Recent travel advisories have residents second-guessing where to go for spring break, Valentine's Day or even just to get away to someplace new.
After all, where do you go when you live in the state where thousands, if not millions, come to visit?
Some Florida residents love to pop over to the Bahamas, but the U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 travel advisory warning, telling travelers to "exercise increased caution" due to crime, specifically on the islands of New Providence, which includes Nassau, and Grand Bahama.
Another advisory, this one a Level 3, warned those thinking about a visit to Jamaica to reconsider their plans due to crime and medical services.
"Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts," the department said.
Even in Mexico, there are various levels of travel warnings, including a Level 2 advisory for Cancún.
"Violent crime — such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery — is widespread and common in Mexico," the State Department said. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to some areas and may not travel between cities after dark or hail taxis on the street.
So if you want to head to the Caribbean, what options do you have? Still nervous about heading out of the country? There are some island options to consider in Florida.
Insisting on Caribbean vacation? Check out these destinations under Level 1 advisory
A Level 1 travel advisory encourages travelers to exercise normal precautions. Here's a list of Caribbean locations under Level 1:
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Barbados
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- French West Indies: Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy.
- Grenada
- Montserrat
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Caribbean destinations under Level 2 travel advisory
A Level 2 travel advisory encourages travelers to "exercise increased caution." Here's a list of Caribbean locations under Level 2:
- Bahamas
- Belize: Due to crime. Some areas have increased risk.
- Costa Rica: Due to crime.
- Cuba: Due to crime.
- Dominican Republic: Due to crime.
- Panama: Due to crime.
- Turks and Caicos Islands: Due to crime.
Traveling to Mexico? Travel advisories depend on the state you're going to
"Violent crime — such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery — is widespread and common in Mexico," the State Department said.
"The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities.
"U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on U.S. government employee travel. U.S. government employees may not travel between cities after dark, may not hail taxis on the street, and must rely on dispatched vehicles, including app-based services like Uber, and regulated taxi stands. U.S. government employees should avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas.
"U.S. government employees may not drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico, except daytime travel within Baja California and between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, and between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D."
Travel advisories range from Level 1 all the way to Level 4, which warns travelers not to go to that specific state, most due to crime and kidnapping.
Here's the list of advisories for each Mexican state. Popular tourist destination Cancún is in the Mexican state listed under a Level 2 advisory to exercise increased caution.
All travel advisories:US issues Jamaica, Bahamas travel advisories, but there are more. Here’s a list of all of them
Caribbean destinations you probably want to avoid
- Colombia Level 3 due to crime and terrorism.
- Honduras: Level 3 due to crime and kidnapping.
- Jamaica: Level 3due to crime.
- Nicaragua: Level 3 due to crime, arbitrary enforcement of laws, risk of wrongful detention, and limited healthcare availability.
- Trinidad and Tobago: Level 3 due to crime, terrorism and kidnapping.
- Haiti: Level 4 due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure.
- Venezuela: Level 4 due to crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws. Reconsider travel due to wrongful detentions, terrorism, and poor health infrastructure.
There are 4 levels of travel warnings. Here's what they mean
- Level 1: Exercise normal precautions: This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk. There is some risk in any international travel.
- Level 2: Exercise increased caution: Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security.
- Level 3: Reconsider travel: Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security.
- Level 4: Do not travel: This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks.
10 best islands in Florida for an at-home getaway
Travel and Leisure compiled a list of the 10 best islands in Florida for "beautiful beaches, laid-back vibes and charming small towns."
So if you're looking for something a little closer to home, here are the islands that made the list:
- Key West
- Palm Beach
- Amelia Island
- Little Palm Island
- Anna Maria Island
- Sanibel and Captiva Islands
- Peanut Island
- Key Biscayne
- St. George Island
- Gasparilla Island
