January is a great time to travel if you’re looking to flee the cold snap of winter and the gloom of the post-holiday season. Flight and hotel prices are generally cheaper in January for many popular tourist destinations and there are typically fewer crowds after the holidays, making it an ideal time to get away.
Our top destinations for January include some ever-popular spots to take advantage of during their low tourism season (because we’ll still take the coldest day in Mexico over Saskatoon in January!). For other destinations on this list, January is a summer month and the perfect time to hit the beach and catch some serious sunshine. More still, we’ve highlighted travel spots where cultural celebrations taking place throughout the month are a huge draw for crowds of tourists who flock to the destination to take part in the festivities.
Whatever your motivation, if you’re looking to start 2023 with a getaway, read on for our top picks for destinations to visit this January — outside of Canada.
![Chiang Mai, Thailand Landscape of two pagoda on the top of Inthanon mountain, Chiang Mai, Thailand. - stock photo](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Chiang Mai, Thailand
The northern region of Thailand is ideal for outdoorsy folks, but you may also want to head to the south to enjoy the beautiful beaches in Krabi or Koh Phi Phi. January is considered the peak month for tourism, so be prepared for crowds of folks with post-pandemic wanderlust.
![Los Angeles, USA A shot of the Los Angeles skyline at dusk, with palm trees lining the busy roads](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Los Angeles, USA
![Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Aereal view of Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. - stock photo](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
![Kutch, India India, Gujarat, Camel and man are walking in white desert of Kutch - stock photo](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Kutch, India
![Reykjavik, Iceland Silhouette of a guy with the beautiful colorful northern lights falling from the sky in Iceland in a stunning clear and nice lights with the sky full of stars. Aurora borealis. - stock photo](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Reykjavik, Iceland
![Cancún, Mexico Aerial view of Cancun beach](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Cancún, Mexico
![Montego Bay, Jamaica A shot of a beautiful resort in Montego Bay](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Enjoy island time and take it easy with a cocktail on one of the many resorts or private vacation homes or take a day trip to the popular Dunn's River Falls.
![French Alps Val Thorens ski resort in Alps at night, France - stock photo](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
French Alps
![San José, Costa Rica National Theatre in San Jose - stock photo](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
San José, Costa Rica
Make sure you leave some time to visit San José as well, and discover the cities world-class museums and architecture, plus dine on empanadas at local food markets.
![Hong Kong Hong Kong Chinese new year fireworks 2016 - stock photo](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)