Are you dreaming of sun and sand this winter? Canadians have lots of options for tropical getaways, and thanks to new flights and connections, it’s never been easier to explore the Caribbean, Mexico, and beyond.
Among dozens of options under the sun, there are also some lesser known and unique gems to explore. Over the last few years I’ve had a chance to visit some wonderful places, and I have a few favourites that Canadians will fall in love with, not just for the weather, but the food, culture, and activities.
Read on for some of the best destinations that you should consider exploring this winter!
Martinique
Martinique is a gem in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with gorgeous vistas, tropical forests, a volcano, and wonderful food, not to mention rum.
The small French island takes only a couple of hours to drive all the way around, there are wonderful restaurants where you can eat right on the beach, the people are so charming, and it’s incredibly lush.
In the north, you can hike around Mount Pelée, the country’s towering volcano, visit Habitation Céron to explore a plantation where they grow cocoa and make chocolate, and have a meal at sunset on the beach at Le Petibonum.
Exploring the south, there’s Fort-de-France, the largest city, numerous beaches, rum distillers like Distillerie Depaz and Distillerie Saint-James, and numerous small towns filled with history and scenic views.
Consider staying in Les Trois-Îlets at La Pagerie – Tropical Garden Hotel, and Club Med Les Boucaniers near Sainte-Anne, or there are dozens of rental homes, B&Bs, and hotels across the country.
South Caicos, Turks and Caicos
There is a lot more to the Turks and Caicos Islands than Providenciales. All of the islands are wonderful, and the people are amazing, but I have a very big soft spot for South Caicos.
You can take a flight from Providenciales to reach the island, or fly directly into South Caicos and enjoy one of the most natural places on Earth. There are endless beaches, beautiful vistas, fresh delicious seafood, and you can even see turtles, starfish, and flamingos.
The island is refreshing, with a vibrant community, and there are two resorts that will take great care of you: Salterra Resort and Sailrock Resort.
Plan your visit around the chance to relax, and enjoy water sports, fishing, taking a peek into the salt industry that once thrived here, and one of my favourite highlights, a trip out to Starfish Alley to walk along the giant underwater sand dune that has dozens of starfish. Walking along that spot felt like a dream!
Grenada
The Spice Island is a gem in the Caribbean with beautiful beaches, incredible diving locations, great natural wonders, and vibrant culture.
The capital of St. George’s is the perfect place to stay, and it’s an easy drive to almost anywhere on the island, including the parishes of Saint Andrew and Saint John that are filled with coastal towns, and things to see and do.
I loved exploring Belmont Estate to the north, where they make the most incredible chocolate and you can tour the grounds. There are numerous waterfalls and hiking trails to explore, like Annandale Waterfall & Forest Park. And St. George itself offers Fort George to explore, shopping in the city’s old town streets, and even unique experiences like a wellness tour at Mt. Parnassus Plantation.
In the city, I enjoyed Radisson Grenada Beach Resort, and I have heard great things about Royalton Grenada, Silversands Grand Anse, and Spice Island Beach Resort.
To the east of St. George’s, Six Senses La Sagesse is a spectacular resort focused on sustainability. Until the end of April 2026 they’re offering Canadian residents 30% off their flexible rate with the code: IDOTHCAN.
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a slice of paradise. From the beaches, to the jungles, the wildlife, the people, and the food, the country has so much for visitors to enjoy.
Guanacaste province in the north west of the country is one highlight, and you can easily fly directly in to Liberia airport and either rent a car, or book transportation to your destination.
The coastline is dotted with small towns and endless beaches, and there are national parks like Parque Nacional Santa Rosa and Parque Nacional Palo Verde that offer you the chance to hike and explore the lush countryside.
You can easily wake up to a fresh cup of Costa Rican coffee, enjoy a hike through the forest, spot a wide range of wildlife–from sloths and monkeys, to macaws, coati, tree frogs, iguanas, and vipers–and then spend the afternoon on the beach, before dinner and drinks under the stars.
I also really enjoyed seeing the efforts to bring macaws back to the wild at the Macaw Recovery Network, I loved the nearby town of Punta Islita, and in the Gulf Of Papagayo you need to plan a sunset boat ride to see Monkey’s Head Island and the bioluminescent waters at night.
The El Mangroove resort in the Gulf Of Papagayo is one of my favourite places, and they have incredible cuisine and hospitality, but you can find numerous hotels, resorts, and places to stay all along the coastline.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta is an iconic destination in Jalisco, along Mexico’s Pacific coastline, and it’s the perfect spot for a taste of the country’s best dishes, to sample their delicious Raicilla spirits, sit along the beach, and maybe explore some of the city’s night life.
The best part of my visit was the taco tour that included stops at a number of stands and restaurants, with Mariachi buskers that showed up during a dinner, and so much great food, ending with a stop for locally made ice cream at Paleteria y Neveria La Michoacana.
At night the city is lively and fun with lots of bars and clubs, and I happened to catch a street festival for a saint with performers and rides for kids. I highly recommend a visit to the Romantic Zone and the Rio Cuale walking River Bridge is a must to explore.
The city has a number of resorts and hotels, and I really enjoyed The Westin Resort & Spa in Marina Vallarta with its tree-lined pool, beach-front views, excellent restaurants, and spa. Starting in May 2026, the property will be transformed into an all-inclusive with a range of restaurants.
