Evaluating the Safety of Your Upcoming Travel Destination

How do you determine if a destination is safe?

Safety can vary greatly for different individuals, encompassing aspects like the risk of civil unrest or terrorism, the prevalence of COVID-19, and whether it's safe to drink tap water or wear flashy jewelry in public. Depending on your sources of information, a destination may seem very secure or extremely risky even before you set foot there.

For instance, I traveled to Kuwait before the pandemic and had little knowledge about the area beforehand. I found it to be one of the safest places I’ve ever been. Conversely, during a trip to Turkey, my phone was stolen in a restaurant. While Turkey is generally considered safe, this single event left me with a skewed perception of safety in Istanbul.

Instead of relying solely on someone else's experiences or casual conversations, how can you assess safety for yourself?

To begin with, I recommend steering clear of asking vague questions on social media. Someone who hasn’t even been to your intended destination might sway your opinion based on something they read online that could very well be #fakenews.

Kuwait City, Kuwait (Photo by Ben Smithson/Dinogo)

A great starting point is the U.S. Department of State's Travel Advisories. This website provides crucial safety information and assigns a warning rating to each country, ranging from one to four:

• Level 1: Exercise normal precautions
• Level 2: Exercise increased caution
• Level 3: Reconsider travel
• Level 4: Do not travel

Prior to the pandemic, most countries were rated as Level 1 or 2, indicating they were relatively safe to visit (as long as normal precautions were taken). However, COVID-19 drastically altered the travel landscape, prompting the agency to elevate most countries to its highest advisory level last April. The State Department has since downgraded some locations; for instance, travel to the United Kingdom and Israel was changed in May from Level 4 to Level 3. As of late July, at least 87 countries still held Level 4 advisories.

The State Department’s site often takes a cautious stance, even before the pandemic. For instance, it cites a risk of terrorism in Iceland, though you might not feel that way when visiting (I certainly didn’t). Don’t let the warnings deter you from exploring places rated as Level 1 safe, despite the many caveats mentioned.

On the other hand, the Level 4 advisories for numerous countries are unequivocal – you should refrain from traveling to these locations until the guidance changes, even if you are allowed entry or fully vaccinated against COVID-19. It's essential to thoroughly review your travel insurance policy terms, as visiting a Level 3 or 4 destination could void your coverage. This could be a major issue if anything goes awry during your trip.

Keep in mind that conditions in a country can shift quickly at any moment. To stay informed with the latest Travel Advisories and Alerts from the State Department, select the method that suits you best at travel.state.gov/stayingconnected.

Even if you’re fully vaccinated, here are some normal precautions to take while traveling right now:

• Verify entry requirements to see if you need to present or take any COVID-19 tests, and pay attention to the specific types required;
• Maintain social distancing;
• Wear a mask as dictated by local regulations, particularly in areas like public transport and grocery stores;
• Regularly wash and sanitize your hands — it's wise to have hand sanitizer on hand in case finding washing facilities is difficult at your destination.

Even if you’re fully vaccinated, keep in mind that many countries have only vaccinated a small portion of their populations. This means you may not encounter the relaxed restrictions that you’re beginning to enjoy at home right now.

If you're still uncertain about a destination, such as the current terrorism risk in Iceland, a valuable resource is the Foreign Travel Advice section of the U.K. Government website. It offers comprehensive safety guides for 225 countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, including vital information on COVID-19 restrictions, practical tips, and cultural insights that you might not find in standard travel brochures.

For instance, while Singapore is deemed a very safe travel destination, you might not be aware that public drunkenness is heavily penalized there. Conversely, Jordan is relatively safe for tourists, but the site advises against venturing near the border with Syria. This resource is filled with travel tips and is regularly updated with information on entry requirements, local currencies, and embassy contacts.

If you're seeking specific information about a destination that goes beyond general safety for tourists, and government travel sites don’t provide the details, consider checking resources like TripAdvisor or Lonely Planet (owned by Red Ventures, TPG's parent company) to see if similar questions have been discussed in their forums.

I often discover that my precise question has already been asked, with numerous seasoned travelers providing insights. If I find just one random response, I might keep searching, but if multiple people offer consistent advice, particularly if it's recent, I feel confident in following it.

Remember, when someone tells you that "XYZ country is very safe" or "XYZ country is not safe, and you should avoid it," this is often just their personal view or experience. It's best to rely on the government advice provided earlier as your starting point.

Bogotá, Colombia. (Photo by Jesse Kraft/EyeEm/Getty Images)

Final Thoughts

All travel involves some degree of risk, and while these government resources don't guarantee that your experience will align with their recommendations, they generally prioritize caution, which can be reassuring for less experienced travelers. As you travel more, you'll likely become more comfortable with accepting risk—these resources will guide you in making informed decisions.

Sadly, much of the world remains off-limits due to the pandemic, but this situation should improve as vaccination efforts progress and COVID-19 cases decline.