# What Ottawa Travellers Need to Know About the Latest Georgia Travel Advisory
Planning a trip to explore Tbilisi’s ancient churches, hike the Caucasus Mountains, or sample Georgian wine? Ottawa travellers should be aware that Canada recently updated its travel advisory for Georgia on March 24, 2026. While most of the country remains at **Level 1 — Take Normal Security Precautions**, important regional warnings and new health information mean you’ll want to prepare carefully before departure.
## Understanding Georgia’s Current Risk Level
The baseline advisory sits at **Level 1**, meaning Georgia is generally safe for Canadian tourists who take standard precautions. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. Certain areas carry significantly higher risks that could impact your itinerary planning.
## Regional Warnings You Can’t Ignore
If your Georgia adventure includes areas near contested borders, pay close attention. Canadian officials strongly advise avoiding all travel within 5 kilometres of the Russian border and the occupied regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, plus their surrounding administrative boundary lines. These zones present serious concerns: potential detention by Russian military patrols, unexploded landmines from past conflicts, and poorly marked boundaries that shift without warning.
Even in Tbilisi, the capital city most tourists visit, authorities recommend exercising a high degree of caution. Political demonstrations occur frequently in the city centre and have turned violent when protestors clash with security forces. If you’re exploring Tbilisi’s famous Rustaveli Avenue or Freedom Square, stay alert to crowd movements and avoid gathering areas during periods of civil unrest.
## New Health Concerns for Travellers
The March 2026 update specifically added information about visceral leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease transmitted through sandfly bites. This serious condition affects internal organs and requires medical attention. Protecting yourself from insect bites becomes crucial, especially in rural areas.
## Preparing for Your Georgian Journey
Smart preparation makes all the difference. Beyond reviewing which regions to avoid, Ottawa travellers should schedule a pre-travel health consultation well before departure—ideally 6-8 weeks out. A travel health professional can recommend appropriate vaccinations for Georgia, which typically include routine immunizations plus hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and rabies depending on your activities. They’ll also discuss malaria-free status, safe food and water practices, and prescribe preventive medications if needed.
Don’t forget a properly stocked travel medical kit with insect repellent containing DEET, water purification tablets, and basic first aid supplies. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is essential, particularly given the regional instability.
Georgia offers incredible cultural experiences and natural beauty, but informed preparation protects your health and safety throughout your journey.
Travelling to Georgia? Before you go, speak with one of our ISTM-certified travel health physicians – virtually, 7 days a week. A pre-travel consultation covers vaccines, medications, and destination-specific health risks. Book your virtual consultation at Orleans Travel Clinic Pharmacy.