As the glorious Canadian summer winds down and most of us return to a more structured life, there is a hint of melancholy in the air. Our laissez-faire, barefoot, nonchalant selves get packed away along with our linen shirts and open-toed shoes. We become focused and serious again. But rather than succumb to the inevitable march toward winter, this is the perfect moment to put a pin in places to go for winter sunshine – destinations that are a little more adventurous than just going down to our southerly neighbour. Here are fabulous locales that offer both direct flights and guaranteed sunshine, with the added bonus of no border crossing concerns. 

LOS CABOS, MEXICO

This magnificent 1,200-kilometre-long peninsula that stretches down below California has the Pacific on one side and the marine-rich Sea of Cortez on the other. Whether your vibe is watching whales from your luxe hotel’s beach (the magnificent mammals are so numerous and swim so close to shore here there’s no need to get in a boat), mountain biking in the desert or tasting dessert at one of the 21 Michelin-guide restaurants, there truly is something for everyone. But it’s not only the desert climate and direct flights from 10 Canadian cities that grabbed our attention – it’s the values of sustainability, respect for nature and safety. 

COLOMBIA

The vibrant Latin American country has left the cartels in its past and become a highly fashionable winter getaway for those in the know. Full of sensational contrasts, with both the Amazon and the Andes, the Caribbean and the Pacific, combined with beautiful colonial architecture, coffee plantations in lush highlands and palm-strewn beaches, it is a true choose-your-own-adventure destination. Don’t miss colonial gem Cartagena – it is close to the Caribbean and full of charming boutique hotels. There are direct flights to the capital, Bogotá, from 11 Canadian cities during the winter season, as well as to Cartagena.  

THE BAHAMAS

Made-up of 700 islands and cays scattered between Florida and Cuba, the Bahamas serve up tropical bliss all year-round. Bustling Nassau has direct flights from all over Canada and is the perfect jump off to a king’s ransom of vacation delights, whether it’s the pink sands and quiet luxury of Harbour Island, where aristo-designer India Hicks holds court; or next door on the long skinny island of Eleuthera, which rock royalty Lenny Kravitz calls home. Don’t miss the Glass Window Bridge, where the deep-blue waters of the Atlantic meet the turquoise Caribbean Sea with only nine metres separating them. For castaway bliss, head to Kamalame Cay, a  private resort on Andros where A-listers slip away for under-the-radar sun and sand (Hailey Bieber, Sofia Vergara, Nicole Kidman, Mick Jagger…the list goes on), stay in private cottages strung along the sandbar like pearls. For the full-on, everything at your fingertips experience, Paradise Island, just next to Nassau, is home to Atlantis, the pink coloured mega-resort that is the ultimate all-singing, all-dancing destination. If a 141-acre waterpark, 14 swimming pools, 21 restaurants and a casino are not your thing, stay next door in the quiet luxury of The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons resort. It has an alabaster-white beach, impeccable service, a neighbouring championship golf course and access to Atlantis’ Aquaventure waterpark, should you have little ones you need to entertain. 

COSTA RICA

With five airlines flying direct from Canada to this eco-paradise of cloud and tropical rain forests, Costa Rica has established itself as the sustainably minded Canadian’s winter getaway. Here, verdant jungle nestles beneath active volcanoes and the wildlife is Edenic, with sloths and brilliant butterflies vying for top billing with monkeys and brightly feathered macaws. The variety is what is so beguiling.  You can trek through Tenorio Volcano National Park, frolic in Arenal’s hidden waterfalls and finish the day with a delicious dinner in San José. For boho-chic beach life, head to trendy Nosara on the Nicoya peninsula, with beautiful surf and even more beautiful people watching. There are a plethora of hip, healthy, surf-forward boutique hotels to stay at in Nosara, one of the originals is Harmony Hotel built by John Seward Johnson III (who also co-founded Buzzfeed). Johnson, an avid surfer, met his wife, Susan Short, on the beach here, and in 2004 they purchased and renovated an old property. They had no real urge to be hoteliers but wanted to keep Nosara’s integrity, making sustainability and harmony with the environment the hotel’s watchwords. The best time of year to visit is from December to April, when the chances of rainfall are lowest.