Best January Vacation Spots to Kick Off the New Year Right
January might not be the most popular month for travel, but it's actually a fantastic time to explore! For those looking to beat the crowds, enjoy lower travel rates, and see incredible sights, there are plenty of top destinations for January vacations that offer just that.
From sun-drenched beaches in the tropics to cozy winter wonderlands, January destinations cater to all travel styles. Whether you're craving a warm escape or a snowy adventure, there’s something for everyone in these hand-picked spots.
Kick off the new year with a refreshing change of scenery and discover some of the best places to visit this January. Here’s your guide to unforgettable January trips!
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Top Destinations for January Vacations #1: The Caribbean Islands
While most Americans take their vacations in the summer, they're all doing it wrong.
Sure, the Caribbean is beautiful year round. But head there in the summer and the humidity can be unbearable, prices are higher, and you can't truly appreciate the tropical getaway quite as much. Travel in January to the Caribbean and you will experience and entirely different ball game.
Flying to the Caribbean or taking a Caribbean cruise is a great way to escape the cold.
The weather in the winter in the Caribbean is just perfect. It is hot enough during the day to soak up the sun, but nights cool off a bit, making it much more enjoyable to walk around. There are great deals in January, as many people don't want to spend after the holiday season. So take advantage and book a quick getaway to the Caribbean!
The Caribbean is one of the most popular destinations for cruise ships in the winter, so this is also a great option, as there are plenty of itineraries to choose from in January.
Want the breakdown of the most affordable islands to go to in January? Then don't miss out on this article:
The Caribbean has the best weather in the winter.
Want to know how to make the most of your time in the Caribbean? Well, we spent our fair share time of there while working on cruise ships for years, and know the ins and outs of how to enjoy it without spending a fortune. Just check the link below and start getting excited for the Caribbean sun.
Top Destinations for January Vacations #2: Central America
Just like the Caribbean, Central America has some pretty awesome reasons to visit. If you want a little more adventure than the Caribbean but still want some great beaches, than Central America is tone of the best places to travel in January for you.
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Being close to the equator, the Central American countries all experience some pretty fantastic weather year round. But travel in January and this is the "dry season". So temperatures are still high, but it is less humid, and there are much less storms.
Central America is the perfect escape from the cold.
We've visited every country in Central America, and have found some pretty epic places to check out. Our personal favorites are Nicaragua and El Salvador.
There is something to see in every country though, so we suggest putting your city into Skyscanner and checking to "everywhere". Find the cheapest flight and have a quick getaway to escape the cold.
Want to know some of our favorite spots in Central America? You'll love this article!
Top Destinations for January Vacations #3: Dubai
Let's be honest- the Middle East is always hot! While summer temperatures are absolutely unbearable in Dubai, it cools off a tad in the winter months, making it an ideal destination for a January vacation.
Due to Dubai being known as a very expensive destination, it is rare that people want to flee there after an expensive holiday season. However, that means that this is one of the top destinations for January vacations! Sounds weird- but hear us out:
Dubai is notoriously expensive, so you'll want to go when it's slightly less expensive- which is in January. Crowds will be smaller, as the busy season hasn't just yet started, and the overall experience will be much more enjoyable. Doesn't it sound a little better now?
Dubai has perfect weather and is less crowded and expensive in January.
The Best Places to Visit in January #4: Eastern Europe
The first time I ever flew to Eastern Europe was in January, and it was purely for price purposes! It was oddly cheaper to fly to Ukraine from New York than directly to Madrid, so I decided to make a little trip out of it.
But after visiting Ukraine the first week of January, I was so happy I chose to go at the time that I did.
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What a lot of people don't know is that while Christmas is ending in most countries, it is actually being celebrated in others.
Orthodox Christmas is the first week of the year (the 7th), making these countries some of the top destinations for January vacations to continue the holiday spirit.
Ukraine and other Eastern European countries celebrate Christmas in January.
Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, and Russia are some of the countries that you should head over to so that you can experience Orthodox Christmas.
A plus- remember that I mentioned I traveled to Ukraine purely for budget purposes? Well, in January prices were extremely high going to Western Europe, but they were surprisingly low in January going to Eastern Europe! So take advantage of this and head over to one of these great European countries.
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Top Destinations for January Vacations #5: Lake Louise, Canada
One of the top destinations for January vacations for winter lovers is Canada, and we particularly love Lake Louise during this month because of a special wintery festival.
Most people flock to Banff in the summer months, but it is also extremely beautiful in the winter! Lake Louise in particular is special to visit because not only does it become a winter wonderland, but you can skate on the lake, and it's also home to the Ice Magic Festival.
This festival happens for a few weeks in January each year, and hosts a massive ice sculpting competition, making it a destination you can look extra forward to during this time of year.
Photo by Jonny Caspari on Unsplash (Lake Louise)
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Top Destinations for January Vacations #6: Shetland, Scotland
While you may think that the holiday season is over, it certainly is not in Scotland!
Up Helly Aa is a festival to celebrate the end of the Yule season, and every year thousands of people prepare for this massive fire festival, where there are around 1,000 torch bearers disguised in costumes.
Up Helly Aa is a full 24-hour celebration, and you can expect singing, dancing, drinking, and of course, lots of fire, making Shetland one of the most unique top destinations for January Vacations.
Photo by ella peebles on Unsplash
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We hope you're excited to start the new year off right and check out some of the top destinations for January vacations!
Whether you're wanting to relax on a tropical island in the Caribbean, chase waterfalls in Central America, or have a snowy Orthodox Christmas in Eastern Eastern Europe, plan your trip now! Need help? We make personalized itineraries to fit your needs. Just send us an email at hello@scratchyourmapa.com.
We have plenty of guides for destinations in the areas mentioned above, that we know will come in handy during your adventures. The Caribbean and Central America are two of our specialties, so make sure to check our destination map and explore all that we have for you to check out!
Need help planning your next trip? We've got you covered! With Scratch Your Mapa Travel Planning you can now skip the stress, explore more, and save! Want to learn how? Take a look at the different travel planning packages that we have.
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