Although January is right after the holiday season, there aren’t as many deals as there are in September. However, there are still many great places you can go to during this time. You can go north to embrace the winter or fly south to enjoy the sun on tropical beaches. Keep reading to find our list of the top ten travel destinations in January.
See our best credit card bonuses here.
1. Cartagena (Colombia)
| Average Temperature | 87°F high; 75°F low |
| January Events | Cartagena Festival de Musica Hay Festival |
One of the top travel destinations in January is the city of Cartagena, which lays on the port in Colombia’s Caribbean coast. January is a great time to visit because of the warm temperatures, very little rainfall and low humidity. The city’s historic center has been deemed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984. “Old Cartagena” consists of beautiful colonial architecture, hotels, boutiques and restaurants surrounded by miles of ancient walls.
Furthermore, you can relax and enjoy a day soaking up some sun on the beach or head to the Rosario Archipelago just 60 miles off the coast. Travelers tend to enjoy the city’s amazing snorkeling and diving spots.
2. The Florida Keys (USA)
| Average Temperature | 73°F high; 64°F low |
| January Events | Florida Keys Seafood Festival Key West Food & Wine Festival Master Chefs Classic (websites not yet updated for 2021) |
If you want to visit a place with pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the Florida Keys is a top travel destination in January. The journey to get there is an adventure itself, with an option to take a scenic drive on the Overseas Highway from Miami, or hop on a boat from Fort Myers to Marco Island.
When you’re there, there are many water activities in Key West such as snorkeling, diving, boating, fishing and more. We definitely recommend relaxing on a sunset cruise after a busy, fun-filled day.
Additionally, make sure you check out Duval Street, which is home to a vibrant collection of funky shops, outdoor cafes, art galleries and more.
3. Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
| Average Temperature | 42°F high; 43°F low |
| January Events | Amsterdam Light Festival – (canceled for 2021) National Tulip Day Jumping Amsterdam |
Although Amsterdam is pretty cold in January, it usually doesn’t get below freezing and you can enjoy the scenery if you dress appropriately. Since tourists usually come in the spring and summer, it won’t be as crowded so you can enjoy a peaceful coffee and poffertjes (pancakes covered with powder sugar) and a cafe.
Also be sure to go on a canal cruise to explore Amsterdam’s many museums, like the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House.
4. Harbin (China)
| Average Temperature | 9°F high; -11°F low |
| January Events | Harbin Ice and Snow Festival Chinese New Year |
Harbin is a great place to visit if you like cold weather and festivals. It is located in northeastern China, and they have an Ice and Snow Festival with processions, fireworks, fanfare, art and sculpture competitions and even an ice swimming competition as well as a group wedding ceremony.
However be sure to dress appropriately for the frigid cold by packing warm clothing, thick coats, comfortable boots, hats and gloves.
5. Bermuda
| Average Temperature | 69°F high; 60°F low |
| January Events | Bermuda Restaurant Weeks |
Although the temperature in January might be a little too cold to go to the beach, there are still plenty of things to do in Bermuda. You can go teeing off at Turtle Hill Golf Club, exploring the island with a Twizy electric vehicle rental, discovering the island’s history through well-preserved homes, and getting a bird’s eye view of Bermuda at the top of Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse.
6. Rome (Italy)
| Average Temperature | 54°F high; 37°F low |
| January Events | Retail Sales |
January and July are the prime shopping seasons in Italy. During this time, you’ll find great, post-holiday deals at both international-brand stores and boutique shops in Rome.
If you love to shop, you can go to Via Condotti, Via del Corso, and Via dei Coronari. There are usually crowds that flock to the city at other times of the year. For a little break from retail stops, head to Capitoline Museums and Palazzo Pamphili without having to reserve tickets in advance
7. Los Angeles, California (USA)
| Average Temperature | 64°F high; 46°F low |
| January Events | Rose Parade |
Los Angeles usually has good weather all year round, with it being in the 60’s in January. You should take advantage of this weather by doing outside activities such as the 20-mile Marvin Braude Bike Trail between Torrance and Pacific Palisades and walking tours of Grand Central Market, Olvera Street and Chinatown.
Sometimes the weather might get chilly or rainy, so if that happens you can head to one of L.A.’s impressive museums like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art or the Petersen Automotive Museum.
8. Sydney (Australia)
| Average Temperature | 79°F high; 66°F low |
| January Events | Sydney Festival Australia Day |
It’s summer in January in Sydney, so it’s great weather for the beach. You can take surfing lessons at Bondi Beach, go sailing in Sydney Harbor, picnic in one of the city’s parks, hike waterside trails, catch an outdoor concert, or be a spectator at a professional sporting event.
