25 Cheap destinations for 2024 with great weather in January
January of 2024 looks like it will be booming for the travel industry after a few really bad years, so booking early is almost certainly going to save you money. The good news is there are many great destinations with warm weather all around the world, so you’ll have more choices than you probably dreamed of. The list below shows all of the best vacation choices in different areas and all of them have warm weather and most are on beaches.
It’s worth noting that the first week in January is one of the busiest weeks of the year for travel due to the holidays celebrated around the world, so it will be much more expensive than the rest of the month. In other words, if you can start your trip on January 9 or later, you’ll save a lot of money.
If you are mostly interested in beaches, scuba diving, and other water sports you should start with our list of the cheapest Caribbean islands to see which ones are in your price range.
Go later in January if possible
Pretty much everywhere on earth that has warm weather in January has its peak season for hotel rates from Christmas through the first week in January. If you are joining that crowd you have a lot of great options, though very few of them will come cheap. The good news is that by the second week of January, hotel rates and airfares have come down again to “high season” rates rather than “peak season” rates. If you can wait, it will save you quite a bit.
By the way, we have a separate list of cheap beaches to spend Christmas and New Year’s around the world if that’s what you are mainly after.
This article was updated as of September, 2023.
New video showing most of the places mentioned below
I’ve started a Youtube channel and one of my first videos is based on this article. Please give it a watch as it shows most of the places listed with hotel prices and much more.
Important global holidays in 2024
- January 1 – New Year’s Day (public holiday in most of the world)
- January 6 – Epiphany (minor holiday in many Christian countries)
- January 15 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day in USA (most banks and offices closed)
- January 26 – Republic Day in India (major national public holiday)
The Americas
Obviously the first week of January is peak season for most Latin American and Caribbean destinations, so book early to lock in the best deals. After that January will remain high season through that same region, but plenty of bargains are out there if you look around.
The Caribbean
The Caribbean in January is a bit of a paradox here because it’s the busiest month of the year, and prices are relatively high, but there are still many cheap options available if you know where to look. The cities below are better if you are in the mood for a but of culture, but for those mainly looking to relax in the sun, you can’t beat the Caribbean in January.
The new trend is towards all-inclusive hotels, but you may not realize that they are mainly concentrated in only a few places. Specifically, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica are where you’ll find most of them, although many even cheaper ones are on the Mexican coast in Cancun and just to its south. For most people, an all-inclusive resort will end up saving a lot of money, as long as you aren’t so interested in exploring the whole island.
Where to find the cheapest all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean
The best deals in the Caribbean are at all-inclusive resorts, and that is even more true if you are someone who likes to have at least a few alcoholic beverages each day along with some great meals. Here’s a video explaining exactly where to find the best resorts that are also very cheap.
- 13 Cheapest Caribbean all-inclusive destinations
- 32 Caribbean destinations from cheapest to most expensive
- Best budget Caribbean destinations for different kinds of holidays: All-inclusive, cultural, nightlife, super-cheap, weekend trips, and more
Cancun, Mexico
- January avg high: 82°F/28°C
- January avg low: 69°F/21°C
- January avg precip: 5.4″/13.5cm
There’s at least a small chance that it will rain a bit during January in Cancun, but keep in mind that the showers tend to be over in 30 to 60 minutes and that they often take place overnight. Aside from that, it’s pretty much perfect in this huge resort area this time of year, and value is still good. Room rates are highest in the first week of the month, so you’ll save by arriving after that.
It’s worth noting that “Cancun” is a huge area with plenty to offer. The actual hotel zone in Cancun is mostly high-rise hotels overlooking beaches, while if you go about an hour south you’ll arrive in Playa del Carmen, which is a lovely and tourist-friendly town with smaller hotels and excellent choices for dining, nightlife, and shopping. Just a short ferry ride from Playa you’ll be in Cozumel, which is a small island that is also worth considering.
>>>New: Guide to choosing where to stay in the greater Cancun area
- 3-star hotels from: US$51 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$87 per night for two people
- All-inclusive hotels from: US$219 per night for two people
>>>Check current Cancun resort and package deals
Montego Bay, Jamaica
- January avg high: 84°F/29°C
- January avg low: 72°F/22°C
- January avg precip: 1.9″/4.8cm
While all of the Caribbean will be expensive and nearly sold out for the first week of January (so book as early as possible if that’s when you want to go), Montego Bay still remains reasonably priced for the rest of the high season that goes into April. The weather this time of year is pretty much perfect, and there are plenty of water sports and other activities to keep you entertained during the day if you aren’t more interested in just relaxing.
Montego Bay is also home to one of the Caribbean’s largest and busiest airports so flights here are usually direct and often cheap compared to some of the smaller islands. You won’t find the super-low all-inclusive prices here that you can find in the Dominican Republic (see below), but still there are some all-inclusive options that are good value and high quality. Interestingly enough, two of our 11 Best luxurious all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean are on Jamaica, and one is in Montego Bay itself, with overwater bungalows!
By the way, if you’d prefer to stay along a wonderful beach lined with small hotels, restaurants, and bars, then head to nearby Negril instead of Montego Bay or Ocho Rios.
