U.S. Embassy Warns Travelers of Kidnapping Risks at Tourist Hotspot
Travelers are getting set for a busy summer season, but the United States embassy in one popular country is sharing some serious advice ahead of those warm-weather vacations.
The US Embassy and consulates in Mexico are warning travelers about using dating apps in certain areas of the country with a new security alert.
'You've got to be careful, buyer beware. You've got to assume that something bad could happen to you in this process,' said Bobby McDonald, a retired Secret Service agent and criminal justice lecturer at the University of New Haven.
'If you choose to use it, be on extra-high alert. Be extra careful of where you're meeting this person or persons. Make sure that it's in a public area. Make sure it's an area where you're going to have cellphone service. Make sure that you're just watching out for yourself, situational awareness. Be careful and let people know where you are."
The embassy's warning of a potential kidnapping threat is specifically concentrated in the Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit areas. They say that "victims and their family members in the United States have at times been extorted for large sums of money to secure their release.'
The embassy also urged travelers to take caution when meeting new people, advising them to meet in public and avoid isolated locations like "residences or hotel rooms, where crimes are most likely to occur.'
McDonald gave more advice, saying that travelers should research areas that they're heading to, and that they should have the US Embassy's number close at hand if they're traveling out of the country.
Jalisco has the highest threat level of any Mexican region, with a "Level 3" designation, urging travelers to reconsider going there amid threats of crime and kidnapping. Nayarit is classified as 'Level 2,' which requests that travelers exercise caution when going there.
Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom all currently have "Level 2" advisories on travel from the State Department.
'The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens overseas,' it said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
'We take seriously our commitment to provide US citizens with clear and reliable information about every destination in the world so they can make informed travel decisions. We make this information available to US citizens so they can be aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions.'
As the summer travel season intensifies, it's clear that safety is everyone's top priority.
U.S. Embassy Warns Travelers of Kidnapping Risks at Tourist Hotspot first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 5, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sunset World Group Trains Its Kitchen Staff in Cooperation with the German Organization Senior Expert Service
CANCÚN, Mexico, June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the Culinary Team and kitchen staff at Sunset Royal and Sunset Marina hotels of the Sunset World Group were trained in haute cuisine and pastry making, guided by two chefs from the German organization Senior Expert Service: Norbert Winkler, an expert in European cuisine, and Giordano Giovanni Bottignole, an expert pastry chef. At Sunset Royal, the training focused on the most authentic Western flavors and included the preparation of beef Wellington, chicken cordon bleu, pork roulette, beef bourguignon, sauerkraut, and minestrone soup, among others, focusing on baking and fermentation techniques. This training was primarily provided to the buffet and dinner staff. As for Sunset Marina, the training was provided to pastry chefs and consisted of improving techniques such as chocolate decoration, molding, and fortifying flavors and textures, preparing, among other famous desserts, apple strudel, chocolate volcano, mousses, plum tart, Italian meringue, and French sponge cake. Senior Expert Service is Germany's leading volunteer organization for retired experts and executives in all sectors to share and exchange knowledge and experiences internationally under a "help-for-do-it-yourself" approach. Senior Expert Service has been present in Mexico since 2017. Sunset World Group is a Mexican family business founded by some of the pioneers of Cancun who helped turn it into the most sought-after tourist destination worldwide. Sunset World Group has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry and a sincere passion for environmental conservation, which is why it implemented an Energy Efficiency Program by substituting supply technologies in its six hotels in Cancun and The Riviera Maya. In addition, all Sunset World hotels are supplied with clean and renewable energy produced at Mexican wind farms and geothermal plants, which has considerably reduced the company's carbon footprint. The activity and gastronomy programs in all six hotels are updated and expanded constantly for the enjoyment of all family members, since Sunset World Group always focuses on providing the best vacation experiences for its members and guests. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
US changes travel threat level for controversial Caribbean port
US changes travel threat level for controversial Caribbean port originally appeared on Come Cruise With Me. Often, when the U.S. State Department makes a significant change to its travel advisory for a country, it brings a stiffer warning for travelers. This time, however, one of the latest advisory updates will help to ease worries for some travelers considering popular Caribbean cruises that visit the destination on a number of cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruise revised travel advisory also gives the island's tourism industry reason to breathe a collective sigh of relief. The downgraded travel warning level comes not long after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged during a tour of the Caribbean that the U.S. would reevaluate its travel advisory to ensure that it reflected the progress the country has recently made in lowering its high violent crime rate. When he met with Rubio, the country's prime minister explained that the island is safer today than at any time in the last two decades. By collaborating with Rubio, he hoped to soon see his country's travel advisory updated to reflect the current state of affairs and help promote travel to the island. And on May 29, his wish came months after the meeting between Rubio and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, the State Department has updated its travel advisory for Jamaica, downgrading the warning level from Level 3: Reconsider Travel to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Travelers with upcoming plans to visit Jamaica on a Caribbean cruise or another summer trip should keep in mind that although the advisory has been downgraded, it still recommends that travelers remain extra cautious in Jamaica due to high levels of violent crime. 