January 1 may usher in a new year full of excitement and possibilities, but a few weeks in, if you’re like me, that positive attitude can quickly fade as the snow piles up. The snow angels aren’t as amusing as they were at first, and my favorite hot cocoa would taste better if it were a piña colada and I was drinking it on a luxurious beach somewhere. As the temperatures continue to dip, I find myself constantly staring out the window and fantasizing about warm places to visit in January.
The good news is that January is a great month to travel. With the holiday rush in the rearview mirror, rates begin to drop, ushering in the ideal time to jet off to greener (and sunnier) pastures. Of course, it depends on what you’re after. Lee Thompson, co-founder of global travel company Flash Pack says that for a bucket-list warm-weather trip in January, nothing beats the Serengeti. If it’s about scoring an airfare deal, Jordan Waller, Managing Editor at The Points Guy, advises to keep an eye on flights to Cancun and Mexico City, as January is one of the cheapest times to score tickets from the U.S. to these destinations. For the best of everything—warm temps, direct flights, beaches, culture and food—check out Curaçao. It’s more of a hidden gem (at least to Americans) in the Caribbean and a stay at the new, adults-only boutique Kura Botanica (located in a UNESCO World Heritage building!) will certainly cure your winter blues. (Check out airfare here).
So if you’re dreaming of a winter getaway (or simply need some inspo to get you through the frosty month), here are 18 warm places to travel in January for a budget-friendly break from winter.