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Snowbirds: Alternative Winter Destinations

Snowbirds: Alternative Winter Destinations
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Snowbirds – Destinations to Replace Florida

In recent years, snowbirds haven’t had it easy between condo fees, inflation, the unfavourable exchange rate, political instability and climate change. Here are some alternatives to the traditional Florida getaway. To prepare every aspect of your season, see our complete snowbirds guide.

Dominican Republic for Snowbirds

The Dominican Republic and Punta Cana offer visitors coming from the cold a reassuring and familiar haven, with a strong French-speaking presence.

In addition, airlines run several direct flights to the Dominican Republic, and the average temperature is 29°C in January. Snowbird residences, high-quality care and a warm atmosphere, at prices half those of Florida: everything is set up to make them feel at home under the palm trees.

Costa Rica for Snowbirds

Costa Rica is a superb exotic destination offering incredible biodiversity and varied landscapes.

As snowbirds, you will discover lush jungle and seaside beaches. Costa Rica also offers plenty of outdoor activities, from hiking to birdwatching. The time difference is 2 hours behind Quebec and the non-stop flight is a little over 6 hours.

Spain and the Costa del Sol for Snowbirds

Sunny 320 days a year, this region in southern Spain is a real magnet for snowbirds seeking mild weather and a change of scenery. Air Transat offers non-stop 8-hour flights to Málaga.

Snowbirds can stroll on golden sand beaches, enjoy delicious Mediterranean cuisine and sip a drink on a flower-filled terrace. The most popular towns are Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Marbella and Málaga.

The euro exchange rate is high, but the cost of living is much lower than in Canada.

Portugal for Snowbirds

The Algarve, in southern Portugal, is a region offering sunny weather and beautiful beaches.

Thanks to a relatively low cost of living, the Algarve attracts a growing number of long-term travellers. The region is also known for its affordable real estate, which makes it a perfect choice for those looking for a long-term rental or a long-term investment. With its average temperature of 15°C, the Algarve offers a diverse culinary scene and a rich cultural history.

Mexico for Snowbirds

Mexico can be reached by non-stop flight, but also by RV! Bring your fifth-wheel or your Class A along the Mexican beaches to relax.

Playa del Carmen is a popular destination, but the cost of living has risen sharply in recent years. Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Ixtapa are excellent options too. Plus, the exchange rate between the Mexican peso and the Canadian dollar is fairly stable.

The time difference is 1 to 2 hours behind and the average temperature is 27°C.

Other destinations off the beaten path

Asia also still offers affordable prices, as we cover in our article on budget travel: destinations where the cost of living is low and the Canadian dollar goes further.

In Southeast Asia, destinations like Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia offer excellent value.

As for Central America, it also stands out. Guatemala and Nicaragua also let you travel at lower cost.

Getting ready before the big departure

A long stay abroad is planned in advance:

  • Check the validity of your passport
  • Do you need a visa?
  • Fill out the Registration of Canadians Abroad form
  • Check your vaccinations
  • Can your pet travel with you?
  • Will you need an international driving permit?
  • Your stay must not exceed 182 days to remain covered by Quebec health insurance
  • Do you have good travel insurance for a snowbird?
  • Stay connected at all times with a Saily eSIM

Travel Insurance for Snowbirds

You may already be a client of a specific travel insurer, such as Blue Cross, CAA, Desjardins and many others. However, to make sure you get the best value for your money, do not hesitate to regularly reassess the different offers available.

By reviewing insurers’ options, you can find travel insurance that precisely matches your specific needs as a snowbird. Choosing coverage perfectly suited to your situation lets you enjoy your stay while keeping your travel insurance budget in check.

soNomad’s travel insurance is tailor-made for snowbirds, with prices that won’t give your wallet a sunburn.

Snowbirds – Saving with Points

On foreign currency transactions

In your wallet, it would be smart to slip in a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. That’s 2.5% saved on every transaction!

Discover our tips in our guide to saving on foreign currency transactions.

Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
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on Scotiabank's website

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

  • No fees for foreign currency transactions
  • 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
  • Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
  • Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xEntertainment
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650
2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

On accommodation

You will surely find the accommodation that suits you with Marriott Bonvoy. Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites are part of the brand, well suited to long stays.

If you prefer to book a house or apartment, take a look at the rental platform Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy.

There are several ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points. The easiest is through credit cards. American Express offers two cards tied to this loyalty program:

Our credit card selection
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$120Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026
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Annual fee$150Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026
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Your travel points will be very useful to save on a charming Airbnb rental, a well-located independent hotel or a cottage by the water. Our guides will help you build the perfect points strategy for your trip:

On flights

Air Canada’s Aeroplan loyalty program offers many benefits. In Canada, the major banks offer Aeroplan co-branded credit cards, letting you earn points on your everyday spending.

There is also VIPorter, the program of Porter Airlines, which is growing. With its BMO VIPorter credit cards, you can earn points on Porter flights and benefit from an expanded network through partnerships with Air Transat and Alaska Airlines.

This opens access to new destinations in Europe, the United States and the Caribbean.

Want to learn more about this loyalty program? Here is our Aeroplan beginner’s guide.

Annual fee
$599
Our valuation
$1,700
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,700Total$1,700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 85,000 points
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on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class="checkmarks"]This metal credit card is the Best Premium Aeroplan Credit Card in Canada. For a limited time, you can earn up to 150,000 Aeroplan points as a welcome bonus (an estimated $2,550 value). With this Card you can earn:
  • 3 points per dollar on purchases made with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations
  • 2 points per dollar for dining and food delivery purchases
  • 1.25 points per dollar on all other purchases.
Also, as a Cardmember, you get many benefits such as:
  • Unlimited access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges in North America
  • The first checked bag free for you and up to 8 companions
  • An Annual Worldwide Companion Pass
  • Exclusive benefits with Air Canada (Priority check-in, Priority Boarding and Priority Standby List)
  • The ability to earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Statuts Qualifying Segment for every $5,000 in purchases charged to your Card.
Finally, you are covered with reliable insurance for your travels and purchases.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

With this welcome offer for American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card, you can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points. Here’s how:

  • Earn 60,000 points after you spend $7,500 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
  • Plus, earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $2,500 in the 13th month

With this Amex Aeroplan Card, you earn 3X the points on purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations. And 2x the points on Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada. Everywhere else, you will earn 1.25X the points.

With this Amex Aeroplan Premium Card, you receive many Air Canada travel benefits, such as access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America for you and one guest, priority check-in, priority boarding and priority baggage handling. It’s the best Amex Aeroplan Card for frequent Air Canada flyers.

With this American Express Aeroplan Card, enjoy your first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada®* flights.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Annual fee

Primary card$599
Additional card$199

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 3xAir Canada flights
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 1.25xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,938
2nd Year Value$430

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$400

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $1,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $1,000
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Frequently asked questions

What is the Canadian Snowbird Association?

The Canadian Snowbird Association is a non-profit organization whose goal is to defend the rights and privileges of Canadian travellers, and it has done so for over 30 years.

How do you become a snowbird?

Time and money are two factors to consider before flying off to sunny lands. Check the validity of your documents, such as your passport and driver’s licence. It is wise to book your accommodation very early. Finally, a good travel insurance policy will be your best asset for a worry-free departure.

Our featured card

Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

  • No fees for foreign currency transactions
  • 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
  • Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
  • Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xEntertainment
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650
2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Our editorial integrity

Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.