Travel warnings given out by the government are not mandatory rulings that state that restrict travel to certain place. They are just advisories that alert Americans as to where it is safe to travel and where it isn't. There are, however, instances when it is necessary to heed travel warnings and alerts and the instances include:

• When there is active danger in the country in question.
• When the entire country is affected with conflict or considered dangerous.
• When the warnings are corroborated by other governments and not just the US.

Weighing out the urgency of travel warnings involve figuring out if the danger reported is still present or not. It also includes figuring out how long ago the warning was posted.

Travelers who decide to go through with their travel despite the existence of a warning should keep in touch with the local American embassy. At the very least, they should know the embassy's location and contact numbers. It is also important to have somebody back home know where they are at all times. Carrying a well charged cellular phone is helpful too.