28 Best January Travel Destinations

Are you sick of the wet and humid winter weather? Discover where you can get plenty of sunshine in the cold months in our article!

Shorter days, wind and weather, low temperatures – are you tired of the cold winter in your home country? Well, probably you too agree that right now it’s time for a trip to the sun, in order to get away from the cold weather! In this article of Gazettely, we will reveal which destinations are wonderfully warm even in January!

Top January travel destinations: Advantages of traveling in January

We often start to feel that winter is getting longer and longer in January. Cold, rain, snow… It makes you want to escape! But where can you go in January and enjoy the sun? You are going to see, the answer is quite simple.

After all, the month of January beyond your borders often means a summer in full swing! In fact, in the southern hemisphere, you will be able to sunbathe on the beach and enjoy putting on your sandals before time. Undoubtedly, January is an ideal time to travel, here are some more reasons to convince you:

The rainy season is over everywhere. This means that we can enjoy very good temperatures and good water for swimming. Are you wondering if the tourists are not invading the place? Not exactly… Many times, the vacations are already over for them. Many people prefer to take their vacation during the holidays instead of January.  Therefore, you will be alone in the world when you travel during this time of year!

The Christmas season is when the whole world goes on vacation! The travel industry takes advantage of this and increases its prices. However, in January, after the vacations are over, everything goes back to normal. Therefore, if you go in January, you will be able to benefit from the ideal climate for your destination without paying more.

Additionally, January is the month in which most people are booking their summer vacations. So, they don’t go on vacation, and the hotel and airline companies will be expecting you! Seize the opportunity to take advantage of some benefits! A free breakfast? An upgrade? You will surely have some good surprises. Have you decided to go on a trip in January? The following is a list of perfect destinations for this period!

Curaçao

Curaçao January Travel Destination

Sun, sea and the beach: ‘good old’ Curaçao is very hot in January (31-32 degrees during the day), but a little wetter as well. Given the rest of the year, because with about 100 mm of precipitation per month, you can hardly speak of a real rainy season. Perfect to do, and prices are often a bit lower in this period!

As the largest island of the ABC islands, Curacao is the perfect mix of rest and entertainment, nature and culture. In particular around Willemstad there is a lot of activity. The more you drive to the West Point, the more quiet it gets. The island has a variety of beautiful beaches. Ranging from small beaches in charming bays to large sandy beaches.

Cape Town & the Garden Route (South Africa)

The south coast of South Africa is, by many people’s standards, at its best in January. After the winter rains have ended (it’s winter in South Africa when it’s summer Europe and US), plants and flowers are everywhere in growth and bloom.

The temperatures are slowly warming up but it’s still not very hot: approximately 22 to 23 degrees with enough sunshine. This makes January an ideal month for Cape Town and the beautiful beaches on the Cape Peninsula! Driving along the Garden Route is also beautiful, especially after the rainy season.

For the real adventure seekers you can drive further east along the south coast through the rugged Eastern Cape, if necessary all the way to Durban. Alternatively, dive into the interior and visit the vineyards of Stellenbosch! Would you like to visit the Big Five in Kruger National Park? If so, drive the nearby Panorama Route along the green Blyde River Canyon.

Martinique, Caribbean

This January, all those who would like to enjoy a bit of history on vacation and yet not miss out on paradisiacal beaches and deep green landscapes must consider a trip to Martinique. In addition to the numerous historical sites and buildings from the Creole plantation era, the Caribbean island also offers white sandy beaches, year-round temperatures of around 30° Celsius, and numerous opportunities to enjoy a variety of water sports.

In particular, passionate surfers will enjoy the seven designated surf spots on the island. In the evenings, you can enjoy the tasty local cuisine and watch the impressive sunset from the beach with a cocktail in hand.

Egypt

Going on a January vacation to Egypt? What makes Egypt the ideal autumn and winter sun destination? With daily temperatures averaging 21 degrees in January, it is a great place to be. Another advantage is that with a direct flight you can be in Egypt within 5 hours from Europe. The country combines beautiful beaches in the popular resorts of Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh and Marsa Alam with such cultural highlights as Cairo and Luxor.

But where everyone comes to Egypt, of course, is the colorful underwater world, the beautiful dive sites and sun-soaked beaches and resorts. And the price level? For $500 you can spend a week all-in in the most beautiful 4* or 5* resorts! Of course it is also possible to make a nice round trip, but it costs more.

