Where to Travel in January

Rovaniemi sits right near the Arctic Circle in northern Finland. It is the administrative capital of Lapland. People come here to experience deep snow and search for the northern lights. January brings very short days. You will only get a few hours of twilight each day, which can feel disorienting. The temperature frequently drops below minus 20 degrees Celsius. You can visit reindeer farms or go dog sledding in the forests. The city is also known as the official home of Santa Claus, which keeps the local theme parks busy.

The Maldives is an archipelagic nation in the Indian Ocean. It consists of 26 atolls spread over a vast area of sea. It is the smallest country in Asia by land area. January is in the middle of the dry monsoon season. This means you get low humidity, minimal rain, and calm seas. It is the best time of year for snorkeling and diving. The main drawback is the cost. January is peak tourist season, so resort prices are at their highest. You also have to rely on expensive seaplanes or speedboats to get to your resort island.

Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa, located on the shore of Table Bay. January is the middle of the southern hemisphere summer. The days are long, hot, and sunny. This is a great time to visit landmarks like Table Mountain and Cape Point. The sea breeze helps cool the city, but it can also become incredibly windy. Strong winds sometimes shut down the cableway to Table Mountain for days at a time. The city is crowded in January because local schools are on holiday for part of the month. You will need to book popular restaurants and tours weeks in advance.

This giant ice formation is located in Los Glaciares National Park in southwest Argentina. It is part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, which is one of the largest freshwater reserves on earth. January is summer in Patagonia. The temperatures are relatively mild, making it the most comfortable time of year to walk along the wooden viewing platforms. You can watch huge chunks of ice break off and crash into the water. Because of the good weather, January is the busiest month. The national park can get crowded, and flights to the nearby town of El Calafate are expensive. The wind can also be fierce and unpredictable.

Chichen Itza was a major Mayan city in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. The site features several architectural styles from different eras of Mayan history. The main pyramid is the central focus of the park. January is one of the coolest months of the year in Yucatan. This makes walking around the unshaded ruins much more comfortable than in the sweltering summer months. Rain is also rare at this time. The main drawback is the crowd size. Tour buses from Cancun arrive around ten in the morning, which fills the site with thousands of visitors. Vendors line almost every pathway, which can feel intrusive.

Arenal is a conically shaped volcano in northwestern Costa Rica. It stands over 1600 meters high. The surrounding national park is located near the town of La Fortuna. January falls during the dry season in this region. While rain is still possible because of the tropical climate, you have a much better chance of seeing the volcano summit without cloud cover. The hiking trails are also less muddy. This is a very popular destination, so the trails closest to the volcano can get crowded. Accommodation prices in La Fortuna are high during this peak travel window.

Tulum is an ancient walled Mayan city built on 12 meter cliffs along the Caribbean coast of Mexico. It served as a major port before the Spanish arrived. Today it is a popular coastal destination. January weather is warm and dry, avoiding the intense humidity of the summer. The sea breeze makes exploring the ruins comfortable. The area has grown rapidly and suffers from heavy traffic. The ruins are small, so they feel crowded very quickly. Seaweed can also pile up on the nearby beaches, depending on the ocean currents.

The Pitons are two volcanic plugs located on the coast of Saint Lucia. Gros Piton is the larger peak, and Petit Piton is the steeper, more difficult climb. They are a major natural feature of the island. January is part of the dry season in the Caribbean. The weather is warm, and the lower rainfall makes climbing the peaks much safer. Wet rock on these steep slopes can be highly dangerous. Climbing Gros Piton requires a local guide and a fee. The hike is strenuous and takes about four hours of steep climbing on uneven terrain. Many people find the descent harder than the climb.

This is a small national park on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It was established in 1972 to protect the local environment from commercial development. The park contains both rainforest and sandy beaches. January is the dry season, which makes wildlife viewing much easier. Monkeys, sloths, and iguanas are common sights along the flat walking trails. The ocean water is warm and calm for swimming. The park limits the number of daily visitors to prevent overcrowding, so tickets sell out quickly. You must buy tickets online in advance. No outside food is allowed inside the park to keep the monkeys from begging.

Dubai is a major city on the Persian Gulf. It grew from a small fishing settlement into a global trade hub. January is the coolest month of the year here, with average daytime temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius. This mild weather makes it possible to walk around outdoor areas, visit the desert, or sit on the beach. In the summer, the heat is too intense for any outdoor activity. Because the weather is pleasant, January is the peak tourist season. Hotel rooms are expensive, and popular attractions like the Burj Khalifa have long queues. Traffic in the city center can also be slow.