Best Places to Visit in January 2026
Top destinations, hidden gems, costs, and tips for planning your trip
Where
If you're wondering about the best places to visit in January, you can't go wrong with Mexico's Riviera Maya for beach days, Dubai for city vibes and festivals, Costa Rica for adventure and wildlife, and Portugal for wallet-friendly fun. Each spot brings its own flavor, whether you want to surf, sightsee, or just soak up the sun.
Best Places to Visit in January: Where to Travel for Sun, Adventure, and City Fun
The best places to visit in January offer a mix of warm beaches, lively city festivals, and prime adventure spots, all while avoiding the worst of winter. If you're planning ahead for January travel destinations 2026 or even next year, the smartest picks tend to be destinations with reliable weather and interesting things happening, whether that's a beach party, wildlife migration, or a food festival. You can find everything from 85°F (29°C) sunshine in Tulum to snow-dusted castles in Prague, and a quick search flights on Travorio will show just how many choices you have.
What most people don't realize is that January is low season for a lot of classic vacation spots, so you can snag hotel rooms for less and avoid crowds. The trick is picking locations where winter means blue skies instead of grey drizzle. In this guide, you'll find detailed January vacation ideas for every style, including where to travel in January for warmth, what cities throw the best parties, and how to stretch your budget further than you thought possible. Whether you're after warm places in January or something a little offbeat, this list covers the top options, with exact temperatures, hotel tips, and even payment hacks like using Sezzle or crypto on Travorio.
Best Beach Destinations in January
If your January plans involve sand between your toes, you’ve got plenty of options that don’t require a 20-hour flight. Cancun, Mexico, tops the list for Americans and Canadians. The average high in January hits 82°F (28°C), and the water hovers around 79°F (26°C). Resorts like Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach start at $209/night, but you can snag smaller boutique hotels in the Hotel Zone for as low as $95/night if you book early. Most of the big parties have wound down after New Year’s, so it’s busy but not shoulder-to-shoulder.
Maui, Hawaii, is a classic for a reason. While some areas saw wildfire damage in 2023, spots like Wailea and Kihei are open for business and looking for visitors. January highs average 80°F (27°C), and the surf on the north shore can get wild, great if you want to watch pro surfers at Jaws, though beginners should stick to the south beaches. The water is a bit cooler, around 75°F (24°C), but still swimmable. Try the Maui Coast Hotel for $229/night, and fly direct from LAX or Seattle with Alaska Airlines.
The Maldives is peak 'treat yourself' season in January. You’ll get crystal-clear water, zero rain, and daily temps around 86°F (30°C). Overwater villas at places like Sun Siyam Iru Fushi dip to $360/night this month, which is the lowest rate all year. Most resorts run at 80% capacity but rarely feel crowded because they’re spread across private islands. The only downside: flights from the US start around $1,100 roundtrip, usually with a stop in Doha or Istanbul.
If you want something easy and affordable, look at Cartagena, Colombia. January is the driest, sunniest month, with highs near 87°F (31°C) and bathwater-warm sea. The city’s beaches are popular with locals, but you can hop a $25 boat ride to Isla Barú for white sand and clear water. Hostels in Getsemaní go for $18/night, and you’ll find beachfront ceviche at La Cevichería for under $8.
Best City Breaks in January
For travelers who love a city buzz, January is packed with surprises. Dubai is front and center, thanks to the Dubai Shopping Festival (January 10 to February 10, 2026). You’ll catch fireworks, pop-up concerts, and deals at Dubai Mall. Temps average 75°F (24°C), perfect for wandering Jumeirah Beach or the Gold Souk. JW Marriott Marquis Dubai drops to $190/night in January, and Emirates runs nonstop flights from JFK and Toronto.
Lisbon is one of my favorite January escapes. It’s Europe, but not freezing, highs sit around 59°F (15°C), and you’ll get sun most days. The city is quiet after the holiday rush, so tram 28 isn’t packed and you can score a room at Lisbon Cheese & Wine Suites for $82/night. January is also when locals tuck into cozido (a meat stew) at Solar dos Presuntos, and bars in Bairro Alto run happy hours till midnight.
