US State Department Maintains Level Two Travel Advisory for Maldives

American citizens are advised to exercise caution when visiting the Maldives following the State Department's annual review of the travel alert. The advisory, first elevated to level two in 2017 due to terrorism and political unrest, remains in place.

The advisory warns that terrorist groups may conduct attacks with little or no warning, targeting tourist spots, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, and local government facilities. Attacks on remote islands could delay response times from authorities.

Travelers from the US to the Maldives are advised to:

• Read the US Embassy's web page.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust plans accordingly.
• Be aware of surroundings and stay alert in tourist-frequented areas.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for alerts and easier emergency location.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Country Security Report for Maldives.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergencies.

Terrorism has been a key factor in maintaining the travel advisory in recent years. Despite this, the US continues to maintain close ties with the Maldives government. Recently, Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer met with US Secretary of State Tony Blinken in Washington for official talks.