The 13 Best Places to Travel in January, From Mexico to Manila
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The moment the winter holidays wrap up, we’re already dreaming about the best places to travel in January. Not only is this the perfect month to kickstart those travel-themed New Year’s resolutions, but the first few weeks of the year are also a great time to score significant deals on airfare and hotels, as most people are sleeping off the festive season.
If you like the idea of saving money and dodging the crowds at some of the world’s top destinations, you'll have a range of trips to choose from. Whether you're interested in skiing snowy peaks in Italy and Japan, or exploring the sun-scorched dunes of Dubai, the list below includes some of the hottest spots around the world for the next year—some of which are featured in Condé Nast Traveler's list of the Best Places to Go in 2024. To help you start planning those midwinter trips, read on for our pick of the 13 best places to travel in January.
This article has been updated since its original publish date.
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Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is easily one of our favorite destinations, with its rambling temple ruins, leafy tea plantations, and wide, golden beaches. For animal-loving travelers, the country has plenty of options for wildlife viewing. Both Udawalawe National Park and Gal Oya National Park contain hundreds of elephants, while Yala National Park is home to the world’s highest concentration of leopards. (Hot tip: If you're keen on visiting the leopards, check out this Hilton resort next to the national park.)
Get a taste of the country’s natural beauty (with a hefty dose of luxury) at Tri, an 11-villa resort tucked away in a jungle on the shores of Koggala Lake. The rooms practically disappear into the lush landscapes thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and leafy living walls, and private terraces and plunge pools add to the secluded appeal. If you manage to leave your villa, you can enjoy Sri Lankan cooking, sunset yoga, and spa treatments.
- Courtesy Marriott
Park City, Utah
Park City—along with the adjacent tony town of Deer Valley—is undeniably one of the United States's top winter sports destinations, with more-than-ample opportunities for skiing, snowmobiling, and dog sledding. After a long day spent on Utah’s famous powder, ski right into town to throw back whiskey at a saloon or go shopping for the perfect cowboy hat. And if you can, try to snag some tickets to the Sundance Film Festival (January 23–February 2, 2025), which draws filmmakers and enthusiasts from all over the world for screenings of the year’s upcoming indie flicks.
The St. Regis Deer Valley is exclusive and impressive any time of year, but the ski-in, ski-out hotel glows even brighter in the winter months. You can get full après service at the “ski beach,” a 3,000-square-foot terrace with chaise lounges and fire pits, then cozy up in the library or gaze at the stellar Wasatch Range from your room.
- Renato Granieri
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is on the up-and-up. With the recent expansion of its airport in the capital of Freetown, more new routes to the rest of the continent (connectivity to perennial favorites Nigeria and South Africa are forthcoming), and a new visa on arrival program for tourists, Sierra Leone is getting more spots on African itineraries. The country's tourism-focused vision for its future centers around the showcasing—and the important safeguarding—of its diverse wildlife. The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is spearheading a wave of eco-centric openings in the area. There 's the Jethel Garden Eco-Resort near Freetown at Tasso Island, an important stop on the country’s slave trade history route. Further south, Turtle Islands, a previously inaccessible chain of remote sandbar islands in the Atlantic, has added new accommodations and better boat transfers with project Tomatribe, which includes glamping-style bell tents.
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Melbourne, Australia
January is one of the best times to visit Australia (remember, the month marks the height of summer Down Under), especially if you head to Melbourne—the country’s undeniable cultural capital. Oz’s second city hosts the Australian Open each year (January 6–26, 2025), officially kicking off the Grand Slam season and giving fans a sense of which tennis players to watch in the year ehead. Tickets are reasonable and can be purchased online now.
Even if you aren’t into the courtside drama, Melbourne is well worth visiting this (or any) month. The food is arguably the best in the country, with restaurants focused on local produce and native Australian ingredients—and even fine dining establishments like Lûmé and Attica have distinctly laid-back vibes. Don’t sleep on the city’s coffee scene, either. Australia on the whole is known for taking coffee very seriously, but Melbourne brings that to a whole new level.
