Short answer: The best countries to visit in January 2026 are Thailand, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Argentina and Australia. Sri Lanka and Thailand give you the most for your money.
Picking where to go in January is about matching the weather, your budget and your passport. Below is the honest breakdown for each country, with the live numbers built in. Compare any of them to your own country in the GlobeDude Explorer.
January at a glance
Here is how January’s top picks compare on cost, live. Set your own country in the dropdown and it updates instantly.
The best countries to visit in January
🇹🇭 1. Thailand
Why January: Peak dry season and the best month for the islands, with hot sunny days and calm seas.
Weather: Hot and dry, 30 to 33C.
Do not miss: Island-hop the Andaman coast, temple-hop in Bangkok, street food in Chiang Mai.
Best bases: Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai.
🇱🇰 2. Sri Lanka
Why January: The south and west coasts are dry and glorious, pairing beaches with tea country and ancient cities.
Weather: Dry and warm on the south and west coasts.
Do not miss: Surf in Weligama, ride the hill-country train, explore Sigiriya.
Best bases: Colombo, Galle, Ella, Kandy.
🇦🇪 3. United Arab Emirates
Why January: January is the UAE at its finest, with warm blue-sky days and cool evenings for city and desert.
Weather: Warm days ~24C, cool nights.
Do not miss: Desert safari, Burj Khalifa, Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque, dune camping.
Best bases: Dubai, Abu Dhabi.
🇦🇷 4. Argentina
Why January: Peak summer down south means long days for Patagonia, wine country and a buzzing Buenos Aires.
Weather: Warm summer, hot in the north.
Do not miss: Trek Patagonia, tango in Buenos Aires, taste Mendoza wine.
Best bases: Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Mendoza.
🇦🇺 5. Australia
Why January: High summer, with beaches and coastal drives at their very best across the country.
Weather: Hot summer, 25 to 32C.
Do not miss: Sydney Harbour, Great Ocean Road, the Whitsundays, Bondi Beach.
Best bases: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns.
Best time to visit, month by month
Green means the weather is on your side, and January is highlighted so you can see which are at their best right now.
Cheapest picks for January
If value is your priority, Sri Lanka and Thailand lead the field this month. Here is what your money is actually worth in each, live.
Can you actually go? Visa check
Set your country below to see the visa rule for each destination. Guidance only, always confirm with the official embassy before you book.
Not sure where to go?
Compare every country on cost, visa and weather in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Where is cheapest to travel in January?
Sri Lanka and Thailand are the best value in January, with low daily costs. Use the cost snapshot above to compare them to your own country.
Where has the best weather in January?
Thailand, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates all offer great January weather. Check the best-time calendar above to see which are at their peak.
What are the best countries to visit in January?
For January, our top picks are Thailand, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Australia.
Is January a good time to travel?
Yes. January is a strong month for the destinations above, and the live widgets in this guide show exactly how each compares on cost, visa and currency for your country.
GlobeDude uses affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Figures are for general guidance, so confirm details before you book.
See more months on the GlobeDude blog, or compare any country to yours in the Explorer.
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