the U.S. Embassy in Colombia . However, Colombia experienced record high cases and deaths throughout April and May 2021, so travel is not advised.

Since Jan. 7, 2021, all travelers to Colombia had been required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of flight departure—but despite the record-high cases, that requirement has been lifted as of June 8, 2021. Passengers will continue to face health screenings at their point of arrival.

Current requirements also call for all visitors to complete the online pre-travel registration form "Check-Mig" within one to 24 hours of their flight departure time, wear a mask at all times and wash their hands on a consistent basis. Further details are available here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Colombia is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Colombia.

Other restrictions: All travelers must complete a digital HEALTH PASS and have travel/medical insurance with set minimum coverage; face masks are required in all public spaces; expect health screenings upon arrival.

What's open: As of March 2021, the majority of hotels, restaurants and businesses are operating; national parks are open at 50% capacity; bars and casinos can operate at 50% capacity; and beaches are open from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.

American tourists are welcome to visit Costa Rica, and as of Nov. 1, 2020, no longer need to quarantine or provide a negative PCR test. However, cases surged in the country throughout May 2021 and have yet to level off, so travel to the destination is currently not advised.

Related: All you need to know to visit Costa Rica

All travelers to Costa Rica must complete a digital form called HEALTH PASS , available within 48 hours of travel. A form needs to be submitted for each individual traveler, including minors. It is also mandatory that all travelers have travel insurance that will cover accommodations (minimum of $2,000) in case of quarantine and medical expenses (minimum of $50,000) due to COVID-19 illness. For details, click here .

Note that any emergency medical or dental coverage provided by credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve will not meet this requirement.

For details on new PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of Jan. 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here . Many resorts in Costa Rica have begun offering on-property rapid Antigen and PCR tests to guests prior to departure for the U.S., so check your resort's policy before traveling.

Travelers can also visit the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica website for information. The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Costa Rica is currently Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Costa Rica.

Cote d'Ivoire

• 120 hours (5 days) before arrival in Côte d'Ivoire and 120 hours (5 days) before departure from Côte d'Ivoire (but U.S. requirement is 72 hours/3 days) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: All travelers must fill out an Air Travel Declaration Form and pay the required fees online.

What's open: Most businesses and public transportation.

Côte d'Ivoire remains under a Health State of Emergency until at least June 30, 2021, with increased health measures and a recommendation against non-essential movement, according to the U.S. Embassy in Côte d'Ivoire , which also reports that international air travel resumed with limited service as of July 1, 2020.

Travelers planning to visit Côte d'Ivoire must present a COVID-19 PCR test result taken no more than 120 hours (5 days) before arrival and fill out a travel declaration form.

Everyone departing Côte d'Ivoire is also required to present a negative PCR test taken no more than 120 hours before departure. Note: The U.S. requirement (as of Jan. 26, 2021) is that all international air travelers returning to the U.S. present a negative viral (PCR or rapid Antigen) test taken within 72 hours of travel, so to sync the two requirements, a PCR test within 72 hours is required. Check here for details.

Côte d'Ivoire also requires face masks and social distancing when traveling through any public area; there are capacity limitations for venues.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Côte d'Ivoire is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Côte d'Ivoire.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, unless the traveler is 14 days past completing their COVID-19 vaccinations or has recovered from an infection

• 48 or 72 hours before arrival • PCR or rapid Antigen test required

Other restrictions: Travelers must complete an entry form and have proof of a hotel reservation that is paid in full; those who do not have a valid test result can test upon arrival and self-isolate until receiving the result; masks must be worn in indoor public spaces and outdoors when social distancing can not be maintained.

What's open: Most businesses, as well as museums, galleries and casinos (with capacity restrictions); restaurants and bars are now open for both indoor and outdoor dining; nightclubs are closed and alcohol sales in other venues must end at 11 p.m; public transportation is running.

U.S. travelers can once again visit Croatia . Croatia had reopened in 2020 for tourists from all countries, but on Dec. 1, 2020, the government restricted entry and border crossings and instituted varying levels of lockdown to help limit COVID-19 transmission, and as a result, entry for tourism purposes was not permitted for U.S. citizens. That changed as of April 1, 2021.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Croatia , U.S. tourists must fill out the Enter Croatia form and present one of the following:

  • a negative result of a COVID-19 PCR test taken less than 72 hours before arrival or an accepted rapid Antigen test taken less than 48 hours before arrival
  • a vaccination certificate showing vaccination was completed at least 14 days before entry to Croatia
  • a certificate confirming recovery from a COVID-19 infection with a positive test result having been received within 11 and 180 days of arrival in Croatia

Travelers can also test upon arrival (at the traveler's cost) and self-isolate until receiving a negative result. They must also provide proof of accommodation paid in advance in full (the U.S. Embassy notes this can be just for the first location visited if visiting multiple locations in the country) or they will not be permitted to enter the country.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Croatia is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Croatia.

• 72 hours before departure • PCR test required (plus a second on-island Antigen test)

Other restrictions: Passengers must complete an online immigration card and prior to travel; health insurance valid in Curacao is required; travelers who test positive for COVID-19 while in Curacao will be quarantined at their own expense; social distancing measures are in place and face masks are required when distancing is not possible.

What's open: Hotels are open, but after a surge of cases, Curacao announced lockdown measures on March 24, 2021 that have since been eased. Retail shops have been allowed to reopen, restaurants can offer both indoor and outdoor seating, beaches and beach club bars are open again; and casinos are open until 11 p.m.

Curacao reopened to U.S. tourists in November 2020. The U.S. is considered a high-risk country and all American travelers are required to complete a digital immigration card and then, within 48 hours of travel, digitally fill out the Passenger Locator Card (PLC) via the same portal and carry a printed copy with you. A negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure for Curacao must be uploaded to the portal and passengers are required to carry a copy of the results with you. Children six years and younger are exempt from testing and the PLC.

A second required test is also required for travelers from high-risk countries (including the U.S.), who on day 3 after arrival must undergo an on-island Antigen test at a local lab. Travelers will be required to make an appointment for the test to complete their Passenger Locator Card prior to travel. Details can be found here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Curacao is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution . Visit the U.S. Consulate in Curacao 's website for additional information.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, with the exception of fully vaccinated travelers as of May 10, 2021

Other restrictions: Travelers must obtain an approved Cyprus Flight Pass and take another test upon arrival.

What's open: Many hotels are open, but nature trails, parks and beaches are open for exercise only; restaurants are open for takeout service only.

Cyprus , a small island nation off the coast of Turkey, is now open to Americans arriving directly from the United States—however, the country experienced record-high cases for the month of April 2021, which have subsided by late May 2021.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Cyprus , as of April 1, 2021 "the the United States is classified as a 'Orange' category country. Non-vaccinated tourists may travel from the United States to the Republic of Cyprus without mandatory self-isolation provided they have uploaded proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding a flight to Cyprus, complete another test upon arrival at their own expense (30 euros), and have an approved Cyprus Flight Pass ." Children under the age of 12 do not require testing.

As of May 10, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers are exempt from testing with proof of vaccination. However, the U.S. Embassy notes that vaccinated travelers can still be selected for random COVID-19 testing on arrival to the Republic of Cyprus.

There is a 1 a.m. daily curfew in place and face coverings are required in all public spaces for people age 12 and older. Many venues require proof of a negative test or vaccination; for tourists showing a valid Flight Pass will suffice.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Cyprus is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Cyprus.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Other restrictions: Additional testing is required upon arrival, with a self-quarantine (typically 24 hours) until getting the result; travelers must also test again before departure; a visa and proof of yellow fever vaccination are also mandatory; masks are required in public spaces and testing is required for travel between some provinces.

What's open: Most businesses and public transportation; Virunga National Park (as of April 1, 2021); there is a 10 pm to 4 am curfew in Kinshasa, North Kivu, South Kivu, Kongo Central, Lualaba and Haut-Katanga.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, home to Virunga National Park and the endangered mountain gorilla, reopened its borders in August 2020 and Virunga National Park reopened on April 1, 2021. However, armed conflict is ongoing in the DRC and six park rangers were ambushed and killed by militia inside the park in January. In February, the Italian ambassador to DRC was killed along with two others in an ambush.

According to the U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo , all arriving international travelers age 11 and older must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days (72 hours) of their departure to DRC. Upon arrival, travelers age 11 and older must take a second COVID-19 test at the airport. Travelers should register their information and pay for the test ($45) at INRBCOVID.com before they begin their travel (tests can also be paid in cash at the airport). After testing at the airport, arriving passengers must self-quarantine until they receive a negative test result, usually within 24 hours.

Americans also need a visa to visit as well as a World Health Organization (WHO) card with proof of yellow fever vaccination. The U.S. Embassy also recommends that Americans travel with proof of medical and emergency evacuation insurance.

To exit the DRC, all travelers age 11 and older must pay for and present a negative COVID-19 test from an approved lab taken within 72 hours of travel. This parallels a Jan. 26 requirement by the U.S. government that everyone aged two and older traveling to the U.S. from the Democratic Republic of Congo must show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Democratic Republic of Congo is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in the DRC.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, but only fully vaccinated Americans can visit for tourism and they are exempt from testing

• 48 hours before departure (for unvaccinated Americans with permission to enter for a "worthy purpose")

Other restrictions: Testing upon arrival for unvaccinated Americans with permission to enter for a "worthy purpose" or close family connection; mandatory testing upon arrival and a 10-day quarantine for for unvaccinated travelers (can be shortened with a test nor earlier than day four); masks are required in many public settings and the fine for failure to wear a face mask, violating gathering limits, or loitering in areas deemed "hotspots" is 2500 Danish Kroner ($400).

What's open: Hotels, restaurants, businesses, museums and cultural sites, but most require a "corona passport" for entry or indoor dining.

Denmark began welcoming fully vaccinated American tourists on June 5, 2021. Pre-travel testing, testing upon arrival and isolation are not required since the U.S. is an OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development) country and is categorized as Orange. Denmark labels all countries by color—Yellow, Orange or Red—with specific entry requirements for each. Travel restrictions for Denmark can be found here .

Related: Denmark has reopened to fully vaccinated U.S. and U.K. travelers

To enter Denmark as a tourist, fully vaccinated U.S. citizens who are at least 14 days past their final dose of Pfizer or Moderna or their single dose of Johnson & Johnson must present their official vaccination certificate. The U.S. Embassy in Denmark "strongly recommends you print out and carry with you a copy of the Danish government guidelines to demonstrate to airline personnel that you are exempt from COVID-related travel restrictions in place."

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Denmark is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 in Denmark.

• 72 hours before departure (and up to 120 hours before arrival) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Both an eVisa obtained in advance of travel and a second saliva-based COVID-19 test upon arrival are required; travelers must have a supply of masks and hand sanitizer upon arrival and masks are required inside all buildings.

What's open: Most businesses (restaurants, shops) and some, but not all, public transportation

Djibouti, located in East Africa, started to reopen its economy in early May 2020 and began allowing air travelers in last fall. In addition to pre-travel testing required for boarding any flight to the country, the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti reports that travelers arriving at Ambouli International Airport will also be screened using a minimally invasive saliva test (cost $30); a positive result will require the traveler to quarantine at their hotel or seek treatment in a local hospital.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Djibouti is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Djibouti.

• 24 to 72 hours before arrival • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Pre-travel online screening and questionnaire; testing upon arrival, followed by quarantine or a managed experience (2 days for fully vaccinated travelers and 5-7 days for unvaccinated travelers). Arriving passengers must wear color-coded wristbands and face masks and physical distancing is required when in public.

What's open: Safe in Nature-certified hotel properties and excursions;

Dominica has been open to visitors since Aug. 3, 2020. All eligible arriving travelers are designated as coming from Low-Risk, Medium-Risk or High-Risk countries. The U.S. is currently considered High-Risk and all Americans must follow these procedures:

• Submit a health questionnaire online at least 24 hours prior to arrival

• Present notification of clearance to travel in the form of a doctor's note or similar document • Submit a negative PCR test result recorded within 24-72 hours prior to arrival • Provide confirmation of a booking at a government-certified private property • Undergo a health assessment upon arrival, including a temperature check • Provide confirmation of the health questionnaire and negative PCR test results • Spend either 2 days ( if fully vaccinated ) or 5-7 days (if not vaccinated) in mandatory quarantine at a Managed Experience at a Safe in Nature certified property, with another test before quarantine ends.

If the follow-up test result is positive, the traveler may be quarantined in isolation until released by an authorized health professional. For more information, see Dominica's Travel Advisory .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Dominica is Level 3: Reconsider Travel . Visit the U.S. Embassy for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean , which oversees Dominica, for more information.

Dominican Republic 

Playa Blanca, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean Sea. (Photo by © Marco Bottigelli / Getty Images)

COVID-19 test required: No, but there are mandatory temperature checks upon arrival and a quick aleatory breath test will be administered to 3% to 15% of arriving passengers age five and older; anyone presenting symptoms or testing positive will be isolated at authorized locations. Passengers who present proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival will be exempt from random testing.

Other restrictions: Masks and social distancing guidelines are in place for indoor public spaces, public transportation and outdoors when distancing isn't possible; there is also an island-wide curfew of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. (9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays) with earlier curfews in some regions; curfew hours are for venues outside of resorts and disobeying curfew can result in fines or jail time.

What's open: Most resorts and hotels, public beaches during non-curfew hours, and restaurants at reduced capacity.

The Dominican Republic reopened to tourists in July 1, 2020 , when Punta Cana International Airport resumed commercial operations.

Travelers are also required to fill out and submit a combined digital Traveler's Health Affidavit and an Electronic Entry Ticket to declare they have not felt any COVID-19 related symptoms in the last 72 hours and provide contact details for the next 30 days. The DR is providing a free health coverage plan for all hotel guests through June 12, 2021. For the latest updates on travel to the DR, check here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Dominican Republic is Level 4: Do Not Travel . Visit the U.S. Embassy's website for additional information.

COVID-19 test required : Yes, for unvaccinated travelers and travelers to the Galapagos

• 72 hours before arrival • PCR or rapid Antigen test required

Other restrictions: Random rapid Antigen testing (for travelers age 14 and older) may be conducted upon arrival at the airport in Ecuador; travelers who test positive must isolate for 10 days in a government-designated shelter; there are special requirements for entry to the Galapagos Islands.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses, with social distancing requirements in place.

Ecuador is again open for Americans, although like many countries in South America it recorded record high cases in April 2021. All arriving passengers, including children over the age of two, are required to present results of a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid Antigen test taken within 72 hours (changed on March 22, 2021 from the previous requirement of a PCR test taken within 10 days prior to arrival), per the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador .

Ecuador is also now allowing travelers who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination and present a vaccination card to enter without testing; travelers who have documented proof of recovery from COVID-19 and are more than one month past the onset of symptom may also present that.

Note: There are special requirements for all travelers to the Galapagos Islands, where a negative COVID-19 test taken within 96 hours must be presented upon arrival. It can be the same test used to enter the country if it's a PCR test and is still within the required 96 hour timeframe for the Galapagos. To visit the Galapagos via transit through Quito or Guayaquil airports, vaccinated travelers need to present negative test results. The U.S.Embassy also says that travelers to the Galapagos need a "salvoconducto" from their tour operator, and should contact the operator directly for that document.

Airlines are now required to verify that all travelers traveling to Ecuador have a negative test result or proof of vaccination before allowing them to board.

Rapid Antigen testing may also be conducted upon arrival and if the test is positive the traveler will be required to isolate in a government shelter for 10 days. As long as a traveler has the negative PCR test result, doesn't display any symptoms upon arrival, and doesn't receive a positive test on a random rapid test at the airport, quarantine is not required.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Ecuador is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Ecuador.

This picture taken on March 25, 2018, shows tourists in front of the Giza pyramids complex, on the southwestern outskirts of the Egyptian capital Cairo. / AFP PHOTO / FETHI BELAID (Photo credit should read FETHI BELAID/AFP/Getty Images)

• 96 hours before departure for passengers from North America, South America, Japan, China, Thailand, London, Paris and Frankfurt (due to transit times); 72 hours for all other travelers. • PCR test required

Other restrictions: A visa is also required (Americans can get theirs prior to travel via online enrollment or upon arrival); travelers must present the original printed test result; health insurance valid in Egypt is also required.

What's open: Most hotels, shops, restaurants and some tourist sites; the Great Pyramids of Giza reopened in July 2020; restaurants are operating at 50% capacity.

International tourism resumed in Egypt on July 1, 2020, although tourism at sites such as Luxor has reportedly been quite slow. The Great Pyramids of Giza, for instance, reopened on July 1, 2020, after being closed since March 2020 and undergoing a deep cleaning, reported Reuters.

COVID-19 PCR tests are required for all international arrivals age six and older. All U.S. citizens need a tourist visa (available via online enrollment ) and proof of health insurance to enter the country, according to the U.S. Embassy in Egypt . Check with the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, D.C. for more details.

As of Jan. 3, 2021, anyone not following mask requirements may be subject to fines or prosecution.

Related: Egypt reopening

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Egypt is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Egypt.

Related: Dreaming of visiting Egypt

El Salvador

COVID-19 test required: Yes, if the traveler does not have proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination

• 72 hours before arrival (from time test results were issued) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Temperature check upon arrival; mask and social distancing rules are in place.

What's open: Most hotels, businesses and public transportation, although municipalities can be placed under quarantine with little notice.

El Salvador reopened on Sept. 19, 2020, to commercial flights to Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAL) in San Salvador. Local businesses are open with no restrictions.

