Cuba is off the table for Canadian sun seekers. Here's what to know

For many Canadians, escaping winter means trading snow boots for sandals, icy sidewalks for white-sand beaches and spending a week somewhere warm without blowing a fortune. For years, Cuba topped the list for exactly that kind of getaway. This winter, finding that same affordable escape could be a lot harder.

The Government of Canada has issued an advisory warning travellers to avoid non-essential travel to Cuba due to worsening shortages of fuel, electricity, food, water and medicine. The shortages are also impacting resort services and ground transportation, while fuel supplies and commercial flight options could become more limited on short notice.

All Canadian airlines have since suspended service to Cuba until further notice, according to the federal travel advisory, which urges Canadians to consider leaving while options remain available.

For travellers who usually count on Cuba for a winter all-inclusive, that leaves a big question. Where can you go instead without blowing your budget?

Ashley Harold, a travel expert with Flight Centre Canada, says the loss of Cuba is putting a strain on other popular winter destinations, with travellers eying Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica for alternatives.

"Right now, because the option of Cuba is no longer in the question and most travellers are still wanting to find an alternative destination, the availability and pricing that we're seeing isn't like any other year in the past," Harold said in an interview with Yahoo News Canada.

Here's what Canadians should know before booking their next winter escape.

Why your usual winter getaway could cost more

Cuba has long appealed to Canadians looking for an affordable way to get some winter sun. Replacing that trip with another destination may not be as simple as swapping one all-inclusive package for another, travel experts warn.

Harold said a Christmas package that cost just under $1,400 per person last year could now cost around $1,800 per person in destinations such as Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. That is an increase of about $400 per traveller, or roughly $1,700 for a family of four, based on the comparison shared by Flight Centre.

Nothing quite beats the sunshine and clear, blue waters, especially after escaping the Canadian cold. (Credit: Getty Images)

The company also revisited 10 popular sun packages for Christmas departures and found that half were sold out or had very limited availability compared with the previous month.

The reason, Harold said, comes down to supply and demand.

"It's a real challenge of inventory at the moment with the amount of travellers that we have," she said.

A recent Flight Centre survey shared with Yahoo News Canada found that 32 per cent of Canadians are booking earlier than usual, rising to 39 per cent among millennials. The company also said its travel experts have noticed an increase in winter all-inclusive inquiries over the past two weeks.

Where should you go instead of Cuba?

The trick, Harold said, is not to look for an exact replacement for Cuba. Instead, think about what makes the destination worth returning to year after year.

"Some travellers, that might be cost, that's the biggest point of value for them. Others might be snorkelling, for example, or the beach, or a short flight … as opposed to trying to find exactly the experience and the price point that they get with Cuba, because quite simply that just doesn't exist," said Harold.

If snorkelling and marine life are what keep drawing you back to Cuba, Harold suggested looking at Cozumel, Mexico. She said some of her clients who regularly travelled to Cuba for snorkelling have switched to Cozumel and enjoyed the experience enough to plan another trip.

For travellers dreaming of white sand and calm water, she pointed to Playa Mujeres in Mexico as another option with a substantial amount of resort inventory, according to Flight Centre.

The Caribbean and Mexico remain the main alternatives being considered by travellers, Harold said, while cruises and guided tours are also gaining interest.

Those options can offer value through promotions, she said, and their availability has been less affected because fewer itineraries historically included Cuba.

How to find a winter vacation without overspending

If your dates are fixed and your budget is tight, a little flexibility could make a meaningful difference.

Harold recommended considering whether you could leave a day earlier, return a day later or depart from another airport. Even choosing an evening flight instead of a morning departure can affect the overall price of a package, she said.

Travellers who can reach a larger airport, such as Toronto or Vancouver, may also have more routes and packages to choose from than those flying from smaller regional airports.

To get the best rate, it's advised to plan your departures from major international airports. (Credit: Getty Images)

If you are planning a March break getaway, Harold explained it is worth starting your search now, particularly if you need several rooms for a multi-generational family trip.

"Most Canadians feel as though booking about four to six months in advance is adequate time," she said. "With a time like this and the inventory being so limited, if they're looking to travel over March break, we're even saying now's the time to start to look at that."

Set your budget before you fall in love with a resort

For anyone hoping to travel over Christmas or New Year's without much flexibility, Harold's advice is to decide what matters most and where you are willing to compromise.

If price is the priority, look at alternative departure dates, flight times and airports before ruling out a destination. If the beach, snorkelling or a particular kind of resort experience matters more, you may need to adjust your budget or consider a different destination.

She also recommended setting a firm spending limit before browsing, rather than getting swept up in a package that costs more than you planned.

"The question isn't just simply where to go instead," Harold said. "It's what losing one of the market's most affordable options means for price, choice and how flexible you may need to be."