If you’ve got a Canadian cottage escape on your summer bucket list, you might want to budget a little more than anticipated. A new study from Casinos Analyzer Canada has compared the total cost of a two-night getaway across some of Canada’s best-known lake destinations and the findings suggest that a weekend at the lake costs a lot more in certain regions than others.
The analysis looked at factors like cottage rental costs, fuel, groceries prices, drinks, and the overall cost of firewood. Many Canadians associate Muskoko with the most luxurious (see: expensive) lake vacations, but it seems Atlantic Canada is now leading the way.
Nova Scotia
There are over six thousand lakes in Nova Scotia, covering about 5 percent of the total land area in the province. But while there are many lake destinations to choose from for a weekend getaway, Nova Scotia still ranks on average the most expensive at $1,347. The biggest reason, according to the analysis, is accommodation costs with median cottage rentals reaching over $1000 for two nights. It also has some of the country’s highest beer and wine prices.
Muskoka, Ontario
Muskoka has a reputation for being the premier cottage destination in Ontario and while it’s not the most expensive, it’s a close second with an average cost of $1,308. Cottage rentals sit at around $974 which is the second-most expensive among the regions in the analysis.
Okanagan, British Columbia
The Okanagan in British Columbia earns third spot on the list with cottage rentals at around $838 and a total cost of around $1,259. Although accommodations are on the lower end, the destination has the highest fuel expense of any destination, averaging around $139 for a round trip from Vancouver.
Kawartha Lakes, Ontario
The average cost of a lake weekend in Kawartha Lakes comes out to around $1,235 with cottage rentals averaging about $910. It’s a relatively short drive from Toronto which keeps the fuel costs down for those commuting from the city.
Laurentians, Quebec
The Laurentians in Quebec take fifth spot on the list with an average weekend cost of $1,192. Cottage rentals come in around $872 while cheaper groceries and alcohol prices bring the total cost down a bit more than its higher priced neighbours to the east and west.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
