Canada updates travel advisory to Mexico and other popular March break spots

March break is next week, and thousands of Ontario residents are expected to travel.

Some 1.7 million travellers are expected to use Toronto Pearson Airport in Mississauga during the upcoming March break period, around 400,000 more than last year, Pearson officials said this week.

Popular spots such as Curaçao, Bahamas, Belize, Aruba and Costa Rica have travel deals.

But those planning a trip may want to check out the latest travel advisories.

Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories website helps travellers make informed decisions and travel safely outside the country. The federal government analyzes trends and incidents affecting international travellers, monitor global events and collect updated reports from various sources.

Here are five tourism countries with advisory updates:

Mexico

Risks: High levels of criminal activity and kidnapping.

Reasons: On Feb. 22, 2026, criminal groups set up roadblocks with burning vehicles in various cities across Mexico. There were shootouts with security forces and explosions, including on roads and highways connecting affected areas to Mexico City. The security situation has since stabilized.

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

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.

Dominican Republic

Risks: Crime.

Reasons: 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.

Incidents occur at resorts and hotels, including inside private rooms and room safes, from inside cars, especially rental cars, and at beaches, airports, bus stations and on public transportation.

Drive-by robberies are common. Thieves on motorcycles, scooters or bicycles snatch bags and other valuables from pedestrians. Thieves may even reach into vehicles, including taxis, stopped at red lights to steal belongings.

At airports, thieves may target checked baggage in departure areas.

Chile

Risks: Ongoing demonstrations, civil unrest and crime.

Reasons: Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, bag snatching and theft from vehicles, can occur in any part of the country. However, travellers should remain especially vigilant in larger cities.

Thefts are often carried out using distraction. Pickpockets and bag snatchers work in pairs or groups and use a variety of ruses to divert their victim’s attention. In some cases, thieves on foot work with thieves on motorcycles, “motochorros,” to snatch purses, cell phones and backpacks.

In Valparaíso and Santiago, thieves target rental cars. They puncture the tire of a vehicle, then steal items when the occupants get out to check the tire.

Germany

Risks: Threat of terrorism and an update regarding the polio virus.

Reasons: There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities.

Terrorist attacks could occur at any time. Over the past few years, several attacks have occurred in Germany. These have resulted in many injuries and deaths. Further attacks are likely.

Some international destinations, including Germany, have circulating poliovirus. The World Health Organization has issued temporary vaccination recommendations for these countries with circulating wild poliovirus type 1 or circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus types 1 or 3.

Polio is a highly contagious disease caused by the poliovirus. In severe cases, polio can damage a person’s nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. This can result in weakness or paralysis that can be permanent.

Before travelling to any destination, be sure your routine polio vaccinations are up to date, the advisory states.

United Kingdom

Risks: Threat of terrorism and an update regarding the polio virus.

Reasons: Terrorist attacks have resulted in casualties. They have included random violent incidents in public areas, such as knife and vehicle attacks, as well as explosions. These incidents have occurred mainly in the London area but have also happened elsewhere.

The Government of the United Kingdom maintains a public alert system on terrorism and communicates terrorism and national emergency threat level changes online and through local media. The national terrorism and national emergency threat level is currently 3 (“substantial”) on a scale of 5.

Some international destinations, including the United Kingdom, have circulating poliovirus. The World Health Organization has issued temporary vaccination recommendations for these countries with circulating wild poliovirus type 1 or circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus types 1 or 3.

Polio is a highly contagious disease caused by the poliovirus. In severe cases, polio can damage a person’s nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. This can result in weakness or paralysis that can be permanent.

Before travelling to any destination, be sure your routine polio vaccinations are up to date, the advisory states.

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

Lead photo of Tulum, Q.R., Mexico: Darren Lawrence