Winter sun holidays are an ideal way to escape the UK's dreary weather in favour of sunnier, hotter shores.
January can be a great time to get away if you're not tied to the school holiday dates; not only do you avoid peak crowds, but there are heaps of bucket-list-worthy spots on offer with tempting holiday deals. We're talking the likes of Mexico, Thailand and Dubai to name a few.
So, where is hot and sunny in January for holidays? We've done the leg work and picked out some of the best destinations.
Of course entry rules and restrictions continue to apply during the pandemic, so if you are thinking of a trip always check the latest Foreign Office advice before parting with your cash. (We've got more booking tips here that may be also be useful.
Check out the guide to January's best holiday hotspots below...
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1. Dubai, UAE
The Dubai Marina skyline (iStockphoto)With temperatures ranging from 24C to 15C in January, it's an ideal time to visit Dubai before temperatures begin to soar and it becomes too hot for some. Highlights include the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, the huge Dubai Mall filled with hundreds of shops, not to mention the beaches which offer up brilliant views of the city.
Never been to Dubai? Our Dubai holidays guide offers tips on the best places to visit, the best time to go, and how to find extra discounts while you're there.
Where to find Dubai holiday deals:
- LoveHolidays has packages from £467pp - book here.
- British Airways has Dubai holidays from £499pp - book here.
- On The Beach has Dubai packages from £644pp - book here.
2. Cancun, Mexico
Cancun never fails to be a hit with holidaymakers (The Image Bank)With temperatures that can soar up to 29C, January offers the ideal conditions for making the most of Mexico - and Cancun's picture-perfect beaches, vibrant nightlife and brilliant hotels can be just the spot for a relaxing trip. The resort has plenty of all-inclusive hotels too, so there are ways to stretch your budget that little bit further.
Want to do a bit more exploring? We've also got a guide on the best things to see and do in Mexico you'll want on your radar.
Where to find Cancun holiday deals:
- Loveholidays has Cancun holidays from £436pp - book here.
- TravelSupermarket found Cancun holiday deals from £555pp - book here.
- Virgin Atlantic has Cancun breaks from £1128pp - book here.
3. Cape Verde
The beach at Santa Maria Village on Sal Island (AWL Images RM)Cape Verde is a firm favourite with adrenaline-seekers as its gorgeous beaches and crystal-clear waters make for ideal watersports conditions (although you can still lay out on the beach and take a dip if you don't fancy the thrills!). The sunny hotspot was also recently revealed as one of the cheaper long-haul holidays for Brits in 2024. Check out our handy guide on what to expect from Cape Verde if you're headed for a week-long trip, from the food to the nightlife and the local culture and atmosphere.
Where to find Cape Verde holiday deals:
- TUI has Cape Verde packages from £557pp - book here.
- Blue Bay Travel offers Cape Verde deals from £761pp - book here.
- TravelSupermarket found Cape Verde holidays from £765pp - book here.
4. The Caribbean
The Caribbean is one of those dream holiday destinations (Anguilla Tourist Board)January is a great time to visit the Caribbean as you'll get some of the best weather in terms of heat and sunshine. There are plenty of ways to explore whether you want to stick to one all-inclusive resort on a specific island, or take a cruise to explore a whole host of destinations. Either way, you'll get to relax on those ridiculously dreamy Caribbean beaches. There are plenty of great value Caribbean spots and while it won't be the cheapest of holidays, there are deals to be found if you are trying to stick to a budget.
Where to find Caribbean holiday deals:
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- TUI has Caribbean holidays from £852pp - book here.
- Virgin Holidays has Caribbean packages from £877pp - book here.
- P&O Cruises offers 14-night fly and cruise packages from £899pp - book here.
5. Thailand
Grand Palace, Bangkok (Moment RF)Temperatures can go up to 32C in January, making for ideal conditions for Thailand holidays from exploring the awe-inspiring temples to the picture-perfect beaches and vibrant city of Bangkok. There's so much to discover so we've put a guide together to the best things to see and do to help you narrow it down. Just make sure to leave space on the itinerary for those beautiful islands and incredible beaches.
Where to find Thailand holiday deals:
- Loveholidays has Thailand holiday packages from £634pp - book here.
- TUI has holidays including all-inclusive Thailand holidays from £818pp - book here.
- Trailfinders can offer a series of bespoke Thailand holidays - book here.
6. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is worth adding to the bucket list (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Cape Town boasts some balmy temperatures in January, with plenty of sunshine and pleasant weather for sightseeing. There is plenty to see, from climbing to the top of Table Mountain (there is a cable car don't worry), to the iconic Boulder's Beach which is home to penguin colonies, as well as the countless safari experiences to be had in the region.
Where to find Cape Town holiday deals:
- Kayak found Cape Town holidays from £664pp - book here.
- LoveHolidays has packages from £706pp - book here.
- British Airways has deals from £882pp - book here.
7. Florida, USA
Mickey and Minnie Mouse in Walt Disney World (Matt Stroshane, photographer)With temperatures ranging from 23-26C degrees in January, Florida has some ideal conditions whether you're looking to explore the vibrant city of Miami, or want to check out the theme parks in Orlando. (After all, you won't have the peak family crowds). If the theme parks are of interest, we've got guides for cheap Walt Disney World tickets and cheap Universal Orlando tickets that may come in handy.
If it's Disney you've got your eye on, you may also want to check out our insider's guide to the best rides and attractions in each of its four theme parks.
Where to find Florida holiday deals:
- British Airways has Orlando holidays from £382pp - book here.
- Ocean Florida has Orlando package deals from £590pp - book here.
- TUI has Orlando holidays from £768pp - book here.
8. Bali, Indonesia
(Moment RF)There are so many incredible things to see and do in Bali, so we've done the leg work for you and narrowed it down to the top 10. Temperatures in January tend to range between 26-29C, making for ideal conditions whether you're planning on going exploring, or considering spending some time lazing on the beach.
Where to find Bali holiday deals:
- Kayak offers Bali holiday deals from £588pp - book here.
- Intrepid Travel offers escorted tours from £668pp - book here (doesn't include flights).
- Loveholidays has Bali packages from £906pp - book here.
9. Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Costa Rica's breathtaking beaches become all the more inviting in January when temperatures can range between 30-35C. The country boasts some incredible things to see and do but intrepid explorers definitely won't want to miss out on the amazing national parks to be found here.
Where to find Costa Rica holiday deals:
- Hayes and Jarvis creates bespoke Costa Rica holidays - book here.
- TUI has Costa Rica holidays from £1,219pp - book here.
10. Maldives
Dreaming of those over-the-water villas (Getty Images/iStockphoto)The Maldives are ideal to visit in January with their hot and sunny weather. There are so many amazing experiences in the Maldives, and although they aren't particularly budget-friendly there are ways to find cheap Maldives holidays.
Where to find Maldives holiday deals:
- British Airways has Maldives packages from £1,391pp - book here.
Club Med has all-inclusive Maldives holidays from £2,031pp - book here.
- Kuoni offers up some bucket-list-worthy holidays - book here.
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