According to the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador , all airlines have been instructed that travelers age two and older seeking to enter El Salvador must produce a printed negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within 72 hours of arrival in El Salvador (note: the 72 hours, in this case, refers to the time the test results were issued, not when the sample was collected). The embassy also reports that as of March 29, 2021, passengers who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination can present proof of vaccination instead of a test result. But travelers are advised to confirm with their airline that it will also accept vaccination documentation for boarding.

While in El Salvador, visitors must wear face masks and practice social distancing in all public settings, including at the airport. Arriving passengers will also face temperature checks.

A curfew is currently not in place and there are no quarantine requirements for visitors. The U.S. Embassy notes, however, that the Salvadoran Ministry of Health can place municipalities under special quarantine with little or no prior notice when a high number of COVID-19 cases is detected.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for El Salvador is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in El Salvador.

• 120 hours (5 days) before arrival • PCR test required

Other restrictions : Health check upon arrival and mandatory COVID-19 test taken on 2nd day of visit

What's open: Most businesses and public transportation, with capacity limits

England will begin allowing fully vaccinated travelers from the United States and European Union to enter its borders without the need to quarantine as of 4 a.m. on Aug. 2, 2021.

Americans will be required to have their CDC vaccine card, while EU tourists will be required to have the "green pass." The long-awaited move was reported to be in the works for weeks .

Related: England to allow fully vaccinated Americans as of Aug. 2

Fully vaccinated travelers coming from the U.S. and EU will need to show they got their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival.

They will also need to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure. They will also need to fill out a Passenger Locator Form and pre-book and take a PCR test on or before day two of arriving in the U.K.

The day two test has to come from a government-approved provider booked before traveling to England. Prices are around $56 (£40). If you test positive, you must quarantine in a secure location for 10 days from the day after the test was taken.

Other restrictions : Health check upon arrival and mandatory 7-day self-quarantine

Commercial flights have resumed to Ethiopia. Entry rules require that every international traveler present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 120 hours (5 days) of arrival, according to the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia . Upon arrival, passengers will undergo a health check, register with authorities and self-quarantine at home or in a hotel for seven days. Anyone showing symptoms will be taken to a government-run isolation center.

The U.S. Embassy also reports that Ethiopia's Ministry of Health issued an updated "Travel Advisory" stating that beginning June 7, 2021 all travelers entering, exiting or transiting through Ethiopia must present a digital negative RT PCR test from an approved lab. Full compliance is required by July 1, 2021. This is part of the African Union's Trusted Travel (TT) Initiative . Paper certificates shall cease to be acceptable and only AU Trusted Travel or Global Haven COVID-19 certificates shall be allowed for entry, exit, or transit purposes from July 1, 2021.

Ethiopia reported record-high COVID-19 infections in April 2021, but cases have been declining throughout May 2021.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Ethiopia is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Ethiopia.

COVID-19 test required: Yes (For unvaccinated travelers)

Other restrictions: You are required to be tested again three to five days after arrival even if you haven't been fully vaccinated.

What's open: Most tourist attractions and accommodations are open

Related: Finland is open again

Finland reopened its borders to vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers alike as of July 26, according to the Visit Finland tourism board.

Vaccinated travelers from the U.S., are now permitted to enter Finland, so long as they have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days prior to arrival in Finland.

If you are not vaccinated, you must provide a negative PCR test on arrival in Finland, and you will be subjected to a COVID-19 test three to five days after arrival, during which period you are directed to self-isolate until receipt of negative test results. COVID-19 testing locations can be found here .

COVID-19 test required: Yes (only vaccinated U.S. tourist are allowed to visit and they must have a pre-travel test)

• 72 hours or 48 hours before departure • PCR test (72hours) or Antigen (48 hours) are required

Other restrictions: Being considered fully vaccinated depends on which vaccine you received; travelers must sign a sworn health declaration and contract tracing form before arrival; there is an 11 p.m. curfew with a fine for breaking it.

What's open: Indoor dining at cafés and restaurants has resumed at 50% capacity, with a maximum of six people allowed per table; outdoor dining has resumed at full capacity; museums are open with capacity restrictions; many restrictions are scheduled to be eased at the end of June.

As of June 9, 2021, France has reopened to tourists from a handful of nations, including the U.S. Those coming from the U.S. must possess proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of to gain entry to the country without mandatory quarantine. Unvaccinated Americans can only enter France for a "compelling reason" or if they are a French citizen or E.U. national.

Related: Traveling to France as a vaccinated American—my experience and what to expect

The U.S. has been classified as an "Orange" country. Entry requirements for tourism are very straightforward. According to the French Government , vaccinated Americans (and vaccinated travelers from other Orange countries) can enter France with the following:

  • Proof of completed vaccination—the following vaccines are accepted: AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer
  • A negative COVID-19 test: either a PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding or an Antigen test taken within 48 hours of boarding

Note that you must wait a set amount of time after your COVID-19 vaccine in order to enter France. The wait time depends on which vaccine you received: Travelers are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second injection for two injection vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca) and four weeks after the injection for single injection vaccines (Johnson & Johnson).

According to the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in France , masks are required in public spaces. Details on all restrictions are available here .

For details on new PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of Jan. 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for France is Level 3: Reconsider Travel.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 levels in France.

French Polynesia

Other restrictions: All travelers must complete and online registration form and take an Antigen test upon arrival; non-vaccinated travelers are required to quarantine for 10 days with PCR tests on days 4 and 8; fully vaccinated travelers do not need to quarantine, but must test on day 4.

What's open: Most resorts and businesses, but masks are required in public spaces throughout the islands and there are curfews of 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. on the islands of Tahiti and Moorea.

The South Pacific island nation originally officially reopened on July 15, 2020. Since Feb. 3, 2021, however, French Polynesia had banned entry by international tourists until further notice — but on April 15, 2021 announced a gradual return to tourism as of May 1, 2021 . The islands have initially opened to countries with "limited epidemic risk" and Americans are among the travelers who can once again visit for tourism. Updates can be found here .

Related coverage: French Polynesia will reopen

Enhanced protocols have been announced based on whether the traveler has completed vaccination, has antibodies from a prior infection or remains unvaccinated. Everyone six years of age and older is required to present a negative COVID-19 (RT-PCR) test taken 72 hours before departure. Travelers also must present the receipt of an online health registration from the Electronic Travel Information System (ETIS) platform , which must be filled out with their itinerary and uploaded vaccination certificates or positive serology (antibody tests) 30 to 6 days before travel commences. Unvaccinated travelers who have not recovered from COVID-19 must also register on ETIS, since ETIS receipts, negative PCR test results and boarding authorization must be presented at boarding.

Upon arrival, all passengers must take an Antigen test. Fully vaccinated (14 days past the final dose) and antibody positive travelers do not have to quarantine, but do have to take another test on day 4. Non-vaccinated travelers must quarantine for 10 days at their chosen accommodation with PCR tests taken on day 4 and day 8. Children under six are exempt from testing and quarantine, but unvaccinated children age six and older who are not vaccinated or do not have antibodies must quarantine and the quarantine will be imposed on the entire family. Testing costs are 5,000 XPF ($50) for vaccinated and immune travelers and 12,000 XPF ($121) for non-vaccinated travelers. Details can be found here .

Additionally, all incoming travelers (residents excluded) must provide proof of international travel insurance. Luckily, credit card travel insurance satisfies this requirement. Travelers could use a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card to pay for their airfare and hotel, then provide a copy of the card's Guide to Benefits as proof of coverage.

Travelers exhibiting symptoms during their stay are advised to self-report and self-isolate in their room until further instruction from local emergency operators.

If you're itching to travel to French Polynesia, there are lots of options for getting there. Be sure to check out our guide on the best way to get to Tahiti using points and miles . The destination is home to some famous hotels, such as the Conrad Bora Bora Nui and the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for French Polynesia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precuations and the CDC's advisory is Level 1: Low Level of COVID-19 .

Other restrictions: All arriving passengers must pay for and take a second COVID-19 PCR test ($36) and quarantine until receiving the results; a negative test taken within 14 days is required for any travel between cities and provinces.

What's open: Hotels, restaurants and most businesses—all at reduced capacity

Gabon lifted many pandemic measures in July 2020, but the U.S. Embassy in Gabon reported that restrictions were reimposed and land borders were closed in late January 2021 after cases began to rise. Travelers are being permitted into Gabon by air (there are flights several times per week), but not by land or sea.

Social distancing and masks are mandated at all times, with fines for non-compliance. There is a curfew in the capital of Libreville from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Gabon is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Gabon.

• 72 hours before arrival • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Travelers from "hotspot" countries where new COVID-19 strains are circulating, including the United States, are now also required to take a rapid Antigen test upon arrival in The Gambia; anyone testing positive must then undergo a PCR test and quarantine at a government-run facility at their own expense; face masks must be worn in public spaces and limits on public gatherings remain in effect.

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants and businesses

Americans are permitted to visit this West African nation, and according to the U.S Embassy in the Gambia , the government has lifted most restrictions on businesses. All arriving travelers must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of arrival and travelers from the U.S. will be tested again upon arrival. Anyone without a test that complies with these requirements—such as having a test taken outside of the 72-hour window, rapid test results or a positive result when tested upon arrival—will be subject to mandatory quarantine in government-managed facilities.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Gambia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in the Gambia.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, unless the traveler has proof of being fully vaccinated

Other restrictions: Travelers can only arrive by air, are required to get and complete an application form and get a follow-up PCR test at their own expense three days after arrival in Georgia; there is also a nationwide curfew from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. and face masks are required in public spaces.

What's open: Many hotels and most businesses and public transportation were allowed to reopen in early March 2021.

Americans can now visit the country of Georgia, according to the U.S. Embassy , including those who have documented proof of completed COVID-19 vaccinations and those willing to stay for six months and work from home in the country . However, there is widespread community spread of COVID-19 in Georgia and the U.S. State Department's current advisory for the country is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Unvaccinated U.S. citizens or residents arriving by air through permitted countries are required to complete an application form, present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival and take a second PCR test (at their own expense) on the third day after arrival in Georgia. Details and links to requirements are available on the U.S. Embassy website and details on what's open in Georgia are here .

Related: Work from home in these countries

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Georgia is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Georgia.

• 72 hours before arrival for PCR tests or 48 hours before arrival for antigen tests • PCR or antigen test required

Other restrictions:

As of Sunday Aug. 15, 2021, only Americans who are fully vaccinated may visit Germany. There may be enhanced screenings at the airport, including the possibility of COVID-19 testing upon arrival for certain travelers.

What's open: Many hotels and most businesses, and public transportation is operating with medical-grade masks required.

Americans can now visit Germany as of June 18, according to the U.S. Embassy.

Related: Germany now requiring vaccination for American visitors

On Sunday Aug. 15, Germany changed the rules for entry.

Germany will require a 10-day quarantine for visitors from the United States and other countries considered "high-risk," who cannot prove they've been fully vaccinated or have previously recovered from COVID-19.

Visitors can 'test out' of quarantine if they get a test on day five that comes back negative.

The United States and Turkey and Israel were reclassified as "high-risk" on Friday as part of Germany's weekly reconsideration of travel restrictions.

The COVID-19 test can either be a PCR or antigen test. PCR tests need to be taken within 72 hours before arrival in Germany, while antigen tests need to be taken within 48 hours before arrival.

Take note that those traveling from a " virus-variant area " — as designated by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) — are subject to heightened restrictions and are possibly barred from entry into Germany, depending on vaccination status.

Inside the country, there are no intercity travel restrictions, and there is no curfew. However, masks are required on public transportation, and buses and trains are not running as frequently. There is a moderate level of COVID-19 in Germany, according to the CDC .

Related: I was one of the first American tourists to enter Germany: Here's what it was like

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Germany is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Other restrictions: Second COVID-19 test conducted upon arrival; masks required in public spaces.

What's open: Essential businesses, restaurants and public transportation, with social distancing measures in place; all entertainment venues, bars, beaches and sports facilities remain closed.

Ghana's Accra Kotoka International Airport (ACC) reopened for regular international service on Sept. 1, 2020, although the country's land and sea borders remain closed. According to the U.S. Embassy in Ghana , all passengers arriving by air must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted by an accredited laboratory in the country of origin not more than 72 hours prior to departure.

Additionally, each traveler age five and older must undergo a COVID-19 test conducted at the airport upon arrival. There is a $150 fee per person. Travelers can pay the fee online before departure or pay upon arrival at the airport in Accra. The U.S. Embassy reports that individuals who test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Ghana, asymptomatic or not, will be required to undergo mandatory quarantine and treatment at a designated health facility or isolation center, for seven days at the government of Ghana's expense, and while in quarantine, will undergo a repeat COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival, also at the government's expense.

Ghana's Ministry of Public Health has mandated the use of face masks in public.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Ghana is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Ghana.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

COVID-19 test required: Yes, or proof of vaccination

Other restrictions: Tourists are subject to the country's ongoing restrictions (Greece still has a significant number of COVID-19 cases after hitting record highs in April 2021), which currently involve an 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew and a mask requirement indoors and outdoors in public spaces; many restrictions have been eased over the past few weeks, with travel between regions allowed as of May 14, 2021.

What's open: Hotels and resorts are open; cafes, bars and restaurants reopened for outside dining on May 3, 2021; museums and retail shops reopened on May 14, 2021.

Greece said in mid-March 2021 that it would open tourism to fully vaccinated travelers and travelers with proof of COVID-19 antibodies in May 2021. On Wednesday, April 14, the tourism department said Americans would be welcome as of May 14. Then, on April 19, 2021, Greece began welcoming U.S. travelers earlier than announced after accelerating its plans . Non-vaccinated Americans are also able to travel to Greece as long as they have proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival.

Several major cruise lines, including Celebrity , have also said they plan to sail the Greek islands from Athens beginning in late June 2021.

Related: Greece to open borders in May

All travelers eligible to enter Greece (those from E.U. countries along with the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, North Macedonia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Belarus, Bahrain, Serbia, Russia, Israel, Rwanda, Qatar, China, Kuwait, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore) should expect to adhere to Greece's "five lines of defense" strategy. Those lines include:

  • All visitors must be fully vaccinated (14 days or more past completion) or present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of arrival (children age five and under are exempt from testing)
  • A checking system at Greece's airports and borders, where passengers can be selected randomly to take a rapid test
  • Any visitor who tests positive for coronavirus will be isolated in a "quarantine hotel"
  • All tourism industry workers must be vaccinated (they will move up the priority list once the most vulnerable Greek citizens get the vaccine)
  • Strict adherence to safety protocols such as wearing masks and social distancing.

All travelers must also complete an online Passenger Locator Form (PLF) at least 48 hours before their travel date. The requirement to self-isolate has been lifted for those with a negative test or proof of completed vaccination. Complete details on entry requirements can be found here .

Check the U.S. Embassy in Greece website for additional information.

Related: Can Americans finally go to Europe?

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Greece is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Greece.

Saint George-Harbour, Grenada. (Photo by Westend61/Getty Images)

Other restrictions: Full vaccination is required for everyone aged 14 and over; travelers must also obtain travel authorization, complete online forms, obtain health insurance valid in Grenada and have confirmed reservations at a certified property for at least two nights; additional testing is required upon arrival, and travelers are required to quarantine for up to 48 hours until they receive a negative result; there are various health screenings at the airport, too

What's open: Most businesses are open with various health protocols in place, such as mask requirements and the collection of contact tracing information.

Grenada is requiring all foreign visitors over the age of 13 — according to the U.S. Embassy — to be fully vaccinated to enter the country, as of July 31. An original vaccination card must be shown to authorities on arrival.

In addition to full vaccination, a negative PCR test dated within three days of arrival is also required. And all travelers will take another PCR test upon arrival, with a required quarantine until results are received. A fee is required for this on-arrival PCR test and must be pre-paid online.

Also, every visitor is required to fill out online health forms in advance, obtain a Pure Safe Travel Certificate authorizing travel, have reservations at an approved accommodation and have travel insurance valid in Grenada.

Unvaccinated children aged 13 or younger — when traveling with an otherwise fully vaccinated party — only need to quarantine until everyone in the group receives a negative test result.

Complete travel requirements can be found here .

For more information on requirements and restrictions, visit the U.S. Embassy for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean's COVID-19 page for Grenada .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Grenada is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Grenada.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, unless traveler can provide proof of completed vaccination at least two weeks prior to travel or recovery from COVID-19 within three months of travel

• 72 hours before departure • PCR or Antigen test required

Other restrictions: All travelers must complete a Health Pass ; travelers who have been in the United Kingdom or South Africa within two weeks of arriving in Guatemala may be denied entry or be required to quarantine; there are health checkpoints upon arrival and masks are mandatory in public spaces, including the airport.

What's open: Most businesses, including hotels, restaurants and bars, have been allowed to reopen with capacity restrictions and limited hours

Guatemala slowly began reopening to tourism on Sept. 18, 2020, and Aurora International Airport (GUA) is accepting international arrivals. Americans are welcome, but the country will deny entry to any traveler (including American citizens) who have been in Brazil, the United Kingdom or South Africa over the past 14 days. Guatemala experienced record high COVID-19 cases in April 2021.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala , passengers age 10 and over must present a negative COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test conducted within 72 hours prior to airport check-in for flights to Guatemala. Travelers who are two weeks or more past having completed their COVID-19 vaccination and those who have recovered from COVID-19 within the past three months can provide documented proof (although some air carriers may require a pre-travel test before boarding). All travelers must also complete a Heath Pass. In addition, any non-resident foreigners presenting symptoms of COVID-19 upon arrival may be denied entry to Guatemala.

