As Canada’s boycott of U.S. travel continues, more and more Canadians are looking to spend the winter holiday season in underrated and far-flung vacation spots. But over the past week, the Government of Canada issued multiple travel advisories for various growing snowbird destinations across Africa, Asia, and South and Central America.
Canadians are currently warned of detention risks over money laws, heightened security threats, and life-threatening risks including a fatal disease outbreak and natural disasters. These updates were released just before Christmas week and after Canada’s series of travel alerts about crimes targeting tourists and complicated alcohol laws in popular destinations.
The Canadian government is known for its detailed risk-based Travel Advice and Advisories (TAA) system that gives its citizens actionable guides regarding each danger in every country. Here is its latest travel advice for Canadian travelers.
Canadian Government Warns Travelers Of Possible Detainment Over China’s Money Laws
On Dec. 15, the Canadian government updated the “Laws and culture” section for its travel advisory for China (Level 2: Exercise a high degree of caution), reminding travelers that using foreign currency for everyday transactions in China is illegal. Canadians must also only exchange their foreign currency at officially approved facilities.
Canada’s travel advisory for China warns: “You may also be subject to severe punishments, including for non-violent acts such as financial crimes. … Detention during the investigative period before charges are laid is common and can be lengthy. Some defence lawyers may be reluctant to accept cases involving foreigners.”
You can face serious penalties (fines, detention, confiscation of funds) for exchanging your foreign currency with a street/black market changer or an unauthorized individual. While accidentally doing so could be dismissed as a “clueless tourist” mistake, you could be detained for repeat offenses. Note that currency in China is the renminbi (RMB), while its basic unit of currency is the yuan.
Mobile payments are widely accepted in China, with major local platforms allowing foreign visitors to link an international credit card and pay by scanning QR codes in shops, restaurants, taxis, and even on public transport. This warning comes a month after the Canadian government welcomed China’s decision to reinstate Canada’s Approved Destination Status, marking a “recalibrated bilateral relationship” between the two nations.
Canada Heightened Security Risks In Thailand, Bangladesh, Colombia, Guatemala, And Guinea
On Dec. 16, the Canadian government heightened its Level 2 travel advisory for Thailand, a popular, affordable choice for Canadian snowbirds. Due to the increasing tensions along its border with Cambodia, Thailand now has an “Avoid all travel” warning for Songkhla province and an updated corresponding safety and security guide for other southern provinces near the conflict area.
As more Canadian snowbirds turn to South and Central America, the Canadian government warns that there are some new potentially life-threatening risks in Colombia and Guatemala, which are both under Level 2 travel advisories. Colombia now has an “Avoid non-essential travel” warning for the Amazonas within 20 km of the border with Peru, west of Puerto Narino.
Guatemala, on the other hand, declared a state of prevention until Dec. 30 due to ongoing armed clashes between the communities of Nahualá and Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán in Sololá department. Canadians are advised to avoid the mentioned areas in Guatemala, follow local authorities, expect stricter security, and avoid demonstrations or large gatherings.
Canada also issued a warning about strengthened security protocols and possible demonstrations before, during, or after Guinea’s presidential elections in December and Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections in February 2026.
Canada Issued Alerts About Vietnam’s Typhoon Casualties And Ethiopia’s Fatal Disease Outbreak
On Dec. 19, the Canadian government issued a “Natural disasters and climate” notice for Vietnam, an emerging beach and cultural getaway for Canadians this winter. Though the Southeast Asian spot remains under a non-alarming Level 2 travel risk, Canadian travelers are advised about the recent typhoons in Vietnam that have brought landslides and severe flooding.
The new guide warns Canadians that these events have led to significant casualties and infrastructure damage across Vietnam’s central and northern provinces. Travelers are advised to monitor local news, avoid driving/traveling during harsh weather conditions, and keep track of their flights.
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