Violence in popular vacation destinations has Canadians reconsidering travel plans

With unrest in Cuba and Mexico, travellers are urged to use caution before taking off for their sunny destination.

Canadians like to head to sunny destinations in the winter months, but with violence erupting in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, over the weekend, caution is being encouraged.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty in the warmer destinations down south right now,” says Julia Jent, community relations director for CAA Travel.

The Mexican army killed the leader of a major drug cartel during an operation near Puerto Vallarta on Sunday. Cartel members retaliated by setting fires all over the popular destination.

“If you’re in Mexico, the best advice would be to monitor the local recommendations by the local authorities for sheltering in place, curfews, don’t go out unless absolutely necessary,” Kent says.

Tensions are also high in Cuba where the country’s oil supply is being blocked by the United States.

The Canadian government has asked that all non-essential travel be avoided because of shortages of food, water, electricity and medicine.

“I know a lot of Canadians are staying home and I don’t blame them,” says Dimitri Neonakis.

He cancelled plans to vacation in Cuba. Neonakis and his family chose instead to go to Puerto Vallarta. Their eight-day vacation ended one day before the mayhem began.

“I have this vivid picture of sitting at gate 36 at the airport in Puerto Vallarta and then 24 or 36 hours later I’m looking at video and it’s the exact same spot that I was sitting on and there’s chaos, people are running for their lives, people are running out on the tarmac. It was unbelievable.”

About 26,000 Canadians are still in Mexico. The federal government is warning about possible flight disruptions, extended hotel stays and unexpected expenses amidst the sudden unrest.

There are thousands more with upcoming travel plans to that country.

“We’re urging travellers and vacationers to talk to their travel advisor if they have one. If not, talk to their tour operator, airline, resort, whatever and find out if it actually is business as usual for them at this time,” Kent says.

Air Canada, Porter and WestJet have cancelled flights into the Puerto Vallarta airport. Some flights could resume Tuesday.