The Spring Break holiday is one of the most popular travel times, which means it's never too early to book an all-inclusive package from Vancouver.
Vancouver students will attend their last day in class on March 15 and they are due back on April 2; the official break is considered from March 18 to March 28, according to the Vancouver School Board. The break is the same for students elsewhere in Metro Vancouver, such as Surrey, Langley, Burnaby, and Delta.
Flights over the busy travel period have already started to climb in price and many cities are expensive to visit.
Families 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.
Have a look at some of the cheapest options from Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Mazatlan, Mexico
It isn't always the first place Metro Vancouverites think of when they are planning a trip to Mexico, but Mazatlan boasts breathtaking beaches, historic markets, vibrant nightlife, and fantastic fresh seafood. It is also famously known as the "Pearl of the Pacific."
Best of all, an all-inclusive package to the sun-soaked coastal city is a steal from YVR over spring break.
Sunwing Vacations is offering a package from Vancouver with direct flights that depart on March 22 and includes seven nights at the El Cid Granada for $1,645 per person. This deal also features the vacation company's "Every Perk Under the Sun" promotion, which may include room updates and spa discounts. But one of the best inclusions is that "Kids Stay, Play, and Eat free," with the resort perk. (Refer to the second slide for package details).
Always check with the supplier to ensure the promotion applies before you make the booking.
Want to stay at a different resort in Mazatlan?
There is another seven-night package available on the same dates that includes accommodation at the Don Pelayo Pacific Beach for $1685 per person.
Varadero or Havana, Cuba
Varadero's hypnotically turquoise waters and powdery white-sand beaches lure vacationers in droves. But since Americans still have to jump through some hoops to visit Cuba, it's also a little less crowded. That said, you'll still see tourists from other places around the world, including South America and Europe.
Sunwing Vacations is offering an all-inclusive package with direct flights to Varadero from Vancouver that departs on March 19 and includes seven nights at the Starfish Jibacoa for $1,735 per person (see third slide).
Alternatively, vacationers can experience the nostalgia of yesteryear by spending a week in the Cuban capital. Havana's brightly-coloured buildings, old-school cars, and its iconic Avenida Malecón, an 8 km stretch of seawall that begins in the city's historic "Old Havana," are just a few of the reasons the city is considered a bucket-list destination. And if you're a fan of vibrant nightlife complete with fever-paced dancing, good rum, Cuban Cigars, and discovering haunts frequented by Ernest Hemingway, you'll never run out of things to enjoy.
Sunwing is offering a package to Havana that Departs on March 19 from Vancouver and includes seven nights at the Mystique Habana by Royalton for $2,095 per person.
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Mexico's Caribbean side is one of the most coveted spring destinations for North American travellers - and for good reason.
From mouth-watering street eats to fine-dining experiences, foodies will have no shortage of experiences to enjoy in the Mayan Riviera. There are also several food tours available, with some that take you to local farms that offer cooking classes, so you can take your empanada-making skills back to Vancouver (because you won't be able to take the sunshine).
Mexico's Caribbean coast also affords jaw-dropping ocean views of crystal-clear waters and sun-soaked beaches, as well as lush jungles and vibrant city centres.
Many of the accommodations are located in the popular hotel zone, known as Zona Hotelera, which is located near Cancun. It is situated on a man-made strip of land outside of the big city and is home to nearly 100 hotels.
Sunwing is offering an all-inclusive package to the Riviera Maya that departs from Vancouver on March 20 and includes a seven-night stay at the four-and-a-half-star Bluebay Grand Esmeralda for $1,995 per person (see fourth slide).
What should I do if I want to avoid spring break prices?
The easiest way to avoid spring break prices is to avoid travelling over the holiday. While that isn't always a convenient answer, prices are significantly lower if you can avoid the travel period. Another way to do this is by booking several months in advance to secure a low-cost offer.
If you aren't travelling with children, or if you are comfortable taking them out of school for a week, pricing is hundreds of dollars less for trips outside the spring break weeks. For example, multiple all-inclusive packages departing in February from Vancouver to the Dominican Republic cost $1,100 to $1,200 (see fifth slide) and ones to the Riviera Nayarit, Mazatlan, and the Riveria Maya cost $1,295 to just over $1,400 (see sixth slide).
Another option is to "build a package" or buy one with only flight and hotel. Expedia has several options over spring break that cost between $700 and $900 and do not include meals or drinks. If you don't plan to eat a great deal of fancy meals or drink much, these prices may work out in your favour. You'll also enjoy greater date flexibility this way since you won't be bound by all-inclusive price inflation on select dates. However, this will mean you may need to travel off-site to get food and it won't offer the convenience of an all-inclusive.
The Mexico travel advisory has been updated several times over the past year and includes several warnings at the start of 2024.
The Canadian government continues to advise travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in the North American country. Additionally, there are several regions they should avoid all travel to.
There continue to be high rates of violent crime, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery in popular tourist destinations such as the Mayan Riviera (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, and Tulum), and Acapulco. Criminal groups and drug cartels are also present in tourist areas and bystanders can get caught in crossfire.
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.
Want to learn more about a specific destination or simply have a travel concern or idea that you would like V.I.A. to write about? Email us at elana@vancouverisawesome. Send us stories about recent holidays that you've been on, or if you have any tips you think our readers should know about.
