January Leave List
Escape the winter blues or embrace it.
Where to travel in January?
January is all about contrasts. If you’re tired of grey skies and cold mornings, it’s a great time to escape to somewhere warm, with tropical beaches, wildlife and long sunny days. Or, if you prefer to embrace winter, head north for snow-covered landscapes, skiing and magical winter experiences.
Whether you’re looking for beaches and islands, adventure, wildlife or a proper winter escape, here are some of the destinations where January weather works in your favour.
Best Places to Visit in January
Sunshine, beaches & warm weather
Thailand
Perfect for: Beaches, islands, food & adventure
Average temperature: 25–32°C
Season: Dry season
January is one of the best months to visit Thailand, with warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine and generally dry conditions across many of the country’s most popular destinations. It’s particularly good for exploring the islands and beaches of the south, while still leaving plenty of time to experience Thailand’s temples, food and cities.
Best things to do: Island hop around the Andaman coast, explore Bangkok’s temples and markets, take a longtail boat through the islands, visit Chiang Mai or simply settle into beach life. Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta are particularly good choices in January.
Maldives
Perfect for: Beaches, snorkelling & pure relaxation
Average temperature: 27–30°C
Season: Dry season
If your idea of escaping January involves stepping straight from your room onto white sand, the Maldives is hard to beat. January falls within the country’s dry season, bringing warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine and excellent conditions for enjoying its famous lagoons and coral reefs.
Best things to do: Snorkel or dive with marine life, take a sunset cruise, explore the islands or simply spend a few days doing absolutely nothing on a picture-perfect beach. January is also one of the best months for underwater visibility.
Costa Rica
Perfect for: Wildlife, beaches & adventure
Average temperature: 25–30°C
Season: Dry season
January is an excellent month for Costa Rica, particularly if you want to combine adventure and wildlife with some serious beach time. The country’s dry season is underway, making it a great time to explore rainforests, volcanoes and national parks before finishing your trip on the Pacific coast.
Best things to do: Search for sloths and monkeys, hike around volcanoes, explore hanging bridges, go zip-lining or surfing, and relax on the beaches of Guanacaste or the Pacific coast.
Kenya
Perfect for: Safari, wildlife & beaches
Average temperature: Around 20–30°C, depending on the region
Season: Dry season
January is a fantastic month for Kenya, particularly if a safari is high on your travel list. The weather is generally warm and dry, making it a great time for wildlife viewing, while the country’s Indian Ocean coast offers the perfect way to finish a trip.
For a holiday that combines adventure and relaxation, Kenya is hard to beat.
Best things to do: Go on safari in the Maasai Mara or Amboseli, spot elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background, visit Nairobi or head to the coast for white-sand beaches and turquoise water. January is also a good time to combine a safari with a few days in Diani Beach or Watamu.
South Africa
Perfect for: Wildlife, beaches, wine & road trips
Average temperature: Around 20–30°C, depending on the region
Season: Summer
January is summer in South Africa, bringing warm weather, long days and excellent conditions for exploring the country’s incredible variety of landscapes. It’s a particularly good choice if you want to combine a city break, wildlife and a road trip into one holiday.
Head to Cape Town for mountains, beaches and vineyards, or venture further for wildlife and dramatic scenery. The country’s size means you can create a trip that feels completely different from a traditional beach escape.
Best things to do: Explore Cape Town, hike Table Mountain, visit the Cape Winelands, drive the Garden Route, go on safari or spot penguins at Boulders Beach. January is also a fantastic time for enjoying South Africa’s coastline.
Cambodia
Perfect for: Temples, culture, food & tropical weather
Average temperature: Around 25–30°C
Season: Dry season
January is one of the best months to explore Cambodia, with warm temperatures, relatively little rain and plenty of sunshine. It’s an especially good choice if you want a culturally rich trip without sacrificing warm weather.
Start with the extraordinary temples of Angkor, then slow things down with Cambodia’s food, countryside and coastline.
Best things to do: Explore Angkor Wat at sunrise, discover the temples of Angkor Thom, wander through Phnom Penh, experience Cambodian food and culture, or finish your trip on the beaches and islands around Sihanoukville and Koh Rong.
Dominican Republic
Perfect for: Caribbean beaches, sunshine & relaxation
Average temperature: Around 25–29°C
Season: Dry season
January is a great time to escape to the Dominican Republic, with warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine and a generally drier climate. With palm-fringed beaches, turquoise Caribbean water and plenty of opportunities to explore beyond the resorts, it’s a good choice for an easy winter escape.
Best things to do: Relax on the beaches of Punta Cana, explore the historic streets of Santo Domingo, visit the Samaná Peninsula, go snorkelling or diving, or take a boat trip to one of the country’s beautiful islands.
Snow, winter & unforgettable experiences
Japan
Perfect for: Skiing, snow, onsens & winter culture
Average temperature: Varies widely, around -5 to 5°C in the Japanese Alps
Season: Winter
January is a completely different way to experience Japan. The country’s northern regions and mountains are covered in snow, ski resorts are in full swing and traditional villages take on a magical winter atmosphere.
For a January trip, focus your itinerary around Japan’s winter regions rather than trying to cover the entire country. The Japanese Alps and Hokkaido are particularly appealing for skiers and snowboarders.
Best things to do: Ski or snowboard in Niseko or the Japanese Alps, visit the snow monkeys, explore snow-covered Shirakawa-go, warm up in a traditional onsen and enjoy Japan’s incredible winter food.
China : Harbin
Perfect for: Ice sculptures, winter adventures & unique experiences
Average temperature: Around -20 to -10°C
Season: Deep winter
If you want to experience winter on a completely different scale, Harbin is hard to beat. Every January, the city transforms into a spectacular winter wonderland for the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, with enormous ice castles, illuminated towers and frozen cities.
It is seriously cold, but if you’re prepared for the temperatures, this is one of the world’s most unique winter experiences.
Best things to do: Explore Ice and Snow World after dark, wander Central Street, visit Saint Sophia Cathedral and experience Harbin’s winter activities.
Finnish Lapland
Perfect for: Snow, Northern Lights & magical winter experiences
Average temperature: Around -5 to -15°C
Season: Deep winter
If you want January to feel like a real winter wonderland, Finnish Lapland delivers. Snow-covered forests, frozen lakes and long winter nights create the perfect setting for one of Europe’s most magical escapes.
January is particularly special for experiencing Lapland’s Arctic atmosphere, with plenty of snow and long hours of darkness creating excellent conditions for Northern Lights adventures.
Best things to do: Go husky sledding, ride a reindeer sleigh, search for the Northern Lights, try snowmobiling, visit a traditional Sámi village or spend a night in a glass-roofed cabin beneath the Arctic sky.
Why travel in January ?
January is one of the best months to escape the winter blues whether you want to swap grey skies for tropical sunshine or embrace the magic of a proper winter adventure.
You can:
- Chase the sun in tropical islands and warm-weather destinations
- Go on safari during excellent wildlife-viewing conditions
- Explore cities and cultural sites without the intense heat of summer
- Embrace winter with skiing, snow and Northern Lights adventures
And with much of Europe still firmly in winter, January can be a great time to trade cold, dark days for something completely different.