11 Best Destinations January to March: Relax, Explore, Ski

When holiday season festivities end, January often feels like a long month, and February can drag too. We love to plan trips early in the year, but what are some of the best destinations January to March?

Honestly, as midlife travelers, the early months of the year are a fabulous time to take a trip. Most kids are back in school, so fewer families travel in January and February. Resort hotels often have specials after the year-end peak.

All our recommendations are based on trips we’ve taken and our promise: no endless generic listicles here 🙂

Why Timing Matters

A question we are often asked is “when’s the best time to go to x“? We love this because knowing when to go is key before starting detailed planning.  

For example, Peru’s Inca Trail is closed for maintenance in February. You can visit the site, but not the trail!

Recently, we thought let’s go to Nicaragua from Florida for a week. But when we did research, the risk of hurricane and unpredictable weather made us re-think. We headed to Nashville instead!

At A Glance Calendar

If you’re short on time, just scan the table below for sunshine getaways, best ski destinations, and longer bucket list adventures.

Sunny Places January-March

We’re the first to admit we love getting some winter sun. Here’s 4 winter destinations we will happily return to:

St Lucia, Caribbean

Why Visit?

St Lucia weather in January hovers at 28C (82F), making it a perfect Caribbean destination for winter sun.

This tropical island surprised us with the range of things to do on, around and beyond its stunning coastline. By mid Jan, Christmas and New Year crowds thin out, & you might find discount prices.

What to Do:

1. Paddle board or kayak in stunning Marigot Bay.
2. Hike the Pitons followed by a swim in cascading waterfalls.
3. Spend a day on Pigeon Island north of Castries.
4. Negotiate with local boat captains for a sunset cruise!
5. Spend a day sailing around the island.

Here’s two popular tours on the waters of St Lucia, each with very different sailing techniques 🙂

Good to Know:

Although St Lucia is small geographically, at only 27 miles north to south and around 14 wide, it will take much longer than you imagine to drive from town to town. Roads are fairly basic & narrow.

In local markets, you will need cash as most vendors won’t accept plastic!

ℹ️ Use our 10 Days in St Lucia Itinerary as a basis for your trip.

Krabi, Thailand

Why Visit:

Thailand averages 30 degrees (86F) year round. We’ve visited Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket but particularly love Krabi for an Asia winter beach and culture break.

Krabi is very affordable with accommodation that fits all budgets. With a quick internal flight (80 mins) from Bangkok, this is a place to come and relax on quiet beaches.

What To Do:

1. Spend a few days in Bangkok if it’s your first visit. Grand Palace and Samut Songkhram Market are two of our favourite spots.
2. Day Trip sailing to the Four Islands from Krabi Town with stops for swimming, snorkeling and local lunch.
3. Eat dinner on the beach, and try street food at Krabi night market!
4. Explore Tiger Cave (Wat Tham Su), only 3km from town. It’s a steep climb via steps – we did it and the views are amazing.
5. Soak in Krabi Hot Springs within a rain forest with waterfalls.

Good To Know:

• Great mix for all ages: beaches, culture and resorts with spas.
• We found weekends busier for Krabi based tours, so book for mid week if you can.
• Check hotel facilities carefully: not all have elevators and A/C.

ℹ️ Use our Highlights of Krabi as a basis for planning your trip.

And here’s the excellent Selective Asia Weather Guide. Enter in Krabi, your dates to see the typical weather in hundreds of places.

Sarasota, Florida

Why Visit:

With temperatures typically around 26C (79F) in January, Florida’s Suncoast is a perfect winter destination (that’s why we live here!). 

It’s the dry season, so no worries about tropical downpours or hurricanes. From Monday to Thursday, our beaches are often quieter this time of year.

What to Do:

1. Lounge on Siesta Key’s white beach, with softest quartz sands.
2. Visit the Ringling Museum, or new Mote Marine Aquarium, two ‘must see’ Sarasota attractions, perfect change from the beach.
3. Take the Flying Fish charter offshore to catch your dinner!
4. Live Island Life; have a relaxed dinner in SK Village, after watching sunset on the beach.
5. Hire a boat, kayak or SUP and explore coastal mangroves.

Good to Know:

January can be cooler if a north ‘Easter air flow hits, but it normally doesn’t last more than a few days. Better to come February!

Both North and South bridge access to Siesta Key back up quickly at peak times, so come/go from the island early or later in the day, or just stay on the island!

ℹ️ Use our Sarasota Itinerary for your planning. If you’re coming with children, our tried and tested kid friendly Siesta Key activities takes out the hard work of figuring out what to do.

Sayulita, Mexico

Why Visit

We’ve visited Mexico many times over the past 20 years. Most recently we headed to laid back Sayulita. With temperatures highs typically around 29C (84F), it’s very comfortable.