- 3-star hotels from: US$87 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$104 per night for two people
- All-inclusive hotels from: US$277 per night for two people
>>>Check current Montego Bay resort and package deals
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- January avg high: 82°F/28°C
- January avg low: 69°F/21°C
- January avg precip: 0.7″/1.8cm
The far eastern edge of the Dominican Republic is where you’ll find the collection of beach towns that are referred to as Punta Cana. Unlike most Caribbean islands, the Dominican Republic has many huge beach hotels that have up to 1,000 rooms or more. This grand scale may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it allows these resorts to offer the best rates in the Caribbean for all-inclusive resorts and large full-service resorts in general.
The first week in January will be booked early but after that it’s normal room rates, which are great bargains compared to the rest of the Caribbean. The all-inclusive resorts here start at a bit over US$200 per night for two people, including room, meals, and unlimited drinks. The better places obviously charge more, but there are plenty of good resorts that receive solid reviews near the lower end of the scale. Punta Cana is honestly the best place in the Caribbean for all-inclusive resorts because there are around 80 to choose from. In fact, Punta Cana also ranks at the top of the list of the best family destinations in the Caribbean.
- 3-star hotels from: US$52 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$91 per night for two people
- All-inclusive hotels from: US$242 per night for two people
>>>Check current Punta Cana resort and package deals
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- January avg high: 84°F/29°C
- January avg low: 62°F/17°C
- January avg precip: 1.3″/3.3cm
While those Caribbean destinations are ideal for those in the eastern half of the US and Canada, they aren’t easy for those in the west to reach at all. The good news is that Puerto Vallarta is a wonderful option that is even better in some ways. The January days are warm and dry and the evenings are cooler than you get in the Caribbean.
Puerto Vallarta is also notable because it’s an actual historic city with an interesting traditional center, rather than just a purpose-built row of beach hotels like in Cancun. If you are in California you might also consider Los Cabos, although Puerto Vallarta is more interesting and usually cheaper as well.
- 3-star hotels from: US$42 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$153 per night for two people
>>>Check current Puerto Vallarta resort and package deals
Mexico City, Mexico
- January avg high: 70°F/21°C
- January avg low: 42°F/6°C
- January avg precip: 0.4″/1.0cm
While it’s true that Mexico City – mostly due to its elevation – isn’t warm enough in January for a proper tropical escape, it can make an excellent cultural city break this time of year. Evenings will be cool for sure, but the days will be pleasant with almost no threat of rain.
Mexico City can make for a great trip all by itself, with fascinating sights, great shopping, and excellent nightlife, but it’s also close to ruins and many other interesting sights that can make for good day trips. Flights from almost anywhere will be fairly cheap this time of year, at least compared to Europe or most of the Caribbean. And in case you aren’t familiar with Mexico City as a tourist city, it’s FAR nicer and safer than you probably imagine, and far more interesting as well. English isn’t widely spoken outside of hotels and tour companies, so if you don’t speak Spanish it’s wise to at least pack a menu translation app.
- 3-star hotels from: US$63 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$84 per night for two people
>>>Mexico City prices
>>>Check current Mexico City hotel and package deals
Ambergris Caye, Belize
- January avg high: 75°F/24°C
- January avg low: 70°F/21°C
- January avg precip: 4.5″/11.3cm
Currently San Pedro (the main city on Ambergris Caye) is the only city in Belize that we cover, and it’s also the most expensive resort area in the country. In other words, if you are really looking for great value in wonderful weather you should consider other parts of Belize instead or in addition to San Pedro.
Caye Caulker is a similar and smaller island even a bit closer to Belize City, and prices there are lower for hotels and for food. There’s also Dangriga and the Placencia Peninsula which are both great choices for sunny holidays. Dangriga has interesting culture while Placencia has the better beaches. Even San Pedro is fairly cheap by most standards, and the round-the-clock warm weather is enchanting even when it rains a bit.
- 3-star hotels from: US$131 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$329 per night for two people
>>>Ambergris Caye prices
>>>Check current San Pedro/Ambergris hotel and package deals
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
- January avg high: 92°F/33°C
- January avg low: 69°F/21°C
- January avg precip: 0.1″/0.3cm
Costa Rica is the adventure tourism capital of Latin America, and if you want to zip-line and go rafting or surfing you are probably better off going somewhere near San Jose, which is the capital. But if you want a modern resort on a lovely beach with perfect warm weather in January you should head to the Guanacaste area and fly into nearby Liberia Airport. This area is a collection of former fishing villages that now have a variety of traditional beach hotels and modern chain resorts in all price ranges.
January is part of the high season so the resort hotels aren’t cheap, but at least there are a few good all-inclusive resorts that are good value. You can see by the price quotes below that 3-star hotels are MUCH cheaper in this area, so that is something to take into account. The cheaper hotels will have much more of a local feel, while the 4-star beach resort hotels are mostly chains and offer a high level of luxury for the price.
- 3-star hotels from: US$71 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$311 (all inclusive) per night for two people
>>>Guanacaste prices
>>>Check current Tamarindo hotel and package deals
Cartagena, Colombia
- January avg high: 85°F/29°C
- January avg low: 75°F/24°C
- January avg precip: 0.2″/0.5cm
January marks the best weather month of the year in Cartagena and most of Colombia, as days will be uniformly sunny and warm, but rarely too hot, and nights are pleasant as well. With almost no rainfall in the forecast you can confidently leave the umbrella at home and work on your tan as long as you like.
