About one million Canadians annually migrate to warmer climes for the winter, among them, my husband and me. Many potential snowbirds visit several different places before settling down when they discover the spot that feels like home, which is what we did too.
After three months on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca, Mexico 10 years ago (isolated and too hot), we spent the next winter travelling five southeast Asia countries over 17 weeks (too far from family at home).
The following year we rented a friend’s home in Baja California Sur, Mexico. We fell in love with the small expat community there and the myriad recreational activities it offers, as well as the scenic setting. A plus is the ability to drive from our Western Canadian home.
For many of the same reasons, the majority of Canadian retirees have historically chosen our next door neighbour, the United States, for winter vacations — it's long been the number one pick of snowbirds. While many of them own U.S. property, others stay in rentals, hotels and RV parks.
Rethinking Winter in the U.S.
However, this year tensions between the U.S. and Canada have some rethinking — and some downright bailing on — their stateside vacations for the upcoming winter. The current political environment is polarizing snowbirds on both sides of the fence.
TravelPulse Canada talked with Stephen Fine, the president and managing editor of Snowbird Advisor, a one-stop resource for Canadian snowbirds, to ask what percentage may not be returning to the United States.
“I don't think we'll really know until the season actually starts or until we're into the season and we see where people are actually going,” he said. “We do anticipate that snowbird travel to the U.S. will be down this year, but we don't know how widespread it will be, and there are a number of factors why many Canadians will still continue to go to the U.S.”
Alternative Snowbird Roosts
But for those not going to Florida, Arizona or California, what are Canadians looking toward the winter months going to do now? Some will surely turn to their travel advisor for suggestions on new places. It’s an ideal time to market and sell long-stay vacations.
What are the top international destinations for snowbirds outside the United States? TravelPulse Canada consulted several sources, including Fine.
“Mexico is number one on the list of the most popular non-U.S. destinations for snowbirds and has been for quite some time. After that, we're seeing strong interest in southern Portugal and southern Spain; Costa Rica is becoming very popular with snowbirds, as is the Caribbean,” he said.
“Panama, Belize and Colombia are also growing in popularity, and we are even seeing people going as far as Thailand, Australia and New Zealand.”
Another snowbird advisory organization with a free membership, Canada Snowbirds, includes Honduras, Southeast Asia, Philippines, Japan, and the South Pacific in its list of snowbird destination hot spots. And an AMA Travel article about the best Canadian snowbird destinations for 2025 includes Bali and Malta.
For those reluctant to leave Canada, domestic snowbird destinations in B.C. boast warmer climes and extended stay hotel rates, including in the Shuswap and Okanagan Valley and on Vancouver Island.
Another option for clients wanting to explore new snowbird destinations are long-stay programs offered by tour operators. They are usually 21 to 28 days, or more in some cases. And if your client wants to stay longer, you can help extend their stay.
Yet another possibility is spending the winter (or part of it) on a cruise ship. Clients may be interested in short-term rentals on residential ships, multiple legs of world cruise or back-to-back cruises.
Snowbird Resources for Advisors
In addition to long-stay accommodation, international snowbird travel gives you the opportunity to sell air and other transport like trains, car rental, and travel insurance.
“If they're going to the U.S., oftentimes people will be comfortable planning that on their own,” said Fine, “whereas going to an international destination, they may feel more comfortable having the advice and guidance of a travel advisor.”
Resources to help you and your clients plan snowbird getaways abound. For one, Snowbird Advisor is expanding its coverage of international destinations.
Fine says, “We’re going to be talking about what is appealing about those destinations specifically to snowbirds, accommodation options for snowbirds in those destinations, as well as considerations that snowbirds may have to think about when they are going to international destinations versus, let's say, the U.S.”
Snowbird Advisor also has comprehensive Snowbird Destination Guides to Costa Rica, St. Maarten, Spain and Lisbon, Portugal. The site covers travel, insurance, finances, accommodations, real estate, car shipping, and tax and legal issues. A free membership provides access to snowbird tips, tools, offers, events and more.
Expanding on the growing popularity of the Caribbean, Nancy Drolet, founder of One Caribbean Canada, a resource site with a password-protected Advisor Only section, recently added long-stay accommodations (for information; it is not a booking site). More are being added all the time.
In addition, on each country’s page, you’ll find information on longer stay entry requirements, currency, banking, driver’s licenses, medical/dental and more. Also in the Advisor section are BDM contacts, specialist and incentive programs and agent rates.
The Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA) is a 100,000 member not-for-profit advocacy organization defending and improving the rights and privileges of Canadian travellers. Membership is $25 annually (less if paying for multiple years) and benefits include a travellers’ checklist, a travel information guide, a magazine and other publications, an auto club, discounted wireless plans, U.S. tax forms, and a personal health record.
Canada Snowbirds has a free-to-access the members' community launching soon with tourist visa info, long-term vacation rentals, destination travel guides, travel tips, and more.
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