Warm January, 10 places and destinations to go to the beach

If in midwinter you want to take a break from snow, frost, and gray skies, escape to the warmth among tropical beaches, dreamy islands, and fascinating cities on the other side of the world.

In the coldest month of the year, you might find summer in the Canaries, the Caribbean, the Maldives, in Oman, or South Africa. Here are the ideal locations for a warm vacation in January.

Enjoying the sweet life in a bikini on a white beach will give you the right energy to start a new year.

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Tenerife is perfect for a warm vacation in January if you have little time and don't want to go too far.

It is the largest island of the Canary archipelago, covering an area of 2034 square kilometers and has two airports. Tenerife is also the most urbanized, cosmopolitan, and visited island of the entire archipelago.

Beloved by hikers who decide to climb the highest peak in Spain and the third largest volcano in the world, El Teide (3817m), located in the Teide National Park: 190 km² of surreal landscapes for trekking in a volcanic lunar scenery.

Only 200 hikers per day can reach the summit, which is usually conquered in about five hours, so book online in advance.

But the island offers many other breathtaking landscapes: lush pine forests of the Canaries, untouched nature with abundant plant species, charming villages, and vertiginous valleys like El Barranco del Infierno (6.5 km) and wonderful beaches.

In addition to trekking enthusiasts, Tenerife attracts travelers and groups of friends who want to sunbathe on the beach or sip a drink by the pool in resorts near Playa de las Teresitas in Santa Cruz to the north and Playa de Los Cristianos to the south.

Tenerife is also a paradise for water sports lovers, from diving to snorkeling. But also for food lovers who want to discover local gastronomy, from street food to Michelin-starred restaurants, the island boasts six of them.

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White sandy beaches lapped by crystal-clear waters, the perfect postcard landscape framed by the colors, sounds, and scents of Africa.

Off the coast of Tanzania, lies Zanzibar, an archipelago mainly made up of two main islands, Unguja and Pemba, and numerous other small islands.

What strikes most about Zanzibar are the endless and pristine white sandy beaches, so fine they resemble talcum powder.

The first time you set foot on a beach of the Indian Ocean, you'll remember it for a lifetime.

It's the perfect island for doing nothing: lounging in the shade of palm trees, being served a freshly picked coconut, and swimming among the beauties of the coral reef.

Off the northeast waters of Zanzibar at the small island of Mnemba, you will find the most enchanting spot to admire the coral reef, swimming among colorful fish or alongside friendly sea turtles.

It's also important to know that Zanzibar is characterized by tides. Every six hours, there is a process of retreating waters that uncovers the wonders of the seabed.

You'll find yourself walking quite a bit before you can swim, but the tides that form natural pools here and there contribute to making these beaches even more beautiful, larger, and scenic.

You can also take excursions into the Jozani monkey forest, spice plantations, or to Prison Island, a little island not far from the western coast, where giant tortoises live. Climatically, Zanzibar offers tropical temperatures year-round.

So the best time to visit is our winter, in January and February when temperatures reach 30°C and rains are scarce, or during their winter from June to October if you prefer a less intense heat.

The trip to take at least once in a lifetime. Finding yourself in blue between sky and sea on a Maldives atoll is the dream of anyone wanting to truly disconnect and forget about the world.

Dispersed across 90,000 square kilometers, the 1192 islands of the Maldives are strips of land in the middle of the Indian Ocean, about 700 kilometers from Sri Lanka.

They are crossroads of cultures, from African to Southeast Asian to Indian. Only 200 of these islands are inhabited, about a hundred are occupied by tourist villages, the rest are pristine paradises to be preserved.

The day is spent on pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, in the shade of palm trees sipping lomi lomi, a refreshing drink made with ginger, lime juice, honey, and water. You can take excursions on a dhoni, the typical local boat, to explore stilt villages, turtles, dolphins, and corals. And then return before evening to witness the magic of the sunset.

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The best time to go to the Maldives is between January and April when the weather is driest. Because the southwest monsoon blows from the end of April to September, and it is felt most in the northern islands, while the northeast monsoon blows from October to December but is milder.

In any case, the Maldives enjoy a tropical climate, warm all year round. And with a direct flight from the U.S., the temptation is strong.

