Spring Break Travel Tips for U.S. Citizens Going Abroad
The U.S. State Department has no higher priority than the safety of Americans abroad. The Department assists U.S. citizens in many situations, including medical emergencies, arrests, natural disasters, and more. As the spring break holiday period approaches, here are important tips for safe and enjoyable travels.
- Know Before You Go: Before departing, travelers should learn about their destination country’s laws and customs. Some countries have strict rules regarding drugs, weapons, and even social media posts. Violating these laws, even unintentionally, can result in serious consequences. Travelers should check state.gov/destination for details on their destination.
- Avoid Dangerous Areas: The State Department issues travel advisories to warn Americans about high-risk areas. A Level 4 Travel Advisory indicates a “Do Not Travel” warning due to significant dangers, such as crime, political instability, or the risk of kidnapping or detention. No one should travel to Level 4 areas for spring break or any other reason. It is important to check the advisory for your destination country at state.gov/destination before making plans.
- Be Cautious of Scams: Scams occur worldwide, including while traveling. Travelers should be especially careful when using dating apps in foreign countries, as some criminals use these apps to lure individuals into dangerous situations, leading to robbery or physical harm. Those in need of assistance abroad can contact the local U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Check Passport Validity: Before traveling, U.S. citizens should check their passport’s expiration date. Many countries require at least six months of validity. If they need to renew their passport, travelers can visit state.gov/passport for instructions.
- Save Embassy Contact Details: Travelers should write down or save the contact information for the U.S. embassy or consulate closest to their travel destination, in case they need emergency assistance while abroad. Our embassies and consulates worldwide provide emergency services, such as cases when a citizen loses a passport or is seriously injured. In an emergency, embassy staff can be reached 24/7. Contact U.S. consulates and embassies at https://www.usembassy.gov/.
- Enroll in STEP: The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that provides travel alerts and safety updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate via email. It also helps the State Department contact U.S. citizens in emergencies. Travelers can sign up at state.gov.
To ensure U.S. citizens have a safe and enjoyable spring break, we offer these resources to help travelers stay informed, prepared, and aware of important considerations while abroad.