Best Places to Travel in January: 10 Top Destinations
Quick answer: The best places to travel in January include Costa Rica, Argentina, and Thailand. The full list of 10 below covers weather, costs, and what to do in each.
Picking the right destination for January can mean the difference between a magical trip and one ruined by rain, crowds, or wrong-season prices. This guide covers the 10 best places to travel in January, each chosen for its combination of weather, value, and unique experiences during this specific month.
Top 10 Destinations for January
1. Costa Rica
Dry season starts. Pacific coast beaches, rainforest hiking, surf lessons.
2. Argentina
Patagonia summer. Hike Torres del Paine, Buenos Aires nightlife.
3. Thailand
Cool dry season. Bangkok and beaches both perfect.
4. Vietnam
South Vietnam dry. Ho Chi Minh + Mekong Delta + Phu Quoc beaches.
5. Mexico
Yucatan Peninsula peak — Tulum, Mexico City pleasant.
6. Egypt
Cooler temps for desert + Nile. Avoid summer 110°F heat.
7. Sri Lanka
Dry south coast — beaches, surfing in Mirissa.
8. New Zealand
Summer. North Island beaches, South Island hiking.
9. Jordan
Cool desert weather. Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea ideal.
10. Cuba
Dry winter season. Havana, Trinidad, Viñales tobacco country.
Booking Tips for January
- Book 6-12 weeks ahead for the best balance of inventory + price.
- For major holidays (Christmas, NYE, Lunar New Year, Easter), book 4-6 months ahead.
- Set Google Flights alerts for your target dates 8-10 weeks out.
- Mid-week flights typically run 10-20% cheaper than weekend departures.
- Compare flight + hotel bundles on Costco Travel, Expedia, Booking.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best place to travel in January?
January is great for Costa Rica, Argentina, and Thailand. The full list above has 10 options for January travel — pick based on your priorities (weather, prices, crowds, activities).
Is January a good time to travel?
January is excellent for many destinations and challenging for others. Northern Hemisphere destinations vary by latitude and season. Southern Hemisphere is reversed. The list above highlights places where January is the optimal or near-optimal travel time.
Where is it warm in January?
Warm destinations in January: tropical Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, parts of Africa, and the southern hemisphere (Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand). Avoid Northern Hemisphere winter destinations unless you want snow.
What’s the cheapest place to travel in January?
Off-peak destinations in January offer the biggest savings. Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, parts of Latin America typically have lower prices in their shoulder seasons. Always compare flight + hotel costs together.
How far in advance should I book January travel?
6-12 weeks ahead is the sweet spot for most January trips. Major holidays in January (Christmas, New Year, Lunar New Year, Easter) need 4-6 months for best prices. Last-minute deals exist 2-3 weeks out but with limited inventory.
Is January peak season anywhere?
Yes — January is peak season for several destinations on the list above. Look at our breakdown for each country’s specific best/peak/off seasons. Visiting just outside peak (shoulder weeks) often gives 80% of the benefits at 70% of the cost.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.