By comparison to October—when the U.S. State Department issued updated travel advisories for every country around the world—November was a quiet month, with officials publishing just 10 updates ahead of the holidays. From cime to terrorism concerns, the department has highlighted a handful of potential risks that travelers should be aware of when venturing abroad this winter. Here’s a look at the most significant travel advisory updates from November.
The State Department reissued its Level 2 travel advisory for Ecuador on November 4, recommending that visitors exercise increased caution due to civil unrest and crime. Officials ask Americans to reconsider travel to Guayaquil north of Portete de Tarquí Avenue due to crime and advise them to avoid Carchi, Sucumbíos, and the northern part of Esmeraldas provinces, including Esmeraldas city, and Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarquí Avenue, due to crime.
Travelers are advised to exercise increased caution in Cuba due to crime this winter, with officials pointing out that petty crime is the biggest threat to tourists. “The U.S. Embassy in Havana is operating with reduced staffing, and U.S. government travel outside of the Havana area requires a special permit process which may affect the Embassy’s ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Cuba,” the November 15 advisory states.
