State Department travel warning issued for Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica
If a post-holiday cruise is on your bucket list, be cautious about where you plan to visit, even popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean.
The latest advisory from the U.S. Department of State was for Grenada.
The popular Caribbean destination now has a Level 2 travel advisory due to a risk of crime.
➤ Americans urged to exercise caution in this Caribbean destination
Travel advisories are nothing unusual for several Caribbean islands and even parts of Mexico.
The highest level of travel advisory issued by the State Department, a Level 4, warns U.S. residents not to travel to those areas. Haiti has been under a Level 4 travel advisory since July 2025.
Here’s what you should know.
Travel advisory issued for Grenada, raising ranking to Level 2
A Level 2 travel advisory warns travelers to “exercise increased caution.”
The U.S. State Department issued the travel advisory update Jan. 5 due to the risk of crime in Grenada.
“Violent crime can occur anywhere in Grenada. American citizens in Grenada have been victims of armed robbery, assault, burglary, and rape.
“In some cases, American citizens have been killed. Police response times are not as fast as one may expect in the United States,” the State Department said.
Advice if you plan to travel to Grenada
The State Department issued these tips if you decide to travel to Grenada:
- Review the State Department’s information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.
- Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
- Use caution when walking or driving at night.
- Keep a low profile.
- Stay aware of your surroundings.
- Do not answer your door at your hotel or residence unless you know who it is.
- University students: Contact campus security in the event of an on-campus emergency. Security staff may respond more quickly than local police.
- Boaters: Use caution if unfamiliar people or watercraft approach your boat, whether at anchor or at sea.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in case of an emergency.
Places near Florida where travelers are encouraged not to visit or to reconsider travel
The U.S. State Department has issued Level 3 or 4 travel advisories for the following locations near Florida. A Level 4 advisory is the highest ranking, where officials encourage U.S. citizens not to travel.
What do State Department travel advisories mean?
The U.S. State Department issues travel advisories on a regular basis, from one to four. Levels 1 and 2 are updated every 12 months; Levels 3 and 4 are updated at least every six months, although advisories can be updated at any time if conditions change substantially.
Here’s what each travel advisory means:
- Level 1: Exercise normal precautions
- This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risks. There is some risk in any international travel, and conditions in other countries may differ from those in the United States.
- Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- Be aware of increased risks to safety and security. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory.
- Level 3: Reconsider travel
- Reconsider your travel to the destination due to serious risks to safety and security. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory.
- Level 4: Do not travel
- This is the highest advisory level due to life-threatening risks. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory. The U.S. government may have very limited or no ability to help, including during an emergency. We advise that U.S. citizens do not travel to the country, or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so.
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at floridatoday.com/newsletters.
link
