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Winter sun: where to go from December to March

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The white sandy beach and turquoise sea of Cancún
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In short: to escape the European winter, two options. Not too far: Marrakech, Egypt and Dubai, sunny and mild. Further afield: the dry season in Thailand, Mexico, India and Senegal, or the southern summer in Sydney and Rio. For swimming, choose the Caribbean, Thailand, Dubai or the southern hemisphere.

Not too far from Europe

  • Marrakech: sunny days and cool nights, gardens and the medina, with the snow-capped Atlas on the horizon. Ideal for a long weekend.
  • Luxor and Cairo: the mild winter is the best season for the temples, the pyramids and Nile cruises.
  • Dubai: winter is the ideal season, with beach, desert and outdoor outings.

See accommodation city by city

The dry season in Asia

  • Bangkok and Chiang Mai: dry, cooler season from November to February, the best time; the Andaman islands are in season too.
  • Jaipur, Agra and Delhi: the dry winter is ideal for Rajasthan and the Taj Mahal (mornings sometimes foggy in Delhi).

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The Americas and Africa

  • Cancún: dry season on the Caribbean coast, beaches, cenotes and Mayan sites.
  • Mexico City: blue skies on the high plateau, museums and colonial neighbourhoods.
  • Dakar: the dry season starts in November, with Gorée Island and the beaches of the Cap-Vert peninsula.

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The southern summer

  • Sydney and Melbourne: high summer from December to February, beaches, terraces and long evenings.
  • Rio de Janeiro: a hot, stormy summer, legendary beaches and Carnival, often in February.

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Our tips

  1. Avoid school holidays if you can: prices rise sharply.
  2. Check the rainy season at your destination: it varies between regions of the same country.
  3. Protect yourself from the sun, which is stronger in the tropics and the southern hemisphere.
  4. Sort out the formalities (visa, electronic authorisation, arrival card) well before you leave.
  5. Take out travel insurance for long-haul destinations.

To choose month by month: Where to go in January?, in February? and in March?.

Frequently asked questions

Where to find winter sun without going too far?

Marrakech and Egypt (Luxor, Cairo) have a mild, sunny winter a few hours' flight from much of Europe; Dubai is a little further. The sea is cool in winter, except in Dubai where swimming stays pleasant.

Where can you swim in winter?

In the Caribbean Sea (Cancún), in Thailand, in Dubai, or in the southern hemisphere in high summer (Sydney, Rio de Janeiro).

Is winter a good season for India?

Yes: from November to March, the dry winter is the best season for Rajasthan and the Taj Mahal. In Delhi, mornings can be foggy and the air polluted in December and January.