See the travel advisories for these top spring break 2025 destinations

Popular spring break destinations this year include Cancún, Mexico and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
The U.S. Department of State issues four levels of travel advisories that describe the risks travelers can face in a country.

Spring break starts in March for many California students, opening families and students’ schedules for travel and vacation.

This year, popular spring break destinations outside of the United States include Cancún, Mexico and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, USA TODAY reported. Both countries, regardless of specific destinations, are among the top international spring break destinations, according to travel insurance marketplace Squaremouth. Other top destinations, said Squaremouth, include the Bahamas, Japan and Italy.

However, your safety can be more or less at risk depending on where you go.

The U.S. Department of State issues four levels of travel advisories that describe the risks travelers can face in a country. These are the travel advisories in place as of Monday, Feb. 10, for some of the popular spring break destinations outside of America that Californians may want to visit this spring.

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The Bahamas

The Bahamas has a Level 2 travel advisory, which means travelers are to exercise increased caution during their visit and be aware of “heightened risks to safety and security.” This is due to crime.

“Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas,” according to the travel advisory. “Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence.” 

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has a Level 2 travel advisory, which means travelers are to exercise increased caution during their visit and be aware of “heightened risks to safety and security.” This advisory is due to crime.

“The wide availability of weapons, the use and trade of illicit drugs and a weak criminal justice system contribute to the high level of criminality on the broader scale,” according to the travel advisory.

Italy

Italy has a Level 2 travel advisory, meaning travelers should exercise increased caution, or “be aware of heightened risks to safety and security.” This travel advisory is due to terrorist attacks, which can target tourist spots in addition to other locations in the country.

Japan

Japan has a Level 1 travel advisory, the lowest advisory level that encourages travelers to exercise “normal precautions.”

Mexico

Six states are under Level 4 travel advisories in Mexico, the highest level that can be issued and that the Department of State advises U.S. citizens not to travel to. They are Zacatecas, Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa and Tamaulipas.

But the destinations spring break travelers may be more likely to visit in Mexico include Cancún. That’s in addition to other suggestions from U.S. News and World Report and Condé Nast Traveler, including Cabo San Lucas, Oaxaca and Puerto Vallarta.

Cancún is in the state Quintana Roo, which has a Level 2 travel advisory due to crime. A Level 2 advisory means to exercise increased caution, or “be aware of heightened risks to safety and security.” Travelers are encouraged to exercise increased caution “after dark” in Cancún and remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones. According to the travel advisory, criminal activity and violence can occur at any time and location, including popular tourist destinations.

Oaxaca and Baja California Sur, the latter of which is home to the popular tourist spot Cabo San Lucas, also have a Level 2 travel advisory due to crime as “criminal activity and violence” can occur throughout both states.

Jalisco, home to Puerto Vallarta, has a Level 3 travel advisory due to crime and kidnapping. This advisory level means people are encouraged to reconsider travel “due to serious risks to safety and security.”

“Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco state,” according to the travel advisory, which said that bystanders have been injured or killed by shootings, and U.S. citizens have been victims of kidnapping.