15 Best Places to Travel in January

As holiday celebrations wind down and a new year begins, you might begin to feel those familiar post-holiday blues. It’s the perfect time to give yourself something to look forward to — a trip, even a short weekend getaway. And whether snowy slopes or sunny beaches are calling, we have ideas for you.

Whatever direction you choose, here are our suggestions for the 15 best places to travel in January.

Los Cabos, Mexico

The southern tip of Baja California has long been one of my favorite places to visit, and my whale watching experience in Los Cabos last winter only confirmed my opinion. Each year around late December, gray whales, humpbacks, and whale sharks migrate to the warm seas around Baja to feed and give birth. During our whale watching cruise, there were splashing breaches all around and a gray whale thrillingly trailed within inches of our boat. Plus, with white-sand beaches, golf courses, night clubs, shops, and a wide selection of restaurants, Los Cabos will keep you as busy as you want both day and night.

Where to Stay: Choose an all-inclusive resort in Los Cabos like the luxurious Grand Velas or adults-only Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos. The Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort, Viceroy Los Cabos, and Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection made the top 10 in Travel + Leisure’s 2024 list of our readers’ favorite resorts in Mexico.

Dominican Republic

Located on the island of Hispaniola and bordered by the Atlantic and the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is home to a diverse range of landscapes as well as plentiful plant and animal life. The best way to see it all? Consider visiting one of its 29 national parks. From hiking the cloud forest of Sierra de Bahoruco National Park to spelunking the caves of Cotubanamá National Park or diving to see the coral formations of Montecristi Underwater National Park, there’s something for every kind of adventure seeker. In January, the weather is typically warm and dry, with temperatures peaking in the mid-80s, so it’s still a perfect island destination for those who want to simply relax by the beach with a tropical drink.

Where to Stay: On the white sands of Bávaro Beach, there’s Meliá Punta Cana Beach Resort, an adults-only, “wellness-inclusive” hotel, Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort, and Lopesan Costa Bávaro. Luxurious Eden Roc Cap Cana is the Dominican Republic’s only Relais & Châteaux hotel.

India

India is the largest country in the world by population and one of the most diverse. Attending a festival is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in its rich heritage: Makar Sankranti, a popular Hindu holiday, typically takes place around Jan. 14, and signifies the end of winter and the beginning of longer days. People often take to their rooftops to participate in “kite battles” to celebrate. “January 2025 will also be the perfect time to experience the Maha Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering in the world, held once every 12 years in the city of Prayagraj,” says A-list travel advisor Carol Cambata, CEO of Greaves Tours. “This vibrant tapestry of faith, tradition, and celebration invites you to step into a realm where the sacred and the everyday intertwine beautifully.” Plus, it will soon be easier to get to India — specifically, New Delhi — than ever. Air India recently announced new nonstop flights on their flagship A350 aircraft to New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) beginning in November and January, respectively.

Where to Stay: In the 2024 World’s Best Awards, T+L readers ranked 20 of their favorite hotels in India. For another luxurious option, consider a stay at the Raffles Jaipur, which opened in July and delivers all the opulence that the Raffles brand is known for within a stunning, palatial setting.

Banff, Alberta

Banff is a perennial favorite winter destination for a reason. Around 4.5 million visitors per year visit Banff National Park to enjoy rugged Canadian Rocky views and over 8,000 acres of skiable terrain and deep powder. There are three popular resorts to choose from: Mount Norquay, the Lake Louise Ski Resort, or Banff Sunshine Village. But, if you’re not into skiing and snowboarding, there are other winter activities to participate in, such as snowshoeing, dog sledding, and tubing. For more fun, check out SnowDays Festival, which takes place from Jan. 17-Feb. 2 in downtown Banff and features a mix of live music, street performers, ice carving at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and trick riders who perform wintery stunts while on horseback. Banff’s lively mix of restaurants, bars, galleries, and shops welcome visitors to its downtown streets, and you can always explore nearby Lake Louise if you’d like to venture out further.

Where to Stay: Named in the top five favorite Canada resorts by T+L readers in the 2024 World’s Best Awards, Fairmont Banff Springs is a historic hotel with cozy rooms and spacious suites. Moxy Banff, formerly a 1964 motor hotel, has been thoroughly updated and decorated with playful mid-century design.

Singapore

Singapore — an island, a city, and a country — is one of the most exciting places in the world to visit year-round. January is Singapore’s cool, rainy season, but don’t let that dampen your interest in a January trip; the fun begins as soon as you arrive at Changi Airport, a destination in itself with the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, a rock climbing wall, and a rooftop pool. Plus, the country’s biggest holiday, Chinese New Year, will kick off on Jan. 29 and celebrate the Year of the Snake with parades, fireworks, and traditional foods such as dumplings, steamed fish, and longevity noodles. But, even if you don’t visit during New Year celebrations, there will be no shortage of things to do. Make time to peruse the world-famous hawker centers, stroll through the Gardens by the Bay, shop the bustling Marina Bay neighborhood, and smell the flowers at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Where to Stay: The best hotels in Singapore include the luxe Shangri-La Singapore and the iconic Marina Bay Sands.