Guatemalan officials at all borders are required to confirm the entering visitor's negative coronavirus test result.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Guatemala is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Guatemala.

Other restrictions: All travelers to Guinea must have three masks with them; testing from a specific lab is required for departure.

What's open: Many businesses, including restaurants and bars, with social distancing measures in place; there is no public transportation system in Guinea.

Gbessia International Airport (CKY) in Conakry is open and most airlines have resumed their flight schedules, although as cases rose through mid-March 2021, the West African country's state of health emergency was extended through May 2021, according to the U.S. Embassy in Guinea . Masks must be worn in all public places and there is currently an overnight curfew in the greater Conakry area and N'zerekore.

All travelers to Guinea must provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. They must also carry three masks when entering. If flying into Guinea without a negative PCR test result, travelers will be tested upon arrival and quarantined until results are received. If they receive a positive result, they must quarantine for 14 days and have two negative tests before they are released.

Guinea also requires that all departing travelers be tested by a specific lab, the National Public Health Institute (Agence Nationale de la Sécurité Sanitaire, or ANSS) lab, with the test taken within 72 hours of departure (cost: about $67). This parallels a new U.S. requirement as of Jan. 26, 2021, that everyone aged two and older traveling to the U.S. from Guinea must show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Guinea is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Guinea.

• 72 hours before departure (to avoid testing upon arrival) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Travelers must fill out an online form and upload test results at least 24 hours before arrival; masks are required in public spaces; there's a 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses, with restrictions; restaurants are permitted to open for outdoor dining, delivery, drive-thru, curbside pickup and take out until 9:30 p.m.; indoor dining is allowed at 40% capacity with additional restrictions.

Americans can visit Guyana, according to the U.S. Embassy, but the country has been experiencing an uptick in cases throughout May 2021. Travelers must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their flight to avoid a second test upon arrival (anyone with a test taken within 4 to 7 days of travel will be tested again at a cost of $85; children under age 13 are not subject to this second test). Travelers must also upload test results electronically via an online Passenger Locator Form at least 24 hours before arrival and provide a copy of the test result (in English) to their airline at check-in. Details can be found here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Guyana is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Guyana.

• 72 hours before departure • PCR or rapid Antigen test required (proof of prior recovery from COVID-19 is also accepted)

Other restrictions: All travelers must fill out a health declaration form; masks are mandatory in all public spaces.

What's open: Haiti has limited tourism infrastructure compared with other Caribbean islands, but many businesses are open and public transportation is running; there is a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.

Haiti has reopened its borders to regular international passenger traffic. It has also opened its land borders with the Dominican Republic. However, the U.S. State Department's advisory for Haiti is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

According to the U.S. Embassy in Haiti , as of Feb. 9, 2021, all travelers to Haiti must present a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid Antigen test taken within 72 hours of travel to their airline; proof of a prior COVID-19 infection (positive test and documentation from the attending physician) is also allowed.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Haiti.

Other restrictions: Travelers must complete government forms and sign an affidavit; masks are required in public spaces.

What's open: Some hotels and most businesses, with capacity restrictions in place; bars and nightclubs are closed.

Honduras reopened for tourists from all countries on Aug. 17, 2020, with its international airports in operation. Spirit Airlines has resumed service from Fort Lauderdale and Houston, and American Airlines is flying from Miami. The country has experienced record high COVID-19 cases in may 2021.

Entering visitors must complete a government registration form and have proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of arrival. They will also be required to sign an affidavit and complete customs forms. Masks are required in all public spaces. Updates on guidelines can be found on the U.S. Embassy in Honduras website . The Embassy also cautions U.S. citizens that the country's public health system has limited capacity for handling severe/critical cases of COVID-19.

Anyone traveling from the United States who has visited or transited through the United Kingdom or South Africa within the past 21 days, is banned from entering Honduras. The local health authority maintains the right to grant or deny final approval for entry, based on their determination of risk of COVID-19 from any visiting travelers.

Travelers exiting Honduras must also complete another online government pre-check form.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Honduras is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Honduras.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

COVID-19 test required : All U.S. travelers must present a negative COVID-19 (PCR or antigen) test taken within 72 hours of departure to enter Iceland. These travelers no longer need to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival in Iceland.

Other restrictions: The only U.S. travelers allowed to enter Iceland as of April 6, 2021 are those who have proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination or recovery from a previous infection with a confirmed antibody test or a positive PCR test more than 14 days old; all travelers must register before arrival in Iceland.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses, as well as public transportation; the volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula near Reykjavik has resulted in some road closures; the famous Blue Lagoon thermal area reopened to visitors on April 16, 2021.

TPG's Andrew Kunesh booked a last-minute flight shortly after the ban was lifted. You can read his account here .

Related: Iceland is finally ready to welcome eligible Americans

As of April 6, 2021 , U.S. visitors are welcome, assuming they meet one of two criteria:

  • A completed AstraZeneca, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
  • A previous COVID-19 infection, as confirmed with a positive antibody test or positive PCR test older than 14 days

Visitors need to pre-register before travel and can present an official paper or electronic COVID-19 vaccine certificate that includes the traveler's name, date of birth, date and location of vaccination, vaccine administered and the manufacturer and batch or lot number, as outlined on this page . Per the revised April 6, 2021 guidelines, vaccinated U.S. travelers will be required to take a test upon arrival (at least through June 15, 2021). FAQs can be found here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Iceland is Level 4: Do not travel due to COVID-19 restrictions .

There is an active volcanic eruption taking place on the Reykjanes Peninsula near the capital, Reykjavik. Visit the U.S. Embassy in Iceland website and the Icelandair website for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Iceland.

Other restrictions: Mandatory quarantine upon arrival (testing can end it early); travel between counties is banned; a person arriving in Ireland without a negative PCR test faces a stiff fine or six months in jail.

What's open: Hotels have finally reopened to tourists; restaurants are operating with outdoor dining and take-out and delivery only. Check for updates here .

Ireland has been technically open to Americans, but the Irish government has advised against it and a months-long lockdown along with quarantine restrictions has made travel there complicated. The good news: That is changing as the 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine for Americans was recently lifted (U.S. travelers still need to quarantine, but can test out after five days) and testing and quarantine restrictions are scheduled to be lifted for fully vaccinated U.S. travelers on July 19, 2021, if U.S. case numbers remain low. Details on the latest restrictions can be found here .

Related: Americans will be welcomed back to Ireland without quarantine on July 19, 2021

As of Jan. 16, 2021, all arrivals from outside Ireland are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to arrival and self-isolate for 14 days. As of March 26, 2021, travelers from countries listed as "designated states" (which no longer includes the United States) are subject to a 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine , which must be pre-booked and paid for before departure for arrival (reduced to 10 days with testing).

There is a fine of up to $2,860 or six months in jail for arriving without the proper test result upon arrival or for not fulfilling the required quarantine.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Ireland is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Ireland.

Other restrictions: Unless U.S. travelers arrive on a "COVID-tested" flight, which requires two additional tests, one before boarding and one after arrival, they are required to self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival and test again; all travelers must fill out a digital Passenger Locator Form.

What's open: It varies by region, based on cases and hospitalizations, but most regions are now in the "yellow zone" and many businesses have been allowed to reopen; most museums and cultural sites have capacity restrictions and require reservations in advance; restaurants and bars have reopened for outdoor dining; masks are required in all public places; there is a 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew as of June 7, 2021.

Americans are once again allowed to visit Italy for tourism, according to the U.S. Embassy in Italy . However, the U.S. State Department's advisory for Italy remains at Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Italy has approved "COVID-tested flights" from the U.S. (on Delta from Atlanta and New York to Rome and Milan and both American and United have just added flights as well) that allow quarantine-free travel. Passengers on these flights, regardless of vaccination status, must fill out the digital Passenger Locator Form , present a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding, take a rapid test just prior to boarding and then test again upon arrival in Italy. With a negative result on all three tests, travelers do not need to self-isolate for 10 days (those who arrive on other flights do need to self-isolate). The latest updates by Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs can be found here .

Related: Italy is reopening: 11 things I learned as a tourist there this week

According to the U.S. Embassy, regions in Italy are divided in a color-coded system—white (very low risk), yellow (low risk), orange (high risk) and red (very high risk)—depending on transmission rates, availability of hospital and ICU beds and other parameters. Different restrictive measures apply to each zone.

The country has been among the hardest hit in Europe and the government imposed an Easter lockdown through April 6, 2021, with some restrictions in certain regions eased since then as infections have slowed.

Related: I was one of the first American tourists to fly to Italy on a COVID-tested flight

Travelers from certain countries are restricted from visiting and others (divided into groups of List A, B, C, D and E) must fill out the digital Passenger Locator Form and provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 48 hours or 72 hours of entering Italy. The new rules also require anyone visiting or transiting from List D and E countries (the U.S. is now a List D country) and not entering Italy on a "COVID-tested flight" to present a negative test result taken within 72 hours of entering Italy and undergo an isolation period of 10 days before taking a second PCR or Antigen test. Updates on restrictions can be found here .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Italy.

The rocky side of Negril,Jamaica. Image by narvikk / Getty Images.

Other restrictions: Travel authorization is required; arriving visitors will undergo a health screening and risk assessment; guests must stay at their resort and use only certified tours or visit certified attractions; masks and social distancing are mandated in public spaces.

What's open: Most hotels and resorts within what Jamaica calls its "resilient corridors" are certified to be open, but visitors should expect their movement around the island to be limited.

Jamaica officially reopened for tourism on June 15, 2020 but anyone hoping to plan a vacation there, especially those from a high-risk country (such as the U.S.), needs to request and obtain a travel authorization within 72 hours of their planned travel date.

As of March 11, 2021, all U.S. travelers age 12 and older must present a negative result of a COVID-19 PCR or rapid Antigen test , dated within 72 hours (3 days) of the date of arrival.

All incoming travelers should expect thermal temperature checks upon arrival, and anyone who shows COVID-19 symptoms or feels ill upon arrival will be tested and must quarantine in their hotel room until receiving a negative result. Even after all those procedures, travelers are expected to stay at accommodations within the "resilient corridors" at hotels and resorts certified to accept tourists and adhere to social distancing and face mask policies in public. Travelers are also expected to follow any policies made by tourist and hospitality establishments.

For the latest updates on travel to Jamaica, check here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Jamaica is Level 4: Do Not Travel . Visit the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica' s website for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Jamaica.

Other restrictions: All travelers must fill out a pre-travel arrivals form, have health insurance valid in Jordan and take a second test upon arrival; curfews vary by days of the week; masks are mandatory in public spaces.

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants and businesses with social distancing restrictions in place, but the U.S. Embassy recommends travelers avoid in-person dining at restaurants and cafes; there is an 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.

Americans can visit, according to the U.S. Embassy in Jordan , but they must fill out an arrivals form before the flight. They will also need to provide results of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival in Jordan, have health insurance valid in Jordan and take and pay for another coronavirus test upon arrival ($39, children under age five are exempt).

Once in Jordan, U.S. travelers who test negative upon arrival no longer need to undergo mandatory home quarantine for a period of 14 days.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Jordan is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Jordan.

Nairobi National Park - Kenya

• 96 hours before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: All arrivals require a visa and face a health screening; departing passengers must also obtain a negative test result before their flight if their destination country requires it; there is a nightly curfew of 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

What's open: Hotels, safari lodges, game reserves, restaurants (but bars must close at 7 p.m.), most businesses and public transportation.

Kenya reopened to tourism on Aug. 1, 2020 and Americans can visit. Under the reopening plan, travel in and out of Nairobi is allowed. All visitors need to obtain an e-visa , fill out an online health form (and obtain a QR code for scanning) and present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of travel, according to the U.S. Embassy in Kenya . They'll also face a health screening on arrival, but are exempted from quarantine. Entry requirements can be found here .

The U.S. Embassy reports that the Kenya Ministry of Health launched the Trusted Travel (TT) Initiative. At this time, the QR code is for arriving passengers and the TT code is for those departing. Travelers can get the TT code with their test results from an accredited lab at any major hospital. And as of Jan. 26, 2021 everyone aged two and older traveling to the U.S. from Kenya must show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights; documented proof from a licensed healthcare provider of recovery from the virus within the past 90 days will also be accepted.

Cases surged in the country this spring and on March 26, 2021, President Kenyatta announced a lockdown for Nairobi and several surrounding counties, which has since been eased as cases have declined. A mandatory face mask requirement while in public remains in effect.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Kenya is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Kenya.

COVID-19 test required: Not required for U.S. citizens, but recommended to avoid refusal of boarding by airlines or a sudden change in policy by Kosovo authorities; travelers without a valid test are also required to self-isolate for seven days.

Other restrictions: A visa is required for entry; all arriving passengers will undergo a health screening; masks are mandated in public spaces and non-compliance can result in hefty fines.

What's open: Most businesses and public transportation; restaurants and bars are open, but must close at 11 p.m.

Kosovo has reopened to Americans—and Pristina International Airport is welcoming all travelers—but the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo urges citizens not to visit and the U.S. State Department's advisory is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

All foreign citizens entering Kosovo who come from high-risk countries, according to the official list of ECDC, must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel; those permitted to enter Kosovo without a test must self-isolate for seven days. While testing is currently not required for those traveling from the United States, the U.S. Embassy nonetheless recommends a test for all air travelers to Kosovo to avoid quarantine; testing requirements could also evolve with little notice.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Kosovo.

Other restrictions: Travelers whose test expires before arrival in the country must test again; masks are required on all public transportation.

What's open: Many businesses, including malls and markets, are open and public transportation is running.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan says the entry ban for U.S. citizens was lifted in December 2020. U.S. citizen travelers must enter the country via international airports in Bishkek, Osh or Issyk Kul. Travel across land borders for U.S citizens is not permitted at this time.

Those who do travel to Kyrgyzstan will need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. If a traveler's PCR test expires en route due to flight delays or cancellations, they will be required to test again upon arrival at their own expense.

The embassy advises U.S. citizens not to travel to Kyrgyzstan, noting that medical services have struggled to provide adequate care for serious cases of COVID-19 and the healthcare system faces limitations and adequate care may not be available everywhere.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Kyrgyzstan is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Kyrgyzstan.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, unless fully vaccinated against or recovered from COVID-19

• 96 hours before arrival • PCR test required

Other restrictions: If not 15 days past vaccination or recovery, travelers must complete a pre-travel medical form, download an app, take a second test required upon arrival, followed by three-day quarantine and a third test. Masks are required at all times outdoors and in public spaces, and all violators will be fined $33 per violation; movement in personal and public vehicles is restricted.

What's open: Essential shops and services and restaurants with some restrictions; a gradual lifting of restrictions is ongoing.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon , Americans can travel to the country. With exceptions for those who are 15 days past their completed COVID-19 vaccination or 15 days past recovery from infection, all travelers over the age of 12 must produce a negative PCR test taken within 96 hours of arrival in order to enter the country, take a second PCR test at their own expense (about $50), self-quarantine for three days at their hotel and take a third PCR test after that.

Lebanon had imposed a 24-hour countrywide lockdown, which closed all but essential businesses, through Feb. 8, 2021 when some restrictions were eased. Cases plateaued and have recently been declining.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Lebanon is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Lebanon.

The Maldives

(Photo by Ethan Steinberg/The Points Guy)

Other restrictions: Traveler health declaration and proof of a reservation at a hotel or resort are both required; masks are mandatory at the airport, while in transit and in all public spaces.

What's open: Most resorts; tourists need authorization to island-hop from one island and/or resort to another; there is a 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. curfew and other restrictions in the capital, Male, where a recent case surge has been the greatest, through at least June 9, 2021.

In July 2020, the Maldives announced one of the most liberal opening policies in the world, but according to the U.S. Mission to the Maldives , the island nation has since placed restrictions on tourists. Cases have been increasing among the local population since late April 2021 and certain islands with confirmed COVID-19 cases have been placed under lockdown. As of May 13, 2021, the Maldives also temporarily banned entry by visa holders from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan, along with anyone who has transited those countries over the past 14 days.

International visitors, including Americans, must now have proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of their departure and complete a Traveler Health Declaration within 24 hours prior to travel. A free 30-day tourist visa will be issued upon arrival. Further details can be found here .

Tourists also need proof of reservation with an approved hotel or resort. The U.S. Mission notes that inter-island or inter-resort travel is also prohibited without special permission. The latest update on resort openings can be found here .

Emirates Airlines is offering connections through Dubai from major global cities including Chicago. Etihad resumed flights from Abu Dhabi to the Maldives starting in July. Turkish Airlines also started flights in July 2020.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Maldives is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in the Maldives.

• 5 to 7 days before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: International flights are currently suspended until at least Jun 30, 2021; when travel is allowed to resume, all travelers must pre-purchase a travel package, quarantine in-room for 14 days upon arrival and undergo multiple COVID-19 PCR tests; anyone who has visited certain countries within 14 days is banned until further notice; mask mandates remain in effect throughout the island.

What's open: Most businesses, with social distancing and capacity restrictions as outlined by the government, and public transportation on a limited basis. (Note: On March 10, 2021, the country went into an island-wide lockdown that closed beaches, shops and restaurants through April 30, 2021, with an easing of confinement beginning on May 1).

Travel here is not currently possible, since the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius has suspended all international flights into the country until at least June 30, 2021.

