Best Places to Travel in January 2026

January is the cheapest month to fly almost everywhere. Holiday demand crashes after January 2, airlines slash prices to fill planes, and hotels drop rates 30-50% below December peaks. The exception is tropical destinations and ski resorts, which stay busy through February. Here are 12 places worth visiting in January.

Thailand

January is peak season in Thailand but prices are still reasonable compared to Caribbean alternatives. Bangkok averages 88F with zero rain. Flights from the US start at $450 round-trip through Tokyo or Seoul. Street food costs $1-3 per dish. Hotels in Sukhumvit start at $35 per night.

The southern islands (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi) have the best January weather on the Andaman coast. Koh Samui on the Gulf side finishes its rainy season by mid-January. Chiang Mai in the north hits 85F with clear skies, perfect for temple hopping and night markets.

Colombia

January is dry season in Colombia. Cartagena hits 88F with Caribbean beaches and colonial architecture. Medellin sits at 80F year-round at 5,000 feet elevation. Flights from Miami start at $250 round-trip. Hotels in Cartagena's walled city run $60-120 per night.

Bogota is cooler (65F) with world-class restaurants and the Gold Museum. The Cocora Valley near Salento has the tallest palm trees in the world at 200 feet. A local bus from Bogota to Medellin costs $30 and takes 9 hours, or fly for $50 in 1 hour.

Colorado Ski Resorts

January has the best snow conditions in Colorado. Vail, Breckenridge, and Aspen average 300+ inches of annual snowfall. Lift tickets run $180-230 per day. Flights to Denver start at $100 round-trip from most US cities. Ski-in/ski-out lodges start at $200 per night in January (cheaper than Presidents Day week in February).

Mexico City

January in Mexico City is dry season with 72F days and clear skies. The city has more museums than any city in the Americas. Street tacos cost $1. The Anthropology Museum ($5) needs a full day. Flights from the US start at $200 round-trip. Hotels in Roma Norte or Condesa average $60 per night.

Maldives

January is peak dry season in the Maldives. Water clarity reaches 30 meters. This is the most expensive time to visit but the weather is flawless. Overwater bungalows start at $350 per night at mid-range resorts. Budget guesthouses on local islands like Maafushi cost $60-80 per night with snorkeling trips at $25.

Portugal

January in Lisbon averages 58F with occasional rain but hotel prices drop 50% from summer. The Algarve coast in southern Portugal stays milder at 62F. Flights from the US start at $300 round-trip. This is the best time for food lovers: winter menus feature hearty Portuguese stews and fresh seafood at half the summer prices.

How to Book January Travel for Less

January flights are cheapest when booked 4-6 weeks ahead (mid-November to early December). Skip the first week of January when holiday return traffic is still high. January 7 onward is when prices really bottom out. On Travorio, pay with crypto or split into 4 payments with Sezzle, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.