17 Best January Honeymoon Destinations
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Planning your honeymoon for January and need inspiration? Whether you’re marrying this month or taking a delayed honeymoon, there are so many brilliant January honeymoon destinations to choose from.
Some of the world’s best classic destinations (like the Caribbean and Maldives) are amazing in January. Equally, if you love the idea of something more active or you want a cosy winter honeymoon, January is the perfect month!
No matter your honeymoon style, there’s somewhere that will be perfect for you in January. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed by your choices, don’t worry – I’ve got you!
To save you hours researching where’s best to visit this month, I’ve narrowed down the best destinations for January so all you have to do is pick what resonates most.
Where to honeymoon in January
1 Caribbean
First on the list of best January honeymoon destinations is the Caribbean. This beautiful region is fantastic for a honeymoon with islands to suit every couple.
January is one of the best months to visit. It falls in the dry season, so you can expect all the postcard weather. Temperatures reach a sunny 29ºC in southern spots like Barbados, while it’s around 25ºC in northern islands like the Bahamas.
There are loads of destinations in the Caribbean so you have plenty of options for your honeymoon. Some of the most romantic are St Lucia, Jamaica and Turks & Caicos. You could also island hop if you want to take in more than one setting!
READ MORE: 15 Best Caribbean Islands for Couples
Where to stay: Wymara Resort & Villas
2 New Zealand
If you’re dreaming of a more active honeymoon, New Zealand is an incredible destination to consider. As a month that’s in the middle of summer, January is a great time for exploring and being outdoors.
New Zealand’s North Island is a little warmer with temperatures of around 25ºC in January. It’s a brilliant month for the beaches in the Bay of Islands or Coromandel. It’s also a fantastic time for hiking and taking in the scenery.
READ MORE: 2 Week New Zealand North Island Itinerary
There’s loads to see, do and experience in New Zealand so I recommend having several weeks for your honeymoon. This way, you’ll be able to visit both islands and take in as much as possible.
Where to stay: Rosewood Kauri Cliffs
3 Thailand
If you’re dreaming of a honeymoon that has incredible white sand beaches as well as lots to do, you can’t go wrong with Thailand. This is one of my favourite destinations in Southeast Asia and is an amazing choice for a tropical honeymoon!
In January, Thailand is sunny, hot and generally dry. It’s one of the best times to head to the islands and make the most of the paradise beaches.
READ MORE: Bali or Thailand: Which is Better?
If you want to take in several settings, you can island hop in Thailand or add places on the mainland to your itinerary. I don’t recommend Chiang Mai in northern Thailand because it’s burning season in January. However, Bangkok is great to visit, as is the beautiful Khao Sok National Park.
Where to stay: Six Senses Yao Noi
4 South Africa
South Africa is a brilliant destination for a honeymoon and luckily, it’s amazing in January! This is a choice that’s perfect for a honeymoon adventure… You’ll be able to take in several spots and tick so much off the bucket list.
My recommendation would be to start your honeymoon in Cape Town before a few days in the Cape Winelands. If you have the time, renting a car and driving the Garden Route is an amazing experience – the weather in January is warm and sunny (25-30ºC) so it’s perfect for the beaches and exploring!
READ MORE: BEST 3 Week South Africa Itinerary (+ Map)
South Africa makes an amazing safari honeymoon in January, too. Kruger National Park is in its peak rainy season this month, but South Africa’s Eastern Cape reserves are a great alternative for a dream African honeymoon.
I volunteered at Amakhala Game Reserve in January/February and can highly recommend visiting at this time! There was a HUGE thunderstorm the night I arrived, but after that we had lovely hot and dry weather for the rest of the trip.
Where to stay: HillsNek Safari Camp
5 Maldives
If all you want for your honeymoon is to de-stress and unwind in paradise, I’m pretty certain the Maldives is for you!
It might be an obvious choice but I’m obsessed with the Maldives as a honeymoon destination.. There’s a reason why so many couples choose it – it’s super pretty, luxurious and perfect for a relaxing break.
In January, the Maldives is about as idyllic as it gets. The weather is usually dry and sunny with daily temperatures around 28ºC. You’ll get blue skies, white beaches and luxury private resorts for living your best island life.