Mauritius began lifting restrictions in June 15, 2020, and according to the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius , as of Oct. 1, 2020 Americans had been allowed to visit—but only long-stay arrivals who purchased a travel package would be approved. Travelers also needed to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 5 to 7 days of travel and undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine in-room at an establishment recognized by the authorities. All travel alerts can be found here .

The U.S State Department's advisory for Mauritius is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Mauritius.

Subject: A panoramic view of the hotel district of Cancun at sunset. A popular tourist beach destination. The Yucatan Peninsula and the Riviera Maya in Mexico is a well developed vacation location with numerous hotels and entertainment districts. (Image by YinYang/iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Other restrictions: Health checks upon arrival; capacity restrictions and face masks required in some public spaces.

What's open: Most hotels, resorts, restaurants and businesses (some at reduced capacity); beaches and many tourist attractions are also open.

Mexico eagerly flung open its doors to U.S. tourists—without any testing required for entry. The country began a slow regional opening on June 29, 2020 and many coronavirus restrictions have been lifted. At first, it was just beach destinations like Cancun, but now all Mexican airports are open to Americans. However, widespread community transmission remains a current concern and the government has established a federal "stoplight" system that limits activities and capacity in some regions.

Enhanced screening and cleaning procedures are in effect. There are also health checks at all airports, but no testing requirements upon arrival. However, as of Jan. 26, 2021, everyone aged two and older traveling to the U.S. from Mexico is required to show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights; documented proof from a licensed healthcare provider of recovery from the virus within the past 90 days will also be accepted.

Many Mexico resorts have begun to offer on-property rapid Antigen and PCR tests for guests returning to the U.S.

Mexico saw a major surge in cases in late December 2020 and early January 2021 following an influx of tourists. Community spread continues throughout the country, but capacity restrictions were recently relaxed in many regions.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Mexico is Level 3: Reconsider Travel . According to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, community transmission remains widespread. No states were deemed "red" under Mexico's stoplight system through June 20, 2021, but four states (including Quintana Roo, home to popular tourist spots Cancun and Riviera Maya) are "orange," requiring capacity restrictions of 50% in hotels and restaurants.

The U.S.–Mexico land border is closed to nonessential travel until at least June 21, 2021.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Mexico.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, unless fully vaccinated and traveling after June 15, 2021

• 72 hours before departure (through June 15, 2021, then within 48 hours of the date of entry or proof of completed vaccination) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Test results must be presented in printed form; confirmed reservations with a hotel or travel agency or invitation from a Moroccan company to do business are also required

What's open: Flights are very limited through at least June 15, 2021; some hotels, restaurants and shops are open, with a daily curfew of 11 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Morocco recently extended its strict state of emergency until July 10, 2021 and also has suspended flights from more than two dozen countries through at least June 15, 2021, making tourism here challenging. According to the U.S. Embassy in Morocco , Americans are among citizens of several dozen countries currently allowed to enter the country without a visa, but anyone age 11 and older must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure (changing to within 48 hours of entry on June 15, 2021 for unvaccinated travelers) and present it in printed form at airport check-in and upon arrival in Morocco. Fully vaccinated U.S. travelers will not be required to test.

Commercial flights remain very limited (Royal Air Maroc flights between New York's JFK Airport and Casablanca and Casablanca and Washington Dulles International Airport). Masks are mandatory in flight and in all public spaces. But according to the U.S. Embassy, the Government of Morocco announced that beginning June 15, 2021, most international flights will be permitted to resume. Countries will be classified into "List A" and "List B." Passengers arriving from countries on List A will be permitted to enter Morocco with a vaccination certificate or a negative result of a PCR test administered within 48 hours of the date entering Morocco. List A includes the United States, most European countries and all countries not on List B.

Travelers are limited to those who have confirmed reservations with a Moroccan hotel or travel agency or an invitation from a Moroccan company for business purposes, according to the U.S. Embassy. Domestic travel within Morocco requires a travel authorization letter from local officials, but apparently, a hotel reservation can be all the documentation you may need.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Morocco is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Morocco.

Other restrictions: Visas or resident permits are required for entry; tourists must have a confirmed hotel booking and return ticket; all travelers face a health screening upon arrival.

What's open: Most businesses, shops and restaurants are open, subject to curfews and early closures; public transportation is running; museums and other cultural institutions are closed; bars and beaches are closed.

Limited international flights are available to Mozambique. Arriving travelers age 12 and older are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. There is health screening upon arrival, but quarantine isn't required with a negative test result.

According to the U.S Embassy in Mozambique , "For travelers arriving for tourism purposes only, visas are available upon arrival with proof of a return ticket and hotel booking. Please be aware that U.S. citizens have been denied entry for not having obtained the proper type of visa in advance. Obtaining your visa in advance from the Mozambican Embassy in Washington, DC is strongly encouraged." Non-Mozambiqan business travelers must seek authorization to enter the country from the Ministry of the Interior, according to the U.S. Embassy.

Public transportation is running and face masks are required. In the Greater Maputo area, a curfew is in place from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Mozambique is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Mozambique.

• 7 days before arrival • PCR test required (Antigen tests are no longer accepted as of June 1, 2021)

Other restrictions: All travelers must complete a health questionnaire; even travelers with proof of vaccination must provide a negative test result.

What's open: Most businesses (hotels, safari lodges and camps, restaurants, shops); public transportation is running.

Namibia has been open for international tourism since Sept. 1, 2020, although most of its land borders are currently closed.

Tourists, including Americans, are allowed to fly to Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH), and according to the U.S. Embassy in Namibia , they must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 7 days of arrival and fill out a health questionnaire. As of June 1, 2021, rapid Antigen test results will not be accepted. Even travelers who have proof of vaccination must provide a negative test result. Those whose test result is more than 7 days old will need to undergo a day-of-arrival quarantine until getting a negative result on a second test before being allowed to move freely in the country. Children under the age of five are exempt.

There is a nationwide curfew in Namibia from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Related: Country-by-country guide to Africa reopening

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Namibia is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Namibia.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, unless fully vaccinated

Other restrictions: International flights to Nepal have been suspended through at least June 30, 2021, to help curb outbreaks in Kathmandu and several cities near the border with India; when flights resume, U.S. travelers need a visa, a hotel booking reservation and proof of insurance; all travelers must also take a PCR test upon arrival and quarantine for 10 days.

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants and businesses have resumed operations; the government, however, did enact a lockdown of Kathmandu from April 29, 2021 to at least June 14, 2021 to slow the city's COVID-19 infection rate.

Nepal, which had remained mostly closed to tourism, did reopen to travelers arriving via air and Americans had been allowed to visit. However, cases of COVD-19 surged throughout April and May 2021, topping 9,000 a day and resulting in record deaths, and since April 29, 2021 Kathmandu has been under a lockdown that has now been extended through at least June 14, 2021. It limits the opening of grocery stores and other essential services, including public and private transportation. The suspension of international fights has also been extended through at least June 30, 2021.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Nepal , the government of Nepal has resumed issuing tourist visas. and travelers should obtain a tourist entry visa from a Nepali diplomatic mission abroad or obtain a pre-approval /recommendation from the concerned ministry for ensuring their on-arrival visa. For more information, contact the Embassy of Nepal in Washington, D.C. Further information on obtaining a tourist visa is also available from Nepal's Department of Immigration .

The U.S. Embassy website notes that U.S. travelers to Nepal need the following:

  • Results of a negative COVID-19 PCR negative taken within 72 hours of boarding or a document showing complete vaccination against COVID-19 (children five and under age five are exempt from testing)
  • A visa to Nepal or recommendation letter from the Department of Tourism or Nepal Tourism Board to participate in tourism activities within Nepal
  • A hotel booking confirmation or guarantee of accommodation
  • Proof of travel insurance that covers emergency search, rescue and treatment, among others, for the duration of their travel
  • The barcode generated from the online application of the Online International Travel Arrival Form .

PCR testing is also required upon arrival and travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, must quarantine for 10 days. Failure to wear a mask when outdoors may result in arrest and a fine.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Nepal is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Nepal.

The Netherlands

Other restrictions: Limited flight options; travelers must complete a health declaration

What's open: Most businesses are open, and there is no curfew; public transportation is operating with masks required

The Netherlands reopened to American travelers on June 24. There are no testing or vaccination requirements for U.S. travelers because the U.S. is designated by the Netherlands as a "safe" country as of July 29. Travelers from safe countries just need to complete a health declaration to enter the country, according to the U.S. Embassy . The list of safe countries is subject to change at any time.

Travelers coming from countries or regions designated as "high-risk" are subject to heightened entry restrictions, including possible testing and quarantine requirements.

While most businesses, hotels and attractions in the Netherlands are open according to the Dutch government, take note that the CDC has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice , which means that there is a very high level of COVID-19 in the country.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Netherlands is Level 4: Do Not Travel due to COVID-19.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in the Netherlands.

Other restrictions: Limited flight options; tourist visa is required; pre-departure airline form must be filled out; health screenings upon arrival.

What's open: Most businesses are open and there is no curfew.

Nicaragua never really shut down. There were never any stay-at-home or social-distancing orders and because of these relaxed rules, there have been questions about how many cases Nicaragua actually has. The Nicaraguan government also never officially implemented any travel restrictions, but its borders and airports effectively closed until October 2020; only limited flights (on Avianca and Copa) have since resumed and some U.S. carriers have set tentative dates for flights to resume in late summer and fall.

The U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua notes that the Nicaraguan government has yet to officially impose any domestic travel restrictions or national quarantine policies. The embassy also states that U.S. travelers are allowed to enter Nicaragua, and a negative COVID-19 test result taken up to 72 hours of travel is required for entry. Travelers should also be prepared for additional health screenings, although the embassy says that travelers are not officially required to produce any additional health documentation to enter Nicaragua unless they are traveling from a country with a known yellow fever risk.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Nicaragua is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Nicaragua.

• 5 days (120 hours) before departure (and 120 hours before departure from Niger) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Health screening upon arrival; 7-day self-quarantine for travelers staying more than 14 days.

What's open: Restaurants, markets, stores and public transportation; bars, nightclubs, and performance venues have been closed since Dec. 24, 2020.

The government of Niger's state of emergency has continued into 2021, according to the U.S. Embassy in Niger . Travelers arriving into the West African country must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test dated within 120 hours (5 days) of their flight's departure and undergo a health screening. Travelers who plan to stay in Niger for more than 14 days must also provide precise home/accommodation information and self-quarantine for seven days before getting tested again (free) at a specified COVID-19 testing facility.

The U.S. Embassy also reports that travelers departing Niger by air must provide a negative COVID-19 test dated within 120 hours of departure. However, a new U.S. requirement as of Jan. 26, 2021 that requires everyone aged two and older traveling to the U.S. from Niger to show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights.

Social distancing rules are in effect in Niger and it is mandatory to wear a face mask in public spaces in Niamy.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Niger is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Niger.

• 72 hours (3 days) before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Self-isolate for 7 days and pay for a second test

What's open: Most businesses and public transportation (at 50% capacity)

Nigeria reopened its airports on July 8, 2020 after months of closure. Abuja (ABV), Lagos (LOS), Kano (KAN), Port Harcourt (PHC), Owerri (QOW) and Maiduguri (MIU) airports all reopened for domestic flights in July 2020, and international flights resumed in August 2020.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria , arriving international passengers age 10 and older must have proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. A Quarantine Protocol issued in September requires all international visitors to register via the Nigeria International Travel Portal , upload test results prior to travel, and then self-isolate and pay for another test seven days after arrival in Nigeria and continue self-isolating until receiving a negative result (typically in 24-48 hours).

Travelers from South Africa, the United Kingdom, Brazil, India and Turkey are subject to additional protocols.

The country saw a surge in COVID-19 infections in December 2020, resulting in increased restrictions. Cases have since been substantially reduced, but a curfew remains in place from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. Mask wearing is inconsistent.

All passengers departing Abuja International airport are currently being asked to provide negative COVID tests taken within 3 days (72 hours) prior to boarding. This coincides with PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of Jan. 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., Details are available here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Nigeria is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Nigeria.

North Macedonia

(Screenshot courtesy TAV Airports)

Other restrictions: Arriving passengers must undergo thermal scanning; face masks and social distancing are required in public spaces, including shops and public transportation.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses; there is a 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. curfew, with restaurants, cafes and bars allowed to offer limited outdoor seating, take-out and delivery only.

North Macedonia is now open to all tourists. Skopje International Airport (SKP) and Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport (OHD) opened on July 1, 2020 . But as of March 10, 2021, North Macedonia has mandated a 14-day quarantine for all travelers arriving from India, Brazil and countries in Africa. There are also restrictions on public gatherings and social distancing, with a nationwide state of crisis is in effect through June 30, 2021 after cases in the country surged in March and early April 2021.

All passengers will face temperature screening, but there are no quarantine or testing requirements. Check the U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia website for updates.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for North Macedonia Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in North Macedonia.

Other restrictions: A visa is required for entry; travelers also need to download an app and undergo a thermal scan upon arrival; masks are required in public spaces.

What's open: Most businesses are open, but commercial areas identified as "hot spots" by authorities could be shut down without advance notice or subject to capacity restrictions; public transportation is operating.

Pakistan has reopened for Americans, however, the U.S. State Department's Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory says, "Do not travel to Pakistan due to COVID-19, terrorism and sectarian violence." The country experienced record high COVID-19 cases and deaths in April 2021 and announced it would reduce international flights by 80% for 15 days (May 5-20, 2021).

According to the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan , Americans wishing to travel to Pakistan will need a visa, and as visitors from a Category B country, must show a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure from the U.S. They will also need to download and install a Pass Track app and face health screenings on arrival. Guidelines can be found here .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Pakistan.

• 48 hours before departure • PCR or Antigen test required

Other restrictions : All travelers must sign an electronic affidavit prior to their flight; travelers who arrive without valid test results can take a rapid test after arrival; a positive result requires a 14-day quarantine; some movement restrictions are in place throughout the country; masks are required any time you leave your hotel room or home.

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants and businesses with capacity restrictions; beaches are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Panama, which reopened its airport back in late August 2020, is now in a phased reopening across the country. Tourism returned on Oct. 12, 2020, but widespread infections in late 2020 and early 2021 slowed progress. The U.S. Embassy in Panama notes on its website that the U.S. State Department's advisory for Panama is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Panama currently requires travelers to register via an online health affidavit and present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or Antigen test taken within 48 hours of departure. Anyone unable to obtain a negative coronavirus test within that time frame can take a COVID-19 rapid test at the airport (cost: $50) and if the result is positive they must quarantine for 14 days at a designated hotel-hospital. A negative test on day 7 will allow for release, but a positive test mean quarantine continues for 14 days or until a negative test result.

Effective May 24, 2021 passengers who present a "Full Digital Vaccination Certificate" vaccination with the required doses at least 14 days prior to their entry, and a negative test properly registered in the IATA Travel Pass app 48 hours before entering the country will not be required to undergo home quarantine or secondary COVID testing at the airport. Details are available here .

Any incoming traveler arriving from South America, India, South Africa or the United Kingdom (or who has transited through any of these countries in the last 15 days) must test upon arrival (in addition to the pre-travel test) and even those who test negative must self-isolate for three days and be tested again at the end of the quarantine.

Panama has also instituted nightly curfews movement restrictions that vary by region.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Panama.

• 72 hours before arrival • PCR or NAAT test required

Other restrictions: Visa upon arrival is available; arriving travelers must have international health insurance and face a temperature screening in the airport; face masks are recommended when in public spaces and required in supermarkets, retail stores, pharmacies, gas stations and other places where people gather.

What's open: Most businesses and public transportation, with capacity and social distancing restrictions per the government's phased re-opening; there is an 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. nationwide curfew.

The government of Paraguay began easing its internal lockdown last fall and on Oct. 2, 2020, reopened Silvio Pettirossi International Airport. Some regular commercial flights then resumed in November 2020. However, COVID-19 cases in the country have surged in March and April 2021, reaching record highs, and new restrictions were put in place.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Paraguay , the country ended its required quarantine for foreigners on Nov. 16, 2020 (except for travelers from Brazil), but everyone age 10 and older entering Paraguay must present a negative COVID-19 PCR or NAAT test result taken within 72 hours before arrival. In addition, the embassy reports that travelers who contracted and recovered from COVID-19 in the last 14-90 days also may enter with documentation and without a current test.

All travelers who are not residents of Paraguay are also required to have international medical insurance that covers COVID-19 and must complete a Ministry of Health form within 24 hours of entering the country.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Paraguay is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Paraguay.

• 72 hours before departure (issued within 72 hours) • PCR or Antigen test required

Other restrictions: 14-day quarantine is required (with Antigen testing option upon arrival to avoid quarantine with a negative result); domestic flights are limited; face masks and social distancing are required in public spaces.

What's open: Most hotels and restaurants and some businesses, but at limited capacity depending on the region's alert level; Machu Picchu is open at a reduced capacity.

After a prolonged state of emergency, Peru began Phase 4 of its economic reactivation on Oct. 1, 2020, including the resumption of a limited number of international flights. The U.S. Embassy in Peru reports that direct flights from the U.S. are operating and Americans are welcome to enter Peru, although pre-travel testing is required for all visitors, a negative Antigen test result upon arrival is required to avoid a 14-day quarantine, regional restrictions are in effect and the State Department's advisory is Level 3: Reconsider Travel . Peru had sustained high levels of COVID-19 infections throughout April and May 2021.

All passengers age 12 and older must present a negative COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test result issued within 72 hours of departure for Peru and complete an online electronic Affidavit of Health and Geolocation Authorization administered by Migraciones. To avoid a 14-day quarantine, arriving travelers can submit to an Antigen test at the airport; if negative, they don't have to quarantine.

