Best Countries to Visit in January 2025

Many people in the Northern Hemisphere spend the month of January bundled up inside, preferring the comforts of home while they weather the unpleasant winter month. Some countries have much more appealing weather in January, so consider one of these countries if you are considering a post-Christmas vacation. While China’s weather may not necessarily be better than other countries’ climate during January, this time of year is when the world-famous Chinese New Year celebrations take place. The holidays did not happen in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but they will likely resume once a vaccine is developed. In the Netherlands, Amsterdam has its annual Lights Festival in January to celebrate the city’s unique heritage and landscape. The country also has its National Tulip Day in January to celebrate one of the Netherlands’ most famous flowers. However, don’t head there if you are looking for warm weather!

Are you are looking for an escape from the winter blues? You could consider a vacation to Thailand, whose weather is generally quite pleasant in January. Thailand has world-famous beaches and other natural features that can be enjoyed while much of the rest of the world is hunkered down around the fire. Australia and South Africa are two countries in the Southern Hemisphere that are experiencing summer during January, so this time could be ideal for enjoying their rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.

If you don’t want to venture that far from the US but still desire a beach vacation in the middle of winter, consider a trip to one of the Caribbean countries. Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Barbados, and Bermuda are just a few examples of Caribbean island countries that boast pleasant weather during January.

Maybe you are looking for a real winter vacation that includes winter sports, such as skiing, sledding, and snowboarding; you should consider visiting a country that is in the throes of heavy snowfall and cold weather in January. Such countries include Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Canada, among many others. These countries have world-famous ski resorts and infrastructure to assist those who may have been injured in an accident.

There are also places in the US that are great to visit in January. The islands of Puerto Rico and Hawaii both have mild, temperate weather during the winter, and Colorado has some of the most fantastic skiing in the world.