Photo: Mexican Film Institute
Mexico City is the perfect alternative to Las Vegas or New York City, offering incredible culture, cuisine, architecture and countless entertainment options at a fraction of the cost of American urban getaway spots.
You may be wondering why I'm talking about winter when summer has only just arrived, but I'm all for being prepared.
“Lift” refers to the number of seats available on flights departing from Kelowna. Sadly, gone are the days when three airlines competed for traveler dollars. This winter, there's a virtual monopoly. WestJet offers direct flights to all but one point in the south.
With this information, you can be sure that last-minute rush sales are now a thing of the past.
Direct flights:
Cancun: Tuesdays from November 11 to April 15, Fridays from October 11 to April 18, Sundays from October 21 to April 20
Puerto Vallarta: Thursdays from October 10 to April 24, Mondays from November 4 to April 21
Cabo San Lucas: Saturdays from October 25th to April 26th
Mazatlan: Fridays, December 13 to April 4 (Sunwing)
Phoenix: Wednesdays from October 29th to April 23rd
Las Vegas: November 8th to April 25th (Friday), November 11th to April 21st (Monday)
Advance reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak travel periods of Christmas and Spring Break.
If you are interested in taking a connecting flight, there are plenty of other options to consider. However, there is one word of warning: we would never recommend a same-day connecting flight during the winter season. Commuter flights from Kelowna to Calgary are notorious for being subject to mechanical and weather-related issues. Depending on availability, it can be very difficult to get reboarded on another flight if you miss your connecting flight.
Mexico City is a great alternative to Las Vegas or New York City, offering incredible culture, cuisine, architecture and endless entertainment options – all for a fraction of the cost of an American city getaway. Air Canada offers daily direct flights from Vancouver to Mexico City.
Ixtapa offers guaranteed sun and miles of pristine beaches. Ixtapa/Zihuatenejo is a popular destination for adult travelers. It's not a good choice for families with children. WestJet and Air Canada fly to the area from Vancouver and Calgary.
Tulum is served by a new international airport in Quintana Roo, and new weekly flights from Calgary will be welcomed by those wanting to avoid the long layover from Cancun to the southern resort of Playacar.
Huatulco is a great destination for families. With a quiet, laid back atmosphere, you can explore the unique little town of La Crucecita or take a day trip to Puerto Escondido for its surfer vibe. It's the ultimate beach destination that won't disappoint. WestJet flies from both Vancouver and Calgary.
Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic's Riviera, offers luxurious five-star all-inclusive resorts along more than 80 kilometres of beach. There are adult-only all-inclusive options as well as fully-equipped family resorts to rival Disneyland. WestJet operates twice-weekly flights from Calgary.
Liberia, Costa Rica, is a fantastic destination for adventure seekers. Jungles, rivers, volcanoes, surfing, zip lines. A stay of 10 nights or more is highly recommended to truly experience this incredibly diverse country. WestJet flies there four times a week from Calgary.
Montego Bay, Jamaica, offers Caribbean rhythms and a tropical vibe. This sun-soaked destination is best visited with an open mind, as the “ganja”-infused Rastafarian culture can be a bit intimidating and off-putting for some. The best beaches can be found in Negril.
Nassau, Bahamas offers turquoise waters, pink sand and the chance to swim with pigs. It doesn't get much better than that. A mix of Spanish, West African and British influences, Nassau offers incredible culture and history, plus powdery sand beaches. Paradise Island's Atlantis Resort offers the ultimate in luxury for families and adults only. With a wide range of dining, entertainment, accommodations and a 140-acre water park, Atlantis will appeal to the kid in all of us. WestJet offers weekly flights from Calgary.
Varadero, Cuba. Unfortunately, this destination is still recovering from post-COVID restrictions and supply train issues. They are struggling to bring resorts back to full operation and have received numerous complaints about cleanliness and food quality. Not recommended at this time. WestJet operates two flights per week from Calgary.
Well, that's it. There are plenty of options out there, and with a little research, proactive planning, and sale prices, you can have the perfect winter getaway.
This article was written by or on behalf of an external columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
