Canada issues travel advisories for these hot tourism spots

Winter has officially arrived, and many Canadians are dreaming of a warm-weather vacation.

The first day of winter is Dec. 21, but southern Ontario has already had snowy and cold weather. And the outlook predicts a cold winter across much of Canada this year.

Those planning a trip to escape the deep freeze may want to check out deals on popular spots such as Mexico, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

While these spots are typically safe in tourist regions, there are some things to keep in mind. Travellers can learn more about safety on Canada’s travel advisory page.

Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories website page helps travellers make informed decisions and travel safely outside the country.

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

Here are five popular tourism countries with advisories:

Cuba

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

Reasons: Fuel shortages affect a wide range of services. Travelling across the island is extremely challenging. Public transportation services, including taxis, are often disrupted, leaving tourists with few options to travel.

Incidents of violent crime are not frequent, but assaults may occur. They mainly occur during a burglary or robbery. The advisory suggests travellers stay in accommodations with good security, keep windows and doors locked at all times, and if threatened by robbers, stay calm and do not resist.

Some hustlers specialize in defrauding tourists, sometimes using threats or violence. Most of them speak some English or French and go out of their way to appear friendly. They may offer to serve as guides or facilitate the purchase of cigars.

Fraudulent tour agents and taxi drivers also operate throughout the country, including at Havana’s international airport. Thefts of luggage from taxi trunks have occurred.

Cuban beach tourism spots, including Cayo Largo del Sur, Jibacoa, Archipelago of Jardines del Rey, Marea del Portillo and Varadero Peninsula, are listed as areas where travellers can take normal security precautions.

Mexico

Risks: High levels of criminal activity and kidnapping.

Reasons: Criminal groups, including drug cartels, are very active across the country. ‎Clashes between cartels or gangs over territory, drugs and smuggling routes are common. Armed clashes between security forces and drug cartels can occur without warning.

Mexican authorities have made efforts to protect major tourist destinations, resulting in lower levels of gang-related violence in these areas. However, incidents of violent crime still occur in major cities, popular tourist areas and resorts. Fighting between criminal gangs and cartels has taken place in restaurants, hotels and nightclubs.

Canadian travellers have been physically and sexually assaulted. In some cases, hotel employees, taxi drivers and security personnel at popular tourist destinations were involved. Sometimes, hotel staff are not helpful and try to dissuade victims from reporting the incident to the police.

Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories website has added colour-coded maps showing areas with more risks shaded in orange.

Dominican Republic

Risks: Crime.

Reasons: Crime, including violent crime, occurs across the country, especially in major cities. The police are often unable to respond in a timely manner to calls for assistance, especially outside of resort and tourist areas.

Petty crime, including pickpocketing and bag-snatching, occurs frequently. Tourists are common targets for theft.

Crime of opportunity is common. Thieves may try to snatch visible money, valuables, or grab your phone from your hands. Crime tends to rise during holiday periods.

Credit and debit card, as well as ATM fraud, occur frequently. Card reader tampering, also known as skimming, is a common scam. Businesses could try to save your credit or debit card information when you make a legitimate purchase through a compromised card reader. Be cautious when using debit or credit cards.

Costa Rica

Risks: Crime

Reasons: Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs frequently. Tourists are common targets for theft because they are perceived as being wealthy. Thieves often work in teams, in which one thief diverts the victims’ attention while the other snatches their possessions.

Snacks, beverages, gum and cigarettes may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Demonstrations take place occansionally, particularly in San José. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

Costa Rican law prohibits political activity by foreigners. Participating in demonstrations or activities may result in travellers being detained and/or deported.

The Bahamas

Risks: High rates of crime, especially in Nassau and Freeport.

Reasons: Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, may occur in tourist areas.

Robberies also occur in cruise ship terminals and in and around popular resort areas in Nassau and Freeport, even in daylight hours. Crime increases during the holidays, festivals and regattas.

The advisory suggests travellers keep personal belongings, including passports and other travel documents, in a secure place, do not show signs of affluence or wear expensive jewellery, do not carry large sums of cash or valuables unnecessarily, and be extra cautious when withdrawing cash from ATMs.

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

Lead photo of Coco Cay, The Bahamas: Adam Gonzales