Safe, affordable, and sunny- those are the 3 things at the top of my list when choosing a winter travel destination to escape the cold. Finding that perfect trifecta is so worth it. The list of places that make for great, affordable winter vacations is longer than you might expect, too. True, if you’re travelling from Canada the list of destinations for affordable winter vacations is a little bit shorter (because airfare prices, yikes!) but there are still plenty of options for every type of traveller.

What does it take to find affordable winter vacations, in beautiful and safe places? Research, usually. Today you’re in luck, because that part is done for you! I’ve been to some beautiful winter travel destinations that I’m excited to share with you, and I’ve asked some other bloggers to share their favourite safe and affordable winter travel destinations, too.

The terms “safe” and “affordable” can definitely be subjective, so here’s what you can expect in this post: We’re not debunking any safety concerns. Countries with “avoid all travel” advisories, or that are known to be war, are not included. When it comes to affordable, we’re talking about ~ $2,000 per person for flight, accommodation, and food. P.S. I looked up flights and travel advisories for every destination myself, before including destinations!

6. Cartagena, Colombia

A great destination to escape the cold is northern coast of Colombia. The beautiful colonial city of Cartagena is a safe and affordable location to experience the colourful and vibrant Colombian culture. This is just one of the many beautiful places to visit in Colombia.

The main tourist hotspot of Cartagena is “Ciudad Amurallada,” the old town. Here, you’ll find clean and colorful colonial streets, and nice cafés and restaurants. While this is probably the most picturesque part of the city, it’s also rather touristy. Right outside of the old town, you’ll find Getsemani, the “hipster” district of Cartagena. This is the perfect place to find affordable accommodations, lively plazas where the locals come together for drinks in the evening, and vibrant street are.

Cartagena is generally a very safe place to visit (especially the old town and Getsemani). However, best practices like staying in the city centre and not wandering random neighbourhoods after dark do apply. – Patrick of German Backpacker

Given a little bit of searching, you can find flights to Cartagena starting at $800 round trip in January from either coast of Canada, and even less from locations in the USA.

7. Vinales, Cuba

Visiting Vinales is one of the best things to do in Cuba. This lovely, small town located only a 2.5 hours drive from the capital, Havana. Fly in to Vinales itself for around $600 CAD, or make your way over from Havana to enjoy a few days immersed in the quaint, slow atmosphere.

The town is  located in the middle of the countryside, and it’s possible to access the surrounding tobacco fields. This is where real Cuban cigars are made. The valley is a fantastic place to explore. Not far from Vinales, the beach of Cayo Jutias is a fantastic place to relax for a few hours, with fine, white sand and crystal clear waters. The nearby coral reef is perfect for snorkeling.

Vinales is a safe place to explore. There are many “casas particulares,” which are local homes where the owners rent a few rooms to travellers. There are also good paladares – local restaurants. The average price of a room with private bathroom is $25 USD. Meals can be as cheap at $5 USD for a full breakfast and even dinner. There are a lot of lovely street food places, too. – Claudia of My Adventures Across the World

8. Grand Canyon, Arizona USA

Arizona can be unbearably hot in the summer with its desert climate. Visiting in the winter with cooler temperatures and fewer tourists, however, is fantastic.

The rocky desert landscape led to incredible natural features, the Grand Canyon among them. Also worth visiting are Tower Butte and Antelope Slot Canyon, outside of Page. These natural landscapes are sure to amaze as much as the grandeur of the Grand Canyon. Further south around Sedona, which itself lies in a stunning red rock valley, is Red Rock State Park, which is 286 acres of incredible scenery.

While you’re there, visit the fascinating Mystery Castle south of Phoenix and other Arizona bucketlist places. Mystery Castle was built by Boyce Gully for his daughter, and is full of secrets. – Stacey of One Trip at a Time

When you’re flying from Canada, flights to Grand Canyon village start just over $400 CAD. Phoenix is also an option, for an even lower round trip (but pricier accommodations).