Of course the first week of January is still the peak season for hotels and flights, and the rest of the month is in high season, so hotel deals might be challenging to find. On the other hand, it’ll still be far cheaper than almost anywhere else in the Caribbean, so if you can’t afford Cartagena you should stay home.
- 3-star hotels from: US$71 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$109 per night for two people
>>>Cartagena prices
>>>Check current Cartagena hotel and package deals
Lima, Peru
- January avg high: 79°F/26°C
- January avg low: 68°F/20°C
- January avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm
January is definitely part of the high season in Lima, but it’s still quite affordable by international standards. The weather will be pretty much perfect with warm days, mild evenings and pretty much no chance of rain all month. Many middle and upper class people from around South America will be in Lima on their vacations, so it’s an interesting mix of people for an outsider.
The historic city center is quite interesting, but many will choose to stay in the trendy Miraflores district along the beach instead. There’s more restaurants and tourist infrastructure there, yet it’s a short ride into the center for sightseeing. By the way, the rainy season in Cusco goes on in January, so the trails can sometimes be cut off, although many people go anyway.
- 3-star hotels from: US$49 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$86 per night for two people
>>>Lima prices
>>>Check current Lima hotel and package deals
Santiago, Chile
- January avg high: 86°F/30°C
- January avg low: 55°F/13°C
- January avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm
January is part of the peak season in Santiago as the ideal weather draws people from all over South America who have vacation time. It’s a huge city with much to offer, and prices even during the peak season are quite reasonable by international standards.
Many people include Santiago on a trip combining many different South American countries, but those who don’t want to jet around quite that much will find that Chile itself is loaded with great sights. There’s the colonial town of Valparaiso and great adventure activities in the foothills of the Andes. Book well in advance to get the best deals.
- 3-star hotels from: US$61 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$105 per night for two people
>>>Santiago prices
>>>Check current Santiago hotel and package deals
Buenos Aires, Argentina
- January avg high: 87°F/31°C
- January avg low: 69°F/21°C
- January avg precip: 4.7″/11.8cm
Being completely honest, January isn’t an ideal month to visit Buenos Aires, as it will be quite warm, day and night, and also quite crowded. There’s also the threat of rain on any given day, but we are including it here because it’s still a fantastic place to visit and the warm weather isn’t a problem for many.
Another thing to note about Buenos Aires compared to most other South American cities is that BA is more about culture, food, and other indoor pursuits. It’s a great place for just strolling in the shopping districts when it’s not too hot, but even when it’s raining or too muggy outside you’ll have an endless list of interesting things to see and do, all quite cheap for what you get.
It’s important to mention the currency situation in Argentina because it’s unlike almost anywhere else on earth. Long story short, if you bring in crisp, new US dollars or Euros you can exchange them on the “blue rate” and get about twice as many Argentine pesos as you would if you used the ATMs when you arrive. In other words, research Argentina blue rate or blue dollar and this place is literally half the price it otherwise would be, and it’s already fairly cheap.
- 3-star hotels from: US$61 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$68 per night for two people
>>>Buenos Aires prices
>>>Check current Buenos Aires hotel and package deals
Bariloche, Argentina
- January avg high: 71°F/22°C
- January avg low: 44°F/7°C
- January avg precip: 1.0″/2.5cm
Obviously January is the height of summer in South America, so most cities are going to be very warm and also crowded. Bariloche is a mountain resort town in southern Argentina where you can expect it to be mild and crowded, so it can be a nice break from the hot coastal cities.
This place used to be a German settlement, so it still has an abundance of small chocolate shops and some architecture to carry on that theme. These days this is a busy winter resort and a busy summer resort, with a wide variety of water activities available. Even in high season, prices here should be at least a bit below those in Buenos Aires, so it will feel like a bargain for most foreign visitors.
You might also consider including Mendoza on your trip, which is the main wine region of Argentina, and also good value.
- 3-star hotels from: US$83 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$119 per night for two people
>>>Bariloche prices
>>>Check current Bariloche hotel and package deals
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- January avg high: 90°F/32°C
- January avg low: 73°F/23°C
- January avg precip: 5.1″/12.8cm
January is the middle of the wet season in Rio de Janeiro, but this is the typical tropical rain pattern that almost always amounts to a 30-minute downpour a few times a week, and sunny skies before and after that. This is a very busy time of the year for Rio, behind only Carnival the following month for crowds and hotel rates, but it’s still relatively cheap and it’s an amazing place to visit at any price.
Hotels along the famous beaches will be quite expensive in January so finding a bargain will be tough, but if you are willing to stay 2 or 3 blocks inland you can find nice places for a fraction of the price. Book well in advance to get the best deals since in busy season like this prices generally just keep going up as the dates approach.
- 3-star hotels from: US$71 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$94 per night for two people
>>>Rio de Janeiro prices
>>>Check current Rio de Janeiro hotel and package deals
Europe
Needless to say, there are no destinations in the main part of Europe that could qualify as having great weather in January, but there is still one place worth mentioning…
Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
- January avg high: 69°F/21°C
- January avg low: 59°F/15°C
- January avg precip: 1.3″/3.3cm
It might be a stretch to call January in Tenerife as having “great” weather, but it’s still pretty damn good even if it’s too chilly to go swimming. Tenerife, in case you aren’t aware, is the largest Canary Island that also has the best infrastructure for English-speaking travelers, and its temperate location just off the coast of Africa gives it mild and pleasant weather all year round.
