The world’s 19 best places to visit for winter sun, from October to March

Average temperature: 25C/77F

Best time to visit: December 

December is early enough to avoid the sudden waves of people flocking to the Caribbean, but also late enough to steer clear of the backend of hurricane season. Whether you want to sizzle on Bavaro beach, party at Afro Fest or you’re simply chasing the vitamin D you can only get in the tropics this time of year, this is a chance to see the country for a little bit less than you’d usually have to pay, and get your fix of winter sun. A win-win!

Average temperature: 25C/77F

Best month to visit: October

Dry season in Namibia takes place between June and October, so it’s best to get there before things get rainy. But the cooler weather is the perfect time to see its sights, like the dunes of Sossusvlei and Etosha National Park (make sure to book onto a wildlife safari). 

Average temperature: 22C/72F

Best time to visit: October 

In winter, the Mediterranean seas are still warm enough to swim and you’ll only need an extra layer at night. But mostly, winter is the perfect time to make the most of the country’s outdoors, like the 7.5km Aphrodite Trail (easiest reached from Limassol), which is much, much better without the 40 degree heat. Plus prices are cheaper and the crowds are gone. What could be better?

Average temperature: 23C / 73F

Best month to visit: December

It ain’t just the beach hotspots in Mexico that make for the best winter sun getaways. The port city of Veracruz – known for its rich blend of indigenous and Afro-Cuban cultures – is both warm and boasts little rain (between 0.5 and 1.5 inches per month) throughout November, December, January and February.

Average temperature: 19C / 67F

Best month to visit: February

From October to March, it’s summer in Cape Town. Being Africa’s southernmost city, at this time of year the South African destination also has long, sunny days (with 10.22 hours of daylight, on average) and a notable lack of rain – in other words, it’s a top winter-sun spot.

Average temperature: 16C / 60F

Best month to visit: October

A little cooler than fellow Emirati winter sun spot Dubai, Abu Dhabi is remarkable for just how little rain it gets, getting just 0.3 inches per month. It is mostly desert, after all.

Average temperature: 18C / 64F 

Best month to visit: December

Offering similar levels of sunlight and warmth to Dubai, Thailand is a little cheaper. It’s often better to visit Bangkok in winter, when it’s manageably warm, rather than springtime and summertime (when it’s really, really hot).

Average temperature: 18C / 64F

Best month to visit: October

Sharm is known for having turquoise waters and cloud-free skies pretty much all-year round – it’s no wonder this place is such a stalwart for European holidaymakers. The Egyptian city also has the benefit of being reasonably close to mainland Europe, providing a swift escape from the continent’s chilly north.

Average temperature: 18C / 65F 

Best month to visit: October

Aside from being the biggest of the Canary Islands and having loads of fascinating volcanic landscapes and countless white sandy beaches, Gran Canaria is known for its winter warmth. There’s extra convenience here for Europeans, who can get here very easily and won’t need a visa to visit.

Average temperature: 11C / 52F

Best month to visit: November

Of course, it’s also possible to get some winter sun without leaving mainland Europe. Alicante, on Spain’s southern Mediterranean coast, is low on rain (1.02 inches per month) and high on sunshine (7.61 hours of daily daylight) throughout the season – plus, you’ll avoid most of the crowds that dominate the place during peak tourist periods.