To the point
Discover where your Canadian dollar can take you in 2025. From authentic Mexico to secret Albania, I've explored these affordable destinations and I'm sharing my best tips for enjoying them for free or almost free!
At a time when traditional destinations are becoming increasingly expensive, some countries still offer excellent value for the Canadian dollar. Having traveled and lived in destinations where the cost of living is lower than in Canada, I’d like to share with you a few countries where you can enjoy memorable experiences at excellent value, and explain how I’ve used my points and rewards to travel at a very low price.
Colombia: An Accessible Tropical Paradise
Colombia - Caribbean Coast
Colombia’s diversity is truly impressive: from Caribbean beaches to Andean mountains, and charming colonial towns in between. The Caribbean coast is sure to captivate nature lovers: Cartagena appeals to those fond of islands and nightlife, while Tayrona Park and Palomino attract those who prefer to venture off the beaten path.
In this part of the country, my favourite is Minca, a village nestled in the mountains and easily accessible from Santa Marta. I spent a wonderfully relaxing week there, working in nature and drinking coffee produced entirely at the nearby plantation.
Colombia - Medellin and Surroundings
Nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring” for its ideal climate, Medellín perfectly symbolizes Colombia’s renaissance. The neighborhood of El Poblado attracts visitors with its trendy restaurants and designer boutiques, while Comuna 13, once infamous, is now quite impressive with its outdoor escalators and vibrant murals.
Just two hours away is Guatapé, a colorful gem dominated by El Peñol, a 200-meter monolith offering breathtaking views over a labyrinth of emerald lakes. To make the most of it, I recommend this day trip with GetYourGuide, including a boat tour. For a more authentic experience, the charming village of Jardín, with its colonial houses with flower-filled balconies and coffee plantations, offers an immersion in traditional paisa culture.
Save in Colombia With Points
Some Marriott Bonvoy hotels are accessible with your Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card including:
- Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida
- AC Hotel Santa Marta
- Medellin Marriott Hotel
- Four Points by Sheraton Medellin
And many more! So you can enjoy free nights thanks to your points, whether for more budget savvy options at City Express hotels, or more luxurious experiences like at the W Bogota.
Since I spent more than two months in Colombia in 2023, I opted for budget accommodations found on Booking.com. I used my Scotiabank Visa Infinite Passport to pay for them, as well as for all my expenses on this trip. This saved me 2.5% in conversion fees, one of the card’s prized benefits. On my return to Canada, I was able to reimburse part of my travel expenses with my Scene+ points accumulated during the trip, at the optimal exchange rate; this is one of the advantages of the Scene+ program.
As a bonus, I was able to enjoy airport lounges on my many domestic flights thanks to the card’s six annual accesses, which saved me money on food expenses.
For flights, the most accessible in points are with the Aeroplan program, whether it’s a direct flight between Montreal and Bogota on Air Canada, or a stopover with an airline partner such as Avianca or Copa Airlines.
Authentic Mexico: Beyond the Tourist Zones
Forget Cancún and its prices in line with the US dollar. The real, affordable Mexico can be found in lesser-visited but equally spectacular regions.
For a trip full of discoveries while keeping your budget in check, Oaxaca City, Bacalar, and Puerto Escondido offer an ideal combination of culture, nature, and relaxation at affordable prices. Oaxaca, a true colonial gem, enchants visitors with its historical heritage, lively markets, and renowned cuisine, where you can enjoy local specialties like mole and tlayudas without breaking the bank.
In Bacalar, the famous Seven-Coloured Lagoon offers a heavenly setting without the high prices of the Riviera Maya, with affordable waterside accommodations and accessible natural activities, such as kayaking or visiting the cenotes.
Puerto Escondido is a surfer’s paradise and has just been officially recognized as a world surfing reserve. This bohemian coastal town offers magnificent beaches, affordable prices and a relaxed atmosphere. Perfect for combining relaxation and adventure. The sunsets from Zicatela beach never disappoint, and excursions in the surrounding area are also available.
Two activities I highly recommend in Puerto Escondido:
Save in Mexico With Points
City Express hotels, now part of the Marriott Bonvoy group, are common in Mexico and offer an affordable accommodation option, both in points and cash.
In the above-mentioned destinations, you’ll have to opt for independent accommodation. A credit card like the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card offers an excellent welcome bonus, with many free nights available through the Expedia for TD booking portal.