This island has many hundreds of hotels and holiday rentals, and it’s very popular with the British as well as others from northern European countries. January is part of the high season in Tenerife for hotel prices, but it’s still inexpensive by European or global standards. The area in the southwest corner of the island is where you’ll find most hotels and beach resorts that cater to an English-speaking crowd.
- 3-star hotels from: US$74 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$93 per night for two people
Africa
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
- January average high: 71°F/22°C
- January average low: 55°F/13°C
- January avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm
Budget-minded Europeans should be aware of Sharm el-Sheikh, which is on the southern Red Sea coast in Egypt. This is a proper beach resort with a wide range of affordable hotels alongside posh places that are popular with conventions and conference crowds.
While the weather in January is going to be too cold to enjoy a swim in the ocean, it’s obviously far warmer than you’ll find anywhere in Europe or even Turkey this time of year. As of a few years ago Sharm was unbelievably cheap because some people were worried about unrest, but those days are over and things are back to normal. It’s still cheap by almost any standard, but not insanely cheap like it was in 2021.
- 3-star hotels from: US$34 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$54 per night for two people
>>>Sharm el-Sheikh prices
>>>Check current Sharm el-Sheikh hotel and package deals
Cape Town, South Africa
- January avg high: 79°F/26°C
- January avg low: 60°F/16°C
- January avg precip: 0.6″/1.5cm
January is peak season in Cape Town so finding hotel deals will be challenging, but still it’s quite reasonably priced compared to Europe, North America, or Australia. The weather is pretty much perfect in January with warm days, mild nights, and virtually no rain at all.
The tricky part of an affordable holiday in South Africa will always be the airfare. Being so far from almost everywhere it’s tough to find a good price. The good news is that the country is filled with great sights, including safaris, of course, and history, so a 2-week trip can still be affordable all things considered.
- 3-star hotels from: US$52 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$98 per night for two people
>>>Cape Town prices
>>>Check current Cape Town hotel and package deals
Asia
The peak season for all of Southeast Asia starts around Christmas and goes through February, so you won’t be alone and prices are at their yearly peak. The good news is that things are still far cheaper than pretty much anywhere else in the world.
>>>18 Best Asia destinations in January
Goa, India
- January avg high: 89°F/32°C
- January avg low: 67°F/19°C
- January avg precip: 0.1″/0.3cm
Goa is incredibly popular around the Christmas holidays and through January so hotels will be more expensive this time of year than any other. That said, it’s still incredibly cheap compared to any other sunshine destination in the world as long as you know your way around. This is a large area and package hotels in some beach cities will actually show fairly expensive prices this time of year, but independent hotels not far away will still be very cheap.
Prices in Goa, as well as the rest of India, have been rising steadily in the past few years. It’s more important than ever to choose your resort and area wisely. In Calungute and Baga it might feel like prices are only a bit cheaper than in, say, Spain, but if you go to Anjuna or Vagator and find a family-run hotel and eat in local restaurants you’ll be spending a fraction of that. If you are in the mood to tour around, Mumbai has great weather during January, and Delhi has warm days but cool evenings this time of year.
- 3-star hotels from: US$43 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$72 per night for two people
>>>Goa prices
>>>Check prices on India hotels and resorts
Bangkok, Thailand
- January avg high: 90°F/32°C
- January avg low: 70°F/21°C
- January avg precip: 0.4″/1.0cm
January can be very crowded in Bangkok so this is really the only time of year you should seriously think about booking a hotel well in advance. Things lighten up a bit as the month goes on, but around the New Years week it can be brutal. The weather is perfect with spectacular sunny days and mild evenings. It will still be humid in the evenings, but not as bad as other times of the year.
If you are shopping online for hotels in Bangkok you’ll find that most of them seem quite expensive, at least this time of year. It’s worth knowing that many hotels in this city don’t take online reservations and most of the cheaper ones do accept reservations by email. Meals will be very cheap, especially if you don’t mind eating the wonderful (and safe) street food available on almost every block.
- 3-star hotels from: US$33 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$54 per night for two people
>>>Bangkok prices
>>>Check Bangkok and Thailand hotel prices
Siem Reap, Cambodia
- January avg high: 90°F/32°C
- January avg low: 68°F/20°C
- January avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm
You visit Siem Reap to visit the amazing temple complex of Angkor Wat just to its north, and this is the best time of the year for that, even though it’s also the most crowded. Most other times of the year it’s so hot and humid during the day that you have to break your temple visit up with an afternoon break, but in January you can actually go straight through most of the time.
There are many really expensive hotels in Siem Reap since this attraction brings in almost as many 5-star travelers as it does backpackers, but there are still plenty of cheap guesthouses and even hostels. The price average for a day in Siem Reap is actually quite a bit lower than what is shown here, and it’s only inflated this much because admission to Angkor Wat is quite high if you only go for the one-day option.
- 3-star hotels from: US$28 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$37 per night for two people
>>>Siem Reap prices
>>>Check Siem Reap and Cambodia hotel deals
Phuket, Thailand
- January avg high: 89°F/32°C
- January avg low: 74°F/23°C
- January avg precip: 1.2″/3.0cm
As the most expensive part of Thailand, Phuket barely qualifies as cheap if you are detemined to stay in one of the many beach resorts in the posh towns. The prices we list on this site are for Phuket Town, which is inland and much cheaper than even the cheapest beach cities.
