As summer approaches, you are surely getting ready to hit the road or travel through the air to explore popular sun and sand destinations. But before you start packing, you should pay attention to the latest travel advisories.
Most governments have a website where they publish warnings for tourists. In France, it is the Travel Advisories section, in the United States it is called Travel Advisories and in Canada as well. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or an emotionally-filled adventure, it’s worth reading these tips and seeing which destinations can potentially pose problems. We have summarized the warnings issued by the countries mentioned earlier in this article, classifying them destination by destination. These warnings do not mean that you cannot travel to these destinations. They simply warn you to take your precautions!
Cape Verde: Exercise a high degree of caution
Why: There are reports of violent crime, pickpocketing (especially at night and in remote areas), residential burglaries, sexual assaults, and petty crime. Even during the day, it is not uncommon for attacks to occur on the sloping stairs connecting different neighborhoods.
Petty crimes such as pick-pocketing and purse-snatching are also common and often committed by children. If you plan to attend crowded festivals, street fairs or open-air markets, especially in Mindelo on São Vicente Island or Praia on Santiago Island, be especially vigilant.
Costa Rica: Exercise a high degree of caution
Why: Petty crime is common, including pickpocketing and passport theft. Tourists are considered easy targets, so secure your belongings, avoid flashy jewelry, and don’t carry large sums of cash. Property theft is also common in tourist areas, hotel lobbies and restaurants. Make sure you choose well-secured accommodation, lock doors and windows when you’re away, and use secure parking lots.
Violent crimes, including drug-related incidents, murders and armed robberies, have been reported in different provinces, including Alajuela, Limón, Puntarenas and San José.
Dominican Republic: Exercise a high degree of caution
Why: Visitors should exercise caution due to crime, including violent crime in major cities. Opportunistic crimes such as pickpocketing and purse theft are prevalent throughout the country, especially around resorts, beaches, airports and public transportation. Tourists are common targets for robberies, and crime tends to increase during the holidays. Pickpocketing by people traveling on motorbikes or bicycles, as well as thefts from checked baggage at airports, have also been reported.
Travelers should plan to stay in hotels or resorts with good security, secure belongings, carry only small amounts of cash, avoid showing signs of wealth, and lock car doors and roll up windows when they move.
Florida: Take normal safety precautions
Why: Heavy rains caused flooding in and around Fort Lauderdale, disrupting roads and limiting access to Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Although recovery efforts are ongoing, several areas are still affected by road closures.
If you plan to travel to the affected areas, it is advisable to contact your airline or tour operator to find out if the situation will impact your travel plans. Also check the City of Fort Lauderdale website for flooding and emergency shelter information, exercise caution, follow local and weather information, and obey local authority instructions, including curfews .
Mexico: Exercise a high degree of caution, particularly in certain regions
Why: In addition to familiarizing yourself with the country’s current smoking ban, you should also be aware of regional advisories against non-essential travel to certain areas affected by violence and organized crime, including Chihuahua, Colima and Durango .
Criminal groups, such as drug cartels, are very active throughout the country, resulting in clashes and territorial disputes. Violent crime is also a serious concern, with high rates of homicides, kidnappings and assaults, even in popular tourist destinations like Cancún and Acapulco. To stay safe, it is important to stay alert, stay in tourist areas and avoid traveling at night. Always be aware of your surroundings and follow local media closely.