Where’s sunny in February? The (affordable) places to go for a dose of vitamin D
From Marrakech to Rio, these five destinations deliver winter sun just when you need it most
01/01/2024
With Christmas done and dusted, and summer a distant dream, spring’s sunshine can seem a long time coming. So there’s no better time to book a sunny getaway, swapping grey skies and drizzle for the warmth of sunshine on your skin. We’ve rounded up five standout destinations for winter sun, whether you’re dreaming of Tulum’s white sands and lime-spiked tacos, or tapping into Rio’s seductive samba beat, caipirinha in hand. Ho Chi Minh City’s a wild-card contender for a tropical change of scene, while Marrakech and Lanzarote are closer to home, but still bask in balmy weather. The really good news? You don’t need a sky-high budget for any of these trips. Read on for our insider tips – and start looking for your sunglasses…
Mayan ruins by a Tulum beach
Tulum, Mexico
Why? It’s 24-27°C on Mexico’s Caribbean coastline, with clear skies and little rain.
What to see Tulum may draw the cool crowd, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Rent a bike to get around and, instead of beach clubs, think cenotes – limestone swimming holes and caves, like the jungly Cristal or tranquil Zacil-Ha. Tulum’s clifftop Mayan ruins are also film-set epic, perched above the white sands of Playa Ruinas.
Check in Every detail’s dreamy at Kimpton Aluna Resort, from its sun-dappled pools (one on the roof) to its white-walled, serene rooms and suites. Stylish though it is, it’s also strong on thoughtful extras, from complimentary hosted drinks to bikes and beach bags to borrow.
Unmissable eats Even Noma’s René Redzepi rates Taquería Honorio, a no-frills eatery with four terrific tacos on the menu. Which is the best? The cochinita pibil, piled with slow-roasted pork, gets our vote. (Note it’s only open in the morning, closing at around 2pm.)
Where to drink Watch the sun set over the jungle from the rooftop Ciel Rose, or head to Mulberry Project for crafted cocktails by the beach.
Don’t miss… Breakfast at the Papaya Playa Project. It’s the quietest time to take in the views, while the breakfast menu runs from feelgood chia bowls to habanero-laced eggs Benedict.
Timanfaya National Park; Alava Suite, Lanzarote
Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Why? Off Africa’s northwest coast, Lanzarote brings the sunshine, with average highs of 21°C.
What to see Head to the volcanic Timanfaya National Park for epic, otherworldly landscapes, where Nasa astronauts trained for missions to Mars. Designed by visionary architect César Manrique, the Jardín de Cactus is another island icon, with thousands of sculptural cacti set against the dark volcanic soil.
Check in Soak in the south-coast sunshine at Hotel LIVVO Volcán Lanzarote: a cluster of whitewashed buildings edged with lagoon-like pools, set between Playa Blanca and the Papagayo nature reserve. On the east coast, Alava Suites makes for a chic retreat, with six exquisitely styled suites and a circular, turquoise pool.
Unmissable eats SeBE sets the highest of bars, with its beautifully pared-back dining room and focus on local ingredients, whether it’s carabineros (scarlet shrimp) or heritage potatoes. Its rice dishes are a revelation, not least the Atlantic paella.
Where to drink In Arrecife, drop by Niño Salvaje (‘wild child’) for standout tapas and cocktails – try a guava-spiked Rosalía, and keep the truffled scallops coming.
Don’t miss… The island’s mineral-rich soils and unique terroir result in some exceptional wines, from elegant, citrussy Malvasía to smoky Listan Negro. Sample them at La SEDe, an impressively well-stocked vinoteca.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Why? February’s balmy in southern Vietnam, with low humidity and highs of 34°C.
What to see Old and new collide in the city once known as Saigon, with its colonial relics, street-food stalls and buzzy art scene. Get your bearings with XO Tours’ scooter-riding, all-female team, then explore its myriad sights. Our picks? The gilded, incense-wreathed Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas and the unflinching War Remnants Museum.
Check in The Hammock Hotel Fine Arts Museum punches well above its weight, with its District One location and artfully understated rooms. In the mood for old-fashioned opulence? Head for Mai House Saigon and its palm-fringed fifth-floor pool.
Unmissable eats There’s always a queue when Bánh Mì 37 opens at around 4:30pm, thanks to its superlative bánh mì, stuffed with juicy, charcoal-grilled pork patties. For dinner, Nén Light’s tasting menus show off Vietnamese produce, from slipper lobster to sweet-and-sour ambarella fruit.
Where to drink Drop by laidback Birdy for craft beers and lychee martinis, or sample Summer Experiment’s boundary-pushing cocktails, starting with a nitro-frozen Milk Batch Baby.
Don’t miss… Send a postcard from the soaring Central Post Office (a Wes Anderson set waiting to happen), then stroll to Maison Marou to stock up on artisan chocolate.
Le Jardin Majorelle; Mandala Society, Marrakech
Marrakech, Morocco
Why? There are daytime highs of 21°C – just right for exploring the city.
What to see If it’s your first time in the Red City, take a whirlwind tour of its icons, from the blue-backdropped Jardin Majorelle to the famed Djemaa El-Fna. If you’ve met its fakirs and fortune-tellers before, discover a new side of the city – such as Sidi Ghanem’s design scene, stopping for a coffee at hip Marrakech Fine Food.
Check in In the medina’s old Jewish quarter, Dar One is impeccably stylish. Five rooms feature hand-woven rugs and polished tadelakt walls, while the Sirocco suite has a private terrace, complete with curtained daybed.
Unmissable eats The city’s food scene is reason enough to come, running from informal cafés such as Mandala Society to destination restaurants (don’t miss Plus61). Lunch on the rooftop at L’mida is another must: feast on tiny cheese briouates and slow-cooked méchoui lamb.
Where to drink The cocktails at Le Baromètre Marrakesh are next-level creative, from the presentation to the ingredients: smoked date seeds, say, or a hit of rose-infused vodka.
Don’t miss… Upscale concept store Moro, with its cool own-label beauty brand and lovely courtyard café: order a bergamot lemonade and snack on vibrant small plates.
Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro (also opening image)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Why? Temperatures hover around 30°C, and prices plummet once Carnival’s all wrapped up.
What to see It goes without saying you’ll be hitting the beach: for sunset views and strong caipirinhas, claim a spot at Alalaô Kiosk. Beyond the beach, hilly Santa Teresa is the city’s most charming, bohemian quarter. Don’t miss the Museu da Chácara do Céu, in an art collector’s Modernist mansion, with works by Candido Portinari and lush, landscaped gardens.
Check in Set in a former coffee finca, the Santa Teresa Hotel RJ M Gallery has calm, art-dotted rooms and a chic pool, with views of Guanabara Bay.
Unmissable eats For the greatest picanha steak you’ll ever taste, head for Majórica Churrascaria; for octopus rice and ice-cold beers, the thronged Boteo Rainha. Two -Michelin-starred Oteque rules the fine-dining scene, while Restaurant Lasai is the place for sublime farm-to-table tasting menus.
Where to drink Sip a caipirinha at Santa Teresa’s Bar do Mineiro – also famed for its feijoada stew. For polished cocktails, hit Nosso, whose namesake Smash combines double-aged whiskey with mint, sugar syrup and lemon.
Don’t miss… Strolling around Ipanema, an ice-cream in hand: join the queue at Mil Frutas for a scoop of mascarpone and green fig.
