3 budget-friendly destinations gaining major travel buzz for Canadian families in 2026

Spring 2026 is just getting started, and already, certain travel spots are buzzing with visitors, setting the tone for this year’s hottest travel trends.

This year, young Canadian families are ditching the crowded, touristy hotspots and seeking out hidden gems—unique destinations where everyone, from kids to parents, can have fun.

Family trips are all about making memories and exploring the beautiful scenery of your destination. Beyond tickets, hotels, and what to pack, what lies at the core of each family vacation is meaningful connection.

Scotiabank knows this to be true; that’s why the award-winning the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card, offers great benefits and peace of mind while earning rewards wherever you travel.

Sound like something your family would like? Here are some top travel destinations that Canadian families are loving for 2026. 

São Miguel, Azores, Portugal 

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Trips to the Portuguese Azores archipelago of São Miguel are topping the jet-setters’ list for young families. You can attribute that increased popularity to the island’s abundant natural features, such as thermal pools, volcanic landscapes, scenic coastlines, and a family-friendly atmosphere. 

São Miguel’s beautiful coastline is ideal for whale and dolphin spotting, making it one of the fastest-growing destinations for the activity. With over 20 species that live in the waters year-round or passing through during migration, you’re nearly guaranteed to spot bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales, manta rays, or sea turtles.

Insider tip: Atlantic seafood extravaganzas are never far in São Miguel, and Bar da Caloura is bringing the feast with stunning ocean views. Nestled right on the water, its daily menu of morning-caught fish is the freshest you’ll ever taste.

Even better? With the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn 2X Scene+ points on dining — from local restaurants to fast food and even groceries — and entertainment. Translation: every dinner out, lunch date, or snack stock-up gets you one step closer to your next getaway. It’s basically turning your everyday spending into future travel plans.

Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

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Take it to the Pacific coast for off-the-beaten-path adventures in Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, a blue-zone area where residents commonly live more than 100 years in good health! Nicoya is a destination that stands out for affordability, family-friendly culture, and abundant wildlife. 

Get up close and personal with the critters that call Nicoya home via a local wildlife tour. Try the Curu National Wildlife Refuge to spot howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, iguanas, and coati – an adorable raccoon-family mammal with a long snout!

Cloud forests are one of the wonders of Costa Rica — tropical, high-elevation forests known for low-level cloud coverage. Visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest for a unique stroll through a misty, lush canopy, and witness a truly unique ecosystem found in less than 0.26 per cent of the planet. 

Explore the beauty without worrying, since you can skip foreign transaction fees with the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card (exchange rates still apply). This is especially handy when you need to make an on-the-ground purchase while exploring — who forgot to pack the sunscreen?!

Sicily, Italy 

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Think you can’t afford an Italian family getaway? Think again! Sicily has emerged as an extremely budget-friendly destination with lots of options for kids. With fewer crowds than other Italian hotspots, it’s not hard to understand why Sicily is topping the charts for 2026.

Top picks include a visit to the Valley of the Temples, an impressive archaeological site filled with incredibly well-preserved historical ruins. Nine sacred temples and other sites here, including the Tomb of Theron, have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Hit up Etnaland for waterpark fun. Kids will love the roller coasters, water rides, and attractions. Don’t forget to take a break from the water and explore the prehistoric park, with 25 reproductions of dinosaurs to scale. 

Don’t forget that added peace of mind knowing you have extensive travel insurance with the  Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card, from arrival to departure.**

Plan your next destination with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

No matter where you travel this year, make sure you take advantage of all the amazing benefits you get with the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card. With this card, you earn points on your everyday purchases, which you can redeem for travel. Plus, the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is the everyday travel card with the most lounge passes in airports worldwide – with six lounge passes, you can take your whole family to the lounge (conditions apply).*

Enjoy the freedom of choice and skip those pesky foreign transaction fees when making purchases with your card while travelling. With the Scotiabank Passport® Visa* Infinite Card, you’ll be gaining more than just points; you’ll be making family memories.

Learn more about the incredible perks that come with the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card and start planning your dream vacation for 2026 now.

*Compared to consumer credit cards with annual fees between $120 –$300 publicly offered by Schedule I banks as of November 14, 2025.

**Under all insurance coverages or services, certain limitations, restrictions and exclusions apply, including a pre-existing condition exclusion for certain benefits. Please see the Certificates of Insurance for full coverage details. Coverages are underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and its wholly owned subsidiary First North American Insurance Company. The Bank of Nova Scotia is not an insurer. All insurance claims must be forwarded to the insurance providers.