Travel Advisories Updated – Good News For 2 Island Destinations

(KMDL-FM) Anytime you travel outside the walls of your home, you need to have your head on a swivel. In this day and age, you simply have to have situational awareness, no matter if it's a trip to the grocery store or to an island getaway for vacation.

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Granted, the island getaways sound a lot more enticing than a few minutes in the frozen foods aisle at the Rouses, but still, I guess Rouses has its glamor spots too. I hear their walk-in beer cooler is nice this time of year. But maybe not as exotic as two island destinations that have been under travel scrutiny by the U.S. Department of State.

How Does The State Department's Travel Advisory System Work?

If you weren't aware, the State Department keeps tabs on what's going on in the world, not only where there is conflict but where Americans might be traveling. They have a unique advisory system, which comes in handy for those who want to travel abroad.

Recently, many popular tourist destinations have been under upgraded warnings and advisories because of crime, civil unrest, or what appears to be a "dislike" of American travelers. Places like Mexico, Jamaica, and the Bahamas have been included in some of the more severe advisories, and with good reason.

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Which Islands Have Been Cleared for Safe Travel?

But if you have the desire to seek the sun and get a little ocean breeze in your hair, we do have good news for two other island destinations. On April 10th, the State Department lowered the travel advisory concern for Bermuda and Barbados.

Those island nations are now listed as  Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions in the State Department's list of travel advisories. In Barbados, U.S. visitors are generally welcomed warmly, but you just don't want to leave your valuables lying around unattended. Nor do you want to travel alone, especially if you're a female traveler at night.

In Bermuda, the precautions are similar, but the crime rate is even lower. The "crimes of opportunity", such as leaving valuable items unattended or not locking your hotel door, are the major concerns for travelers to that island.

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There was a mention of motorbike theft in Bermuda. Apparently, the thieves like to steal the rental bikes that tourists secure for travel around the island. There have also been a few purse snatchings perpetrated by thieves on motorbikes. So, while it's generally safe in Bermuda, it's not totally safe.

And if you're looking to broaden your travel horizons, you might want to consider these places. They might seem exotic and expensive, but once you crunch the numbers, you'll find they can be as affordable as a week in Gulf Shores.