The Most Dangerous Countries for U.S. Travelers

These Are the Most Dangerous Places for U.S. Travelers to Travel to

Israeli security forces stand guard at the site of a stabbing attack in Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate on April 1, 2017. A Palestinian from the occupied West Bank who wounded three Israelis with a knife in the Old City of Jerusalem was shot dead by border guards, the police said. (Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images)

Planning an international vacation in the coming months? Do your due diligence in checking up-to-date travel warnings from the U.S. State Department.

According to the State Department, these warnings are issued for reasons of an “unstable government, civil war, ongoing intense crime or violence, or frequent terrorist attacks,” in the region or the specific place.

Priceonomics crunched the data regarding travel warnings, and came up with a top 25 dangerous spots—as well as a list of where the most Americans have lost their lives between 2009-16. RealClearLife has condensed their general lists into the places you’d most likely think about vacationing (no offense to Iraq or North Korea, but we don’t think anybody’ll be going there on holiday anytime soon).

Mexico – As popular a vacation destination Mexico might be, with 28 travel warnings, the country stands alone on top of the list, largely because of the presence of drug cartel violence. Also, between 2009-2016, 598 Americans were killed there.

Israel – For those traveling on birthright or simply looking to take in the Dead Sea beaches, know that with 25 travel warnings—and a number of terror organizations and hostile countries who have called for its destruction—it ties for third on the list with Pakistan. During the same date range from above, seven Americans were killed.

Philippines – Coming in tied for No. 8 on the list with 20 travel warnings, the Philippines have made headlines of late because of their leader Rodrigo Duterte, who has shown increasing hostility towards the U.S. in his rhetoric. He told former president Obama to “go to hell.” Per the date range referenced, 74 Americans were killed there.

Colombia – A hot tourist destination of late, The New York Times has recently weighed in with longform pieces about travel there. But safety is still a concern; with 18 travel warnings, it sits tied for No. 10 on the list. That, and 25 Americans lost their lives there between 2009-2016.

Now that travelers have been warned, here are the top 10 countries they should visit on vacation, according to Lonely Planet.