Best Places to Visit in January
January is peak winter in the Northern Hemisphere and peak summer south of the equator. It is one of the best months for tropical getaways, ski trips, and Southern Hemisphere beach destinations. Prices in popular warm-weather spots tend to be higher due to holiday demand, but shoulder-season deals can be found in Europe and East Asia.
Americas
9 destinations1Excellent8Excellent9Excellent11Excellent12Excellent18Excellent24Excellent29Excellent30Excellent
SantiagoChile
93°F2 rain daysModerate crowdsBelow avg
TamarindoCosta Rica
93°F1 rain daysBusyAbove avg
ValparaisoChile
69°F1 rain daysModerate crowdsBelow avg
Santa MartaColombia
90°F2 rain daysBusyAbove avg
AtacamaChile
86°F0 rain daysModerate crowdsBelow avg
MonteverdeCosta Rica
87°F4 rain daysBusyAbove avg
CartagenaColombia
88°F4 rain daysBusyAbove avg
Guatemala CityGuatemala
85°F2 rain daysBusyAbove avg
Antigua GuatemalaGuatemala
85°F2 rain daysBusyAbove avg
Asia
9 destinations5Excellent6Excellent7Excellent10Excellent13Excellent15Excellent16Excellent19Excellent21Excellent
GoaIndia
94°F0 rain daysBusyAbove avg
HampiIndia
94°F1 rain daysBusyAbove avg
MumbaiIndia
95°F0 rain daysBusyAbove avg
BaganMyanmar
82°F1 rain daysBusyAbove avg
VientianeLaos
81°F3 rain daysBusyAbove avg
KeralaIndia
92°F3 rain daysBusyAbove avg
YangonMyanmar
88°F3 rain daysBusyAbove avg
Siem ReapCambodia
88°F (feels 83°F)4 rain daysBusyAbove avg
BattambangCambodia
96°F4 rain daysBusyAbove avg
Africa
8 destinations14Excellent17Excellent20Excellent22Excellent25Excellent26Excellent27Excellent28Excellent
LamuKenya
92°F3 rain daysModerate crowdsBelow avg
SossusvleiNamibia
98°F3 rain daysModerate crowdsBelow avg
StellenboschSouth Africa
94°F5 rain daysVery busyPremium
MombasaKenya
98°F5 rain daysModerate crowdsBelow avg
Cape TownSouth Africa
78°F3 rain daysVery busyPremium
LagosNigeria
87°F6 rain daysBusyAbove avg
Garden RouteSouth Africa
91°F9 rain daysModerate crowdsBelow avg
DakarSenegal
82°F2 rain daysBusyAbove avg
Middle East
1 destinationOceania
3 destinationsPersonalize These Results
These rankings prioritize weather comfort. Adjust the importance of temperature, dry weather, daylight, crowds, and cost to get recommendations tailored to your travel style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I travel in January?
The top-rated destinations for January based on weather, crowds, and cost are Santiago, Adelaide, Margaret River, Perth, and Goa. These destinations score highest on our composite travel index, which weighs temperature comfort, dry weather, daylight hours, crowd levels, and cost.
What are the cheapest places to visit in January?
Among the top-ranked destinations, the most budget-friendly options in January are Santiago, Adelaide, Margaret River. These destinations have below-average accommodation and travel costs during this period.
Where is warm in January?
The warmest highly-rated destinations in January include Adelaide (105°F), Mombasa (98°F), Sossusvlei (98°F). Keep in mind that the best travel experience depends on more than temperature -- crowd levels, rainfall, and costs also matter.
Where can I avoid crowds in January?
For a quieter experience in January, consider Santiago, Adelaide, Margaret River. These destinations have lower tourist volumes during this period while still offering favorable weather conditions.