An Air Canada plane. Right: A car is seen on a street in Cuba.
Planning a trip abroad? If you'll be jetting off from Canada anytime soon, you'll want to be aware of recent travel advisories issued by the Canadian government.
Multiple Canada travel advisories have been issued or updated warning Canadians to exercise caution when travelling to other countries, with some warning against non-essential travel altogether.
With several warm-weather tourist destinations and vacation hot spots on the list, here are eight countries with Canada travel advisories that you'll want to take note of.
Peru
Machu Picchu, Peru.
Details: A recently updated travel advisory for the country warns Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution in Peru due to high levels of crime as well as social conflicts and strikes that may occur across the country.
On January 10, 2024, the Peruvian government declared a state of emergency in the northern regions bordering Ecuador following the Government of Ecuador’s declaration of a nationwide state of "internal armed conflict" a day earlier.
The state of emergency is in effect in the regions of Amazonas, Cajamarca, Loreto, Piura and Tumbes. If you are in these regions, you should carry identification with you at all times, says the Government of Canada.
Canadians are also warned to avoid non-essential travel to areas within 20 kilometres of the border with Ecuador, especially in the Cordillera del Condor region, due to "the safety threat posed by landmines," as well as to areas within 20 kilometres of the border with Colombia due to "drug trafficking and occasional incursions by armed guerrilla forces from Colombia into Peru."
Regional advisories for the country also warn visitors to avoid non-essential travel in several provinces, including the Huallaga and Tocache provinces in the department of San Martin, the Upper Huallaga and Ene river valleys in the departments of Huanuco and San Martin and the Padre Abad province in the department of Ucayali, due to instances of criminal activity like raids and robberies.
Mexico
A cliff on the water in Mexico.
Details: In 2023, Canada updated its travel advisory for Mexico to warn tourists to avoid all travel to Guerrero state, home to the Mexican city of Acapulco, a popular vacation spot.
The warning came due to the "precarious security situation" in Guerrero following damage by Hurricane Otis, with the government warning that there is a threat of armed violence, banditry, and looting in cities and on roads.
According to ABC News, violence in the region hasn't ceased, with Acapulco's main business chamber reporting that gang threats and attacks have caused around 90% of the city’s passenger vans to stop running and forced businesses to close in early January.
Those in Guerrero state are advised to avoid travelling alone or after dark, exercise extreme vigilance, monitor local media for updates and follow the instructions of local authorities.
According to the Government of Canada, the avoid all travel advisory excludes the cities of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and Taxco, where Canadians should exercise a high degree of caution.
The government also continues to advise against non-essential travel in several Mexican states, including Tamaulipas, Zacatecas and Sinaloa (except the city of Mazatlan), due to high levels of violence and organized crime.
Iceland
The Blue Lagoon in Iceland.
Details: On January 14, 2024, a volcanic eruption occurred in Iceland near the town of Grindavik, according to Canada's travel advisory for the country.
Authorities are assessing the situation and evacuated the area. According to the advisory, clouds of volcanic gas could move towards Reykjavik in the following days, which could bring potentially dangerous pollution levels to the city.
While Iceland's famous Blue Lagoon temporarily closed due to the eruption, the attraction has since reopened, though it notes that its operational units are located within an area at risk due to seismic activity as identified by the Icelandic Meteorological Office.
While Keflavik International Airport (the country's main airport) has not been affected, those travelling to the country are being told to avoid areas close to mountains and steep slopes on the Reykjanes peninsula due to danger of falling rocks and landslides.
While travellers to Iceland are advised to take normal security precautions, the government warns that further eruptions could occur at any time and without warning.
If you're visiting the country, you're advised to obey safety rules and advice in the vicinity of volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs, follow the instructions of local authorities (including any evacuation orders), and monitor local media for updates on volcanic activity.
Cuba
A car parked on a street in Cuba.
The Government of Canada is warning Canadians travelling to Cuba in 2024 to "exercise a high degree of caution" in the country due to "shortages of basic necessities."
