January splits the planet into two travel seasons at once. Cape Town averages a high of 26°C (79°F) in the same month that Sapporo records 173cm of snow, and both are worth the trip for different reasons. The 13 destinations below are grouped by the weather you will actually get, with January temperatures and rainfall pulled from each city’s month-by-month climate guide.
Warm and Sunny in January
- Cancún runs 26 to 28°C (79 to 82°F) by day and 19 to 21°C (66 to 70°F) at night, with rain that rarely interrupts plans. The sea holds about 26°C (79°F), warm enough for long swims, and humidity sits at the low end of its yearly range. January is firmly peak season, so book Hotel Zone rooms two to three months ahead.
- Cape Town is in its dry summer with highs of 25 to 26°C (77 to 79°F) and rain that often skips weeks at a time. The sea sits around 18°C (64°F), cooler on the Atlantic side. Table Mountain cableway queues can pass two hours in January, so book the time slot ahead.
- Sydney averages a high of 26°C (79°F) and can push past 40°C (104°F) in heatwaves, with the sea at 22 to 23°C (72 to 73°F). January is the hottest month and the school-holiday peak, which lifts hotel prices through late January.
- Bangkok sits in its cool, dry season with highs of 32°C (90°F) and lows near 22°C (72°F). Humidity is at its lowest and rain is rare, which is why December and January are the most comfortable months to visit the city.
- Dubai has its coolest month in January with highs of 24°C (75°F) and lows of 14°C (57°F). It is the rainiest stretch of the year at about 10mm, usually short downpours that clear within hours, and sunshine still averages 8 hours a day.
- Rio de Janeiro is in peak summer with highs of 30°C (86°F) and humidity around 80 percent. Afternoon thunderstorms are common but brief, and the sea holds 26°C (79°F) for swimming between the downpours.
- Tenerife holds coastal highs of 21°C (70°F) and lows of 15°C (59°F), with the south coast averaging 5 rainy days and 180 sunshine hours. The sea sits at 19°C (66°F), and Mount Teide often has snow at the summit while the beach stays warm below.
Mild and Manageable
- Marbella averages 16°C (61°F) by day and 8°C (46°F) at night with about 6 hours of sun and 69mm of rain across 7 wet days. January is the quietest month for tourism, with hotel rates up to 40 percent cheaper than August.
- Marrakech averages a high of 18°C (64°F) with lows of 6 to 8°C (43 to 46°F), 32mm of rain, and 230 sunshine hours. Days suit the medina and gardens; nights need a jacket, and many riads have thin heating, so check before you book.
- Miami runs 24 to 25°C (75 to 77°F) by day and 15 to 16°C (59 to 61°F) at night, inside its dry season with about 40 to 60mm of rain across 6 to 8 days. It is winter sun without the summer humidity, ideal for beach time and outdoor dining.
Cold and Worth It
- Aspen averages a high of 1°C (34°F) and a low of -13°C (8°F), with 28 inches of powder across 12 snowy days. January is prime skiing across Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk, plus the mid-January Winterskol festival.
- Sapporo averages a high of -1°C (30°F) and a low of -7°C (19°F), and January is its snowiest month at 173cm. The snow is dry powder that also feeds the nearby slopes at Niseko and Rusutsu.
- Cortina averages a high of 2°C (36°F) and a low of -7°C (19°F), the coldest and snowiest month with about 8 snow days and 80 to 100cm of fresh snow at resort level. The Dolomite slopes above the town hold reliable cover for the Tofane ski area.
January at a Glance
| Destination | High | Rain / Snow | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancún | 28°C (82°F) | low rain | beaches, snorkeling |
| Cape Town | 26°C (79°F) | minimal | beaches, hiking |
| Sydney | 26°C (79°F) | heatwaves possible | beach, harbour |
| Bangkok | 32°C (90°F) | dry season | temples, street food |
| Dubai | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm | beach, shopping |
| Rio de Janeiro | 30°C (86°F) | afternoon storms | beaches, nightlife |
| Tenerife | 21°C (70°F) | 5 rain days | winter sun |
| Marbella | 16°C (61°F) | 69 mm | quiet coast, golf |
| Marrakech | 18°C (64°F) | 32 mm | medina, gardens |
| Miami | 25°C (77°F) | 40-60 mm | winter sun, city |
| Aspen | 1°C (34°F) | 28 in snow | skiing, festivals |
| Sapporo | -1°C (30°F) | 173 cm snow | snow, powder |
| Cortina | 2°C (36°F) | 8 snow days | skiing, Dolomites |
When to Book
- Cape Town cableway slots, Sydney January stays, and Cancún Hotel Zone rooms all need booking two to three months ahead for peak-season dates.
- Aspen, Sapporo, and Cortina ski weekends fill around the early-January holiday period; mid-January weekdays open up once the New Year crowd leaves.
- Marbella and Marrakech are the January bargains: Marbella runs up to 40 percent cheaper than August, and Marrakech riads book 2 to 3 months ahead for the European winter-escape crowd.
