25 foreign travel warnings for visiting the U.S.

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iStock 25 Unusual Foreign Travel Warnings for Visiting the U.S. What do foreign tourists worry about when they visit the U.S.? Expensive emergency healthcare, overly sensitive attitudes towards...

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17. VACCINES DON’T CAUSE AUTISM (MEXICO)

The Mexican government recommends getting vaccinated for measles and other preventable diseases before visiting the states. Then, it forcefully underlines the safety of vaccination (loosely translated): “There is [absolutely] no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.”
18. THE TAP WATER TASTES GROSS (AUSTRIA)


Austrians are not into the taste of American tap water: “Tap water—while not very tasty (it’s chlorinated)—is usually considered safe to drink.”
19. THE AMERICAN DREAM ISN’T REAL (RUSSIA)

Russia’s travel advisories get snarky, advising Russians of the U.S.’s hypocrisy over economic inequality: “The ‘American dream’ originates from here, as does another model—the special democratic character of American society with its ‘incredible freedom.’ However, due to the presence of the ‘young aristocracy’—already formed in the 20th century—and the specific model of American society, inequalities in socio-economic status between rich and poor are no lesser than in any other country in the world.”
20. EXPECT HARASSMENT IN ARIZONA (MEXICO)

After Arizona passed SB 1070, the Mexican government issued a travel warning for its citizens about traveling, living, or studying in the state. It warned that under the law (which was designed to target undocumented Mexican immigrants), foreigners without the right documentation can be detained. Furthermore, “all Mexican citizens could be bothered or questioned without motive at any moment.”

21. YOU MIGHT GET EXTRADITED (RUSSIA)

Extradition is such a hot-button issue in U.S.-Russia relations that the Russian government warns its citizens not to visit the U.S. or any other country it doesn’t have an extradition treaty with, lest they be arrested and handed over to a foreign government, as in the case of Russian cyberhacker Vladimir Drinkman. The Russian government accuses the U.S. of “hunting” for its citizens:

“Despite our appeals for Washington to establish normal cooperation between law enforcement agencies on the basis of bilateral agreements on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters (from 1999), the U.S. authorities continue the unacceptable practice of ‘hunting’ for Russians all over the world, ignoring international law and twisting the arms of other countries. The number of such cases has exceeded a dozen. The latest examples include Spain handing over Dmitry Belorossova and Vadim Polyakov to the Americans, and the extradition of Vladimir Drinkman to the United States from the Netherlands.”


22. WATCH OUT FOR EXPENSIVE DOCTOR VISITS (AUSTRALIA)


Compared to many other industrialized nations, the United States has an exorbitantly expensive medical system. So when foreign travelers have an accident, the price tag of a hospital visit can be quite a shock. Australia’s government, like many others, strongly recommends preparing with a comprehensive traveler’s insurance plan: “Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs...A visit to a doctor in the United States for even minor complaints can cost several hundred dollars, excluding laboratory tests or medication costs.”

23. DON’T LEAVE TRASH IN YOUR CAR (CANADA)

An article from Canada’s CBC News warns travelers of the legality of civil asset forfeiture—a widespread practice where U.S. police officers confiscate cash during traffic stops—advising that, “if you’re on an American roadway with a full wallet, in the eyes of thousands of cash-hungry cops you’re a rolling ATM.” The correspondent has several tips for Canadians who get pulled over on American roads, including “don’t leave litter on the vehicle floor, especially energy drink cans,” and “try not to wear expensive designer clothes.”

24. TAXI DRIVERS KNOW NOTHING (RUSSIA)

The Russian government is not impressed with U.S. taxi drivers: “Taking a taxi is not always convenient, as most American taxi drivers are recent immigrants who speak English poorly. It often turns out that the tourist knows the city better than the taxi driver.”
25. PAY YOUR TRAFFIC TICKETS (GERMANY)

Germany urges people to pay their fines for traffic violations: “If you have received a citation (‘Ticket’) for parking, speeding, or something similar: Please pay it!” It begs the question—are traffic tickets optional in Germany?