With winter on the horizon, it’s hard not to dream of warmer weather and white-sand beaches. If you’re already thinking about escaping the cold, plenty of sunny destinations are now within reach with non-stop flights from Calgary, so you can spend less time travelling and more time enjoying your vacation.

From tropical destinations to desert escapes and culture-rich cities, here are five sunny destinations to consider for your next getaway.

São Paulo, Brazil

WestJet is launching a new nonstop route from Calgary to Sǎo Paulo this December, so you can fly to Brazil’s largest city without a layover. The flight takes about 12 hours and 50 minutes, which is quite long, but it could be a great pick if you’re planning a bigger vacation.

Once you arrive, you’ll find a city filled with incredible food, art and culture. You can check out the colourful street art in Beco do Batman, explore the Sǎo Paulo Museum of Art or spend some time wandering through Ibirapuera Park.

Tulum, Mexico

If you’ve been to Mexico a few times but usually find yourself booking trips to Cancun or Cabo, Tulum could be a fun change of scenery. The town is known for its beach clubs, turquoise water, and ancient Mayan ruins overlooking the Caribbean.

You can fly there directly with WestJet, with the flight taking around six hours. And if you want to do more than just lounge at the beach, Tulum’s cenotes are a must-visit!

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Dreaming of white-sand beaches and clear blue water? Punta Cana is a great spot to add to your list. WestJet offers seasonal non-stop flights from Calgary that take approximately six hours and 50 minutes.

Punta Cana is known for its beautiful coastline, and there are so many ways to spend a day on the water. You can book a catamaran cruise, head out for a snorkelling adventure or take a day trip to Saona Island, where you’ll find even more gorgeous beaches.

Palm Springs, California

If beaches aren’t your thing, no worries. There’s still sunshine to be found in the California desert, where you can spend your days by the pool, check out the mid-century modern homes and enjoy the mountain views.

WestJet flies non-stop from Calgary to Palm Springs in about three hours and 20 minutes. And once you’re there, you can take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up to the San Jacinto Mountains, do some shopping, and grab a bite at one of the downtown restaurants.

Liberia, Costa Rica

Want to see monkeys in the trees, swim beneath a waterfall, and still have time for a beach day? Costa Rica makes it easy to do all three.

WestJet’s direct flight from Calgary to Liberia takes around six hours and 50 minutes, and the city is a great starting point for exploring Guanacaste. During your vacation, you can visit the waterfalls and hot springs, go ziplining through the rainforest, or spend an afternoon surfing the waves.

So if you’re planning your next escape from the cold, these destinations are worth keeping on your radar.

Which one do you want to visit first?

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Kaiya Williams

Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.

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