El Salvador: The U.S. State Department reissued a travel warning citing high levels of crime against tourists as cause for alarm. Officials reported that 33 Americans were murdered and 366 had passports stolen or were victims of other crimes while visiting the country in the last four years. Though there is no evidence that Americans are specific targets, muggings, car thefts and home invasions have all been reported at high levels. Tourists visiting national parks have been victims of armed robberies as well, and it is recommended that climbers and hikers seek certified guides when visiting these areas.

Netherlands: Tourists in Amsterdam should use extreme caution while seeking to experiment with many of the city's readily available controlled substances. Officials reported that a toxic substance sold as cocaine (which is illegal in the country) has killed at least two tourists and caused severe health issues, including near-death, in several others. Authorities said that white heroin is being sold to tourists seeking cocaine and that use of the substance is not only illegal, it can be lethal.

Nepal: Conservationists and local tourism officials are developing a 14-mile trail through Chitwan National Park to improve tourist access and reduce the trek between Sauraha and Madi to about 12 hours; now it's about two days. Cottages will be built along the trail to provide overnight accommodations and wildlife viewing, officials said. The area is popular for observing tigers, hippopotamuses and elephants, and a security plan is being worked out to protect visitors from potentially harmful encounters.

Thailand: Beachgoers once again can haul shade umbrellas to the beaches of Phuket, after a ban against them was put in place last June. For now, umbrellas will be allowed at several beaches, including Surin, Layan, Laypang and Bang Tao, but tourists should check with local authorities, as routine attempts at beach cleanups have spurred crackdowns on overcrowding and the presence of vendors at public beaches.

Japan: Inconsiderate behavior has caused officials to ban photography at many of the country's temples. Tourists with tripods and others who block walkways and step into gardens for the perfect snapshot have become a nuisance. Among the sites banning photography are the Genko-an, Jissoin Daigo-ji and Adashino Nenbutsu-ji temples in Kyoto and the Sekihoji Temple in Tokyo. Other temples have varying restrictions, and visitors should always ask about specific photography rules and should check with visitor centers before snapping pictures. Temples should always be respected as places of worship.

Compiled from news services and travel sources. For updates, check with the State Department at 888-407-4747, travel.state.gov.

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World travel alerts: El Salvador, Thailand, Netherlands