Toronto Caribbean Newspaper’s top four travel destinations that will surely wet your appetite for adventure

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Recent uncertainty and turbulence are causing Canadians to re-evaluate their spending decisions and priorities. Data released by Statistics Canada shows that the number of return trips among Canadians travelling by car to the U.S. declined significantly in February. While this is certainly felt in the supermarkets, it is also true for vacations, with Canadians increasingly turning their gaze: east, north, or west in search of new destinations. The agency, Flight Centre Travel Group, noted that Canadians had not stopped travelling completely, but rather were looking to travel to locations outside the U.S.

American; A no go?

“A stronger U.S. dollar has always put negative pressure on Canadians’ ability or desire to travel to the U.S.,” said David Coletto, an Ottawa-based public opinion analyst and the chair and CEO of Abacus Data.

Research recently conducted by Abacus found that 56% of surveyed Canadians who initially planned to travel to the U.S. this year had since scaled back or cancelled those plans, mostly in response to political tensions. Thirty-nine per cent of those planned to travel to a different country, and 19 per cent were planning trips within Canada.

Where are travellers going in 2025

According to Visa Verge and West Jet, Canadians are increasingly choosing the Caribbean and South America over the U.S. for travel. This marks a notable shift in preferences, as the U.S. has traditionally been a top destination. Factors influencing this change may include: cultural diversity, cost differences, and unique experiences offered in Caribbean and South America countries, appealing to Canadians seeking alternative travel adventures.

One of the biggest attractions for the Caribbean and South American destinations is affordability. Travelling to South allows Canadians to extend their budgets, offering luxurious accommodations and high-value cultural experiences at lower prices than in many U.S. cities.

South American countries and their Caribbean neighbors have made conscious efforts to brand themselves as: safer, more inclusive, and culturally welcoming to international visitors. Such measures match well with Canadian expectations for warmth and hospitality, helping ease any hesitations about long-distance travel. These positive perceptions stand in stark contrast to the unease some Canadians now associate with their southern neighbours, the U.S.

Well, this week, we have the top four travel destinations that will surely wet your appetite, and motivate you to pack you bags and get the heck out of Canada, just for a bit.

Antigua and Barbuda

One of the trendiest Caribbean destinations in recent years, Antigua and Barbuda gets a leg up on the competition by offering not one island, but two. Larger Antigua has charming coastal towns, inspired cuisine, world-class sailing, and lavish yet welcoming resorts. Barbuda is an eco-tourism haven, with quiet coastal caves, pink sand beaches, and a large, central lagoon home to the largest colony of Frigatebirds in the region. It’s two vacation experiences coming together to form one cohesive whole, and it’s a delight to experience at any time of the year. https://www.visitantiguabarbuda.com/

Colombia

Come for the legendary coffee culture, stay for the…well, everything else. Colombia’s breathtaking landscape has a little bit of everything: blue seas, white dunes, rolling green hills, and colourful, colonial cities. Each distinct region of Colombia is rich in biodiversity and culture, mixing the natural appeal of the Amazon and Andes with the vibrant modern culture of cities like Bogotá and Medellín. https://procolombia.co/

Cuba

Canadians have long enjoyed spending part of their winter in Cuba, an accessible and affordable destination that offers so much more than: the cigars, cars, and culture of: Havana. Varadero, Caya Largo, and Villa Clara offer visitors new ways to engage with the winning Cuba formula: warm sun, soft sand, and storied cities. https://gocuba.ca/

Martinique

“The Isle of Flowers” certainly lives up to its moniker: this sophisticated French-Caribbean destination is a wonderland of green hills and mountains, trilling birds, and gentle blue waves. Enjoy elevated cuisine by the water before spending a day hiking the slopes of Mt. Pelée. You must try the local rum: its pedigree is renowned throughout the region and beyond. https://www.martinique.org/en

Take your pick! There are other great places in the Caribbean and South America that you can go to, so don’t think that you have to subscribe to this list. At the end of the day, you choose you own adventure, curate your perfect vacation!