Flight ticket deals January
January is a wonderful time to start the year with a holiday and some sunshine. Here are a few holiday ideas for places to go in January that are typically hot and offer some much needed sun in some of the worlds best holiday destinations! With our summers being warmer and summer holidays being so expensive, maybe you’ll escape our chilly winter and opt for a January holiday instead. Or you may be searching for safe destinations for a holiday or places to avoid Zika, we can offer you holiday ideas you may not have thought of before. If you’ve been somewhere hot in January that you would recommend add your travel review. If the latest craze for a cruise in January is your thing, head to the bottom of the page to see our recommendations for the best destinations for a cruise in January.
Flight offers for January
Departure dates:
Europe
Lanzarote
With a good 7 hours of sunshine a day in January, Lanzarote’s weather benefits from warm temperatures in the daytime of around 21°c /70°f. Any Canary Island is a good bet for sun for European travellers, off the coast of West Africa the Saharan heat makes Lanzarote a firm favourite as a January holiday destination. As a fairly flat island there is slightly less rainfall than other Canary Islands and only a sprinkle of rain in January in Lanzarote. Guaranteed to offer sunshine and relaxation you can count on lanzarote as a perfect winter holiday location. Our tip is to find a hotel with a heated pool as the sea is fairly chilly at the moment, and many hotel pools are not heated.
Madeira
It’s warm and sunny in January, so although it’s not scorching hot it has very low rainfall and is pleasantly mild around 18°c /64°f . This is the ideal place to escape if you are looking for somewhere different to get away in January, away from the cold! Enjoy pretty streets, picturesque coastlines, fantastic hotels and dining and of course what it’s most known for – it’s incredible flora – it’s a veritable jungle of flowers and greenery due to it’s moderate year round temperatures.
A Cruise of the Canaries can often combine Madeira with the Canary Islands, so it’s an ideal way to try somewhere new and different as well as heading for winter sunshine. Search an interesting mixture of routes and enjoy the rolling seas and the spectacular sights that come with it.
Reyjavik
While many of us are looking for warm places to go in January, maybe this year will be the one to visit Iceland for the spectacular natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights. It’s an ideal time of year to see them as you need dark clear nights and January is ideal. It’s capital Reyjavik is crammed with a fantastic choice of hotels, natural spa’s and some adventural daytrips out to see the geysers. You may even choose to stay in the Ice Hotel which is built especially every year for a really fun experience
North Africa
Cape Verde
Cape Verde is an up and coming holiday destination off the coast of Africa, made up of 10 islands and some simply incredible beaches and ideal for January sun. Being new on the tourist trail it is un-spoiled and visitors are enjoying the fantastic year round warm temperatures that this region has to offer. Some of us that used to head to Egypt and Tunisia are now heading here. In January you can expect it to be around 24°c /75°f. Don’t expect it to be the new Canaries, as it’s a lot quieter and less developed, but it has everything you need for a great holiday by the pool. So why not head off somewhere new and enjoy some gorgeous winter sun
Morocco
Morocco in January is changeable, it averages around 19°c /66°f so this isn’t going to be blistering heat but it has sunny days reaching up to 22°c /72°f on the coast and in Marrakech. So you’ll definitely see some warm sunny days but you could also see some days of rain. It’s certainly not the rainiest month of the year in Morocco but no one can tell on what days that rain will fall! So it will be your gamble to see some sunshine in exchange for a few days of rain. If you are going simply to get away from freezing winter days to enjoy your hotel, great service, an indoor pool and a mysterious almost mystical culture and fantastic shopping in the Souks then you’ll be coming to the right place. Ancient historical sites, museums, intricate and beautiful decor and architecture adds to the charm as well as some superb holiday deals at this time of year.
Middle East
Dubai
Dubai in January is going to be sunny and warm, it’s rare to get rain but you may get a small refreshing sprinkle in January. However if you are looking for somewhere in January with guaranteed sunshine you’ll find it in Dubai without doubt! Probably between 23 – 27 degrees, the worse case scenario is an average of 23°c /73°f. Dubai has catered for the tourists specifically with fantastic hotels, great beaches, some of the best shopping in the world and plenty of activities. Dubai is one of those destinations that you typically just can’t go wrong with if you don’t want to worry about hurricanes, monsoons and anything else that would risk your sunny escape in January. In fact avoiding the summer months in Dubai is a good idea when the heat is extreme and most people crowd inside the hotels for relief from the sun and in search of air conditioning, so if it’s on your travel list, why not go in January?
Oman
Albeit Oman in January is one of the cooler times of the year in this fascinating new tourist destination, it’s still a hot 25°c /77°f and very little rain just a sprinkling very occasionally. Oman tends to be a little pricier than other destinations, but to be fair the money you spend on a holiday will be repaid in luxury as this truly is a luxury destination with the majority of hotels specifically designed to lavish standards in this upmarket holiday spot – you’ll get what you pay for. It’s not humid like it would be in summer months, so it’s an ideal time for wandering the beautiful city of Muscat, visiting the expansive sand duned desert and soaking up the sun on it’s yellow sandy beaches. The water is clear and fairly warm, so whether it be an ocean dip and relaxation or adventure and sight seeing Oman offers an arabian charm that will brighten your winter.
