Avoiding U.S. travel? These are the best destination alternatives for every Canadian’s vacation desire

Ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump imposing 25 per cent tariffs on several Canadian goods, the threat alone had caused Canadians to reconsider their travel plans. According to a Leger poll, conducted from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3, 2025 with 1,553 adult Canadians, 48 per cent of respondents said they were less likely to travel to the U.S.

Now that the tariffs have moved forward, Flight Centre Travel Group Canada confirmed to The Canadian Press that leisure bookings to American cities dropped 40 per cent in February, compared to the same month last year. But where should Canadians look to travel instead of taking their U.S. trips? Whether you now want to stay in Canada, or you’re still longing for international travel, there are plenty of options.

Flight Centre Canada revealed that more than 40 per cent of Canadians are looking for “kid-friendly experiences with a mix of adventure, nature and cultural activities.” Those travellers should look to destinations like:

• Nova Scotia

• Portugal

• Costa Rica

• Thailand

• Mexico

  • Mexico is a staple for Canadian travellers, particularly in the winter months, but beyond the resort experience in Riviera Maya it’s a great place for experiences for the whole family, including Mayan ruins, cenotes and interactive eco-parks

• Ecuador

For travellers who just want an adventure, a preference for about 18 per cent of Canadian travellers, these are great locations to get those thrills:

• Northwest Territories and Yukon

• Torres del Paine, Patagonia

• Vietnam

• Madagascar

• Norway

  • The remote Lofoten Islands allows you to see the northern lights in the winter and experience 24/7 sun in the summer, and one of the most famous fjords in Norway, Trollfjorden, is easy accessible

• Ecuador

  • Galápagos can provide unique experiences with marine life, including snorkelling adventures, and mountain trekking in Andean Highlands will be a highlight

With tariff fears also comes financial concerns and anxiety, with 96 per cent of Canadians already saying that the cost of a vacation is a priority when booking travel. But there are some destinations that will be better for travelling on a budget:

• Vietnam

  • Low prices doesn’t mean low quality for food, while you take in beautiful scenery, with white sandy beaches, and has a reputation for being a particularly friendly country

• Mexico

  • If you’re a Canadian traveller who wants to take a popular Mexican vacation, Oaxaca and Guanajuato can be more affordable alternatives to the popular, and often expensive, resort locations

• Portugal

  • Becoming an increasingly popular travel destination for a few years now, Lisbon and Porto are among the best-value European cities, that don’t compromise on its cuisine and culture

• Turkey

• Colombia

  • For a tropical getaway, Cartagena and Medellín can be much more affordable than U.S. warm weather destinations, with plenty of free tours in Cartagena and a lively nightlife, with Medellín being a particular hub for reggaeton

• Eastern Europe

  • Countries like Romania, Poland and Hungary can provide those fairytale landscapes, from castles and more, but often at more affordable prices than more popular countries in Europe