Keep in mind this is peak season in Australia, so book your tickets and accommodations early, before they sell out.
9. Park City, Utah (USA)
| Average Temperature | 34°F high; 14°F low48 |
| January Events | Sundance Film Festival |
Just 30 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, Park City is where filmmakers, actors and movie fans gather to screen new films at the Sundance Film Festival. There are also panel discussions and multimedia installations.
Also check out Deer Valley and Park City Mountain resorts which have a combined 7,300 acres of skiing and snowboarding fun. Utah Olympic Park is another great place to check out where you can learn about winter sports and recapture the excitement of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Park City.
10. Baja California (Mexico)
| Average Temperature | 72°F high; 55°F low |
| January Events | Whale mating and birthing |
Another top travel destination in January is Baja California where you can find humpback and gray whales in the waters of the Sea of Cortez. Head past Cabo San Lucas to the eastern tip to get the best views. The East Cape is filled with dirt roads leading to gorgeous, wild beaches. The weather during this time is perfect for activities like golfing and kiteboarding.
BONUS DESTINATION: Finland
| Average Temperature | 30°F high; 16°F low |
| January Events | Northern lights |
Although the temperature is freezing and daytime is short, you can see the breathtaking northern lights when you visit Finland in January.
There are many different places to stay such as the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, which offers private suites with panoramic windows that showcase the lights. Alternatively, you can sleep at the Northern Lights Wilderness Camp where cabins are mounted on skis and towed across the Arctic for the best view of the northern lights.
Best Credit Card To Redeem For Flights
Take advantage of these co-branded airline credit cards to redeem flights to some of these beautiful destinations.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® is the best American Airlines rewards card. It offers bonuses on dining and gas spending and a handful of travel perks. And the key reason American Airlines travelers use this card: complimentary Admirals Club lounge access and 10K EQMs!
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the best Delta Air Lines rewards card for elite flyers. You’ll get an annual companion certificate, access to Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs, fast-track to elite status and plenty of other travel benefits.
 The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion(R) Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you'll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together. Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card. Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+(R), or Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. You'll earn: • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. • Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. • $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles(R) Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required. • $200 Delta Stays Statement Credit: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Members can earn up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. • Receive four Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly together on Delta. After that, you may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location. • Delta SkyMiles(R) Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. This card does come with a $650 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. (See Rates & Fees) Terms Apply. |
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is the best Delta Air Lines card for regular flyers. You’ll get bonuses on hotel, restaurant and supermarket spending, an annual companion certificate and much more.
 The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn: • 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. • 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. • 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. • $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment Required. Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost. $150 Delta Stays Credit: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card Members can earn up to $150 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. This card comes with a $350 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee. You'll also get fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®. (See Rates & Fees). Terms Apply. |
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is the best Delta Air Lines card for occasional flyers. The card offers bonuses on restaurant and supermarket spending and comes with a handful of travel perks.
 The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn: • 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. • 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. • $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com. • $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel. Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card. Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. There is a $150 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150) and no foreign transaction fees. (See Rates & Fees). Now, you'll get get more savings with your first checked bag for free on Delta flights. Terms Apply. |
The JetBlue Plus Card is the best rewards card for JetBlue frequent flyers. It offers bonuses on restaurant and grocery store spending, fast track to Mosaic elite status and a few other travel benefits.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is the best Southwest Airlines rewards card. It gives cardmembers bonus points on partner hotel and car rental spending, fast-track to elite status, Southwest travel credit every year and more.
 The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card offers earn a Companion Pass good through 2/28/26 plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. In addition, you'll earn 7,500 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year. You'll earn: • Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases. • Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. • Earn 2X points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming. Some perks include $75 Southwest travel credit each year., receiving 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available, savings of 25% back on in-flight drinks and WiFi, and more! This card carries a $149 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. |
The United Explorer Card is the best United Airlines rewards card. It offers bonuses on hotel and restaurant spending and plenty of travel perks.
 The United Explorer Card offers 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. You'll earn: • 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays. • 1x mile on all other purchases Perks of this card include: • Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary • Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply. • Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit • 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card There is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. Member FDIC |
 |
 |
Conclusion
Start off the year on a good note with a trip for yourself or with some friends and family! Be sure to consider some of the spots we’ve mentioned if you want to head to one of the top travel destinations this January.
If you want to save even more money on your travels, then be sure to check out our Best Travel Credit Cards. Furthermore, be sure to check out our best credit card bonuses here.
