Recent events in Venezuela and indications from U.S. President Donald Trump that Cuba is in his crosshairs may have some travelers re-assessing a Cuban vacation this winter.
The Caribbean nation is a popular destination for many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians seeking a respite from the ice and snow.
The federal government is urging travelers to exercise a high degree of caution due to shortages of basic necessities like food, medicine and fuel.
Julia Kent of CAA Atlantic says the Canadian government has four levels of travel advisories and Cuba is currently on the lower end of the scale.
Julia Kent (VOCM News)
“The first one is to take normal travel precautions, so that would be like Canada for example. The next one down is Exercise a High Degree of Caution; that is what Cuba is right now. The next one down is Avoid Non-Essential Travel. Lebanon would fall into this – go, but be careful, you should know what you’re getting into. The last one is to Avoid All Travel; right now Venezuela would be listed as avoid all travel.”
Because of the high degree of uncertainty over shifting geopolitics, Kent says travelers are encouraged to contact a travel advisor to stay on top of the latest advisories and travel options.
She says a travel advisor is the person you can turn to to guide you through rapidly changing situations and help change travel plans if necessary.
