Government advises Canadians to exercise caution when visiting these popular vacation spots

Dec 8 2018, 6:49 am

Canadians are currently passing the time by freezing our asses off and daydreaming about the next tropical vacay. If we’re lucky, those dreams will turn into reality this holiday season.

When researching which beachy destination to select for your trip, which snorkelling tour to book, or which beach bar serves the strongest margarita (can you let us know about that one?), don’t forget that checking the travel advisory for your chosen destination is a critical part of trip planning.

The Government of Canada provides Travel Advice and Advisories for destinations across the globe, which are categorized into varying degrees of caution based on a number of factors including:

  • Safety and Security (Crime, Theft, Assault, Women’s Safety, Spiked Food and Drinks, Kidnapping, Scam, Road Safety, Public Transportation, Air Travel, Beach and Water Activities)
  • Entry/Exit Requirements (Passport, Visas, Tourist Tax, Children and Travel, Criminal Records)
  • Health (Medical Services and Facilities, Medication, Health Tips)
  • Laws & Culture (Dual Citizenship, Customs, Identity Documents, Importing, Buying/Selling, Real Estate)
  • Natural Disasters & Climate (Hurricane Season, Rainy Season, Seismic Activity)
    Assistance (Local Services, Consular Assistance, Toll-Free Emergency Numbers)

While the last thing we want to do is be a buzzkill on anything to do with travelling, the importance of exercising caution when abroad cannot be emphasized enough. Even some of the most popular spots for Canadians to spend their holiday vacay may present risks that you’re unaware of.

So please check the advisories for the destinations that are inciting your wanderlust, and make sure you are going into your holiday well-informed and with your wits about you.

Here are the Canadian government’s current travel advisories for a selection of sunny destinations down south.

Nationwide travel advisory in effect

Avoid non-essential travel

Haiti
Nicaragua
Venezuela

Exercise a high degree of caution; a regional travel advisory is in effect

Check which regions you need to avoid

Honduras
Mexico

Exercise a high degree of caution

Check the factors that may impact your trip

Bahamas
Belize
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Guatemala
Jamaica
Barbados

Exercise normal security precautions

Good to go, as long as you travel smart

Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Barbados
Cayman Islands
Cuba
Curaçao
Puerto Rico
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Turks and Caicos Islands
United States
Virgin Islands (US)

Kellie PaxianKellie Paxian

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