When the cold winter months become too much to bear, we all dream of a sunny getaway to shed the layers of clothing, slather on some sunscreen and enjoy a cocktail on the beach. We've narrowed down the best escapes that offer cloudless skies, sandy beaches and plenty of sunshine to banish those winter blues.

This rugged, rainforest-clad Central American country has quickly become one of the top ecotourism destinations in the world. Thanks to swathes of protected jungle teeming with wildlife, Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth. Head to the country's capital San José and spend a couple of days exploring several of its pre-Columbian museums, then rent a car and head into the countryside to discover Costa Rica's real beauty.

With volcanoes to hike, beaches for miles and endless wildlife spotting, Costa Rica is a nature lover's delight. Dive headfirst into the country's most famous national park, Manuel Antonio, where you'll see monkeys finding their way through the forest canopy as you enjoy leisurely hikes along the palm-lined beaches. Or head to the Central Valley for a serious adrenaline rush as you spend a day white-water rafting, or visit Barva to taste high quality Costa Rican coffee right from the source. A stay in one of Costa Rica's famed treehouse hotels or ecolodges is a must too.

Perfect for winter sun getaways, the southern parts of Brazil offer plenty of sunshine, great weather and stunning beaches. While Rio de Janeiro might be the obvious destination, Bahia on Brazil's Atlantic coast is far from the well-trodden tourist trails. Deserted beaches, breathtaking rainforests, cocoa farms and surf towns make this destination one you won't want to leave. With several resorts for all budgets, Bahia offers stunning beach escapes and plenty of city break options too.

The state capital Salvador (pictured) is an enticing city best known for its historic centre Pelourinho. Rich with 17th-century colonial Portuguese architecture, the neighbourhood is defined by its cobblestone alleys, large squares, colourful buildings and Baroque churches. When you've had enough of the city, head to the Porto da Barra Beach – the beach is known for its calm and clear waters. 

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Though the archipelago is delightfully warm and sunny throughout the year, February is a particularly good time to go to Hawaii. It's comprised of six major islands, each with a distinct character. On Kauai you'll find soaring mountains and perfect surf waves, plus secret wild swimming holes, waterfalls, caves and beaches. Go to Oahu (pictured) if you're looking for a busier destination that offers nightlife, shopping and great restaurants. It's also excellent for first-time surfers as the waves are gentle and the shore is lined with top surf schools.

Maui is the top choice if you're looking to check into a plush hotel and spend most of your time by the pool or on the beach. Dreaming of getting away from it all? Molokai is the one for you. There's not much on Molokai (in the best possible way) with nature reigning supreme. Trek through the Halawa Valley and be rewarded by the incredible Moaula Falls; visit the nature reserves – Moomomi on the coast and Kamakou in the mountains – and stay the night at one of the charming B&Bs.

From rustic beach camps to luxury resorts, there's something for every budget on Thailand's lush islands. Choose one and enjoy a relaxing break at the beach or go on an island-hopping trip. One of Thailand's most popular destinations, Koh Samui (pictured), is perfect for families. Koh Lanta, an easy boat ride from the mainland resort of Krabi, is a great all-rounder with excellent beaches, beautiful nature reserves and accommodation that ranges from backpacker hostels to super swanky hotels.

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Koh Si Chang is only a 45-minute boat ride away from Si Racha, a town around 75 miles (120km) southeast of Bangkok, offering the chance to combine a city break with a beach holiday. Popular with Bangkok's locals, who head here for weekend breaks or even day trips, Koh Si Chang is a down-to-earth destination with lush greenery and fishing villages lining the coast, offering an excellent escape from the city's hectic streets.

Yucatán is an enticing mix of top resorts, ancient temples, tropical beaches and spectacular wildlife. And if your budget can stretch to it, one of the best things to do here is to hire a car and go on a road trip. Although November to February is considered the cool season, temperatures still average around 22-28°C (73-84°F).

You shouldn't miss a trip to the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá. For more than one thousand years, Chichén Itzá was one of the great cities of Central America and now it's one of the most popular sites in the region. Head to Tulum for the ultimate beach retreat with the best stretches of sand in the Yucatán Peninsula or visit the cenotes (pictured) for a dip – these underground caves are filled with the clearest, bluest fresh water you have ever seen.

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Once purported hideaways for pirate treasures and Prohibition liquor, Harbour Island, Grand Bahama and Paradise Island are now all winter sun destinations. The Bahamas International Film Festival in December showcases more than 50 films that you can watch from a beach chair with a cocktail in hand, while families will enjoy the Big Major Cay (pictured) where feral pigs come for a snooze in the warming sand and a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters.

The capital Nassau (pictured) is a popular cruise-ship stop, so if you're looking to avoid the crowds, don't spend too much time here. Once you've taken in the British colonial architecture and browsed the woven crafts at the Straw Market, head to a quieter group of islands known as the Exumas. Go to the famous pink-sand beach at Eleuthera or discover San Salvador, where Christopher Columbus is thought to have first made landfall. 

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This Indonesian island has long been a popular year-round beach destination. Although the rainy season falls between November and April, the rain comes in short, tropical bursts (and it also helps keep the prices low). There are spa retreats and infinity pools overlooking rainforests, but you'll also find plenty of boho beach spots with a more relaxed vibe.