New Orleans throws its first Mardi Gras parades in late January (the 2026 season kicks off January 25). The city’s music scene is in full swing, with jazz at Preservation Hall and po’boys at Parkway Bakery for $15. Weather is mild, around 63°F (17°C), and crowds haven’t peaked yet. The Ace Hotel New Orleans offers rooms from $139/night.
For a classic European winter, Prague feels straight out of a fairytale. January highs average 36°F (2°C), and you’ll see the Charles Bridge dusted with snow. The Prague Castle is open, and cafes like Café Savoy serve thick hot chocolate for $6. Direct trains from Vienna or Berlin make it easy to pair with other cities, and the Mosaic House Design Hotel costs $85/night.
Best Nature and Adventure Destinations
Costa Rica is unbeatable for wildlife and adventure in January. This is the middle of the dry season, so you don’t have to worry about muddy trails. Manuel Antonio National Park is open daily, and you’ll spot sloths, monkeys, and toucans within your first hour. Surf schools in Tamarindo charge $35 for a group lesson, and zipline tours in Arenal run $55 per person. Daytime temps stick around 86°F (30°C), and SJO airport links to Atlanta, Houston, and Miami nonstop.
South Africa’s Cape Town is at its absolute best this month. Table Mountain is open for hiking, the V&A Waterfront buzzes with open-air concerts, and the Cape Winelands are in full harvest. You can join a full-day wine tour for $52, and the Zeitz MOCAA art museum is $17. Water at Clifton Beach is brisk (68°F/20°C), but the air is 79°F (26°C). Direct flights from London and Doha make it an easy jump for Europeans.
Patagonia draws trekkers from around the world in January. Torres del Paine National Park in Chile is dry and clear, with highs of 63°F (17°C) during the day. The W Trek is open (permit required, $38/day), and refugios like Refugio Paine Grande charge $60/night for a dorm bed. Bus connections from Puerto Natales take 2 hours, so plan ahead.
For something closer to home, Arizona’s Grand Canyon is cold but crowd-free. South Rim trails often have snow, but you can hike the Bright Angel Trail with microspikes. Lodges inside the park like Yavapai Lodge are $158/night, and Xanterra’s winter shuttle runs every 30 minutes from the visitor center. Flagstaff airport (FLG) has daily flights from Phoenix and Dallas.
Budget-Friendly January Destinations
Portugal is the ultimate hack for a cheap European winter. Lisbon and Porto see highs of 57-60°F (14-16°C) and rarely get snow. You can stay at The Independente Hostel in Lisbon for $24/night, and a full lunch menu at Time Out Market runs $10. TAP Air Portugal flights from Boston and New York often drop under $400 roundtrip in January.
Guatemala is another steal. Antigua’s colonial streets are sunny and warm, with 73°F (23°C) afternoons and cloudless volcano views. Hostel beds at Maya Papaya go for $17/night, and a full-day tour to Lake Atitlán is $38. Chicken buses connect cities for $2-$3, and street food like pupusas costs $1.50.
Vietnam’s south (think Ho Chi Minh City) is dry and hot in January, averaging 89°F (32°C). Local guesthouses start at $14/night, and a bowl of pho at Pho Hoa Pasteur runs $2. GrabBike is the fast way to get around the city, with rides as cheap as $1. Flights from San Francisco to SGN on Vietnam Airlines are cheapest this month, often $650 roundtrip.
Morocco is warm enough for city exploring and desert trips. Marrakech sees highs of 67°F (19°C), and you can sleep in a riad for $28/night. A guided day trip to the Atlas Mountains is $35, and a mint tea at Café de France is under $1. Royal Air Maroc runs direct flights from New York and Montreal.
