Americans are being advised to reconsider traveling to a Mediterranean destination amid the growing war in the Middle East.
The U.S. Department of State issued an updated travel advisory this week for the island country of Cyprus following a drone strike on the British sovereign base area there on March 2. The advisory was raised to a Level 3, the second-highest travel warning indicating Americans should “reconsider travel” there.
“On March 3, 2026, the Department of State authorized non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave Cyprus due to the safety risks,” the State Department wrote in the advisory, adding “Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, there have been significant disruptions to commercial flights.”
The State Department recommended Americans in Cyprus enter and exit either through Larnaka International Airport (LCA), Pafos International Airport (PFO), or through the seaports of Limassol, Larnaca, or Paphos. For its part, LCA encouraged passengers to contact their airline directly to verify their flight was operational, according to the airport.
The State Department said travelers who do go to Cyprus should monitor local media, keep their travel documents up to date and easy to access, stay alert and aware of their surroundings, and “have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help.”
Beloved for its white sand beaches, undersea caves, and extensive network of hiking trails, the island country was listed as one of Travel + Leisure’s 50 best places to travel in 2026. Cyprus is also known for its exceptional water and boasts the cleanest swimming water in the world, according to a report last year from the European Environment Agency (EEA).
Cyprus has been a member of the European Union since 2004, according to the EU.
Beyond Cyprus, the State Department has increased its travel advisory levels for several Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and more. The department also issued a worldwide caution, urging Americans to exercise increased caution globally.
The State Department regularly updates travel advisories for countries and territories around the world on a scale of one (the lowest) to four (the highest).
Before traveling internationally, the State Department recommends all travelers sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service that provides automatic safety information and allows the government to more easily locate and contact travelers in an emergency.
Read the full article here