The 20 Best Destinations For A Sunny And Warm January

The 20 Best Destinations for a Sunny and Warm January

It's OK if you're not keen on subzero weather and strong chilly winds that will freeze your face off the second you show your nose outside. There is good news for you – this kind of unforgiving climate is not everywhere.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Average temperature: 62°F

As the Cajun French say, "Laissez les bons temps rouler"—let the good times roll. Best known for Mardi Gras, the city has earned a wild reputation and Bourbon Street is always worth a stroll, but there's more to the city than a stretch of bars. Visit the historic French Quarter, tour the Garden District and take one of the amazing ghost tours that winds through bars, alleyways, and cemeteries.

Cancun, Mexico

Average temperature: 81°F

Known as one of the most exciting spring break destinations, Cancun is for anyone looking to vacation in a tropical paradise. Its crystal waters, warm sand, and incredible hotels will astonish you in January as well. Tourists love to visit for the vast amount of wildlife, incredible snorkeling and diving sites, and luxurious resorts. Make time for the Chichen Itza, the El Rey ruins, and Playa Delfines.

Big Island, Hawaii

Average temperature: 81°F

Winter is peak tourist season in Hawaii and for good reasons – winter whales, gorgeous beaches, world-class surfing, stargazing and fun festivals are just a few. "The Gathering Place" is the third largest Hawaiian island. Thanks to the presence of Mount Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island gives visitors the unique opportunity to come face-to-face with flowing lava and steam vents almost every day of the year.

Barbados

Average temperature: 79°F

Barbados is brimming with adventure. This island offers a variety of beaches to choose from — powdery sand, calm waters, and incredible surf. Go body surfing at Crane Beach, windsurfing at Silver Sands Beach, swimming at Bath Beach, and surfing at Bathsheba Beach. From beach cricket (the island's signature pastime) and cave exploring to water sports, golf and horseback riding there's a seemingly endless amount of ways to explore and experience this one-of-a-kind tropical island.

Palm Springs, California

Average temperature: 70°F

This water desert resort city in California is an ideal place to escape if you're craving for some popular summer activities such as golf, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and swimming in the middle of winter. It is a paradise for adventures out in the open. With about 350 days of sunshine per year, comfortable sunny weather is almost guaranteed in Palm Springs. You can hike through ancient palm groves and along stunning scenic trails, go to the top of Mount San Jacinto, and enjoy spectacular Native American heritage and modern architecture at the same time.

Cape Verde

Average temperature: 81°F

A widely untouristed volcanic archipelago off the coast of West Africa, the former Portuguese colony of Cape Verde is fast becoming the world's premier kiteboarding and windsurfing destination. The trade winds are most reliable off of Sal, the island with the most developed watersports resort infrastructure, from November through May.

Tucson, Arizona

Average temperature: 64.5°F

You're definitely going to love Tucson if you're into cycling. This is where avid bikers go when the weather gets chilly. Among other things, the city boasts perfect environmental conditions for outdoor recreational activities – golfing, horseback riding, and hiking, to name a few. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a major attraction with its fusion zoo, botanical garden, natural history museum, aquarium, and art gallery. If you're interesting in something more rocket science-related activities, the Kitt Peak National Observatory has the world's largest collection of optical telescopes.

Tenerife, Spain

Average temperature: 62°F

Want to see where part of Star Wars and Planet of the Apes was filmed? Book a vacation in Tenerife. A popular attraction, the World Heritage Site of Mount Teide there is the third tallest volcano in the world. Of the seven Canary Islands, Tenerife is the largest. Tenerife is duty-free and you can bargain everything. Los Gigantes is famous for its seaside cliffs, called the Giants, some 1,000-ft. tall. But this beach town is also very affordable for Western Europe.

South Padre Island, Texas

Average temperature: 68°F

Enjoy powder-soft beaches, 34 miles of beautiful white sand and clear emerald water (even though some of you may not want to go in just yet), sun-soaked shores, postcard-perfect settings, and a lavish nightlife with many popular beach haunts rocking until the wee hours, according to the Travel Channel. The island is preferred by all kinds of explorers – a family, a newlywed couple, fishing enthusiasts, nature lovers or people who want to swim with dolphins and sea turtles.