Caribbean
Barbados
Fancy your holidays in Barbados in January? It’s an excellent time to go! Well outside the hurricane season and a scorching 28°c /82°f with refreshing low humidity and in the dry season. Many people come to Barbados for the guaranteed sunshine, deep turquoise clear waters and soft powdery sands. But there’s plenty more to do if you are the type that can’t sit still on the beach all day; take a plantation tour and soak up a bit of the islands rich history, an inland jeep safari, even see the beautiful marine life woithout getting the slightest bit wet with a submarine tour. Barbados is one of the most idyllic Caribbean islands for a holiday.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is hot in January, it will be around 29°c /84°f and very little rain. If it does rain at all it tends to be during the night, and the north coast tends to get more than elsewhere in January – but we are not exactly talking much rain! Head down south to Punta Cana for some of the very best holiday resorts and beaches. You will be well out of the hurricane season so it tends to get busy in January in this ever popular Caribbean holiday hotspot. Take a Catamaran tour on the bluest of oceans, a day out touring Santa Domingo, even swim with Dolphins or even better do nothing!
Caribbean Cruise
There’s nothing quite like the weather in the Caribbean in January, so you can pretty much guarantee that no matter where you go it’s likely to be around 30°c /86°f in January and rainfall is always fairly low this month. However trying to decide which island suits you and where to stay can be rather time consuming! It’s not a bad idea to go for a cruise in the Caribbean if the main thing you are looking for is dreamy weather and lots of dips in that incredible Caribbean Sea. All your meals will be catered for and you’ll be taken to some of the most famous sights in the whole of the balmy and delicious Caribbean!
Jamaica
If the Caribbean is your chosen destination for a winter holiday this year, then the most difficult task you’ll now have is choosing exactly where to go on holiday in the Caribbean! With some great Caribbean choices, Jamaica can compete on every level when it comes to sunshine – 30°c /86°f in January, beaches, food, culture, heritage and things to do in Jamaica when you get there. It has a completely unique vibe, perhaps in part to the Bob Marley legacy that lives on; but also to their unique attitude to life. This is a fun loving up beat island which truly makes the most of the sunshine and offers some top class resorts that can cater to your every need.
St Lucia
The Caribbean really comes into it’s own this month when we desperately look to follow the sun, but St Lucia is hot all year round. The question is which is the best month to visit St Lucia? Consider January as one of the best months for Holidays in St Lucia. You’ll be guaranteed wonderful weather, low rainfall, 30°c /86°f and endless white powdery sand beaches. What makes St Lucia different from other Caribbean islands? Well there’s more than just beaches and that famous azure Caribbean sea, it has the most incredible landscape made up of ancient volcanoes making for great hiking and 4×4 tours. It benefits from bubbling hot springs and even natural hot mud pools making the island essentially a large natural spa!
Cuba
Part of the Caribbean but really a totally standalone destination, Cuba in January is 28°c /82°f with virtually no rain. Holiday makers tend to head down towards the South East where some of the best beaches are such as Guadalavaca. This stretch of the coast has white beaches and very calm clear blue seas, and most visitors will fly into Holguin if this is their intended destination. However there are plenty of other beaches to choose from being the largest island in the Caribbean. Unlike other islands it’s not quick to tour around so choose some excusions rather than aiming to cover a lot of land, such as a visit to enchanting Havana which you may need 2 days for if you don’t want to rush or skip it if it seems too far for you and visit it’s other major city Santiago de Cuba.
Mexico
The Caribbean coast of Mexico is one of the worlds top holiday destination due to its miles and miles of long wide sandy white beaches which line this part of the coast. All Inclusive resorts are a great option here as they know how to do it well! Diving is a top tourist activity due to it’s clear waters and under water world of freshwater lakes, rivers and lagoons under the Caribbean sea. The sun shines warmly in January and it’s in the dry season with temperatures of about 27°c /81°f. So it’s a perfect place to relax and get that much needed winter sun, as well as learn a bit about the Mexican and Mayan culture.
Tobago
Of course it’s peak season in the Caribbean, and with Tobago being in the very south of the Caribbean a hundred or so miles off the coast of Venezuela it’s certainly going to be warm. Generally Tobago is 31°c /88°f in January, with miles of stunning beaches and pretty bays. The west coast on the Caribbean sea has some of the most perfect beaches for a dream holiday along with the north coast. The east coast has more deserted beaches on the Atlantic side, a mixture of dark soft volanic sands and golden strips surrounded by thick green palms. It’s pretty capital Scarborough is nestled into the hills around the harbour, with colourful buildings, pretty shops and fantastic fish restaurants. A generally safe and welcoming island ideal to visit all year round with no hurricane season.
Far east
Vietnam
It’s fairly good weather throughout January in Vietnam, the rush of the new year holiday makers is over and so are the majority of the rains. So the south will be baking hot, a little cooler up in the north but still hot, and with Vietnam having very different weather in each region, even central Vietnam is coming back into the sunshine and blue skies. Si January is an ideal time to visit, and certainly a wonderful option to getaway from our dark winter nights. It’s a lot hotter in the south but average temperatures will be up above 28°c /82°f.