New Zealand

Of course, you have already heard about New Zealand! (Yes, in the Lord of the Rings!) It is located as far away as possible from the United States and Europe: at the other end of our dear planisphere!  But thankfully, there is a lot to discover there to make you forget your hours of flights. Very beautiful cities like Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch with their mountainous landscapes are waiting for you…

There is something for everyone! And in terms of weather, January is the best month to go: it will be the heart of summer! Make the most of the pretty beaches of the North Island or the most amazing ones… Like the famous Hot Water Beach, where you could dig a hole in a hot spring to take a swim.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

You can have a unique old town made of coral limestone, never-ending sandy beaches and sunshine on a paradise island which lies not far from the coast of Tanzania in the turquoise blue sea. For those of you who are full of energy, the warm January weather is most enjoyable in the village of Paje and in Jambiani. This is where the hotspots for kitesurfers are. Should you be looking for a quiet oasis, wander along Nungwi Beach until you spot one of Zanzibar’s famous sunsets.

Be sure not to miss the famous full moon parties at Kendwa Beach around the Kendwa Rocks Beach Resort. In contrast, it is more peaceful at Matemwe Beach. There are fewer hotels, and endless, almost deserted beaches with powder-fine sand. Zanzibar Bandas Hotel is also worth a visit for good food and live music. A tip: Zanzibar has very distinct high and low tides. When the tide is high in the morning, it is better not to sleep in too long, but to enjoy the sea.

Senegal

Senegal is becoming increasingly popular as a winter sun destination, the country offers more than beaches. On a relatively small area you will find the most beautiful landscapes: desert, river deltas, steppes, mangroves, bush savannas, rice fields and tropical rainforest. The sun shines uninterruptedly in Senegal from November to May.

Its beaches are even slightly less developed than those of The Gambia, the temperature is a bit cooler in January (26 degrees Celsius on average) and the opportunities for excursions to beautiful nature parks are endless! Saly is the most famous resort, a mature tourist destination offering well-equipped hotels and resorts on a white sandy beach. Surrounding Saly you can admire the baobab trees typical of Africa!

Dubai

The name Dubai is synonymous with big, bigger, biggest. It is literally the ultimate luxury destination, where skyscrapers dominate the cityscape and building continues apace every day. Today, Dubai is a true jet-set destination, with luxurious beach resorts and trendy clubs. However, to be honest: it is wonderful to stay in the cold months of the year, with an average daytime temperature of 23 degrees in January!

What Dubai has to offer is a special blend of Western and Arab cultures. For example, on the one hand you will find gigantic shopping malls and beautiful, luxurious hotels. Yet, on the other hand, you can stroll through the narrow streets and shop in traditional souks. You will quickly marvel at the enormous luxury and wealth in Dubai, yet life is relatively affordable and you will enjoy yourself on the lovely beaches and in the ditto beach clubs.

Rio, Brazil

The South American continent is a dream for many travelers! With its festive atmosphere, its colorful cities, Brazil has everything to amaze you! If you always wonder where to go in January in the sun, Rio is the perfect place to spend an exceptional vacation. Whether you’re taking part in local activities or just lounging on a tropical beach! So don’t wait any longer… because they say that when you come back from Brazil, you’ll want to go back again and again!

Jamaica

Living to the reggae rhythm warmed by tropical sun rays and intoxicated by dream waves is what has made Jamaica a destination for those who seek tranquility as well as adventure. Here, white sandy beaches extend as far as the eye can see, touching the most beautiful blue tones of the Caribbean Sea and the brilliant green of the rainforest. Its people are open and full of positive energy even in everyday life, which is completely contagious.

The Jamaican cuisine is also an ingredient for happiness: it is a colorful mixture of African, European and Asian influences. All of it is wonderfully spicy and features lots of fruits and vegetables from the region. In addition, there is the movement to the music. Street dancing is a vital part of the country’s culture, which is why music often booms from huge sound system speakers in neighborhoods as locals and tourists join together for fun parties.

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Cambodia

Take advantage of the wonderful temples of Angkor during a trip to Cambodia in January. This is the ideal season to fly to this Southeast Asian country, which remains so authentic and unspoiled. Wandering through the streets of the cities is a journey in itself, but if you want to see more, be sure not to miss its national parks like Mondulkiri. The peace, the simplicity, the smile of its inhabitants will surely give you a change of scene.

Maldives

Year-end vacations to absolute paradise? Christmas in the Maldives? Starting in November many companies start offering sun vacations to the Maldives again! Everyone knows the pictures of the small dream islands and the most beautiful dream resorts and water bungalows next to (or on) white sandy beaches and an aquamarine sea.

