Travel has never been entirely without risk. That is part of its appeal for many people. Yet something feels meaningfully different right now in 2026. Risk analysis companies Safeture and Riskline concluded that the “security situation has deteriorated in 77 countries” around the globe. The 2025 Global Peace Index shows an overall decline of 0.36%, marking the sixth straight year of worsening global peacefulness. Some destinations that once felt reasonably safe are shifting in ways that should make any traveler stop and think before booking. Let’s dive in.
1. Mexico: Cartel Chaos Reaching Tourist Zones
For decades, millions of travelers have headed to Mexico’s beaches, ancient ruins, and vibrant cities without a second thought. Cancun, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta – these names conjure images of turquoise water and warm nights, not danger. Honestly, much of that remains true. However, the recent events of early 2026 have changed the conversation in a way that is hard to ignore. On February 23, 2026, the killing of Mexico’s most-wanted cartel boss, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” triggered a wave of deadly retaliatory violence, including fires and gunfights, across 20 of Mexico’s 32 states. While tourism is usually unaffected by drug cartel violence, this time was different, with incidents in popular tourist destinations including Puerto Vallarta, Cancún, and Playa del Carmen prompting shelter-in-place warnings from the U.S. government. During the unrest, the State Department issued a shelter-in-place advisory for Americans in Jalisco, some cruise lines skipped stops in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, and some U.S. airlines canceled flights. Ongoing violence from criminal groups in Mexico, which disrupted travel and attacked businesses in Puerto Vallarta, could create headwinds for a country where tourism represents approximately 10% of the economy. Six states, including Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas, have been given a flat “do not travel” warning by the State Department because of the risks of crime and kidnapping. Tulum logged a shocking homicide rate of 83.9 per 100,000 residents between September 2024 and August 2025, with 46 murders recorded, while Acapulco witnessed 560 homicides in that same timeframe. Security specialists cautioned that headline numbers may not capture localized spikes, nor the fear generated when spectacular cartel attacks disrupt everyday life or target highways used by visitors. The contradiction between macro-level improvement and high-profile violent episodes is at the heart of the dilemma facing travelers. For the last few years, the U.S. Department of State has classified Mexico under a Level 2 travel advisory, recommending American travelers “exercise increased caution.” The last update in August 2025 added terrorism to the risks.
2. Venezuela: A Country on the Edge
Venezuela is arguably the most extreme case on this list. It is not a destination that quietly slipped into danger. It has been in freefall for years, and 2026 brought a dramatic new chapter. Here is the thing, no amount of natural beauty, including places like Angel Falls, changes the reality on the ground. Venezuela holds the highest Travel Advisory level, which is Level 4: “Do Not Travel,” due to severe risks to Americans, including wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure. Venezuela has a crime index of 80.7, the highest of any country in the world, and the U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Venezuela, indicating that it is unsafe to travel. On January 3, 2026, military strikes took place on several sites in Venezuela, including military facilities in the city of Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. Venezuelan authorities declared a State of External Commotion, granting them exceptional political, economic, and social powers. The current situation in Venezuela is tense and could escalate quickly. Armed militias are setting up roadblocks and searching vehicles for support for the United States or evidence of U.S. citizenship. Borders and airspace could close at short notice, and several airlines have suspended flights to and from Venezuela, reducing options to leave the country. According to updated U.S. guidance, Venezuelan security forces have held U.S. nationals for years without due process, and American authorities are often neither informed of arrests nor permitted to visit detainees. Former prisoners and human rights monitors have documented reports of torture and degrading treatment. Kidnapping, carjacking, and armed robbery have been recurring concerns in Venezuela for years. Opportunistic crime can occur in busy areas such as bus terminals, markets, and transport interchanges, while more organized targeting has been reported along highways and in wealthier districts. Travelers perceived as having foreign connections or financial resources may face particular vulnerability.
3. Brazil: Tourist Hotspots Under Growing Threat
Brazil is one of the most visited countries in South America and a genuine bucket-list destination for millions. Its culture, food, landscapes, and energy are unlike almost anywhere else on earth. Yet the safety picture, particularly in Rio de Janeiro, has been shifting in ways that official data now make impossible to dismiss. Rio de Janeiro’s stunning beaches have become increasingly dangerous for tourists, with violent crime rates in popular areas like Copacabana and Ipanema reaching levels that have prompted multiple travel warnings. Brazilian news outlet O Globo reported in December 2024 that armed robberies on Copacabana Beach increased by roughly 40% during the peak tourist season compared to the previous year, with thieves often working in organized groups that sweep through beach areas targeting visitors. The situation escalated to the point where Rio’s state government implemented a controversial new security protocol in January 2025, deploying military police with visible weaponry along the beachfront. Tourists have reported being robbed at gunpoint even in broad daylight, with criminals specifically targeting those wearing jewelry or carrying expensive cameras. Brazil scores 59 on the Travel Danger Scale, as calculated in a comprehensive study examining safety indicators across the 50 most visited countries worldwide. Brazil’s safety concerns are diverse, with 27.9 sexual assaults per 100,000 population and a high crime index of 65.6. The country also grapples with 15.7 traffic deaths per 100,000 and a notable human trafficking score. Colombia, Mexico, and Myanmar have the highest overall criminality scores in the Global Organized Crime Index, but Brazil’s crime picture adds a uniquely tourist-facing layer to the broader regional trend. The proximity of favelas to popular visitor areas means that escape routes for criminals are quick and numerous, making even daylight hours unpredictable for travelers in certain neighborhoods. Staying in well-reviewed accommodations, avoiding displays of expensive items, and keeping a low profile remain the most practical advice any security expert consistently offers visitors to Rio. What would you do if your dream destination suddenly appeared on a global safety warning list? Would you still go?