Fewer Canadian Snowbirds Are Heading to Florida This Year

Fewer Canadian Snowbirds Are Heading to Florida This Year

For decades, Florida has been the quintessential destination for Canadian snowbirds seeking sunshine, warm beaches, and relief from harsh winters. Generations of retirees have made the annual journey south, establishing seasonal routines that often felt as predictable as the changing seasons themselves. Entire communities in the Sunshine State have been shaped around this migration, with Canadian accents becoming a familiar sound in winter months.

But in 2025, many familiar patterns are shifting. Significantly fewer Canadians are making the trek south, and Florida is no longer the default winter escape it once was. From economic pressures and rising costs to changing travel preferences and evolving political and border dynamics, a combination of factors is reshaping this iconic seasonal migration. While the snowbird tradition is far from disappearing, it is clearly entering a new phase.

A Noticeable Decline in Canadian Snowbirds

Recent data shows that Canadian visits to Florida have dropped sharply compared with previous years. According to tourism statistics, Canadian arrivals to the Sunshine State were down by roughly 17% to 20% in early and mid-2025 compared with the same period in 2024, with local tourism bureaus reporting tens of thousands fewer visitors. This decline is notable not only because of its size, but because it breaks from decades of relatively stable or growing Canadian visitation.

The slowdown also reflects a broader reduction in Canadian travel to the United States overall. Both air travel and cross-border road trips have seen year-over-year declines, suggesting that the trend is not limited to Florida alone. For many snowbirds, the decision to skip or shorten a U.S. stay is part of a larger reassessment of how, where, and how often they travel during the winter months.

Additional insight from a recent travel intention survey by Snowbird Advisor helps explain this shift. According to its December 2025 survey, only about 70% of Canadian snowbirds plan to spend this winter in the United States, down from 82% the previous year: a meaningful year-over-year decline in U.S.-focused winter travel plans. At the same time, the number of snowbirds choosing non-U.S. destinations such as Mexico, the Caribbean, and parts of Europe has nearly doubled compared with last winter.

Importantly, the survey also shows that snowbirds are not abandoning winter travel altogether. Most respondents still plan to spend three to six months away from Canada, indicating that many Canadians remain committed to extended winter escapes; they are simply becoming more selective about destinations.

Why Snowbirds Are Heading Elsewhere (or Staying Home)

1. Political and Policy Headwinds

Political tensions and new U.S. entry procedures have become a growing source of concern for Canadian travelers. Mandatory registration requirements for longer stays and expanded biometric data collection have introduced new layers of complexity. For a generation that once crossed the border with minimal paperwork and few questions, these changes can feel unfamiliar and, in some cases, intimidating.

Even for snowbirds who have no trouble meeting the requirements, uncertainty alone can be enough to influence travel decisions. Some Canadians prefer to avoid destinations where rules feel in flux, opting instead for countries with clearer or more predictable entry processes.

2. Rising Costs and Economic Pressures

The financial appeal of Florida has also weakened. Rising property insurance premiums, higher property taxes, and increased condo fees have significantly raised the cost of owning or renting winter homes. Combined with a weaker Canadian dollar, everyday expenses such as groceries, dining, and healthcare feel noticeably more expensive than they did just a few years ago.

For many retirees living on fixed incomes, these increases have forced difficult choices. Selling a U.S. property and using that equity to fund travel elsewhere (or to stay closer to home) is no longer a fringe idea. It has become a practical financial strategy for a growing number of former snowbirds.

3. Piloting New Destinations

Not all snowbirds are giving up on warm weather. Instead, many are experimenting with new destinations that offer lower costs, fewer bureaucratic hurdles, or simply a fresh experience. Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and European countries such as Portugal and Spain are increasingly attractive due to favorable exchange rates, established expat communities, and appealing lifestyles.

This willingness to try something new marks a shift from the long-standing habit of returning to the same Florida town year after year. For today’s snowbirds, flexibility and value are becoming just as important as sunshine.

Local Impact in Florida

The reduction in Canadian snowbirds is being felt well beyond the beaches and golf courses. Local businesses—from restaurants and hair salons to property managers and healthcare providers—are noticing the absence of a customer base that traditionally spent months at a time in their communities.

While Florida continues to attract large numbers of international visitors, Canadian snowbirds have historically provided a unique kind of economic stability. They rent or own homes, shop locally, and integrate into communities for an entire season. Their reduced presence represents not just a tourism dip, but a cultural and economic shift that many local businesses are still adjusting to.

Changing Travel Logistics and Transportation Choices

For the Canadians who do continue heading south, how they travel is also evolving. Long drives from Ontario to Florida are becoming less appealing due to border delays, rising fuel costs, and the physical demands of multi-day road trips. As a result, more snowbirds are choosing to fly and then arrange transportation separately.

Vehicle delivery services have become part of this changing landscape, offering options for snowbirds who want their vehicle in the U.S. without making the drive themselves. By allowing travelers to fly while their car is transported door-to-door, these services reflect a broader trend toward convenience and efficiency in snowbird travel planning.

Looking Ahead

It’s too early to say whether this year’s decline signals a permanent change or a temporary pause in the long tradition of Canadian snowbirds heading to Florida each winter. Some long-term travelers will undoubtedly return, especially those with deep personal ties or property in the state. Florida’s climate, amenities, and established snowbird communities still hold strong appeal.

However, for many Canadians, 2025 appears to mark a turning point. Snowbirds are becoming more cost-conscious, more flexible, and more willing to rethink long-held assumptions about where and how they spend the winter. Whether that means staying home, choosing a new country, or reimagining travel logistics altogether, one thing is clear: the snowbird journey is evolving, and Florida is no longer the only destination in the sun.