Acapulco, Santa María Colotepec (Mexico) and Martinique top the list of trending beach destinations for Canadians this winter

February 24 and 26 unlock the least busy domestic travel days.

December 5 and 26 are the busiest nights for domestic stays.

Canadians are swapping snow for sand this Winter, according to Expedia^®’s Winter Travel Outlook. Beach destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean are surging, with popular destinations such as Cancun, Punta Cana, and Puerto Vallarta dominating searches, while trending beach escapes such as Acapulco (+110%[1]), Santa María Colotepec, Mexico (+100%), Islamorada, United States (+85%) and Martinique (+75%) are showing a strong interest.

In addition, European getaways are still a hot spot for Canadians, with the Canary Islands, Spain (+70%) making the trending list due to the mild weather. Surges can also be seen in Italy, keeping up with the Winter sports momentum, across Cortina d’Ampezzo (+130%) and Milan (+115%).

“Warm destinations may dominate the list this Winter, but Canadians aren’t abandoning variety completely,” said Melanie Fish, head of public relations for Expedia Group Brands. “From Mexico’s vibrant beaches to the Caribbean’s crystal-clear waters, travelers are craving escapes that let them soak up the sun. For those planning a beach getaway, all-inclusive vacations available on Expedia make it easy to book everything in one place.”

Destination Insights

Trending destinations are those with the fastest year-over-year growth in searches, often driven by new attractions, better accessibility, or major events, while popular destinations are those with the highest overall search volume. Lodging interest is surging across hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals, both domestically and internationally, giving travelers a variety of options from all-inclusive resorts to private home stays.

• Skip the Snow: For those craving sunshine, Mexico and the Caribbean are on the rise with beach escapes such as Acapulco (+110%), followed by Santa María Colotepec, Mexico (+100%), Martinique (+75%), and Curaçao (+65%) showing strong interest.
• Sunshine State Escapes: Florida is also getting attention, with Orlando, Miami and Fort Lauderdale ranking among the top ten most popular destinations. Plus, Islamorada (+85%), offering coral reefs and relaxed Key life, is gaining traction.
• All-inclusive Beach Destinations: Cancun, Punta Cana, Puerto Vallarta, and Playa del Carmen, all on the popular list this season, offer extensive all-inclusive packages, making this a great option for a family getaway.
• European Escapes: Europe remains a favorite for Canadians. The Canary Islands (+70%) lead the pack for mild-weather escapes, while Italy continues to shine with surges in Cortina d’Ampezzo (+130%) and Milan (+115%), for a true Winter sports extravaganza.
• Snowbound Staycations: For Canadians who prefer to embrace winter, ski destinations are trending close to home. Whistler, Banff, and Québec City remain popular for their world-class slopes and alpine charm, while smaller spots like Jasper (+45%), Ucluelet (+45%), and Charlottetown (+35%) are gaining traction for cozy winter retreats.

When is the best time to fly this Winter?^[1]

Domestic

• Slowest: February 24 and 26

• Busiest: December 20 and 24

• Cheapest: December 4 and 5

• Most Expensive: January 2 and 3

International

• Slowest: February 22 and 24

• Busiest: December 20 and 25

• Cheapest: December 3 and February 25

• Most Expensive: December 20 and 25

When is the best time to stay this Winter?

Domestic

• Slowest: February 9 and 24

• Busiest: December 5 and 26

• Cheapest: January 6 and 13

• Most Expensive: December 30 and February 28

International

• Slowest: February 17 and 24

• Busiest: December 20 and 26

• Cheapest: December 2 and 9

• Most Expensive: December 27 and 28

Winter Travel Tips

Expedia recommends the following tips to make the most of your Winter getaway:

• Save with price alerts: Expedia members can receive notifications when airline prices drop using Price Tracking on the app.
• All-Inclusive Vacation Packages: Travelers can book everything they need for their trip – for one low price. With all-inclusive vacations bookable on Expedia, everything needed for a trip is taken care of including airport transfers, meals, drinks and even child-care. All-inclusive vacations are especially popular for family beach destinations.
• Secure a flexible hotel reservation: Use Expedia’s search filters to discover accommodations offering “free cancellation” or “book now, pay later” options, and select the refundable room.

FAQ 

Q: What is the top trending international destination for Canadians this Winter?

A: Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy (+130%) leads the list, driven by interest in Winter sports.

Q: Which beach destinations are seeing the biggest surge in searches?

A: Acapulco (+110%), Santa María Colotepec, Mexico (+100%), Islamorada (+85%), and Martinique (+75%) are among the fastest-growing beach escapes.

Q: Are Canadians only choosing warm destinations this Winter?

A: No. While warm destinations dominate, European getaways like the Canary Islands (+70%) and Italian ski spots such as Cortina d’Ampezzo (+130%) and Milan (+115%) remain popular.

Q: What lodging trends are emerging for Winter travel?

A: Interest in hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals is strong across both domestic and international destinations, giving travelers options from all-inclusive resorts to private stays.

Q: Which Florida destinations are trending for Canadians?

A: Orlando and Fort Lauderdale rank among the top 10 most popular international destinations, while Islamorada (+85%) is trending for its coral reefs and relaxed Key life.

Q: When are the least busy days to fly domestically this Winter?

A: February 24 and 26 are the least busy domestic travel days.

Q: What are the busiest nights for domestic stays?

A: December 5 and 26 are projected to be the busiest nights for domestic accommodations.

Note to editors

Data Disclaimers

Destination insights are based on lodging searches made on Expedia.ca between July 28, 2025, to November 2, 2025 for travel between December 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026 compared to the same period in 2024.

Best time to fly information is based on average daily ticket price on Expedia.ca for travel between December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026

Best time to stay is based on average daily rate changes on Expedia.ca for travel between December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026