Toronto — Many Canadian travellers are changing their March break plans this year due to unrest and violence impacting popular, affordable destinations.
Shift in Travel Destinations
Travel agents in the Greater Toronto Area report that economic and political uncertainty in Cuba, fears of violence in Mexico, and the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica are driving the shift. Some Canadians are choosing new countries, while others are opting to stay home.
Cuba is currently facing a humanitarian crisis stemming from shortages of fuel, food, and medicine, exacerbated by a U.S. oil blockade. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested a potential “friendly takeover” of the island.
In Mexico, cartel violence in Puerto Vallarta last month left some Canadian visitors stranded for days. Parts of Jamaica are still recovering from the damage caused by October’s Hurricane Melissa.
Decreased Bookings to Cuba and Mexico
“Cuba and Mexico have long been favoured destinations for Canadian travellers, especially during March break,” said John Wood, president of Durham Travel. “However, with the current challenges both countries are facing, we are noticing a shift in travel behaviour among our clients.”
Durham Travel’s data indicates an 86 per cent decrease in Cuba trip reservations this month compared to March 2025. Mexico travel bookings have also dropped by 15 per cent.
Rise in Bookings to Florida and the Dominican Republic
Florida and the Dominican Republic are seeing a surge in bookings, increasing by 163 per cent and 142 per cent, respectively, as travellers redirect their plans. European destinations like Greece and Portugal are also emerging as alternatives.
“Notably, clients are spending more per booking on these replacement destinations, driving overall revenue up despite fewer total reservations,” Wood said.
Concerns and Continued Travel to Mexico
Nova Parker, a senior travel consultant at Total Advantage Travel and Tours in Toronto, noted a temporary increase in inquiries about the safety of travelling to Mexico following the violence in Puerto Vallarta. However, these inquiries subsided after a week.
“Cancun and Riviera Maya are still very busy, lots of people going down there, and the majority of people, even though they showed concerns, chose not to actually cancel,” Parker said.
Price Considerations and Alternative Destinations
Travellers who quickly rebooked trips after Canadian airlines suspended flights to Cuba last month were able to secure decent deals. However, Parker noted that finding affordable options is challenging, as March is a peak travel season.
Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Jamaica are traditionally the most affordable all-inclusive options. However, Canadians are now exploring alternatives like Costa Rica, Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, and Guadeloupe, as well as tourism within Canada.
“I think people are … a bit nervous of what’s going on in the world, but ultimately it’s been such a horrible winter here that people just want to get out of here,” Parker said.
Jamaica Remains Attractive Despite Damage
Despite ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s attractive prices are generating significant interest. Janet Radley, a travel agent at St. Clair Travel in Toronto, said Jamaica has largely reopened for business and could attract tourists whose Cuba plans were cancelled.
Some travellers are still choosing to visit Mexico, including Puerto Vallarta. Radley stated, “The only place that’s really a problem is Cuba.”
Radley acknowledged that fewer attractive options and higher prices may lead some Canadians to cancel their international vacation plans. However, she added, “But there are a lot of people who will go just because they want to get away, right? This winter’s been bad. It’s been cold, a lot (of) snow, so people are willing to pay the price.”
“They might not be happy about it, but they will pay the price.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 13, 2026.
Sharif Hassan, The Canadian Press
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