Cambodia
If you are looking for somewhere warm in January you will be choosing a fantastic hot holiday destination if you choose Cambodia. Head to the Far East to visit this incredible culture rich country basked in sunshine at 31°c /88°f in January, the middle of the dry season. To make the most of a holiday here you can choose a wonderful paradise beach location and take a tour up the country through Phnom Penh the Capital and it’s many attractions, and up futher north west to Siem Reap and it’s fascinating temple complex of Angkor Wat.
Thailand
It’s the dry season in Thailand and nice and warm. It’s a lovely time to visit Thailand in January as it’s not at it’s peak humidity which can be overwhelming sometimes, it’s probably going to be 32°c /90°f. Temperatures tend to remain fairly steady and roughly the similar all year round. North and East Thailand (for example Bangkok and Ko Samui) will be dryer than the South West Coast which may get a smattering of rain from time to time, but it’s hard not to be happy anywhere in Thailand! Such delicious food, beautiful temples, striking scenery around the islands and buzzing and modern in the cities. One of the worlds best holiday destinations.
Indian Ocean
The Maldives
These idyllic islands in the Indian Ocean are celebrated for their beaches and marine life, and if you are looking for some sunshine in January you will definitely find sun in the Maldives in January! It’s also fairly dry with only a sprinkling of rain on the odd occasion, overall it’s a pretty good choice for some guaranteed sunshine. It’s likely to be around 30°c /86°f on average. The Maldives are an extremely popular honeymoon destination and home of the all-inclusive luxury holiday. If you are looking for some of the worlds best beaches, gorgeous sunshine and relaxation then this truly is a paradise destination made for you.
India
January in India is probably one of the best months to visit along with December and February, it’s winter in India and the temperatures come right down to a less humid and more bearable early 20’s. March onwards starts to get extremely hot and from June of course the monsoon kicks in. January is the perfect month for sightseeing and because the favoured Golden triangle involves long days of non stop sightseeing, the nice cooler January temperatures in the north of around 22°c /72°f will make seeing the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Amber Fort in Jaipur and the Red Fort in Dehli a wonderful experience. Down on the beaches of Goa you can expect it to be close to 30°c /86°f and its now peak beach holiday season in January.
Mauritius
It’s heading towards it’s peak high temperatures in January on the beautiful sub-tropical Island of Mauritius. It’s well known as a year round destination but in January it’s one of the hottest months of the year around 30°c /86°f and quite humid still being officially in it’s wet season. However a few short tropical downpours throughout the month clear the humidity a little and the rainshowers cause the islands to be at their greenest and most lushious plantlife. Known for the famous Traveller palm, a large fan like palm which served travellers well when in need of water as water is stored in the hollow base of the Palm leaves and is pure to drink. Enjoy the delicious creole cuisine and of course soft beaches and warm waters for swimming.
South America
Costa Rica
Fascinating and exotic Costa Rica is known as one of the happiest places on Earth, visiting any time will be a thrilling adventure but January in Costa Rica really is a particulary good time to go. Although the temperature can vary quite a lot depending on which side you visit, and also inland or coastal, mountains or beaches, so be prepared for all weathers and temperatures. Overall however you are likely to find temperatures around 29°c /84°f. With lush rain forests you can expect some…rain, but January in Costa Rica is known as the dry season so a great time to visit although its unlikely that you will completely miss out on a few tropical down pours. With volcanoes, beaches and rainforest Costa Rica offers the traveller a little bit of everything. Many holiday companies offer packages or you can take a flight to the USA and grab a connection down from there to Liberia or San Jose, stay on the beach or at a jungle hotel near the Arenal Volcano!
Panama
January is one of the best months to visit Panama. It’s the peak of the dry season which is between December and March, so if it was ever your dream to visit this incredible litle country in central America, why not escape the dull winter and brighten it up in Panama. Expect it to be a sizzling 31°c /88°f , that’s some serious January sunshine. If you don’t know where to get started in booking a trip to Panama then you’ll need to know that some of the best beaches are on the hundreds of little islands surrounding the mainland, although you will find a few great white sand beaches on the Panama Coastline. The tropical rain forest dominates the landscape of mountainous Panama, so take a tour of one of their national parks for a true taste of the jungle! Get some volcanic healing therapy – well essentially take a dip in one of Anton Valleys mineral rich hot springs, and of course one of the biggest draws is the awe-inspiring man made wonder of the Panama Canal.
Oceania
Australia
Australia in January is right in the middle of their summertime, and some locations are seriously hot! Australia covers an enormous area, so temperatures vary dramatically dependant on where you choose to go. It’s fairly dry in general except for in the Northern Territory, and not including Tasmania you’ll find an average temperature of around 29°c /84°f at this time of year across the major cities of Australia. Check out our experiences for both the East and the West coasts to get a taste of the differences between these two sides of the country to help you decide on where best to visit in this incredible destination.