Powder-white snow certainly adds an element of magic to travel, but sometimes the long winter nights bring a sense of longing for what’s missing: sunshine. From the coasts of Southeast Asia to the desert landscapes of the U.S. Southwest, plenty of places still see the sun and experience warm weather deep into the colder months.
Consider these eight places for some warmth during the winter season.
1. Florida
Disney, beaches, Miami, oh my: It’s a no-brainer that the Sunshine State is one of the best options for U.S. travelers looking for a domestic getaway. Ample direct flights from major hubs in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale as well as temperatures in the range of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit make all sorts of adventures accessible. (North and Central Florida are usually cooler but rarely snowy.)
November to April coincides with Florida’s high season, so get off the tourist trail by visiting a lesser-known outdoorsy spot like Dry Tortugas National Park (fun fact: more than 99 percent of the national park is water) or trailing North America’s smallest deer species in Big Pine Key.
Where to stay: Faena Hotel Miami Beach
- Book now: faena.com
If you’re thinking of spending time in Miami, take in its artistic side with a stay at Faena Hotel Miami Beach. Argentine hotelier Alan Faena designed the property in collaboration with Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, so be prepared for some over-the-top quirks. Features include a giant mammoth skeleton on the back patio and burlesque performances in the property’s theater.
Arizona offers plenty of desert roads to traverse come winter.
Photo by James Michael Images
2. Arizona
Winter is a great time to visit Southwestern sights like the Grand Canyon, which experiences roughly half the crowds that visit the landmark during the summer. But be aware that, due to the elevation, the park can expect a few inches of snow during the coldest part of the off-season. For nature in Arizona’s sun, consider going desertside to places such as Saguaro National Park, when winter makes the park’s cacti-surrounded trails easier to explore. You can’t go wrong with many locales in the state because you’re guaranteed sunshine most of the year. Spend your holidays golfing it in Scottsdale—which gets more than 330 sunny days—or taking in the rugged landscapes of the Verde Canyon Railroad’s four-hour journey.
Where to stay: Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows
- Book now: andazscottsdale.com
This 23-acre bohemian resort in Paradise Valley comes with plenty of options for guests: midcentury-style casitas, suites, and the Retreat, which is a group of accommodations that encompasses 20 bungalows and a private pool.
Puerto Rico has plenty to offer in the winter—notably, beaches and a tropical rainforest.
Photo by Maridav/Shutterstock
3. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico’s temperatures consistently remain in the 70-degree range, even in December, drawing snowbirds to the island’s shores for a U.S. passport–free adventure. Puerto Rico gets more crowded from December through April during the destination’s dry period. But that’s not to say getting away from it all isn’t an option. There are plenty of underrated beaches and cities outside the capital, San Juan.
Where to stay: El Pretexto
- Book now: airbnb.com
El Pretexto is a mini farm and bed-and-breakfast set deep within the Cordillera Central mountains of Cayey. Afar deputy editor Katherine LaGrave describes the property as having “the feel of a suspended reality, set so high up and apart from town that when I wandered into my room, my first thought was whether someone had left a ‘jungle noises’ app on the speaker.”
Taking a road trip through New Zealand is one of the best ways to spend the winter holiday season.
Photo Courtesy of Flock Hill
4. New Zealand
Considering New Zealand’s seemingly endless collection of natural sights, the country is an ideal holiday getaway for outdoor enthusiasts. Some of its best sights are found on a road trip, and its expansive EV network makes a sustainable trip even that much more possible.
Drive two hours from Christchurch and relax surrounded by the majesty of the country’s Southern Alps, or head to the southwest corner of South Island and take on one of New Zealand’s “Great Walks” at Fiordland National Park. From December to February, daytime temperatures average 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so picnics and trips to the coast are common then.
Where to stay: Flockhill
- Book now: flockhillnz.com
In between Christchurch and Queenstown, the four-bedroom Flockhill was one of Afar’s picks for the best new hotels of 2023. Arguably the biggest draw of this 36,000-acre stay is its many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, whether you want to go snowboarding at the nearby Broken River or fly-fishing in Winding Stream.
International travelers can enjoy iconic Australian places, like Byron Bay.
