Travel
Canada issued travel advisories for these 8 popular tourist spots and here’s what to know
Planning a trip? Before you jet off to Europe or South America, you may want to take note of the Government of Canada’s latest travel advisories.
Canada has issued travel advisories for several popular vacation spots, advising travellers of security risks, new visa requirements, natural disasters and more.
Knowing what to expect can make all the difference on your trip, and the travel advice may even impact your plans.
Before you get going, here are eight travel advisories issued by the government that you’ll want to know.
Indonesia
Volcanoes in Indonesia.
Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution
Details: The Government of Canada updated its travel advisory for Indonesia with information about a recent eruption.
According to the advisory, since April 16, 2024, Ruang Volcano in the North Sulawesi province has erupted multiple times.
The government warns that further eruptions may occur and tsunami warnings could be issued, and that transportation and access to essential services are disrupted in the affected area.
Those travelling in affected areas are advised to take official warnings seriously and respect exclusion zones, monitor local media to stay up-to-date on developments and volcanic activity levels, and follow the advice of local authorities, including evacuation orders.
United Arab Emirates
The Dubai marina in Dubai.
Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution
Details: On April 16, 2024, heavy rainfall and strong winds caused severe flooding in the UAE, resulting in significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.
According to the Associated Press, the desert nation experienced the heaviest rain ever recorded in the country in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and Dubai’s international airport.
Canada’s travel advisory for the UAE warns that there may be disruptions to services including transportation, power distribution, water and food supply, telecommunications networks, emergency services and medical care.
Those near the affected areas are advised to exercise caution, monitor local news and weather reports, contact their airline or tour operator to check the status travel plans, and follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders.
India
The Taj Mahal in India.
Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution
Details: The Government of Canada has updated its travel advisory for India amid general elections in the country.
“General elections are scheduled to take place between April 19 and June 1, 2024. Demonstrations could occur before, during and after the elections,” says the advisory.
Polls opened on April 19, according to CNN, in the first and largest phase of India’s election, which will be the biggest in the world.
The travel advisory warns that disruptions to traffic and public transportation may occur, and curfews may be imposed without notice.
Those travelling to India during this time are advised to avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place, follow the instructions of local authorities, and monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations.
Hong Kong
Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong.
Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution
Details: The Canadian government updated its travel advisory for Hong Kong with information on new national security laws recently passed in the country.
According to the advisory, the 2024 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and the 2020 National Security Law have broadened the range of national security offences in Hong Kong.
A statement from Global Affairs Canada issued last month expressed concern about the new law and its impacts on human rights, saying that its “broad definitions of national security offences and national security threats raise concerns about the potential for enforcement overreach.”
According to the government, under the new law, national security offences could include activities that are not considered illegal in Canada and that occurred outside of Hong Kong, and could include social media posts.
“If you are suspected of endangering national security, you could be detained without charge for up to 16 days and denied access to a legal representative for up to 48 hours,” says the advisory .
Canadians travelling or even transiting through Hong Kong are advised to exercise a high degree of caution in the country due to “the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws.”
Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution
Details: Canada recently updated its Brazil travel advisory to include new information for Canadians about the country’s entry requirements.
As of April 10, 2025, Canadian passport holders will be required to obtain a visa for tourist visits to Brazil.
Currently, tourist visas are not required for stays of up to 90 days in the country. Previously, the visa requirement was set to be implemented on April 10, 2024, after being postponed in January.
Once the visa comes into effect, Canadians looking to travel to the country will have to request an electronic visa from Brazil’s e-visa website and pay a fee of US$80.90 (CA$110.64) to visit the country as a tourist.
The Government of Canada’s travel advisory for the country warns Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to high crime rates and regular incidents of gang-related and other violence.
The advisory warns that crime rates are highest in urban centres, particularly in areas adjacent to the neighbourhoods of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Recife and Salvador.
Those travelling in the country should exercise a high degree of caution at all times, avoid travelling alone, especially at night, and be aware of their surroundings at all times.
Jordan
Petra, Jordan.
Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution
Details: Canadians travelling to Jordan are advised to exercise a high degree of caution due to the threat of terrorism, civil unrest and demonstrations.
According to the Canadian government, since October 13, 2023, protests related to the ongoing conflict in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been taking place regularly at various locations across Jordan.
Major gathering places have included places of worship, especially certain mosques in Aman.
While most protests have been peaceful and contained by security forces, the government says that “isolated incidents of minor clashes with security forces” have been reported.
The government warns that authorities in Jordan may employ enhanced measures to respond to demonstrations, including deploying additional security forces, using crowd dispersal methods and establishing checkpoints and roadblocks.
Those in or near affected areas are advised to expect heightened security measures, avoid demonstrations and gatherings, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
France
Paris, France.
Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution
Details: Canadians are advised to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to France due to the elevated threat of terrorism in the country.
Paris will be hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games from July to September 2024. According to the government, public events will take place across France starting on May 8 and will continue until the opening ceremony.
Canadians are advised to plan their travel accordingly, and should expect major disruptions to traffic and movement, large crowds and public gatherings.
They should also expect to see an increased presence of security forces during this time. Earlier this year, France activated its “Vigipirate plan,” a set of measures established by the French government to prepare and protect the population, infrastructure and institutions in the event of a terrorist attack.
According to the advisory, terrorists may target government buildings, exhibition galleries, museums, concert halls and theatres, or public areas such as tourist attractions.
The government advises travellers to always be aware of their surroundings when in public places and be particularly alert during public gatherings and demonstrations.
Panama
A beach in San Blas, Panama.
Risk Level: Take normal security precautions
Details: The Government of Canada has updated its travel advisory for Panama to include regional risk information for the country.
While Canadians are advised to take normal security precautions in Panama in general, they’ll want to “exercise a high degree of caution” when travelling in Colón and some areas of Panama City due to “high levels of crime.”
The advisory for Panama City includes the areas of Calidonia, Curundú, El Chorrillo, Panama Viejo, Rio Abajo, San Miguelito, Santa Ana, Veracruz and 24 de Diciembre.
Canadians are also advised to avoid all travel to areas south of Metetí in Darién Province to the border with Colombia due to “extremely high levels of violent crime.”
“Organized crime groups, including human and drug traffickers, are active in this area,” says the government.
They should also avoid all travel to the Mosquito Gulf, from Boca de Río Chiriquí to Coclé del Norte, due to the “high level of illegal activity such as drug smuggling and human trafficking.”
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
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