11 Warm Places to Visit January in the World!
They say January is one of the most depressing months of the year. Well, not everywhere! If you’re seeking sunshine, here are 11 best warm places to visit in January in the world! Whether you’re looking for a tropical beach or a bustling city, there’s a destination for everyone. These sunny destinations offer the perfect winter holiday to beat those January blues. Now, let’s get into the top picks!
Note: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Read our Affiliate Disclosure here.
Quick links:
🧷 Travel Insurance with SafetyWing in case of any accidents. Better safe than sorry!
✈️ Get Airport Lounge Access across the world with Priority Pass
📱Mobile E-sim card to stay connected while traveling without the hassle of changing out your sim card!
🚗 Top choice for car rentals is Discover Cars which will allow you to compare prices & get the cheapest rate.
| 1. Phuket, Thailand | 90°F / 32°C | 72°F / 22°C | The Shore |
| 2. Cartagena, Colombia | 88°F / 31°C | 75°F / 24°C | Casa San Agustin |
| 3. Maldives | 84°F / 29°C | 77°F / 25°C | Soneva Fushi |
| 4. Punta Cana, DR | 84°F / 29°C | 70°F / 21°C | Live Aqua Punta Cana |
| 5. Barbados | 82°F / 28°C | 73°F / 23°C | Coral Reef Club |
| 7. Cancun, Mexico | 82°F / 28°C | 70°F / 21°C | Nizuc Resort & Spa |
| 7. Cape Town, South Africa | 82°F / 28°C | 72°F / 22°C | Atlanticview |
| 8. Sydney, Australia | 79°F / 26°C | 66°F / 19°C | Park Hyatt Sydney |
| 9. Aswan, Egypt | 73°F / 23°C | 48°F / 9°C | Sofitel Legend Old Cataract |
| 10. Jaipur, India | 72°F / 22°C | 45°F / 7°C | Jaipur Haveli |
| 11. Gran Canaria | 70°F / 21°C | 59°F / 15°C | Seaside Palm Beach |
Warmest Places in Europe in January
1. Phuket, Thailand
Photo by Tranmautritam
Phuket is an another amazing destination to visit in January, with temperatures hovering around 90°F / 32°C. It’s the perfect escape from the cold, offering a tropical paradise vibe all year long.
In Phuket, there’s a mix of stunning beaches and buzzing nightlife. Some top attractions include visiting the iconic Big Buddha for breathtaking views, wandering through the streets of Old Phuket Town, and exploring the nearby Phi Phi Islands.
Plus, there’s so many nice beachfront cafés where you can sip on a coconut while watching the sunset at Kata Beach. For food lovers, Phuket is a dream. I highly recommend trying local Thai dishes like pad Thai and fresh seafood at The Boathouse Phuket, a beachside restaurant.
☀️ Temperature in January: High: 90°F / 32°C, Low: 72°F / 22°C
🌧️ Rainfall days in January: 6 days
📍 How to get there: Fly into Phuket International Airport (HKT)
🏨 Top Hotel Pick: The Shore at Katathani
2. Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena is one of the best places to visit in January and in fact any month as it’s warm year-round! The temperatures average at 88°F / 31°C.
I loved my visit here because I could escape the winter blues and go somewhere exciting and warm. Plus, I am a huge fan of colorful places and it had been on my bucket-list forever.
Some of the highlights for a trip to Cartagena would include strolling the colorful streets in the Old Town as well as checking out the street art in Getsemani. One of my favorite things to do was lounging at the rooftop pool at the Movich Hotel. You can also just go for a drink or snack too. The views from here are amazing and being at the pool on a sunny day is just perfect.
Cartagena also has fantastic food and one of my most memorable meals was at Alma where I tried ceviche and creamy seafood rice.
☀️ Temperature in January: High: 88°F / 31°C, Low: 75°F / 24°C
🌧️ Rainfall days in January: 2 days
📍 How to get there: Fly into Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG)
🏨 Top Hotel Pick: Casa San Agustin
3. Maldives
Photo by Mohamed Lammah
The Maldives is truly a dream destination. Here, temperatures average around 84°F / 29°C in January. This tropical paradise offers gorgeous white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and luxurious overwater bungalows.
While visiting, you can spend your days snorkeling or diving in vibrant coral reefs, where you might spot sea turtles and colorful fish. A must-do experience is taking a boat trip to a sandbank, where you can have a picnic surrounded by nothing but the ocean.
