A passport and a visa are required. The Congo is in a period of political transition. The capital, Brazzaville, and other regions are generally calm although sporadic disturbances occur in certain outlying neighborhoods of Brazzaville. These areas are considered dangerous. Night travel outside the center city area is risky, with some after-dark roadblocks.
Some medicine is in short supply.
Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid or accepted outside the United States. In some cases, supplemental medical coverage has proven useful. Street crime, including mugging and purse snatching, is common in Brazzaville, as well as in some parts of the countryside. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.