How to Book Your January Trip
Booking January travel is easier than ever, especially if you want to spread out payments or use crypto. Travorio lets you search flights from over 200 airlines, and you can filter by price, nonstop options, or pay-later deals. If you’re eyeing a hotel splurge, check out pay later hotels and choose Sezzle (split into 4 payments, 0% interest), PayPal Pay Later, or even Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 100+ other cryptocurrencies at checkout.
The best January deals usually show up around September to October, especially for Caribbean and Southeast Asia routes. Most hotels on Travorio will lock in your price with just a small deposit (sometimes $10-$20), which matters if you’re trying to book early but don’t want to pay everything up front. Airlines like JetBlue, Emirates, and TAP Air Portugal are quick to list sales for January, and you’ll often see extra perks like free checked bags or room upgrades.
If you’re booking with crypto, double-check the refund policy, as some rates are non-refundable. Sezzle and PayPal Pay Later work for US and Canadian travelers, and you can get approved in seconds, no hard credit check. For the lowest fares, set a price alert on Travorio and be flexible with your departure dates (flying midweek can save $40-$100 per ticket).
Flights to top January destinations like Cancun, Lisbon, and Dubai fill up fast, so don’t wait until December. If you want the best pool view or a specific room type, some resorts let you pre-select for a small fee ($15-$25). If you’re traveling with family or a group, bundle flight and hotel for extra savings, and keep an eye out for Travorio’s flash sales on January packages.
Top 10 January Destinations
January Quick Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered clearly and concisely
Lisbon, Portugal, and Antigua, Guatemala, are among the cheapest January travel destinations. You can find hostel beds in Lisbon for $24/night, and full meals cost $8-$12. Flights from New York to Lisbon often dip below $400 roundtrip in January, and public transit (the Lisbon metro) is under $2 per ride.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is one of the warmest places in January, with highs around 89°F (32°C) and almost no rain. Cartagena, Colombia, is also hot and sunny, with 87°F (31°C) afternoons. Both cities are ideal if you're looking for warm places in January without long-haul flights.
Maui, Hawaii, is ideal for families in January. The island offers family-friendly resorts like Ka’anapali Beach Hotel ($215/night), safe swimming beaches, and whale-watching tours that kids love. Direct flights from West Coast cities make logistics easy, and rental cars start at $32/day.
Cartagena, Colombia, stands out for couples. The old town has romantic colonial hotels like Casa San Agustin (rooms from $215/night), and sunset cocktails at Café del Mar overlook the sea. You can book a private boat to the Rosario Islands for $120, which is perfect for a day trip.
Yes, US and Canadian passport holders can visit Mexico, Portugal, Colombia, and Costa Rica visa-free for stays up to 90 days. Vietnam requires an e-visa ($25), which is fast to process online. Morocco allows up to 90 days visa-free for both US and Canadian citizens.
The Maldives is the best beach destination in January, thanks to 86°F (30°C) weather, warm turquoise water, and zero rainfall. Overwater villa rates are lowest this month (from $360/night), and most resorts offer free airport transfers for January stays.
Lisbon, Portugal, is the top European pick for January. With highs near 59°F (15°C), sunny days, and low crowds, you can explore Alfama’s Fado bars and Belém’s custard tarts without waiting in line. TAP Air Portugal offers cheap direct flights from New York and Boston.
Maui, Hawaii, is the best US destination for January travelers. It’s warm (80°F/27°C), the beaches are open, and whale-watching is at its peak. Southwest and Alaska Airlines offer direct flights from West Coast cities, and off-season hotel rates start at $189/night if you book early.
For the best deals, book flights and hotels between September and November for January travel. Caribbean and Southeast Asia routes fill up quickly, so 3-4 months ahead is ideal. Travorio lets you lock in rates with a small deposit, so you don’t have to pay everything at once.
Most top January destinations are outside hurricane and monsoon seasons, but places like Patagonia can see strong winds and the Grand Canyon may have snow. Always check local forecasts a week before you travel and pack layers for places like Prague or Arizona.
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