What will the next stamp on your passport be? Perhaps a Cuba vacation? We've put together a list of the best places to travel from Canada right now.
If you want an affordable trip that isn't too far away, a Cuba vacation is a perfect idea. This impressive Caribbean country with the most desirable weather comes with iconic vintage cars, bright historic buildings, and glorious beaches. Throw in the cultural sights, amazing food, shopping, and tourist attractions, and you have a vacation destination that is understandably popular with travelers from all corners of the globe. Cuba has many all-inclusive resorts with packages including accommodation, food, drinks, and services.
Swap your slippers for your swimsuit when you board the flight from Canada to Costa Rica. Tropical rainforests, endless stretches of beach, and an exotic underwater world to explore are just a few of the attractions of sunny Costa Rica. Luxury resorts, rustic homestays, and quality hotels can be found in quaint towns where the locals always have time to chat. Rise early for epic sunsets and go for a hike and maybe have a monkey or parrot for the company along the way.
One major attraction for tourists in Costa Rica's thriving health and wellness industry. World-class spas and detox centers offer all kinds of packages, from simple juice fasts to full-on cleanse for the mind, body, and soul. Or you can dip your toes into the natural springs believed to have healing qualities, get a massage, or indulge in a volcanic mud wrap to experience the healing powers of Costa Rica.
If your adventure soul needs entertaining, Costa Rica has zip-lining through the rainforest, white water rafting, horseback riding, diving, and snorkeling. You'll be hungry after that and Costa Rican food will satisfy your needs and be a cultural experience at the same time. Sopa Negra (Black Bean Soup), Casado (mixed rice, beans, salad, tortillas, fried Platano Maduro, and meat), and Arroz con Leche (local dessert) are delicious dishes you might be trying for the first time. Historical walking tours, museum visits, and cultural sights are interesting ways to learn about Costa Rica's culture.
Allow a few days in the capital of San Jose, where you might see a bright festival on your way to the Plaza de la Cultura and the National Theater. It's also the best place to pick up souvenirs for friends and family back home.
Cancun
This vibrant city at the top of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is vacation bliss. Check into a luxury beachfront resort in Zona Hotelera or the downtown area of El Centro for a quieter scene. Many resorts offer all-inclusive deals, room service, swimming pools, spas, casinos, shopping, entertainment, and even golf courses. When you venture out of your 5-star resort, there are shops, restaurants, bars, and interesting tourist attractions for the Cancun tourist to enjoy. Don't miss a luxury boat trip, snorkeling, and diving the Great Mayan Reef if underwater experiences float your boat. A non-profit underwater museum with 500 sculptures is another highlight for divers.
Riviera Maya
To the south of Cancun, Riviera Maya stretches from Puerto Morelos to Sian Ka'an Biosphere. It encompasses several cities, including Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Akumal, which are fun places. Thrill-seekers and explorers can play all day long with zip-lining, hiking and ATVs, and all kinds of tours to take in the best sights of Cancun. The Tulum Mural Tour is highly recommended as you meet a local artist and the route is always changing to see a recently-painted artwork. Don't miss Chichen Itza, an ancient Mayan archaeological site with awe-inspiring pyramids, temples, and ruins. Also, go swimming at Xcaret, an underground river in the Maya civilization archaeological site.
Jamaica
Jamaica is a Caribbean island everyone has heard of, especially famous for its Reggae music and fabulous beaches. Your day might involve soaking up the sun on the beach, hiking through a rainforest to go swimming in a waterfall then enjoying a meal of jerk chicken, one of Jamaica's most popular national dishes.
You can get your culture fix at the Bob Marley Museum and Rastafari Indigenous Village and learn all about Jamaican history and culture. When you need to get active, zip-lining, horse riding (you can ride your horse in the ocean), rafting, snorkeling, and diving are all easy-to-book travel experiences. Or you might just want to chill at your luxury resort. Many Jamaican resorts offer all-inclusive deals, so this is the best time to unwind and soak up some Jamaican sun.
Apart from these beautiful Caribbean Islands, if you have time to travel further, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania await you. Though Europe can be as cold as Canada, a change of scenery can warm the heart and soul and is great for people who want to travel but don't like hot climates.
