As temperatures plummet in the UK and the wet and windy weather descends, many Brits will be looking to escape the grey for sunnier climates and a boost of Vitamin D this winter. With the northern hemisphere now in winter, many are turning towards holiday destinations on the other side of the world, which is now enjoying its own summer.

While this normally means longer flight times, luckily for Britons, there is one beautiful seaside city just a direct flight from the UK away, one that boasts crystal-clear turquoise waters, endless stretches of soft white sand and temperatures into the 30s, while the UK suffers with highs barely into the double digits. Back in the 1970s, this city was a small fishing town on the northeastern coast of its country, but since then, it has undergone a massive transformation to become a major resort.

Cancun lies in southeast Mexico on the northeast coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. It lies on the Caribbean Sea, located just north of Mexico’s Caribbean coast resort area known as the Riviera Maya. Cancun can be divided into two parts: the downtown area with its markets and local cantinas, and the Hotel Zone that comes with restaurants, shopping malls and nightclubs, as well as an extra-long strip of beach, stretching for an impressive 14 miles.

The North Hotel Zone is blessed with good-value, family-friendly accommodations, including the oceanfront resort Beachscape Kin Ha, which runs generous low-season promotions. Meanwhile, many of the big hotels on the eastern shore are more of the high-end, all-inclusive variety.

In December, Cancun enjoys warm weather, with average daytime highs of between 28C and 30C, and overnight lows of around 21C. This month marks the beginning of the dry season, so visitors can expect plenty of sunshine and minimal rainfall. For those looking to fully embrace days at the beach, sea temperatures are also very pleasant at this time of year, hanging around 26C ro 27C.

Beyond Cancun, Mexico is rich with Mayan history and one of its best-preserved coastal sites is just a 90-minute drive away at Tulum. Perched above 40-foot cliffs, here tourists can find the ruins of a once-thriving civilisation, including the pyramid-shaped El Castillo, the Temple of the Descending God and the Temple of the Frescoes, the later of which boasts an incredible collection of murals unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Direct flights to Cancun (CUN) are on offer in December, including a Virgin Atlantic flight from Heathrow Airport for just £847 one way. It can also be done for less, but this often involves a stop along the way. For example, British Airways and Air Caraïbes have a deal of just £371 this month from Gatwick Airport with a stop at Paris Orly (ORY).

Recent visitors to  Playa Delfines have sung its praises in TripAdvisor reviews: “Absolutely stunning beach. Crystal waters and clear golden sands. Very easy to get to from hotel zone via bus, and a shop local for beach picnics!”

Another said: “I visited Los Delfines Beach with my partner and it was a magical experience. Unlike other, more crowded beaches, here you can enjoy tranquillity and a romantic atmosphere, ideal for unwinding. The sea is crystal clear, the soft sand, and the sound of the waves create the perfect ambience for walking hand in hand at sunset.”