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Nagano, Japan
January is peak ski season in Japan, with locals and travelers alike heading to the prime powder in and around Nagano. Hakuba, just outside of the city in the Japanese Alps, is one of the country’s best all-around ski destinations—many major resorts offer valley-wide tickets so you can hop around to different slopes within the area.
Japan’s version of après-ski is also worth traveling for, trading hotel hot tubs for traditional onsens. Ease any aches and pains after a day on the slopes at Shirahone Onsen, with its milky white water loaded with magnesium and calcium, then refuel with bowls of the buckwheat soba noodles that this part of Japan is known for. As for overnighting, book a room at the minimalist Hoshino Resorts KAI Alps, which has views of the Hida Mountains and the chance to snuggle up next to an irori (the local version of a campfire).
- Rock House Grace Bay
Turks and Caicos
Is there anything better than a winter escape to the Caribbean? For January travel, we’re big fans of Turks and Caicos—the rainy season has passed, and it’s relatively easy to find non-stop flights to Provo from the US. Plus, the archipelago happens to have some of the best hotels and resorts in the Caribbean. You can’t go wrong with standbys like COMO Parrot Cay, a wellness-focused property set on its own private island; or the Shore Club, a Long Bay Beach favorite with accommodations ranging from standard rooms to six-bedroom villas.
If you’d rather try something new, we wholly recommend Rock House, a 2023 Hot List winner. This stylish cliffside resort opened in 2022 to much acclaim, with impeccable oceanfront villas, seafood restaurants, and views of Grace Bay and the Atlantic. The property is located along one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, and guests are invited to explore the waters via kayaks and see-through paddleboards—all complimentary, of course.
- ShoppingA New Season of The White Lotus Just Dropped, Along With a Ton of CollaborationsParis Wilson
- Peter Adams/Getty
The Dolomites, Italy
The Dolomites are the cozy cousin to the Alps’ glitzy ski towns. The area’s powdery slopes can be accessed via the 86-mile Great Dolomites Road, one of the world’s most beautiful alpine drives. And, aside from the perfect skiing conditions, flights to this part of Italy are much cheaper in January than during other winter months. You can easily find round-trip tickets from New York to Venice for around $400, letting you save your money for ski passes and luxe hotels.
For both skiing and great stays, head to Cortina d’Ampezzo in the valley of the Boite River. The historic town is part of the massive Dolomiti Superski resort, connecting visitors to 750 miles of slopes and Europe’s largest network of cross-country trails. It also is home to Cristallo, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, a lavish Belle Époque hotel with a massive spa, lively piano bar, and stunning views of the mountains from every guest room.
- Carl Yared/Getty Images
Accra, Ghana
Thanks to a slew of local tourism initiatives and non-stop flights from Washington, DC to Accra, visiting Ghana has never been easier. The small West African country has landscapes ranging from beaches along the coast to the savannah in the north, but our attention right now is focused on Accra, its buzzing capital city. There's lots to do in the city—sample some incredible Ghanaian cooking at places like Fulani Kitchen and The Mix Restaurant, then shop around town for custom-made clothing and artwork.
There are plenty of high-end hotels in Accra (Marriott and Kempinski both have outposts here), but consider heading to the Safari Valley Resort ecolodge in nearby Aburi to stay in a spacious cabin with views of Ghana’s verdant Okere District. (You might even spot some giraffes and zebras in their natural habitat.) The resort is fully devoted to sustainability with its solar panels, bio-digesters, and wastewater recycling plants, and its goal is to eventually be completely powered by renewable energy. If you need to stay in Accra though, check out the 145-room Hilton Accra Cantonments, the brand's first property in Ghana.
- ShoppingA New Season of The White Lotus Just Dropped, Along With a Ton of CollaborationsParis Wilson
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Baja California, Mexico
Whale spotting is why Baja California makes our list of the best places to travel in January, as humpbacks and grays migrate down to the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez this month to mate and give birth. Instead of hitting well-known Cabo San Lucas, consider making the eastern tip of the peninsula your base: It’s wilder and far less manicured than the five-star hideaway to the south, with dirt roads, a slower pace, and superb beaches and fishing.
