The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has issued its travel guidance ahead of spring break, warning travelers to “maintain vigilance” as they travel abroad.

Why It Matters

Spring break is a peak travel time for college students and families as winter gives way to warmer weather and the promise of school ending and summer vacation. Stretching from the end of March to the end of April, this year’s spring break period will potentially break records as Americans make vacation a top priority, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

Just over half of all travelers who intend to take advantage of spring break will travel somewhere domestically in the United States, while just under one-quarter will visit somewhere in the Caribbean and one-fifth of travelers will cross the pond to Europe.

What To Know

FBI Los Angeles issued a statement earlier this week as travelers geared up for their trips, warning everyone to check travel advisories and “maintain vigilance throughout your travels and be prepared to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate should the need arise.”

The FBI also provided key tips for safe travel, including:

• Create points of contact for your family in the event of an emergency
• Don’t travel alone, especially after dark
• Remain aware of surroundings and avoid areas where personal safety may be at risk
• Use only authorized taxis or shuttles
• Avoid any activities with even a suspicion of illegality
• Be aware of potential surveillance, especially if someone may be following you
• Don’t share personal information too willingly with new acquaintances

The FBI warned that often activities that seem new and exciting but have potential illegal elements to them could lead to “a room raid, photography and blackmail,” and that scammers could look to get unsuspecting travelers involved in “a compromising situation.”

Popular spring break destinations outside the U.S. include Mexico (Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta), Jamaica, the Bahamas, Spain and the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana).

The State Department has issued no Level 4 travel warnings, which mean “Do Not Travel,” to any popular destinations for spring break travel, but there are Level 3 warnings— meaning “Reconsider Travel”—to Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Jamaica, and Colombia.

Some countries, such as Mexico, have an “other” warning because different regions within the country have varying levels of safety. The State Department recommends travelers to “exercise increased caution” when traveling to Cancun (Quintana Roo state) and Cabo San Lucas (Baja California Sur state) due to crime.

Travel to areas like Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco state) are urged to be reconsidered by travelers due to crime and kidnapping.

In February, AAA released an analysis that revealed the top U.S. spring break destinations, with most of them in Europe. In no particular order, the top 10 included London, Dublin, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Tokyo and Aruba.

A separate AAA analysis found that the top domestic destinations include Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta, Miami, New York City, Honolulu, Anaheim, Tampa, Chicago, and Charlotte.

What People Are Saying

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis said: “Whether it’s families looking to escape the final throes of winter or a college student seeking a brief respite from the rigors of academic life, know that the risks are there. Maintain vigilance throughout your travels and be prepared to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate should the need arise.”