U.s. Government Raises Warnings For Two Popular Vacation Destinations

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, the Central American nation of Costa Rica is a very popular holiday destination for visitors from the U.S.

The 1.5 million American citizens who came to Costa Rica in the last year made up 53% of the country’s international arrivals. 

Most come in search of lush rainforest with hundreds of rare bird species and pristine beaches on both sides of the country, whether by driving around from the capital of San José or at an exclusive waterfront resort.

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There are new State Department warnings for Costa Rica, Honduras (this is why)

While Costa Rica is generally considered to be a much safer destination than many of its Central American neighbors, the U.S. State Department did recently raise its travel rating for the country to Level Two’s “Exercise Increased Caution” due to rising crime rates.

"Petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica," reads the government agency’s description for the country. "Violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide, and sexual assault, also affects tourists."

The level two advisory is also assigned to countries such as France and Germany due to the heightened risk of terrorism in their capital cities. 

Costa Rica was previously at the rating in which one should feel just as or maybe even safer than at home, but in the last year there has been a small spike in incidents of pickpocketing and some violent crime at areas commonly frequented by tourists.

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Honduras, another Latin American country that is separated from Costa Rica by Nicaragua in between them, is not as popular among tourists due to high crime rates but still sees some who come as part of a cruise ship stop or to see beaches like West Bay and Little French Key.

The country has long been at a Level Three "Reconsider Travel" rating due to the high rates of local gang and drug-related crime activity, but the State Department recently sent out a new travel advisory for the southeastern region of Gracias a Dios in particular. 

The easternmost state borders with Nicaragua and sees, as a result, high rates of drug traffickers moving between the border — the State Department rates the area as a Level Four "Do Not Travel."

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State Department to tourists: 'Resorts areas are better policed'

"Local authorities may lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime incidents," the advisory reads. "Around resort areas in the Bay Islands, which include Roatán, Utila, and Guanaja, there is a concentration of resources, and these areas are better policed."

While some do fly in independently, the vast majority U.S. visitors who come to Honduras come to the country on a cruise stop. Ports popular with lines such as Royal Caribbean  (RCL)  include the Roatán and Limón islands.

Those who stop by are advised to "not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry" and "not take public transportation, including white car taxis." 

Walking around on the streets at night, particularly when unaccompanied by another traveler, is also heavily discouraged as there have been reports of kidnappings of U.S. citizens.

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