Dubai

“January is a great time to visit Dubai, as the weather is pleasant, less humid, and feels like eternal winter sunshine,” says A-list travel advisor Mo Noubani, director of The Travel Box International. Noubani notes most city events, including the Dubai Winter Festival, are scheduled during the cooler months. Cafe and bar patios are also much more enjoyable around this time of year, when the weather is more mild and crowds are smaller. And while beaches can still feel chilly in the mornings and evenings, water activities still abound during the day. “January can provide visitors to Dubai the full spectrum of what the city has to offer in the most comfortable setting,” he says.

Where to Stay: Dubai was named one of our readers’ favorite cities in the 2024 World’s Best Awards, and Raffles The Palm Dubai is a reader-favorite property. The Madinat Jumeirah luxury resort complex is home to three palatial properties connected by waterways. Nearby Jumeirah Burj Al Arab features Talise Spa, where you can indulge in everything from anti-aging collagen treatments to full-body, gold-infused oil massages.

Melbourne, Australia

Summer is in full swing in the Southern Hemisphere, and warm-weather activities are plentiful in Melbourne, Australia’s capital, in January. The Australian Open tennis tournament is set for Jan.12-26, attracting fans from around the world. Midsumma Festival, Australia’s premier LGBTQ+ annual event, will hold artist-led cultural events and performances from Jan. 19-Feb. 9. If you would like to venture beyond Melbourne, Victoria is full of striking natural beauty — it’s perhaps best known for its waterfalls, such as Mackenzie Falls in Grampians National Park. For those who like to indulge in a glass or a pint, tour Victoria’s King Valley wine region or sample multiple craft breweries along the High Country Brewery Trail. The 150-mile Great Ocean Road winds between Torquay and Allansford and is packed with jaw-dropping ocean views. Qantas runs daily, nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Melbourne and three weekly, nonstop flights from Dallas.

Where to Stay: Several new hotels opened in Melbourne in 2024, including Melbourne Place, Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, and The StandardX, located in one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, Fitzroy.

Patagonia

Located near the southern tip of South America, Patagonia encompasses parts of Chile and Argentina and is home to deserts, mountains, forests, and glaciers. “Patagonian summer is in full swing in January,” says A-list travel advisor Jordan Harvey, founder of Knowmad Adventures. “Holiday crowds go home, allowing for a nice early January high season lull with ideal summery weather … The days are extremely long and filled with sunshine.” Many visitors choose to join an organized group or rely on an expert like Harvey to plan their trip to Patagonia — most are interested in visits to Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park and Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park. Other activities include whale watching cruises or a cattle ranch stay for a cultural experience with local flavor.

Where to Stay: Explora El Chalten is set in a private nature reserve in Argentina and can arrange excursions to explore Patagonia from hikes to overlanding tours.

Orlando, Florida

January’s mild weather is just one reason to visit Orlando during the beginning of the year. Universal Orlando and Disney World guests can enjoy shorter lines now that the holiday crowds are gone, and there are countless things to do in Orlando outside the parks, too. Check the showtimes at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts for concerts or plays (“Mamma Mia” is on in January), or head to the Kia Center when the Orlando Magic is in town. For a side trip, board the Brightline train to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, Boca Raton, or West Palm Beach.

Where to Stay: There are plenty of hotels at Disney World to choose from if visiting the theme parks is your main goal in Orlando. The Conrad Orlando and Evermore Orlando Resort are part of a new 1,100-acre development, featuring Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses and an eight-acre lagoon. Grande Lakes Orlando is a sprawling golf and spa retreat, while Lake Nona Wave Hotel is known for its technology-based approach to luxury (think smart windows and Toto toilets).

Denver, Colorado

Denver is a perfect January getaway, whether you want a city vacation with concerts, shows, museums, and restaurants or a nature-focused trip to nearby Rocky Mountain National Park. Bundle up for daytime temperatures in the mid-40s and explore the city’s art districts for murals, galleries, boutiques, and bookstores. The Denver Art Museum is currently exhibiting “Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak” until Feb. 17 and will display over 450 works by the “Where The Wild Things Are” author and illustrator. The 12-acre Denver Performing Arts Complex has multiple theaters and public spaces where visitors can enjoy ballet, opera, or a symphony. Take the light rail from Denver International Airport to Union Station, where you’ll find restaurants, bars, shops, and the historic Crawford Hotel.

