As Ontario residents get their first taste of winter, many may consider a Caribbean getaway.
Winter weather arrived on the weekend with nearly 10 cm of snow dumped at Toronto Pearson Airport on Sunday.
Long-range forecasts may have some Ontario residents considering a winter trip.
Travellers planning a tropical holiday may want to check out the latest advisories.
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 Caribbean countries with travel advisories:
Cuba
Risks: Shortages of basic necessities, including food, medicine and fuel.
Reasons: Cuba faces chronic and severe shortages of basic necessities, including food, bottled water, public water supply, medication, fuel and hard currency.
Cuba has a cash-based economy. You may need to carry large amounts of cash to make larger purchases, but doing so could make you a target for theft or robbery. You should avoid showing large amounts of cash in public.
Theft from hotel rooms, particularly in private accommodations (“casas particulares”), and from cars, is common.
Some businesses, including taxis and classic car rentals, may try to charge exorbitant prices.
Belize
Risks: High levels of violent crime throughout the country.
Reasons: Violent crime is a major concern in the country, including in the capital, Belmopan and Belize City. Belize has one of the highest per-capita murder rates in the world. Drug and human trafficking, organized crime and street gang activity are prevalent. Violent crime occurs frequently.
Tourists are not usually targeted, but you could be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Never leave your food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Avoid accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as these items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.
Trinidad and Tobago
Risks: Violent crime.
Reasons: In July, Trinidadian and Tobagonian authorities declared a nationwide state of emergency. The move came as police investigate a criminal network operating within the prison system and plotting assassinations, robberies and kidnappings, according to news reports.
Travellers can expect to see an increased police and military presence and people should always carry valid identification and follow the instructions of local authorities.
There is a risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time and becoming the victim of gun-related crossfire throughout the country, even during the day.
There are robbery rings operating in the country. Some use online dating applications and social media platforms to lure potential victims and schedule meet-ups to assault and rob them. Incidents against foreigners have occurred.
Jamaica
Risks: Aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
Reasons: People are advised to avoid all travel to Jamaica, with the exception of the metropolitan Kingston area and airport, due to extensive damage caused by Hurricane Melissa.
On Oct. 28, Hurricane Melissa swept across Jamaica as a major hurricane. It caused significant flooding and damage to buildings and infrastructure. There are significant disruptions to essential services, including transportation, power distribution, water and food supply, telecommunications networks, emergency services and medical care.
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.
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.
Innocent bystanders have been injured or killed. You may be in the wrong place at the wrong time and become a victim of violent crime.
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.
There are reports of individuals posing as police officers and driving cars resembling police vehicles, committing robberies, physical assault and sexual assault.
For a complete list of advisories and additional information, see the federal website here.
Lead photo of Playa del Carmen, Mexico: Willian Justen de Vasconcellos
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