Globe Trekker Best Beaches takes traveller Justine Shapiro on a month-by-month tour of the world's number one hot spots and chill-out destinations. Whether you're an intrepid traveller, seasoned back-packer or just pleasure seeking holiday maker, whatever your style your dream beach awaits. January - In the Northern Hemisphere the cold grey month of January is time to head off on your hols, where sunshine, white sands and clear blue waters await you. Justine doesn't mess about, she hot-foots it to the ancient Mayan city of Tulum on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. February - Neil Gibson discovers the finest beaches around the fishing village of Montezuma in Costa Rica, where a strict eco-friendly tourist policy preserves its natural assets and wildly contrasting beaches. March - The Mexican state of Baja California, surrounded by hundreds of miles of unspoilt coastline, is dream destination for nature lovers. In March the whale watching season is in full swing and Ian Wright explores the region to find the best beaches off the beaten track. April - The coolest, driest month to visit the South American tropics and Ian Wright visits the country that invented beach culture, Brazil. There's secluded beaches all along the coastline but they don't get more remote than the northern village of Jericoacora. It's a rough journey but well worth it for the stunning scenery and fantastic fishing you'll find there. May - The Philippines has an island for everyone and Shilpa Mehta checks out paradise on earth on the island of Boracay. There's a variety of active pursuits on offer for those whose dream vacation involves more than lounging on the sands. Shilpa takes a diving trip to some of the best diving sites the islands have to offer. Best Diving Beaches - On the Banda Islands in Eastern Indonesia there's incredible marine life just waiting for the underwater explorer. Ian Wright goes to the Solomon Islands whose waters are loaded with shipwrecks sunk during World
