Port St Lucie for Canadian Snowbirds

Welcome, Canada: Your Winter Home in Port St Lucie

Whatever you’ve been reading in the headlines lately, here’s something that hasn’t changed: Canadians get a genuinely warm welcome from us in Port St Lucie. Snowbirds from Ontario, Quebec and right across Canada have been wintering on Florida’s Treasure Coast for decades. Many of our neighbours, restaurant owners and golf partners count them as friends. Leave the politics to the politicians and come and enjoy the sunshine.

Why Canadians love Port St Lucie in winter

The weather. While it’s -15°C at home, Port St Lucie typically sees daytime highs in the low to mid 20s°C (mid-70s°F) through January and February. Every one of our homes has a private heated pool, so swimming is on the menu all winter.

Space without the crowds. Port St Lucie is a big city, but it feels relaxed and residential especially on East Port St Lucie. You get the quiet Treasure Coast pace without the traffic and prices of Miami or Fort Lauderdale, which are still within easy reach for a day out. Of course we cannot ignore our Disney and Boca Raton homes, where equally warm welcomes are assured.

Unspoilt beaches. Jensen Beach, Hutchinson Island and Fort Pierce are all a short drive away, with free parking, wide sandy beaches and some of the best sunrises in Florida. See our beaches guide for our favourites.

Golf, all winter long. From PGA Village to The Saints at Port St Lucie, there are courses for every handicap and budget. Our golf guide has the details.

Baseball and hockey. The New York Mets hold spring training right here at Clover Park every February and March. Read our spring training fan’s guide. Blue Jays fans can make a road trip across to their spring home in Dunedin. For hockey, the Florida Panthers play about an hour and a half south.

Getting here

Flying. Seasonal nonstop flights run from Toronto (Air Canada and Porter) and Montreal (Air Canada) to the West Palm Beach airport, about 50 minutes’ drive south of Port St Lucie. Orlando and Fort Lauderdale airports have many more flights from across Canada and are each roughly a two-hour drive.

Driving. Plenty of snowbirds bring their own car so they have it for the whole season. From Toronto it’s roughly 2,200 km, usually done in two long days or three comfortable ones, mostly on I-75 or I-95.

Before you go: paperwork for longer stays

A few things are worth sorting out before you leave, especially if you’re staying for a month or more:

• Staying 30 days or longer: The US now requires visitors staying 30 days or more to be registered with Homeland Security. If you were issued an I-94 record when you entered, you’re already registered. You can check on the CBP I-94 website. If you don’t have one, which is more common when crossing by land, you can register online with USCIS. Canadians don’t need to give fingerprints.
• Length of stay: Canadians can usually visit for up to six months. If you spend a lot of time in the US each year, look into the IRS “substantial presence” test and Form 8840.
• Health cover: Check your province’s rules for time spent out of the country, and buy travel medical insurance. US healthcare costs can be very high.
• Money: Prices are in US dollars. A credit card with no foreign transaction fees will save you money all winter.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules can change, so check the official sources above and travel.gc.ca before you travel.

Settling in for the season

Many of our winter guests stay for one to three months, and some come back every year. That’s why winter at our homes is normally booked by the full calendar month: you get a real home base for the season, not a hotel room. Every home has a full kitchen, washer and dryer, Wi-Fi, linens and towels, and its own heated pool or spa.

Once you’re settled, there’s plenty to fill your days:

• Morning walks through the Port St Lucie Botanical Gardens
• A calm paddle at Savannas Preserve State Park
• Riverside dining and live music in The Port District
• Day trips to Kennedy Space Center, Palm Beach or the Everglades

Our Snowbird Guide has more ideas for making the most of a long winter stay.

Book direct and save

We’re a small, family-run business, and we look after our homes ourselves. When you book direct, you deal with us, not a call centre, and you avoid the platform fees. Have a look at our homes, check availability for your dates, or call us on (772) 218-2213 and we’ll help you find the right place for your winter.

Welcome, Canada. We’ll leave the pool heater on for you.