If you’re looking for a luxurious experience, many resorts in the Maldives offer incredible amenities like private pools, beachfront villas, and spa treatments right by the water.
A special dining experience would be to visit one of the underwater restaurants like Ithaa Undersea Restaurant or 5.8 Undersea Restaurant. Both offer fresh seafood and being surrounded by sea creatures while dining is just magical.
☀️ Temperature in January: High: 84°F / 29°C, Low: 77°F / 25°C
🌧️ Rainfall days in January: 5 days
📍 How to get there: Fly into Velana International Airport (MLE)
🏨 Top Hotel Pick: Soneva Fushi
4. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Photo by Ettienne Muniz
Punta Cana is another hot destination to visit in January. The weather stays around 82°F / 28°C in January. You’ll find many palm trees lining the beaches and amazing crystal-clear waters in Punta Cana.
While visiting, you can spend your days lounging on the famous Bavaro Beach or snorkeling and kayaking in the turquoise sea.
A must-visit spot is the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park, where you can swim in natural freshwater lagoons and explore beautiful walking trails.
For food lovers, local specialties include mofongo and fresh seafood which you can try at La Yola or Jellyfish Restaurant.
☀️ Temperature in January: High: 84°F / 29°C, Low: 70°F / 21°C
🌧️ Rainfall days in January: 7 days
📍 How to get there: Fly into Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ)
🏨 Top Hotel Pick: Live Aqua Punta Cana
5. Barbados
Photo by Bruce Barrow
Barbados is one of the best places to visit in January. You’ll be happy to know that temperatures average at around 82°F / 28°C.
While visiting Barbados, don’t miss the gorgeous Crane Beach. Be sure to take a swim in the calm, clear waters of Carlisle Bay too. The island is also known for its lively atmosphere, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy local music, festivals, and rum distilleries.
Plus, the food scene is unreal. Don’t miss local dishes like flying fish and cou-cou which you can try at Oistins Fish Fry.
☀️ Temperature in January: High: 82°F / 28°C, Low: 73°F / 23°C
🌧️ Rainfall days in January: 13 days
📍 How to get there: Fly into Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI)
🏨 Top Hotel Pick: Coral Reef Club
6. Cancun, Mexico
Photo by Donato Gamboa
Cancun is the perfect tropical getaway in January, with temperatures averaging around 82°F / 28°C. This destination is known for its stunning white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and luxurious all-inclusive resorts.
The beaches are out of this world in Cancun. Snorkeling or diving in the Great Mesoamerican Reef is a really popular activity. You can observe beautiful sea turtles and colorful marine life this way.
While here, be sure to take a day trip to Isla Mujeres or swim in the famous cenotes. These natural freshwater pools are surrounded by lush jungle.
I recommend staying in one of Cancun’s resorts (like this one) which offer incredible amenities such as ocean-view suites, infinity pools, and beachfront dining.
If you’re looking for a great restaurant, try Porfirio. They serve upscale Mexican cuisine with views of the sunset.
☀️ Temperature in January: High: 82°F / 28°C, Low: 70°F / 21°C
🌧️ Rainfall days in January: 7 days
📍 How to get there: Fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN)
🏨 Top Hotel Pick: Nizuc Resort & Spa
7. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is another top destination to visit in January. You’ll find weather averages out to be 82°F / 28°C.
While in Cape Town, you can hike or take a cable car up Table Mountain for panoramic views of the city and coastline. A visit to the famous Cape of Good Hope or the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is also a must. You can spend your afternoons lounging on Camps Bay Beach or exploring the colorful neighborhood of Bo-Kaap.
Definetly stay at a hotel with a rooftop pool and views of Table Mountain.
Dining in Cape Town is also exceptional—don’t miss the chance to try local dishes like braai or dine at The Test Kitchen for an upscale culinary experience featuring a mix of local and international flavors.
☀️ Temperature in January: High: 82°F / 28°C, Low: 72°F / 22°C
🌧️ Rainfall days in January: 6 days
📍 How to get there: Fly into Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
🏨 Top Hotel Pick: Atlanticview Cape Town Boutique Hotel
8. Sydney, Australia
Australia is one of the best countries to visit in January, as it’s the height of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. In Sydney, temperatures averaging around 79°F / 26°C—making it the perfect place to escape the winter chill. The seasons are flipped, so while much of the world experiences cold, Sydney enjoys warm sunshine and outdoor festivities.
