LAST UPDATED: June 11, 2025

A growing number of Canadian snowbirds are considering spending their winters in international destinations. By going to other countries, snowbirds can often avoid having to use U.S. dollars, allowing you to cover most or all of your costs in the more affordable local currency - although some destinations do require payment in U.S. dollars for rental accommodations. 

Whether you’re looking for a tropical paradise, a unique cultural experience, or just to get more bang for your buck when you’re escaping the Canadian winters, here's our list of the top international destinations that are quickly gaining popularity with Canadian snowbirds for long-term winter getaways.

The Benefits of Going Further

While many international destinations offer a way for snowbirds to significantly reduce living costs, you’ll need to factor in the cost of flying to your destination, and in some cases, the cost of renting a car for a long period. 

Another benefit is that the weather in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand and Asia is guaranteed to be warm (however, Southern Europe is a different matter, providing mild spring-type weather). 

Finally, travelling further afield gives you the opportunity to experience more diverse cultures and cuisines. 

And while international destinations offer a greater opportunity for adventure and new experiences, you’ll need to weigh all of the considerations in deciding where to go.

The most popular international snowbird destinations

Mexico

After the U.S., Mexico is the most popular destination for Canadian snowbirds. There are several destinations within Mexico that appeal to snowbirds, including Puerto Vallarta and the communities to the north on the Pacific Coast; the Mayan Riviera south of Cancun all the way down to Tulum; charming towns like San Miguel de Allende and Cuernavaca and the Baja California region in the Northwest, including the increasingly popular Los Cabos.  

Lake Chapala and the town of Ajijic near Guadalajara is also a long-time favourite with Canadian snowbirds. 

Whether you’re searching for beautiful beaches, breathtaking mountains, or to immerse yourself in art and culture for the winter, Mexico has it all. Vacation rentals are available in many parts of Mexico, including villas, condos, apartments and beach houses.

Central America

Costa Rica

Costa Rica has been a favourite with Canadian snowbirds and retirees for many years now. The majority spend the winter in the Northwest of the country, near the Pacific beaches and resort areas - but some opt for the more remote, central regions.  In addition to enjoying Costa Rica’s wonderful climate, snowbirds looking for adventure can also enjoy its lush rainforests, unique wildlife and outdoor activities.  

Often referred to as the “Switzerland of the Americas”, Costa Rica has always been considered to be a safe haven in Central America, an important feature for any snowbird destination. There are lots of choices for accommodation options in the various regions of the country.

For more details, check out our Costa Rica Snowbird Destination Guide here.

Panama

Panama is fast becoming a snowbird and retiree destination for Canadians.  The warm, tropical climate, favourable tax laws, proximity to Canada and affordable lifestyle are big draws for Panama.

Each year, there is an increase in the number of winter visitors, and the availability of short-term and long-term accommodations, providing snowbirds with more choices of condos, apartments, villas and houses to rent.

Panama is quickly catching on to the potential of the snowbird market.  Once there, there’s golf, watersports, Panama City – a modern metropolis – the Panama Canal and much more to explore.

Belize

This Central American country is a best-kept secret for those in the know about its significant natural beauty, including the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site with spectacular marine life.  Off the beaten track (except for divers, snorkelers, hikers and bird enthusiasts), the former British colony of British Honduras was renamed Belize when it gained independence, although it is still a member of the Commonwealth.  

Today, Belize is an affordable destination that attracts many visitors and a growing number of Canadian snowbirds, many of whom have purchased affordable vacation homes for a fraction of the price similar properties would cost elsewhere.

The Caribbean

Bahamas

The Bahamas have long been the winter home for some Canadians with many having homes or rentals in Grand Bahama, Nassau and Eleuthera --- as well as some of the smaller islands. The Bahamas' close proximity to North America makes it a short flight back to Canada or the U.S. and easy to get back and forth. 

The islands have clear waters and sandy beaches and offer a high standard of living.  There’s lots to do in the way of golf, tennis, water sports, casinos and good restaurants and duty-free shopping. Long-term vacation rentals can be found on sites such as VRBO and Airbnb.

Barbados   

A long-time favourite with Canadian visitors, Barbados has much to offer Canadian snowbirds --- a safe upscale community with lots of long-term accommodation options, great beaches, golf, duty-free shopping, and a great system of roads for exploring the island.

