Where to go, month by month
Where is warm in January? Eight places with the figures
Facts checked against the cited sources on
This page lists eight places that are warm in January, built from published climate averages rather than impressions. It is our selection, not a ranking: we kept places where the January average daytime high is clearly warm, roughly 22 C or above, and where a named weather service or an agency table we could read gives the figures.
Each pick states what the number means in practice and what you give up by choosing it. If you are comparing months, the best places to travel in January page takes a wider view, and warm places to visit in February covers the following month. Climate averages describe typical conditions across decades and say nothing about a particular week.
How we chose these eight places
Our selection rules were simple. A place had to show a January mean daily maximum of about 22 C or higher in a published normals table, it had to be a destination with established tourist facilities, and we wanted a spread of regions so the list is not only one coastline. Where a table lists a mean daily maximum, that is the figure we quote, because it matches what people feel in the middle of the day.
We did not use hotel marketing, forum posts or travel-blog temperature charts. Figures come from the Spanish state meteorological agency AEMET, Singapore's Meteorological Service, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) normals files published by NOAA, the German weather service DWD, the WMO World Weather Information Service, and encyclopaedia climate tables that credit a named agency, all listed in the sources. We have not ranked the places against each other, because the right choice depends on whether you want heat, dry weather or a short flight.
Why January is warm in some hemispheres and mild in others
In January the southern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, so cities such as those in northern Queensland are in their summer. The same month is midwinter for Europe and North America, which is why travellers from there look to the tropics or to mild subtropical islands.
Near the equator the seasons are defined by rain more than by temperature. That is why a hot place can still be a poor January choice if its wet phase falls then, and why a mild place such as the Canary Islands can be a good one: it has little rain in January and stays comfortable in the daytime, though the sea and the evenings are cooler than in the tropics.
Tenerife, Canary Islands: mild sun with little rain
AEMET's 1981 to 2010 normals for Tenerife Sur airport, in the south of the island, give a January mean daily maximum of 21.7 C and a mean minimum of 15.2 C, with 17 mm of rain. Those are the mildest daytime figures on this list, but the low rainfall and the gentle nights make it one of the easier winter-sun options from Europe.
The trade-off is that the mountains are a different climate: the same agency's station at 2,369 m on the Izana plateau records a January mean maximum of 7.5 C, so a day trip to the volcano needs winter clothing. See the Tenerife page for stays on the island.
Dubai: January as the comfortable month
The WMO 1991 to 2020 normals for Dubai International Airport, published by NOAA, give a January mean daily maximum of 24.4 C and a mean minimum of 15.3 C, with 20.8 mm of rain. That is far below the summer heat the city is known for, so January is a comfortable month for walking and outdoor dining.
The trade-off is cool evenings, since the mean minimum is only about 15 C, so bring a layer. For stays see Dubai.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: Caribbean warmth outside hurricane season
NOAA's WMO 1991 to 2020 normals for Punta Cana airport put the January mean daily maximum at 28.5 C and the minimum at 21.2 C, with 84.7 mm of rain. That is warm without being extreme.
The US National Hurricane Center says the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with its peak around September 10, so January falls well outside it, although storms occasionally form outside the official dates. Rainfall is moderate rather than negligible, so plan for the odd shower. More on the destination is on the Punta Cana page.
Mombasa and the Kenyan coast: hot and fairly dry in January
The German weather service DWD's climate table for Mombasa airport (Port Reitz), based on 1961 to 1990 data, lists a January mean daily maximum of 33.2 C and a mean minimum of 22.0 C, with 33.9 mm of rain. That period is older than the 1991 to 2020 normals used for most other places here, and we could not find an official 1991 to 2020 table for the station, so treat the figures as an indication.
This is the hottest place on our list in January, which suits beach days but not hard sightseeing at midday. The trade-off is that the figures say nothing about sea conditions, so check a local forecast. See Mombasa for stays.
Colombo and southwest Sri Lanka: warm, with some rain
NOAA's WMO 1991 to 2020 normals for Colombo give a January mean daily maximum of 31.4 C and minimum of 23.1 C, with 79.6 mm of rain. Temperatures barely move through the year, so the choice of month is mostly about rain.
The table describes Colombo only, and a shower is still possible with 79.6 mm in the month. Other parts of Sri Lanka can differ, so check the forecast for each area you plan to visit. Stays across the island are gathered on the Sri Lanka page.
Singapore: hot and wet in a January monsoon phase
Singapore's Meteorological Service gives 1991 to 2020 Changi averages of 30.6 C for the January mean daily maximum and 24.3 C for the minimum, with 221.6 mm of rain, the highest January rainfall on this list apart from northern Queensland. The service describes the northeast monsoon as running from December to early March, with a wet phase usually from December to early January and a drier phase from late January to early March.
So early January suits travellers who accept regular heavy showers for indoor attractions and food halls, while the later weeks of the month start to dry out. See Singapore for city stays.
Cairns, Queensland: summer heat in the wet season
Bureau of Meteorology 1991 to 2020 statistics for Cairns Aero, as shown in an encyclopaedia table, list a January mean daily maximum of 31.7 C and a minimum of 24.0 C, with 388.7 mm of rain. It is hot, humid and the wettest part of the year.
That makes Cairns a trade-off pick: it is warm, but heavy rain is normal, and some outdoor activities may be affected. It suits travellers who accept showers; check the Bureau's current forecasts and warnings before booking. Stays are listed on the Cairns page.