Top attractions in Bali include the cliffside Uluwatu Temple, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary with long-tailed monkeys roaming free and the lakefront temple Ulun Danu Beratan (pictured). Holy places aside, capital city Denpasar is usually just used as a gateway to the rest of Bali – however, if you linger you'll discover a vibrant city with an enticing history that offers everything from sandy beaches to kitesurfing.

With perfect weather year-round, Turks and Caicos is one of the top Caribbean destinations to escape to. Great for escaping a hectic daily routine, these paradise islands have blindingly white beaches, blue waters with colourful coral reefs and tempting Caribbean food. For a taster of what Turks & Caicos is all about, head to one of the popular mom-and-pop restaurants and order conch fritters or creamy conch chowder.

A network of 40 islands and cays, it's definitely worth venturing beyond your hotel. Grand Turk (pictured) is the historic and cultural centre with countless museums dedicated to Taino and Lucayan Indigenous cultures, as well as Christopher Columbus' journey through the 'New World'. Head to Salt Cay for the best dives, and from here you can discover one of the largest reef systems in the world – the Turks and Caicos Barrier Reef. 

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With summer in Australia running from December through to the end of February, it's perfect for a winter sun holiday. Western Australia is a lesser visited corner, where beach life reigns supreme, so be prepared to discover plenty of amazing stretches of sand. Hillarys Boat Harbour, just north of Perth, is a popular weekend destination with a dedicated kids' beach and plenty of places to have a meal. WA is also Australia's sunset state, with incredible colours painting the sky as the sun dips into the ocean. 

The state capital Perth has an infectious laid-back vibe. It has undergone a serious facelift in recent years, with an impressive harbourside development at Elizabeth Quay adding to Perth's deservedly good reputation. The quay's summer pop-up, Embargo, has a changing line-up of food and drink trucks offering everything from Argentine steaks to craft beers. Throw in open-air cinemas, outdoor music events and the annual Perth Arts Festival and you'll find plenty to get up to here. 

The Florida Keys are a great winter sun destination, as the temperatures never really fall below a comfortable 24°C (76°F). You could base yourself in one of the keys – Key Largo will appeal to nature lovers while Key West is perfect for great restaurants – or embark on a south Florida road trip. The hotel offering is also generous on the islands, with everything from charming guesthouses to top beach resorts on offer.

One of the most exciting things to do in Florida Keys is to hop on a seaplane and fly to remote Dry Tortugas National Park. Everyone gets a window seat for spotting turtles, sharks and shipwrecks below, while the island itself has white-sand beaches and sensational snorkelling. You shouldn't miss a visit to imposing Fort Jefferson either – remember to pack a picnic. 

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With its pink sand (the unusual colour comes from particles of corals and shells) and turquoise waters, Bermuda is heaven for beach lovers. Explore the coastline by walking the three miles (5km) from Horseshoe Bay (pictured) to Elbow Beach on the island's south shore – you'll take in coral reefs, shipwrecks and admire Bermuda's beautiful sights along the way. A pretty collection of thatched cottages built in 1609 has grown into the town of St George's – it's fun and friendly, with lots of cool spots to eat. 

John Lennon was inspired by this stunning island, and famously wrote a series of songs here during a prolonged stay in 1980. The album Double Fantasy was named after a freesia flower found in the island's Botanical Garden, which you can still visit today. Adventure-seekers will also love the chance to explore Crystal Caves (pictured). Here, delicate ivory-coloured stalagmite formations drip towards a turquoise underground lake, which you can walk across on a floating pontoon.

Hailed for having the best beaches in the Caribbean, Anguilla is a serious feel-good destination with cheerful bars blasting reggae beats and the smell of delicious barbecued baby-back ribs lingering in the air. The island's grande dame Cap Juluca (pictured) has been painstakingly restored to its former all-white Moorish glory and is once again drawing in visitors to the island.

Anguilla is a great destination for beach-lovers, nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike. East End Pond is a wildlife conservation site that offers excellent bird watching, while Stoney Ground Marine Park features the remains of El Buen Consejo – a Spanish galleon shipwrecked in 1772 – and The Heritage Collection Museum showcases the history of the Indigenous Arawak people. 

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Where better to feel the heat than the desert? The uber-cool city of Palm Springs is knitted into the dry Coachella Valley, meaning that there's near year-round sunshine and balmy days for sightseeing are almost guaranteed. It's well-known for its dazzling collection of mid-century modern buildings – find vintage confections including the 1950s-built City Hall and Elvis Presley's honeymoon spot, The House of Tomorrow.

Beyond the retro architecture, there are fantastic New American restaurants, treasure-filled vintage stores and top-notch art institutions, including the Palm Springs Art Museum, with its striking sculpture garden. Best of all, Joshua Tree National Park, with its spiny yucca trees and candy-coloured sunsets, is just an hour away by car. 

Scattered off the east coast of India, en route to Myanmar and southern Thailand, the Andaman Islands are slowly becoming one of the top spots to visit in the Indian Ocean. Expect secluded beaches, pristine coral reefs and jaw-dropping natural beauty. The monsoon season draws to a close in September, making winter the perfect time to visit – December to March has plenty of sunny days and excellent diving conditions. 

Havelock Island isn't only the most popular of the Andamans, it's also one of the most beautiful. The island's beaches are obviously a highlight – don't miss the Radhanagar Beach, widely considered one of the finest, and the Elephant Beach (pictured), where the giant animals come for a swim. Both beaches have shacks selling coconut water and fruit, and there's a treehouse restaurant on Radhanagar Beach offering spectacular sunset views. 

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