Louisiana Travel Advisory – Reconsider This Bucket List Destination

(KMDL-FM) Ask ten people from Louisiana why they travel, and you're likely to get ten different answers. For a lot of us, travel is relaxing. Those are the people who drive from Crowley or Breaux Bridge to Orange Beach in Alabama and stay at the same place every year.

Then there are those who travel to do things. They leave from Lafayette, Youngsville, and Baton Rouge to go hiking or surfing, or mountain climbing. Those are the folks who usually come back from vacation nursing a bruise or recovering from an injury.

Then there are those who travel to see and to learn. Those are the folks who leave Milton, Maurice, Eunice, and New Iberia only to return with a phone filled with pictures and stories no one wants to hear. Did we cover everybody?

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Whatever your reason for travel, safety should always be the first thing you pack. This is not one world; in fact, many places on the planet don't even qualify to earn third-world status, much less first or second on our "world assignment" levels.

Unfortunately, some of the most interesting sites in the world require you to travel in places where the people aren't always friendly, and your good fortune is something they would be willing to steal in a heartbeat, no matter the emotional or physical damage it might inflict upon you.

What Cities and Countries Currently Have State Department Travel Advisories?

One such place where precaution should be at the top of your list is any destination in South America. I have traveled the globe, and only South America has been placed on my personal "don't want to ever go there again" list. Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is an absolute dumpster fire. The criminals commit crimes in Rio in broad daylight, and I am sure the State Department has its own set of warnings for Rio and Brazil.

But the most recent State Department Advisory concerning South American travel concerns the other side of the continent, which would be Peru. Peru is a fascinating country, and more than half a million Americans travel there every year specifically to view the majesty of Machu Picchu in the Andes.

The lost city in the clouds is spectacular to see. It is well maintained, and I felt safe up in the clouds. However, in the city below and especially in Lima, Peru's capital, I felt as if our entire tour group was just a bunch of sitting ducks. Perhaps that feeling and the fact that crime is running rampant in Peru, the State Department has issued a Level 2 advisory for Americans.

Is It Safe For Americans to Travel to South America?

A Level 2 doesn't mean "don't go". It just means be extra cautious in public areas where pickpockets or thieves might be out. Trust me, there are a lot of individuals trying to "sell you something" on the streets in Peru, just be very careful with your money and where you put your money if you happen to buy something.

The State Department Advisory did mention that the areas around Machu Picchu and the tourist-friendly areas of Cuzco are fairly safe. If you wanted to view or travel the Inca Trail, you'll probably be okay too. But outside of those areas, keep your head on a swivel and keep travelling. We can't let the bad guys win.