Best destinations to visit in January in North America
Best destinations to visit in January in North America
North America splits sharply in January, with winter sports in full swing up north and warm weather escapes holding steady further south.
Mountain regions across the continent are deep into ski season by this point, with reliable snow and full resort operations running through the month. The Caribbean coast and Mexico stay warm and mostly dry, making January a popular month to head south for some sun. Southern states offer a middle ground, with milder winters that still suit outdoor activities without needing any snow gear. Both ends of that range, snow season and sunshine, draw plenty of visitors this time of year. Northern cities settle into their coldest stretch too, which suits travelers who enjoy snow covered streets, ice skating rinks and quieter sightseeing without the usual summer crowds.
The destinations on our list for North America reflect that same split between snow season and sunshine.
Lists by region
City in United States
Phoenix
Desert sun, art and adventure
Winter visitors known as snowbirds leave cold northern states for the Arizona sun every January. Highs reach the mid 60s Fahrenheit under blue skies, which suits morning hikes up Camelback Mountain. The Barrett Jackson classic car auction in nearby Scottsdale fills a huge tent at WestWorld every January.
City in United States
New Orleans
Jazz, Creole Flavors and Mardi Gras Vibes
Carnival season starts on 6 January in New Orleans. King cakes appear in bakeries, each with a plastic baby inside. Parades roll on the weekends before Mardi Gras. Cafe du Monde serves beignets with chicory coffee. Jazz clubs on Frenchmen Street are warm and full.
Region in Mexico
Riviera Maya
Sun‑kissed beaches and ancient Mayan ruins
Stretching about 130 kilometres along the Caribbean coast south of Cancun, this resort area links beaches, ruins and cenotes. January days are sunny and dry near 28 degrees Celsius. Tulum has Mayan ruins on a cliff above the sea and Xel Ha is a natural lagoon for snorkelling.
Lake in United States
Lake Tahoe
Crystal waters framed by towering pine peaks
Deep, clear and ringed by snowy peaks, this alpine lake offers skiing and quiet walks along the shore. More than a dozen ski areas, including Palisades Tahoe and Heavenly, sit around the lake. January is among the snowiest months and the Sand Harbor boulder beaches are quiet in winter.
Outer Territory in United States
Puerto Rico
Caribbean rhythms, rainforests and beaches
Unlike most of the mainland in January, this island is warm with highs near 83 degrees Fahrenheit. The San Sebastian Street Festival in Old San Juan fills the streets with music, crafts and food in mid January. El Yunque rain forest has waterfalls and trails about an hour east of San Juan.
City in United States
Park City (Utah)
Where Olympic dreams meet culture
Park City Mountain and Deer Valley have powder runs a short drive from Salt Lake City. The old silver mining town on Main Street has bars and galleries in brick buildings. Hot tubs at lodges steam in the cold. Free buses link the resorts. Dry Utah snow draws skiers.
Town in Canada
Banff
Rocky Mountain Majesty, Endless Adventure
Surrounded by jagged peaks and frozen forest, this small mountain town feels like a snow globe in winter. Skiers head to Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay then soak in the Upper Hot Springs after a cold day. Banff SnowDays fills the streets with ice sculptures and live music in January.
Lake in Canada
Lake Louise
Turquoise Gem of the Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Pacific Railway built a small chalet here in 1890, which grew into the grand Chateau Lake Louise hotel. In January the lake freezes and skaters glide across a rink beside carved ice sculptures. The ski resort nearby has about 4,200 acres of terrain across four mountain faces.
City in United States
Palm Springs
Desert Modernism and Mountain Views
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway rises to 8,500 feet, where snow sometimes covers the pines. January days in town reach about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Mid century modern houses line quiet streets. Joshua Tree National Park is about 45 minutes away. The International Film Festival takes place in early January.
Outer Territory in United States
U.S. Virgin Islands
Caribbean Paradise with U.S. Convenience
Denmark ruled these islands for over 200 years before the United States bought them in 1917. January days are sunny and breezy near 82 degrees Fahrenheit with lower rainfall than the summer months. Trunk Bay on Saint John has an underwater snorkel trail inside Virgin Islands National Park.
