From Snowbirds To Stakeholders: Why Canadians Are Buying Into Tropical Living

The classic snowbird story is getting a serious upgrade. As Canadian travellers look beyond traditional U.S. escapes, destinations like Barbados, Antigua, and Los Cabos are emerging as the new epicentres of second-home ownership—blending lifestyle, investment, and long-term value in one sun-soaked package. With demand rising and a new wave of branded luxury residences redefining what it means to own abroad, Canadians are shifting from seasonal visitors to global homeowners. We spoke with the experts behind some of the most sought-after developments to understand what’s driving this movement—and why now is the moment to make the leap. —Noa Nichol

The Experts

• Zadun, Ritz-Carlton Reserve Residences: Patrick Lenihan, President of Waypoint Resort Real Estate, leading sales for Zadun
• The Residences at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Antigua: Joseph Valentino, Vice President of Blueprint Global, leading sales for The Residences at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Antigua
• Pendry Residences Barbados: Adam Spiers, Residential Sales Manager, Pendry Barbados.
• The Residences at The St. Regis Papagayo: Michael Kalb, VP of Sales and Marketing

The Interviews

We’re seeing a clear shift away from traditional U.S. snowbird markets—what’s driving Canadian buyers to destinations like Barbados, Antigua, and Los Cabos right now?

Zadun; The growing uncertainty with US and Canada relations has many Canadian buyers seeking the new warm weather opportunities. Cabo represents one of the most stable locations in all of Mexico and caters to expats, making the move seamless.

Pendry Barbados; Canadian buyers are increasingly looking beyond traditional U.S. snowbird markets to Barbados, drawn by its rare combination of year-round lifestyle, safety, and a highly developed, stable environment. With direct connectivity from major Canadian cities, a renowned culinary scene, strong healthcare, and a welcoming international community, Barbados offers both ease and a deeper, more authentic Caribbean experience.

Nikki Beach Residences; Canadian buyers are moving beyond traditional U.S. snowbird markets due to a mix of geopolitical tension, currency pressure, and a growing desire for global mobility. Antigua offers both stronger lifestyle value and the added Citizen-By-Investment Program, which is increasingly seen as a smart long-term strategy.

How are your buyers redefining what a “second home” looks like—are they thinking more lifestyle-first rather than purely investment-driven?

St. Regis Papagayo; Today’s buyers are absolutely prioritizing lifestyle first, wellness, privacy, and year-round usability, while still expecting their home to perform as a long-term asset, rather than viewing it as a purely transactional investment.

Zadun; For Cabo buyers, lifestyle and experience come first with price as a secondary consideration. We’re seeing more ultra-high net worth individuals who are looking for second or third homes that prioritize wellness and ease.

Canadian travel to the Caribbean and Mexico is rising—how directly are you seeing that translate into real estate interest and purchases?

St. Regis Papagayo; We’re seeing a very direct correlation, with Canadian visitation to Costa Rica up 32% and increased airlift making access easier than ever, those initial visits are quickly turning into meaningful real estate inquiries and purchases.

Zadun; We have seen a surge in both information requests and discovery visits from Canadians in the last 12 months.

Nikki Beach Residences; We’re seeing a clear link between repeat travel and ownership, many Canadian buyers arrive already convinced on Antigua. The decision has shifted from “why here” to “which residence,” significantly shortening the buying cycle.

What makes branded residences—like The Residences at St. Regis Papagayo Resort or Pendry Residences Barbados—especially appealing to Canadian buyers right now?

St. Regis Papagayo; Branded residences offer a level of trust, service, and consistency that resonates strongly with Canadian buyers, combining the comforts of a private home with the elevated experience and global reputation of the St. Regis brand.

Pendry Barbados; At Pendry Residences Barbados, the appeal for Canadian buyers lies in its effortless, service-driven lifestyle and seamless ease of ownership. With a dedicated residential team managing every detail, it offers a true “lock-and-go” experience that removes the typical burdens of a second home. Just as importantly, the Pendry brand ensures consistent quality, elevated service, and long-term value.

What truly sets your property apart from others in the region—and what makes it a standout for Canadian buyers specifically?

Pendry Barbados; Pendry Residences Barbados stands out as a first-of-its-kind destination on the island’s Platinum West Coast, combining a five-star beachfront hotel, branded residences, and a full-service yacht club into one seamless lifestyle experience. For Canadian buyers, it offers unmatched ease of ownership and personalized service, from arrival to departure, that elevates the traditional Barbados experience. This blend of luxury, convenience, and global sophistication makes it a standout choice in the region.