Maldives is a unique sun vacation destination. This island republic consists of 1190 coral islands arranged in 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean to the southwest of India. Its islands are distributed over an area of nearly 90,000 km²; however, the total land area is only 300 km².

In fact, the largest island is barely 5 (!) square kilometers in size, and only 9 are larger than 2 square kilometers in size at all. It is expensive to build a complete resort on a deserted island in the middle of the sea and it is very difficult to get there, so of course a resort vacation to the Maldives is necessarily not cheap. However, you do get an absolute relaxing vacation in a dream place!

Miami & Florida (United States of America)

In January, Florida is the destination for many Americans who seek out the winter sun. South Florida is full of vacation condos for seniors, so somewhat of a senior citizen destination. Orlando is truly a destination for families, with many famous theme parks such as Disney World, Seaworld, EPCOT Center and Universal Studios.

When it comes to younger travelers or couples, Miami is the most fun January sun destination. Latino influences, golden beaches of Miami Beach, fashionable boulevards and luxury shopping malls make Miami an ideal winter sun destination in January. Located in the south of Miami Beach, South Beach is the place to be to see and be seen. The most famous street of South Beach is Ocean Drive, where you find a chain of (expensive) restaurants, clubs and terraces. It is very nice to find a spot here and to see the strolling public and the expensive cars pass by!

Costa Rica

Ah Costa Rica! This is an excellent destination to go to in January! This country is one of the most fashionable among travelers these days. Its exceptional nature is the reason why many people are in love with it! Would you like to be seduced? This is a good thing, because Costa Rica has a great climate in January. In fact it rarely rains at this period.

And when you see the green panoramas, you will notice that it is not always the case! There is plenty to see in Costa Rica and it will please all types of travelers. From the adventurers who go in search of the most exotic landscapes, to those who would rather sip a cocktail on one of its beautiful sandy beaches…

Kenya

Splendid nature parks, exotic wildlife, pearly white beaches and primeval tribes. Everything beautiful in Africa is united in Kenya. It is a relatively developed country and intense conflict is a thing of the past, but caution is advised in the major cities of Nairobi and Mombasa. Today Kenya is entry-level Africa in the positive sense of the word.

Following an exciting safari in famous parks such as the Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park or Tsavo East & Tsavo West, and spending nights waking up among lions and rhinos, frequently with the snowy peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro in the background, the ultimate relaxation on the beautiful beaches of Kenya’s east coast awaits you.

Argentina

Located in the southern hemisphere, Argentina is the destination to go to in January to enjoy the sun. From the beautiful capital Buenos Aires to the stunning landscapes of Patagonia, Argentina has so much to offer. In order to make the most of the sun, you will need to land in the center of Argentina. The Buenos Aires region has the best climate at this time of year.

There you will find the most beautiful seaside resorts to enjoy the beach. However, if you dream of getting away from it all, don’t miss the south of the country and the famous Tierra del Fuego.

Sri Lanka

Being “the Pearl of the Orient”, Sri Lanka is full of greenery and tropical vegetation. The place is surprisingly clean and tidy (especially compared to big neighbor India)! A wonderful, exotic January destination with ancient culture in the north, mountains and tea fields in the middle and tropical beaches in the west and south. You can visit ancient temple cities, climb the mysterious Adam’s Peak and Sigiriya (‘Lion’s Rock’), travel across the green tea fields by train and/or relax on the golden sandy beaches full of palm trees on the west and south coasts.

You can book a roundtrip through Sri Lanka ending at the beach, or you can book a separate beach vacation and perhaps make excursions from here. The most beautiful beaches are on the south coast, which has a more relaxed atmosphere and where you can find cheaper accommodation than on the more touristy west coast.

The more eastward along the southern coastal road, the smaller and more rural the beach towns. From the spacious Hikkaduwa, the cozy Unawatuna and the cozy Mirissa you will eventually arrive at Tangalle, with its congested Goyambokka beach. Some of the cheapest sun trips are to Negombo on the west coast, not far from the international airport.

However, Koggala is a more luxurious beach destination, on the south coast, near Unawatuna and Galle. If your budget is not an issue, you can also book a combination of Sri Lanka and the Maldives: an absolutely killer sun vacation combination in January!