January has excellent weather and is incredibly popular in Phuket for Europeans in particular. If you are flying all that way to sit on a beach then you are probably going to want to spend a bit more on a proper beach hotel rather than trying to save money by commuting to the beach from Phuket Town each morning. Book early for the best prices since they usually just keep rising as the dates approach. Another nice thing is Phuket has its own huge international airport so you can fly in from the Middle East instead of having to change planes in Bangkok.
- 3-star hotels from: US$36 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$57 per night for two people
>>>Phuket prices
>>>Check for the best Phuket resort deals
Boracay Island, Philippines
- January average high: 82°F/28°C
- January average low: 73°F/24°C
- January avg precip: 3.7″/0.3cm
January is nearly perfect in Boracay, so it’s also part of the high season for hotels. Increasing numbers of visitors are discovering what all the fuss is about here, as Boracay Island combines affordable prices, excellent beaches, and a throw-back atmosphere that is far more pleasant than most other busy beaches in Southeast Asia.
As a long and thin island just off of a larger island, nearly every hotel on Boracay is within a very short walk of the beach. For that reason there are virtually no super-cheap places but value is fantastic for mid-range and up visitors. Food and drinks are very reasonably priced here, as are things like massages and diving trips. Boracay Island was closed to visitors for 6 months in 2018 and now the infrastructure and environment are in better shape than they’ve been in in years.
- 3-star hotels from: US$57 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$84 per night for two people
>>>Boracay prices
>>>Check Boracay resort deals
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- January avg high: 89°F/32°C
- January avg low: 70°F/21°C
- January avg precip: 0.6″/1.5cm
Saigon (as it’s locally known) is certainly not a beach city, but it’s a very popular part of the SE Asia backpacker circuit that really heats up this time of the year. There are beach cities like Nha Trang along Vietnam’s east coast, and a few islands to the south and over in nearby Cambodia as well. HCMC is quite cheap by almost any standards and it’s a great stop to mix in between beach destinations if you are in the region.
The weather in January is perhaps the best of the whole year, as the evenings are reasonably cool and it’s less humid that other times. This is also an emerging party city, unlike others in Vietnam, so it works on many levels for the budget tourist or backpacker.
- 3-star hotels from: US$52 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$71 per night for two people
>>>Ho Chi Minh City prices
>>>Check current Ho Chi Minh City hotel deals
Chiang Mai, Thailand
- January avg high: 84°F/29°C
- January avg low: 57°F/14°C
- January avg precip: 0.3″/0.8cm
If you have more than a week or two off around this time of year you’d be hard pressed to find a better travel value than Chiang Mai. The weather is perfect, with warm sunny days and mild nights that aren’t annoyingly muggy like they are in Bangkok and Saigon. It’s the high season for hotels for sure, but since hotels are so incredibly cheap here that still puts them well below the price of a dorm bed in almost any European city.
While Chiang Mai itself may not be as charming as you might expect, considering it’s a historic former capital filled with temples, the best part is that this is a fantastic part of Thailand for trekking and other outdoor activities. Come to Chiang Mai and then shop around for multi-day trips to nearby forests and temples, which are also very cheap, even in January.
- 3-star hotels from: US$24 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$39 per night for two people
>>>Chiang Mai prices
>>>Check Chiang Mai and Thailand tour prices
Luang Prabang, Laos
- January avg high: 82°F/28°C
- January avg low: 58°F/14°C
- January avg precip: 0.5″/1.3cm
Another city with perfect weather in January, Luang Prabang is the biggest tourist city in Laos, and it can get quite crowded this time of year, for good reason. Again you have the warm and dry days with evenings that are pleasant rather than steamy as they are down south.
In the past few years Luang Prabang has gotten many more upscale hotels so it might look like the city isn’t friendly for budget travelers, but there are still many cheaper guesthouses left, although most aren’t bookable online. If you just show up in town there’s a good chance you can find a cheap room, but arrive early in the day if possible. If you are coming on the slow boat you will have plenty of competition for the cheaper beds.
- 3-star hotels from: US$37 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$55 per night for two people
>>>Luang Prabang prices
>>>Check Luang Prabang hotel and resort deals
Middle East
January is cool and even a bit rainy in most of the Middle East. An exception is Dubai (below) and Abu Dhabi, which both have perfect sunny weather. However, Abu Dhabi doesn’t make this list because it’s not really cheap enough for the cut.
Dubai, UAE
- January avg high: 75°F/24°C
- January avg low: 58°F/14°C
- January avg precip: 0.6″/1.5cm
January is peak season in Dubai not because it’s so warm but because Europe is so cold this month. As you can see by the temperatures above, you are going to want to pack a light jacket or sweater for the evenings, even if you can leave the umbrella at home. You should be able to get in a bit of beach time this month, although most people sit at hotel pools between meals and visits to the many shopping malls.
Even though Dubai is busy in January, it’s still a good bargain because there are so many hotels and apartment rentals here. The huge airport is also very busy this time of year, though airfares are quite reasonable from Europe and other nearby areas where people are looking for a winter break.
