An Air Canada Vacations survey of 1.3 million votes names Riviera Maya, Phuket and Cinque Terre as top destinations for Canadians in 2026.
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Canadians’ most desired travel picks for 2026 range from Caribbean beaches and European bucket-list spots to Asian wellness getaways, according to the second annual Travellers’ Top Picks Awards from Air Canada Vacations.
The company said 1.3 million votes were cast across 10 categories, with the beach vacation top choice going to Mexico’s Riviera Maya. The award highlights a Caribbean coastline known for snorkeling in Puerto Morelos National Reef Park and access to ancient Maya sites, including Coba and Chichén Itzá.
Phuket, Thailand was selected as the top wellness destination for 2026. Air Canada Vacations attributed its appeal to a mix of palm-lined beaches, jungle landscapes and a variety of resorts offering services such as yoga and meditation, as well as spa treatments.
For the bucket list category, Canadians chose Cinque Terre in Italy, described as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Italian Riviera. The region is noted for its colourful villages, dramatic coastal scenery, local culture and widely photographed landscapes.
In the foodie category, the top destination was Santiago, Chile. The city’s culinary appeal was described as spanning street-side options such as empanadas, Japanese-Chilean Nikkei dishes and traditional stews like Cazuela, with the awards noting that visitors there can combine skiing, hiking and wine-tasting in a single day.
Other category winners named by Air Canada Vacations include Nassau, Bahamas for family breaks; Funchal, Portugal for hidden gems; Paris, France for romance; New York City, U.S., for city breaks; Prague, Czech Republic for arts and culture; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for adventure travel.
The awards also reflect a shift in categories over time: Air Canada Vacations said Bali, Indonesia was the wellness top pick in 2025, while Santorini, Greece previously held the top wellness or beach-adjacent spot referenced in the summary for that prior year. This year’s results frame what Canadians may prioritize for 2026, from sunshine-focused trips to more itinerary-driven destinations.
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