Winning tip: near Port Antonio, Jamaica

If you dream of sandy beaches and 30C sun this winter but your wallet is more accommodating of a weekend in Scarborough, how about staying in a local village in your dream destination? In the foothills of the Blue Mountains of Jamaica near Port Antonio is a charming cottage called Papaya. Accommodation is basic yet naively beautiful, easily forgiven when you are settling down to read your book in the veranda hammock. The only sounds you hear are woodpeckers, parrots and the leaves in the trees. There is no tourism here, no one wanting you to buy anything, just friendly local people getting on with their day with a greeting and smile. Papaya is a two-bedroom cottage, sleeping four, and will set you back £10 a night each in January – yes really!
Martin Colegate

Kotu, Gambia

Sipping a cold beer at a beach bar in the sun is my idea of a perfect winter holiday. The relaxed and beautiful Gambian coast at Kotu is cheaper than many winter sun destinations and accessible thanks to charter flights. The Kombo Beach Hotel has a range of bars and restaurants and a laidback vibe. Bed and breakfast for two costs around £70 a night in December. Liv bar, the most popular in the area, is within the complex so no need to pay for a taxi back from the best night-time drinking around.
kin101

Alvor, Portugal

If you could flee the British winter to a superbly appointed apartment with private roof terrace; if that apartment was within a few minutes’ walk of the unspoilt, Moorish-influenced fishing village of Alvor and its gorgeous beach – you’d be tempted, yes? We were and paid the modest sum of £35 a night with OwnersDirect. We felt part of a genuine Portuguese community here, shopping and eating (usually that morning’s catch) with the locals. Lazy days were interspersed with walks along the boardwalk and estuary trail, exploring the glorious coast. Cheap flights to Faro make this an affordable winter escape.
rja123

Playa Larga, Cuba

Our casa – privately owned guesthouse (£40 a night for a family room, via cuba-junky.com) – was right on a picture-perfect beach at Playa Larga, Bay of Pigs. We saw flamingos, and went snorkelling in the sea and in the Cueva de los Peces. History and culture surround you. Cubans who lost their lives when the Americans invaded have a gravestone marking where they fell; the taxi we got back to Havana was a 1950s Buick; and the yellow American school bus used for the snorkelling dodged tyre-threatening crabs.
alisonm10

Essaouira, Morocco

With an empty nest last year we decided we wanted sun and we wanted it as cheap as possible. So we took a £30 easyJet flight from Luton, stayed at the beautiful Riad Dar Adul (from £49 a night for two) and took in all that this west coast town’s medina had to offer – from the amazing fish restaurants to the artsy kasbah. Sitting on endless pale sand in 22C heat made for an unforgettable November.
krathbo

Koh Lipe, Thailand

Baby-soft white sand, crystal-clear water, fresh fruit smoothie stands, and unlimited pad thai! The tiny island of Koh Lipe is accessible only by boat and there are two mandatory arrival fees: a £1.20 taxi boat fee and a £4.50 national park fee. I enjoyed my stay at A-Plus Hotel for £15 a night. A-Plus provided a clean environment with strong air conditioning and powerful showers. After enjoying complimentary fresh fruit, I walked 200 metres to the coast where I could sunbathe, snorkel and dive. At night, cold Chang beer with stunning views of the Andaman Sea is a must!
Cassandra Tulloh

Stellenbosch, South Africa

Take advantage of the favourable exchange rate and soak up the sun in the vibrant university city of Stellenbosch, an hour’s drive from Cape Town. Set among vineyards of the Cape Winelands, South Africa’s second-oldest city has oak-shaded streets, wonderful arts and cafe culture and a diverse and welcoming populace. We used HomeAway. Its properties start at £23 a night in Jan/Feb. Stellenbosch is a foodie paradise with a wide spectrum of world-class eateries. Eat at community restaurant Twaalf, and as you savour delicious braai [barbecued meat] and other local delicacies, you will also be helping the homeless.
fionachaillier

Los Cristianos, Tenerife

Forget everything you think you know about the southern coast of Tenerife and head to Los Cristianos. You are pretty much guaranteed lots of beautiful sunny days and the sand is amazing. There are lots of gems to be found among the tourist haunts, such as Restaurant El Cine which is a classic, and there are still little “hole in the wall” bars where you can grab a cortado and a tapa with the locals. And who can resist a walk along the beach on Christmas Day?
Jody Levitus

Goa, India

We’ve just got back from an amazing holiday in Goa, staying in the far south at The Cape Goa. While some parts of Goa are getting a bit trashed nowadays, this little hidden corner in the south still holds on to that fabled old Goan charm. Our beach hut had the most amazing views of sunset over its own private beach. We hired mopeds and enjoyed nights out in Palolem and lazy days exploring Agonda and Cola Beach. OK, so it’s not the cheapest beach bungalow in India (from £140 a night for two; we also stayed on Agonda beach for £4 a night), but it’s definitely the most luxurious. It has a jacuzzi! Make sure you ride to Betul Fort and the Sal estuary, past laid-back villages and old colonial Portuguese houses. Bliss.
eatthebeat123

St George, Bermuda

Somewhere that has always been under the travel radar, and I don’t understand why, is Bermuda. Combine year-round sunshine, pink sand beaches and lush vegetation and you have the perfect sub-tropical winter cocktail. There is also the added attraction of St George, a historic town that is a world heritage site. As we’re about to say goodbye to Europe (or at least the European Union) it’s perhaps time to reacquaint ourselves with Britain’s oldest colony.
ogee27

Pai, Thailand

In the hilly bohemian town of Pai, northern Thailand, the Pai Village Boutique Resort & Farm (doubles from £74) provides an idyllic retreat complete with its very own accessible farm and verdant tropical gardens. Guests can hammock-dwell among the mossy banks of Pai river or take refuge from the sun with one of Mama Lon’s famous Thai compress massages. Those seeking to explore further can get active with river rafting or cycling to discover the local landscapes of canyons, waterfalls and natural hot springs.
Ellie Swain

Bathsheba, Barbados

Sea-U Guest House (doubles from $119) is in Bathsheba, on the east coast of Barbados (probably the most underrated part of the Caribbean – barely a tourist in sight). It’s a small hideaway overlooking the Atlantic, with hammocks hanging on wide porches, surrounded by lush rainforest full of tropical birds and wildlife; green monkeys are regular visitors. There are the most amazing firefly displays at dusk nearby (conveniently located on the way to the pub). Sea-U has spacious, well-equipped airy rooms, some with four-poster beds, all decorated with locally crafted accessories. Only 40 minutes from the airport and lots to do in the area – perfect for a relaxing break and hard-core adventuring alike.
lil_ema