The Yucatán Peninsula is another ideal destination for a warm January. This southeastern state of Mexico combines nature, culture, and relaxation. It's an ancient land where you can immerse yourself in Mayan culture.

Mérida, the capital, will enchant you with its colorful palaces and colonial buildings. Admire the impressive Paseo Montejo, visit the cathedral and the Regional Anthropology Museum.

But Valladolid and Izamal also deserve a visit, labeled magical towns (pueblos mágicos) for their captivating culture, architecture, and traditions.

Then don't miss a visit to some archaeological sites where you can discover the Mayan world, such as Chichén Itzá, one of the new seven wonders of the world. It is also possible to visit other sites including those of Uxmal, Mayapán, Ek Balam, Calakmul, and Tulum.

The Yucatán also enchants with its natural beauties, so go in search of the picturesque cenotes, caves formed by the erosion of limestone rocks, revered by the Maya, where the water is a deep blue.

There are 6000 of them throughout the peninsula. Another wonder of nature is the Laguna de Bacalar, a lagoon of 42 km² in the interior of Quintana Roo, in southern Yucatán, which the ancient Maya named the "lagoon of seven colors," referring to the shades of water due to different depths. The Celestun nature reserve is also worth a visit to admire the pink flamingos. Finally, relax on the white beaches of Playa del Carmen.

402 km of white beaches, crystal-clear waters, postcard views, and a tropical climate year-round. Santo Domingo is a dream you shouldn't have to give up. Discovered on Columbus's first voyage on December 6, 1492, the island was named Hispaniola, little Spain.

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south, the Dominican Republic is the perfect destination for a winter beach vacation. It's good to know that it is advisable to visit the northern part of the island during the dry season, from June to September, while the southern part from November to April.

In January, average temperatures hover around 26°C, ideal weather, cooler and less rainy, for a beach vacation in this paradise.

However, the island offers not only the sea and relaxation but also an incredible combination of art, culture, traditions, music, and cuisine. Immerse yourself in the capital Santo Domingo to explore the first city founded in the Americas, colorful and overwhelming. You'll leave the Caribbean yearning to return.

Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy, Martinique, and Guadeloupe are the four main islands of the French Antilles.

Each offers something different while all preserving a Franco-Caribbean identity. They are located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean but are French overseas territories.

Guadeloupe is the largest of the French Antilles, the most touristy and developed, ideal for those seeking a relaxing vacation with all comforts.

The wonderful beaches with crystal-clear waters are made up of sand that ranges from white to golden, to the black of volcanic beaches. Particularly appreciated is Malendure beach, whose dark sand creates a magical contrast with the blue of the water. The largest and busiest town in Guadeloupe is Pointe-à-Pitre.

Martinique, on the other hand, is considered the most beautiful among the French Antilles, ideal for nature lovers seeking tranquility on a budget. Golden beaches with crystal-clear sea alternate with rainforests creating spectacular landscapes.

The capital of the island, Fort-de-France, is one of the largest inhabited cities in the Antilles. Its airport is the main point of entry for those arriving directly from France. Saint-Martin, however, is a very small island compared to the others, split halfway between Holland and France.

The capital Marigot hosts the largest open-air market in the Caribbean, where you can find unique varieties of fruits and vegetables and immerse yourself in Creole culture. Both the French and Dutch coastlines offer wonderful beaches.

The bay of Auz Prunes is a magical spot for snorkeling enthusiasts. Saint-Martin is also a vibrant island, very popular with young people, the eastern coast being known as "the Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean."

Finally, the island of Saint Barthélemy, better known as St Barth, is a paradise of sophistication, elegance, and luxury. It is a small island (just 2500 hectares), secluded and intimate, loved by the jet set in search of privacy. Its beaches and secret coves have been immortalized by renowned directors and photographers.

The capital, Gustavia, retains traces of Swedish colonization. The island's lush vegetation invites incredible excursions. The best time to visit is from December to April.

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The Virgin Islands archipelago includes the over 60 volcanic islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands (or American), located in the Caribbean Sea and part of the Lesser Antilles.

