The Top 10 Winter Destinations, According To Insurance Experts

The travel forecast for this winter is in, and it looks like American travelers are rewriting their vacation plans.

For years, the standard operating procedure for a winter getaway was simple: Find the nearest patch of sand, order a drink with a tiny umbrella, and post a photo of yourself getting sunburned. But according to a new survey by travel insurance company Allianz Partners USA, that dynamic is shifting.

While 84 percent of Americans are confident they’ll travel this holiday season, the way they are traveling is changing.

Thoughtful splurging is “in,” according to Allianz, which analyzed tens of thousands of itineraries. Nearly half of travelers (44 percent) plan to spend between $1,000 and $5,000 on their trips, prioritizing quality time and comfort over cheap deals.

The result? A top 10 list for the upcoming 2026 season that includes the usual suspects—and one massive, chilly surprise sitting in the number two spot.

Here is where everyone is heading this winter:

1. Cancún, Mexico

(No change)

Cancún is the undisputed heavyweight champion of American international travel. It has held the number one spot on this list for seven consecutive years, according to Allianz.

It’s easy to dismiss this as purely a convenience play for East Coasters, but there is more happening on the Yucatán Peninsula than just proximity. The destination has evolved. The “all-inclusive” model, once sneered at by serious travelers, has gone upscale.

“The lure of the ‘all-inclusive’ experience has led to more resorts taking the all-inclusive plunge,” says Daniel Durazo, a spokesman for Allianz Partners USA. He notes it’s a major draw for Americans who want a fixed price and the “ability to leave their wallets in their room.”

But the real game-changer for 2026 is infrastructure. The ambitious Tren Maya (Maya Train) is now connecting Cancún to the broader region, making it easier to escape the hotel zone.

“The Maya Train is a great way to see the region in a comfortable and fun setting,” Durazo adds. With routes now operational, you can technically breakfast in a mega-resort and spend the afternoon at the ruins of Tulum without navigating a rental car.

2. London

(Up 1 spot)

This is the surprise. London has overtaken the sunny shores of San José del Cabo to claim the silver medal.

Typically, winter is beach season, so eeing a gray, drizzly European capital this high on the list signals a significant shift in priorities. Americans are trading climate for cultural capital.

“We saw American interest in traveling to Europe skyrocket once the pandemic ended,” says Durazo. While the post-COVID “revenge travel” surge has leveled off, Europe remains a bucket list heavyweight.

London is currently riding a wave of cultural momentum. The city is entering 2026 with a stacked calendar of major art exhibitions, including highly anticipated shows at the National Gallery and Tate Britain that run through early spring.

Durazo also points to a specific logistical trend helping London’s numbers.

“The growth of river cruising, which allows visitors to experience several cities while enjoying great comfort and cuisine, has also fueled Americans’ appetite for Europe,” he notes. Those cruises often begin with a stop in London.

3. San José del Cabo, Mexico

(Down 1 spot)

Cabo didn’t crash; it just got nudged by the British invasion. After holding the runner-up spot for several years, it has slipped to third.

Geography plays a role here. “Cabo is undoubtedly competing with Caribbean resort destinations that are closer to the East Coast,” Durazo explains, noting it remains most attractive to travelers in the western and central U.S..

However, Cabo is also leaning hard into ultra-luxury, which might be pricing out the casual “thoughtful splurger.” The destination is in the middle of a hotel boom, with high-end properties like the Park Hyatt and a St. Regis expected to open their doors by 2026. It maintains arguably the sunniest weather in Mexico, but for 2026, it seems Americans are slightly more willing to wear a raincoat in London than pay a premium for Pacific sun.

4. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

(No change)

Puerto Vallarta is the steady hand on the wheel, holding its number four ranking for two years running.

Unlike the purpose-built resort bubbles of Cancún or Cabo, Puerto Vallarta offers a dual experience.

“Puerto Vallarta is both a resort town and an authentic Mexican city,” says Durazo.

The city’s famous Malecon Boardwalk—a mile-long oceanfront promenade featuring art, food, and music—anchors the destination. It allows travelers to feel like they are visiting a real country, not just a hotel lobby.