9. Havana, Cuba

Cuba’s capital city of Havana is a warm choice, year-round. We spent 4 days in Havana, as part of a week in Cuba. There’s plenty to do in Havana, if you’tr looking to do more than relax by the pool! Take a seaside walk down the Malecon, or find alfresco bars, restaurants, and live musics clubs lining the squares of Havana’s Vedado, the old neighbourhood.

One of our highlights was the tips-based tour through the Hotel Nacional’s tumultuous history of 1930’s mafia gangsters and 1960’s Bay of Pigs defense tunnels. We loved this tour so much we even booked a stay in one of their historic rooms for a night: Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra’s honeymoon suite!

Another tour not to be missed is taking a classic convertible car on a tour route of your own choosing. Retrace the steps of Hemmingway on a booze cruise past his many favourite Havana watering holes, or day trip outside the city. –  Erin and Ryan of Down Bubble

Flights to Havana start around $650, and you can also find amazing prices on all inclusive deals for flights + hotels on sites like Expedia.

10. Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca, Mexico is a fantastic place to escape the cold winter. It’s hot during the day, but has the added bonus of cool nights. Winter is also Oaxaca’s dry season, so you’re guaranteed cloudless skies most days.

If you want to visit Mexico for culture, this is the place. Home to the country’s biggest day of the dead celebrations, amazing parades and the world’s largest radish carving festival (yep, for real), there are plenty of things to do in Oaxaca city.

A great afternoon can be spent just wondering the streets, eating traditional Oaxacan food at some of the many mercados, and popping into some of the museums that tell the tale of this small but significant place. – Claire of Claire’s Footsteps

Flights to this area are, like most destinations in Mexico, relatively cheap. They start around $500 CAD, regardless of when.

11. Montego Bay, Jamaica

Many people visit Montego Bay, Jamaica for a sunshine holiday and never leave their resort, but there are so many things to do in Montego Bay. The resorts in Jamaica are well know for affordable winter vacations, but there are plenty of ways to visit Jamaica independently.

The most popular road in Montego Bay, known as the Hip Strip, is across from a beautiful public (free) beach and there are hotels and apartments you can rent. This is a safe area, still in the heart of the action.

While in Montego Bay, check out culture and natural activities in the area. Visit the Croydon Platation to learn about Jamaica’s history and the resistance against slavery. Have a spooky experience at Rose Hall Great House, know as the most haunted place on earth. When night falls, visit a bioluminescent lagoon. It’s one of the most unique experiences you’ll have, as this only occurs a few places in the world. – Ayngelina of Bacon is Magic

Flight prices vary, but you can find a flight from $600/$700 CAD throughout most of January and February.

13. New Orleans, Louisiana USA

The Crescent City of New Orleans is unlike any other, and is perfect for beating the weather blues. Explore the historic French Quarter on foot, take in the old architecture, eclectic shops, and art galleries.

St. Louis Cathedral has beautiful glass stained windows and painted ceilings and is good to sit down after a walking around. A must stop is the Cafe du Monde, for hot coffee and beignets, perfect in the mild weather. In the evening, listen to jazz music on Frenchmen Street or people watching in Jackson Square. If you have more than a day or two in New Orleans, you can also visit the Garden District to see large, historic mansions and New Orleans above-ground cemeteries.

End your trip with a swamp tour to see some Gators and plan another trip for the next winter! – Ketki of Dotted Globe

14. Montezuma, Costa Rica

Montezuma, on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, is the perfect place to plan a getaway. Fly in to San Jose or Liberia Airport, and make your way to Puntarenas by bus or car. A short,  scenic ferry ride will bring you to Montezuma.

This small, bohemian towns is home to stunning beaches and accommodations for every budget. There are plenty of things to do in Montezume, from finding waterfalls to watching baby sea turtles be released in to the wild. Volunteers collect the eggs at night, keeping them safe from possible threats until they are ready to be released back into the wild.