- 3-star hotels from: US$53 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$72 per night for two people
Very logical Roger, you’ve been a great help! I think I’m feeling confident enough to book flights now, thanks again so much for taking your time to answer my questions. I’ll be sure to let you know how I go! 🙂
Sudi
Sudi,
Great. As an experienced traveler already, I’m sure you’ll have an excellent time. -Roger
Thanks so much Roger, very helpful advice! Sorry I forgot to mention that I have done most of southeast Asia. I really loved it and will definitely go back at some stage.
I think I’m fairly set on South America now, it’s good to hear that you were able to enjoy your time there despite not knowing the language. I plan to visit Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile. How do you think I should distribute my 10 weeks across each country (roughly)? And do you believe it’d be better for me to travel north to south or south to north?
Appreciate your advice 🙂 Sudi
Sudi,
That makes sense about Southeast Asia. With 10 weeks you’ll have more than enough time to visit all of the top sights in all four of those countries. I’d probably just wing it and stay in each place until I’m ready to leave. You’ll be able to get comfortable bus service between all of your stops, with longer city pairs usually connected by overnight buses with sleeper seats. Since you’ll be there during the warmest months, you might want to avoid the large cities close to sea level in January, as it can be hot and uncomfortable. You’ll also have to work around the Christmas season, which is popular for locals and foreign tourists. I think I would start in Argentina, which feels quite like Europe, and then go to Chile and up through Bolivia and into Peru. Check the rainy season in each place, of course, but I think you’ll be mostly dry in those months.
Buenos Aires feels very modern, and Santiago is very modern as well. Aside from those, most of the rest of your trip will feel more like South America in that things will be cheaper and more exotic to you. Also, if you get those large and (relatively) expensive cities out of the way early, it will be fun because everything else will feel so cheap. If you do it the other way around it can feel scary when prices have doubled in a new place. I hope this helps. -Roger
Hi Roger, love your work! I’m an Australian that graduates from college at the end of the year, I’ll have 2-3 months to travel (mid-Nov to end of Jan). I will most likely be solo backpacking but hope to meet people who I’ll travel with along the way. I would love to do some hiking, meet new people and eat good food. As long as it’s not snowing I don’t mind how cold it is but the idea of short days makes me want to steer away from Canada/Europe. I was thinking maybe South America? What I’m unsure about is: getting around, language barrier, ability to be flexible and the crowd I’d expect to meet while backpacking. Would you recommend South America/is there anywhere else you think may suit me more? I plan to budget about $8-10k for the 2.5 months. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks 🙂 Sudi
Sudi,
Thank you. I agree about staying away from northern latitudes that time of year. Even if you find decent weather, the short days still make it less enjoyable, just as you say.
South America would work for you, but since you are in Australia the natural place to go would be southeast Asia. Unless you’ve explored that area extensively already, that is where I would go, and it’s literally the perfect time of year for the best (non-scorching and mostly dry) weather. Since it’s near the equator the days are almost 12 hours of sunlight all year round, so that works as well.
The weather in most of South America is good because it’s summer in the south and always the same in the Tropics. The most challenging things about South America are pretty much exactly what you mentioned. First off, English isn’t widely spoken in any of the Spanish-speaking countries, and Brazil is only a bit better. It can be frustrating and even a bit lonely because even a majority of the other tourists you’ll meet are Spanish speakers. That said, I speak almost no Spanish and I’ve been to all of the main places and enjoyed them all. As far as getting around, you can get cheap flights between most of the major cities, but backpackers usually end up on long-distance overnight buses. These can vary in quality, but you can get almost anywhere without much hardship. If that part of the world really inspires you I’m sure you’d have the time of your life. But if you are not terribly inspired by Latin America at this point in your life, it may not be ideal.
I know most Aussies go to Bali, but in those months you really want to focus on Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. You can also go to Myanmar if you want to, as well as Malaysia and Singapore, which get progressively more expensive. Mid November is the tail end of the rainy season, but you should be able to avoid it almost completely if you choose your starting location wisely. Have a look at my article on cheap places in November, and the best Asia destinations in November for weather info and seasonal advice.
Bangkok is probably the best starting point and general transit hub, and it is dry enough in mid November for it to be very pleasant. It’s very easy to get around southeast Asia on trains (in Thailand and Malaysia) and buses in the other countries. And you’ll meet thousands of other young backpackers from all over the world, almost all of whom speak English. Not all of the locals in those countries speak English, but the ones you’ll encounter in hotels, bars, restaurants, and attractions will speak enough English to do their jobs.
You could also go to India, which mostly has very nice weather that time of year. It’s very intense though and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it until you’ve grown tired of easier places. I’m happy to help with more advice if you need it. I love these kinds of longer trips so I envy you. -Roger
Hi Roger
We are 5 travelling from Victoria, BC, Hamilton, Ontario, Halifax, Nova Scotia and Tampa, Florida. We want to book a timeshare Resort or accommodations with a kitchen, very close to the beach in January 2018. Water activities would be nice. We checked cruises and it would be $2,000 Canadian pp. I think we could find something alot less expensive by the beach, with shopping and restaurants near by for much less. Can you make any suggestions? Robin
Robin,
My top pick for a holiday rental like that near a Caribbean beach is San Juan, Puerto Rico. It’s not the cheapest place in the Caribbean, but it’s very good value for the money and it’s surprisingly nice. There is a neighborhood called Condado that is close to the gorgeous Old San Juan colonial area, which has lovely sights and good culture as well. You can find good rentals closer to the airport as well, but they are farther from the culture and main sights.