The U.S. Embassy suggests travelers confirm requirements with their airline prior to departure since they could be subject to change. Peru's government has also declared the restriction of all non-resident foreign passengers originating in Brazil, South Africa and India from entering Peru through at least June 20, 2021.

With cases rising, Peru instituted regional risk metrics of High, Very High and Extreme, based on COVID-19 risk—Lima and Cusco have been respectively listed as Very High and Extreme through at least June 20, 2021, subject to review every 15 days. Restrictions and nightly curfews of 8 p.m. or 9.p.m. remain in effect in many regions.

Machu Picchu, one of Peru's top tourist destinations, is open at reduced capacity with strict social distancing measures in place.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Peru.

Puerto Rico

Culebra, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Douglas Hodgkins/EyeEm/Getty)

COVID-19 test required: Yes, but fully vaccinated U.S. travelers are now exempt.

• 72 hours before arrival • PCR or Antigen test required

Other restrictions: Arriving passengers must upload testing results or proof of vaccination to an online portal, will face health screenings and could be subject to additional testing; masks are required in all public spaces (with a $100 fine for on-compliance); an island-wide curfew of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. is in effect.

What's open: Most hotels and resorts; public beaches and golf courses have reopened and water activities are allowed with reduced capacity and appropriate social distancing; restaurants are open at 75% capacity, but self-serve buffets are not allowed; casinos and hotel pools are operating at 75% capacity; some attractions are open, but access to Old San Juan between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. (curfew hours) is limited to residents and guests of Old San Juan hotels.

Puerto Rico , an unincorporated territory of the U.S., has officially reopened to all international travelers. However, cases surged throughout April 2021, leading to a tightening of capacity restrictions and an earlier curfew, all of which were just recently eased.

In order to visit, all travelers, including Americans, must complete an online Travel Declaration available on the Puerto Rico Health Department's online portal . Unvaccinated passengers must present a negative molecular COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test taken no more than 72 hours prior. To receive an Airport Exit Confirmation QR Code, they must upload their negative test to the online portal before travel. To receive their QR code, fully vaccinated travelers must upload their vaccination card to the portal.

Related: Vaccinated travelers no longer need a COVOD-19 test for entry to Puerto Rico

As of April 28, 2021, passengers on international flights who do not upload negative test results to the online portal before arrival face a $300 fine; those awaiting results have 48 hours to upload the results and the fine will be dismissed; those who arrive without having taken a test are required to test on the island within 48 hours to have the fine dismissed. Details are here .

Upon arrival at San Juan International Airport, travelers will be subject to health screenings, including possible additional COVID-19 testing. You could be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days, regardless of symptoms.

A note for travelers returning from Puerto Rico: The U.S. began requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test on Jan. 26, 2021, for all international arrivals by air, but passengers traveling back to the U.S. mainland from Puerto Rico will not be required to have taken a test.

Related: Everything you need to know about Puerto Rico reopening

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory for Puerto Rico is Level 3: High Level of COVID-19 .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Puerto Rico.

Related: Your points and miles guide to Puerto Rico

• 48-72 hours before arrival depending on test • PCR or Antigen test required

Other restrictions: All accommodations require proof of vaccination or recent negative test. There are curfew and capacity limits depending on area of the country.

What's open: Most restaurants, bars, museums and sites are open, but Portugal will continue a nightly 10:30pm curfew.

Portugal has allowed nonessential travel — including tourism — from the U.S. with proof of a negative COVID-19 test since June 15, 2021.

All visitors must show a negative nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), such as a PCR test, taken within 72 hours before boarding. Rapid tests are also accepted but must be performed within 48 hours of boarding.

Related: Portugal reintroduces nightly curfew amid rising COVID-19 cases

Portugal also allows use of the EU Digital COVID Certificate to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, negative PCR or antigen tests or recovery from COVID-19, but it's not currently accessible to Americans traveling in Europe. That means, even if you're fully vaccinated, you must still show a negative COVID-19 test to enter Portugal.

A gorilla in the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. (Photo by Mint Images Art Wolfe / Getty Images)

• 72 hours before departure to Rwanda (and 72 hours before departure from Rwanda) • PCR test required

Other restrictions : Testing upon arrival and 24-hour quarantine with another test before release; testing is required for hotel stays and visits to national parks; testing is again required for departure; face masks are required nationwide when in public spaces; there is a 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew.

What's open: Most businesses, hotels and public transportation, as well as all three national parks, including Volcanoes National Park; restaurants are open with restricted hours and capacity; bars are closed.

Rwanda had been doing a relatively good job controlling the coronavirus outbreak since reopening to commercial flights on Aug. 1, 2020, although cases did spike in January 2021. Recently, the U.S. State Department returned its advisory for the country to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

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According to the U.S. Embassy in Rwanda , all arriving passengers are required to fill out a Passenger Locator Form and upload a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours (three days) of departure for Rwanda. All travelers are also subject to testing upon arrival (at a cost of $60) and must spend 24 hours in a designated transit hotel; some travelers (but not business travelers or tourists headed to national parks) may need to undergo a seven-night quarantine.

VisitRwanda's reopening guidance says, "For passengers entering Rwanda, a second PCR test will be conducted upon arrival, with results delivered within 24 hours, during which time they will remain in designated hotels at their own cost." International tourists scheduled to visit national parks are not required to undergo further quarantine, but will be required to present negative test results upon checking into hotels or entering national parks. Details can be found here.

Related: Visiting Rwanda during COVID-19

Travelers departing Rwanda must also test negative within 72 hours of their flight. They are encouraged to book and pay for their tests at least two days prior to their return flight. As of Jan. 26, 2021 everyone aged two and older traveling to the U.S. from Rwanda must show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights.

For information on testing in Rwanda, check this FAQ section on VisitRwanda.com.

Rwanda is offering visas on arrival as well for all nationalities. There are a number of additional planning resources available at VisitRwanda.com . All three major national parks in the country are open but visitors will have to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of visiting. You can even book a trip to see the endangered mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Rwanda.

Other restrictions: As of May 1, 2021, all travelers must fill out an entry form to visit Saba, but non-vaccinated U.S. travelers are required to undergo in-room hotel quarantine for five days (reduced from 10 days), with monitoring via text messages and phone calls and testing on day 5; fully vaccinated travelers need to test before travel, but do not have to quarantine; health insurance valid in Saba that covers COVID-19 is also required.

What's open : Hotels and restaurants, but subject to restrictions.

International travelers have been welcome to apply for permission to visit the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba since Nov. 1, 2020—but new rules went into effect on May 1, 2021. The U.S. is considered a high-risk country, so all travelers from the U.S. must still fill out an online entry form and present a negative COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test result taken within 72 of arrival in Saba. Those who are non-vaccinated must also undergo a 5-day quarantine in their hotel room, with monitoring by local authorities and an Antigen test administered on day 5. If the room has a balcony or patio, travelers can sit outside, but there will be no daily housekeeping services and all room-service food will be left outside the door.

Fully vaccinated travelers to Saba will still need to apply for permission to visit, but will be able to skip quarantine. All visitors from high-risk countries, which includes the United States, will continue to have to present negative results of a pre-travel test taken within 72 hours of arrival no matter what their vaccination status. More details can be found on the government's website .

Travelers arriving in Saba via St. Maarten must also follow the travel requirements for St. Maarten .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Saba is Level 4: Do Not Trave l .

COVID-19 test required: Yes, but only fully vaccinated U.S. travelers are allowed in for tourism and are exempt from testing.

• 48 hours before arrival • PCR or Antigen test required

Other restrictions: All travelers must fill out a Spain Travel Health form prior to boarding their flight to receive a QR code and present their vaccination certificate; children under age 12 who are unvaccinated can travel to Spain with their parents but need their own QR code; children 12 and older must present a vaccination certificate.

What's open: Hotels, restaurants and most business, with limited capacity.

Spain began welcoming back fully vaccinated American tourists on June 7, 2021. Those who are two weeks or more past (and under one year since) their final dose of Pfizer, Moderna or Astra-Zeneca or their one dose of Johnson & Johnson do not require a test to enter.

Unvaccinated travelers from the U.S. cannot enter for tourism purposes and must be traveling for what Spain calls an "exceptional situation," receive permission from the Spanish government and provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test issued within 48 hours of arrival in Spain. Travelers permitted to enter who have recovered from COVID-19 within the past 180 days can also provide a certificate proving their diagnosis.

Details on entry requirements can be found here .

All arrivals in Spain must fill out the Spain Travel Health (SpTH) form at least 48 hours prior to departure to the country. The U.S. is still considered a third-country risk zone, meaning you will need to attach your corresponding documentation (proof of vaccination, recovery or negative test result) to the SpTH form. That will generate a QR code, which you will need to show at border control on arrival.

Related: It's Official: Spain has reopened to fully vaccinated Americans

The U.S. Embassy in Spain notes that if any documents submitted by U.S. travelers are deemed invalid by Spanish border police, health authorities may require an antigen test taken at the airport or a PCR test after arrival and/or may not allow the passenger entry into Spain.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Spain is Level 3: Reconsider Travel.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Spain.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, but only fully vaccinated U.S. travelers are allowed to visit

• 72 or 48 hours before arrival • PCR (72 hours) or Antigen (48 hours) test required

Other restrictions: Travelers flying through St. Maarten will need to register with St. Maarten's EHAS (Electronic Health Registration System).

What's open: Hotels, restaurants, shops and beaches.

As of June 9, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. are once again allowed to visit St. Barths , after a four-month period when France closed down tourism to this and other overseas territories. All Americans age 18 and older planning to visit St. Barths must provide proof of being at least two weeks past their final vaccination and all travelers age 10 and older must present a negative result of COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival or an Antigen test taken within 48 hours of arrival.

The Caribbean island initially reopened to travelers in June 2020, but tourists had been banned since Feb. 2, 2021. U.S. travelers arriving in St. Barths via St. Marten will need to register in advance through the St. Maarten EHAS system and upload negative PCR results as well as pay a fee.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for St. Barths is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

For updates on travel to St. Barths, check with the U.S. Embassy for the Eastern Caribbean.

St. Kitts and Nevis

COVID-19 test required: Yes, but only fully vaccinated travelers can visit as of May 29, 2021

Other restrictions: Travelers must be fully vaccinated (two weeks or more since their final dose), get approval from the island to travel (or boarding a flight will be denied), have a confirmed reservation at a certified hotel, undergo a health screening upon arrival, download a contract tracing app, stay at their hotel property, and test prior to departure or before being allowed to book select excursions; a test on day 9 allows visitors to explore freely; masks are required in public spaces.

What's open: Certified hotels, resorts and certified activities/excursions for tourists; restaurants are open with capacity restrictions.

St. Kitts and Nevis began a phased reopening on Oct. 31, 2020, but on May 29, 2021 changed its protocols to allow only fully vaccinated travelers to visit . Non-vaccinated children under 18 accompanied by fully vaccinated (two weeks or more past their final vaccination) parents will be allowed.

According to the St. Kitts and Nevis tourism board, Americans wanting to visit need to take the following steps:

  • Complete the entry form here to receive travel approval and submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test completed within 72 hours of your flight from an accredited laboratory as well as confirmation of a hotel reservation at a certified hotel.
  • Undergo a health screening at the airport which includes a temperature check and a health questionnaire.
  • Download the SKN COVID-19 contact tracing mobile app (to be used for the first 14 days (or less) of travel.
  • Days 1-9: Visitors are free to move about the hotel property, interact with other guests and partake in hotel activities.
  • Fully vaccinated air travelers staying beyond 9 days are required to be tested on day 9 ($150 visitors' cost) of their stay and once their test is negative, they may integrate into the community, participating in tours, attractions, restaurants, beach bars, retail shopping, etc.
  • Vaccinated parents traveling with a non-vaccinated child will not be allowed to integrate into the community until after the child is tested on day 14 and the test results come back negative.

One other note: Americans will need to stay at one of eight approved hotels for international visitors. Good news? They include the Park Hyatt St. Kitts , the Four Seasons Nevi s and the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.

For complete details on travel requirements, visit the St. Kitts and Nevis Tourism website .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for St. Kitts and Nevis is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution . Visit the website of the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean , which overseas St. Kitts and Nevis, for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in St. Kitts and Nevis.

The Pitons on St. Lucia. Image by Paul Baggaley / Getty Images.

• 5 days (120 hours) before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Visitors must book a stay in a certified property, complete the online Travel Registration Form, upload test results before departure and present a Travel Authorization email confirmation upon arrival; once in St. Lucia, travelers will undergo a health check and must remain at their property for 14 days with some certified activities allowed (activity options have been eased for fully vaccinated visitors, who will be issued wristbands); masks and social distancing are required island-wide.

What's open: Most resorts and activities have been certified for tourists; there is a 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew.

Flights to Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) have resumed and St. Lucia is again welcoming U.S. visitors—but they must remain at their certified accommodation and only participate in certified tours and acrivities.

Travelers age five and older (from outside St. Lucia's designated Travel Bubble) are required to present certified proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within five days of boarding their flights to UVF (this was reduced from seven days as of Feb. 10, 2021). All International travelers, including those from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, must pre-book their stay at a certified property, complete an online Travel Registration Form and then upload the negative test results before travel. All travelers must also present the Travel Authorization email they receive or they may be denied boarding.

Once they arrive, travelers will undergo health checks and temperatures will be taken. All international visitors from outside the St. Lucia Travel Bubble will be required to remain at their COVID-19-certified property and only participate in certified tours and activities for the duration of their stay; after 14 days, visitors be able to move around the island freely. Masks and social distancing will be required for the duration of the stay.

For complete details, visit the International Arrivals page on the St. Lucia Tourism website.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for St. Lucia is Level 3: Reconsider Travel . Visit the U.S. Embassy for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean 's website for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in St. Lucia.

St. Maarten

American Airlines plane landing at Sint Maarten Airport (SXM) in January of 2017. (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)

• 120 hours before departure for travelers from the U.S. (72 hours from other countries) for PCR test or 48 hours for rapid Antigen test • PCR or rapid Antigen test required

Other restrictions: Travelers need to complete an online application and receive a QR code (as of June 9, 2021), apply for St. Maarten's health insurance, and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days.

What's open: Most resorts, businesses and attractions; tourists can cross from the Dutch side of the island to French St. Martin.

Dutch Sint Maarten is open and welcoming U.S. and other travelers arriving at Princess Juliana International Airport.

Before arrival, travelers from high-risk countries (which includes the U.S.) are required to follow several protocols , including submitting the results of a COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of the day of travel. This was reduced from 120 hours as of Feb. 12, 2021, but both the St. Maarten Health Authorization System website and the U.S. Consulate General in Curacao , which oversees Dutch St. Maarten, report the 120-hour requirement remains for Americans.

Americans can also now opt to present the results of any FDA-approved rapid Antigen test done within 48 hours.

All arriving passengers must also register online at EHAS and submit a health declaration form to receive a QR code (confirmation must be shown at immigration). All travelers must also apply for the St. Maarten Visitor Protection Plan , which provides health insurance covering COVID-19 testing and treatment while on the island. It costs $30 for travelers age 15 and older and $10 for those 14 and under. Travelers from high-risk countries (which includes the U.S.) are also expected to follow, including daily self-monitoring and reporting of symptoms for 14 days.

Related coverage: Plane-Spotting Time; St. Maarten is Now Open Again

St. Maarten has travel ban in effect since Jan. 27, 2021 for anyone, including U.S. citizens, who have been in a banned country (including South Africa, India, Pakistan and a dozen South American countries) over the past 14 days.

For more information on travel requirements, check the St. Maarten Health Authorization website .

The U.S. State Department advisory is Level 3: Reconsider Travel for both Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines

Other restrictions: Travelers must fill out a health form prior to departure for St. Vincent, may be subject to testing upon arrival and must quarantine at an approved (and pre-paid for) hotel for 14 days (fully vaccinated travelers must only quarantine for 48 hours); additional testing and monitoring is also required; masks are required in all public spaces.

What's open: Certified resorts and most businesses; restaurants may have capacity or outdoor-dining-only restrictions.

The La Soufrière volcano on St. Vincent erupted on April 9, 2021 , forcing many island residents to evacuate. The eruption has devastated nearby areas and disrupted life on the island.

Related: Cruise lines send ships to help evacuate St. Vincent as volcano threatens island

St. Vincent and the Grenadines began reopening on July 1, 2020. Visitors from all countries are welcome, but everyone must fill out an entry form within 24 hours of departure for the islands. Americans face especially strict requirements, which were updated as of Feb. 8, 2021.

All travelers from high-risk countries, which includes the U.S., need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours (three days) of arrival. All high-risk travelers may also be tested on arrival. They are also required to quarantine at an approved hotel for 14 nights and show proof of a fully-paid reservation for those 14 nights. Then, retesting is required between day four and day seven along with ongoing monitoring by a Port Health Officer.

Travelers who have proof that they are fully vaccinated (at least four weeks after the final dose) must still have a pre-travel COVID-19 test 72 hours before arrival and be tested upon arrival, but are only required to quarantine for 48 hours until they receive arrival test results.

For more information on entry requirements, click here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for St. Vincent is Level 3: Reconsider Travel . Visit the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean , which oversees St. Vincent, for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

São Tomé and Principe

Other restrictions : Symptomatic travelers must take a second PCR test upon arrival and quarantine until receiving the results; masks are required in public spaces.

