US Eases Its Travel Advisory for Madagascar While Urging Continued Caution
A Revised Advisory Level
The United States has updated its travel advisory for Madagascar in early December, lowering the country from Level 3: “Reconsider Travel” to Level 2: “Exercise Increased Caution.” The change, published on the official Travel.State.Gov website, reflects a more favorable assessment of the overall security situation compared to previous months.
Risks Still Highlighted by U.S. Authorities
Despite the downgrade, U.S. officials emphasize that several risk factors continue to justify heightened vigilance. Violent crime — including armed robbery, assaults, and attacks in isolated areas — remains a concern, while petty crime is common in urban centers and tourist locations.
The advisory also notes that medical infrastructure is limited in major cities and extremely limited in rural areas, adding another layer of caution for travelers.
Areas Specifically Identified as High‑Risk
Several regions are explicitly listed as areas to avoid due to elevated security risks. These include the area around Tsaratanana in Betsiboka, the region of Betroka in Anosy, and several sensitive road corridors such as Tsiroanomandidy–Maintirano, Miandrivazo–Malaimbandy, and Ihosy–Betroka.
These locations do not correspond to the country’s main tourist routes and are not part of the most visited destinations.
Major Tourist Areas Remain Open and Accessible
Key tourist regions — including Diego-Suarez, Montagne d’Ambre, Ankarana National Park, as well as island destinations like Nosy Be and Sainte-Marie — are not listed among the areas of concern. These destinations remain accessible, structured, and equipped to welcome visitors.
Tourism operators in Madagascar stress the importance of distinguishing sensitive zones from secure destinations to avoid broad generalizations that could harm an already fragile sector.
A Positive Signal for Tourism Recovery
The easing of the travel advisory is seen as an encouraging sign for the recovery of Madagascar’s tourism industry. After months marked by political tensions and a decline in visitor numbers, this update may help restore confidence among international travelers. Industry professionals hope the revised advisory will support ongoing recovery efforts while promoting responsible and well‑informed travel.
