US warns tourists to avoid popular travel destinations after 18 murders this month

The US Department of State has issued an important travel advisory for a popular travel destination.

The advisory, posted on Friday, warns travelers to “exercise increased caution” when traveling to The Bahamas due to crime. The alert is a Level 2 indicating the presence of widespread violent or organized crime with limited ability by law enforcement to respond.

The state department “rates the criminal threat level in New Providence Island (includes Nassau and Paradise Island) as critical. The vast majority of crimes occur on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) Islands. Criminal activity on the outlying Family Islands does occur, but to a much lesser degree than on New Providence or Grand Bahama,” the alert noted.

In tourist hot-spot Nassau, people were urged to exercise caution in the “Over the Hill” area south of Shirley Street due to violent crimes such as armed robberies and sexual assaults.

The alert came after the US Embassy in The Bahamas posted an alert urging citizens to be aware that “18 murders have occurred in Nassau since the beginning of 2024,” USA Today reported. The murders have occurred in broad daylight and are believed to be motivated by retaliatory gang violence.

The embassy recommends travelers:

  • Exercise extreme caution in the eastern part of New Providence Island (Nassau)
  • Use caution when walking or driving at night
  • Keep a low profile
  • Be aware of your surroundings
  • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt
  • Review your personal security plans