Love water sports? Nearby Santa Teresa is easily reached by bus, and here you can rent surfboards or take lessons. – Demi of Around the World With Her

Affordable Winter Vacations Travelling from the USA

15. Guadeloupe, French Region, Caribbean

The Caribbean French Antilles archipelago islands of Guadeloupe is only a 4-hour flight from New York. This tropical overseas part of France offers vacation-seekers  tropical resorts, a unique mix of Creole, Caribbean and French delicacies, pristine beaches, world-class museums, and hiking.  The North American jet set hasn’t discovered Guadeloupe just yet, which makes for a laid-back, sun-soaked long weekend. Flights from NYC come as low as $480 USD in mid-January. 

The boundaries of the UNESCO listed World Biosphere Reserve, Le Parc Nationale de la Guadeloupe, encompass a green and very wet area. There are 173 square kilometres to explore, and this is one of the leading attractions of visiting the Basse-Terre’s tropical rainforest.

Sitting on the edge of the harbor of Pointe-à-Pitre, the Memorial ACTe is perhaps one of the most comprehensive and engaging museums completely dedicated the global, collective memory of slavery and adult trafficking and is a must-visit when in Pointe-à-Pitre. – Gregory of Follow Summer

18. Barcelona, Spain

If you’re looking for incredible food, spectacular architecture, and mild winter temperatures, head to Catalonia’s capital: Barcelona. The city easily accommodates all budgets. There are a number of free things to do in Barcelona. The dining experiences are unforgettable, ranging from Michelin starred restaurants and hole-in-the-wall tapa bars.

Temperatures rarely fall below 10°C/50°F, but when it does there are churros con chocolate. Head to Granja Dulcinea Xocolateria, a local favorite that opened in 1941 just off of La Rambla. Another well-respected chocolatier is Xurreria Laietana located near the Barcelona Cathedral. It may be a hole in the wall, but the €3 portions are one of the best in town!

Most visitors to Barcelona pay a visit to the Catalan modernist masterpieces, La Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and Casa Milà. It’s possible to view the intricate exterior details for free or take a guided tour of the interiors, which are just as stunning as the facades. – Kalena from Lost and Abroad

19. Caye Caulker, Belize

Caye Caulker is a small island, 5 miles at its longest, just 45 minutes away from Belize by water taxi. Located a mile inside the second largest barrier reef in the world, the Belize Barrier Reef, this is an island paradise worthy of the term.

There are no cars here on this island, just bicycles and electric golf carts and electric bikes. The pace of life and indeed the motto of the island is “go slow”. There are activities galore, and lots of things do to on Caye Caulker.  There are hammocks, cabanas, and chairs on the beach if you just want to relax.

Divers, you’re not far from the famous Blue Hole so this is a great opportunity. There are marine reserves where you can snorkel with manatees. You can also do that off the decks of lots of the places to stay.  Take a walk out to the Iguana Reef Hotel to their seahorse reserve. It’s a truly magical experience seeing your first one! – Sarah of A Social Nomad

20. Bonaire, Netherlands Region, Caribbean

Bonaire is one of the most beautiful and under-the-radar locations for people looking for an idyllic and safe experience. The tiny island was once a member of the now-dissolved Netherlands Antilles, so it’s home to a high number of Dutch expats. It can be reached via direct flights from the U.S. in Miami and Atlanta starting around $800 USD.

Pristine diving experiences are what Bonaire is known for. With a bevy of marine life and coral, Bonaire is an underwater haven for explorers and photographers. 

In Bonaire’s capital city, Kralendijk, you can find affordable luxury rentals that feature dive shops, dive training, and even day-long excursions. Make sure to check out Buddy Dive Resort in North Kralendijk – one of the most well-known scuba shops in the entire Caribbean! – Justin and Tracy of A Couple for the Road

21. Panama City, Panama

If you’ve ever thought about travelling to Panama, keep reading. Firstly, don’t be put of by bad-press and over-exaggerated news reports.As it happens, Panama is home to some of the most stunning beaches and picturesque mountain locations in the whole of Central America. 

If you love the city life, you may be surprised to know that Panama City is the only capital city in the world that has a rainforest within it’s city limits. This beautiful city is also only a day trip away from hiking and boat tours where you can greet moneys! With a little bit of planning and savvy, Panama is a safe and beautiful place to visit. – Dan from Layer Culture

What’s your favourite destination for a sunny winter escape?