Canada issues travel advisories to very popular destinations for the week of Dec 16

Before packing your bags for a holiday getaway to a warmer or more scenic destination, it might be wise to stay informed.

The Canadian government’s latest travel advisories can serve as a guide while you plan your next trip.

Cuba

Risks: Petty crimes like pickpocketing and purse snatching often occur in crowded tourist areas.

Reasons: Shortages of basic necessities including food, medicine and fuel.

The critical fuel shortages are impacting a wide range of services, making travel across the island extremely challenging.

Public transportation including taxis is often disrupted, leaving tourists with limited options for movement.

Some travellers have faced temporary stranded situations with rental cars. Intermittent shortages of tap water, even in Havana and resorts add to the challenges.

Hotels and resorts, reliant on generators during power outages, may struggle to maintain their services. Fuel shortages can also affect government services.

Local authorities enforce rationing of food and medications, potentially affecting travellers.

Tourists are urged to bring basic necessities like toiletries and medication, maintaining a supply of water, food, fuel, and ensuring access to a complete emergency kit.

Petty crime can happen to foreigners in the these areas:

• Markets.
• Public buses.
• Night clubs.
• Beaches.

Visitors are reminded to stay vigilant and protect their belongings by doing the following:

• Secure belongings, including passports and travel documents.
• Avoid packing valuables in checked luggage.
• Refrain from displaying signs of affluence.
• Keep electronic devices concealed.
• Carry valid identification at all times.
• Maintain digital and hard copies of ID and travel documents.
• Minimize carrying large amounts of cash.
• Never leave personal items unattended in a vehicle, even in the trunk.

Cameroon

Risks: High level of violent crime in some regions and the tensions that exist in the Sahel region.

Reasons: Snatch and grab thefts and terrorist attacks are common, especially in public areas with a large crowd.

The Far North region and Mayo-Louti Department, should be avoided altogether due to unpredictable security conditions including the threat of frequent attacks by the extremist group Boko Haram, with the risks of banditry and kidnappings.

Areas within 30 km of the borders with Nigeria, Chad, and the Central African Republic also pose significant risks which include kidnapping, armed banditry, and terrorist threats.

The North-West and South-West regions are marked as no-go zones due to ongoing violence between armed groups and security forces, coupled with the looming threats of kidnapping and banditry. In the North and Adamaoua regions, non-essential travel is advised against, primarily due to the prevalent threat of kidnapping.

The Bakassi Peninsula should also be approached with caution, recommending avoidance of non-essential travel due to various forms of banditry.

An overall avoidance of all travel to the Gulf of Guinea is urged, given the heightened risks of piracy and kidnappings by rebel groups, with incidents becoming more frequent, even targeting larger vessels and petroleum platforms.

Explosive devices have been concealed in public places and detonated remotely. The explosions have resulted in several injuries.

Tourists are asked to exercise caution at all times including the following areas:

• Restaurants, bars, and cafes.
• Shopping malls and markets.
• Tourist attractions.
• Hotels and other places frequented by foreigners.

Targets could also include the following locations:

• Government buildings, including schools.
• Places of worship.
• Airports and other transportation hubs and networks.

Mexico

Risks: High levels of criminal activity and kidnapping.

Reasons: Guerrero State, struck by Hurricane Otis on Oct. 25 (2023) faces ongoing security challenges post-storm. The aftermath has led to disruptions in transportation and communication networks, isolating many towns and cities and raising concerns about criminal and gang activity.

Violent crime can be found throughout Mexico including homicides, kidnappings, and assaults. Sometimes these crimes happen at popular tourist destinations such as the Mayan Riviera (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Tulum) and Acapulco.

Tourists can fall victim to extortions through virtual kidnappings, where criminals find out enough personal information of their victims and then contact the target’s loved ones claiming to have taken them hostage. Express kidnapping is also a tactic used where the victim is abducted and a small immediate ransom is demanded.

Criminal groups, including drug cartels, are very active. ‎Clashes between cartels or gangs over territory, drugs and smuggling routes are common.

A regional advisory is in effect for Mexico and it includes the following areas:

• Chihuahua
• Colima  (except the city of Manzanillo)
• Coahuila
• Durango
• Guerrero
• Michoacán (except the city of Morelia)
• Morelos
•  Nayarit
• Nuevo León (except the city of Monterrey)
• Sinaloa (except the city of Mazatlán)
• Sonora, (except the cities of Hermosillo and Guaymas/San Carlos and Puerto Peñasco)
• Tamaulipas
•  Zacatecas

Colombia

Risks: High levels of crime.

