Migrating to the Caribbean for the Winter

 

Snowbird

A snowbird is a person, typically a retiree or senior from northern US states or Canada, who migrates to warmer southern climates during the winter months to avoid cold weather. 

As we have for the past four years, once Christmas and New Year's Day was in our rearview mirror, we packed our suitcases, said goodbye to the cold and snow, and made our way to the warm waters of the Caribbean. Each year we have spent the winter months in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. 

After a very busy Christmas Season we decided that we would start our time by allowing someone else to take care of us.  We spent the first three weeks cruising around the Caribbean and it turned out to be exactly what we needed.  While it wasn't without it's hiccups, it gave us a chance to truly rest, relax, and recuperate.

After that, we settled into two months in Punta Cana, in the same complex we'd stayed in the previous four years.  By now, it feels like an extension of home - it feels comfortable, and familiar. We know where everything is, the best spots on the beach, the places to go for groceries, and have our favorite pizza spot.

It doesn't take long to fall into our regular rhythm.  The days are simple - a long walk along the beach in the morning followed by some pool time later in the afternoon, and quiet evenings chatting with friends, walking to get some gelato, or playing games.  It's easy. It's relaxing.

One of the highlights is always having friends come and stay with us.  This year we had three different sets of friends visit.  It always end up being some of the most memorable parts of the winter.

But if I'm being honest, something felt different this year.

It seemed much busier - not just in the town, but within the complex itself.  There seemed to be more people than we've seen in the past few years.  The whole atmosphere felt much more energetic - louder - almost like a over-60s Spring Break. There were many more Canadians - many because they are no longer traveling to the United States.

Of course, we still enjoyed our winter this year, meeting new people and reconnecting with friends from years past. But it's a reminder that even in travel things don't stay the same. Life is fluid and we must be able to adapt with the small, and large changes that come our way.

We arrived back home in Canada four days ago.  While it's good to go away, it's always good to get back home and back into our regular routine. 

For more on becoming snowbirds in Punta Cana, I did a whole series last April on everything you need to know about spending the winter there.