While in Sydney, you can start by exploring the iconic Sydney Opera House and taking in the views of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Bondi Beach is a must-visit for beach lovers, where you can swim, surf, or simply relax on the golden sands. A coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee offers stunning ocean views and is a great way to soak up the sun.
Dining in Sydney is just great! There’s plenty of options for fresh seafood at places like Catalina or The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay, where you can enjoy a delicious meal while overlooking the harbor.
☀️ Temperature in January: High: 79°F / 26°C, Low: 66°F / 19°C
🌧️ Rainfall days in January: 16 days
📍 How to get there: Fly into Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD)
🏨 Top Hotel Pick: Park Hyatt Sydney
9. Aswan, Egypt
Now I’ll shift to some warm destinations that aren’t extremely hot but instead the most perfect temperatures. Aswan has the best climate in January, with temperatures averaging around 73°F / 23°C. Egypt is extremly hot in summer time but January is the prime time to go.
While in Aswan, you can take a peaceful boat ride along the Nile River on a traditional felucca, offering stunning views of the surrounding desert and islands. Visiting the ancient Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, and exploring the impressive Unfinished Obelisk are must-do experiences.
There are so many amazing hotels in Aswan with breathtaking views of the Nile River. Sofitel Legend Old Cataract is the most famous hotel in possibly all of Egypt so if you can’t stay there, at least visit for dinner.
One of my favorite experiences in Egypt was visiting the Nubian Village in Aswan. It’s not only super colorful but you will find the kindest ever locals here. I loved my experience here and you can read more about it in my full post on the colorful Nubian Village.
☀️ Temperature in January: High: 73°F / 23°C, Low: 48°F / 9°C
🌧️ Rainfall days in January: no rain days
📍 How to get there: Fly into Aswan International Airport (ASW)
🏨 Top Hotel Pick: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract
10. Jaipur, India
Jaipur, known as the “Pink City,” is has perfect weather in January! So if you’re looking for a place that is not too unbearably hot but still warm, come here. The temperature is around 72°F / 22°C in January.
If you are looking for warmer places in India, than Mumbai is the hottest place to go. It’s temperatures average at a high of 87°F.
While in Jaipur, you can visit the iconic Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), with its intricate façade, or explore the majestic Amber Fort, perched on a hilltop with panoramic views.
Strolling through the bustling markets of Johari Bazaar to shop for traditional jewelry and textiles is a must for a cultural experience.
For a luxurious stay, Jaipur’s heritage hotels, like Rambagh Palace, offer royal treatment with lavish décor, spa services, and gourmet dining.
Don’t miss the chance to try traditional Rajasthani dishes like dal baati churma at local spots like 1135 AD within Amber Fort for a luxurious dining experience.
☀️ Temperature in January: High: 72°F / 22°C, Low: 45°F / 7°C
🌧️ Rainfall days in January: 1 day
📍 How to get there: Fly into Jaipur International Airport (JAI)
🏨 Top Hotel Pick: Jaipur Haveli
11. Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is another hot place to visit in January. The Canary Islands offer the warmest weather in all of Europe. The temperatures average around 70°F / 21°C but can get as high as 81°F (27°C).
There are so many interesting things to do in Gran Canaria. You can explore the stunning Maspalomas Dunes, where golden sands will make you feel like you’re in a Middle Eastern country.
Or, you can spend your afternoons relaxing on the beaches of Playa de las Canteras. There are also numerous hiking opportunities. Like that of the scenic mountains of Roque Nublo which offers breathtaking island views.
Some of the best hidden gems in Gran Canaria include a visit to the Banana Plantation (La ReKompensa) and visit the cute neighborhood of Agüimes.
☀️ Temperature in January: High: 70°F / 21°C, Low: 59°F / 15°C
🌧️ Rainfall days in January: 3 days
📍 How to get there: Fly into Gran Canaria Airport (LPA)
🏨 Top Hotel Pick: Seaside Palm Beach, Maspalomas
Map of the Warmest Places in January in the World
You can click this link for a Google Map view straight on your mobile phone so you can easily see where all of the hottest places are in January.
Hope you enjoyed reading this post on the warmest places to visit in in January!
You may also like these posts:
☀️ Warmest Places in Europe in December
☀️ Warmest Places in Europe in January
💎 Best Hidden Gems in Europe
📸 Most Beautiful Cities in Europe
🤫Travel secrets & tips
