Canada issues travel advisories for these popular tropical holiday spots

As winter approaches and the days get shorter, it may be time to think about a trip to a sunny tropical country.

There are many popular spots to go and escape Canada’s cold weather.

But travellers may want to check out the latest safety information before choosing a destination.

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 tropical countries with travel advisories:

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. Passport theft is also extremely common and increases in frequency during the peak tourist seasons, from November to May and from July to August.

There are reports of casualties due to the consumption of unregulated and adulterated alcohol containing high levels of methanol.

Coastal waters can be dangerous and riptides are common. Several drownings occur each year. Very few beaches are supervised by lifeguards and there are no warning signs of dangerous conditions.

Honduras

Risks: Crime.

Reasons: Although the overall situation has slightly improved since 2022, violent crime remains a concern throughout Honduras. The country retains one of the highest homicide rates in the world. Drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and street gang activity is prevalent in certain neighbourhoods.

Express kidnappings can occur in urban areas. These kidnappings are often committed by organized gangs or taxi drivers. The kidnappers usually take their victims to an ATM and force them to make a cash withdrawal.

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, occurs.

General elections are scheduled for Nov. 30, 2025. There may be demonstrations before, during and after the elections.

Mexico

Risks: High levels of criminal activity and kidnapping.

Reasons: 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.

Criminal activity and violence occur regularly in border areas. Confrontations between organized criminal groups and Mexican security forces continue to pose a risk. Shootouts, attacks and illegal roadblocks may occur without warning.

Disputes over timeshare arrangements occur. Timeshare sales representatives may be very persistent and often use pressure tactics to make a sale. Members of criminal groups often pose as real estate representatives offering to buy your property for large amounts for use as a timeshare. They may never pay for the property or charge high administrative fees.

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.

Violent crime occurs and is often related to gang activity. Most crime occurs on the islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama. The Bahamas has a high murder rate, but incidents mostly occur in downtown Nassau in non-tourist areas after dark. High incidences of violent crime occur in neighbourhoods outside of high tourist areas.

There is an increase in break-ins and theft. Do not exit your vehicle to remove objects blocking the road, as robberies and carjackings can take place.

Jamaica

Risks: People are advised to avoid all travel due to Hurricane Melissa.

Reasons: Category 5 Hurricane Melissa swept across Jamaica on Oct. 28, causing extensive damage, flooding and power outages.

There are disruptions to essential services such as transportation, power distribution, water and food supply, telecommunications networks, emergency services and medical care.

The international airports in Kingston and Montego Bay were closed until further notice due to the storm.

The hurricane season is from early June to the end of November in the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. During this period, even small tropical storms can quickly develop into major hurricanes.

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

Lead photo of The Bahamas: Robyn W.