The Best Places To Visit In January

The festive season is in the rearview mirror – a brand new year awaits, bringing with it a sense of optimism, opportunity and a blank canvas from which you can etch out your travel fantasies for the next 12 months. January is the perfect time for an adventure, and we’ve chosen our top destinations to hit the ground running in 2023.

If you want to broaden your search then check out our guide to the best places to visit in early 2023, or you can also search for our trips by your chosen date and destination.

Bali, for a serene start to the year

This real life tropical paradise is a place to escape to, so drop off your mental baggage at the airport and unwind in Blissful Bali. With average January temperatures at a dreamy 26C (78F) – glorious sunshine will be interrupted by the odd tropical downpour – you can leave your Vitamin D tablets behind, too. The beauty of Bali is that you can enjoy ultimate relaxation or hair-raising adventure, or perhaps a healthy balance of both.

Mexico, for adventures of every kind

January might just be the perfect time to visit Mexico. It’s in the thick of dry season, with average temperatures in the mid-20s (C), but also avoids the busier school vacation months of December and February. So whether you want to chill on the pristine beaches of the Yucatán, explore ancient Mayan ruins or dive deep into the country’s many vibrant towns and cities, this is the time to do it.

We have a whole range of trips in Mexico, with plenty of January departures, too. Discover the architectural beauty of vibrant cities in Central Mexico, cruise through towering canyons in Chiapas or see the epic Copper Canyon by train.

Northern Thailand, for off-the-beaten-path fun

The Chiang Mai region of northwest Thailand is a place of extraordinary beauty. Picture cascading waterfalls that reveal themselves from deep within the overgrown shrubbery of tropical jungles. Imagine canyons, mountains, incredible sunsets and elephants playing in the water. That’s Northern Thailand. A place of natural splendour just waiting to be explored – and in the middle of dry season, January is the perfect time to do it.

Join us this January on a 10-day Epic Trip to Northern Thailand for jungle treks, waterfalls dips, sunsets at Pai Canyon, sunrises from Thailand’s highest mountain and fun with the elephants at a rescue sanctuary.

Morocco, where vibrant culture meets natural phenomena

Sample a little bit of everything with the ever-changing landscapes of North Africa this January. In Morocco you can go from the bustling hive of energy that is Marrakech, with its mazy alleyways and sensory stimulating markets, to the otherworldly expanses of the Atlas Mountains and the dusty vastness of the Sahara desert. There’s always something new to discover here, and with so much to see, do, taste and smell, we think Morocco should be right at the top of your bucket list in 2023.

Join us this January for an epic 11-day exploration of Morocco’s many faces. We’ll start in Casablanca, before heading to the brilliantly blue houses of Chefchaouen and the thrilling alleyways of Fez Medina. Then, we’ll go deep into the Sahara for sunrise camel rides and Berber-style dining under the stars, before heading to the Atlas Mountains to see the stunning Todra Gorge. Finally, you’ll end up in Marrakech, for a street food tour and a traditional cooking class.

Belize and Guatemala, for sunny shores and laid-back living

This pair combines Central America’s fascinating cultures with a laid-back Caribbean spirit – perfect for a little January detox. In Guatemala, you can expect the quaint beauty of colourful old colonial towns and the striking majesty of volcanic landscapes. Meanwhile, Belize offers coastal heaven, with pristine Caribbean beaches, vibrant wildlife and gorgeous, temperate waters for swimming and snorkelling.

We have Mini Trips in both Belize and Guatemala, while you can also combine the two together to make a nine-day Central American Epic Trip. Which will it be for you?

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.