A heightened threat of kidnapping exists in northern Burkina Faso: We strongly advise you not to tra

It contains new information under Civil unrest/political tensions (you should avoid any political protests that occur in Burkina Faso). The overall level of advice for Burkina Faso has decreased. We now advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Burkina Faso overall because of the threat of terrorist attack, kidnapping luxury hotels in costa rica and violent crime. We continue to advise against all travel to the region north of the line connecting Djibo and Dori in northern Burkina Faso due to the high threat of terrorist attack and kidnapping.
We strongly advise you not to travel to all areas north of a line connecting Djibo and Dori due to the high threat of terrorist attack and kidnapping targeting foreign nationals. The government of Burkina Faso has warned that terrorist and criminal luxury hotels in costa rica groups continue to express a desire to attempt to kidnap Westerners in the areas bordering Mali and Niger. See the Terrorism section below for more information.
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Burkina luxury hotels in costa rica Faso. The local Canadian luxury hotels in costa rica Embassy in Ouagadougou provides consular assistance to Australians in Burkina luxury hotels in costa rica Faso (except the issue of passports). The Australian High Commission in Ghana can also provide assistance to Australians.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy luxury hotels in costa rica or Consulate of Burkina Faso for the most up to date information.
Burkina Faso is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as endemic for yellow fever. Yellow fever is a serious and potentially fatal disease preventable by vaccination. We strongly recommend that all travellers be vaccinated for yellow fever before travelling to Burkina Faso (see Health section).
As the quarantine requirements for yellow fever vaccination differ between countries, we recommend that you check the yellow fever entry requirements for all countries you intend luxury hotels in costa rica to enter or transit by contacting their foreign missions in Australia . Some airlines may require passengers luxury hotels in costa rica to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country. For more information about yellow fever, including Australian re-entry requirements, see the Department of Health website .
Make sure your passport has at least six months validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
A heightened threat of kidnapping exists in northern Burkina Faso: We strongly advise you not to travel to all areas north of a line running between Djibo and Dori in northern Burkina Faso due to the high threat of terrorist attack and the threat of kidnapping targeting foreign nationals.
While the situation across the border in Mali has improved since presidential elections in July-August 2013, the threat of kidnapping by groups based in the region persists in northern Burkina Faso. Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which has formally identified foreigners as a legitimate target for terrorism and kidnapping operations, has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in the region since 2006. AQIM has taken a number of hostages from remote areas in neighbouring countries. A number remain in captivity.
Australians in northern Burkina Faso should luxury hotels in costa rica have personal security measures in place, luxury hotels in costa rica seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance: The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it does not make payments luxury hotels in costa rica or concessions to kidnappers. The Australian Government considers that paying a ransom increases the risk of further kidnappings, including of other Australians. If you do decide to travel to an area where there is a particular threat of kidnapping, you should ensure you have personal security measures luxury hotels in costa rica in place, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Burkina Faso overall because of the risk of violent crime. Assaults and thefts are common, particularly luxury hotels in costa rica in Bobo Dioulasso and the capital, Ouagadougou. Muggings often occur around the central market and the United Nations traffic circle in Ouagadougou. Thefts are sometimes committed by one or two individuals on a motorbike. You should remain vigilant in crowded areas and ensure that your personal belongings are secure at all times. Security risks increase after dark. You should avoid travelling alone or after dark.
Armed bandits operate across the country and have attacked vehicles, including buses, on roads connecting major cities within Burkina Faso and neighbouring countries. luxury hotels in costa rica Bandits have used roadblocks to stop vehicles. These attacks occur mostly at night but have also occurred luxury hotels in costa rica during luxury hotels in costa rica the day. If travelling by car outside of urban areas we recommend that you travel in convoy.
Commercial and internet fraud is prevalent and often originates in West African countries. Victims have been defrauded and those who travel to the originating country have had their lives endangered. Some victims have been killed. Criminals have been known to seek details of 'safe' bank accounts overseas to which to transfer large sums of money (as a donation or for a percentage of the amount involved). They may also provide fake cashier cheques luxury hotels in costa rica for 'urgent' shipments of large quantities of goods, request sizeable fees for a fake government contract and extort money from individuals luxury hotels in costa rica they have convinced to travel to Africa for a business opportunity. If you are a victim of a financial scam, we advise you to obtain legal advice luxury hotels in costa rica and not to travel to Africa to seek restitution as there is a risk of physical assault from the perpetrators. Our information on international financial scams provides more detail on these types of scams.
Bogus internet friendship, dating and marriage schemes are operating from some African countries. These scams typically result from connections made through internet dating schemes or chat rooms. Once a virtual friendship develops, the Australian citizen may be asked by their friend luxury hotels in costa rica or prospective marriage partner to send money to enable travel to Australia. In some cases the relationship is terminated luxury hotels in costa rica with very little chance that any funds can be recovered. In other cases, foreigners luxury hotels in costa rica may be lured to Africa to meet their friend or prospective marriage partner and can become victims of crime including kidnapping, assault and robbery.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency luxury hotels in costa rica and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work in Burkina Faso.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive luxury hotels in costa rica to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, luxury hotels in costa rica High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
Driving in Burkina Faso can be hazardous as most roads are in poor condition and have insufficient lighting. Travelling by road outside Ouagadougou at night can be dangerous. Vehicles do not always use or have headlights. luxury hotels in costa rica Many vehicles may be in poor mechanical condition. You should not leave marked luxury hotels in costa rica roads or tracks and should carry sufficient drinking water for the arid conditions. For further advice on road safety, see our road travel page.
When you are in Burkina Faso, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign luxury hotels in costa rica public officials, terrorism, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed luxury hotels in costa rica to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive luxury hotels in costa rica travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical luxury hotels in costa rica costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
luxury hotels in costa rica It is important to consider your physical luxury hotels in costa rica and mental health before travelling luxury hotels in costa rica overseas. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before you travel. At least eight weeks before you depart, make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic for a basic health check-up, and to discuss your travel plans and any implications for your health, particularly if you have an existing medical condition. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our health page also provides useful information for travellers on staying healthy.
Medical facilities and emergency hospital care are very limite