Get your beach fix elsewhere.
The US State Department upgraded its warnings this week about traveling to the Turks and Caicos because of surging crime and sexual assaults.
Officials issued a Level 2 travel advisory that urges Americans to “exercise increased caution” in the Caribbean islands.
“There have been reports of sexual assaults in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” the Tuesday alert reads.
Most of the crime occurs in Providenciales, which is the main tourist destination and home to Grace Bay Beach.
“Petty crime is common, especially in popular tourist locations,” the alert states.
Most crime targeted against foreigners is “crimes of opportunity,” like purse snatching and pickpocketing, as well as overcharging and scams, according to officials.
Scammers will also offer free gifts that lead to money demands.
Police on the island may have “limited resources to investigate crimes,” the alert continues.
The warning comes amid a series of recent travel and security advisories from US officials.
In June, powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, prompting the State Department to update its longstanding Level 3 travel advisory.
The same month, the US Embassy in Jerusalem warned Americans that the security environment across the Middle East remained “complex” and could change rapidly.
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