Looking for places to visit in January? Look no further! January is an amazing month for travel. Whether you’re kicking off the new year with a bucket list travel experience or you’re splurging after the holidays travel in January is fantastic.
I chose these three destination based on:
- Places I’ve personally loved to traveling to
- When the weather is nice (not too hot and not too cold)
- When it isn’t the peak tourism season, so that you can beat the crowds and avoid exorbitant prices.
This post is all about the best places to visit in January!
1. buenos aires, argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina is one of my favorite cities in the entire world. Argentina is known for malbec, asado, dulce de leche, tango and fútbol. There is a great art scene, a spectacular food scene, Palermo is a fantastic area of the city to walk around, and plenty of fun and unique boutique shops to stumble in.
Why did I choose this city as one of the best places to visit in January?
- Weather: Located in the southern hemisphere, this capital city is experiencing its summer in the month of January. I spent 18 days in Buenos Aires during the month of January and not one day was cloudy or rainy. The average temperature is around 84°F/29.5°C.
- Food: Food is phenomenal year round, but the summer months mean lots of fresh produce.
- Soccer: The soccer season starts up in the middle of the month and attending a game is a phenomenal experience.
More Exploren Lauren articles about Buenos Aires!
An Ode to Don Julio Parrilla Restaurant
The Most Amazing Argentina Cooking Class
11 Iconic Things to do in Buenos Aires
2. kuala lumpur, malaysia
Kuala Lumpur is a wonderful city and January is a great time to visit. Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia and is filled with street markets, a wide selection of tropical fruits, and incredible architecture. There are both historical and contemporary architectural masterpieces: the Batu Caves and the Petronas Twin Towers.
I found Malaysia to be like a more affordable Singapore. There are similar immigrant groups that settled, food is incredibly similar, but Singapore, to me, feels much more westernized.
The food scene in Malaysia is truly phenomenal. The four main cuisine types here in Malaysia are Chinese, Nyonya, Indian, and of course, Malay. Whether you’re indulging in Chinese beef roti or trying delicious satays with peanut sauce, you’re bound to find something unique and delicious!
Why did I choose this city as one of the best places to visit in January?
- Weather: Kuala Lumpur, like most of Southeast Asia is hot year round. January has more overcast days and the humidity isn’t as oppressive, which makes traveling around the city much more tolerable.
- Holidays: January in Malaysia means celebrating both January 1st New Year’s Day and Chinese New Year. Thaipusam is another holiday celebrated in January and brings hundreds of thousands of Hindus to celebrate at the gorgeous Batu Caves.
* Chinese New Year is a different day each year, so sometimes it’s celebrated in February.
More Exploren Lauren articles about Malaysia!
Visit the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur
3. quepos (manuel antonio), costa rica
Quepos is the city outside of the famous Manuel Antonio National Park. Animal lovers, tropical fruit lovers, gorgeous beach lovers, coffee lovers and nature lovers will truly thrive here in Quepos, Costa Rica. Whether you’re ethically releasing baby turtles, drinking coffee on the beach, or going on a night hike to spot the red-eyed tree frog you’ll make memories here that you’ll never forget.
Why did I choose this city as one of the best places to visit in January?
- Weather: Costa Rica’s weather in January is truly wonderful. The rainy season takes places from May – November and in January the plants are blooming and the animals are more active. January is the coolest weather of the dry season while still being 90°F/32°C.
- Crowds: Costa Rica is a popular tourist destination, but December is the most popular tourist month due to the holidays and school breaks. January is when the tourism in these destinations calms down, but everything stays open and ready through the end of March.
- Animals: Many travelers heading to Costa Rica are eager to see animals. Due to the weather being dry animals are more active and easier to spot. Olive Ridley turtle eggs are typically hatching, Humpback whales are migrating along the coast and birdwatching is at its peak.
More Exploren Lauren articles about Costa Rica!
9 Things to do in Costa Rica to Make Your Trip Epic
Ultimate Chocolate Making Class in Costa Rica
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