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Best Countries to Visit in January: Top Destinations to Kick Off Your Year

Why Travel in January?

Welcome to Mangoes and Palm Trees, where we’ve picked the best countries to visit in January for snowy mountains, sunny beaches, or cultural adventures! January is special—a fresh start to the year with fewer crowds and unique experiences. Whether you love skiing, relaxing by the sea, or exploring new cultures, this list has something for you. Sip a tropical juice from our drinks page and start planning your trip! Some countries offer snow and cold weather—perfect for winter fun—while others have warm sunshine for a beach getaway. (Lonely Planet)


Top Countries to Visit in January

1. Japan – Snowy Festivals and Hot Springs

Japan in January is like a fairy tale. Snow falls, and the air is crisp—20 to 30°F (-6 to -1°C). It’s a top pick for winter lovers.

  • What to Do: Ski on Hokkaido’s soft snow. See big ice sculptures at the Sapporo Snow Festival. Relax in a hot spring called an onsen. Visit Kyoto’s old temples for New Year traditions.
  • Best Spots: Niseko for skiing. Sapporo for the festival.

Matcha Hot Chocolate Recipe

Warm up with this easy drink!

IngredientAmount
Milk1 cup
Dark chocolate, chopped2 ounces
Matcha powder1 teaspoon
Sugar1 tablespoon
Whipped cream (optional)1 dollop

How to Make It:

  1. Heat milk in a pot on medium heat.
  2. Stir in chocolate, matcha, and sugar until it’s all smooth.
  3. Pour into a mug. Add whipped cream if you like.

2. Australia – Summer Beaches and Festivals

Australia is warm in January—75 to 85°F (24 to 29°C). It’s summer there, so it’s all about sun and fun.

  • What to Do: Enjoy the Sydney Festival with music and art. Swim or surf at Bondi Beach. Dive into the Great Barrier Reef. Taste wine in Yarra Valley.
  • Best Spots: Sydney for the festival. Gold Coast for beaches.

Aussie Mango Smoothie Recipe

Cool off with this sunny treat!

IngredientAmount
Mango, diced1 cup
Greek yogurt1/2 cup
Coconut water1/2 cup
Honey1 teaspoon
Ice cubes4

How to Make It:

  1. Put mango, yogurt, coconut water, honey, and ice in a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and drink it cold!

3. Thailand – Tropical Shores and Temples

Thailand in January is dry and mild—75 to 85°F (24 to 29°C). It’s a great time for beaches and sightseeing.

  • What to Do: Relax on Phuket’s sandy beaches. Visit Bangkok’s beautiful temples. Feel the excitement before Chiang Mai’s Flower Festival.
  • Best Spots: Krabi for islands. Wat Pho in Bangkok for culture.

Thai Coconut Iced Coffee Recipe

Try this cool, tasty drink!

IngredientAmount
Strong brewed coffee1 cup
Coconut milk1/4 cup
Condensed milk2 tablespoons
Ice cubes4

How to Make It:

  1. Mix coffee, coconut milk, and condensed milk in a glass.
  2. Add ice cubes, stir, and enjoy!

4. Switzerland – Alpine Magic

Switzerland is cold and snowy in January—15 to 25°F (-9 to -4°C). It’s perfect for winter sports.

  • What to Do: Ski in Zermatt. Walk with snowshoes. Watch horse races on St. Moritz’s frozen lake at White Turf.
  • Best Spots: Zermatt for skiing. St. Moritz for events.

Swiss Hot Chocolate Recipe

Warm up after a snowy day!

IngredientAmount
Milk1 cup
Swiss chocolate, chopped2 ounces
Sugar1 tablespoon
Cinnamon1 pinch

How to Make It:

  1. Heat milk in a pot. Add chocolate, sugar, and cinnamon.
  2. Stir until smooth. Pour into a cup and sip it warm.

5. South Africa – Safaris and Sunshine

South Africa has warm summer weather in January—70 to 85°F (21 to 29°C). It’s a fun time for outdoor trips.

  • What to Do: Climb Table Mountain in Cape Town. Go on a safari in Kruger National Park. Drive the pretty Garden Route.
  • Best Spots: Cape Town for views. Knysna for scenery.

Rooibos Iced Tea Recipe

Enjoy this local favorite!

IngredientAmount
Rooibos tea bags2
Water2 cups
Honey1 tablespoon
Lemon slices2
Ice cubes4

How to Make It:

  1. Boil water and steep tea bags for 5 minutes. Take out the bags.
  2. Stir in honey. Let it cool. Pour over ice with lemon slices.

6. Norway – Arctic Wonders

Norway is cold in January—10 to 20°F (-12 to -6°C). It’s the best time to see the Northern Lights.

  • What to Do: Watch the Northern Lights in Tromsø. Ride a dog sled. Learn about Sami people and reindeer.
  • Best Spots: Tromsø for lights. Lofoten for beauty.

Norwegian Mulled Berry Juice Recipe

Warm up with this fruity drink!

IngredientAmount
Mixed berry juice2 cups
Cinnamon stick1
Cloves3
Honey1 tablespoon

How to Make It:

  1. Heat juice in a pot with cinnamon, cloves, and honey.
  2. Simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and serve warm.

7. Costa Rica – Eco-Adventures

Costa Rica is warm and dry in January—75 to 85°F (24 to 29°C). It’s great for nature lovers.

  • What to Do: Surf at Tamarindo beach. Hike near Arenal Volcano. Look for sloths and monkeys.
  • Best Spots: Manuel Antonio for beaches. Monteverde for forests.

Pineapple Coconut Refresher Recipe

Taste the tropics!

