World · North America · 4 hrs ago
More Canadian snowbirds are choosing destinations outside the U.S
Some Canadian retirees who usually spend winter in Florida are choosing Mexico and other destinations instead.
Kathrin and Greg Delutis, from Waterloo, Ontario, say they no longer feel welcome or safe in the United States.
They are also weighing the weak Canadian dollar and rising costs, including property and health insurance.
In an informal survey, 12.5 per cent of Canadian snowbird respondents said they planned to go to the U.S. this winter, down from roughly a quarter last year.
Allianz Canada data also shows the U.S. is no longer the top winter destination for Canadian travellers.
Travellers are exploring places such as Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, Mexico, Malta and the Canary Islands, sometimes for shorter stays and with family joining them.
Some are also buying vacation homes in Canada, and travel advisers say people considering a new winter base should first decide what they need from it.
More Canadian snowbirds are choosing destinations outside the United States for winter stays.
An informal Globe and Mail survey found 12.5 per cent of Canadian snowbird respondents planned to visit the U.S. this winter, down from roughly a quarter last year.
Allianz Canada data shows the United States is no longer the top winter destination for Canadian travellers.
Snowbirds cited feeling unwelcome or unsafe in the U.S., a weak Canadian dollar and rising living and insurance costs among the reasons for changing plans.
Popular alternatives include Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica and St. Lucia.
- Who
- Canadian snowbirds, including retirees Kathrin and Greg Delutis.
- What
- More are choosing winter destinations outside the United States.
- When
- This winter season. The article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Destinations include Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica and St. Lucia.
- Why
- Reasons include unease about feeling welcome or safe in the U.S., the weak Canadian dollar, and rising living and insurance costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Roughly a quarter of Canadian snowbird respondents to an informal Globe and Mail survey planned to spend time in the U.S.
12.5 per cent of respondents planned to head to the U.S.
Kathrin and Greg Delutis vacationed in Mexico.
The Delutises plan a six-week stay in the Dominican Republic.
- U.S. winter plans
- 12.5 per cent of surveyed Canadian snowbird respondents
- Previous-year U.S. plans
- Roughly a quarter of respondents
- Delutises’ home
- Waterloo, Ontario
- Planned Dominican Republic stay
- Six weeks
- New destinations mentioned
- Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, Mexico, St. Lucia and Malta
What people are saying
Because we don’t feel welcome, nor do we feel safe in the U.S.
People are really ready to try something new.
Our referrals to down south have evaporated.
Sources
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