Photo by Darren Tierney/Shutterstock
5. Australia
Travel to the Land Down Under during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter, and you’ll visit during a time when a working A/C unit is far more important than a parka. Summer in the Southern Hemisphere occurs from December through February. It’s almost guaranteed you won’t be snowed in, which is welcome news considering there’s plenty to do in the country.
For first-timers, Afar editor at large and longtime Australia fan Laura Redman suggests staying in Sydney and doing a circuit of Aussie landmarks, including the Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, and the Opera House.
Where to stay: Southern Ocean Lodge
- Book now: southernoceanlodge.com.au
After suffering bushfire damage in 2020, Southern Ocean Lodge reopened in 2023 with a focus on sustainability, including a reliance on a hybrid solar-and-battery system and elevated boardwalks to minimize impact on the health of coastal plants. The property includes 25 guest rooms and a main lodge with a plunge pool.
Travelers can visit Bantayan Island for some winter sun.
MaraSy/Shutterstock
6. Philippines
The months-long period from December to May coincides with the dry season in the Philippines, offering a sunny respite for those expecting holiday snowstorms in much of the Northern Hemisphere. There’s plenty of sightseeing to do on the archipelago’s more than 7,000 islands.
Set course for Great Santa Cruz Island to relax on the nation’s pink-sand beach, for Siargao to surf, and for Bohol to observe bug-eyed primates and hills that resemble chocolate truffles. Of course, be sure to indulge in halo-halo and other culinary delights to cool down.
Where to stay: Nay Palad Hideaway
- Book now: naypaladhideaway.com
Nay Palad Hideaway is an all-inclusive hotel about a 10-minute drive away from the crowds of downtown General Luna. The hotel underwent renovations and rebuilding after Typhoon Odette devastated Siargao Island in 2022. It comprises 10 villas and a private beachfront for optimal relaxation.
Use the new Tulum airport as a launching pad to arrive in Bacalar, Mexico, a little further south.
Photo by Fabian Rudolf/Shutterstock
7. Mexico
Mexico’s greatest secret is that if you head north or south of any of the big-name beach cities, you’ll find a gorgeous, low-key beach. That’s good information to have during the colder months, when snowbirds from the Northern Hemisphere come to the country’s shorelines in droves and finding seclusion can be more difficult.
Avoid the crowds by going to small coastal towns like Mazunte, which is about an hour’s drive southeast of Puerto Escondido. Besides the area’s three beaches, travelers can visit the National Mexican Turtle Center. If you’re on the Yucatán Peninsula, Bacalar is a quiet town that’s a four-hour drive south of Cancún. The idyllic area is known for Laguna de Bacalar, a lake with colors that change from aquamarine to cobalt because of the different depths of the water, earning it the nickname “The Lake of Seven Colors.”
Where to stay: Boca de Agua
- Book now: bocadeagua.com
The 22-room Boca de Agua was built with the idea of minimizing impact. Among the resort’s 82 acres, 90 percent of it has been untouched. Near Laguna de Bacalar, the property’s rooms are housed in tree houses and incorporate salvaged materials, such as leftover wood from a plywood factory.
Escape the winter cold and head to places experiencing a warm, dry season—like Guatemala.
Photo by Lucy Brown-loca4motion/Shutterstock.com
8. Guatemala
Guatemala is one of those spots that’s hard to leave—especially during the country’s dry season (November to April), when temperatures remain in the 70s.
Start in Antigua, a small city that has gained popularity as an adventure travel base, then head a few hours northeast. Small villages are scattered around Lake Atitlán, each with a distinct personality. Get your “om” on in the hippie enclave of San Marcos La Laguna, learn about local weaving techniques at San Juan La Laguna, or explore the coastline and hunt for the hot springs in Santa Catarina Palopó.
Where to stay: Casa Palopó
- Book now: casapalopo.com
Casa Palopó, Guatemala’s only Relais & Châteaux property, is on Lake Atitlán’s northeastern shore. The property’s 15 brightly colored rooms feature Indigenous Guatemalan artwork, and its hilltop position offers incredible views of the lake and surrounding volcanoes.
This article originally appeared online in October 2023; it was most recently updated on January 28, 2025, to include current information. Maggie Fuller contributed to reporting.