Madeira, Portugal

Madeira is famous for sweet red wine and colorful flowers. Located so far out in the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal’s popular island belongs geographically much more to Africa than to Europe. The eternal spring climate always pampers you here with warm temperatures, refreshed by the sea breeze – even in January. In the center of the island, volcanic mountains rise, accumulating moisture that makes for evergreen wilderness.

A network of watercourses stretches through Madeira’s mountainous interior, flanked by narrow paths that cut across the laurisilva, a laurel forest. Hiking here is delightful! The coasts of Madeira are mostly characterized by black rock, making the turquoise water shine even more. However, it does exist, the bathing beach – called praia in Portuguese: in Calheta. The water temperatures are still quite cold in January, but after a long hike, no one would mind cooling off!

Bonaire

Bonaire is in terms of size the middle island of the ABC islands and is the perfect destination for peace seekers, lovers of nature and divers. The North of Bonaire is hilly, the South very flat, with the exception of large pyramids of sea salt, which are extracted from the brine lake. The landscape is dominated by large cacti. There is always wind, making Bonaire a paradise for windsurfers.

It is generally believed that the best beaches are on Aruba and Curaçao and the best diving is on Bonaire. Nevertheless, there are also beautiful beaches to discover on Bonaire. In addition to sandy beaches, the island also has coral and rocky beaches. Most of the beaches are found on the west side of the island and because of the always present northeastern wind, these are the only places where it is good to stay.

Dominican Republic

“We have found the entrance to paradise” – it is said that Columbus in 1492 wrote in his logbook, when he first discovered the Caribbean island, which is known today as the Dominican Republic. Not only explorers dream of the turquoise waters and the dreamlike sandy beaches surrounded by the most magnificent palm trees. This is also a paradise for surfers. Famous among connoisseurs for this is Cabarete, which is considered the best spot for water sports in the Caribbean.

The beach is the place where you can find restaurants, bars and discotheques. What is best for visitors is Punta Cana. Fifty kilometers long Playa Bavaro stretches here and there you can gaze at the most beautiful coral reefs. You should also visit the capital Santo Domingo, probably one of the liveliest and most exciting cities in the Caribbean, which is always warm even in January. You will be fascinated by the Caribbean sounds, the countless sights and be infected with the Dominican joie de vivre!

Canary Islands

Canary Islands are the most popular and accessible January winter sun destination in Europe. Despite being located in the Atlantic Ocean west of Morocco and Western Sahara, these islands belong to Spain and Spanish is spoken there. Both Gran Canaria and Tenerife are the busiest and most touristy islands, with beaches that are often packed and lively nightlife areas. But Tenerife also offers a beautiful green interior full of mountains, valleys and gorges. The north coast is also a lot more relaxed and authentic than the south coast.

In January, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are quieter destinations, and each has its own character. Indeed, Lanzarote has a unique moon-like landscape with also black beaches, resulting from a volcanic eruption almost 300 years ago; Fuerteventura a vast dune landscape with white washed villages and beaches very popular with wind and kite surfers.

The unique buildings in Lanzarote (typical white houses with green, blue or brown frames, doors and windows) are thanks to artist Cesar Manrique. The interior of Lanzarote is perfect for exploring by car rental! The island of La Palma is still the least explored by mass tourism. The Spanish themselves consider it the most beautiful island of the Canary Islands. It has a very green landscape, in part because it gets more rain here. The island is more of a hiking and nature destination than a real sun destination.

Djibouti

Djibouti is a miniature state and is located on the so-called “Horn of Africa”. The legend has it that the French came to the island and asked a native what the country was called. He thought they were asking him what he was doing and replied: “Djibouti!” So the local people are not stingy with specialties. Try lizard fish, snapper, crab or Red Sea crab with spicy sauce.

Go snorkeling with the spotted whale sharks and be astonished from the undersea coral mountains. The Djibouti landscapes are dominated by desert, lava rock and salt lake landscapes which are often described as “out of this world”. Indeed, it is no accident that “Planet of the Apes” was filmed here. As a matter of fact, you still feel like the only human on the planet when you are floating motionless backwards on the water surface of a salt lake.

Thailand

A sun vacation in Thailand in January? Well, why not! It will take some time to get there, but there are several direct flights and once there, the prices are very low. Thailand is one of the most popular sun destinations in the Asian tropics.

And though you’re almost never alone as a tourist, increasingly more cities are modernized and many Thai have a lot of commercial ingenuity in addition to that famous smile, this remains a wonderfully diverse country with a fascinating Buddhist culture, centuries-old temples, green mountains and numerous tropical islands of dreams. The weather is always warm, but the dry and rather cooler season runs from November to March. January is ideal.

