12 budget destinations for winter sun that are worth visiting

As we plunge into the reality of cold days and long nights, the temptation winter sun takes over. Travel agency Hayes Travel notes that Canary Islands – a traditional winter sun destination for British heat seekers – remains popular, along with Cape Verde and Asiaand also Caribbean cruises.

At the time when overtourism becomes more obvious – as can be seen from Protests in the Canary Islands last weekend – and with the urge to hit destinations before everyone else doing so more attractive than ever, some interesting alternatives to major holiday destinations like the Canary Islands and Gulf States come into focus. Here’s where to think about finding some warmth before the crowds descend…

Sri Lanka is back on the map

According to the company, demand for holidays in Sri Lanka is increasing sharply this winter. Fearless Journeyas the island recovers from the economic crisis and welcomes a new left-wing president. This spring, the Foreign Office finally rescinded its “outdated” advice against travel to Sri Lanka.

“Sri Lanka is among the top five countries for bookings this month (October), up from 19th last year,” says Intrepid UK director Hazel McGuire.

Earlier this month Sri Lanka has introduced a visa-free regime for tourists from the UK for up to 30 days, making it an attractive winter for sunshine, with dry and warm weather across the country.

It’s also excellent value for money for UK visitors. Although sterling will buy slightly less this winter than last year, the pound buys about 140 Sri Lankan rupees, 40 pence more than four years ago.

Winter is also the best time to spot blue whales off the south coast between Galle and Mirissa.

Riviera Travel Bookings for escorted tours to Sri Lanka have more than doubled since last year, with 13-night tours starting from £2,599 per person this winter, including airfare. “In winter, the warm tropical air is complemented by the heady aroma of spices and the vibrant colors of wildflowers, exotic fruits, saris and Buddhist robes,” says director of products Will Sarson. “It also brings guests closer to diverse wildlife.”

Off the beaten track in Thailand

Thailand currently Pathfinders‘a popular spot for winter sun for a long time and has remained so for the past few months. “Island Anantara Koh Yao Yai Phang Nga Bay is an up-and-coming hotspot as it is beautifully unspoiled, with pristine rainforests and quaint fishing villages,” says the agency’s marketing manager Nikki Davis. “It’s still a relatively tourist-free place, about an hour by road and boat from Phuket.” Double rooms start from £208.

Another major seller is Elephant Hills Campground V Khao Sok National Parkwhich provides a luxury safari-style camp experience for much less money than an African safari, as well as the chance to interact with rescued Asian elephants. A two-day safari costs £400 full board.

The newest addition to the Trailfinders program is Bush Camp in Chiang Mai over the Ping River, which offers jungle treks from a luxury tent base two hours southwest of Chiang Mai.

Alternatives to Costa Rica

Intrepid also reported that orders for Guatemala doubled compared to last month. “With ancient Mayan ruins, plenty of outdoor activities and diverse landscapes, the country is growing in popularity as an alternative to more popular Central American countries,” says McGuire. “December and January are some of the best months to visit, with warm temperatures and little rain.”

It’s also great value for money, with a meal at an inexpensive restaurant often costing under £5, and there are Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, as well as lakes and rainforests rich in wildlife.

Six days Heart of Guatemala tour including shamanic ceremonies dedicated to San Simon in San Andres Itzapa, visit to the Chichicastenango market for hupil tunics and jade jewelry, and a boat ride on Lake Atitlan, costs from £702 per person, excluding flights .

Outside the Canary Islands

Tui reports a sharp increase in demand for transport to West African destinations such as Senegal (up 60 percent year-on-year), Gambia (up 20 percent) and Cape Verde (50% increase). Quiet beaches, guaranteed sunshine, six-hour flights, no jet lag and affordable all-inclusive prices – the appeal is obvious.

Tui is offering a seven-night all-inclusive holiday for a four-star hotel. RIU Baobab in Senegal from £926 departing Gatwick on 9 December, including transfer and 20kg luggage per person.