Discovered by hippies in the 60s, Sayulita has grown but held onto it’s authentic Mexican and west coast beach town culture. In March, we had warm sunny days, gorgeous sunsets and although it was busy, it never felt crowded!

What to Do:

1. Relax on sandy beaches or around the pool at your hotel.
2. Cruise into the Pacific to whale watch (this is peak season).
3. Try surfing. Lessons are available for all ages and abilities.
4. Horse-riding along hilltops with views over the ocean.
5. Enjoy lunch at Mary’s tacos and don’t leave without trying frozen chocolate bananas!

Good To Know:

If you decide to stay downtown, be prepared for some noise. We stayed at Escondida Spa Resort (5 minutes taxi from town) and it was perfect, with sea facing casitas and a quiet private beach.

It’s around an hour’s drive from Puerta Vallarta Airport to Sayultia. Cheapest option is the local bus; we took Uber for around $20.

ℹ️ Here’s our Day by Day Sayulita Itinerary as a basis for your trip.

Sicily, Italy

Why Visit:

If you can’t decide between ski-ing and a little culture, come to Sicily in the early part of the year. Ski the slopes of Etna after your morning coffee; then take a few days to explore Taormina in the west and & Palermo in the east of the island.

It is a cooler destination in March, averaging 16-18C (lows 60s F), which makes it perfect for exploring, hiking and traveling around the island.

What to Do:

1. Explore the 3rd century amphitheatre in Taormina -great views!
2. Go with a guide to Mount Etna – it’s a fascinating & live volcano.
3. Wine-tasting; the volcanic soils are great for grape growing.
4. Hike from Taormina to tiny Castelmola atop a small mountain.
5. Explore UNESCO old city Palermo, with cathedrals & palaces and take a day trip to the cute seaside village of Cefalu.

Good to Know:

Cruise ships visit Taormina, but there will be fewer in the winter months. Check scheduled arrivals to try and avoid them!

Even in March, it can snow on Etna, so if it’s pool weather you’re after, wait until April (but it will be busier!)

ℹ️ Use our 6 Days in Sicily Itinerary as a basis for your trip.

January to March Adventures

These are trips with more touring around a country or region, perfect for when we want a little more than just beach time.

Sri Lanka

Why Visit:

Dry sunny days and calm waters make this the perfect time to travel to this Indian Ocean island.  Daily temps average 26C (79F) ramping up to nearer 32 C (90F) by March.

This is one of my most favourite destinations, having come here with my kids. Don’t miss the cultural triangle, visit old town Kandy and spend a few days relaxing by the coast.  

What to Do:

1. Don’t miss the fish markets of Negombo – go early when the catch is coming ashore!
2. Explore 4 UNESCO world heritage sites in ‘Land of Kings’ cultural triangle, and climb Sigiriya Lion Rock, (dates to 447 AD).
3. Immerse yourself in spices in Kandy – visit a farm, and spend a day exploring the city including the botanical gardens.
4. Take the train to Nuwara Eliya and visit the tea plantations.
5. Go white water rafting in Kitugala, then hang out by the Bentota beach for a few days.

Good to Know:

The weather can vary tremendously across the island. Be aware the weaker monsoon period runs from November to February, but overall (in general of course), December to March is the best time.

ℹ️ Use our 9 Day Sri Lanka Itinerary as a guide to plan your trip and also discover how to tag on The Maldives!

Uganda

Why Visit:

We came here specifically in January to trek with mountain gorillas which takes only a couple of days. We made it a longer trip combining Uganda with Kigali, Rwanda and a Kenya Safari.

For one of the rarest wildlife encounters of your life, this is right up there. Honestly, it was one of the most incredible things to experience in years of travel, because when you are close to them, their mannerisms are so like ours. We saw family groups on both treks from silverbacks to babies.

What to Do:

1. Visit Dian Fossey Center (actually in Rwanda), but we found it really excellent to do before trekking in Uganda.
2. If you’re fit, book an habituation trek where you track gorillas for a day with the experts. Limited to 4 people, it’s a one-off in life!
3. Stay in a remote lodge so you can completely unwind after a day or trekking or safari.
4. Don’t miss out on local food. Often simply ingredients but beautifully cooked – like daily freshly made veggie soups.
5. Kayak on the many lakes that surround the volcanic parks or take a tour to an island to experience village life.

Good to Know:

The dense hilly forests, where mountain gorillas live, are at 5000 ft+ altitude, so dress for cooler and humid hiking. You need a Government issued permit and must hike with a park guide both of which need to be booked well in advance this time of year.

ℹ️ If you’d love to do this, read What To Expect When Mountain Gorilla Trekking. There’s a tale in here about what else you might meet unexpectedly in the forests of Uganda 🙂

Costa Rica

Why Visit:

This is when it’s drier on both coasts and generally best for outdoor activities. Also, the crowds that come for Christmas and early January are gone.

