Travel Threat Raised for Popular Tropical Destination

(KMDL-FM) Louisiana and Texas' summer travel season is about over. Granted, places like Houston, Dallas, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette will still have plenty of summertime heat for the next few weeks, but with school bells ringing, most summer travel plans have been completed.

Now that doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't travel as the calendar slips from August into September and into October. In my opinion, those are the best months to travel anyway. Even if you're making a short jaunt to the beaches of Alabama or Florida, the weather is a lot nicer and the crowds a lot smaller.

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Now, if you really want to get away to somewhere warm when the weather gets cooler here along the Gulf Coast, you can always try heading south. But unfortunately, the destinations that you'll find in that direction might not be as conducive for travel as a destination in the United States might be.

The U.S. State Department monitors information from multiple locations around the globe, and it offers detailed reports on where it is safe and not safe to travel. Unfortunately, the islands of the Caribbean and Mexico have been falling increasingly into the "don't go" category rather than the "come on" category.

Which Countries Currently Have Travel Warnings or Advisories?

For specific travel advisories on the Bahamas, click here. For advisories on Jamaica, click here. For travel advisories in Mexico, click here.  The bad news is that the further south you go, the situation doesn't really improve. There are travel advisories for Costa Rica and Honduras, too.

And most recently, the U.S. Department of State has upped the travel concerns for those wanting to visit Brazil. Brazil is now under a Level 2 Advisory, which means an Exercise Increased Caution. The primary crime being mentioned in this advisory, besides robbery, is kidnapping.

If you do have travel plans to visit Brazil, pay attention to these advisories. I have recently visited that nation, and I can tell you from personal experience that I did not feel safe. Even in broad daylight, walking along Copacabana Beach, there was rampant crime.

How Can Americans Stay Safe While Traveling?

The advisory also had warnings for the "safer tourist areas" that suggested American travelers be especially mindful of drugs or sedatives being placed in drinks. This is especially concerning for female travelers.

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The advisory also suggests Americans avoid public transportation in cities such as Rio de Janeiro. There have been reports of robberies and assaults on buses committed against American tourists, so consider this a word to the wise.

Meanwhile, there is always Key West and Bermuda if you need to get a little sun and sand in your life. They speak English in those destinations, and the crime rate is significantly lower for American guests.