In 1917, the United States purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark, making them one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the Caribbean, while the British Virgin Islands remained isolated for years at the behest of the British government.

The islands were officially named The Virgin Islands of the United States but owe their original name to Christopher Columbus, who discovered them in 1493 during his second voyage to the New World, dedicating them to Saint Ursula and her eleven thousand virgins.

Over the centuries, the islands have seen various European colonizations due to the production of sugarcane for which many slaves were imported from Africa.

Just a three-hour flight from Miami, half an hour from Puerto Rico, and four hours from New York, the U.S. Virgin Islands are the ideal destination for a tropical stay in mega resorts.

They are also frequented by sailors who love to sail with the trade winds. Among the numerous sandy beaches, two have been declared by National Geographic as among the ten most beautiful in the world: Magens Bay in St. Thomas and Trunk Bay in St. John. The natural wonders of the Coral Reef in St. John and the atoll island of Buck Island are national monuments in the U.S. National Parks system.

Explore St John and St Croix which have a greater natural and cultural charm, if you're not interested in the more commercial St Thomas. The best time to visit these islands is from December to April.

A lively capital, mountains that resemble the surface of Mars, deserts shaped by the wind, and almost deserted beaches.

Oman is the ideal country to discover on a road trip during the period from October to the end of April, when temperatures range around 25°C - 30°C.

In January, the average temperature is around 24°C. Due to its location at the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman has played a strategic role along the Silk Road and the Spice Route for centuries. An entry point for ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, the country has a long history in navigation, trade, and pearl fishing.

Start from the capital Muscat, an ancient port city characterized by buildings with white facades that reflect the influence of traditional Islamic architecture. For a dive into history, visit forts and castles like Bahla, Nizwa, Nakhal, and Rustaq or the Bahrain Fort, ideal for a day trip.

Then head to the mountains, including the Western Hajar Mountains, where you can enjoy spectacular landscapes like Jebel Shams (the highest peak in Oman, standing at 3075 meters).

Then venture into the Sharqiya Sands desert, covering about 12,500 km² of eastern Oman: a stretch of sand dunes in copper color that extends as far as the eye can see. The extraordinary wealth of natural beauty makes Oman the ideal destination for those wanting to discover an authentic Arab world.

Situated between the ocean and the mountains, Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa with a cultural heritage spanning over 300 years. A meeting point of cultures, languages, and traditions, Cape Town continues to be an emblematic city of the dynamism of South Africa.

A coastal city with a pleasant climate and a youthful population, liberated from the demons of apartheid. Located at the southern tip of Africa, Cape Town offers diverse landscapes, from golden beaches to the heights of Table Mountain and Table Bay.

For a unique experience, visit the Old Biscuit Mill, a small village in the Woodstock area of Cape Town, where the most talented artists, designers, and photographers of South Africa gather. Here you will also find markets, workshops, and boutiques of young designers, restaurants, and many festivals with live music.

Don't miss a day in Kalk Bay, a cozy and charming neighborhood in Cape Town, just 30 minutes from downtown, characterized by a holiday atmosphere, where you can stroll among antique shops, vintage bookstores, art galleries, restaurants with ocean views, and spectacular beaches loved by surfers. Named by Forbes magazine in 2018 as "one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world," Kalk Bay is favored by both tourists and locals.

From Cape Town, don't forget a day trip to Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost point of Africa. Climatically, Cape Town is ideal from December to February, which is during the southern summer.

Relax on long white beaches, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, and party to Caribbean rhythms. The Bahamas are an ideal destination for a beach vacation in January.

The northern Caribbean archipelago, consisting of about 700 islands, of which only 30 are inhabited, enjoys high temperatures all year round. However, the best time is during the dry season, from November to April. For a beach vacation during the dry season, it is advisable to choose the more southern islands of the archipelago.

The Bahamas are also the closest Caribbean islands to the United States, easily accessible by international flights from Europe. They are natural paradises for diving in the underwater world, birdwatching, sailing, surfing, or simply lounging in luxury resorts.

You can also visit batik industries, meet swimming pigs, and immerse among sharks. Those looking for some fun should choose New Providence, the most populated island in the archipelago which hosts Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas.