Experts Warn NJ, PA Residents ‘Do not travel’ to These 21 Spots This Summer

Summertime is here and if you are looking to get away for a few days, there's one thing to keep in mind: there are lots of places that you just shouldn't visit.

Sure, your next trip to the Jersey Shore or the Poconos is probably going to be rather uneventful (at least until Uncle Al starts talking politics after five or six beers) - and visiting a big city like New York or Philly will likely be a very fun experience - but that might not be the case if you have a broader destination in mind.

Experts say there are nearly two dozen countries that you should avoid over the next several months.

Expert Travel Tips for International Trips

If you are going to travel internationally this summer, experts offer these quick tips:

• Research your destination: Don't rely on carefully edited pictures of a resort. Do your homework and check multiple sources.

• Be aware of local customs: Do your best to know the cultures of an area and do what you can to blend in.

• Freedoms at home vs. abroad: Not every country allows you to say what's really on your mind whenever you feel like it, for example.

• Prohibited items: Research what you can and cannot bring into a foreign country, like medications, drugs, religious items, books, etc.

Stay Informed with Official Travel Advisories

The U.S. Department of State continually posts travel information if you wish to visit another country. Their experts rank each country on a scale of 1 to 4 where 1 is "exercise normal precautions" (such countries in that group would be Austria, Japan, Australia) to a 4 where they just bluntly say "do not travel."

• READ MORE: Why More Air Traffic Controllers Can't Work at NJ's Newark Airport

21 Countries Currently Marked as Level 4

As of May, 21 countries carry a level 4 precaution; the State Department says,

This is the highest advisory level due to life-threatening risks. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory. The U.S. government may have very limited or no ability to help, including during an emergency. We advise that U.S. citizens do not travel to the country, or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so.

• READ MORE: New Jersey’s Best 2025 Summer Road Trips

Countries that U.S. Citizens Must Avoid This Summer

Let's take a look at those locations...

List of Items Banned from Checked Bags at NJ, PA Airports