What's open: Most businesses; markets have restricted hours; there is a 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on Principe only.

São Tomé and Príncipe , a lush and tropical island nation located off the coast of western Africa in the Gulf of Guinea, released a three-phase plan for reopening the country beginning in June 2020. Currently, travelers are welcome, but there are social distancing restrictions in place and people are encouraged to remain at home for all but essential business.

According to the U.S. Embassy (which overseas Gabon as well as São Tomé and Principe), all arriving passengers must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure for the islands. Arriving passengers who are symptomatic must also take a PCR at the airport ($36) and quarantine until receiving the results.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for São Tomé and Príncipe is Level 4: Do Not Travel.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in São Tomé and Príncipe.

• 120 hours (5 days) hours before arrival • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Passenger Locator form required and face masks mandatory in all public spaces.

What's open: Hotels, most businesses and public transportation; restaurants, casinos and beaches are open with social distancing measures in place; a mandatory mask order remains in place countrywide.

International flights have resumed to Senegal, but most land and sea borders remain closed. According to the U.S. Embassy in Senegal , Americans are welcome to visit and must follow entry protocols. Senegal requires the original certificate of a negative COVID-19 test taken with five days of arrival. The West African country also requires all arrivals to submit a Public Health Passenger Locator form. Arriving passengers face health screenings.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Senegal is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Senegal.

• 48 hours before arrival • PCR or Antigen (only for travel originating in the U.S.) test required

Other restrictions: Face mask requirements and social distancing measures are in place.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses, but cafes and restaurants are open for outdoor dining, take-out or delivery only.

Serbia isn't part of the European Union, and according to the U.S. Embassy in Serbia , Americans can enter the country. To do so, they need to provide a negative PCR test taken within the previous 48 hours. If a U.S. citizen's travel originates in the U.S., they can provide either a negative PCR or Antigen test. The embassy reports that the Antigen test allowance includes passengers who transit another airport on their way from the U.S. to Serbia, but not those whose travel originated outside the U.S.

COVID-19 cases rose sharply in Serbia and throughout the Balkans in early March 2021 and the government announced that tighter measures may need to be introduced. On March 22, 2021, all cafes, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shopping malls were ordered to close (except for takeout and delivery and, more recently, outdoor dining). Cultural institutions and public transportation are open, but at limited capacity. Face mask and social distancing measures remain in place and certain businesses must close early.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Serbia is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Serbia.

A photo of Air Seychelles' first Airbus A320neo. (Photo courtesy of Airbus)

Other restrictions: Only fully vaccinated U.S. travelers were allowed until March 25, 2021, when arrivals opened to all U.S. travelers; all travelers (even those who are vaccinated) must provide PCR test results; all visitors also must obtain a Travel Health Authorization, have valid travel health insurance and stay at certified accommodations; face masks and social distancing are required; visitors who have been in South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Brazil within the 14 days prior to arrival are not permitted entry.

What's open: Most businesses and hotels, but tourists must stay only in certified properties and avoid prolonged interaction with the local community; there is an 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew.

The Seychelles , which has gone to extremes to protect itself from coronavirus (in May 2020, TPG cruise reporter Gene Sloan wrote about the small island nation off the coast of Africa banning cruise ships until 2022), began by welcoming just vaccinated Americans, but as of March 25, 2021, even non-vaccinated U.S. travelers can visit. Details can be found here . However, COVID-19 cases have been rising throughout April and May 2021, setting new weekly and monthly records.

In February 2021, the country announced that fully vaccinated U.S. travelers can visit, but as of March 25, 2021, both vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors can enter the country. They must obtain a Travel Health Authorization via the online portal, upload a negative result of a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their flight, submit their flight and hotel details and have valid travel health insurance that covers, at a minimum, COVID-19 related isolation, quarantine and clinical care. Note: Visitors may only stay at licensed establishments or liveaboards that have been certified by the Public Health Authority .

Related: Seychelles reopening: Fire up the private jet

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Seychelles, as shown on the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius and the Seychelles website , is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Seychelles

South Africa

Other restrictions: Health screening upon arrival; without the proper test, travelers must quarantine for 10 days; face masks and social distancing are required in public spaces.

What's open: Most businesses (with limited hours and capacity restrictions); many hotels, safari lodges and game reserves and national parks are open; public transportation is running at reduced capacity.

South Africa re-opened to tourism on Oct. 1, 2020, and, according to the U.S. Embassy in South Africa , as of Nov. 11, 2020, U.S. citizens can enter the country for tourism purposes, but they need to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours from the time of departure, or they must remain in mandatory quarantine for 10 days at their own cost. Details can be found here .

In December 2020, both South Africa and the United Kingdom began reporting troubling new COVID-19 variants, which resulted in the widespread suspension of flights and travel to and from both the U.K. and South Africa. The U.S. government on Jan. 26, 2021 then banned travel from South Africa , with the exceptions of U.S. citizens and legal U.S. residents (travel from the U.K. and Brazil, where another COVID-19 variant has emerged, had already been banned).

South Africa suffered a dangerous second wave in December 2020 and January 2021, surpassing 1.5 million total cases and forcing a return to a Level 3 lockdown alert with restrictions that were eased back to Level 1 on March 1, 2021 as cases declined. But an Adjusted Alert Level 2 was issued on May 31, 2021, with bars and restaurants required to close at 10 p.m.

All arriving travelers will face a health screening. If a passenger has a negative test result, they will not have to quarantine. Those who don't present test results will need to quarantine for 10 days at their own expense. Travelers must also download the South Africa coronavirus mobile tracing app , and fill in all the information on that app.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for South Africa is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in South Africa.

South Korea

Other restrictions: Mandatory 14-day quarantine regardless of vaccination status and passengers must sign a release agreeing to quarantine before boarding their flight; visitors cannot board connecting flights within South Korea until after completing the mandatory quarantine.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses, subject to local regulations in response to outbreaks; public transportation is running and masks are mandated.

Americans can go to South Korea, but a mandatory two-week quarantine will make it undesirable for most travelers. Cases, which have been largely under control throughout the pandemic, have risen in May 2021.

While the country is technically open to foreigners on short-term visits, most (with limited exceptions) are subject to a mandatory quarantine at a government-designated facility at their own expense for 14 days. The U.S. Embassy in South Korea notes that this will cost approximately $100-$150 USD per night, and passengers will be required to sign a release form agreeing to these conditions before departing. As of Jan. 8, 2021 all travelers are also required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure; airlines will not permit passengers to board without the proper test results in their original form (English is acceptable). Additional details can be found here .

RELATED: I quarantined and tested abroad in South Korea — here's what it was like

The U.S. State Department's advisory for South Korea is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in South Korea.

Switzerland

COVID-19 test required: Yes, unless the traveler is fully vaccinated or can show proof of recent recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months

Other restrictions: You must fill out an electronic entry form; there may be health screenings at the airport

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants and businesses; public transportation is running with masks required.

Switzerland is open to Americans, according to the U.S. Embassy , with one of the following: proof of full vaccination, proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months or a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival.

U.S. travelers must also fill out an electronic entry form before arrival.

Inside the country, there aren't many restrictions: Businesses and restaurants are open, there's no curfew and domestic travel is allowed. However, take note there is a high level of COVID-19 in Switzerland, according to the CDC , and there may be more restrictions in specific cantons (states) of the country.

Related: How I got bored and burned 130,000 Aeroplan points for a weekend in Switzerland

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Switzerland is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Switzerland.

Other restrictions: A Tajik visa is required for entry; travelers must fill out a Health Surveillance Form and undergo another PCR test upon arrival; a positive result may require transfer to a government facility for quarantine.

What's open: Most businesses, hotels and restaurants; public transportation is running and masks are required.

Tajikistan never did have a full lockdown, and most businesses, hotels and restaurants reopened on June 15, 2020. According to the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan , all Americans need a Tajik visa for entry and must show results of a negative COVID-19 PCR test issued within 72 hours of arrival when boarding flights to Dushanbe; they are also subject to PCR testing at the airport upon arrival. Travelers must provide contact information and will be allowed to leave the airport, but if the result is positive for COVID-19, travelers may be transferred to a government quarantine facility.

The U.S. Embassy also notes that access to medical care in the country may be limited and that "the Government of Tajikistan frequently adjusts its entry and exit requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and changes to policy are not immediately made available to the public." A non-expired visa is also required to leave Tajikistan.

The U.S. State Department has a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory in effect for Tajikistan related to both COVID-19 and the potential for terrorism.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

COVID-19 test required: Yes, as of May 3, 2021

Other restrictions: U.S. travelers need a tourist visa and must complete and online Health Surveillance Form within 24 hours of arrival; arriving passengers face enhanced screening and those from countries with new COVID-19 variants will be subjected to a rapid test, followed by a 14-day quarantine if they get a positive result.

What's open: Most businesses, hotels, safari lodges and camps and national parks; public transportation is running.

Tanzania, which had been accepting tourists with no testing or quarantine conditions attached, now requires all travelers to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of arrival and to complete an online Health Surveillance Form within 24 hours prior to arrival. Travelers will undergo screening upon arrival and those arriving from countries with a high number of COVID-19 cases (or those who have been in those countries within the past 14 days) will also be required to take a rapid test ($25) upon arrival in Tanzania, and a positive result requires a 14-day quarantine at their own cost.

The new requirements were put into effect by the country's new president Samia Saluhu Hassan to try to curb the spread of new variants.

Tanzania's late president John Magufuli had until a few weeks before his death denied widespread COVID-19 transmission (the government had not been reporting cases). Magufuli, 61, died on March 18, 2021 after not being seen in public for more than two weeks.

The U.S. Embassy in Tanzania is reporting that it has seen an increase in the number of cases reported to it since January 2021 and that the use of masks, social distancing and other prevention strategies are largely absent throughout the country. The U.S. State Department's advisory for Tanzania is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

U.S. tourists also need a visa to visit Tanzania. See details here .

Tanzania has received much criticism on how it has handled the coronavirus pandemic. The government hasn't actively revealed data about infection rates or death. President Magufuli had said that releasing the data was "causing panic" and at the start of the pandemic declined to close churches, saying that the virus "cannot survive in the body of Christ — it will burn." He also claimed Tanzania was free of coronavirus as of June 2020 due to prayer and the work of front-line workers. He even celebrated citizens who weren't wearing masks as a sign that people were no longer afraid and the virus was gone.

Related: Dreaming of Tanzania

Other restrictions: Travelers need a Certificate of Entry and valid medical insurance; they need to test upon arrival and undergo a 14-day in-room quarantine in specific hotels with confirmation of a booked stay before travel and testing during quarantine.

What's open: Many hotels and businesses, but it varies by region based on control measures following a recent surge in cases.

Thailand had remained closed to most foreign tourists, but in late 2020 began offering 60-day long-stay visas to residents of low-risk and medium-risk countries, including the United States. As of April 1, 2021, U.S. passport holders are no longer required to obtain a visa for a tourist visit of up to 45 days (valid through September 30, 2021). They still need to obtain a Certificate of Entry . Details are here .

Travelers also still need to book a reservation at one of Thailand's Alternative State Quarantine hotels . As of May 6, 2021, all U.S. passport holders must again quarantine in-room for 14 days (it had briefly been lowered to 10 days for unvaccinated travelers and 7 days for fully vaccinated travelers) due to rising cases in the country throughout April and May 2021. The most recent updates on travel to Thailand can be found here .

To enter Thailand, U.S. travelers need a Certificate of Entry (COE) issued by the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate ; a COVID-19 health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of US$100,000; confirmation of Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) hotel booking, and a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 PCR laboratory result issued no more than 72 hours before departure.

During quarantine in Thailand, travelers must remain in their rooms and undergo a PCR test on the day of arrival and on days 6-7 and days 12-13.

For further information on visiting Thailand, check the U.S. Embassy in Thailand's website .

Related: Thailand will fully reopen to vaccinated travelers in a phased approach

Thailand has announced that it plans to waive quarantine requirements for travelers who are fully vaccinated in phases, beginning with travel to Phuket as of July 1, 2021 , where the tourism industry is looking to lure travelers with $1 per night hotel rates . Thailand has also promoted six resorts offering a "golf quarantine."

Thailand is still dealing with regional surges in infections and the U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Thailand is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Thailand.

COVID-19 test required : Yes, for unvaccinated travelers

Other restrictions: Pre-travel online health questionnaire; unvaccinated travelers must undergo a mandatory 7-day quarantine at a government-selected hotel (at their own cost), followed by a second PCR test taken between days 5 and 7; masks are required in all public spaces.

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants and businesses with limited capacity; there is a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.

Tunisia is open to U.S. tourists, and according to the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia , unvaccinated visitors to this North African country must present the negative result of a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their flight. All travelers must complete a pre-travel online health questionnaire (which they should print and sign and be prepared to show it upon flight check-in and/or to immigration authorities in Tunisia), download and use the Tunisian government's "track and trace" app on their mobile phones, and undergo a health screening upon arrival. Some travelers will be selected for a rapid COVID-19 test.

Vaccinated travelers must have documented proof to be exempt from testing and quarantine requirements. All unvaccinated visitors to Tunisia are required to self-quarantine for seven days at a government-selected hotel (at their own cost with proof of reservation upon arrival) and pay for a second PCR test, taken between days 5 and 7. The U.S. Embassy recommends contacting the Tunisian Embassy in Washington, DC for details.

Face masks and adherence to COVID-19 restrictions are required and those who don't obey local requirements can face stiff fines of 1,000 TND to 5,000 TND (approximately $366 to $1,800).

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Tunisia is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Tunisia.

Istanbul, Turkey (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)

Other restrictions: Arriving travelers must complete a passenger information form and undergo a medical screening; symptomatic passengers will be required to undergo testing and quarantine and treatment if positive.

What's open : Most hotels and businesses, with varying restrictions and operating hours, but restaurants are open for delivery only since April 29, 2021 when Turkey entered a three-week lockdown that restricted movement and intercity travel through May 17, 2021 (although tourists were exempt); some restrictions have been eased but there is a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Monday through Saturday, and a full lockdown on Sundays beginning at 10 p.m. on Saturday and ending at 5 a.m. on Monday (again, tourists are exempt).

Turkey is welcoming tourists from a number of countries, including the U.S., according to the U.S. Embassy in Turkey . Country-specific restrictions are available here .

Related: Turkey is open to Americans

Since Dec. 30 2020, all international travelers six years of age and older are required to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of travel and submit it at airline check-in. Travelers without the required test results will not be allowed to board flights or enter the country. And since March 15, 2021, all travelers six years of age and older must also must complete a Turkey Entrance Form within 72 hours of their flight (a print out or mobile screen shot of the completed form must be presented before boarding).

Upon arrival, travelers will be asked to fill out another passenger information form and undergo medical screenings for infection, and anyone showing symptoms upon arrival will be tested for coronavirus. Anyone who tests positive will be referred to a Turkish hospital or to a dormitory for quarantine.

Restrictions put into place in September 2020 mandate the wearing of face masks at all times when in public and travelers should note a couple of precautions unrelated to COVID-19:

  • The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Turkey is Level 3: Reconsider Travel.
  • U.S. travelers will still need to apply for a visa before entering Turkey. You can do so via e-visa application, which takes about three minutes.
  • The State Department's travelers' checklist here .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Turkey.

Turks and Caicos

Beach in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

• 3 days before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Travel pre-authorization and health insurance valid in Turks & Caicos for COVID-19 treatment is required; masks are mandated in public spaces.

What's open: Most resorts and beaches are open; restaurants are open at 30% capacity.

Turks and Caicos, a group of 40 low-lying coral islands popular with tourists in the Caribbean, reopened for international visitors, including U.S. travelers, on July 22, 2020. The Providenciales Airport (PLS) reopened that day.

This British Overseas Territory includes the island of Providenciales, also known as Provo.

More: What you have to know for Turks and Caicos reopening

Travelers age 10 and older to Turks and Caicos are required to take a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours (updated July 28, 2021) of visiting the islands and obtain travel pre-authorization via the TCI Assured Portal . Health insurance valid in Turks & Caicos for treatment of COVID-19 is also mandatory. Masks are also required in public places and the government recently re-imposed an 11 p.m. curfew through at July 30, 2021.

For the latest information on requirements, visit the Turks & Caicos Tourism website .

The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board told TPG:

"We are proud to have safely welcomed travelers to our beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands over the past year and are updating travel requirements to ensure ongoing vigilance and in consideration of the efficacy and turnaround of available COVID-19 tests," said Honorable Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands. "More than 60 percent of the adult population in the Turks and Caicos Islands is fully vaccinated, making us one of the most inoculated countries in the world; combined with our updated TCI Assured program, we are confident in the overall wellbeing of our communities and visitors as travel to the destination continues to flourish."

Related coverage: Why I love Turks and Caicos

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Turks and Caicos is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution . Visit the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas , which oversees Turks and Caicos, for additional information.

• 120 hours before departure (and 120 hours before departure from Uganda, but United States' requirements call for testing within 72 hours for those traveling back to the U.S.) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Health screening, temperature check and PCR testing upon arrival for all non-vaccinated U.S. travelers and travelers from other Category 2 countries.

What's open: Many businesses and restaurants; casinos with restricted hours; and all national parks; there is a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.

Americans can currently travel to Uganda, known as one of the top destinations for gorilla trekking. The country's national parks reopened to tourists in October 2020. However, as of May 1, 2021, the Government of Uganda recommends that all non-vaccinated travelers from the United States (and all Category 2 countries) postpone any non-essential travel to Uganda, according to the U.S. Embassy in Uganda .