The region, known as the East Cape, has recently started to put an emphasis on high-end accommodation. One of the best properties is the Four Seasons Costas Palmas. The hotel feels like an undiscovered secret, surrounded by miles of secluded beaches and palm trees. All 141 rooms have Sea of Cortez views and feature custom-designed furniture and blankets made in Mexico City—some ground floor rooms even have private plunge pools.
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The Maldives
The best time to visit the Maldives is during the dry season, which typically runs from November to April—and January is right at the heart of it. During this period, you can expect clear skies, plenty of sunshine, and minimal rainfall, making it ideal for enjoying the pristine beaches, snorkeling, and diving. For scuba divers and snorkelers, visibility is particularly good during the dry season, too, as a result of currents flowing from the northeast. And if you’d rather stay on land, the weather in the Maldives in January is usually sunny with temperatures ranging from 77 to 90°F, making it a welcome escape from colder climates.
Whether you’ve got your PADI or you just fancy a fun dive, dipping beneath the archipelago’s surface is a magical experience—and most of the best hotels in the Maldives have some array of aquatic activities on offer. From the native corals, colorful anemones, and sea turtles, swooping manta rays and curious (but harmless) whale sharks, the excellent visibility here makes the Maldives one of the best places to witness marine life in its natural habitat. Many resorts have in-house marine biologists who enable budding conservationists of every age to learn more about the environment and help make a positive impact on it.
- ShoppingA New Season of The White Lotus Just Dropped, Along With a Ton of CollaborationsParis Wilson
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London
Although London remains busy with tourists all year, January is historically one of the quietest months in the UK's capital and, therefore, can offer the best opportunities to save money and to bag deals. Also, many of the Christmas decorations, lights, and shows are still on display at the top of the year, so you can take advantage of the seasonal atmosphere, but often at a better value. That said, January has the most days of rainfall, with 11.53 days on average, so just don’t forget to pack a waterproof jacket and some thermals.
If you’re visiting London for the first time, check out some classically British ceremonies and history, like the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, or the Churchill War Rooms, which is great for history buffs who want to learn more about the country's past. If you’re more of a culinary traveler, make a reservation for afternoon tea at one of the city’s five-star hotels like The Savoy or The Dorchester. And there’s plenty to be excited about in the West End theater district, where plays, musicals, and experimental works can entertain your entire family or travel group; for the Shakespeare-inclined, there’s always the Globe.
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Andermatt, Switzerland
If you’ve ever complained that there are now too many tourists in Aspen, St. Moritz, or Gstaad, then Andermatt may be the place for you. Originally established as an army base, this charming village in the Swiss mountains has become an exciting ski destination that features 110 miles of trails, 33 lifts, and some of the deepest powder and best off-piste skiing in the world.
If you’re an Epic Pass holder, there's especially good news: Vail Resorts acquired most of Andermatt’s ski operations in 2022, so you have easy access to the slopes. No worries if you don’t have an Epic Pass; compared to how expensive lift tickets are getting in American ski resorts, costs are still quite low in Andermatt. Plus, there are great hotel options here, including the modern Raddison Blu Hotel Russen or the chic Chedi Hotel, where there are plenty of dining and spa options, as well as seriously great views. And in December 2024, about 45 new shopping and dining options will open in a new commercoal district in town.
- ShoppingA New Season of The White Lotus Just Dropped, Along With a Ton of CollaborationsParis Wilson
- Gilbert Rondilla/Getty
Manila, Philippines
In January, after the holiday rush has died down, tickets from the United States to the warm and high-energy country of the Philippines dip to the $700–$900 range (compare that to the $1600–$2000 range that visitors over Christmas time have to pay), making it an ideal destination for chasing some winter sun. Spend a week or a bit more to get some time in the city and a surf break.
Manila features great shopping, from high-end global boutiques and cutting-edge local designs to thrift shops and haggling-market finds; it also has plenty of luxury hotels like The Peninsula Manila and three Shangri-las in the capital alone; and you'll never be bored while doing a bar crawl through the city's trendiest neighborhoods, which are experiencing a sort of cocktail renaissance. Then, if you're up for it, sandwich into your trip a hop to the island of Siargao, the country's surf capital where places like Nay Palad Hideaway offer a posh place to bed down, and restaurants like CEV and White Beard Coffee help you refuel after a morning out on the water.