Note: During our remaining time in New Zealand, we’ll be reposting photos (including their original captions) from our previous stay, beginning in January 2016, when we were based in a far less remote location than where we are now in Kaiwaka, nearly a full day’s drive from most sightseeing destinations.
Today’s photos are from this post here.
Today’s post is an article from Travel and Leisure’s online magazine, here.
“Is It Safe to Visit the Caribbean Right Now? What Travelers Should Know
Some Caribbean islands remain under Level 1 advisories, but travelers should stay updated amid shifting conditions amid Venezuela tensions. By Michael CappettaPublished on January 6, 2026.
Recent military action in Venezuela and the closure of airspace in the region may have travelers questioning their upcoming vacation plans to the Caribbean. But between differing travel warnings from the U.S. Department of State and various flight concerns, there’s not a one size fits all approach for the large and diverse region.
This is what travelers should know before a Caribbean trip, according to experts.
What happened in Venezuela and the Caribbean?
On Jan. 3, the U.S. initiated a military strike on Venezuela, capturing the country’s leader, Nicolás Maduro, and transporting him to New York to face narco-terrorism charges. Following that, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily restricted airspace around both the Caribbean and Venezuela, but has since reopened it.
The closure led to a ripple effect of flight disruptions with major airlines forced to add additional flights to accommodate stranded passengers. That’s what happened to Nydia Han, a consumer investigative reporter with Philadelphia’s 6abc, who was finally able to get a flight back to the Continental U.S. after getting stranded in Puerto Rico for days, taking a slight detour to Baltimore before boarding a train back to the City of Brotherly Love.
“Positive update from the Caribbean—I was online and on the phone for HOURS all day yesterday but finally got flights so we will be heading home sooner than Friday,” Han wrote in an Instagram post, adding in the video, “We all recognize and realize fully that there are far worse places to be stuck. We’re lucky just to be able to have been here in the first place.”
The good news is flight disruptions have started to ease, Katy Nastro, a travel expert with Going.com, told Travel + Leisure.
“The risk of cancellation has decreased, but airport congestion and certainty of full flights have increased,” Nastro said, adding, “Airlines take the risk of flying in/out of these places as well and the last thing they need or want is to be making headlines about stranded passengers (again).”
Henley Vazquez, the co-founder of Fora Travel, told T+L the biggest issue for travelers with events like this is uncertainty. Thinking “outside the box” and flying into alternative airports may also help get travelers home.
“From a practical standpoint, travelers can take a few simple steps to stay prepared: save airline and hotel contact information for easy access, avoid tight connections or overly rigid itineraries, and build in buffer days for international returns,” Vazquez said. “Small measures like these can make a meaningful difference when plans are in flux.”
What does the government say about traveling to the Caribbean?
The State Department issues varying travel advisories for countries and destinations around the world ranging from the lowest Level 1 warning to the highest Level 4.
Currently, Venezuela is classified under the department’s highest Level 4 warning, recommending Americans “do not travel” there “due to the high risk of wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure. All U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents in Venezuela are strongly advised to depart immediately.”
The country of Haiti is similarly classified under a Level 4 warning along with several states in Mexico like Guerrero where Acapulco is located.
However, that is not the case for all destinations in the Caribbean. In fact, many have been recognized for their high safety standards like the island of Anguilla, which was recently named the safest country in the region by the World Population Review for its low crime rate. The State Department classifies Anguilla under its lowest Level 1 advisory, recommending Americans “exercise normal precautions” when going there.
Several other destinations are also listed under the same Level 1 advisory, including Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, the French West Indies (including St. Barts, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Saint Martin), Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia.
The islands of the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic are listed at Level 2, recommending U.S. travelers “exercise increased caution” when heading there.
What can travelers do to minimize travel disruptions?
Beyond checking advisories, the State Department recommends all international travelers enroll in the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which allows the department to send notifications, alerts, and relevant security information and allows the embassy to more easily reach travelers in an emergency.
Vazquez of Fora Travel also recommended travelers “make decisions based on their comfort level.”
“That means monitoring airline communications and government advisories closely, confirming plans directly with airlines and hotels, and making sure itineraries allow for adjustments if things change at the last minute,” she said. “It’s also important to review your travel insurance coverage and policies so there are no surprises if delays or rerouting become necessary.”
Vazquez added: “This is a moment to prioritize preparedness over spontaneity. Travelers don’t necessarily need to cancel plans right away, but instead should evaluate what feels right for them while staying up-to-date on the latest information.””
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, January 7, 2015:
