Where is hot in January? 15 sunny destinations

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Sailing on the Caribbean near St James, on the west coast of Barbados (Getty Images)

2. Barbados

Average temperature 26C
Many luxury hotels in this Caribbean stalwart don’t accept children aged under 12 during January — ideal for couples or honeymooners seeking peace and quiet. The month also brings reliable sunshine, gentle trade-wind breezes — explaining why Barbados Sailing Week takes place in January — and reduced humidity. Jet-skiing and diving over coral reefs are other popular water sports, but some visitors to Barbados understandably get no further than the west coast’s dazzling array of palm-fringed beaches and exquisite resorts. Do try to explore, though: Harrison’s Cave’s icy pools and jagged stalactites are fun to inspect, as is the capital Bridgetown’s beautiful garrison and the lively Bajan cuisine. Golf courses and gardens dot Barbados’s interior, and a fine restaurant or rum distillery is never far away.

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Seminyak Beach in Bali (Alamy)

3. Bali, Indonesia

Average temperature 26C
New year, new you? Nowhere suits rejuvenation — or simply a jump-start to your wellness regimen — better than Bali. There are, admittedly, some downsides to visiting in January: mosquitoes (locals repel them with lemongrass tea), some brief tropical downpours and swirling seas ill-suited to diving. But those are outweighed by positives; namely a distinct lack of crowds at ancient temples or Seminyak’s chic beach clubs, otherwise sunny days and magnificent green colours at the most photogenic rice paddies. The pitter-patter of occasional rain may even add to your sense of serenity while performing yoga or meditating above a jungly river near spiritual Ubud. And added contentment should ensue from the low prices in the “Land of the Gods” at this time of year.

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A humpback whale surfaces to greet people on a tour boat in Maui (Alamy)

4. Maui, Hawaii

Average temperature 22C
January is mostly sunny and wonderfully warm in Hawaii. Showers do become more common, but much less so on Maui’s leeward (south and west) sides. Instead of emptying clouds, expect endless cetaceans: with pods of humpbacks passing en route to the South Pacific, that same coast’s offshore Maui Nui Basin is a mecca for thrilling whale-watching boat trips in January. The north shore, meanwhile, is prone to receiving some of the world’s biggest waves at this time of year; marvel as daredevil surfers tackle swells up to 15m high from Ho’okipa Beach Park. Back in western Maui, the towns of Kaanapali and Wailea tend to be driest and best of all for beach days.

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Snorkelling in The Maldives (Alamy)

5. The Maldives

Average temperature 27C
Make for the Maldives during January and you’re odds on to encounter weather’s holy trinity. As cooling northeasterly breezes escort away any treacherous clouds, blue Indian Ocean skies accompany low humidity and minimal rainfall — usually towards the 1,000-strong archipelago’s southern end. All that in turn yields the year’s clearest waters, making it the best time for unforgettable snorkelling or scuba-diving experiences. Reef sharks, dolphins, olive ridley sea turtles, Nemo-like clownfish and striped surgeonfish can all reliably be observed. For manta rays or whale sharks, the South Ari Atoll is particularly strong. Boat trips or surf safaris over the bath-warm turquoise waters also tempt guests out of their swanky overwater villas, as do fine spas, conservation activities and subterranean, aquarium-like restaurants.

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A giraffe walks at sunset in the Masai Mara (Getty Images)

6. Kenya, Africa

Average temperature 22C
The start of the year is a time of opportunity for safari-goers and honeymooners alike. January falls plum between Kenya’s “short rains” and later “long rains” seasonal periods, leaving the weather dry and clear-skied, with hot days and warm evenings — all perfect ingredients for wildlife-watching. Though you won’t encounter its famous wildebeest migration — that’s happening over in Tanzania at this time of year — the Masai Mara reserve will still bring the big five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo), plus a wonderful supporting cast from giraffes to ostriches and far fewer humans. It’s also a great, high-visibility month to swim or snorkel the underrated Kenya coast, whose sandy beaches rival anywhere on the planet.

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A colourful building and aloe vera garden in Cancun (Alamy)

7. Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Average temperature 23C
Though midway through Mexico’s sun-soaked dry season, January’s low humidity means that you can comfortably go sightseeing between beach days. Both are a good idea during stays on the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula. Opt for the Riviera Maya coastline, and perhaps one of Playa del Carmen’s all-inclusive resorts to have the run of numerous white-sand Caribbean Sea shores plus a fish-filled reef ripe for snorkelling or diving. Cancun’s lively nightclubs are just north, while Tulum is home both to some of Mexico’s best chefs and the well-preserved ruins of a 13th-century port city. More Mayan wonders await inland, headlined by Chichen Itza’s pyramid-style step temple, as do jungle-hugged cenotes: caves whose transparent, swimmable pools, below stalactites, were once reckoned to be passages to the underworld.

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The glass-bottomed observation deck at the top of Cabo Girao in Madeira (Alamy)

8. Madeira, Portugal

Average temperature 16C
Closer to Africa than mainland Europe, this Portuguese island has a subtropical climate that guarantees longer, sunnier January days — interspersed with rainy ones — than the chilly continent. Its south and west corners tend to be warmest. Rather than a beach destination, mountainous Madeira suits hiking. Not all 20 official pequenas rutas (small routes) are strenuous, either; those following levada irrigation channels tend to be flat. Visitors will also find botanical gardens, Europe’s highest skywalk in the shape of Cabo Girao’s glass-bottomed observation deck and plenty of fortified Madeira wine. Chestnuts, in season until mid-January, inspire delicious soups and tarts in restaurants around the pleasant capital Funchal — and look out too for bolo de mel, a dark, dense cake made using molasses.

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Bai Sao beach on Phu Quoc island in Vietnam (Alamy)

9. Vietnam

Average temperature 27C
Vietnam is pleasantly dry and sunny all month long, and less crowded than Christmas or in spring. There’s little temperature variation across the southeast Asian country, even if its south will be slightly hotter, so try to experience as much as possible. That includes honey-coloured beaches around Da Nang, Phu Quoc and Hoi An. From pulsating Hanoi to slicker Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s bigger centres entertain, as does the old imperial capital of Hue. Don’t forsake the Mekong River, especially sampan (a type of narrowboat) cruises to floating markets, or Halong Bay’s scatter of islands and grottoes. Nature lovers are also directed to one of the world’s biggest caves, Hang Son Doong, and to Cat Ba National Park in search of rare golden-headed langur monkeys.

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An iguana by the sea in the Galapagos Islands (Alamy)

10. Galapagos Islands

Average temperature 27C
With their many endemic species, wildlife-viewing in Ecuador’s isolated Galapagos Islands — 600 miles west of the South American mainland — is always astounding. January, however, is especially so due to its flurry of activity; green sea turtles start to nest, laying their eggs on beaches, iguanas’ mating season kicks off, leaving large land species and their smaller marine counterparts highly visible, and land birds perform colourful courtship rituals. It’s also the period when some penguin species are busiest. Inspiring all of that is the month’s balmy weather — especially its blue-skied mornings — as fogs and mists mostly disappear and seas become especially clear. Is the trip of a lifetime in order?

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Bom Bom Resort on Principe (Alamy)

11. Sao Tome & Principe

Average temperature 26C
Positioned 140 miles west of Gabon in mainland West Africa and straddling the equator, this two-island nation is undeservedly off-the-radar for most travellers. Sao Tome, much the bigger isle, has tourable chocolate-making factories and, below pointy Pico Cao Grande, a large, waterfall-happy nature reserve in Obo National Park. But Principe is the real gem: its jungly Unesco-protected biosphere interior, littered with old plantations dating to Portuguese colonial days, gives way to tens of castaway-style, coconut-lined and totally empty beaches; Praia Boi and the gorgeously named Praia Banana are the finest. A few seriously luxury hotels line that coast, adding spas and quality Portuguese-creole food to the mix. January is peak time for birdwatchers, with the endemic Principe sunbird a prized spot.

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The Perito Moreno glacier in Los Glaciares National Park (Alamy)

12. Patagonia

Average temperature 15C
While “hot” is overstating it, January does herald Patagonia’s warmest climes (although its famous winds can still rear up). That makes it prime time for hiking or inspecting glaciers in this vast, wondrous region, which extends across the bottom of both Argentina and Chile — and thus peak season in terms of prices. The temperature estimated above refers to quieter northern Patagonia, where you’ll find each country’s Lake District; further south, averages dip to 13C for those trekking in Torres del Paine or Los Glaciares national parks. A less-crowded option involves driving the incredible, partially paved Carretera Austral road: lakes, jungles, glaciers, hot springs, snow-capped peaks and sweeping valleys all feature, and there are numerous detour options for activity fans.

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The Chapel of St Francis Xavier in Macau (Alamy)

13. Macau, China

Average temperature 16C
Macau might have a reputation for being the Vegas of the East — the city’s casino hotels dominate its skyline and offer all the outlandish attractions you’d expect, from showstopping fountains to observation wheels — but there are surprising pockets of culture, too. Until December 1999, when it was handed back to China, Macau was a Portuguese colony for over 400 years. Remnants of this can be seen in landmarks like the ruins of St Paul’s church, or Monte Fort, which forms part of the city’s Unesco heritage site. Head to Coloane village, with its dated and distinctively European architecture, and bakery selling egg tarts, and you’ll hardly realise you’re in Asia.

Beco do Batman, or Batman Alley, in Sao Paulo (Getty Images)

14. Sao Paulo, Brazil

Average temperature 25C

Loud, busy and alive with Latin spirit, Sao Paulo is one of the most vibrant cities to visit in Brazil. It’s primarily known as a financial hub, but with that wealth comes world-class restaurants — among them, DOM, often considered one of the best in South America — and a busy arts schedule at the likes of Municipal Theatre of São Paulo. For locals, Parque Ibirapuera is a popular spot for its expansive green space and small collection of museums. On Sundays, Avenida Paulista is the place to be seen, with cafes, shops and restaurants that are ripe for people-watching. Don’t miss Beco do Batman, or Batman Alley, where the walls are splashed with colourful graffiti.

The V&A Waterfront in Cape Town (Alamy)

15. Cape Town, South Africa

Average temperature 22C

With a pleasant dry heat tempered by the sea breeze, Cape Town is a top choice for winter sun, helped by the fact that exchange rates are extremely favourable for Brits. The V&A Waterfront, with the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, and Bo-Kaap, with its colourful houses and Cape Malay culture, are among the top tourist draws for the city beyond Table Mountain. But it’s just a short bus ride to the city’s many beaches, or a boat ride to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was jailed. Hire a car and fabulous day trips to the vineyards of Stellenbosch and the Cape of Good Hope are all within easy reach too.

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Additional reporting by Qin Xie

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Looking to go somewhere hot in January? Here are the best winter sun packages from Tui and BA Holidays.

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