The embassy notes that arriving passengers must have a negative PCR COVID-19 test from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin taken not more than 120 hours before departure for Uganda. Passengers will be subjected to temperature and health screening upon arrival at Entebbe Airport, and unvaccinated U.S. travelers must take another PCR test and awaits the results. Travelers who test positive will be taken to a Ministry of Health facility for treatment, at their own cost.

The Government of Uganda also now requires that all departing passengers present a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken not more than 120 hours before departure. This requirement is mandatory for all departing passengers out of Uganda even if the destination country does not require it. But the U.S. now does: As of Jan. 26, everyone aged two and older traveling to the U.S. from Uganda must show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights.

Uganda had eased some of its lockdown restrictions, allowing some businesses like hardware shops, restaurants and wholesale stores to reopen. Masks are required in public.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Uganda is Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to COVID-19 and the risk of kidnapping.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Uganda.

Other restrictions: Health screening upon arrival; proof of medical insurance valid in Ukraine is also required.

What's open: Ukraine is under adaptive quarantine until at least June 30, 2021, with different restrictions by region; mask-wearing is mandatory on public transportation (which is limited to essential workers only in Kyiv) and in indoor public spaces.

Americans are currently able to enter the country, according to the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine 's website, although the Ministry of Health "considers the United States a country with a high incidence of COVID-19." Ukraine itself has seen a resurgence of the virus in recent weeks and remains under adaptive quarantine.

All U.S. citizens entering Ukraine from the U.S., must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of arrival (children under 12 are now exempt) and must also demonstrate that they have medical insurance covering all expenses related to COVID-19 treatment while in Ukraine.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Ukraine is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Ukraine.

United Arab Emirates

worst countries for us citizens to visit

• 72 hours (for Dubai) and 96 hours (for Abu Dhabi) before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: In Abu Dhabi, an additional test upon arrival and a 10-day self-isolation with a third test on day 4 or day 8 depending on the length of stay had been required for U.S. travelers, but the U.S. was recently added to the "green list" of quarantine-free countries and self-isolation for Americans traveling from the U.S. to Abu Dhabi has been lifted; face masks and social distancing are required in public spaces.

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants, malls and beaches are open at reduced capacity.

The United Arab Emirates is open to tourism and Americans are welcome.

Dubai reopened to tourists on July 7, 2020, and tourist visas (required for U.S. travelers) are being issued in all emirates, including Abu Dhabi, which began welcoming back international travelers on Dec. 24, 2020, with testing and quarantine protocols in place, depending on the traveler's country of origin.

To enter Abu Dhabi, tourists over the age of 12 will be required to present a COVID-19 PCR test negative certificate done within 96 hours of departure and undergo a second test upon arrival, with results delivered in 90 minutes. If the traveler is from from "green list" country (good news: the U.S. was just added to the list) and receives two negative tests, they are not required to quarantine. All other travelers, even if they test negative, are required to self-isolate for 10 days. And all travelers will be required to take a third COVID-19 PCR test on day 6 and another on day 12 if staying that long. Details are available here . Travelers can also check for updates on Etihad Airlines website .

Tourists over the age of 12 traveling to Dubai are also required to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure and some travelers, depending on their country of origin, will be tested again upon arrival. All travelers must also download the COVID-19 DXB app and register their details. However, visitors entering Dubai are not required to quarantine. For additional information on traveling to Dubai, check the Emirates airline website .

All test results for both emirates must be presented either in English or Arabic in original, physical form. Digital copies will not be accepted. Travelers with severe and moderate disabilities may be exempted from the test requirement.

All arrivals will also be subject to thermal screenings. If a traveler is suspected to have COVID-19 symptoms, Dubai airports have the right to re-test to ensure the tourist is free of the virus.

Tourists must comply with preventive measures and safety procedures and must self-isolate for 14 days if they test positive. The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority of the UAE (NCEMA), as well as the official website of the UAE , has stated that anyone entering the UAE from another country who receives a positive test result upon arrival must undergo a self-quarantine of 14 days. Violating home quarantine is punishable with fines of AED 50,000 ($13,600).

Related: Dubai and Abu Dhabi are open

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the UAE is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in the UAE.

United Kingdom 

London Heathrow (LHR). (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)

Other restrictions: All arriving travelers must fill out a passenger locator form and quarantine for 10 days (plus book a testing package in most cases), with different quarantine testing requirements for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; face masks are required in all public spaces.

What's open: England, Scotland and Wales are emerging from lockdown; outdoor dining at restaurants has been allowed since April 12, 2021 in England; Scotland has also lifted some restrictions.

Americans can travel to the United Kingdom, but are recommended not to and will face strict testing requirements and a 10-day quarantine and in most cases two tests on days 2 and 8 (in England only, quarantine can be reduced after one negative COVID-19 PCR test taken on day 5 under its Test to Release scheme ). The U.K. also now requires all arriving travelers to fill out a passenger locator form within 48 hours of travel and to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure for the U.K.

On Feb. 8, 2021, the U.K. also increased the fine for non-compliance and anyone who fails to comply will be subject to a fine of 1,000 pounds ($1,360). The government also revealed stiff fines and even jail time for those who try to circumvent the mandates or lie on their required passenger locator forms ; the latter could be a 10,000 pound ($13,789) fine or 10 years in jail. Details are here .

COVID-19 infections and deaths have begun to level off after hitting record highs in January 2021. Lockdown measures are gradually being eased in England, Scotland and Wales with some shops reopening; restaurants and pubs reopened April 12, 2021 for outdoor dining in England; Scotland has also begun to lift its lockdown restrictions . But the prevalence of the Delta variant, which originated in India, threatened to put the brakes on the speed at which the U.K. re-opens to American tourists—although U.S. President Joe Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on June 9, 2021 announced a new joint task force to work toward easing restrictions .

All four nations that comprise the U.K. have separate testing and quarantine requirement: England's are here , Scotland's are here , Northern Ireland's are here and Wales's are here .

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his team announced on April 5, 2021 that the country would introduce a "traffic light" system for international travel beginning as early as May 17, 2021 . Passengers coming from so-called "green" countries will not need to quarantine on their arrival, but U.S. travelers, listed on the "amber list," are not among the first group.

Related: Will Americans be able to vacation in the U.K. this summer?

The U.K. has been especially hard-hit by the coronavirus and the new restrictions are a result of the chaos that erupted in December when a more infectious COVID-19 variant was found to be widely circulating in London and southeastern England.

The U.S. State Department's current advisory is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Visit the U.S. Embassy in the United Kingdom 's website for regular updates.

The quarantine rules do not apply to international passengers transiting U.K. airports.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in the United Kingdom.

U.S. Virgin Islands

panoramic view of Carambola Beach, St.Croix, US Virgin Islands. (Photo by cdwheatley/Getty Images)

COVID-19 test required:

• 5 days before departure • PCR or rapid Antigen test required (or positive antibody test result within four months of travel)

Other restrictions: Masks are mandatory when going into businesses and attractions and when using public transportation.

What's open: Resorts, hotels, villas and Airbnb accommodations are open; beaches are open, subject to social distancing; capacity guidelines are in place for restaurants, retail businesses and attractions, taxi vans, safari vehicles and limo services.

The U.S. Virgin Islands, which includes St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, was under a state of emergency until July 11, 2020, but began welcoming back tourists on June 1, 2020, with restrictions. After a surge in cases, the islands returned to a "stay at home" order on Aug. 13, 2020, but again reopened to tourism on Sept.19, 2020.

Every traveler five years of age or older (even those who have completed their COVID-19 vaccinations) is currently required to submit to the U.S. Virgin Islands Travel Screening Portal a negative COVID-19 test result (molecular, PCR or rapid Antigen) obtained within five days of commencement of travel to the Territory or a positive COVID-19 antibody test taken and received within four months of travel date. Visitors must produce the original test result and the travel certification from the portal upon arrival. As of Jan. 25, 2021, travelers age five and older are not allowed to board flights to the U.S. Virgin Islands without travel certification from the portal. Details can be found here .

No quarantine is required for healthy visitors who have negative test results.

Travelers who are asked to quarantine will be expected to do so at their own expense, and according to the government, "are responsible for all associated costs, including transportation, lodging, food, and medical care."

Related: U.S. Virgin Islands reopening

A note for travelers returning from the U.S. Virgin Islands: The U.S. now requires proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test for all international arrivals by air , but passengers traveling back to the U.S. mainland from the U.S. Virgin Islands will not be required to have taken a test.

Other restrictions: U.S. travelers need a visa for entry; health screening and rapid Antigen test upon arrival; face masks are required in all public spaces.

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants and businesses are open; public transportation is operating.

Uzbekistan is open to Americans. In fact, it promises to compensate tourists up to $3,000 if they catch COVID-19 .

U.S. citizens need a visa for entry, according to the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan , and a negative COVID-19 PCR test is required within 72 hours of departure to the country. Tourists face health screenings on arrival, as well as a rapid Antigen test (at a cost of approximately $9). Passengers must wait for results and if they test positive, they will be taken to a health facility for treatment and quarantine; they will not be able to go to a hotel, as hotels will not take COVID-19 positive travelers. After two weeks and a negative test, they will be released from quarantine.

The U.S. State department's advisory for Uzbekistan is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Uzbekistan.

Other restrictions: Health screening and temperature check upon arrival

What's open: Most businesses, hotels, safari lodges and camps, restaurants, national parks and tourist sites; public transportation is operating.

Zambia , home to Victoria Falls and known as a top safari destination, is open to international travelers, including Americans. However, according to the U.S. Embassy in Zambia , a second wave of cases is winding down in the country and the CDC has recently issued a Level 2: Moderate Level of COVID-19 warning for the country. Still, the Embassy recommends U.S. travelers reconsider visiting the country at the moment.

Zambia now requires a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding your flight (changed from 7 days). Tourists also need a visa (apply online for an e-visa here ). There are no quarantine requirements right now, but there are reports of some health screenings and symptomatic individuals may be required to submit to testing and/or quarantine.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Zambia is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Zambia.

• 48 hours before arrival (test issued within that time) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Quarantine in a hotel or private residence for 10 days; masks and social distancing are required in public spaces.

What's open: Mostly essential businesses; restaurants are take-out and delivery only unless serving hotel guests; bars are closed; public transportation is running on a limited basis.

U.S. citizens can travel to Zimbabwe, according to the U.S. Embassy , and must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test issued within 48 hours of arrival. However, as cases surged in January 2021, a nationwide lockdown with a curfew (now 10:30 p.m. to 5 a.m.) was put into place and extended with slightly relaxed restrictions on March 1, 2021. Cases have greatly declined, but amid the January surge, four officials in the Zimbabwe government died of COVID-19. As of May 7, 2021, all international arrivals, regardless of vaccination status, are required to self-isolate at a hotel or private residence for 10 days.

Zimbabwe reopened its borders to international flights on Oct. 1. 2020.

Travelers who arrive in Zimbabwe without the required test must get tested upon arrival and quarantine in a government holding facility until getting a negative result.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Zimbabwe is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Zimbabwe.

Important caveats and things to know

COVID-19 continues to spread around the world. While some countries have done a good job of containing the virus, there is still much we don't know. Travel is still considered a risky undertaking, especially for non-vaccinated individuals. Know the rules and regulations for the place you are planning to visit and make sure you have completed all the necessary steps (like pre-departure testing in most cases). There is also the possibility countries could change their minds on reopening at the last minute (like we saw in Portugal and Iceland , which has since opened up to vaccinated Americans) so make sure you are booking refundable tickets and hotels or purchasing travel insurance.

What about Europe?

Most of the E.U. is still closed to Americans, but countries are reopening on a weekly basis, mostly to fully vaccinated travelers (the latest are France and Spain) and leadership of the European Union recently indicated that vaccinated Americans will be welcome within the E.U. this summer. Currently, Croatia, Greece and Italy have reopened to Americans and Americans can go to the U.K., but a 10-day required quarantine and restrictions on internal travel make the prospect less than ideal. The lifting of some U.K. restrictions, however, could just be weeks away.

Related: Want to travel to Europe this summer? Here's what you need to know.

Additional reporting by Katherine Fan, Ariana Arghandewal, Jordyn Fields, Donna Heiderstadt, Zach Honig, Brian Kelly, Brian Kim, Samantha Rosen, Victoria Walker, and Zach Wichter.

State of the Union fact check: What President Joe Biden got wrong (and right)

Though President Joe Biden largely stuck to the facts during his third State of the Union address Thursday, on several occasions he overstated the truth, left out key context or was simply wrong.

In a wide-ranging speech on issues including inflation, border security and conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, Biden on multiple occasions attacked – but never identified by name – his Republican opponent in November, former President Donald Trump. But in contrasting himself with his challenger and making his case for a second term, Biden occasionally strayed from the truth.

For example, in addressing the economy, a crucial campaign issue, he touted the inflation rate in the U.S. as “the lowest in the world” – even though dozens of countries, including G7 nations Canada and France, have rates that are lower.

Here are the other claims the USA TODAY Fact Check Team dug into.

More : State of the Union replay: Joe Biden hits hard; Katie Britt gives intense response

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page

Claim: Trump told Putin ‘Do whatever the hell you want’

“Now my predecessor, a former Republican president, tells Putin, quote, ‘Do whatever the hell you want.’ That’s a quote. A former president actually said that, bowing down to a Russian leader.”

Biden mischaracterized Trump’s remarks, which weren’t nearly as broad as this framing implies.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Conway, South Carolina, on Feb. 10, Trump suggested he might not come to the aid of NATO member states attacked by Russia if they weren't contributing enough money to the alliance, USA TODAY reported.

“One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, ‘Well sir, if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’" Trump said, according to the article. “I said, ‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?’ He said, ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’ No, I would not protect you.”

Trump added, “In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want.”

– Andre Byik

Prior fact checks:

  • Fact check : False claim Putin told Carlson it's 'amusing' that US protects foreign borders
  • Fact check : False claim Putin told Carlson that Biden is a 'facade' for 'those in real power'

Claim: Gross domestic product is up since Biden took office

 “Since I’ve come to office, our GDP is up.”

Biden is correct that GDP has grown since he came to office in January 2021, but this is hardly a unique achievement. Every president since Harry Truman has experienced GDP growth from the beginning to the end of their presidency, according to data from the U.S. Federal Reserve .  

Herbert Hoover, who was president from 1929 to 1933 during the Great Depression, was the last president who saw GDP drop during his presidency, according to The Balance . 

GDP grew by about 22% from January 2021 to December 2023.

– Brad Sylvester

Fact check roundup : Gas tax, border and Social Security: These 2024 presidential candidate claims are misleading

Claim: US inflation rate is the lowest in the world

“Inflation has dropped from 9% to 3% – the lowest in the world!”

Biden is simply wrong here.

The inflation rate refers to the annual percent change in consumer prices compared with the previous year's prices. That number was 3.1% in the U.S. for the year ending in January 2024, a reduction from 3.4% the previous January, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . 

But that’s not the lowest in the world.

The latest data from the International Monetary Fund shows the U.S. has a higher inflation rate than dozens of countries. Those with lower rates include G7 countries such as Canada and France (2.4% and 2.5% respectively) and other advanced economies such as New Zealand, Italy, Switzerland, Finland and China. The global average inflation rate is 5.8%, according to the IMF.

The U.S. inflation rate hit a four-decade peak of 9.1% in June 2022, the highest rate since 1981.

Claim: Biden administration cut the federal deficit by more than $1 trillion

"I’ve already cut the federal deficit by over $1 trillion. "

Biden is correct that the federal deficit has gone down by more than $1 trillion during his time in office. But his description fails to acknowledge the decline is primarily a result of the unique post-pandemic landscape. 

The drop was largely a result of "shrinking or expiring COVID relief," according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget , a nonpartisan group that promotes fiscal responsibility.

The deficit stood at about $3.1 trillion in 2020 and $2.8 trillion in 2021 , then fell to $1.4 trillion in 2022 before slightly increasing to $1.7 trillion in 2023 , according to the Congressional Budget Office. 

That’s still well above where it was before the pandemic. In 2019 the deficit was $984 billion .

– Chris Mueller

  • Fact check : Social Security does contribute to federal deficit and national debt
  • Fact check : False claim Trump increased debt more than any president

Claim: Trump said to ‘get over’ school shooting

“After another school shooting in Iowa, he said we should just get over it.”

Trump did use this phrase in remarks on Jan. 5 , but not as abruptly as Biden’s citation implies.

Speaking a day after a sixth grader was killed and five people were injured in a shooting at a high school in Perry, Iowa, Trump offered the victims and their families “our support and our deepest sympathies” and asked for comfort “for the whole state.”

Then came the comment Biden referenced:

“We’re really with you as much as anybody can be,” Trump said. “It’s a very terrible thing that happened, and it’s just horrible to see that happening. That’s just horrible. So surprising to see it here, but have to get over it. We have to move forward.”

Trump then resumed his condolences, saying, “But to the relatives and to all of the people that are so devastated right now, to a point they can’t breathe, they can’t live, we are with you and we love you and cherish you.”

– Joedy McCreary

  • Fact check : There is no growing 'trend' of transgender, nonbinary shooters, experts say
  • Fact check roundup : The mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas

Claim: Pandemic tax credit caused cut child poverty in half

“The Child Tax Credit I passed during the pandemic … cut child poverty in half”

This is accurate, but it's only half the story.

The child poverty rate fell from 12.6% in 2019 to  9.7% in 2020 to 5.2% in 2021 – the latter drop being its largest on record, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy , a nonpartisan think tank. The organization attributes the change to the Biden-endorsed expansion of the Child Tax Credit in 2021.