Where to stay: Constance Halaveli
6 Australia
A lot of people dream of heading down under – if that’s you, you’re in luck because January is a great time to visit Australia! As it’s in the southern hemisphere, January is summer in Australia which means it’s a good time for a road trip or hitting the beach.
This is a destination that’s known for getting scorching hot, so you’ll want to avoid desert areas, as well as the tropical north where it’s rainy in January. However, it’s an amazing time for the southern coastal areas.
Some ideas you could consider include a road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide along the Great Ocean Road. You could also visit Sydney or Byron Bay.
I love the idea of a Western Australia honeymoon, too. As well as being home to Perth, this region has some of the most incredible beaches. (Unfortunately, box jellyfish are becoming more present in southern areas so keep safety in mind if you go in the water!)
Where to stay: Sequoia Lodge
7 Mexico
Mexico ticks a lot of boxes – it has great beaches, beautiful scenery, amazing food and fascinating culture. It’s also a honeymoon destination with tons of luxury resorts.
January is peak season in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula so it’s a good time to visit if you want the best beach weather. You can expect it to be dry and bright with temperatures around 28ºC in Cancun.
You could also consider the Pacific Coast regions in January like Riviera Nayarit or Puerto Vallarta. Or, for something different, Oaxaca is a fab city for culture and an amazing food scene.
Where to stay: Fairmont Mayakoba
8 The Alps
If you’re not in search of winter sun, Europe’s snowy mountains are a cosy choice for a January honeymoon! There are lots of destinations you can pick across the Alps for fairytale snowscapes.
If you love skiing (or want to give it a try) Switzerland, France and Austria are fab options in January. This is a month when there’s usually the highest levels of fresh snowfall.
Even if you’re not wanting to ski, I still recommend the Swiss Alps for a cold-weather honeymoon. It’s where you’ll find luxury accommodation like palace hotels, spa resorts and snow-dusted chalets that are super romantic!
Where to stay: CERVO Mountain Resort
9 Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka might be a little country, but it’s an island that has so much to offer. It’s easily one of the best January honeymoon destinations if you want lots to see and do.
As well as incredible golden beaches, tea plantations and cultural sites, Sri Lanka has epic wildlife experiences, too. You’ll be able to spend your honeymoon taking in varied spots, relaxing at the beach and also going on safari in Yala National Park.
January is a good month for experiencing it all. The southern and western coasts are particularly lovely in January with hot, dry and sunny weather.
Where to stay: Malabar Hill
10 Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a tropical paradise that’s perfect for honeymooners wanting different experiences. As well as beautiful beaches, Costa Rica is a nature lover’s dream with pristine rainforests and national parks.
January in Costa Rica is part of the country’s dry season so it’s one of the best months for enjoying the beaches on the Pacific Coast. The Caribbean side has its own rainy season so I recommend staying in areas like Papagayo Peninsula, Manuel Antonio or Santa Teresa.
You also can’t go to Costa Rica without heading inland to somewhere like La Fortuna or staying at a rainforest or eco lodge. There are some of the most heavenly, bucket list options in Costa Rica that are absolute honeymoon goals!
Where to stay: Hacienda AltaGracia
11 Vietnam
Vietnam is another great choice for a January honeymoon. This amazing country has tons to take in and also suits different travel styles and budgets.
If you have the time for a longer honeymoon and want to maximise your getaway, travelling the length of Vietnam is a bucket list experience. It’s an ideal month for the Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An. Just be aware that it can be cooler and foggy in the north.
Equally, Vietnam works for a relaxing break. It might not have the reputation of Thailand for its beaches, but it’s a lovely choice for a coastal honeymoon. Phu Quoc is great for honeymooners in January with average temperatures around 27ºC.
Where to stay: La Festa Phu Quoc
12 Canary Islands, Spain
While much of Europe is freezing in January, Spain’s Canary Islands are an exception. So if you’re wanting a sunny European honeymoon, this could be your best bet!
Thanks to their location (closer to Africa than Spain), the Canary Islands have mild temperatures year round. January is one of the coolest months, but you can still get temperatures of around 20ºC.
