14-05-2025
6 Safe Destinations Defying The ‘Do Not Travel' Label, Revealed By Travel Experts
Flag of the unrecognized Republic of Kurdistan in the mountains.
The U.S. State Department urges Americans to reconsider travel or avoid it entirely in countries with Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or Level 4 (Do Not Travel) advisories.
However, experienced tour operators argue that certain regions of countries like Ethiopia, Colombia, Nicaragua, Iraq and the Central African Republic offer safe, meaningful travel experiences for those who know where to go and how to go safely.
"It is understandable to rule out visiting a place with a travel warning against it," says Tim Williamson, managing director of Responsible Travel. "But crisis and conflict can be highly localized, rare or transient. Official advice may not always reflect this, opting for a 'blanket' country-wide and long-term advisory," he continued.
Take Mexico, for example. In 2024, it welcomed nearly 46 million international tourists, a 7.4% increase over the previous year. More than 14 million Americans arrived by air, even though the U.S. State Department considers only two states, Yucatán and Campeche, safe for travel.
Several popular destinations such as Los Cabos in Baja California, renowed for close encounters with whales, fall under a Level 3 advisory due to crime and kidnapping, yet they continue to draw U.S. visitors in significant numbers.
The question is are we avoiding danger by steering clear of Level 3 and 4 countries or missing out on misunderstood destinations? I spoke with several experienced tour operators to reveal which regions offer unforgettable experiences and untapped natural beauty within a safe setting.
When travelers think of Africa, they often picture seeing the Big Five safari animals in Tanzania, witnessing the Great Migration in Kenya, or enjoying wine-tasting in South Africa.
Ethiopia, by contrast, remains one of the continent's lesser-explored destinations, an uncharted adventure experienced by only a few.
However, according to Molla Miheretu, general manager of Anbessa Travel, an Ethiopian tour company specializing in responsible and community-based tourism, there are several locations worth exploring there.
He shared in an email interview that most parts of Ethiopia, including key destinations like the Omo Valley, Chebera Churchura, the Great Rift Valley, Bale Mountains National Park, Harar, the Danakil Depression and Addis Ababa, are safe for travel.
A group from the Suri tribe is standing on a cliff top beneath hills in Omo Valley, Surma Wereda, ... More Ethiopia.
"The travel advisory is a result of a conflict that concluded with a peace deal two years ago. Despite checkpoints in some areas, tourists are not the target of any security threats, as the conflict was between the government and specific groups," he said.
He especially recommends exploring Chebera Churchura National Park in southwestern Ethiopia, home to ancient cloud forests, pristine lakes, and dramatic waterfalls. The region offers a raw, immersive experience for wildlife and birding enthusiasts. "Think herds of elephants, lions, hippos and vibrant butterfly populations," he said.
A jeep deep in the forest at Chebera Churchura National Park
"It is relatively unknown, even within Ethiopia," he remarked. Until today, the local communities have successfully looked after the region and its wildlife without any direct benefits. Chebera Churchura Elephant Paw Lodge, a sustainable eco-lodge, only opened in late 2023 to help turning the national park into an internationally recognized tourism destination.
"Pakistan is a very friendly and hospitable country where you will be welcomed by the local people in the regions where we operate," said Pete Royall, Pakistan expert at KE Adventures, in an email interview.
For seasoned trekkers seeking a remote, high-altitude challenge, few places rival Gondogoro Peak. It is a dramatic mountain pass in northern Pakistan's Karakoram Range in Baltistan. Since it is over 18,000 feet, reaching the top offers sweeping views of four of the world's 8,000-meter peaks, K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and II.
Laila Peak and Gondogoro Glacier in Pakistan.
For a gentler but equally striking alternative, he points to Pakistan's Hunza Valley. From Eagle's Nest viewpoint at nearly 10,000 feet, travelers will have 360-degree views of the valley. Hiking to see the UNESCO-listed Baltit and Altit forts and the Barpu Glacier, one of the world's highest alpine lakes, is an experience only a few tourists ever have.
A scenic view of Hunza valley from Eagle's nest in Karimabad, Karakoram highway, Pakistan
KE Adventures has been offering trekking tours in Baltistan and Hunza for the past 40 years via the same local tour operator. "We 'grew up' together. We have visited their homes many times and they have also stayed with us in our homes. They are part of the KE family, and the trust between us is absolute. Our clients could not be in safer hands," he said.
"Nicaragua has made significant strides to ensure the safety and security of tourists. The country actively promotes tourism, and efforts have been made to enhance safety measures in popular tourist areas," said Katrin Kirchhoff, founder of Travel Pioneers and Travel + Leisure A-List Specialist for Nicaragua, in an email interview.