Country
Costa Rica
Lush rainforests, stunning beaches, pure adventure
Pacific coast beaches in Costa Rica get dry sunshine in January. Surfers ride the waves at Tamarindo and Santa Teresa. Hot springs near Arenal flow from the volcano's slopes. Monteverde has hanging bridges over the cloud forest. Gallo pinto, rice and beans, comes with breakfast eggs.
City in United States
Bend
Mountain town that's got it all
January in this high desert city brings cold sunny days and deep snow on the nearby Cascade Mountains. Mount Bachelor, about 30 minutes away, has ski runs and groomed trails for cross country skiers. Craft breweries in town have warm taprooms where skiers gather after a day on the snow.
City in Canada
Whistler
Alpine Adventure, Epic Views, Year-Round Fun
Wrapped around two huge mountains, this alpine village feels lively and cosy with pedestrian streets. Whistler and Blackcomb have over 8,000 acres of skiing and the Peak 2 Peak Gondola links their summits. Heavy January snowfall keeps the powder deep and the village has ice skating and tubing in the evening.
City in United States
Sedona
Red Rocks, Vortexes and Starry Skies
Red rocks sometimes wear a light coat of snow in Sedona in January. Trails to Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock are quiet. Highs near 57 degrees Fahrenheit suit hiking. Airport Mesa is a short drive for sunset. Cafes with fireplaces serve hot chocolate. Galleries line the main road.
City in United States
Key West
Tropical charm at the end of the road
Key West reaches highs near 75 degrees Fahrenheit in January, a welcome escape from cold weather. Mallory Square celebrates the sunset each evening with street performers. Hemingway's home has six toed cats. A ferry or seaplane reaches Dry Tortugas National Park. Key lime pie is sold everywhere.
Country
Jamaica
Vibrant culture meets pristine beaches
The middle of the dry season falls in January in Jamaica. Seven Mile Beach in Negril has warm water and sunset bars. Dunn's River Falls climbs in steps through a forest. Blue Mountain coffee farms offer tours. Jerk chicken is cooked over pimento wood at roadside stands.
Region in Mexico
Baja California Sur
Desert meets ocean adventure land
Spanish Jesuits built the mission at Loreto in 1697 and the stone church at San Javier still stands. Grey whales gather in Magdalena Bay and Ojo de Liebre lagoon from January to March to calve. January days are dry and mild with highs near 25 degrees Celsius and cool evenings.
City in United States
Aspen
Rocky Mountain Glam Meets Outdoor Thrills
Set in a narrow valley of the Rocky Mountains, this old silver mining town is ringed by four ski areas. January brings dry powder snow and the Winter X Games take over Buttermilk in late January. Downtown has galleries, boutiques and cosy restaurants where skiers gather after the lifts close.
City in Mexico
Oaxaca
Colonial Charm and Rich Traditions
January days are sunny and dry at about 26 degrees Celsius with cool evenings for long walks. Epiphany on 6 January brings a sweet ring shaped bread called rosca de reyes to bakeries across the city. Markets sell mole, chocolate and mezcal while Monte Alban is a hilltop Zapotec site.
Town in United States
Glenwood Springs
Mountain retreat with natural hot springs
Smaller and quieter than nearby ski resorts, this Colorado town is built around natural hot springs. The Glenwood Hot Springs Pool is over 400 feet long and stays warm when snow falls. Iron Mountain Hot Springs has tiled pools above the Colorado River and Sunlight Mountain ski area is nearby.
City in United States
Moab
Red rock canyons echo adventure seekers' dreams
A small desert town of about 5,000 people, this is the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands national parks. January is quiet with highs near 40 degrees Fahrenheit and red rocks dusted with snow. Arches has more than 2,000 stone arches and Delicate Arch glows orange at sunset with few other visitors around.
National Park in United States
Death Valley National Park
Otherworldly Extremes and Silent Beauty
Rangers recommend hiking in the cool months, when January highs stay near 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Zabriskie Point looks over golden badlands that glow at sunrise and Dante's View looks down on the salt flats. Badwater Basin sits 282 feet below sea level and its night skies are very dark.
Country
Barbados
Tropical paradise with year-round sunshine
January is the start of Barbados's dry season, with highs near 29 degrees Celsius. Crane Beach has pink sand and big waves. Oistins fish fry on Friday nights serves grilled mahi mahi and flying fish. Harrison's Cave has a tram ride through limestone caverns. Rum shops are on every road.
