US government issues unexpected, sudden warning about South American travel

After the U.S. State Department issued its first travel advisories for countries commonly visited by Americans in 1978, the system used to inform travelers about the danger or safety of traveling to certain countries eventually evolved into a four-tier ranking in which the highest "do not travel" level is reserved for war zones and authoritarian governments.

Meanwhile, level one's "take normal precautions" is used for countries that are just as safe as, or in some cases even safer than, home. Warnings are also periodically issued without changing the advisory level to inform travelers of the current situation at a given time.

Since the start of fall, the United States Embassy in Peru has put out a travel warning about ongoing protests around the popular UNESCO site Machu Picchu and the fact that “rail and road traffic on routes leading to [the area] may be disrupted without prior notice."

"There is risk of terrorist violence": U.S. State Department on Ecuador

The UNESCO World Heritage site that sees an average of 5,600 visitors a day during peak visitor season has, in recent years, become the site of frequent anti-government and anti-tourism protests.

A more recent travel advisory targets the neighboring South American nation of Ecuador. While the travel advisory for the country remains at level two's "exercise increased caution," the State Department updated the section on terrorism to indicate a "risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Ecuador."

Related: US government warns travelers 'stopping is not allowed'

The same rating is also given to countries such as France, England, and Germany due to the risk of terrorist attacks in their capital cities.

"Crime is a widespread problem in Ecuador," the older advisory continues to read. "Violent crime typically associated with narcotrafficking is common. It includes murder, assault, kidnapping, and armed robbery."

Certain areas, such as specific neighborhoods in the southwestern city of Guayaquil and cities such as Quevedo, Quinsaloma, and Pueblo Viejo in the Los Rios province, have been singled out as "do not travel" due to the higher rates of drug trafficking and related crime.

Headed to Ecuador? Here is what you need to know about the latest travel warning

Overall, Ecuador is considered a safe travel destination that draws tourists interested in seeing both the Andes mountain range along the country's western edge and the Amazon rainforest in the east.

Home to many of the world's rarest turtle and other animal species, the Galapagos Islands are often done as a separate trip or primary destination with only a brief stopover in the capital of Quito, due to its remote nature and distance from the mainland.

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Due to their goal of informing travelers of any possible risks no matter how unlikely, State Department advisories can often sound alarmist even if most travelers who visit have an extremely positive experience.

"Foreign citizens entering the country by land from Colombia or Peru must show a certificate of no criminal record," the advisory states further in a warning to those considering travel between different countries in South America on the same trip.

Related: US government warns about travel to two European countries