As summer is wrapping up, the national desire to travel to warmer locations is high. 

However, some popular spots throughout the Caribbean have been hit with recent travel advisories.

Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories website page helps travellers make informed decisions and travel safely outside the country, specifically by looking into trends and incidents affecting international travellers.

Here are some of the locations with updated advisories throughout the Caribbean:

Jamaica

Risks: High levels of violent crime.

Reasons: Crimes, specifically armed robbery and murder, are an emerging problem in large cities and tourist areas, including parts of Kingston and Montego Bay.

Despite the presence of police to counter criminal activity, these issues have become more prevalent with easy access to firearms. As a result, there is a risk of being caught in the crossfire of gang-related activity in these areas.

Cuba

Risks: Petty crime, violent crime, sexual assault, and fraud. 

Reasons: Due to Cuba’s cash-based economy, the risk of petty theft has become high in the area, specifically in areas like markets, public buses, nightclubs, and beaches.

According to the Canadian advisories website, to prevent falling victim to petty theft, one should exercise judgment when spending cash and keep all belongings in a secure place. Additionally, while not as common an occurrence, robberies can escalate to violence, and when confronted with potential escalation, travellers are encouraged not to resist. 

Fraudulent activity is also common in areas throughout the region, such as services overcharging tourists, like taxis and luggage services, as well as scams being run out of bars and resorts. 

Separate from robbery, fraudulent activity, and potential violence, reports of sexual assault against Canadian women have occured in beach resorts. Spiked food and drinks have also been reported in bars and resorts. 

Additional non-criminal related risks also include power outages, food scarcity, and poor telecommunications. 

Belize

Risks: High levels of violent crime

Reasons: Gang-related violence has been on the rise throughout the region, especially in Southside Belize City, south of the Haulover Creek River, as extreme gang violence and murders have been on the rise. 

Police responses to these incidents have been severely limited, and while tourists are not the direct target, there is a risk of being caught in the crossfire. 

Violent crime and petty crime have also been on the rise throughout the region, with criminals directly targeting areas around the border with Guatemala, which are close to tourist sites such as the Mayan ruins at Caracol.

Separate from direct violent criminal risks, instances of fraud, sexual assault, and spiked food and beverages are also on the rise. 

2SLGBTQI+ persons are also advised to exercise extreme caution, as homosexuality is not widely socially accepted in Belize.

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


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