Country
Belize
Tropical paradise with diverse ecosystems
A small country with fewer than 450,000 people, this Caribbean nation has the second largest barrier reef in the world. January falls in the dry season, with sunny days near 28 degrees Celsius and calm seas for diving. The Great Blue Hole is a sinkhole about 125 metres deep.
Island in Mexico
Holbox
Tropical paradise with crystal turquoise waters
Off the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, this small island has sandy streets and golf carts instead of cars. January is dry and sunny with highs near 27 degrees Celsius and steady breezes for kitesurfing. Boats visit Pajaros Island for birdwatching and the flamingos that wade in the lagoon.
Ski Resort in United States
Taos Ski Valley
Snow‑kissed peaks, vibrant desert charm
Peak winter arrives in January with cold dry air and about 300 inches of snow in a typical year. Steep runs drop from peaks above 12,000 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The village is small and Taos Pueblo, lived in for over 1,000 years, is a short drive away.
Village in Mexico
Sayulita
Coastal charm meets vibrant artistic community
North of Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific coast, this small beach town sits between jungle hills and a curved bay. January is dry and sunny with highs near 29 degrees Celsius and gentle waves for beginner surfers. Humpback whales visit the nearby waters from December to March on boat trips from town.
Other lists you may like
Discover
Best winter sports destinations in Europe
Europe is the heartland of alpine skiing culture, with a resort infrastructure and mountain tradition that has been developing for well over a century. The best destinations…
Read more
Discover
Best street art destinations in Africa
Africa's street art scenes have emerged rapidly, with several cities developing mural cultures of genuine international standing that sit at the intersection of local artistic…
Read more
Discover
Best slow travel destinations in North America
Rural New England and a culinary region in Mexico offer two very different versions of slow travel, one built around small-town routine, the other around centuries-old culinary and…
Read more
Discover
Best cherry blossom destinations in Africa
Cherry blossoms are a rarity across Africa, limited to a small handful of regions in South Africa, Algeria and Morocco rather than any continent wide tradition. Jacaranda trees are…
Read more
Discover
Most beautiful beaches and coastal escapes
For a lot of people, a beach is the whole point of a holiday, but what makes a beach day perfect really depends on personal taste. Some travellers want isolation and the feeling…
Read more
Discover
Best winter sports destinations in North America
North America has some of the most varied and celebrated winter sports terrain on earth, with resort cultures on both the east and west coasts that have developed distinct…
Read more
Discover
Best slow travel destinations in Oceania
New Zealand's southern regions and the wider Pacific Islands both reward a slower pace, shaped as much by geography and limited transport links as by deliberate choice, with…
Read more
Discover
Best cherry blossom destinations in South America
Cherry blossoms are not native to South America, but Japanese immigrant communities have successfully planted Yoshino and other cherry varieties throughout the continent since the…
Read more
What other users say about travelfilters
“travelfilters made it easy for me to find ski areas and compare what else they offer, so that I could find the best place for my personal travel style.”
Chris
Snowboarding & Onsen trip to Japan
“I love how transparent the data feels. There is no pushy upsell, just honest information and settings I can tune to my own travel style.”
Maria
After booking her 2027 winter escape
“The level of detail for each destination and how well those are displayed, make planning feel confident instead of overwhelming.”
Mina
Planned a week in New York City
“We used travelfilters for our planning from start to end. The trip turned out even better than expected, thanks to all their tools and customisation options.”
Allan & Etienne
Trip to Japan to see autumn foliage
“Thanks to travelfilters, I found some hidden gems to see. Being able to filter for exactly your interests is a game changer for my travel planning.”
Michael
Tour through the old cities of Northern Italy
“The customizable filters helped me find a quiet beach town with good wifi and low season crowds in under five minutes.”
Diego
Weekend Escape to Llanes, Spain
“The airport connection map saved me hours by showing good flight options from my home airport to lesser-known cities.”
Nguyen
Planning a 2027 trip to France
“The website is clean, fast and focused on the search itself, which makes travelfilters feel more like a professional tool than an ad-heavy booking site.”
Hassan
Christmas Market trip, Germany