As for flights, there are plenty of options, with several direct Air Canada flights departing from Montreal or Toronto to various Mexican cities; Cancun, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, and so on. However, many of the destinations listed here are less easily accessible by direct flights, which helps to keep them affordable, in my opinion.
You can also transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points or Avion Rewards points to other airline programs such as American Airlines AAdvantage (Avion Rewards) or United MileagePlus (Membership Rewards points).
Brazil: A Giant at Affordable Prices
Brazil is impresses with its diversity and surprisingly affordable prices for Canadians, especially outside of carnival periods. Whenever people ask me about this country, they often inquire about safety. While certain cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo require a degree of caution, they are still well worth the visit.
After that, other destinations are considered much safer. I spent several weeks in Floripa (Florianopolis) and Paraty, among others, where I always felt safe as a solo traveler.
Like Canada, Brazil’s territory is immense! Here are a few recommended destinations for a first trip:
- Florianópolis for its beaches
- Paraty for its colonial charm
- Iguazu Falls
- Bonito region for ecotourism
Save in Brazil With Points
A remarkable asset in Brazil: credit cards are accepted practically everywhere! Even beach vendors often carry a terminal. Even better, American Express is accepted wherever you can pay by card.
The card of choice for travel to Brazil is the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card. By using it, I save 2.5% on conversion fees and continue to earn high point multipliers even in foreign currencies. All my restaurant and grocery purchases earn me 5 Scene+ points per Canadian dollar.
And thanks to the simplicity of the Scene+ program, I’ll be able to use the points accumulated during my trip after it’s over to reimburse my travel expenses. In my case, it goes straight to getting a Statement credit on my Airbnb charges.
For flights, Air Canada offers non-stop flights from Montreal and Toronto to Sao Paulo, and soon a flight between Toronto and Rio de Janeiro. I managed to find a good deal a few months before my departure for the YUL-GRU flight in business class on Air Canada, for only 58,000 Aeroplan points.
For my return flight, I’m considering several options:
- Aeroplan with
- Using Avion Rewards fixed-fare chart; a one-way ticket costs around 50,000 Avion points with the fixed-fare schedule, and the fees are reasonable (between $50 and $120).
- Transfer my Avion Rewards points to the American Airlines AAdvantage program at a ratio of 1:0.7
In my experience, it’s possible to get good points fares with Aeroplan and AAdvantage if you plan ahead, but since I’m more of a last-minute flyer, Avion Rewards fixed fare structure is an excellent option that doesn’t cost me an exorbitant amount in points. I can therefore use the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card welcome bonus to cover this flight.
Morocco: Accessible Allure and Luxury
Morocco perfectly combines exotic allure, rich culture, and highly competitive prices for Canadian travellers. From north to south, the variety of landscapes and the wealth of culture will enchant you.
Chefchaouen, the blue city nestled in the Rif mountains, charms with its picturesque streets and peaceful atmosphere. On the Atlantic coast, Essaouira reveals its bustling port, historic ramparts and bohemian atmosphere. Further south, Taghazout is a surfer’s paradise, with its perfect waves and laid-back spirit.
A visit to the desert is a must in the Merzouga desert, where golden dunes and starry nights offer an unforgettable experience after a fascinating journey through the valleys and kasbahs between Marrakech and the Sahara. The majestic Atlas Mountains on Morocco’s roads invite you to escape, between hikes and Berber villages clinging to the mountainside.
If you’re pressed for time, you can escape to the Agafay desert, just outside Marrakech. Finally, Marrakech, vibrant and effervescent, seduces with its lively medina, sumptuous palaces and the Jardin Majorelle linked to Yves Saint Laurent.
Save in Morocco With Points
Our guide to the Maghreb with points is a must for setting up your points strategy and travelling there for free.
In terms of accommodation, there are a few Marriott Bonvoy hotels or large hotel chains, mostly located in major cities like Marrakech. Having stayed at Le Méridien N’Fis, I have to say that it’s more of a resort-style experience, compared to a riad which offers more traditional experiences.
In Morocco, there’s something for every budget, from luxury hotels to budget accommodation, youth hostels and desert camps. The good news: Moroccans are renowned for their hospitality.
My card of choice when I was in Morocco was the Scotiabank Visa Infinite Passport, as it was accepted wherever credit cards were accepted as a method of payment. Since I opted instead for independent accommodations booked via Booking.com on this trip, it was easy to then reimburse some of my travel expenses with my Scene+ points.
