With the hustle and bustle of the holidays soon behind us and kids back in school, January might not seem like the most popular time to travel. However, it could actually be the best time to travel of the year. Fewer crowds, lower prices, and a chance to kick off your year with a fresh adventure make this month ideal for exploring new destinations. It’s also the perfect time to escape the cold, so it’s no surprise that Mexico and the Caribbean accounted for nearly 60% of international departures in recent years.
Whether you’re craving a winter wonderland to ski or snowboard, or you’re eager to escape the cold and soak up some sun, we’ve rounded up the best places to travel in January 2025.
Quebec City, Quebec
New York isn’t the only “city so nice, they named it twice.” Quebec (City), Quebec has more European charm, tons more snow (literally), and a language so beautiful, you won’t even care that you can’t understand anyone. By January, Hôtel de Glace, one of the world’s only ice hotels, is fully open. Overnighting there while drinking ice-cold booze from “glasses” made of ice while surrounded by an entire bar made of ice should be on every traveler’s bucket list. Plus, winter typically brings a pristine dusting of snow to Vieux-Quebec (the city’s old quarter) — arguably the most European and beautiful historical city district in North America.
Don’t miss: Au 1884 — a massive toboggan slide right in the center of town — is one of the city’s oldest and most fun attractions. Fully loaded with four adults, it’s possible to reach speeds of over 40 miles per hour.
China
China might seem an odd choice for your next vacation right now. But hear us out. We’re not going to lie: You won’t head to China in January for the fantastic weather. It’s bitterly cold. What you might want to head there for, however, are the dirt-cheap hotel prices and lack of crowds at bucket-list-worthy sights like the Great Wall of China and the Terracotta Warriors. The country’s rural landscape is breathtaking and very photo-worthy, especially under a crisp, bright blanket of snow.
The big get in January is the Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. This annual, record-breaking event summons tens of thousands of spectators each year. It’s no surprise when you consider that some of the world’s most recognizable landmarks including the Athens Acropolis, Beijing’s Forbidden City, and St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow are all recreated, life-size from carved ice. Be warned, however: After dark, temperatures in this northernmost Chinese province on the Siberian border can drop to -11 degrees Fahrenheit.
Don’t miss: With stiff drinks, a legit shisha selection, wall décor that includes artsy nude photos taken by the rather strange owner, and a massive Alaskan dog wandering the bar aimlessly, Carl Damo Bar is well worth a diversion into the city.
Porto, Portugal
The rest of the world — the U.S., in particular — has finally caught on to what Europeans have known for decades: Portugal is amazing. So it’s no surprise that Portugal receives visitors in the tens of millions annually. Compared to the winter weather throughout most of the U.S., Portugal is mild.
The country is still incredibly affordable, and it’s only more so in the winter months when everything from hotel rates to airfare to tour prices drop considerably. While Lisbon is the country’s de facto destination for most Statesiders, Porto is well worth a visit as the city is a serious creative boom. Its fantastic cafes, designer Airbnbs, and a burgeoning art scene are all solid reasons to visit.
Don’t miss: The world-class vineyards of the Douro Valley are worth the short drive inland.
The Gold Coast of Australia
The Gold Coast of Australia is easily one of the best places to travel in January. First off, it’s warm, but not crazy hot. Start in Sydney on the first of the year when the capital city throws one of the world’s most insane New Year’s Day parties (man up: you’ll have plenty of time to sleep off that NYE hangover when you’re dead). From there, you can tackle a nice chunk of your bucket list along the Gold Coast: skydive the Great Barrier Reef, snorkel the Whitsunday Islands, and pet baby koalas and feed kangaroos at a wildlife sanctuary.
Don’t miss: Byron Bay, a stunning beachside town that somehow manages to top many of Australia’s countless other stunning beachside towns.
Belize
Like much of Central America, Belize experiences two main seasons: Hot and dry versus hot and wet. December to April is a great time to visit, and late January, in particular, is ideal. The heat subsides just enough to be comfortable, and the worst of the wet season has already passed. Occasional wind gusts from the north — aptly called “northers” — sweep the coast and the surrounding islands, bringing a bit of relief.
The water, however, remains, clear, calm, and impossibly blue — all perfect conditions for snorkelers and divers. Plus, hotel rates don’t peak for a few months, so prices are relatively modest.
Don’t miss: Whatever you do, don’t miss exploring the wonder that is the Great Blue Hole.
Nicaragua
With stunning beaches, verdant tropical rainforests, dramatic volcanoes, and beautiful eco-lodges cropping up throughout the country, Nicaragua has steadily been giving Costa Rica a run for its money. For many of the same reasons that Belize is so appealing in January, so too is it the ideal month to visit Nicaragua. Visitors will find the best weather of the year, including moderate temperatures and little rainfall.
Don’t miss: The waves, particularly along the Pacific Coast, are calm throughout the month, so it’s perfect for surfers.
Hokkaido, Japan
We’ve told you all about why Japan should be on your travel radar. If you’re looking to embrace the winter season, January brings one more reason. With many resorts catching around 600 inches of snow per year, it’s home to the best powder skiing in Asia. The northern island of Hokkaido, in particular, is the go-to spot for the white stuff. It may seem daunting to fly to the other side of the world to ski (particularly with Colorado and British Columbia in our backyards), but a dozen U.S. cities offer direct flights to Tokyo. With the yen near ten-year lows against the U.S. dollar, a “Japanuary“ vacation is closer than you think.
Don’t miss: A proper onsen hot spring bath after a long day on the slopes.
Svalbard, Norway
Grab a winter coat (or three), and head to Svalbard, Norway. Svalbard is one of the best places to travel in January for those who are looking to see the Northern Lights. Although temperatures typically sit below 0 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the winter, the cold weather shouldn’t deter you from making the journey.
In January, Svalbard experiences Polar Night, which is when the sun never rises past 6 degrees or more below the horizon. This makes for the coziest time of year in Svalbard, and you can spend your days visiting ice caves, dog sledding, or enjoying a bite to eat at one of the archipelago’s restaurants. And of course, you can’t miss the Northern Lights. This is the best time of year to catch a glimpse of this natural wonder.
Don’t miss: A drink at the Svalbard Bryggeri, the world’s northernmost craft brewery, where you can book a tour and a tasting.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole is easily one of the best places to vacation in January for winter sports enthusiasts. This recreation area in western Wyoming is a hotspot all year round, but it turns into a winter wonderland from December to March. Because February tends to be the busiest time of year in Jackson Hole, January is a great time of year to beat the crowd and enjoy more affordable accommodations. At Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, you can enjoy over 2,500 acres of in-bounds terrain on two gorgeous mountains. The resort’s uphill capacity is 17,833 skiers per hour, so you won’t have to wait too long to ascend.
Don’t miss: Stargazing. Wyoming Stargazing offers free public stargazing events at Rendezvous Park every Thursday night.
