Where to Go in Latin America in January
Some links may earn Jet Set LatAm a commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations remain editorially independent.
January might be the easiest month of the year to plan a Latin America trip. The southern half of the continent is deep in summer, the Caribbean and much of Central America are in their dry season, and the Mexican highlands trade rain for bright, cool days. The catch? Everyone else knows it too — so book early, pick your pace, and let the weather do the heavy lifting.
Patagonia
January sits at the heart of the Patagonian summer, which is exactly when you want to be at the bottom of the world. Days are long — daylight can stretch well into the late evening — and the trails around Torres del Paine and El Chaltén are at their most accessible. The Perito Moreno Glacier near El Calafate is a spectacle in any season, but summer makes the whole circuit far easier to string together.
Pack for wind, not just cold; it is famously relentless this time of year, and sunshine can turn to sleet within the hour. It’s also the busiest stretch of the season, so reserve lodging and refugios well ahead. Our Patagonia guide covers how to split your time between the Chilean and Argentine sides.
Uruguay
This is Uruguay’s high season, when Punta del Este fills with sun-seekers from across the region and the quieter coast around José Ignacio and Cabo Polonio hums with beach-town energy. The Atlantic stays on the brisk side, but long evenings, grills fired up at sunset and an unhurried rhythm make up for it.
Inland, the wineries around Montevideo and the Carmelo area are pleasant summer detours, and Colonia del Sacramento’s cobblestoned historic quarter is lovely in the long evening light.
Montevideo’s Carnaval, often described as one of the longest-running in the world, usually gets going in late January with candombe drumming and murga theater — check the current calendar. The Uruguay guide has the full coastal breakdown.
Cartagena
Colombia’s Caribbean coast is in its dry season from roughly December through April, and January delivers steady sunshine plus trade-wind breezes that take the edge off the heat. It’s prime time for wandering the walled city at golden hour, boating out to the Rosario Islands, and lingering over ceviche and fresh juice in Getsemaní.
Beyond the old town, January is also a good month for the mud volcano at Totumo or a boat day to the beaches of Barú, when seas are generally calm and skies bright.
It’s also peak season, with crowds and demand at their highest in the first week of the month. Start with our Cartagena guide to choose a neighborhood.
Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast
On the Pacific side — Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula in particular — the dry season runs roughly December to April, and January is reliably sunny, with golden, dusty landscapes and glassy morning surf. It’s excellent beach weather, and inland the cloud forests of Monteverde feel refreshingly cool by comparison.
The Caribbean coast plays by different rules and can be wetter now, so plan your route accordingly. See the Costa Rica guide for the regional split.
Oaxaca
Oaxaca’s dry season means clear blue skies, warm afternoons and genuinely chilly nights — ideal weather for walking the Centro’s colorful streets, climbing through the ruins of Monte Albán and heading out to the mineral pools of Hierve el Agua or the mezcal villages of the surrounding valleys.
January also tends to feel a little calmer once the holiday rush has passed. Our Oaxaca guide maps out the neighborhoods, markets and day trips.
Punta Cana
For a pure warm-weather escape, the Dominican Republic’s east coast is in its drier, breezier season and comfortably outside hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30. Expect sunny days, turquoise water and plenty of company from colder climates.
Humpback whales gather in Samaná Bay roughly from January to March — a long day trip, but a memorable one. Details are in the Punta Cana guide.
Plan it
January rewards early planners. A few quick pointers before you book:
- Book ahead — Patagonia lodging, Cartagena and Uruguay’s beach towns can fill up months in advance.
- Pack for range — Oaxaca nights and Patagonian winds both call for a real jacket, even if the rest of your trip is swimsuits.
- Check the rules — park permits, fees and entry requirements change, so confirm current official information before you go.
Your next good read
Keep exploring with Jet Set LatAM
Go deeper into the destination or follow a shared interest through these stories.
Turn inspiration into a journey
Make room for this in your next trip.
Notes from the Jet Set world
A little inspiration.
A beautiful next trip.
New stories, city discoveries and the Jet Set edit, delivered to your inbox.
Free to join. Unsubscribe whenever you like. Privacy & disclosure
Planning this trip? Save the places you love and build your itinerary in the Jet Set LatAM app.