But that measure ran out in 2022, after which the child poverty rate shot back up, to a three-year high of 12.4%. That rise was “due almost entirely to the expiration of the CTC enhancements” along with other components of Biden’s COVID-19 response package, ITEP concluded.

In his speech, Biden called for restoring the Child Tax Credit.

Claim: US-China trade deficit lowest in more than a decade

"Our trade deficit with China is down to the lowest point in over a decade."

In 2023, the U.S. trade deficit with China declined by more than $100 billion to $279.4 billion , the smallest total since 2010 , Bloomberg reported. A trade deficit occurs when the value of a country's imports exceeds the value of its exports.

But Biden is taking credit for a trend that also has ties to his predecessor and 2024 opponent, Trump. Chinese imports have faced higher tariffs since Trump imposed them in 2018 .

The Biden administration has kept most of the Trump administration tariffs in place, according to the Tax Foundation . Biden's administration has taken additional steps to reduce China's role in U.S. supply chains and sought to increase trade with strategic allies, according to Bloomberg .

Claim: Alabama court 'shut down' IVF treatments

"The Alabama Supreme Court shut down IVF treatments across the state."

In late February, Alabama's largest hospital paused in vitro fertilization after the state's Supreme Court ruled embryos created during the treatment should be legally treated as children.

In vitro fertilzation, or IVF, refers to a medical procedure that combines eggs and sperm in a lab dish before transferring the fertilized eggs into the uterus, according to Yale Medicine .

But Biden, who had called the ruling by Alabama's high court "outrageous and unacceptable," didn’t quite tell the whole story. He failed to mention that state lawmakers this week gave final approval to legislation protecting in vitro fertilization providers and patients.

Claim: Prescription drugs cost 40% more in the U.S. than in other nations

“I’m going to get in trouble for saying that, but anyone who wants to get in Air Force One with me and fly to Toronto, Berlin, Moscow – I mean, excuse me, well, even Moscow, probably – and bring your prescription with you and I promise you I’ll get it for you for 40% the cost you’re paying now.”

Biden is mostly right here.

A 2024 report from Rand , a global policy think tank, found prescription drug prices in the U.S. average 2.78 times those seen in 33 other nations. The report uses data through 2022.

“Put another way, prices in other countries were 36 percent – or a little more than one-third – of those in the United States,” Rand reported.

Prices for unbranded generic drugs, which account for 90% of prescription volume in the U.S., are about 67% of the average cost in the comparison nations, according to a Rand news release about the study. That means the U.S. pays less in this category.

“These findings provide further evidence that manufacturers’ gross prices for prescription drugs are higher in the United States than in comparison countries,” said Andrew Mulcahy , a senior health economist at Rand, in the news release. “We find that the gap is widening for name-brand drugs, while U.S. prices for generic drugs are now proportionally lower than our earlier analysis found.”

  • Fact check : Experts say US doesn't use 87% of global prescriptions
  • Fact check: Post falsely links antidepressant use to school shootings

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here .

worst countries for us citizens to visit

DeSantis faces riskier operation in Haiti after ordering rescue flights out of Israel

M IAMI — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration wants to know if any Floridians stranded in Haiti need to be rescued, as the Caribbean nation faces its worst political and security crisis in decades.

But exactly how the state plans to help remains unclear, with State Department officials warning it is “not safe” for U.S. citizens to attempt a departure from the country in light of the ongoing crisis.

DeSantis’ office said in a news release Thursday that Floridians in Haiti could fill out an online questionnaire to “let the state know of immediate needs” and where they need to be rescued from. His office did not immediately respond when asked what state officials would do once the information is collected.

“We will do everything possible to help Floridians and Americans who are in need of help in Haiti,” Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said in a statement. “I encourage those with needs to visit the portal today.”

The governor previously contracted with private organizations to fly U.S. citizens out of Israel last year, just days after Hamas’ attack on the country on Oct. 7.

That operation provided Floridians in Israel with an opportunity to leave despite many commercial airlines canceling flights out of the country’s main airport, out of fear that incoming rocket fire from Hamas could endanger aircraft.

By contrast, any rescue mission in Haiti would be riskier for the state, as heavily armed gangs continue to challenge the Haitian government to turn the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince, into a war zone.

The international airport in Port-au-Prince has been under regular gunfire. The main roadways out of the capital are under gang control. And armed groups have orchestrated a jailbreak of nearly 4,000 inmates, many of them murderers and kidnappers and gang leaders.

While the Haiti National Police are fighting back, it is not entirely clear who is in charge, with the country’s prime minister, Ariel Henry, resigning earlier this week to defer to a transitional government that has not yet formed.

The chaotic situation has led President Joe Biden to send U.S. military personnel this week to protect U.S. diplomats and facilities on the island. He said Thursday that U.S. Armed Forces personnel will remain in Haiti “as long as the security environment requires.”

The State Department has also directed U.S. citizens who remain in Haiti to a U.S. government intake form on the embassy’s website.

“We are in contact with a number of American citizens in Haiti,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on Monday. “I do want to reiterate that we have had a Level 4 travel alert for Haiti for more than four years now, making very clear to American citizens that, No. 1, they should not travel to Haiti, that it is not safe to travel to Haiti; and number two, that they are — if they’re in Haiti, they should leave as soon as it’s safe for them to do so.”

“It’s not safe for a number of them to leave right now, and they’re not able to leave right now because the airport has been damaged and commercial carriers have suspended flights,” Miller continued, “so what we are asking U.S. citizens to do today is to register through our crisis intake form , which you can get to through the embassy’s website, and we will communicate with them the best information we have when we have it.”

In Florida, the DeSantis administration is collecting names, contact information and the locations of Floridians who might be stranded in the conflict zone. One of the questions on the state’s intake form is “from where do you need rescue,” asking people to provide state officials with “a pin or coordinates” of the location.

The governor’s office did not immediately respond when asked if it has been in contact with any individuals in Haiti or if the administration intends to partner with other organizations to help with the state’s rescue efforts.

When DeSantis sought to rescue Americans from Israel, he partnered with several private organizations that helped the state identify Americans who were seeking to flee the war zone.

Those rescue flights are estimated to have cost Florida taxpayers approximately $32 million. The price tag included payouts to three separate organizations — ARS Global Emergency Management, TAD Recovery Services and Echo 1 Emergency Logistics Inc.

ARS — which has also helped the governor carry out the state’s controversial migrant relocation program — was the primary contractor leading the Israel rescue flights.

In addition to the three private vendors, the state also partnered with Project Dynamo, a Tampa-based nonprofit that specializes in bringing U.S. citizens home from conflict zones around the world.

It is unclear whether any of those organizations will be involved in any effort related to Haiti.

©2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Ron DeSantis takes part in a roundtable discussion about the uprising in Cuba at the American Museum of the Cuba Diaspora on July 13, 2021 in Miami.

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US forces fly in to beef up security at the embassy in Haiti and evacuate nonessential personnel

Street battles between anti-government gangs and police have crippled Haiti’s fragile economy with United Nations officials saying half of the country’s more than 11 million inhabitants don’t have enough to eat and 1.4 million are starving. (AP Video/Pierre Luxama and Mikenson Duvergé)

A police officer guards the entrance of the U.S. embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, March 10, 2024. The U.S. military said Sunday that it had flown in forces to enhance security at the delegation and allow nonessential personnel to leave. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

A police officer guards the entrance of the U.S. embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, March 10, 2024. The U.S. military said Sunday that it had flown in forces to enhance security at the delegation and allow nonessential personnel to leave. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

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A man enters the U.S. embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, March 10, 2024. The U.S. military said Sunday that it had flown in forces to bolster security at the delegation and facilitate the departure of nonessential personnel. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

A street alongside the U.S. embassy compound is devoid of traffic in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, March 10, 2024. The U.S. military said Sunday that it had flown in forces to bolster security at the delegation and facilitate the departure of nonessential personnel. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

Members of the General Security Unit of the National Palace, USGPN, set up a security perimeter around one of the three downtown stations after police fought off an attack by gangs the day before, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, March 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The U.S. military said Sunday that it had flown in forces to beef up security at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti and allow nonessential personnel to leave.

The aircraft flew to the embassy compound, the U.S. Southern Command said, meaning that the effort involved helicopters. It was careful to point out that “no Haitians were on board the military aircraft.” That seemed aimed at quashing any speculation that senior government officials might be leaving as the gang attacks in Haiti worsen .

The neighborhood around the embassy in the capital, Port-au-Prince, is largely controlled by gangs.

“This airlift of personnel into and out of the Embassy is consistent with our standard practice for Embassy security augmentation worldwide, and no Haitians were on board the military aircraft,” according to the Southcom statement.

FILE - Jimmy Cherizier, a former elite police officer known as Barbecue who now runs a gang federation, walks hand in hand with children as he visits La Saline district of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 24, 2023. Internationally, Cherizier is known as Haiti's most powerful and feared gang leader, sanctioned by the United Nations for "serious human rights abuses," and the man behind a fuel blockade that brought the Caribbean nation to its knees in late 2022. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph, File)

In many cases, nonessential personnel can include the families of diplomats, but the embassy had already ordered departure for nonessential staff and all family members in July. The personnel ferried out of the embassy may have simply been rotating out, to be refreshed by new staff.

The statement Sunday said that the United States remains focused on aiding Haitian police and arranging some kind of U.N.-authorized security deployment. But those efforts have been unsuccessful so far.

Haiti’s embattled prime minister, Ariel Henry, traveled recently to Kenya to push for the U.N.-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country to fight the gangs. But a Kenyan court ruled in January that such a deployment would be unconstitutional.

Henry, who is facing calls to resign or form a transitional council, remains unable to return home. He arrived in Puerto Rico on Tuesday after he was unable to land in the Dominican Republic, which borders Haiti.

On Saturday, the office of Dominican President Luis Abinader issued a statement saying that “Henry is not welcome in the Dominican Republic for safety reasons.” The Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, has closed its land border.

“Given the current situation, the presence of the Haitian prime minister in the Dominican Republic is not considered appropriate,” according to the statement, adding that “this decision reflects the firm position of the Dominican government to safeguard its national security and stability.”

The statement described the security situation in Haiti as “totally unsustainable” and said that it “poses a direct threat to the safety and stability of the Dominican Republic.”

The statement predicted “the situation could deteriorate even further if a peacekeeping force is not implemented urgently to restore order.”

Caribbean leaders have called for an emergency meeting Monday in Jamaica on what they called Haiti’s “dire” situation. They have invited the United States, France, Canada, the United Nations and Brazil to the meeting.

Members of the CARICOM regional trade bloc have been trying for months to get political actors in Haiti to agree to form an umbrella transitional unity government.

CARICOM said Friday that while regional leaders remain deeply engaged in trying to bring opposition parties and civil society groups together to form a unity government, “the stakeholders are not yet where they need to be.”

“We are acutely aware of the urgent need for consensus to be reached,” according to the statement. “We have impressed on the respective parties that time is not on their side in agreeing to the way forward. From our reports, the situation on the ground remains dire and is of serious concern to us.”

In February, Henry agreed to hold a general election by mid-2025, and the international community has tried to find some foreign armed force willing to fight gang violence there.

CARICOM has also pushed Henry to announce a power-sharing, consensus government in the meantime, but the prime minister has yet to do so even as Haitian opposition parties and civil society groups are demanding his resignation.

Henry, a neurosurgeon, was appointed as Haiti’s prime minister after the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

It was unclear whether Henry would be in Jamaica for the CARICOM meeting.

In Port-au-Prince, meanwhile, police and palace guards worked Saturday to retake some streets in the capital after gangs launched major attacks on at least three police stations.

Guards from the National Palace accompanied by an armored truck tried to set up a security perimeter around one of the three downtown stations after police fought off an attack by gangs late Friday.

Sporadic gunfire continued Saturday, and one woman writhed in pain on the sidewalk in downtown Port-au-Prince with a gunshot wound after a stray bullet hit her in the leg.

The unrelenting gang attacks have paralyzed the country for more than a week and left it with dwindling supplies of basic goods. Haitian officials extended a state of emergency and nightly curfew on Thursday as gangs continued to attack key state institutions.

But average Haitians, many of whom have been forced from their homes by the bloody street fighting , can’t wait. The problem for police in securing government buildings is that many Haitians have streamed into them, seeking refuge.

“We are the ones who pay taxes, and we need to have shelter,” said one woman, who didn’t give her name for safety reasons.

Another Port-au-Prince resident, who also did not give his name, described Friday’s attacks.

“They (the gangs) came with big guns. We have no guns and we cannot defend ourselves. All of us, the children are suffering,” said the man.

worst countries for us citizens to visit

LaGuardia Airport among best airports in country after years of bad reputation

After having held the reputation as one of the worst airports in the country, LaGuardia Airport in New York has made a complete turnaround, being awarded the best airport of its size based on a new passenger survey. 

Airports Council International honored LaGuardia with an Airport Service Quality , or ASQ, award as the "best airport of 25 to 40 million passengers in North America" last year.

The recognition marks the success of a multibillion-dollar transformation at the airport in Queens, taking it from worst to best in five years.

"When we started out on our $8 billion transformation of LaGuardia, few believed we could create the world-class airport our region deserves. But the ASQ award proves that seeing is believing," Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said in a statement Monday.

LaGuardia Gateway Partners CEO Suzette Noble said, "The ASQ award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of not only those who designed and built the new airport, but to those providing exceptional service each and every day."

Delta Air Lines Terminals Ahead Of Earnings Figures

With the completion of new terminals and airport roadways, 2023 became the first full year all passenger facilities were in use at LaGuardia, the Port Authority said.

The renovations led to a 20% increase from 2018 survey scores, with overall passenger satisfaction earning a rating of 4.24 out of 5. 

The largest drivers behind the jump in passenger satisfaction were the airport's ambience and facility cleanliness, which increased by 21% and 15%, respectively, over the last five years. Other improved factors included security screening, dining facilities and the comfort of gate areas, the Port Authority said.

More than 4,200 passengers completed the ASQ survey at gates in LaGuardia Airport throughout 2023.

"There is no better judge of our new airports than the passengers who use them, which is why the ASQ award for best airport going to LaGuardia is so meaningful," Port Authority Chairman Kevin O'Toole said.

Katherine Itoh is a news associate for NBC News.

South Africa's Foreign Minister Says Citizens Fighting With Israeli Forces in Gaza Will Be Arrested

South Africa’s foreign minister says her country’s citizens who fight in the Israeli armed forces or alongside them in Gaza will be arrested when they return home

South Africa's Foreign Minister Says Citizens Fighting With Israeli Forces in Gaza Will Be Arrested

Patrick Post

Patrick Post

FILE - South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor addresses reporters after session of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. South Africa’s foreign minister says her country’s citizens who fight in the Israeli armed forces or alongside them in Gaza will be arrested when they return home. (AP Photo/Patrick Post, File)

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South Africa's foreign minister says her country's citizens who fight in the Israeli armed forces or alongside them in Gaza will be arrested when they return home, deepening the rift between the nations after South Africa lay accusations of genocide against Israel at the United Nations' top court.

Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor made the comment earlier this week at a Palestinian solidarity event attended by officials from South Africa's ruling African National Congress party.

She also encouraged people to protest outside the embassies of what she called the “five primary supporters” of Israel and its military action in Gaza . She didn’t name them but almost certainly was referring to the United States, the U.K. and Germany among others.

“I have already issued a statement alerting those who are South African and are fighting alongside or in the Israeli Defense Forces: We are ready. When you come home, we are going to arrest you,” Pandor said, to rapturous applause from the audience.

In December, the foreign ministry said that the South African government was concerned that some of its citizens or permanent residents had joined the IDF to fight in Gaza and warned that they could face prosecution if they hadn't been granted permission to do so under South Africa's arms control laws.

Those with dual South African-Israeli citizenship could be stripped of their South African citizenship, the foreign ministry said.

Photos You Should See

A Maka Indigenous woman puts on make-up before protesting for the recovery of ancestral lands in Asuncion, Paraguay, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. Leader Mateo Martinez has denounced that the Paraguayan state has built a bridge on their land in El Chaco's Bartolome de las Casas, Presidente Hayes department. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

Pandor's comments represented an apparent hardening of the government's stance.

It's not clear how many South African citizens have fought for Israel during the current war in Gaza. South Africa has a significant Jewish population of around 70,000 people.

The South African government was a vocal supporter of the Palestinian people and a critic of Israel even before the current war.

The issue is close to the ruling ANC party and many South Africans, who for years have compared Israel's policies against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank with the treatment of non-whites in South Africa during its apartheid era of forced racial segregation and oppression.

Israel denies South Africa's charge that it has enforced a form of apartheid on Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, and strongly rejects the charge by South Africa in the International Court of Justice that it is committing genocide in Gaza. That case may take years for a verdict.

Israel has replied by accusing South Africa of being a representative of the Hamas militant group that attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 Israelis and taking 250 hostages back to Gaza, sparking the war.

Israel's assault on Gaza has killed over 31,000 Palestinians, driven most of the coastal enclave's 2.3 million people from their homes and caused a humanitarian disaster , with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians on the brink of starvation.

Pandor asked audience members at the Palestinian solidary event this week to make posters with the words "Stop Genocide" and protest outside the embassies of what she called the “five primary supporters” of Israel.

“Don’t only come to this dinner. Be visible in the support of the people of Palestine," she said.

AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa

Copyright 2024 The  Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Tags: Associated Press , politics , world news , genocide

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