Winter sun: 7 warm destinations to escape freezing January temperatures
As the remnants of the holiday season slowly fade, January delivers a stark reality of chilly days and long nights, and the post-festive doldrums can grip even the cheeriest souls. The remedy? Chart your course for a sun-drenched getaway. I have scoured the globe for idyllic destinations where January offers ideal weather that’s sunny, dry, and embracing. From hidden nooks in Costa Rica to the balmy embrace of the Maldives, let these January gems set the tone for your new year. Visit these seven hot countries in January.
1. Costa Rica
Image courtesy of Nayara Tented Camp on Booking.com
Average temperature: 26°C (79°F)
Reasons to go: Zip-lining, rafting, and surfing surely beat shivering under winter’s icy grip. Costa Rica in January is a beach-meets-mountain dream. This captivating Central American country is sun-drenched year-round and blessed with an array of landscapes, from winding rivers to lush rainforests and pristine beaches on two coasts. Find yourself amid a symphony of howler monkeys and the vibrant plumage of toucans in Guanacaste, Monteverde, Nicoya Peninsula, or at Manuel Antonio National Park. Fun fact: Costa Rica is said to have more monkeys than people. This is one of the best hot places to travel in January for nature lovers.
2. Riviera Maya, Mexico
Image courtesy of Azulik Tulum on Booking.com
Average temperature: 27℃/ 80.6℃
Reasons to go: With high temperatures and ample sunshine, Mexico’s Riviera Maya is perfect for the sunshine-starved. Tulum is a boho-chic beach town with ancient Mayan ruins perched atop seaside cliffs and miles of soft white beaches. Morning yoga, afternoon bike rides, and delicious ceviche in open-air palapas can be your daytime pastimes. Later, mezcal cocktails may cast a smoky charm over your night at one of Tulum’s over-the-top beach clubs. There are also several electronic music festivals in Tulum in January, so you can commence the year with a musical bang.
Akumal is best known as the place to swim with turtles just steps from the beach (Akumal means “land of the turtles in Mayan), and Cozumel has some of the very best reefs to tempt underwater explorers. You can also join the cool kids on the beaches of Playa del Carmen playing volleyball, diving, and leaving all memories of winter behind. Of all the warmest places to go in January, Riviera Maya is one of the most inviting, as the region is thoroughly set up to cater to tourism.
3. Thailand
Image courtesy of Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai on Booking.com
Average temperature: 27°C/ 81°F
Reasons to go: In this nation of heavenly islets, crystal-clear waters, and pure alabaster shores, there are no ill-advised choices. Start your Thailand adventures in Bangkok, where you can explore grand palaces and bustling markets. Then, venture to the serene north, Chiang Mai, where the cooler temperatures make it perfect for hiking and visiting ancient temples. For a beach escape, head to the southern shores of Krabi and Railay Beach, where you can rock climb, kayak through hidden lagoons, and unwind on pristine beaches. Known as ‘The Land of Smiles,’ Thailand offers an abundance of reasons to light up. January is peak travel season with more crowds than February and March, but less humidity.
4. Palawan, Philippines
Image courtesy of El Nido Resorts Miniloc on Booking.com
Average temperature: 26°C/ 79°F
Reasons to go: Palawan, with its paradisiacal qualities, served as the original inspiration for Alex Garland’s novel, The Beach, and it is home to one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The dry season in Palawan runs from December to May, and January offers ideal conditions for gliding through crystalline cerulean lagoons framed by towering cliffs and making underwater investigations into vibrant coral reefs. The warm, tropical weather makes Palawan a magnet for sun-seekers and beach aficionados. If you aren’t convinced, look to the pinch-me-please awards it has won, such as “most desirable island” and “best island in the world.”
5. Oahu, Hawaii
Image courtesy of Wayfinder Waikiki on Booking.com
Average temperature: 23°C/ 73°F
Reasons to go: Oahu, Hawaii’s most visited island, is an attractive alternative to the harsh winter weather elsewhere in the U.S., and it is blissfully warm at the start of the year. In January, the island offers the added thrill of witnessing professional surfers riding high during the big wave competitions, taking center stage during this period. Besides being renowned for some of the world’s most impressive surfable waves, it also has household name beaches (hello Waikiki), epic hikes (Diamond Head for starters), sun-drenched road trips (Kamehameha Highway just begs for drop-top rides), and countless Honolulu cocktail bars at which to enjoy a mai tai or two.
6. Maldives
Average temperature: 27°C/ 81°F
Reasons to go: The Maldives remains a perennial temptation for those yearning for respite from cold and life’s miscellaneous ailments. Travel there in January (one of the driest months) to experience the iconic overwater villas, complete with direct access to the turquoise waters. Then, pamper yourself at sumptuous spas with mesmerizing views over the Indian Ocean. January also has less humidity and wind, and it is also prime time for witnessing majestic manta rays in their natural habitat, particularly around the South Ari Atoll.
7. Canary Islands
Image courtesy of Lani’s Suites de Luxe on Booking.com
Average temperature: 20°C/ 67°F
Reasons to go: When you’re thinking of hot places to travel in January, the Canary Islands provide a variety of wave-riding hotspots and golden beaches for ultimate relaxation, whether you’re a kitesurfer, windsurfer, or simply a sun-seeker. Fuerteventura, the second-largest of the Canary Islands, is a place of serene beauty with 90 miles of pristine coastline and a sparse population of 113,000. Fuerteventura means “strong wind,” and it’s a year-round kitesurfing destination with warm Saharan breezes, though January may not be the warmest for sunbathing. Alternatively, you can leave the folks shivering elsewhere and make your way to Tenerife, the largest of the Canaries and the warmest in January.