IngredientAmount
Pineapple juice1 cup
Coconut water1/2 cup
Lime juice1 tablespoon
Ice cubes4

How to Make It:

  1. Mix pineapple juice, coconut water, and lime juice in a glass.
  2. Add ice cubes and enjoy it cold!

8. Argentina – Southern Summer

Argentina has warm summer weather in January—70 to 85°F (21 to 29°C). It’s perfect for outdoor fun.

  • What to Do: Hike in Patagonia’s El Chaltén. Dance tango in Buenos Aires. Sip wine in Mendoza.
  • Best Spots: El Chaltén for trails. Mendoza for vineyards.

Mate Citrus Spritz Recipe

A fun Argentine drink!

IngredientAmount
Yerba mate tea (brewed)1 cup
Orange juice1/4 cup
Sparkling water1/2 cup
Ice cubes4

How to Make It:

  1. Brew mate tea and let it cool a bit.
  2. Mix with orange juice and sparkling water. Pour over ice.

9. Morocco – Desert and Souks

Morocco is mild in January—50 to 65°F (10 to 18°C). It’s a nice time to explore.

  • What to Do: Shop in Marrakech’s busy souks. Walk in the Atlas Mountains. Ride camels in the Sahara desert.
  • Best Spots: Fes for old towns. Sahara for dunes.

Moroccan Mint Tea Recipe

A fresh, classic drink!

IngredientAmount
Green tea leaves1 tablespoon
Fresh mint leaves1 handful
Sugar2 tablespoons
Water2 cups

How to Make It:

  1. Boil water and add tea leaves. Let it sit for 3 minutes.
  2. Add mint and sugar. Pour into glasses from high up.

10. India – Cultural Riches

India has mild weather in January—60 to 75°F (15 to 24°C). It’s a good time to visit.

  • What to Do: See Rajasthan’s forts. Float on Kerala’s backwaters. Enjoy the Jaipur Literature Festival.
  • Best Spots: Jaipur for culture. Kerala for beaches.

Masala Chai Recipe

A warm, spicy tea!

IngredientAmount
Black tea leaves1 tablespoon
Milk1 cup
Cardamom pods2
Cinnamon stick1
Sugar1 tablespoon

How to Make It:

  1. Boil milk with tea, cardamom, cinnamon, and sugar.
  2. Simmer for 5 minutes. Strain into a cup and drink hot.

11. Egypt – Historical Sites and Red Sea Relaxation

Egypt has mild weather in January—60 to 75°F (15 to 24°C). It’s cooler than summer, perfect for sightseeing.

  • What to Do: Visit the Pyramids of Giza and Luxor’s Valley of the Kings. Take a Nile River cruise. Swim or snorkel at Red Sea beaches in Sharm El Sheikh.
  • Best Spots: Giza for pyramids. Luxor for ancient ruins.

Hibiscus Tea Recipe

A bright, Egyptian-inspired drink!

IngredientAmount
Dried hibiscus flowers2 tablespoons
Water2 cups
Sugar1 tablespoon
Ice cubes4

How to Make It:

  1. Boil water and add hibiscus flowers. Let it steep for 10 minutes.
  2. Strain, add sugar, and cool. Pour over ice and sip cold.

12. United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Luxury and Desert Experiences

The UAE is comfortable in January—65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C). It’s a fun time for shopping and desert trips.

  • What to Do: Shop at the Dubai Shopping Festival. Go on a desert safari with camel rides and sandboarding. See the Burj Khalifa and Louvre Abu Dhabi.
  • Best Spots: Dubai for shopping. Abu Dhabi for landmarks.

Date Milkshake Recipe

A sweet UAE treat!

IngredientAmount
Dates, pitted5
Milk1 cup
Vanilla ice cream1 scoop
Ice cubes4

How to Make It:

  1. Blend dates, milk, ice cream, and ice until smooth.
  2. Pour into a glass and enjoy it cold!

🥭🌴 Expert Answers by Mangoes and Palm Trees

Questions and Answers

Insights from 15+ years in hospitality and 50+ countries explored, sharing family-tested travel tips for January 2025.

🌌 Travel Expertise

You can see the Northern Lights in Norway. Tromsø is a great place—it’s above the Arctic Circle and very pretty.

🏖️ Travel Expertise

Try Thailand, Australia, or Costa Rica. They have warm weather and sunny beaches.

⛷️ Travel Expertise

Japan and Switzerland are great. They have lots of snow and fun ski hills.

🌍 Travel Expertise

Yes, it’s summer there. You can go on safaris or visit beaches.

☀️ Travel Expertise

It’s mild and nice—good for seeing places like Rajasthan or Kerala.

🎉 Travel Expertise

Yes! Japan has the Sapporo Snow Festival, and Australia has the Sydney Festival.

🏛️ Travel Expertise

It’s cooler—perfect for seeing pyramids and relaxing by the Red Sea.

🏜️ Travel Expertise

The weather is nice—not too hot—and there’s shopping and desert fun.

Wrap-Up

Start your year with a big trip! Japan’s snowy hills, Egypt’s old pyramids, or the UAE’s desert adventures are waiting. We at Mangoes and Palm Trees love sharing these places. Try our drink recipes while you travel. Want more ideas? See our December travel spots or February getaways. Book your trip today and explore more inspiration at Condé Nast Traveler! (National Geographic)

Top January Destinations

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About Oliver & Natalia Mayerhoffer

Oliver & Natalia Mayerhoffer blend British, Austrian, and Siberian roots across 50+ countries. With Victor (born November 24, 2016, Koh Samui), they share kid-tested recipes and travel tips from Thailand (2016–2018), the UK (2018–2023), and now Vietnam.

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