Travellers looking for cheap flights out of Vancouver can find several options over the holiday season, but some destinations are far less affordable once you land.
From sky-high accommodation prices to expensive food, and costly nightlife options to top-dollar excursions, many popular travel spots notoriously make a substantial dent in a tourist's budget.
Travellers looking to avoid any financial surprises on holiday can opt for an all-inclusive package to save on costs. Not only do these options cover the cost of accommodation, meals, drinks, and transfers, but many of them also feature activities and nightlife on site.
For people who want to completely unwind, packaged vacations also take the headache out of selecting restaurants or places to go out for a drink; everything they need is within walking distance of their hotel room. Also, many resorts put on a show for significant holidays, such as Christmas.
Here are some of the best package vacation options from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) over the 2023 holiday season.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
While it is also one of the cheapest flights from YVR, packages from Puerto Vallarta on Mexico's Pacific Coast are hard to beat.
While Sunwing Vacations ended its Black Friday sales, you can still snag some jaw-dropping deals from the vacation supplier. For example, a flight departing on Dec. 15, and returning on Dec. 22 costs $945 per person and includes a stay at a three-star, all-inclusive property with transfers. The property is called the Vamar Vallarta All Inclusive Marina and Beach Resort.
Cozumel, Mexico
While booking a last-minute deal to Mexico's Caribbean coast that returns a few days before Christmas Day might seem like a recipe for sky-high costs, there are some affordable options available right now.
Expedia currently shows a couple of tempting options in sunny Cozumel near Cancun that both depart from Vancouver on Dec. 15 and return on Dec. 22. Both options are all-inclusive, have direct flights, and include Transfers.
The cheapest package includes a stay at the Hotelcoz All Inclusive, which is an ocean-view resort with a swim-up bar, for $1,224 per person. The other option includes a stay at the beachfront El Cozumeleño Beach Resort for $1,268.
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Packages to the Dominican Republic have shot up in price over the holiday season but there are a few deals available for travellers who book them right when they become available.
For example, Sunwing Vacations currently only has one package available to Santo Domingo, but the price is excellent. The flight departs on Dec. 11 and returns back to Vancouver on Dec. 18 and costs $1,515 per person. Regularly, this package costs $1,945 per person.
The package includes a week's stay at the Whala Bocachica, including meals, drinks, accommodation, on-site activities, and transfers.
Havana and Varadero, Cuba
Cuba is the best option for Vancouver travellers who want to spend Christmas Day in their vacation destination. There are numerous options in the county's bustling capital and the nearby beach city that cost under $1,500 for an all-inclusive stay with direct flights from YVR.
Expedia has several packages departing on Dec. 19 and returning a week later on Boxing Day, Dec. 26. For instance, an all-inclusive option in Havana at the Marazul Hotel costs $1,375, while one at Memories Varadero Beach Resort in Varadero costs $1,395.
Negril and Montego Bay, Jamaica
While it isn't the cheapest option, a package to Jamaica that costs under $2,000 around Christmastime is a great value. Eastern Canadian travellers often enjoy jaw-dropping deals to the popular Caribbean destination but travellers heading from YVR don't have as many low-cost options to choose from.
Expedia has a couple of packages that depart on Dec. 14 and return on Dec. 21 at all-inclusive properties for a steal. The Samsara Resort in Negril is priced at $1,708 per person while the SeaGarden Beach Resort in Montego Bay costs $1,925.
Find more information about exciting destinations in B.C. and across the globe, as well as travel deals and tips, by signing up for V.I.A.'s weekly travel newsletter The Wanderer. Since travel deals can sell out, find out the day they are posted by signing up for our daily Travel Deals newsletter.
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