Great news for Canadian travelers dreaming of trading snow boots for sandals: WestJet has announced a new nonstop service between Winnipeg Richardson International Airport and Belize’s Philip Goldson International Airport, launching December 14, 2026, just in time for the winter travel season.
The new route, announced by the Belize Tourism Board, will operate once weekly and joins WestJet’s existing nonstop flights from Toronto and Calgary. For travelers in Manitoba and across the Canadian Prairies, it means something simple and wonderful: Belize is now just one direct flight away.
What the New Route Means for Canadian Travelers
Until now, travelers from Winnipeg heading to Belize typically faced connections through US hubs or other Canadian cities, adding hours and hassle to the journey. Beginning December 14, 2026, that changes. One flight, no connections, and you step off the plane into the warmth of the Caribbean.
The weekly schedule is built for exactly the kind of trip Canadians love in winter: a one-week or two-week escape from the deepest cold of the Prairie winter into sunshine, jungle, and river country. And because the route complements the Toronto and Calgary services, Canadians across the country now have more access to Belize than ever before.
Belize’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Anthony Mahler, called the new service an important step in strengthening air connectivity between Canada and Belize, noting that Canada is one of Belize’s most important international markets. WestJet, for its part, says the route responds to growing demand for what it calls the destinations that matter most, and Belize clearly ranks among them.
Why Belize Is Perfect for Canadian Winters
While Winnipeg shivers through December and January, Belize enjoys its finest weather of the year. The dry season, running from late November through April, brings warm sunny days, gentle breezes, and cool comfortable evenings. It is the ideal climate for exploring ancient Maya sites, swimming in jungle rivers, caving, snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef, and simply thawing out.
Belize is also famously easy for Canadians: English is the official language, the people are warm and welcoming, and the country packs an astonishing variety of experiences, reef, rainforest, rivers, caves, and ancient cities, into a destination smaller than Vancouver Island.
From the Airport to the Jungle: Your Next Stop Is Cayo
When your WestJet flight lands at Philip Goldson International Airport, the adventure is just beginning. A scenic two-hour drive west brings you to the Cayo District, the adventure capital of Belize, where the rainforest meets the rivers and some of the country’s greatest experiences await.
This is the land of Xunantunich and Caracol, of the world-famous ATM Cave, of Mountain Pine Ridge waterfalls and the clear green waters of the Mopan River. For travelers seeking the authentic, nature-based experiences that Canadians consistently rank at the top of their travel wish lists, Cayo delivers like nowhere else.
Make Villa Massis Your Belize Home Base
On the banks of the Mopan River in Bullet Tree Falls, just outside San Ignacio, Villa Massis is the perfect base for your Belize winter escape. One hundred percent Belizean owned and operated, the resort offers spacious private villas and rooms, warm authentic hospitality, and riverside dining at the Villa Massis Waterfront Restaurant and Bar.
Days at Villa Massis are for adventure: river tubing, cooking classes, rum tastings, and guided trips to Xunantunich, Caracol, and the ATM Cave arranged through Belize Hub Tours. Evenings are for cold drinks and good food beside the river as the sun sets over the jungle. It is everything a Canadian winter is not, and everything a winter escape should be.
Airport transfers can be arranged, making the journey from your WestJet flight to your riverside villa completely seamless.
Book Early: The First Winter Will Fill Fast
New routes create new demand, and with the Winnipeg service launching in mid-December, right at the start of Belize’s peak season, both flights and accommodations for winter 2026/2027 are expected to book quickly. Travelers who secure their seats and their villas early will get the best availability and the best rates.
Manitoba, your direct gateway to Belize opens December 14. The river, the jungle, and a warm Belizean welcome are waiting on the other side.
👉 Book directly with Villa Massis for the best rates and exclusive adventure experiences.
📧 info@villamassis.com
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