What to Do:

• Visit Monteverde Rain Forest, do the night tour and zipline!
• Hike around Arenal Volcano; relax in La Fortuna hot springs.
• Find a few days at the beach (Playa Grande/Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, or the Caribbean coast). Surfing is best at Tamarindo.
• Spot tucans, sloths and an incredible range of plants on hikes.
• If like us, you love coffee & chocolate, visit a farm where it’s grown.

Good to Know:

There is petty crime in Costa Rica although we never experienced it. We rented a car which was perfect for a 2 week road trip but be aware some mountain roads can be tricky if you’re not used to single track and rough surfaces.

ℹ️ Use our Costa Rica Guides to plan your trip and to know all about our driving experiences:

• Costa Rica Road Trip
• 4 Days in Playa Grande
• 3 Days in Monteverde
• 3 Days in La Fortuna
• Driving Tips for Costa Rica

Snowy Places January-March

When you are dreaming of hitting the slopes, here’s some of the best destinations for early holidays:

Iceland

Why Visit:

Of course its going to be cold. But actually not as cold as the likes of mid west of North America, thanks to the gulf stream. It’s cold but magical and in February, the days are getting longer. Temperatures at 3C (37F).

What to Do:

1. Base yourself in Reykjavik and take tours around the island.
2. A must is to chase the auroras (northern lights) with a small group or private tour.
3. Explore less touristy hot springs like Hvammsvik or the spa vibes of Blue Lagoon.
4. Go whale watching from Reykjavik harbour.
5. Explore the city museums, cafes (so cozy) and ice-bar.

Good to Know:

Iceland is a more expensive place than many other European destinations, but remember it is a remote island.

You can drive the main circle route in February, but be prepared for icy roads and make sure you have good insurance coverage.

ℹ️ Use our Iceland Guide and Itinerary to plan a 3-4 day getaway!

Colorado Rockies, USA

Why Visit:

February and March are Colorado’s peak snow months with fantastic ‘bluebird’ sunny days. In the mountains at 8,000 ft +, expect below freezing conditions, but know it will fluctuate day to day. When the sun is out, it never feels as cold as it is 🙂

Base yourself in Frisco, Summit County to choose from 6 world-class nearby resorts; we suggest Copper Mountain and Breckenridge.

What to Do:

• Take to the lifts and ski, snowboard your heart out! Cross country is super fun if downhill isn’t for you.
• Enjoy tubing with the family at Frisco Adventure Park or Copper.
• Treat yourselves to a horse drawn sleigh-ride with hot chocolate and dinner.
• Put on your snow shoes or sturdy boots and hike around the beautiful trails and frozen lakes around Frisco.
• Indulge in a huge pretzel and 20+ types of sausage at Prosit.

Good to Know:

Copper Mountain has discounted tickets on Thursdays, so plan ahead and take advantage of this.

The Denver crowd comes up at weekends swelling slopes and traffic.

ℹ️ Our Frisco Winter Guide has all you need to plan a winter ski trip to Summit Country Colorado and is perfect for a family vacation.

Bansko, Bulgaria

Why Visit:

Bansko, Bulgaria. Averages 5 degrees (41F) in January but a great value ski location, only a couple of hours from Sofia, the capital city. Although the runs are fewer, Bansko having around 75km and 14 lifts, it’s well worth considering as a first ski trip destination.

What to Do:

• Find your ski feet – this is the perfect place to come for lessons that won’t break the bank.
• Away from the slopes, explore the old town of Bansko and enjoy an affordable choice of restaurants and apres ski fun.
• Spend a day in Sofia (you’ll likely fly in here), and enjoy the historic city sights, food and Bulgarian wine (it’s not bad!).

Good to Know:

Advanced skiers won’t be challenged here (that’s not us), but if you’re bringing kids for their first experience, this is a perfect, affordable destination.

ℹ️ Our Things To Do In Sofia article will help you decide how long to spend here. Obviously in summer there is more going on, but the city has many things to see and experience year round.

FAQ

Travel Planning Tools

We want to leave you with 3 planning tips to get that early year trip booked!

Flights & Accommodation: Expedia is our trusted site for seeing if we can find package deals. Just pop in your destination and dates below to see what’s of offer.

Weather Checks. For a guide to weather across the world we use Average Weather for Every Country in the World. Use the interactive map and click on the country to get the weather information you need – another brilliant resource. 

Tours and Experiences. We use Get Your Guide and Viator the most. It’s easy to book early to secure popular tours (especially food walks) – our links take you straight to the good stuff.

What about the rest of the year? For more inspiration take a look at 40+ more of our “you need to go here sometime soon” recommendations:

• Where to Go April to June;
• Destinations from July to September, and
• Where to Go October to December

Happy Planning for 2026 and beyond!