One reason I recommend San Juan for rentals is that it has large and pleasant neighborhoods along excellent sandy beaches that are mostly condos and apartments rather than just a strip of hotels. In other words, it’s more relaxed and residential, rather than very touristy. Since it’s part of the US, it’s also very safe and well organized (for the most part). Many people own condos there and rent them out most of the year, so there is a wide selection in various sizes. And speaking Spanish helps, but in the beachy tourist areas you can get by well with just English. That is not true of many other Caribbean islands.
If for some reason that doesn’t sound good to you my next recommendation would be Playa del Carmen, which is just south of Cancun. Unlike Cancun, which is mainly just a strip of tall hotels on the beach, Playa del Carmen is a full tourist town with accommodations in many categories and limitless restaurant and shopping choices within a short walk of most of them. It’s probably a bit cheaper than San Juan, and the beach isn’t quite as nice. I really like both places, but Mexico can be a bit more edgy and unpredictable, so San Juan is a safer choice for most people. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
hey i am planning for a 10 to 12 day trip with my wife and 3 year old kid in january we are from india and would love to visit some place with a tropical to cool weather what do u suggest …thanks
Bawa,
I’m happy to try to help, but I’m a bit confused about your request for “tropical to cool weather.” Tropical and cool are opposites, and if you want both in the same destination you’ll have to go to mountain areas in the tropics. One example is the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia, where it’s about 22C almost every afternoon of the year (and it rains quite a bit). If you go down that mountain it’s 31C almost every afternoon of the year.
Please let me know more about what you are looking for and I will try to help. -Roger
Perhaps you would be so kind as to advise me. I want to travel alone(female, late 50) , would like warm, not hot destination, safe, and daily yoga classes, so a small city perhaps, would like to be able to walk and or take public transit. I’m thinking for a month in Jan 2018. Any suggestions. I only speak English, but have travelled Asia, Africa, carribean previously.
Lynn,
In January you’ll find that most of the Caribbean would be considered warm rather than hot, although it can feel a bit hot in the late afternoon before cooling off at night. I’m no yoga expert, but I’d imagine that you can probably find a small and friendly yoga studio in many popular locations in the Caribbean. My first suggestion would be Playa del Carmen, which is just south of Cancun. It’s really a lovely small city where it would be easy to get by on English only and you’d have plenty of other English-speaking visitors and expats around you. It looks like there are a couple of yoga studios, but you’ll have to research that yourself to see if they look good. Playa del Carmen would also be one of the more affordable Caribbean towns for a month-long stay. In January if you want to go to, say, St. Maarten, you’d probably pay double or more.
If that sounds too warm for you and you don’t mind going to an island south of Europe, you might consider Tenerife, which is the largest of the Canary Islands. It’s warm but not hot in December, and there are a few yoga studios in the popular Los Cristianos area. It’s very easy to get by on English only there, and apartment rentals there are quite inexpensive as well. I hope these suggestions help. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi, Roger.
I first want to say I really appreciate the effort you put into your advice and opinions. It is really helpful, thank you!
Me and my boyfriend would want to travel to somewhere warm/nice temperature in december 2017 or january 2018, for 5-6 days. We would really like if we could find something at max 1100$, flight + hotel/ 2 persons. We take into consideration beach destination/island, but a city to visit with wonderful culture would be nice too.
Egypt I saw that we could go around 1000 $ with tour package and flight. I saw that Tenerife woudnt be that warm in that period. Any other suggestions?
Thank you very much, once again!
Miri,
I’m always happy to hear that this is helpful. Since you didn’t mention your starting point and you used the $ symbol I’m going to assume you are in the US of A. Tenerife is warm for Europe, but probably not as warm as you are looking for. Egypt is indeed cheap once you get there, but many people are holding off visiting there for safety reasons.
So if you are in the US and only have 5 or 6 days then I’d highly recommend Central America. Flying to Europe would take a day each way including all of the transfers and such, while you could get to Central America in 5 hours or so and have no jet lag.
My top cultural pick that also has awesome beaches in the region is San Juan, Puerto Rico. The historic old city is gorgeous and has quite a few very interesting attractions along with great restaurants and nightlife. And the beaches just east of Old San Juan in the district of Condado are some of the best in the Caribbean. You could rent an apartment in the Condado area and enjoy the best of both worlds along with warm weather.
The other pick would be Cartagena, Colombia, which is even cheaper once you get there. They also have a historic walled old colonial town that is very pretty and very interesting. The nearby beaches aren’t quite as nice, but they are nice enough for many people. Hopefully one or both of those sound interesting to you. If you have something else in mind, let me know and I’ll try again. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Great recommendations! I’m in NYC and I’m looking to travel somewhere warm (70s-80s) for 2-3 weeks sometime in late January to mid-February. I like exploring the local outdoor scenery, enjoy bicycling, and love great food. I will be traveling solo so safety and decent infrastructure is important.
I aiming at a budget of $35/day. I was thinking of Vietnam (Ho Chi Min City), since I love the food and it seems to be a popular choice. One thing that I’m worried about is the Lunar New Year coming up in late January. I’ve heard that the country basically shuts down for 2 weeks. Any insight on this? I’ve also read that the pollution there is pretty bad. I like spending time outdoors, so is this something that would hamper my time there?