There are seven main Canary Islands and each is a little different. I particularly love Tenerife for a January honeymoon – it’s the largest island and there’s lots to explore. You’ll also find incredible landscapes as well as great resorts for newlyweds.
Where to stay: Royal Garden Villas
13 Philippines
I love the idea of a Philippines honeymoon. This destination is a beach lover’s paradise and has some of the most jaw-dropping natural beauty. It’s a brilliant Maldives alternative and also feel relatively undeveloped so it’s a fab choice for added adventure.
Places like Palawan or Boracay in the Philippines are my pick if you want to live your best island life in January. This is when the country is in its cooler dry season so you can usually expect sunny days with temperatures around 28ºC. It’s a good month before temperatures get too high!
If you want to visit several places, it’s also possible if you have time for a longer getaway. There are so many islands to choose from with incredible beaches and dive spots, as well as unspoilt landscapes.
Where to stay: Shangri-La Boracay
14 Dubai, UAE
Dubai is often a stopover or part of a multi-destination honeymoon, but it’s also a fab choice in its own right. If you want sunny weather and luxury accommodation, you’ll probably love it as an option!
This is a honeymoon destination where you can do as much or as little as you’d like, too. There’s culture and adventure if you want to explore. But if all you want is to relax on the beach, Dubai also has you sorted.
Even though January is the coolest month in Dubai, it’s not cold by most people’s standards. It’s one of the best months to visit when temperatures hover around 25ºC – it’s perfect for sightseeing, beaches and heading on a desert safari.
Where to stay: One&Only Royal Mirage
15 Morocco
There’s a lot to love about a honeymoon to Morocco. This North African country has amazing settings to take in and offers a blend of relaxation, culture and adventure.
If you want to experience the magic of Morocco’s cities, Marrakech can be around 19ºC in January which is much more bearable than the summer months. You could also visit beautiful Chefchaouen if you’re ok with cooler weather.
Admittedly, you might get some rain if you visit Morocco in January, but sightseeing is better this month thanks to fewer crowds!
If you fancy heading to the coast for some winter sun, Morocco also fits the bill. Agadir and Taghazout are nice spots for a January beach honeymoon where you can expect temperatures of around 20-22°C.
Where to stay: La Sultana Marrakech
16 Iceland
Waterfalls, hot springs, volcanoes, northern lights… Iceland is a pretty special destination. It’s also one that’s amazing if you want a proper winter honeymoon!
Although January is one of the coldest and darkest months of the year, this in my opinion adds to a lot of Iceland’s charm. Not only does January give all the cosy, snowy vibes, but it’s also one of the best months for spotting the northern lights.
Lots of Iceland’s other attractions can also be enjoyed in winter – like relaxing at the Blue Lagoon or exploring the Golden Circle. It’s also a month when you can go ice caving and snowmobiling. It’s a great opportunity to experience something different!
Where to stay: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland
17 Malaysia
Depending on where you go in the country, Malaysia is another of the best honeymoon destinations for January. Although the east coast sees stormy monsoon weather, much of Malaysia is fab to visit this month.
A lot of trips to Malaysia start in Kuala Lumpur. I loved visiting this city and can definitely recommend it – it’s a unique place with modern sites and rich traditional culture. January is also a great time to visit and you’ll get temperatures around 30°C.
I also recommend heading to Malaysia’s west coast islands if you want a dreamy tropical honeymoon. The islands of Langkawi and Penang are in one of their driest months in January so you can expect all the blue skies and sunshine.
Where to stay: Four Seasons Resort Langkawi
January honeymoon destinations – Final thoughts
There are lots of reasons to celebrate if you’re planning a January honeymoon. This is a month that offers a little bit of everything with destinations to suit every couple!
If you want to escape freezing temperatures, there are brilliant options for catching some winter sun. Equally, you have a fab choice of cosy, cold-weather honeymoons if you’re dreaming of snowy scenery.
Plus, there are brilliant January honeymoon destinations for adventure, culture, wildlife and cities… so there’s bound to be somewhere you love!
READ MORE:
- Where to Have a Floating Breakfast (15 Best Destinations + Resorts)
- 15 Best Honeymoon Destinations in February
- 20+ Best 2-Week Honeymoon Ideas
- 20 Best Maldives Alternatives (Honeymoon Edit)
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