As we approach the end of the year, Canadian travellers are looking at Bridgetown, Barbados, as their next vacation destination, Skyscanner has revealed.
According to information provided to Yahoo Canada, there has been a 52 per cent increase in December flight searches from Canada to Bridgetown on Skyscanner over the last month.
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Why is Bridgetown, Barbados, a trending destination for Canadian travellers?
The desire to travel to Bridgetown taps into a 2024 travel trend that shows Canadians are looking for “a dose of island life,” with three of Skyscanner’s top 10 trending 2024 travel locations being island destinations.
“This December, Canadians are searching for an escape from the plunging winter temperatures to sunnier weather in Bridgetown,” Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner’s travel trends and destinations expert explained. “The dry season in Barbados begins in December, with slightly cooler temperatures and less humidity than the hot summer months.”
“The peak of festival season begins in December, for travellers looking to escape the brutal Canadian winters and have the ultimate fun in the sun. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway on Carlisle Bay, seeking cultural exploration of the city’s rich history of museums and architecture, or itching for a run in the sun at the Run Barbados Marathon, December is a perfect time for Canadians to head to Bridgetown.”
How much does it cost to go to Bridgetown, Barbados in December from Canadian cities?
Using Skyscanner search data for flights to and from Bridgetown from Canadian airports, the cheapest roundtrip flight from Toronto is from Dec. 6 to Dec. 12, which costs $450.
Travelling from Vancouver from Dec. 5 to Dec. 13 will cost $637, and from Montreal, a trip from Dec. 6 to Dec. 10 will cost as low as $468.
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4 expert tips on what to do in Bridgetown, Barbados
If you’re hoping to get the best out of a beach vacation, Lindsay recommends Carlisle Bay.
“One of the most beautiful, serene beaches in all of Barbados,” she stated. “Go on a diving trip for a day to explore ancient shipwrecks and sea life near the coast.”
As part of a great Bridgetown itinerary, Cheapside Street Market is a must.
“[The] open market is home to colourful, tempting fruit being sold by locals on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays,” Lindsay explained. “At the market you’ll discover home-grown coconuts and plenty of other Bajan fruit and vegetable specialties.”
For rum lovers, Mount Gay Rum Distillery is a great stop, where guests are greeted with a Rum Punch at arrival for a tour to learn about the process of making premium rum.
Just outside of Bridgetown, visit the Garrison Savannah horse racing venue.
“The Garrison Savannah is the oldest racetrack for horses in the Western Hemisphere,” Lindsay said.
Some of the top rated hotels for a Bridgetown stay include the O2 Beach Club & Spa All Inclusive by Ocean Hotels, Sugar Bay Barbados – All Inclusive and the Courtyard by Marriott Bridgetown, Barbados.
Tips for finding the cheapest flights
If flight costs are getting you down, there are a few things Canadian travellers can do to ensure they’re getting the best deal possible for their next vacation, both on the Skyscanner platform specifically and when looking for flights more generally.
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Beat the crowds: For flights that are filling up fast, you’ll want to make sure you’re looking at the monthly view on travel search sites like Skyscanner to see the best possible option available for flight dates.
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Set up alerts: Prices are always changing, so if you’re hoping to travel to a specific destination, or on specific dates, set up a price alert so you can be quick if a deal comes up. Skyscanner specifically has a price alerts system for any cost changes.
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Consider “Everywhere”: If you’re hoping for a new adventure, or a little rest and relaxation, but you don’t have a specific destination in mind, the “Everywhere” search on Skyscanner may be your new best friend to discover the most affordable vacation destination possible.
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Flexible dates: There may be certain times where you need to travel for specific dates, but the best deals are really revealed when you open yourself up to some flexibility. Even changing your travel dates by a day, or a week, can result in significant savings.
