Canadian Snowbirds in Asia: 3 Destinations to Embrace a Different Kind of Winter

This winter, forget about the predictable winter destinations in the southern United States. Join the Canadian snowbirds who are heading out to Asia instead. Discover three Asian countries that will make you want to spend several months away from the cold.

In Thailand, it might be the easy days that flow between palm-lined beaches and spicy curries. Vietnam draws you in with rice fields, homestays, and the warmth of local life. Japan offers a completely different rhythm, where neon streets give way to quiet temples and morning walks in zen gardens. Each destination slows you down in its own way and adds new flavours to everyday life.

Asia isn’t out of reach either. With a bit of planning, it can fit into your budget. Lucie and Alain, a Canadian couple who have spent several winters there, share why these destinations left such an impression on them and how they could shape your next season away from the cold. 

Thailand: Warmth, Serenity And The Good Life

In Thailand, winter means blue skies, idyllic beaches, and a relaxed lifestyle that's hard to beat. From the mountains around Chiang Mai to the islands of the Andaman Sea, such as Koh Lanta, the country charms visitors with its climate, landscapes, and unbeatable cost of living. After spending two winters there, Lucie and Alain find that Thailand provides the ideal mix of relaxation and cultural exploration.

Yoga at sunrise, a dip in the sea, an afternoon outing, and a dinner of coconut curry. That is the rhythm of life many snowbirds settle into in Thailand. Even in Bangkok, despite the apparent chaos of the markets and traffic, you will feel surprisingly serene thanks to the kindness and respect of the locals.

Budget to Plan for Thailand:

• Food: restaurant meals from $3
• Accommodation: starting at $30 per night in the North and around $120 per night on the islands.

Snowbirds' Tip: 

Buy your SIM card at a 7-Eleven rather than at the airport, trystreet food to save money, and avoid the burning season if you want to travel in the north.

You may also like: Snowbirds in Thailand: How Lucie and Alain, 66, Are Reinventing Their Winters in Paradise

Vietnam: An Authentic Immersion

In Vietnam, get ready for a winter filled with adventure and discovery. Picture yourself walking through the terraced rice fields of the North, staying with locals in a small village, or spending a couple of nights on a boat in Ha Long Bay, surrounded by dramatic limestone peaks.

By choosing a local guide who speaks English (or French, as Lucie and Alain did), you'll simplify your life while enjoying more authentic experiences: shared meals with locals, visits to artisan villages where silk, incense, and conical hats are made, and discoveries off the beaten track.

Winter in northern Vietnam is mild, similar to spring in Canada. Bring a long-sleeved shirt and a light windbreaker for cooler evenings. And don't leave without trying Hanoi's egg coffee: surprising, creamy, and addictive.

Budget to Plan for Vietnam: 

• Food: meals for two around $20
• Accommodation: homestays at $12 per night and small hotels in big cities starting at $50.

Snowbirds’ Tip: 

Apply for your eVisa online a few weeks before departure and download the Grab app (equivalent to Uber) for getting around cities.

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Japan: Tradition And Modernity

In Japan, every season has its magic, but spring is particularly spectacular. Cherry blossoms transform streets, gardens, and temples into picture-perfect scenes. 

As Lucie and Alain discovered during a long stay, you can travel from ultramodern Tokyo to a traditional village in the Japanese Alps in just a few hours by train, experiencing the striking contrast between urban bustle and rural serenity.

As a snowbird, you will appreciate the country's impeccable cleanliness, total safety, and efficient transportation. Zen gardens, best visited early in the morning or late in the day to avoid the crowds arriving on tourist buses, offer moments of true contemplation.

When it comes to food, even though fresh fish is unmatched in Japan, there's way more than just sushi: okonomiyaki, ramen, and Wagyu beef. Enjoy a feast at every meal.

Budget to Plan for Japan:

• Accommodation: hotels between $150 and $225 per night
• Food: street food for around $10 
• Transportation: subway tickets starting at $1.50

Snowbirds' Tip:

Download Google Translate and Google Maps, buy a transportation card (Suica or Icoca), and if you plan on taking several train trips, look into the Japan Rail Pass.

You may also like: Canadian Snowbirds: Make Your Retirement Bloom in Japan This Spring

Step Into the Heart of Each Destination

To really get a feel for Asia, it helps to stay a little longer in one place. That way, you can soak up the atmosphere and get to know the people around you. 

Think of sharing meals in a family home in Vietnam, sleeping in a ryokan and unwinding in an onsen in Japan, or joining a cooking class in Thailand to learn the secrets behind its flavours.

Before you set off to explore Asia, think about your travel insurance. Get a quick quote with soNomad and you'll be ready for a winter unlike any other.