Where to Stay: We’ve rounded up our list of the best hotels in Denver, including a personal favorite, The Rally Hotel, a boutique hotel conveniently located downtown next to Coors Field.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Known as the gateway to Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole is a favorite January destination for snow sports and wildlife spotting. Skiers and snowboarders alike will find all types of runs, from bunny slopes to black diamonds, at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee Resort. Wildlife seekers love the sleigh rides to the National Elk Refuge, a protected area home to one of the largest elk herds in the nation. There’s no shortage of things to do in Jackson Hole, including dog sledding, snowmobiling, cross-country and Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing. After a day in the snow, visitors can warm up in Jackson Hole’s restaurants, spas, hot springs, and in front of the fireplaces at their hotel or resort.

Where to Stay: The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection is a luxury hotel at Town Square, and Anvil Hotel, a boutique property, is steps away. The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa reopened in July after a four-year renovation following a 2019 fire. Hotel Terra Jackson Hole and Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa are both good options for powderhounds.

Catskill Mountains, New York

Snow season is well underway in the Catskills in January. Conveniently located about three hours from New York City and four hours from Boston, the Catskills offer small towns, history, restaurants, and a variety of places to stay, from rustic, romantic cabins to luxurious resorts. Want to leave the driving to someone else? You can take a train or bus from Manhattan and enjoy the scenery along the way. In the Sullivan Catskills (the southern part of the range), visitors can cruise the Craft Beverage Trail for breweries, distilleries, cideries, and fun places to stop for a meal. For those that would prefer a glass of vino, you can visit wineries in the Catskills, too.

Where to Stay: The Henson, Scribner’s Catskill Lodge, and 18-room boutique Hotel Lilien are minutes from Hunter Mountain, a popular ski area.

Monterey Peninsula, California

It’s a decidedly popular summer destination, but with its foggy weather and craggy shoreline, the Monterey Peninsula is charming in winter, too. Visitors flock here to admire the dolphins, sea lions, and migrating whales, as well as to catch the world’s best golfers at the start of their season, when the  AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am takes place from Jan. 27-Feb. 2. And though it may seem like a sleepy locale, there’s lots of things to do in the region with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, 17-Mile Drive, and Big Sur nearby. Carmel-by-the Sea, a walkable town with art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, is the perfect place for a pleasant afternoon stroll. The Monterey Wine Trail guides wine lovers through the picturesque scenery of the Central Coast to a variety of local wineries and tasting rooms.

Where to Stay: The Sanctuary Beach Resort, set on 19 oceanfront acres, offers 60 newly designed rooms and suites with fireplaces and beachfront terraces. Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay is located near downtown Monterey and Fisherman’s Wharf. Monterey Beach Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel reopened in August after extensive renovations. Carmel Valley Ranch and The Quail are both luxurious hotels with golf courses.

Lānaʻi, Hawaiʻi

This small island is relatively untouched, with few crowds, rugged hills, secluded beaches, and a small historic town, Lānaʻi City. With about 400 miles of four-wheel-drive trails, Lānaʻi attracts off-road enthusiasts as well as visitors to the island’s two luxury resorts and pristine shores. Lānaʻi Adventure Park is decked out with a climbing course, ziplines, and e-bikes. January is peak whale watching season, and humpbacks can be seen from the shore and on boat tours. Hiking to visitor-favorite Sweetheart Rock and snorkeling or tidepooling along Hulopoe Beach are more great ways to enjoy the island of Lānaʻi. Once the location of Dole pineapple plantations, Lānaʻi is called the “Pineapple Island,” and Dole Park in Lānaʻi City features shops, restaurants, and a grassy lawn surrounded by tall Cook pine trees.

Where to Stay: Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi has a stunning location, luxurious guest rooms and suites, and a world-class golf course. Sensei Lānaʻi, a Four Seasons Resort is an adults-only property focused on curating personalized wellness experiences. Hotel Lānaʻi in Lānaʻi City is a tranquil boutique with 10 individually designed guest rooms.

Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona

Phoenix and nearby Scottsdale are both well-known for their toasty summer temperatures, so January is an ideal time to visit. Hike through canyons and mountains among saguaro cacti in places such as Usery Mountain Regional Park. If you want to improve your swing, there are many nearby golf courses to choose from. There’s also a solid lineup of events in January, including the Winter Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival (Jan. 17-19), classic car exhibition Arizona Concours d’Elegance (Jan. 19), the Arizona Balloon Classic (Jan. 24-26), and the Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival (Jan. 31-Feb. 2).

Where to Stay: We’ve rounded up the best hotels in Phoenix and top places to stay in Scottsdale, so you have plenty of choices sure to please any type of traveler. I stayed at Hotel Valley Ho and loved its mid-century modern touches and Old Town location.