Nikki Beach Residences;What sets this apart is that The Residences at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Antigua is truly experiential, it’s not just a brand, it’s a lifestyle residents actively live within. Combined with Antigua’s stability, underdevelopment, and strong legal framework, it creates a compelling and familiar environment for Canadian buyers.

How important are factors like rental potential and long-term value in the decision-making process for today’s Canadian investor?

St. Regis Papagayo; While lifestyle is leading the conversation, rental potential and long-term value remain key considerations, particularly in a market like Costa Rica where strong tourism fundamentals support both.

Pendry Barbados; For today’s Canadian buyers, rental potential and long-term value are key considerations, as many view their residence as both a lifestyle investment and a financial asset. Owning on one of the last prime west coast beachfronts, backed by a globally recognized five-star brand, provides strong potential for appreciation. With properties marketed, operated, and maintained to luxury hospitality standards, buyers can be confident their investment will retain and grow its value over time.

Nikki Beach Residences; For Canadian buyers, lifestyle leads and investment follows. The strength of a globally recognized rental program and Antigua’s limited supply make the long-term value story both credible and attractive.

Zadun; Top tier brands such as Ritz Reserve typically see a 30% premium in property values compared to non-braded.

With remote work and lifestyle migration on the rise, are you seeing buyers spend more time in these homes—or even transition toward semi-permanent living?

Pendry Barbados; Yes, we are seeing Canadian buyers increasingly embrace longer stays and more flexible living patterns. Many start with a few months per year in Barbados and gradually extend their time as remote work and lifestyle priorities allow. With its familiarity, accessibility, and seamless integration into daily life, Barbados makes an ideal setting for semi-permanent or phased living.

Nikki Beach Residences; Buyers are increasingly using these homes as second primary residences rather than occasional vacation properties. With improved infrastructure and remote work flexibility, extended or even semi-permanent Caribbean living is now entirely realistic.

St. Regis Papagayo; We’re absolutely seeing buyers extend their stays, with many transitioning toward semi-permanent living as remote work allows them to fully embrace the destination beyond the traditional winter season.

Zadun; Yes. This is a significant trend that began during COVID and continues.

For Canadians considering the leap, how do destinations like The Residences at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Antigua or Zadun Los Cabos, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve differentiate themselves in terms of experience and community?

Nikki Beach Residences; This is a community built around shared lifestyle from day one, not added later as an amenity. For Canadians, that’s paired with the ease and familiarity of English language, Common Law, and seamless access from major cities.

Zadun; The Ritz-Carlton Reserve makes second home living as easy as it can be. The property has brand prestige, a boutique luxury resort environment, high levels of service, turnkey ownership, and rental program potential making it a great investment and place to spend time.

What are some of the biggest misconceptions Canadians still have about buying property in the Caribbean or Mexico?

Pendry Barbados; One of the biggest misconceptions Canadians have is that buying property in Barbados is overly complicated, when in reality it’s straightforward if funds are properly registered, though transactions do take longer than in Canada due to local procedures.

Nikki Beach Residences; Many Canadians still underestimate how structured and familiar the buying process is, Antigua’s legal framework mirrors what they’re used to at home. Equally, managed rental programs remove the complexity of ownership, making it a far more hands-off investment than expected.

St. Regis Papagayo; A common misconception is that purchasing abroad is complex or risky, when in reality markets like Costa Rica are well-established, transparent, and highly accessible for international buyers.

Looking ahead, do you see this as a long-term shift in where Canadians invest and spend their winters—or a moment driven by current economic and geopolitical conditions?

Pendry Barbados; This is clearly a long-term shift – Barbados has been trusted by British and Canadian buyers for generations, and post-COVID lifestyle changes have only accelerated extended stays and new approaches to seasonal living. Combined with strong foreign investment across residential, hospitality, and lifestyle sectors, it’s evident that Canadians are making a sustained, strategic move in where they invest and spend their winters.

Nikki Beach Residences; This is both a long-term shift and a moment of acceleration. Canadians have been gradually diversifying beyond North America for years, and current economic and geopolitical factors are simply speeding that trend up.

St. Regis Papagayo; We’re seeing Canadian buyers continue to broaden where they live and invest, prioritizing lifestyle, accessibility, and diversification – with current conditions simply accelerating a shift that was already underway.