“The boardwalk and other attractions in Puerto Vallarta make the city a unique stop for Americans looking for more than just the beach,” Durazo notes.

5. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

(No change)

Anchored firmly at number five, Punta Cana is the Caribbean’s answer to Cancún. It is the reliable, cost-effective sun destination for the East Coast.

Durazo credits the Dominican Republic’s focused development strategy for attracting visitors. It has built an empire of resorts that “cater to Americans and Canadians with fun activities, great food, amazing beaches and friendly staff.”

For travelers who have “been there, done that” with Mexico, Punta Cana offers a pivot. “Punta Cana feels just different enough while maintaining a comfortable, laid-back vibe,” says Durazo.

6. Paris

(Re-entered the list)

After dropping off the top 10 entirely last year, Paris has vaulted back to number six.

You can thank the Olympic Effect. The 2024 Summer Games served as a massive infomercial for the City of Light, and the residual glow is real.

“The Olympics provided a great showcase for a city that has long been a bucket list destination for Americans,” says Durazo.

There’s also a spiritual draw for 2026. The restoration and reopening of Notre Dame, following the devastating 2019 fire, is a huge draw. The cathedral reopened its doors to the world in late 2025, just in time for the holiday rush.

“Both the Olympics and the restoration of Notre Dame may have provided Americans with the nudge needed to get them to visit,” Durazo says.

7. Liberia, Costa Rica

(Up 2 spots)

Here is the most interesting climber on the list. Liberia, the gateway to Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province, jumped two spots to number seven—its highest ranking since 2019.

This suggests a shift in traveler values. While Cancún is about relaxation, Costa Rica is about responsibility.

“Eco tourism and the desire to travel responsibly have led younger, more environmentally aware tourists to seek out destinations where they can focus on minimizing the impact of travel,” explains Durazo.

He points to the rise of “voluntourism,” noting that his own son recently visited a wildlife refuge in the region to care for rescued toucans and sloths. “He in effect was paying to work, but found the experience unique and fulfilling,” Durazo says.

8. Nassau, Bahamas

(Down 2 spots)

Nassau fell two spots this year. The perception of value is likely the culprit.

“The Bahamas are a great and convenient location for resort lovers, but they are considered by some to be an expensive destination,” says Durazo.

In an era of “thoughtful splurging,” travelers are scrutinizing what they get for their dollar. While Nassau has incredible high-end options like Baha Mar (which is expanding for 2026), the “exclusive, luxury resorts” image can be a double-edged sword when travelers are tightening their belts.

9. Montego Bay, Jamaica

(Down 2 spots)

Montego Bay also slid two spots. The Caribbean is clearly losing a little ground to the transatlantic urban allure of London and Paris.

But there is also the weather factor. Recent hurricanes have reminded travelers that island life comes with risks.

“The hurricane may also have spotlighted the danger that severe storms pose to island destinations,” says Durazo.

This has driven a spike in pragmatism. Americans are still booking, but they are “looking for ways to mitigate that risk, such as by purchasing travel insurance.” That’s especially true for late 2026 trips, which are prone to disruptions by tropical storms and hurricanes.

10. Oranjestad, Aruba

(Down 2 spots)

Rounding out the list is Aruba, down two spots from last year.

Aruba has a loyal following, but it fights a battle against physics: It is simply a longer flight from the U.S. than Cancún or Nassau.

“It may have nudged its way down travelers’ wish lists due to longer travel times from the U.S. East Coast,” Durazo says.

There is also a persistent myth that Aruba is prohibitively expensive. “In fact, Aruba is generally moderately priced,” argues Durazo, but in a year where London is stealing market share, perception is reality.

Where to go during the winter of 2026

If you look closely at these rankings, you’ll see a story unfolding that goes beyond geography.

Americans aren’t just looking for heat this winter. If they were, London and Paris wouldn’t be hammering traditional beach heavyweights. They’re looking for value—whether that comes in the form of a hassle-free all-inclusive in Cancún, a voluntourism stint in Costa Rica, or a cultural pilgrimage to a restored cathedral in France.

In other words, maybe the era of the mindless vacation is taking a winter break.