Where to Go in January

Deep winter escapes and Southern Hemisphere summer

8 Destinations

3 Featured

January offers a stark choice: embrace the cold for world-class skiing and aurora viewing, or escape to tropical dry seasons and Southern Hemisphere summers. This month delivers peak conditions across Southeast Asia, the Maldives, and East Africa's calving season.

Top Picks for January

Featured Destinations

Thailand, Thailand - Best time to visit in January

Featured

Budget

🇹🇭

Thailand

Tropical dry season perfection

22° - 32°C

minimal rain

High

Highlights

Minimal rainfall on Andaman coastExceptional diving visibilityChiang Mai Flower Festival

backpackerscouplesfamiliesbeach

Maldives, Maldives - Best time to visit in January

Luxury

🇲🇻

Maldives

Overwater luxury at its finest

26° - 30°C

minimal rain

Very High

Highlights

Lowest humidity of the year10-11 hours daily sunshine28°C sea temperatures

honeymoonluxurycouples

Booking tip: Book 6-12 months ahead for overwater villas

Serengeti, Tanzania - Best time to visit in January

Mid-Range

🇹🇿

Serengeti

Tanzania

The Great Migration's calving season

16° - 28°C

low rain

Moderate

Highlights

500,000 wildebeest birthsIntense predator activityExcellent visibility after short rains

wildlifephotographersadventure

Warm winter temperaturesDiverse island landscapesShort flight from Europe

familiesbeachhiking

Quick Comparison

Destination	Budget	Crowds	Best For	Weather
🇹🇭Thailand	Budget	High	backpackers, couples	22°-32°C
🇲🇻Maldives	Luxury	Very High	honeymoon, luxury	26°-30°C
🇹🇿Serengeti	Mid-Range	Moderate	wildlife, photographers	16°-28°C
🇳🇴Svalbard	Mid-Range	Low	adventure, photographers	-25°--10°C
🇺🇸Jackson Hole	Mid-Range	Low	skiing, adventure	-15°--3°C
🇦🇺Melbourne	Mid-Range	High	foodies, culture	15°-26°C
🇭🇺Budapest	Budget	Low	budget, culture	-2°-4°C
🇪🇸Canary Islands	Mid-Range	High	families, beach	16°-22°C