I know that you’re a fan of Thailand as well. I’ve been to Bangkok as a child, but it was a bit touristy from what I remember. Any other cities in Thailand you’d recommend this time of year?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Thanks and have a great new year!
Jason,
On a budget of US$35 per day I think you are in the right area in Vietnam or perhaps Cambodia and Laos. Interestingly, I spent 4 months in Vietnam a few years ago, and I arrived not long before Tet (Lunar New Year), which I spent in Hanoi. The holiday is a HUGE deal, but with 2 to 3 weeks you can work around it. Basically, on Tet (January 28 in 2017), most things will be closed, although there will be enough restaurants for the tourists so no one will go hungry. Most locals who can will travel home to their village for a couple days, and some stay maybe 4 or 5 days. But by about the 3rd day after Tet, most things will be open again because tourism is a huge part of the economy and it’s high season.
I’d highly recommend spending maybe 3 or 4 days in Ho Chi Minh City and then taking the train up to Denang to visit Hoi An for a few days and then up to Hanoi for a few days including Ha Long Bay. Vietnam has a lot of range with these cities and sights, and things tend to get a bit cheaper in the north. HCMC is also quite crowded and noisy. It was actually my least favorite stop in Vietnam, although I didn’t find it to be overly polluted. You might also head to Nha Trang for a few days on the beach.
So as long as you plan your trip so you don’t need to take a train for a few days after Tet, you’ll be fine and you’ll love it. It’s actually very peaceful to be in a crowded city that goes quiet for a couple days before slowly ramping up again.
Another option would be to start in Chiang Mai, Thailand for a few days and then take a bus to the slow boat and then take that to Luang Prabang, Laos for a few more days. That is a very different and more mellow experience, which would also be quite cheap. Part of Bangkok are touristy and a big chunk of the city center (around Siam Square) is almost nothing but shopping malls, but most of it is really authentic and interesting. I’d highly recommend a few days in Bangkok if you were in the area. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Greetings Roger,
First and foremost, I really appreciate the detailed precise information you share. It’s very informative! I’m headed to Cairo next week. I’m a bit skeptical, as a female traveler, but I’m also excited. I travel frequently, however, my first solo trip was to Chiang Mai last month. Thailand is very easy for me, as I’ve traveled there frequently. I went to Dubai last January, which was amazing, and believe it or not, quite affordable, . With Egypt, I don’t know if I would really enjoy myself outside of being with a Tour Group. The prices increase as a solo Traveler, which is a bummer. How was Cairo for you? I hear many stories especially when it comes to harassment for women. Do you have any pointers for solo traveling there? Like everywhere I go, I use good judgment and focus on safety. I really would like to enjoy myself over there. Thanks a bunch!
~Shereese
Shereese,
Cairo is an interesting destination these days. The instability of the government over the last few years has scared most visitors away, even though there have been very few reports of actual problems. One result is that prices are incredibly low, but another result, according to reports, is that with fewer tourists the touts become even more aggressive.
As far as the solo female traveler thing, I’d recommend you read about it on some travel blogs run by solo female travelers. There are plenty out there if you Google for them. I really couldn’t confidently give you advice about that.
Even so, this might not be a good time to visit Cairo just as a solo traveler in general. When I was there 10 years ago it was also during a slow period for tourism, and the remaining tourists get so much attention from touts and sales people that it can be really annoying. On one hand, Cairo is one of the most amazing cities on earth, and the Great Pyramids are something that you should see in your life. But right now might not be the best time. Sorry I couldn’t help more on this, and let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger – thanks so much for your generosity of time in answering personal questions, and providing great tips. I have traveled a lot and have 2 weeks to venture somewhere from Melbourne… we were thinking 2 weeks in Bali (I also wanted to incorporate 1 week fitness camp, but no one seems to run them then! Only in late Feb onwards)
Now I am thinking Argentina or Mexico (even tho I lose extra travel time), as I have never been to either.
I have been to Bali, Thailand, Vietnam already. Never to the Philipines – I have read so many conflicting reports on Boracay I feel unsure! Do you think 2 weeks in Boracay is going to be too much? I like a bit of action.
Thanks 🙂
Pia,
Sorry for the delay in responding. I was on a road trip.
I spent 2 weeks on Boracay Island and if I wasn’t there doing research I would say it would be too long. It’s a lovely little island that is perfect for relaxing or some water sports, but there isn’t much else to do so it could feel a bit monotonous after the first week or so.
I used to absolutely love Bali, but after spending a month there in early 2016 I find it harder to recommend. The island is just so crowded and overbuilt that I think it lacks the charm it used to have. I still like the town of Lovina on the north shore, and Ubud is nice for spa retreats and that sort of thing.
If you can easily get to Argentina I think you’d love it. It’s a wonderful country with plenty to see and do, although it’s much easier if you speak at least some Spanish. With the economic troubles they’ve had there the currency is quite low so it’s great value at the moment. The same is mostly true of Mexico, including the language situation, but Mexico also has its many beach resort areas. Mexico City is underrated, though probably not a good place for a 2-week trip where you want to relax. I hope this helps and I’ll be happy to provide more information if you like. -Roger