Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.
Exercise increased caution in Maldives due to terrorism.
Country Summary: Terrorist groups may conduct attacks with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Attacks may occur on remote islands which could lengthen the response time of authorities.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Maldives.
If you decide to travel to Maldives:
- Read the U.S. Embassy's web page.
- Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
- Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- Review the Country Security Report for Maldives.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist
Reissued after periodic review without changes.
Exercise normal precautions in Bhutan.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Bhutan.
If you decide to travel to Bhutan:
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- Review the Country Security Report for Bhutan.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.
Reconsider travel to Bangladesh due to civil unrest, crime, and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Level 4: Do Not Travel
- The Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban Hill Tracts districts (collectively known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts) due to communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security risks.
Country Summary: Since summer 2024, civil unrest and violent clashes have largely subsided with the formation of the Interim Government. Occasional protests continue with potential for violent clashes. Conditions may change on short notice. U.S. citizens are reminded to avoid all gatherings, even peaceful ones, since they could turn violent with little or no warning.
Travelers should be aware of petty crime, such as pickpocketing in crowded areas. In addition, crimes such as muggings, burglaries, assaults, and illegal drug trafficking constitute most criminal activity in Bangladesh’s major cities, but there are no indications foreigners are targeted because of their nationality. These crimes tend to be situational, based on time and location.
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Bangladesh. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.
Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Bangladesh are prohibited from non-essential travel within Dhaka outside of the diplomatic enclave.
Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Bangladesh must obtain special authorization to travel outside of Dhaka. Authorization is not required for travel to Cox’s Bazar or Sylhet.
The U.S. government may have limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Bangladesh, particularly outside of Dhaka, due to these travel restrictions, a lack of infrastructure, and limited host government emergency response resources.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Bangladesh.
If you decide to travel to Bangladesh:
- Avoid demonstrations and political gatherings; demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and quickly escalate into violence.
- Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust plans.
- Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Get to a safe area and report any criminal incident to local authorities.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts including updates on consular services and so it is easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Review the Country Security Report for Bangladesh.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Please review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage.
- Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Chittagong Hill Tracts Region – Level 4: Do Not Travel
The Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban Hill Tracts districts (collectively known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts) experience occasional communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security risks. Kidnappings have occurred in the region, including those motivated by domestic or familial disputes, and those targeting members of religious minorities. Separatist organizations and political violence also pose additional threats to visitors to the region, and there have been instances of IED explosions and active shooting. Prior approval from the Government of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs Office of Public Safety is required if you plan to travel to these areas. Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Bangladesh are prohibited from traveling to the region. Do not travel to these areas for any reason.
- Visit our website Travel to High-Risk Areas.
- Do not travel to these areas for any reason.
Updated due to change in travel advisory level to reflect changes in crime.
Country Summary: Exercise normal precautions in El Salvador. Gang activity has decreased over the last three years. This has caused a drop in violent crimes and murders.
U.S. government employees working in El Salvador are allowed to travel throughout the country during daylight hours. However, due to the risks, U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling between cities or departments at night.
There are exceptions. U.S. government employees are allowed to travel at all hours between San Salvador and:
- El Salvador’s international airport.
- La Libertad department.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from using public buses.
State of Exception
In March 2022, the Government of El Salvador declared a “State of Exception” in response to an increase in gang murders:
- The State of Exception allows local authorities to arrest anyone they think is involved in gang activity.
- It suspends several constitutional rights. This includes the normal protections of criminal procedure, like the right to a speedy or fair trial.
- Tens of thousands of people are currently in prison under the State of Exception.
- Several U.S. and other foreign citizens have been detained under the State of Exception. They remain in prison and have yet to face trial.
The State of Exception is still in place.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to El Salvador.
If you decide to travel to El Salvador:
- Always use major highways and roads.
- Minimize travel outside of major cities at night.
- El Salvador has zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol. You can be detained for having any level of alcohol while driving. Do not drink and drive.
- Stay aware of your surroundings.
- When possible, travel in pairs or in groups, especially for long trips and in rural places.
- Avoid relying on online maps or applications. They might not accurately show local road conditions.
- Do not hitchhike.
- Ensure you have multiple forms of communication when traveling and the ability to charge your devices.
- Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
- Stay alert when visiting banks or ATMs.
- Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry.
- Engage local guides certified by the national or local tourist authority when hiking in backcountry areas.
- Use caution when swimming near El Salvador’s beaches. Follow water condition warnings.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts from the U.S. Embassy and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Review the Country Security Report for El Salvador.
- Prepare a backup plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel and return to the United States.
- We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage.
Updated to add Petit Saint Vincent to the list of islands affected by Hurricane Beryl in July 2024.
Exercise normal precautions in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The islands of Canouan, Mayreau, Palm Island, Petit Saint Vincent, and Union Island are in varying stages of recovery from Hurricane Beryl.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
If you decide to travel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines:
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X (formerly known as “Twitter”).
- Review the Country Security Report for the Eastern Caribbean, which includes Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
Canouan, Mayreau, Palm Island, Petit Saint Vincent, and Union Island
In July 2024, Hurricane Beryl damaged many buildings on these islands. Until repairs are complete, fewer hotels and transportation options may be available.
- Contact your destination before traveling to these islands