Air Canada offers regular flights between Canada and Barbados year-round. 

Barbados is further south and west than most Caribbean islands, which gives it great weather year-round. Part of the British Commonwealth, Bajan glimpses of British traditions, including colonial buildings in Bridgetown and historic plantation houses. 

Cuba

Believe it or not, Cuba has been home to Canadian snowbirds and long-stay visitors for many years now. 

Canadians discovered the many appeals of this island when tourism opened up in the 1970s.  Since then, the country has welcomed hundreds of thousands of Canadians, including snowbirds looking for very affordable long stays. 

Most rent apartments outside Havana near the beach, or in some of the smaller cities such as Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Camaguey and Ciego de Avila. Cuba is probably the most affordable foreign destination of all for Canadian snowbirds. 

Dominican Republic

Although the Dominican Republic attracts thousands of tourists to its main tourism regions of Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and Samana, the country also plays host to a number of Canadian snowbirds looking to escape the winter. In towns like Sosua and smaller towns near the capital, Santo Domingo, snowbirds can find affordable apartments and villas to rent.  The country’s beaches, Caribbean waters and inexpensive cost of living are hard to beat.

Jamaica

Jamaica and Canada share deep roots and Canadians have been vacationing in Jamaica for decades. 

But Jamaica also has long-stay options, including monthly rentals around the island available on sites like Airbnb, VRBO and Expedia. There are also several long-stay hotels, which can be a great option for snowbirds who don’t want to do all their own cooking and housekeeping.

With regular flights from Canada by several airlines, Jamaica is easy to reach. It is a beautiful island with mountains, rainforests and lovely beaches and coves. The island’s reggae music is often in the background to everything in Jamaica and the local cuisine is exceptional. The island’s local cuisine blends with other fine dining options around the island.

There are several championship golf courses, and tennis, watersports, river rafting, and sailing are just some of the other activities to enjoy.

St. Maarten

This little slice of Holland is a charming option for snowbirds. Nestled in the Eastern Caribbean, St. Maarten is a great base for snowbirds to spend the winter – with the added bonus of being strategically located so you can easily explore other nearby islands. 

St. Maarten has charming towns with great restaurants, bars and nightlife – as well as duty-free shopping. There are great accommodation choices available for rent.

The island actually is half French, half Dutch and visitors can go back and forth easily to explore the entire island and enjoy French and Dutch culture and cuisine.

Turks & Caicos

A British Overseas territory, you drive on the left here! English is the official language and the U.S. Dollar is the currency. A collection of low, sandy islands surrounded by crystal clear turquoise waters makes Turks and Caicos an island paradise with award-winning beaches.

Watersports of all kinds abound, including scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, kiteboarding, paddle boarding and fishing. You can also take regular ferries to explore some of the other islands.

Providenciales is the main island where the international airport is located, with non-stop flights from Canada. Vacation homes, villas and beach houses are available for rent.

Europe

Portugal

For those willing to cross the Atlantic in search of winter warmth and old world culture and history, Portugal is high on the list for attracting Canadian snowbirds. The capital, Lisbon, is a perfect option for snowbirds looking for long-stay accommodation. Check out our Snowbird Destination Guide for Lisbon here.

Portugal is also, perhaps surprisingly, a golf destination. Add to that its mild winters, especially in the Algarve region, its wonderful wines and seafood and many castles to explore, and you have a very interesting option to spend your winter months.  

Of course, you'll have to factor in the exchange rate of the Euro, but the cost of living in Portugal is much more affordable than in many European countries and during snowbird season, long-term rentals are plentiful and affordable. You may also want to rent a car for part of the time to explore.

Spain

Spain has been a beacon to Brits and Europeans for decades during the winter months, offering more sunshine and milder temperatures than much of the rest of Europe. These benefits have not been lost on Canadian snowbirds, some of whom discovered Spain as a winter haven long ago, with many more discovering it in recent years.

Spain is steeped in history and has many beautiful cities, towns and regions to explore while you’re there. Soak up the art, culture, food and music and maybe even take some Spanish lessons. Furnished apartments with kitchen facilities are affordable in the off-season. Spain also has an excellent high-speed rail system for getting around to explore different regions while you are there.

Check out our Spain Snowbird Destination Guide here.

