Alternatives to Europe for expats seeking sunshine

Warmer weather is a huge draw for retirees and other would-be expats deciding on their favourite location for a place in the sun.

Whatever your motivation for leaving the home country and striking out in a new land, the weather invariably plays an essential part in the final decision. For decades, Britons have headed for the sun and warmth of Mediterranean locations along the French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian coastlines, but the advent of Brexit has made these favourites rather less appealing. However, International Living’s Global Index 2018 has a few interesting selections, albeit on the opposite side of the pond from Europe.

The survey take into account humidity, rainfall and the actual temperature of each location, as well as using anecdotal reports by expats living in 24 countries mostly popular with USA emigrants. From hot and humid to cooler and milder, there’s a lot to recommend the most likely candidates to British expats looking to put a good distance between themselves and Brexit Britain. For example, Ecuador sits atop the equator, giving 12 hours of daylight along its coastline, mostly accompanied by sunshine. The country’s three other geographic regions are the eastern rainforests, the temperate mountainous region and the extraordinary Galapagos islands archipelago.

Bolivia may be landlocked and therefore unsuitable for beach lovers, but its mild climate is popular with retirees. Its southern regions boast clear blue skies and gentle breezes, along with the occasional thunderstorm much loved by the local vineyard owners. Average highs in the mountains range between 75 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, and the Bolivian ‘winter’ runs between June and September. The taller the mountain, the cooler the temperature and the views over the Amazonian rain forest are superb.

Costa Rica is home to a wide range of microclimates, meaning there’s one for every style of expat life. Beaches, mountains, valleys and the Pacific coastline lure sun lovers as well as those who like their heat interspersed with the occasional refreshing shower. Weatherwise, there’s something for everyone with the overall climate as good as it gets anywhere in the world. Panama is another example of the value of various microclimates within just one country, with the Azuero Peninsula seeing very little rainfall and the landlocked mountain villages getting a regular drenching. Humidity keeps skin soft and comfortable without being debilitating, there are no hurricanes and winter is just a bitter memory for every resident expat.