If you mainly want to lie on the beach, there are countless choices. A lot of organized beach packages go to Phuket, Hua Hin and Pattaya: crowded tourist resorts with beautiful beaches, but a less authentic Thai atmosphere. For that matter, a sun vacation to Koh Samui or any of the beaches near Krabi is better. However, if you really want a relaxed island with affordable bungalows and hammocks right on the beach, you must go to islands like Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Chang and Koh Lanta.

Rwanda

Also known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills”, Rwanda is approximately 1200 kilometers from the East African coast. The landscape is characterized by green hills, tea and coffee plantations, uncountable valleys and volcanoes in the north. In one of the greenest countries in the world, hike through endless coffee and tea plantations, become friends with the extremely warm-hearted inhabitants and follow in the footsteps of the rare mountain gorillas.

The forests of the Volcanoes National Park are their home. Breathtaking to observe these vegetarian giants live. The ideal time is January, as there is a dry season from mid-December to the end of February. The local movement talents can be admired every day. People in Rwanda dance to traditional folk music, East African Afrobeat and Congolese Ndombolo.

Among the most famous groups is Ballet National Urukerereza – traditional dance moves and rhythmic drum sounds! Rwanda’s airport is located in the capital city of Kigali. When you want to pronounce it like locals in the national language Kinyarwanda, say: “Tschi-gali”.

Australia

Trying to find a place to go in January in the sun? Australia continues to conquer the hearts of young travelers. An increasing number of them are landing in Perth, Sydney or Melbourne at this time of the year. So what can they find there? Scenery that can’t be seen anywhere else? Unbelievably rich local wildlife? A little of both, certainly…

The Queensland region, the outback and Uluru and the country’s warm atmosphere will leave you with magical memories. However, the highlight of your trip will be your first encounter with a koala or a kangaroo in the wild. And of course the wombat!

Gambia

Would you like to enjoy the winter sun and beach in a cosy African atmosphere? You can reach the Gambia in a few0 hours from Europe, where you can relax on beautiful beaches (such as those of Kololi, Kotu and Cape Point), but also make excursions to fascinating nature parks full of rare birds (such as Bijilo Forest Park) or to the modest capital Banjul with its colorful markets.

A must do as well: take a boat trip on the Gambia River and/or discover the distant interior of The Gambia, which is full of local villages and jungle with many exotic animal species. In general, the beaches and seaside resorts of The Gambia are a bit touristier and more developed than those of Senegal, for example, which means that a sun vacation in The Gambia in January can be very cheap!

Cape Verde

Volcanic islands with African and Portuguese influences, with a stable political climate and a variety of landscapes and islands: Cape Verde! The group of islands is becoming increasingly popular, not least as an (affordable) exotic sun destination in January. Some of the most popular tourist islands are Sal and Boa Vista, due to their beaches and azure blue sea.

Surfing, diving and especially chilling out on beautiful sandy beaches are possible. But for the active holidaymaker Cape Verde is also a special destination. Go hiking in the beautiful green mountain landscapes of Santo Antão (tip!) and Santiago or climb the volcano of Fogo. The vibrant Cape Verdean culture is best enjoyed on the island of São Vicente, with its swinging port city of Mindelo.

Yucatán (Mexico)

Would you like to combine a bounty-esque sun vacation on the Caribbean Sea with ancient culture? The peninsula of Yucatán is the most popular vacation region in Mexico. The lovely Caribbean coastline around Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen is also sometimes called the Riviera Maya. Its beaches are white, the water is blue and it is full of large resorts (mostly all inclusive).

There are numerous activities to do on and around the water: everything from jet skiing to deep-sea diving with whale sharks. For the children there are amusement parks and water parks like Xcaret or Xel-Ha. If you would like to avoid mass tourism, skip Playa del Carmen and Cancún and opt for the quieter beaches of Tulum or Isla Holbox.

So besides the beautiful beaches, Yucatán has a major cultural asset: the many remains of Mayan culture. You will find dozens of Maya sites scattered across the region, which you can visit almost all as a day trip from your beach destination. You can book a tour or head off in your own rental car! Highlights are Chichén Itzá, in Tulum, Edzná and Uxmal. In conclusion, visit the magical “cenotes”, underground waterholes built by the Mayans. You can swim in some of them, like the beautiful Ik Kil cenote.

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