Five of the best winter sun destinations

for 2018
 Rincón de
Guayabitos,
Mexico
A small town halfway up Mexico’s Pacific coast,
Guayabitos is a cheap, authentic and lively
destination that draws many domestic tourists
but relatively few foreign visitors. Mariachis and
indigenous Huichol musicians roam the sands,
offering to serenade sunbathers for a modest
fee, while passing vendors sell ceviche,
coconuts and tropical fruits. Others offer
exquisite skewers of freshly caught tuna, or
prawns grilled in a smoky marinade and doused
with hot sauce and lime juice – don’t leave
without trying them.
The best place to stay is Cabañas del Capitán,
a colourful beachside hotel with two pools, an
outdoor jacuzzi and immaculate palm-lined
gardens (doubles from £35 a night, family suites
from £50). Tour operators will take visitors to
explore nearby islands and see the whales up
close (only in winter months), but those who
just want to sit back and laze can crack open a
cold Pacífico lager and admire the pelicans
diving into the surf.
Fly to Puerto Vallarta with Tui from £758. Bus
transfer to Rincón de Guayabitos 1hr 45min
Flight time 12hr 15min
Time difference -6hrs
Hiriketiya Bay, Sri Lanka
Set enough of a distance off the main Matara
to Tangalle coastal road to be largely off-
radar, it has Crusoe-like palm-shaded strands
and gentle cobalt surf that promises year-
round swimming. It remained a secret for
years, except among in-the-know surfers (it’s
got a great left-point break) and the local
fishing community.
Over the past couple of years, hipsters, yogis,
surfers and families looking for a quieter and
more authentic alternative to the overblown
beaches of Unawatuna and Mirissa have
sought Hiri’s still-rustic charm, picture-
postcard setting and gentle surf, though this
hasn’t yet tipped the balance. Most
accommodation is set well back from the
beach, hidden beneath coconut palms, and is
affordable, ranging from basic dorm beds to
private villas with pools.
Keurboomstrand,
South Africa
Somewhere on the planet there
might be a more beautiful beach than
Keurboomstrand, 10km east
of Plettenberg Bay on the Western
Cape.
Plettenberg Bay is South Africa’s
answer to the Hamptons, and
Keurbooms is seemingly endless, wild
and pristine.
Fly to Port Elizabeth via Jo’burg
with South African Airways from
£644. Transfer to Plettenburg 2hr
45min
Flight time 11hr 10min
Time difference +2hr
Quy Nho’n,
Vietnam
Sitting between the busy coastal
hotspots of Nha Trang and Hoi An,
Quy Nho’n is a relatively unknown,
quiet beach town. The intense resort
development seen in the country’s
more popular seaside locations has
yet to reach this region, making for a
laidback atmosphere and the perfect
place for a relaxed getaway.
Despite its humble modern
appearance, for centuries the area
around Quy Nho’n was once the
centre of the Cham empire, which
ruled what is today southern Vietnam.
The most visible reminders of this
period are the Thap Doi towers, in a
small park in the city, which are well
worth a visit.
Fly to Ho Chi Minh from £460
with Vietnam Airlines. Transfer 12hr by
bus or 1hr 10min flight
Flight time 12hr
Time difference +7hr
 Rosario Islands, Cartagena, Colombia
Bendita Beach is the kind of powder-
white, paradise beach you usually only
see in adverts and dreams. It takes up
most of tiny, uninhabited Isla Arena,
with a few palm trees giving some
shade at the heart of the island.
It’s one of the 30 Rosario
Islands around 20 miles west
of Cartagena (a one-hour boat ride).
They’re a great choice for a peaceful
escape. Despite their beauty, they
attract far fewer tourists than closer
mainland beaches, such as Playa
Blanca, and islands closer to the city,
such as Tierra Bomba.
Fly to Cartagena via Bogota from £770
with Avianca
Flight time 14hr
Time difference -5hr