Mauritius: Indian Ocean summer with a cyclone window
The WMO World Weather Information Service lists, for Port Louis, a January mean daily maximum of 31.5 C and a minimum of 24.1 C, with 131 mm of rain and about nine days with at least 1 mm; the service states the rainfall period as 1971 to 2000, so it is older than the other normals here. Mauritius Meteorological Services defines summer as November to April, a warm humid season.
The encyclopaedia entry on the geography of Mauritius, which cites the Mauritius Meteorological Services but which we could not confirm on that agency's own page, says occasional tropical cyclones generally occur between January and March and tend to disrupt the weather for about three days. That does not make January a poor choice, but flexible bookings and travel insurance are worth considering. See the Mauritius hub.
January figures side by side, and the limits of this list
The table collects the January values quoted above. Periods differ slightly between sources, which is noted where we know it, and each row describes one station, usually an airport, not the whole region.
Averages hide variation. A mean daily maximum is the typical afternoon high, not a forecast, and rainfall totals say nothing about how the rain falls: 17 mm in Tenerife and 389 mm in Cairns are very different experiences. Sea temperatures, wind and humidity are not covered here, and none of the tables replaces the national weather service forecast for the weeks of your trip.
| Place (station) | Mean max C | Mean min C | Rain mm | Normals period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife (Sur airport) | 21.7 | 15.2 | 17 | 1981-2010 (AEMET) |
| Dubai (International airport) | 24.4 | 15.3 | 20.8 | 1991-2020 (WMO, NOAA file) |
| Punta Cana (airport) | 28.5 | 21.2 | 84.7 | 1991-2020 (NOAA) |
| Mombasa (Port Reitz airport) | 33.2 | 22.0 | 33.9 | 1961-1990 (DWD) |
| Colombo | 31.4 | 23.1 | 79.6 | 1991-2020 (WMO/NOAA) |
| Singapore (Changi) | 30.6 | 24.3 | 221.6 | 1991-2020 (MSS) |
| Cairns (Aero) | 31.7 | 24.0 | 388.7 | 1991-2020 (BoM) |
| Port Louis, Mauritius | 31.5 | 24.1 | 131 | WMO WWIS (rain 1971-2000) |
Practical notes for a warm January stay
Rules on entry and health requirements differ by nationality and change, so check each government's official immigration and health pages for the country you are visiting before you book flights. We do not give entry advice here.
On a stay of a week or longer, a kitchen helps in hot places: you can keep water and fruit cold, eat an early breakfast before the heat peaks and avoid eating every meal out. The aparthotel kitchen guide covers what equipment to expect, and the table of country figures below shows how many aparthotels we list in each country and their typical kitchen share.
Aparthotel stays in these countries
From our own catalogue, computed 8 October 2026. Prices are the median lowest nightly rate per property for two adults, two nights, about two weeks ahead, in euros. They move daily and are not a forecast.
Frequently asked questions
Which place is warmest in January on this list?
On the published January averages quoted here, Mombasa has the highest mean daily maximum at 33.2 C (from older 1961 to 1990 data), followed by Cairns at 31.7 C and Port Louis in Mauritius at 31.5 C. Averages vary by station and year, so use them as a guide only.
Where is warm and dry in January?
In the tables above, Tenerife, Dubai and Mombasa show the lowest January rainfall, between about 17 and 34 mm (the Mombasa figure is from 1961 to 1990). Punta Cana and Colombo are moderate, while Singapore and Cairns are in wet phases and Mauritius is in its cyclone window.
Is January in the Caribbean outside hurricane season?
The US National Hurricane Center states the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, so January falls outside it. It also notes that tropical cyclone activity sometimes occurs before and after the official dates.
Can I swim in the sea in January in the Canary Islands?
We did not find sea temperature figures in the sources used for this page, so we cannot give a number. Air temperatures in Tenerife average a daytime high of about 22 C in January; check a marine forecast for water temperature.
Do I need to book early for January?
We have no sourced figures on January demand. Because many northern-hemisphere travellers look for winter sun, comparing availability several weeks ahead is a sensible habit, and flexible cancellation terms help where cyclone or rain risk applies.
Stays and pages mentioned in this guide
Keep reading
- Aparthotel Packing List: What to Bring and Skip
An aparthotel packing list built around the kitchen, laundry and extra space: what to confirm first, what to carry, airport liquid and battery rules, plugs and more.
- Serviced Apartments Europe: How Aparthotels Differ
How aparthotels and serviced apartments work across Europe: statistical definitions, rating schemes, short-term rental rules, tourist taxes and where hub pages cover.
- Group Accommodation Apartments for Families and Friends
How group accommodation apartments work for multigenerational family trips and friends' holidays: layouts, sleeping plans, kitchens, cost-splitting and what to check before booking.
- Best Time to Book an Aparthotel: What the Data Shows
The best time to book an aparthotel, using hotel booking-window and price research: how far ahead, last-minute risks, check-in days, and where evidence is thin.
Sources
- AEMET climate values: Tenerife Sur airport (C429I)
- AEMET climate values: Izana (C430E)
- NOAA: WMO Climate Normals 1991-2020, Dubai International Airport
- NOAA: WMO Climate Normals 1991-2020, Punta Cana
- NOAA National Hurricane Center: climatology
- Deutscher Wetterdienst: climate table Mombasa (Port Reitz airport), 1961-1990
- NOAA: WMO Climate Normals 1991-2020, Colombo
- Meteorological Service Singapore: climate of Singapore
- Cairns (climate table crediting Bureau of Meteorology)
- WMO World Weather Information Service: Port Louis
- Geography of Mauritius (climate section)
- Mauritius Meteorological Services: climate of Mauritius
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