She recommends starting in Granada, the oldest city in Nicaragua, where travelers can experience Nicaragua's culture with style and authenticity along its cobblestone streets lined with well-preserved colonial buildings.
Horse-drawn carriage and colonial buildings on Independence Plaza at Granada, Nicaragua.
Since the city lies at the shore of Lake Nicaragua, the largest freshwater lake in Central America, she points to Ometepe Island in the middle of the lake as a destination not to be missed, with twin volcanoes, cocoa plantations, rainforests andnatural swimming pools.
For adventure seekers, she recommends Masaya National Park for a rare opportunity to hike to the edge of an active volcano. "You can hike up and even sit at the rim of the glowing crater," she said. 'It is a unique way to witness the raw power of a volcano up close.'
The Santiago Crater at Masaya Volcano National Park, Nicaragua.
Travelers willing to go farther afield can head to the Emerald Coast, where untouched beaches without the crowds and a laid-back surf culture await.
Mozambique offers another example of a destination with regional complexities. The U.S. travel advisory lists Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces in the north due to ongoing terrorist activity in public areas with little or no warning andthe capital city of Maputo, where some protests have turned violent.
However, these incidents remain localized and don't reflect the conditions across the entire country. Tor Saner, Africa product manager at Jacada Travel recommends visiting the Bazaruto Archipelago, a designated national park with white sand beaches, a rich coral ecosystem and diverse marine life.
A young woman is in awe with spectacular views from Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique, East Africa.
She said visiting the Bazaruto Archipelago is safe and seamless since travelers typically fly into Vilanculos, a small airport far from the capital. From there, they transfer privately to their resort, often by boat or light aircraft.
The archipelago is home to endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphins and other whale and dolphin species, as well as the largest and possibly last viable population of dugongs in the western Indian Ocean, with an estimated 250 to 350 individuals. Dugong is a close relative of the manatees in the same order, Sirenia.
"Mozambique can be the perfect end to an African safari itinerary, offering picture-perfect white sand beaches and crystal clear Indian Ocean waters paired with fantastic diving and water activities," she said.
Magnificent anemone dancing along the current, Bazaruto Island, Mozambique
Jim O'Brien at Native Eye Travel, a travel company specializing in 'unusual' destinations that showcase traditional or tribal cultures, recommends visiting the Central African Republic despite the travel advisory.
He explained in an email interview that while parts of the Central African Republic remain unstable due to ongoing tensions between the government and rebel groups, the country's southwest corner, including the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve, remained isolated from the unrest affecting other regions.
Forest elephants in Dzanga Sangha Reserve, Central African Republic.
"Central African Republic is just about as wild as it gets, and for those willing to look past its daunting exterior, you'll find primeval jungle and wildlife experiences that rank among some of the best in Africa," he said.
Native Eye Travel's gorilla trekking tour in Dzanga Sangha Reserve starts at Yaounde in Cameroon to avoid any routes that run through potentially problematic areas in the Central African Republic. Since the reserve is near the border, the group will reach the base without traveling through higher-risk regions.
During this tour, travelers not only track lowland gorillas and watch elephants but also spend time with the Ba'Aka pygmies, learning about their lives in the forest as hunter-gatherers.
Hunters of Pygmy Baaka tribe in Central African Republic.
Tim Williamson, managing director of Responsible Travel, recommended visiting the Iraqi Kurdistan in an email interview. "Although technically part of Iraq, Kurdistan is a semi-autonomous state with its own government and security forces. Even at the height of the troubles in Iraq, the Islamic State never made inroads here and the area is relatively stable," he said.
The main square, Shar Park seen from the Erbil citadel in Iraq.
In his opinion, Kurdistan is home to fascinating historic places and spectacular mountain scenery, including the 7,000-year-old Citadel of Erbil, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world and the village of Lalish, the holy home of the ethno-religious Yazidi community.
"Our trips there offer an introduction to the cultures and landscapes of Kurdista that few other travellers ever get. If you're willing to be flexible and go-with-the-flow, you can expect a warm welcome here, with our customers reporting that meetings with local people were some of the highlights of their trips," he said.
Travel advisories exist for a good reason. Conflict, crime and instability can pose real risks for travelers and locals alike. But they may not paint the full picture. Travel experts agree that in some of the world's most heavily cautioned countries, there are pockets of peace, cultural richness and extraordinary natural beauty that remain safe to visit with the right setting and local knowledge.
