Summer is in full swing and many travelers are flocking to the Caribbean for their seasonal vacation.
The islands offer not only warm weather and abundant sunshine but one-of-a-kind experiences, world-class hotels and resorts and spectacular nature in addition to vibrant culture.
But before they go, travelers will want to read up on the latest U.S. State Department guidance.
The sun-kissed island of Aruba is one of the many top Caribbean destinations receiving a Level 1 travel advisory this June. Therefore, visitors are encouraged to exercise normal precautions as they enjoy Aruba’s world-class beaches and stunning nature.
The same goes for its neighboring islands of the Leeward Antilles, Bonaire and Curacao.
A picturesque Aruban coastline. (photo courtesy of Aruba Tourism Authority)
The Bahamas, which continues to receive a Level 2 travel advisory due to crime, made headlines in late January when the U.S. Embassy in Nassau issued a security alert warning Americans in the wake of an uptick in violent crime.
Bahamian tourism officials responded to the advisory, noting that the Level 2 advisory has been in place for some time.
“Let me say the safety and well-being of all of our nine million annual visitors is a priority for our government and we are very confident that will continue, and we will welcome many tourists in large numbers and they will continue to experience the warmth the hospitality of the Bahamas,” Chester Cooper, the Bahamas’ minister of tourism, investments and aviation, told TravelPulse.
Travelers can exercise normal precautions when exploring Tortola, Virgin Gorda and the other islands and cays of the British Virgin Islands in 2024.
Rosewood, Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands (Photo via Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon)
Visitors hoping to enjoy the stunning beaches, nature and wildlife of the Cayman Islands can do so with peace of mind as the British overseas territory receives a Level 1 travel advisory from the State Department.
The Nature Island of Dominica is an easy choice for adventure seekers and those travelers prioritizing safety as it receives a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department this June.
A beach near Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. (photo by Patrick Clarke)
Visitors to the Dominican Republic are asked to exercise increased caution due to crime. “The development of a professional tourist police corps, institution of a 911 system in many parts of the country, and a concentration of resources in resort areas means these tend to be better policed than urban areas like Santo Domingo,” the State Department notes.
The State Department is advising Americans to reconsider travel to Jamaica due to crime and subpar medical services this June. However, Jamaica’s ambassador to the U.S. has been working for a reversal of the Level 3 warning, calling it “inaccurate.”
In a Facebook post earlier this year, Audrey Marks said the advisory “distorts the reality and facts in Jamaica.”
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has also discussed the controversial advisory, telling TravelPulse that “the Level 3 advisory for Jamaica is not new and has been in effect since early 2022. Since that time, Jamaica has welcomed millions of visitors and continues to be one of the most popular destinations in the world.”
“The crime rate involving visitors is extremely low at 0.01 percent,” Bartlett added.
El San Juan Hotel in Puerto Rico. (Photo Credit: Brian Major)
While the State Department doesn’t issue travel advisories for U.S. territories, the Canadian government gives Puerto Rico a low risk level, encouraging citizens to take normal security precautions on the island. In addition to being safe, Puerto Rico offers Americans the chance to experience the Caribbean without a passport.
St. Kitts and Nevis is enhancing connectivity, giving travelers more options when it comes to reaching this safe Caribbean locale, which receives a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department.
Maria Major island Saint Lucia. (photo by Brian Major)
Saint Lucia continues to be among the safest destinations in the Caribbean, receiving a Level 1 travel advisory from the State Department this June.
When exploring the Turks and Caicos Islands, travelers are encouraged to exercise increased caution due to crime, the majority of which occurs in Providenciales.
The islands also shared an important message with visitors following several arrests involving tourists who mistakenly arrived with ammunition in their luggage.
The Canadian government gives the U.S. Virgin Islands a low risk level this June, advising travelers to take normal security precautions as the biggest threat is often the potential for petty crime.
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