Destination-inspired movies that will transport you to the tropics
Looking for vacation inspiration but not sure where to go? Nothing gets the ideas flowing like a good movie. Why not add a tropical twist to your movie night and picture yourself cruising the streets of Havana or hunting treasure on the high seas? We rounded up some of our favourite destination-inspired movies that will get you dreaming about white-sand beaches and sunny skies.
Pirates of the Caribbean | The Bahamas
Set sail on the high seas alongside Captain Jack Sparrow and crew! The popular Pirates of the Caribbean series starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley was filmed in numerous breathtaking Caribbean destinations, including The Bahamas. Scenes from both Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006) and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007) were filmed in the Exumas and feature shots of the islands’ pristine white-sand shores, towering palm trees and turquoise waters.
Where to stream in Canada: Disney+
Cool Runnings | Jamaica
Dreaming of heading back to the pristine shores of Jamaica? While you might not be able to visit the island just yet, you can get a taste of the tropics by watching Cool Runnings (1993). The movie is loosely based on the story of the national Jamaican bobsled team that competed in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. While a lot of the film takes place in Calgary, it starts on the island of Jamaica, with filming taking place primarily outside of Runaway Bay and in Kingston.
Where to stream in Canada: Disney+
Swiss Family Robinson | Tobago
If you’ve ever dreamed of living on your own desert island, you’ll love Swiss Family Robinson (1960). This classic Disney movie was filmed on the exotic Caribbean island of Tobago, with the destination’s lush rainforest and breathtaking beaches making it the perfect location for the family’s island treehouse. Next time you head to the tropics, you can soak up the sun on Richmond Bay and Mount Irvine Bay or make the trek out to Craig Hall Waterfall – all of which were featured in the movie.
Where to stream in Canada: Disney+, Prime
Coco | Mexico
It might be an animated film, but Coco (2017) will still have you dreaming about Mexico! The movie was inspired by Mexico’s Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) and won a slew of awards including two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Coco follows a young boy named Miguel who visits the Land of the Dead and learns all about his family’s history and highlights Mexico’s lively and vibrant culture. You’ll be counting down the days until you can explore the colourful streets of popular Mexican cities like Cancun or Puerto Vallarta again!
Where to stream in Canada: Disney+
Jurassic Park | Costa Rica
The Jurassic Park series takes place on the fictional island of Isla Nublar off the coast of Costa Rica. Although the movies were primarily filmed in Hawaii, the story is set in the lush rainforests of this Central American destination. On your next visit to Costa Rica, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped right onto Isla Nublar as you hike through the area’s national parks. While you won’t spot any dinosaurs (or Chris Pratt) running through the park, you might catch a glimpse of sloths, monkeys and jaguars!
Where to stream in Canada: Netflix (Jurassic World), Prime (Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park III)
Fate of the Furious | Cuba
You probably don’t think of tropical destinations when it comes to the Fast and the Furious franchise – but the 2017 series instalment, Fate of the Furious, was actually one of the first major Hollywood studio films to be shot in Cuba. The movie kicks off with a classic car race in Havana, where the main character Dom races along the city streets. Keep an eye out for famous landmarks like Morro Castle, the National Capitol Building and the Malecon seaside promenade.
Where to stream in Canada: iTunes
James Bond | All over the Caribbean!
007 is no stranger to exotic destinations. While the James Bond movies will have your heart racing as the world-famous spy embarks on crazy missions, you’ll also be transported to some of the world’s most beautiful tropical locales. Casino Royale (2006) starring Daniel Craig filmed several scenes in Nassau with the iconic Atlantis resort complex in the background, while Sean Connery’s James Bond visited Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica in Dr No (1962).
Where to stream in Canada: Crave
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