Landscape of Fiordland National Park in New Zealand

Best places to visit in January

Travel guide

Start your year with an unforgettable adventure with these beautiful places to visit in January.

This is a month of great deals and smaller crowds in some of the world's most stunning destinations. As it's winter in the Northern Hemisphere, many travellers flock to warm destinations for January, seeking the summer sun in Latin America.

Head to Costa Rica to enjoy the dry season's sunshine on pristine beaches and lush rainforests teeming with wildlife. For even more varied landscapes, Chile's otherwordly Atacama Desert and serene Patagonian glaciers are perfect for outdoor adventurers. On the other side of the world, New Zealand offers up its own array of gorgeous landscapes, from the geothermal wonders of Rotorua to the breathtaking fjords of Milford Sound.

These are the best places that are hot in January where you can get discounted rates on flights, accommodations, and tours during this off-peak season.

Our top January tours

Save up to £519

Contrasts of New Zealand Guided Tour
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4.6

Contrasts Of New Zealand

10 Days

1 Country

6 Locations

10-Day New Zealand Tour of Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown and Christchurch

Internal Flights Included

From

£3,695

Was

£4,080

Save up to £192

Costa Rica Eco Adventure Guided Tour
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la-fortuna-guided-walk-arenal-costa-rica.jpg
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4.7

Costa Rica Nature Adventure

8 Days

1 Country

9 Locations

8-Day Costa Rica Tour from San Jose to Liberia

From

£1,733

Was

£1,925

Wonders of Patagonia Guided Tour
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4.5

Wonders of Patagonia

11 Days

2 Countries

10 Locations

11-Day Patagonia Tour of Argentina and Chile

Internal Flights Included

From

£4,925

Save up to £644

A close-up of colourful tagine pots in Morocco
visit-segovia-world-heritage-site-madrid-spain.jpg
visit-mijas-dinner-costa-del-sol-spain.jpg
guided-tour-marbella-puerto-banus-dinner-spain.jpg

4.3

Spain, Morocco and Portugal

16 Days

3 Countries

13 Locations

16-Day Tour of Madrid, Granada, Marrakesh and Lisbon

From

£2,742

Was

£3,225

Save up to £519

Contrasts of New Zealand Guided Tour
auckland-harbour-cruise-optimized.jpg
air-milford-scenic-flight-2.jpg
boutique-wine-tour.jpg

4.6

Contrasts Of New Zealand

10 Days

1 Country

6 Locations

10-Day New Zealand Tour of Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown and Christchurch

Internal Flights Included

From

£3,695

Was

£4,080

Save up to £192

Costa Rica Eco Adventure Guided Tour
kayak-on-lake-arenal-costa-rica.jpg
la-fortuna-guided-walk-arenal-costa-rica.jpg
baldi-hot-springs-and-dinner-alajuela-province-la-fortuna-costa-rica.jpg

4.7

Costa Rica Nature Adventure

8 Days

1 Country

9 Locations

8-Day Costa Rica Tour from San Jose to Liberia

From

£1,733

Was

£1,925

Wonders of Patagonia Guided Tour
lighthouse-beagle-channel-ushuaia-argentina.jpg
penguins-ushuaia-argentina.jpg

4.5

Wonders of Patagonia

11 Days

2 Countries

10 Locations

11-Day Patagonia Tour of Argentina and Chile

Internal Flights Included

From

£4,925

Save up to £644

A close-up of colourful tagine pots in Morocco
visit-segovia-world-heritage-site-madrid-spain.jpg
visit-mijas-dinner-costa-del-sol-spain.jpg
guided-tour-marbella-puerto-banus-dinner-spain.jpg

4.3

Spain, Morocco and Portugal

16 Days

3 Countries

13 Locations

16-Day Tour of Madrid, Granada, Marrakesh and Lisbon

From

£2,742

Was

£3,225

Best places to visit in January

Coach on tour in Russell, Northland, New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand's glorious summer season makes it one of the world's best holiday spots in January. You'll be grateful to have so many long days to explore the country's natural beauty, and to enjoy its summer events, like free gigs in Wellington's Botanical Gardens.

Couple of macaws on a palm tree in Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the best tropical holidays in January. The newly-watered rainforest is at its most lush, and the weather's perfect to explore Manuel Antonio's pristine beaches, Arenal's hot springs, and Monteverde's lush cloud forests.

Landscape of Torres Del Paine National Park on a sunny day, Patagonia, Chile

Argentina

Argentina is full of fun places to go in January. Trek through the rugged beauty of the Andes in Mendoza, marvel at the expansive wilderness of the Pampas, or immerse yourself in the rich history of Cordoba The north is the warmest place in January, while the rest of the country is far more temperate, lending itself to outdoor activities.

Last Minute Deals

Travelling soon? Book now & save up to 15% when departing within 4 months

January travel experiences

Locals doing Poi performance in Rotorua, New Zealand

Contrasts of New Zealand

Te Pa Tu Maori Experience

Great for

Outdoor festivals

Experience Maori traditions with a January holiday deal to New Zealand. Enjoy a cultural performance and a three-course seasonal meal. Join in Poi and Haka dances, followed by forest kai horotai and a chef-choice aperitif, all for an unforgettable evening.

Bridge in Monteverde Cloud forest, Costa Rica

Costa Rica Eco Adventure

Sky Walk

Great for

Diverse eco systems

Soar through the treetops, spotting wildlife in Costa Rica's lush rainforest. You'll glide across ten zip lines, reaching heights from 100 to 524 feet (30 to 160 metres) and spanning distances up to 2,500 feet (762 metres), offering a panoramic rainforest view.

Woman looking at a glacier in the UNESCO-listed Los Glaciares National Park in Patagonia

Wonders of Patagonia

Los Glaciares National Park

Great for

Wildlife watching

Discover Los Glaciares National Park with a Local Specialist. Encounter blue glaciers, milky lakes, and snow-capped peaks. Explore 356 glaciers, starting at 4,900 feet (1,500 m) and extending into icy blue lakes. Take a short hike to then witness the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier.

Best holiday destinations by month

Dramatic storm cloud above pyramids in Giza, Egypt

February

Tourist Admiring The Cordillera Paine In Torres Del Paine National Park Chile

March

Plate of Spanish seafood, paella

April

Typical yellow tram in Lisbon, Portugal

May

Beautiful Spirit Island in Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

June

Boat safari tour on Chobe River, Botswana

July

Lake Saimaa surrounded by nature in Finland

August

Sunrise view of Venice, Veneto, Italy

September

Koh Samui islands with blue water, Thailand

October

Twelve Apostles Mountain in Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa

November

A beautiful sunrise in Uluru

December

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