Canada issues new travel advisories to some tourism hot spots

As the busy summer travel season continues, people may be heading out for a trip in the final weeks of August.

Many popular destinations have travel advisories with some updates this month.

Though most places are relatively safe for travel, there are some precautions to consider.

The Government of Canada maintains a Travel Advice and Advisories page to help travellers make informed decisions and travel safely outside Canada.

They analyze trends and incidents affecting international travellers, monitor world events and collect updated reports from different sources.

Here are some of the countries with travel advisories:

Belgium

Risks: Threat of terrorism, strikes and crime.

Reasons: Incidents of violent crime are on the rise including a recent surge in violent crimes, including shootings and stabbings, in the Brussels-Capital Region and other major cities.

Strikes and pressure tactics occur regularly, particularly in key sectors such as transport. These strikes can sometimes complicate travel and disrupt public services. This year, transport personnel threatened to strike nationwide.

Türkiye

Risks: Threat of terrorist attacks and the possibility of demonstrations throughout the country.

Reasons: Since October 2023, there have been protests in Türkiye due to the ongoing situation in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Some protesters have targeted and vandalized popular Western-branded businesses and foreign diplomatic missions.

Demonstrations may occur anywhere in Türkiye. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also disrupt traffic and public transportation. The advisory suggests people avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place.

Peru

Risks: High levels of crime, social conflicts and strikes.

Reasons: Demonstrations and strikes take place regularly throughout the country. Strikes can complicate travel and disrupt public transport and services, including the ability to travel to or leave isolated tourist destinations such as Machu Picchu.

Some regions in Peru should be avoided due to domestic terrorism and criminal activity such as drug trafficking, robberies, kidnappings, extortion and raids. Travellers are advised to avoid border areas of Ecuador and Colombia.

Bolivia

Risks: Continuing political and social tensions resulting in frequent roadblocks throughout the country, and Oropouche fever.

Reasons: Strikes occur frequently and often take place nationwide. Roadblocks are frequently erected during strikes, which can complicate travel plans.

There are also outbreaks of Oropouche fever reported. While Oropouche fever has been detected in the Americas before, the number of cases is higher than expected, and cases are being reported in some areas of Brazil, Bolivia, and in Cuba where they haven’t been before.

Early research shows it may be possible for an Oropouche virus infection to be transmitted from a pregnant person to their unborn baby. At this time, it is unclear how this may impact the health of the unborn baby; however, other similar infections, such as Zika, have been shown to negatively affect the health of a fetus.

Costa Rica

Risks: Crime and women’s safety.

Reasons: Petty crime and house burglary, theft from cars, and vehicle theft, are frequent. Passport theft is also extremely common and increases in frequency during the peak tourist seasons, from November to May and from July to August.

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment or verbal abuse. Incidents of sexual assault against foreigners at beach resorts and by taxi drivers in San José have occurred.

For a complete list of advisories and further information, see the website here.

Lead photo of Antalya, Turkey: Aleksandr Kuzmenko