'While violent crime in Jamaica has decreased since 2024, it remains statistically high throughout the country,' the advisory emphasizes. 'Tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than other parts of the country. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common.' The advisory also cautions that the U.S. Embassy receives regular reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. travelers staying at Jamaican resorts.'U.S. citizens report slow or unsatisfactory response to serious criminal incidents,' the advisory adds. The State Department also wants travelers to be aware that medical services are limited in Jamaica. 'U.S. citizens should not expect the same level of health care available in Jamaica as is available in the United States,' the advisory states. 'This includes slower emergency service response times and less availability of care for illness or injury.' Additionally, the State Department recommends that U.S. citizens purchase travel insurance for Jamaica trips. 'Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage,' the advisory ports in Jamaica include Falmouth, which is visited by cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line, as well as Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, visited by Carnival Cruise Line. Jamaica cruise ports are generally considered safe for tourists, but risks do exist. Cruise passengers visiting Jamaica should make sure to follow the State Department's guidance on ways to stay safe, which include: Avoid public buses. Avoid remote places. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile. Cruise passengers also need to be very careful not to accidentally bring firearms or ammunition, including stray rounds, shells, or empty casings, into Jamaican ports.'The penalties for carrying firearms or ammunition, even by mistake, are severe, and can include long prison sentences,' the State Department warns. For additional safety guidance for cruise ports in Jamaica, make sure to review any port-specific safety information provided by your cruise line and listen for any announcements from your ship's captain. You can also reduce your chances of becoming a target for criminals by booking shore excursions directly through your cruise line. Cruise lines are careful to only partner with trusted tour operators to help ensure a safe and enjoyable port experience for their passengers. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a trip.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by Come Cruise With Me on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
New travel alert issued for Carnival, Royal Caribbean cruise port
New travel alert issued for Carnival, Royal Caribbean cruise port originally appeared on Come Cruise With Me. One of the things many people (me included) love most about cruising is the opportunity to visit multiple destinations in one trip without worrying about all the logistics of getting from place to place. I love waking up to a different destination to explore each day, so for me, port-intensive cruise itineraries are particularly just because cruising makes it easy to sail to several different destinations doesn't mean you should sail blind. Researching your cruise ports ahead of time and being aware of any safety risks and precautions you should take is essential to help ensure smooth sailing throughout your cruise vacation. Yes, cruise lines will only take you to cruise ports that are generally deemed to be safe, but that doesn't mean safety threats don't exist. That's what the U.S. State Department aims to help U.S. travelers understand as it issues travel advisories and alerts for destinations around the world. Even if the State Department doesn't advise against traveling to a place, they often still warn of crime and other significant safety risks. Doug Parker shared details on a new safety threat that the State Department is warning travelers about in a popular Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruise port, and other cruise news, on the June 5th edition of Cruise News This is Cruise News Today with Doug Parker. Good morning, here's your cruise news for Thursday, June 5th. Cruise passengers heading ashore in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, stay alert. That's the message from the U.S. Embassy warning travelers about kidnappings linked to dating apps in the area. Visitors have been lured into private meetups, then held for ransom. The U.S. State Department has Jalisco, where Puerto Vallarta is located, under a Level 3 advisory saying reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. To stay safe in port, just lay off the dating a new report from Cruise Industry News says Norwegian Cruise Line added nearly 50 cabins across its fleet during dry docks in early 2025. The Norwegian Bliss led the way with 26 new staterooms, including balcony and premium suites. Pride of America was up next, following with 15 cabins after relocating the youth area. The Norwegian Epic picked up eight cabins ahead of its European season. And the Norwegian Breakaway also entered dry dock, but didn't add any new rooms. These upgrades follow similar additions to Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Encore last cruise arrivals are down sharply in Grand Cayman. Yeah, the island saw a 27% drop in April compared to last year, the lowest for the month since 2000. This is excluding the pandemic. Cruise lines are increasingly leaving the island off their itineraries, citing its reliance on tendering and lack of a cruise pier, making it less attractive for newer, larger ships. Plans to build a dock were rejected by voters over environmental cruise stocks were mixed on Wednesday. Carnival Corporation: down 0.5%, 23.80. Royal Caribbean: down slightly, 265.58. Norwegian: up 1%, 18.39. And Viking: up 1.5%, 47.14. If you have a lead on a story, let us know: tips@ This week's Cruise Radio Podcast, a review of MSC World America, where you listen to your favorite podcasts. Here in Seattle at Ray's Boathouse, I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by Come Cruise With Me on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
