WHERE TO GO IN JANUARY | THE BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL THIS MONTH
January is my favorite month to plan something big. The holidays are over, flights often dip after New Year's, and a little sunshine (or a lot of snow) is exactly what the calendar needs. These are the places I'd book right now.
Here are my top picks for January, plus a splurge and a save hotel for each one so you can choose what fits your budget.
1. Aruba
Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt and stays sunny, dry and breezy all winter, so January is about as reliable as beach weather gets. Days are in the mid-80s with a constant trade wind that keeps it from ever feeling sticky. Spend your mornings on Eagle Beach, take a catamaran out to snorkel the shipwrecks, and plan your nights around the island's food scene, which is honestly one of the best in the Caribbean. Just know January is peak season, so book flights and dinner reservations early.
Splurge: Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort — Adults-only, right on Eagle Beach and known for being one of the most romantic resorts on the island. The beach in front is quiet and wide, the service is personal, and it's the kind of place you come back to.
Save: Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa — Same gorgeous stretch of Eagle Beach for a lot less. It's laid-back and low-rise with a great spa, and you're a short drive from the restaurants and shops in Palm Beach.
Read more: My favorite Aruba restaurants
2. Stowe, Vermont
Mid-winter is peak ski season in Stowe, with reliable snow on Mount Mansfield and that classic snow-globe village feel. Even if you don't ski, there's ice skating at Spruce Peak, snowshoeing, cozy breweries and some of the best après in New England. It's an easy drive from much of the Northeast, which makes it one of my favorite winter weekends.
Splurge: The Lodge at Spruce Peak — Slopeside luxury at the base of the mountain, so you can ski right from your door. Rooms have kitchens and fireplaces, and the village has skating, restaurants and the spa all steps away.
Save: The Stowehof — Retro chalet charm with Mount Mansfield views for a fraction of slopeside prices. It's cozy, a little quirky in the best way, and just a few minutes from the mountain and town.
Read more: My complete Stowe winter guide
3. Los Cabos, Mexico
Whale season runs roughly December through April, and January brings warm days, cool evenings and dramatic desert-meets-ocean scenery. Take a boat out to the Arch at Land's End, spend an afternoon in San José del Cabo's art district and eat as many fish tacos as you can. It's a short, direct flight from most of the U.S., so it's perfect for a long weekend.
Splurge: Las Ventanas al Paraíso — An iconic Cabo resort with ocean-view suites, private plunge pools and the kind of service that makes you never want to leave. Worth it for a honeymoon or milestone trip.
Save: Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos — An easy all-inclusive with multiple pools, restaurants and a great beach. Everything is covered, so you know exactly what you're spending before you go.
Read more: My guide to Los Cabos
4. Costa Rica
January falls in Costa Rica's dry season on the Pacific side, which means sunny days for zip-lining, volcano hikes and spotting sloths and toucans in the cloud forest. I'd split a week between Arenal for hot springs and the volcano and a few days at the beach in Guanacaste. It's an adventurous trip that still feels easy, especially for families.
Splurge: Nayara Springs — Adults-only villas, each with its own natural hot-spring plunge pool, right near Arenal Volcano. It's one of the most romantic hotels in Central America.
Save: Hotel Belmar — A cozy, family-run mountain lodge in the Monteverde cloud forest with incredible views and a great farm-to-table restaurant, at a much friendlier price.
5. Iceland
Long, dark winter nights give you the best chance at the northern lights, and there's nothing like soaking in a hot spring while snow falls around you. The South Coast waterfalls and black-sand beaches are dramatic in winter, and Reykjavik's restaurant scene is fun and cozy. Daylight is short, so plan your driving carefully and pack real layers.
Splurge: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon — Suites set into the lava fields with private access to the lagoon. It's a true once-in-a-lifetime stay and the most relaxing way to end an Iceland trip.
Save: Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre — A fun, central base in Reykjavik within walking distance of restaurants and bars, and a great jumping-off point for day tours.
Read more: Iceland in winter: what to know
6. Patagonia, Chile
It's summer in the Southern Hemisphere, so January brings long days and the best hiking weather in Torres del Paine. The granite towers, glaciers and turquoise lakes are some of the most dramatic scenery on earth. Expect wind (lots of it) and book well ahead, because lodges inside the park fill up fast.
Splurge: Tierra Patagonia — A design-forward, all-inclusive lodge with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the park. Guided excursions and meals are included, so all you have to do is show up.
Save: EcoCamp Patagonia — Cozy geodesic domes right inside Torres del Paine. It's a fun, eco-friendly way to sleep close to the trails without paying luxury lodge prices.
Not sure where to go?
Take my Trip Finder quiz. Answer a few quick questions about when you're traveling, your travel style and your budget, and I'll match you with a destination plus three places to stay.
Or skip the research entirely. I plan trips for readers, from long weekends to honeymoons, and I'll build an itinerary around your dates, budget and style. Here's how planning a trip with me works.
Every trip is different, and weather, events and hotel availability can change from year to year, so double-check dates before you book.
More months: Where to go in December · Where to go in February
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