WILLEMSTAD — Several Canadian travel agencies are recommending that their clients exercise caution when planning trips to Aruba and Curaçao, citing concerns related to increased geopolitical tension in the Caribbean region following recent U.S. military actions and threats toward Venezuela and Cuba. These advisories come from the travel industry itself and do not represent an official travel ban from the Canadian government.
According to travel reports, some travelers are reconsidering, postponing or canceling vacation plans to the two Dutch Caribbean islands due to fears of further regional escalation. Agencies like Flight Centre Travel Group Canada say clients are exploring alternative destinations such as Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.
Safety Concerns Cited
The travel advisories focus largely on Aruba and Curaçao’s proximity to Venezuela, where recent military activity and political instability have raised questions among prospective visitors about regional security. On social media, some travelers have voiced concerns about possible visible military presence or travel disruptions, prompting agencies to recommend that clients seeking traditional sun vacations consider other regions for now.
Despite these industry advisories, major Canadian airlines — including WestJet, Air Transat and Porter Airlines — continue to operate flights to Aruba and Curaçao as normal. Air Canada has issued a temporary rebooking flexibility policy for travelers with bookings to certain Caribbean destinations, including the ABC islands, but this should not be interpreted as an official travel restriction.
Government Position
The Government of Canada has not issued a heightened travel advisory for Aruba or Curaçao. Official travel guidance from the Canadian government continues to advise visitors to take normal security precautions when traveling to these destinations. This means that the industry-level caution from some travel agencies exists independently of formal government policy.
The situation follows broader regional unease driven by geopolitical developments, including U.S. military operations near Venezuela, which have led Canadians to rethink their winter travel plans to certain Caribbean hotspots.