Many Canadians are rethinking their vacation plans due to rising costs, economic uncertainty, and global instability. With all those factors, the idea of an international trip can feel less appealing than ever. The good news is…there are amazing Canadian Staycation options right here in Ontario! The major cities and small towns are worth visiting if you haven’t already, but for a relaxing vacation, Ontario’s cottage country offers everything you need without the stress or expense of traveling outside the country.
If you’re looking for the perfect Canadian Staycation in 2025, here are the top 7 reasons why booking a cottage rental in Ontario is the best choice.
1. Great Value Compared to an International Trip
Traveling outside Ontario can be expensive, which is only made worse with the current value of the Canadian dollar. Even flights to other provinces can be quite costly, then add in hotels, meals, gas prices and car rental costs, and it adds up quickly, particularly for larger families.
A Canadian staycation allows you to avoid costly exchange rates, and expensive flights and hotels, and get more value for your money. The rental rate for an Ontario cottage rental stays the same regardless of the number of guests, with the exception of a few with bunkies that are optional, so it can be quite cost-effective to split the cost between multiple families.
CottageLINK Rental Management has cottages to suit every budget, from budget-friendly cottage rentals up to luxury cottage rentals. If you can’t spare a full week of vacation during the summer, many of our cottage rentals offer summer short-stays too!
No Need for Travel Insurance or Medical Coverage on a Canadian Staycation
Most often when you travel out of the country, you need to purchase travel insurance to cover any potential medical expenses during your vacation. A Canadian staycation eliminates that concern. While we do offer cancellation insurance that protects your booking if you’re interested in purchasing it, unlike international trips, if any medical issues arise at the cottage, you’ll be covered under your provincial health plan, saving you the extra cost and worry about the potential for a declined claim.
2. No Airport Hassles
Flying has become increasingly stressful over the years, with long security lines and frequently delayed flights, not to mention the possibility of lost luggage. By choosing to stay in Ontario and head to your Canadian staycation cottage by car, there’s no airport chaos to worry about. Instead, you drive directly to your destination at your own pace, settle in quickly, and head to the dock or the hot tub with your choice of beverage and start soaking in that peaceful feeling of being on vacation in such beautiful surroundings.
3. Supporting Local Communities On Your Canadian Staycation
The main economic activity throughout most of Ontario’s cottage country relies on tourism. Your stay at a rental cottage in Ontario directly supports numerous small businesses, restaurants, and attractions. Instead of spending your travel dollars in another country, your money will stay in Canada, helping our local economy, especially the people and communities who rely on tourism.
4. Exclusive Use & Privacy
Unlike staying at hotels or resorts, where you share public spaces with strangers, most Ontario cottage rentals offer you complete privacy and the exclusive use of the property. Whether you’re enjoying a lakeside campfire, diving off the dock into clear, clean lake water, cooking meals together in a gourmet kitchen, or simply unwinding in a cozy living room streaming your favourite movie, you will have the space all to yourselves.
Fancy having your own private tennis court to use during your stay? That’s also possible to accommodate!
If a hot tub or sauna is a must-have amenity, there’s many cottage rentals available with those too, and you can enjoy having it all to yourselves! Are you more of a pool person? Why not choose a private waterfront cottage with its own private pool?
5. Gather With the Whole Family
One of the best parts of a cottage getaway is the ability to bring the whole family—or even a group of friends—together in one place. All of our Ontario cottage rentals offer fully equipped kitchens, (maybe even better than you have at home!) and cozy living rooms, and most have multiple bedrooms, your own private fire pit, waterfront and plenty of outdoor space for activities.
Whether you’re planning a multi-generational family reunion or a fun getaway with friends, a cottage provides a shared experience that creates lasting memories. If your group is on the larger end, CottageLINK Rental Management can help you with that too, with one of our large group cottage rentals!
Pets are Welcome Too!
Flights are stressful for most pets, and a busy international trip is not the best setting to bring a pet, so most people opt to leave them at home with a pet-sitter or in a kennel.
By contrast, an Ontario cottage vacation is the ideal setting for many pets, particularly dogs that enjoy swimming. The more relaxed pace of the vacation means you’ll have time to devote to their enjoyment too, so why not bring them along? Many of our cottage owners are happy to host your pet too! Book one of our many pet-friendly cottage rentals and bring your pets at no additional charge.
6. Discover Ontario’s Stunning Natural Beauty
Ontario stacks up as one of most breathtaking travel destinations in the world. Discover what other people travel so far to enjoy right in your own backyard. Once you’ve left the bustling cities of Southern Ontario behind, you will quickly be enveloped in the forests and Canadian Shield rock formations even on the highways. Travel further off the beaten trail and experience the tranquil beauty of hundreds of thousands of lakes. Many of these lakes are small and untouched by development; others are closely ringed with cottages and vacation homes.
An added bonus might be that your timing could coincide with an Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) viewing! This light display most commonly occurs in high-latitude regions, and the best viewing is in a dark sky, away from so many city lights, so cottage country areas tend to have a better chance of viewing them than at home. You may find this app to be helpful in tracking down the best times and places to view.
With such scenic surroundings, the options for outdoor activities are endless. The clean, clear lakes are great for swimming, boating, fishing, and canoeing, hiking trails are everywhere, and wildlife may be spotted too.
7. Birding and Wildlife Spotting
Wildlife sometimes encroaches into cities too, usually not in a good way. Experiencing Ontario’s cottage country can allow you to view the wildlife in a more natural setting, without worrying about deer eating your garden vegetables, or a raccoon setting up nesting space in your attic!
Potential wildlife to watch for are deer, black bears, rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks, foxes, wolves, elk and occasionally even a moose! You might spot otters, mink and beavers in the water or see the resulting dams. Of course, birds and geese are quite prevalent, as are ducks and waterfowl, and the common loon is quite commonly seen and heard too!
Sometimes, the best vacations are the simplest ones, and those tend to be the most relaxing. Being immersed in cottage country gives you a taste of a slower way of life. It allows you to choose whether to truly unplug, relax, and simply enjoy the peace and quiet, or to pack your days full of activities. Whether you’re watching the sunset over the lake at your own private waterfront cottage rental, roasting marshmallows and s’mores on the fire, or going for a quiet morning paddle in a kayak or canoe, the experience can be just as rewarding—if not more—than traveling abroad.
For additional help on choosing your ideal waterfront cottage rental, reach out to our team and start planning your 2025 Canadian staycation today. Discover why staying close to home might just be the best vacation decision you’ll make!