New hot spots in North Africa

Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt have long been attractive winter destinations thanks to their mild climate and relatively short flights from the UK. EasyJet Holidays reports strong demand for Agadir on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, Egypt’s Red Sea resort. Hurghada and the Mediterranean coast of Tunisia this winter.

There is significant demand for Agadir as a beachside alternative to the busy medina of Marrakech. Half an hour’s drive north of this coastal town is Taghazout Bay, a fishing village and a growing popular destination for surfers and luxury resorts such as Fairmont, Radisson Blu, Hyatt and Hilton, which have beach hotels here. A simpler, more modest option is the Munga Guest House, with double rooms starting from €170 (£142). mungaguesthouse.com.

EasyJet Holidays recently introduced its customers to Djerba in Tunisia, an island renowned for its Mediterranean beaches and UNESCO heritage status for its Carthaginian and Roman ruins and fortified Ibadi mosques. EasyJet offers 11 hotels departing from Manchester and Luton, with packages ranging from quick three-night holidays to 28-night extended stays this winter. A week at a four-star all-inclusive hotel Djerba Aqua Resort costs from £276 per person for flights departing 7 December.

Holidays of love finds that Mahdia in Tunisia has seen the biggest increase in bookings, up 474 percent since last winter. This is followed by a 114 percent increase in Monastir, located further north along the coast and offering quiet beaches and a charming old town. Weekly half board in a five star hotel Iberostar Selection Royal El Mansour in Mahdia with flights from Manchester in January from £209 per person.

Thomas Cook also noted that Tunisia is showing strong growth, with bookings up by more than a third compared to last year, especially at four- and five-star all-inclusive hotels, which offer excellent value for money compared to the Canary Islands.

A week by the sea Iberostar Selection Diar el Andalus For example, in Sousse the price of a ticket for a flight on November 30 is 252 pounds sterling, compared to 641 pounds sterling for the same dates in H10 Rubicon in Lanzarote.

Go back down under

After a couple of winters of discouragingly high airfares to Australasia, prices are falling – from around £3,000 to £900 next month via China – attracting holidaymakers from around the world. Dan Murphy, head of aviation at Flight Center UK, says: “Flight prices from the UK to Australia and New Zealand continue to fall compared to October 2023, with economy fares down 22 per cent year on year,” adding that “As Chinese airlines continued to open routes last year, more and more British travelers are choosing to transit through China to reach destinations such as Australia and New Zealand.”

Adventure tourism operator G Adventure reports that New Zealand is turning heads for winter sunshine, with orders from the UK up 25 per cent year on year. Walking, cycling and kayaking around the North and South Islands are becoming popular, according to managing director Brian Young. Eight days New Zealand – North Island Multisport Holidays in January cost from £1,592 per person, excluding international flights.

Original journey Australia and New Zealand are also seeing a rise in popularity, with travelers drawn to nature and hiking such as the Spicers Scenic Rim Trail in Queensland and South Australia, the vineyards of the Barossa Valley and Kangaroo Island.

Low cost airline Jetstar flies from Sydney to Brisbane for around £40. The four-day, 60km Scenic Rim Trail group trek costs from £1,390 per person, including transfer and camp accommodation.

Universal medicine

Bye British Airways Holidays Overall there has been a significant increase in searches for winter sun destinations, with the most notable being Malta, up 91 percent since August this year. Its experts attribute this to an increase in the number of concerts, filming locations (with Game of Thrones To Gladiator II)and the opening of new hotels of international brands on the island.

With December temperatures hovering around 17°C, winter festivals, contemporary art centres, golden architecture that blends history with modernity and 40 Michelin Guide restaurants (from traditional country to fine dining), there is more than enough to fill a winter break. . Three day break Hyatt Regency Malta St Julian’s costs £243 per person with Heathrow flights on 10 January.