Cuba

Average temperature: 70°F

Since the restrictions were loosened about two years ago, it is becoming a hot spot for adventurers. Cave diving in the country is superb – you can't dive and explore the depths of a cave that reaches 70-feet deep in many places. Scuba diving and zip lining are popular, too. Go on adventures that will show you not just the people and the architecture, but also the history, culture and wild side of the country.

Orlando, Florida

Average temperature: 70.7°F

Enjoy the warmth and hospitability of Florida in Orlando. The City Beautiful is landlocked but there are plenty of wonderful beaches nearby and the more than dozen theme parks in the city are worth a trip there. Locals consider Cocoa Beach, which is just east of Orlando, their own. New Smyrna Beach is further north on the east coast but it's more residential, if that's what you are looking for. Make sure you visit Clearwater Beach and see the famous Winter the dolphin at the aquarium.

Dubai, UAE

Average temperature: 75°F

You never want to go there in the summer when the normal temperature is easily around 110°F. Dubai has one of the most spectacular skylines in the world. It is also a common tourist destination and filled with cultural diversity. From 5-star hotels to delicious cuisine and unique activities, there is always something to do and always new adventures to embark on.

Maundays Bay, Anguilla

Average temperature: 80°F

Anguilla is famous for its turquoise ocean, exquisite white sand beaches and wonderful varied local cuisine. Serene and secluded, the flat bay has almost no hills ensuring almost constant trade winds. This is a small treasure island in northern Caribbean. Vacationers who seek privacy go to Cap Juluca, one of the most exclusive resorts in the world.

Miami, Florida

Average temperature: 76°F

This beautiful city is famous for its gorgeous beaches, bustling nightlife, delicious foods, and most importantly, its year-round incredible weather. Beach parties, South Beach, conditions for ideal guys-only and girls-only getaways, Miami has something to offer for everyone. The city is like its own small world.

Rancho Santana, Nicaragua

Average temperature: 86° F

Nicaragua is an unforgettable bucket list trip you can do on a budget. Rancho Santana is a luxurious residential community on the Pacific coast. It boasts 2,700 acres of rolling hills and two miles of rocky and dramatic shore, broken up by five distinct beaches nestled in their own hideaways. No matter where you're staying, you'll always have a view of the rugged, natural beauty of the stunning Pacific coast. 

Paracas, Peru

Average temperature: 77°F

This is a wonderful nature and biodiversity destination, a place of gentle beaches and sunny weather most of the year. It is also a spa – village, a peninsula, a bay, a pre-Inca culture spot. This is also where the desert and the sea come together in, just a few hours south from Lima, according to Go 2 Peru. Explore the cliffs that fringe the beaches, witness millions of birds that live there year-round, and gaze at sea lion colonies. Try sandboarding, which has become popular on the sand dunes.

San Antonio, Texas

Average temperature: 67°F

This is a city you go to have one of the best weekends of your life. Even the most capricious travelers will find it worthy. The food, especially the Mexican, is outstanding, and the adventure and sightseeing opportunities never end. There is a lot to do and see – River Walk, the Alamo and SeaWorld are just a few. Explore the history at the Spanish colonial missions, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas, and enjoy pulse-pounding rides at world-class theme parks.

Saba

Average temperature: 81°F

This is one of the most dangerous islands in the world, with one of the scariest airports and runways on the planet as well. Still, a vacation there is a thrilling experience. Saba is the smallest of the Dutch Caribbean Islands and widely considered a top diving destination. Its unique offerings go far beyond what's beneath the water. Referred to as "The Unspoiled Queen," Saba is serene, charming, and home to an old-world village with plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures such as trekking up Mount Scenery, a dormant volcano offering superb rainforest views. 

Vagaru Island, Maldives

Average temperature: 81°F

This is a true paradise for snorkelers and divers. You're going to love the views of land and water coming together. Go there if you are looking for seclusion, peace and luxury at the same time. You can access the private island easily via seaplane taxi, about an hour's flight from the main island of Malé.

Kaui, Hawaii

Average temperature: 78°F

The pristine sand beaches, lush jungle-like rain forests and massive green cloud-covered mountains, offers one of the most beautiful places to go on vacation in Hawaii. The island is home to the breathtaking Hali'i Falls, where you can actually swim. You can only get to the multifaceted waterfall by hiking through a bamboo forest, which is an adventure in itself.