Reasons: Mugging, assaults, and pickpocketing are prevalent throughout the country including tourist crowded areas.

There is also elevated risks of kidnapping and violent crime posed by illegal armed groups and criminal organizations. These regions include:

• Arauca, Caquetá (excluding Florencia)
• Cauca (excluding Popayan)
• Chocó (excluding Nuquí, Bahía Solano, and Capurganá)
• Areas within 50 km of the border with Venezuela (excluding Cúcuta)
• Areas within 100 km of the border with Panama
• Areas within 50 km of the border with Ecuador (excluding the border crossing at Ipiales).
• Norte de Santander (excluding Cúcuta) and the Port of Tumaco and the city of Buenaventura.

Individuals who are planning to travel to any of the above excluded areas, should take an airplane.

Ecuador

Risks: High levels of crime and nationwide power outages.

Reasons: Some regions are marked by the presence of drug traffickers and criminal organizations posing a high risk of violence, kidnappings, armed assaults, and extortion. Instances of Canadian and other foreign tourists, as well as oil workers, falling victim to kidnappings in these areas have been reported.

Tourists are cautioned if visiting Esmeralda and Sucumbíos, with a heightened advisory recommending avoidance within 20 km of the border with Colombia.

Foreigners should refrain from travelling to areas in Carchi (except for the Panamericana International Highway connecting to the official border crossing at Tulcán/Ipiales).

Individuals are urged to steer clear of certain cantons in the Cordillera del Cóndor, near the southern portion of the border with Peru, due to the presence of landmines and unmarked minefields. These include Tiwinza in the province of Morona-Santiago and El Pangui, Nangaritza, and Palanda in the province of Zamora-Chinchipe.

Indonesia

Risks: Political and social tensions and the threat of terrorism throughout the country

Reasons: Pickpocketing, purse snatching and armed robberies happen frequently in areas where tourists gather. In February (2023), militant groups issued threats specifically targeting foreigners, indicating an increased risk of violence or kidnapping for those traveling to the region.

Labour disputes at the Freeport-McMoRan mine near Timika have resulted in demonstrations, transportation disruptions, and violence, with fatal attacks occurring on roads near the mine, particularly targeting foreigners.

There is also an ongoing threat of terrorism in Indonesia with active terrorist cells capable of carrying out attacks nationwide. Targets include military and government facilities, tourist attractions, public places, nightclubs, entertainment venues, public transportation, and airports.

Further attacks are likely with a focus on crowded areas, places with high pedestrian traffic, commercial establishments, local government offices, public transit stations, busy streets, long lineups at tourist attractions, and places of worship.

Travellers are advised to stay at hotels with robust security measures, maintain vigilance in public places, and be aware of emergency exit routes. Monitoring local media and following the instructions of local authorities are crucial for staying informed and safe during periods of heightened risk, especially during religious holidays and public celebrations.

Additionally, foreigners  should refrain from displaying signs of affluence and take precautions to secure their personal belongings including passports and other travel documents. When travelling by car, it is advised to keep valuable items out of sight, ensure windows are closed, and doors are locked.

Guyana

Risks: High level of crime.

Reasons: Foreigners and returning citizens are common targets for pickpockets and purse-snatchers.

Visitors are asked to exercise increased caution in Georgetown, particularly in the following neighbourhoods:

• The area 2 km south of Brickdam Street
• Agricola
• Albouystown
• Albertown
• Bourda
• Buxton
• East Ruimveldt
• Sophia
• Stabroek
• Tiger Bay
• West Ruimveldt

Violent crime is widespread throughout Guyana and often linked to illegal drug trafficking. Common criminal activities include homicides, assaults, home burglaries, armed robberies, and car thefts.

Criminals frequently operate in groups of two or more, watching their targets for days before taking action.

Foreigners have been victims of armed robberies and attacks, especially after withdrawing money from banks, shopping in commercial areas, or staying at hotels.

Criminals often target the following tourist sites:

• Stabroek Market
• Bourda Market
• Botanical Gardens
• the National Park
• the sea wall