South America

Colombia

Colombia is slowly opening up to tourism, and adventurous snowbirds are discovering its warm climate, vibrant colonial cities like Cartagena, Bogota and Medellin - and natural biodiverse beauty. Everything from rainforests to sandy beaches awaits. 

Rental accommodations are relatively inexpensive, as is the cost of living.

While there are still parts of the country that are not considered safe for visitors, much of Colombia is now open to tourism and is an option for snowbirds who want to be ahead of the curve.

South Pacific

Australia

While it's a very long way to travel, once you get there, Australia offers Canadian snowbirds an affordable exchange rate, and is counter-seasonal, so you’ll be arriving during their summer! 

The fabled Gold Coast just south of Brisbane attracts many snowbirds with its wonderful beaches and location at the bottom end of the Great Barrier Reef – but all of Queensland is perfect for snowbirds, including, of course, the Sunshine Coast.

There are reasonable accommodations available for long-term rentals everywhere and living costs are quite reasonable.  

Getting there, however, is a big ticket. But airlines often have special promotions to Australia and of course, if you’ve been accumulating loyalty points, this may be the time to use them.

New Zealand

New Zealand is a country of striking natural beauty, and like Australia, is counter-seasonal to Canada, so the weather during December to March is warm and the days are long.  

Of course, it is summer holiday time for New Zealanders as well, so you don’t get the off-season benefits that you get in Europe.

The North Island is the warmest, with subtropical temperatures in the far north. The South Island is cooler, but it is where you will find some of the most dramatic landscapes, forests, waterfalls and striking scenery. New Zealand is great for hiking, cycling, touring by car, as well as featuring beach resorts and some interesting cities to explore

You can find vacation rentals on Airbnb, Expedia and other sites. 

Southeast Asia

Thailand

Our final choice as an option for more adventurous Canadian snowbirds is Thailand and Southeast Asia, where living costs are extremely reasonable and where you can find pristine beaches, wonderful islands, and exotic experience like no other.   

Asia is culture shock for most Westerners, to be sure, but it is easy to fall in love with the scenery, the culture and the people here. Oh, and did we mention the food?  

Things to Consider

If you’re considering an international snowbird destination, you’ll want to consider the following factors. While they’re important, they can usually be overcome or managed if you have the desire and motivation to do so and want to experience the benefits:

• Length of stay – Each country has its own rules for how long visitors can stay, and some have visa requirements. Make sure you investigate the rules, and be aware that they may differ based on which country's passport you hold.
• Safety – Safety can be an issue when you travel to foreign destinations. Your concerns can often be overcome by being smart and sticking to safer areas that cater to foreigners.
• Accessibility – Some destinations are harder to get to and from-- and harder to get around, especially for those with mobility issues.   Be sure to investigate with your needs in mind.
• Proximity – These destinations are far from home and have more limited travel options if you want or need to return to Canada quickly.
• Health Care – Health care might not be as accessible or of the same standard as you would find in Canada or the U.S., and getting home for treatment may be more difficult.
• Political Stability – Some international snowbird destinations have less stable governments than the U.S. or Canada, which can be a concern to some.
• Language –Travelling to most of these countries can represent a challenge if you don’t speak the language.  English is more widely used in some destinations than in others.  It is a consideration, but it can also be fun to learn the local language and take courses while you are there.
• Food & Water – Restrictions and Safety – Food variety can be more limited for those with dietary concerns or less adventurous eaters, and food and drinking water quality can sometimes be an issue. Of course, bottled water is always the safest when you travel away from home.
• Community – Some of these destinations have relatively few Canadian snowbirds, a consideration if a big snowbird community is important to you.

Rental Accommodations and Buying Real Estate

Many international snowbird destinations offer amazing prices on villas, condos, apartments and hotels that cost only a fraction of what you would have to pay to rent or buy similar properties in U.S. snowbird destinations. However, you’ll want to take extra precautions before committing to renting or buying in a destination other than the United States:

If you’re looking for snowbird rental accommodations, make sure you do your homework on the rental property and landlord/owner first, as local language, cultural and legal issues may make it difficult to resolve any issues should you encounter them after the fact.

If you’re looking to buy a snowbird vacation property in an international destination, you’ll want to conduct extensive research on foreign ownership rules, local real estate laws and government stability before proceeding. We’ll be covering the rules and potential pitfalls around owning foreign real estate in a future article!