Since it’s always a good idea to have cash on you in Morocco, I recommend the Wealthsimple Cash Card and the Wise Card for withdrawals at foreign ATMs.
I detail my other money-saving tips in the article Europe and Morocco: Two Months of Travel and Remote Work on a Budget. .
Albania: The Secret of the Balkans
Albania is emerging as a destination offering excellent value for money, with riviera beaches, UNESCO sites and legendary hospitality. After spending a full week in its capital Tirana in remote work mode, it made me want to go back and explore the country’s natural wonders.
I was lucky enough to take this day trip to Lake Bovilla, which I highly recommend and which only cost me 28 euros. Had I had more time, I would also have been tempted by a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Berat.
Here are some other gems to discover in Albania:
- The “Albanian Riviera” begins in Vlorë and extends to Saranda, offering crystal-clear beaches, especially in Ksamil, where a day at the beach with an umbrella and lounge chairs costs just about CAD 10.
- The ancient city of Butrint, a UNESCO site, bears witness to 2,500 years of history and can be visited for around CAD 8.
- Further north, the mountainous Theth region offers spectacular hikes, notably to Blue Eye Spring and Grunas Falls, with traditional hostels offering full board for around CAD 35 per day.
- On the Ionian coast, Gjipe beach, accessible after a short hike, remains one of Europe’s last well-kept secrets. For an authentic experience, Albanian Riviera villages such as Dhërmi and Himarë offer apartments with sea views for CAD 40 a night. The panoramic Llogara road, with its hairpin bends overlooking the sea, offers some of the finest views in the Balkans.
Save in Albania With Points
In Tirana, my colleague Marie-Claude and I particularly enjoyed our stay at the Tirana Marriott. I was there in October 2024 and it only cost me 71,500 Marriott Bonvoy points for five nights, with the trick of the fifth night free in points.
Outside Tirana, you’ll be better off turning to independent hotels or Airbnb accommodation, for which it’s possible to get excellent value for money.
Albania is very well connected to the rest of Europe, but very little to the rest of the world in terms of direct flights. That said, it’s very easy to find very low-cost flights from Europe’s hubs. Thanks to our many airline partners, programs such as Aeroplan and Avios from the British Airways Club make it easy to reach Tirana from Canada by adding a stopover. Flying Blue’s Promo Rewards are another option for travelling to Europe without spending too many points.
So you can take the opportunity to visit a second destination on the way to or from Albania. This is what I did by booking a direct flight Montreal-Athens in economy class for 33,800 points, then adding as a separate booking a flight from Athens to Tirana, which I used my Aventura points for thanks to this promotion.
Guatemala: Mayan Treasures at Low Prices
Guatemala offers deep cultural immersion and breathtaking scenery, all at very competitive prices.
Antigua, a former colonial capital and UNESCO site, is enchanting with its cobbled streets, centuries-old churches and colourful facades, all framed by three majestic volcanoes.
Adventure enthusiasts will probably want to take the 2-day hike to the Acatenanga volcano, an exceptional experience.
Lake Atitlan, considered by Aldous Huxley to be “the most beautiful lake in the world”, is bordered by authentic Mayan villages such as San Marcos La Laguna and San Juan La Laguna, where ancestral textile traditions live on.
In the north, the Mayan ruins of Tikal emerge from the tropical jungle, offering a breathtaking spectacle, especially at sunrise. For nature lovers, Semuc Champey offers natural turquoise pools in the middle of the jungle, accessible after an invigorating hike. The Chichicastenango market, the largest in Central America, brings the highlands to life every Thursday and Sunday, offering an explosion of colour and Mayan crafts.
Save in Guatemala With Points
There are plenty of options for getting to Guatemala. You can check out Aeroplan and its partners, whether you want to fly with Air Canada or United. Alternatively, many flights are available with American Airlines. A tip for paying for your flights with points is to transfer your Avion Rewards points to the AAdvantage program, or your Membership Rewards points to United MileagePlus.
Keep an eye on cash prices as well; it’s sometimes possible to find affordable round-trip flights and then use your points to pay off your credit card balance. When there are many options available, a good strategy is to use a flight rewards search tool like Roame to find the most advantageous option for you across different programs.
Bottom Line
Of course, there are plenty of other destinations where the Canadian dollar is advantageous, but I particularly recommend these for the quality of their experiences (accommodation, cuisine, activities, etc.) and the friendliness of their people. These are destinations I’ve had the pleasure of visiting at least once, and to which I can’t wait to return.
