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Where to have a white-sand Christmas
Swap snow for sand this Christmas with our top sunny escapes.
Want to guarantee yourself a white Christmas? Then forget trudging through the snow and pad your way along one of these white-sand beaches instead…
Thailand
Thailand racks up an impressive number of beaches – you’ll find some of the best white-sand stretches around Krabi and Khao Lak on the west coast. Christmas temperatures here nudge 28°C, so you’re pretty much guaranteed beach-perfect weather for the big day. But you won’t find turkey and all the trimmings here. Instead, you can tuck in to coconut curries, fragrant jasmine rice and spicy noodle dishes. And dessert? Stodgy Christmas puds are swapped for sticky rice puddings and crunchy fried bananas.
Find out more about our holidays to Thailand.
Find out more about our holidays to Thailand.
Mauritius
Mauritius is the poster girl for the Indian Ocean – creamy-coloured beaches, turquoise lagoons and glossy palms all put in appearances. It’s a prime spot for snorkelling and scuba diving, too, thanks to its colourful corals. So instead of sinking onto the sofa in a wine and mince pie-induced haze, you can sink below the surface of the Indian Ocean.
Find out more about our holidays to Mauritius.
Find out more about our holidays to Mauritius.
Mexico
Mexico’s Caribbean Coast is trimmed with grade-A beaches, from Cancun’s mammoth runway of white sand to the more secluded stretches along the Riviera Maya. And you can also hop across to the hideaway island of Holbox, where the sands come edged with hammocks strung between palms. Mexico’s Pacific Coast is also worth a glance. While you won’t find white sands, you will get huge golden beaches, thick rainforest, and a dose of real Mexican culture – think tequilerias and handmade Huichol crafts.
Find out more about our holidays to Mexico.
Find out more about our holidays to Mexico.
Jamaica
Azul Beach Resort Negril by Karisma has landed itself one of the Caribbean’s most sough-after postcodes, right on Negril’s famous Seven Mile Beach. Bedrooms here are made for Christmas morning lie-ins, with super-squishy king-size beds. And once you’re up and about, forget slumping in front of Dr Who with a selection box. Instead, you can sip rum punches at one of the swim-up bars or treat yourself to a massage on the sand. And of you really want to push the boat out next winter, you can combine a stay in Jamaica with a visit to places like Honduras and Panama thanks to Marella Cruises’ new Central American itineraries.
Find out more about our holidays to Jamaica.
Find out more about our holidays to Jamaica.
Goa
Head south once you touch down in Goa and you’ll find that life slows right down – there’s no queuing in John Lewis, frantic turkey-sourcing or last-minute present wrapping here. Instead, you’ll find a Caribbean-style mix of spotless white sand, coconut groves and luxurious hotels. It’s still unmistakeably Indian, though. Benaulim’s beach is just moments from pea-green paddy fields, and you can smell curry spices wafting from the snack shacks on the sand.
Find out more about our holidays to Goa.
Find out more about our holidays to Goa.
Ready to book?
Take a look at all our long-haul holiday deals.
For more inspo, read about the best long-haul destinations, find out where’s hot all year round and read our top tips for long-haul flights.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Laura Wheeden
Last updated: 21.03.2024
Take a look at all our long-haul holiday deals.
For more inspo, read about the best long-haul destinations, find out where’s hot all year round and read our top tips for long-haul flights.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Laura Wheeden
Last updated: 21.03.2024