According to the travel advisory, Cuba faces "chronic and severe" shortages of things like food, bottled water, public water supply, medication, fuel and hard currency.
Fuel shortages in the country, in particular, are currently critical and are impacting travel across the island, including public transportation services, such as taxis.
"Hotels and resorts, that often use generators during power outages, may not be able to maintain their services. Fuel shortages may also affect government services," says the Canadian government.
"Local authorities enforce the rationing of food and medications, which could also affect travellers."
If you're travelling to Cuba, you're advised to bring basic necessities with you, such as toiletries and medication, keep a supply of water, fuel and food on hand, and make sure you have access to an emergency kit.
The government does say, however, that Canadians can "take normal security precautions" in the resort areas of Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo del Sur, Cayo Santa Maria, Guardalavaca and Varadero.
Brazil
The statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil.
Details: A recently updated travel advisory for Brazil warns that entry requirements for Canadians heading to the South American country will soon change.
According to the Government of Canada, as of April 10, 2024, Canadian passport holders will need to obtain a visa to travel to Brazil.
Currently, Canadians can travel to Brazil visa-free for up to 90 days thanks to an extension on visa-free travel made by the Brazilian government in early January.
Brazil's government said the extension was given to avoid resuming visa requirements during the peak travel season.
As of April, Canadian passport holders will have to apply for a visitor visa (which can be done online) and pay a fee of US$80.90 (about CA$109).
More information about how to apply for a visa and who is eligible can be found on the VFS eVisa website.
Travellers arriving in the country on April 9 are strongly advised to apply for a visa in advance to avoid travel disruptions due to delays or missed connections.
Sri Lanka
A temple in Sri Lanka.
The Government of Canada warns travellers heading to Sri Lanka in 2024 to exercise a high degree of caution in the country due to an economic crisis that has led to shortages of basic necessities.
According to the Associated Press, Sri Lanka has been struggling with an economic crisis since the country declared bankruptcy in April 2022.
"Sri Lanka is experiencing economic difficulties which may result in limited availability of resources, including basic necessities like medicines, fuel and specific food items," says the government travel advisory.
Power outages may occur and public services, including health care, may be affected.
Those travelling to Sri Lanka are advised to keep supplies of food, water and fuel on hand in case of lengthy disruptions, make sure to have a sufficient supply of any required medicines, check that their travel documents are up to date, avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
Belize
The Lamanai Ruins in Belize.
Travellers to Belize are advised to "exercise a high degree of caution" due to high levels of violent crime throughout the country.
The Government of Canada further warns travellers to avoid non-essential travel to Southside Belize City due to gang and drug-related violence, including murders and shootings.
"Gang violence is a significant concern in Belize, especially in Southside Belize City. Gang members often use weapons to resolve disputes," says the government advisory, which notes that clashes occur frequently between gangs to gain control over territories.
"Police capacity to respond to violent incidents is limited, and many crimes remain unsolved."
While the government says that tourists are not usually targeted, it warns that travellers could find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Violent crime is also a major concern elsewhere in the country, including in the capital, Belmopan. To avoid becoming a victim of crime, travellers should remain aware of their surroundings at all times, avoid travelling after dark, maintain a charge in their phone and hand over cash and valuables without resistance if threatened, says the government.
Thailand
Boats on the water at a beach in Thailand.
Canada's travel advisory for Thailand warns Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution in the country due to "ongoing political tensions and sporadic demonstrations in Bangkok and elsewhere in the country."
"Political instability in Thailand has created a volatile and unpredictable security environment throughout the country, particularly in Bangkok," says the government.
Canadians are further advised to avoid all travel in the southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla and Yala due to an unpredictable security situation.
"Separatist insurgents periodically perpetrate criminally and politically motivated attacks in the southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla and Yala," says the advisory.
The attacks include shootings, bombings and arson and have occurred in a variety of public places, according to the government.
"You risk becoming a collateral victim of an attack if you travel in these provinces," says the government.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.