04 Jan Offbeat Winter Vacation Ideas

Without a doubt, the most common reason for most people to leave the comfort of their own cozy homes in winter is for a ski trip. But just because you’re not as excited about the fresh powder as your friends or co-workers, doesn’t mean you have to coop yourself up all winter long.

Winter is an ideal time for an escape to a tropical beach. Fly like the birds South for a winter to the warm southern states in our country or go someplace new and exciting outside of the country! We’ve evaluated the perfect getaways for these cold dreary months (believe us, we’re vacationing too) and here are some great winter vacation ideas for those looking to avoid the snow as much as possible this season.

1. Miami

In addition to having some of the best weather in the world year-round, it is quintessential to visit Miami during January for all its goings-on. PortMiami, aka the “Cruise Capital of the World” offers dozens of different types of cruises this month, in what they’ve branded as “Cruise Month”. If you’re looking to stay on land for your vacation, Miami also offers some one-of-a-kind shows available during January such as the Burlesque Magnifique at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the AmericanAirlines Arena, and the 2017 South Motors Fine Arts Festival at Pinecrest Gardens. Miami is also a great stop for music lovers as it hosts the Miami Beach Jazz Festival at the end of the month!

2. Hawaii

January is an ideal time to visit Hawaii and its numerous beautiful beaches because the airfare is significantly lowered after the holidays. After the first few days of the new year, prices drop significantly for the rest of the month. January is also big on outdoor activities you won’t find in your snow-covered cities. Spend your time observing the humpback whales who have migrated to the Aloha state for the month of January. You can also hop over to Maui to catch the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, one of Hawaii’s top golf tournaments, or take a trip to Oahu for one of the amazing surf tournaments held throughout the month.

3. Caribbean

When drafting up a list of vacation ideas for winter, we couldn’t possibly leave out the Caribbean, one of the most comfortable vacation destinations in the winter. With average temperatures around the mid-70s, you’ll bask in the sunshine in your bathing suit while your friends and family are bundled in coats and parkas. Many celebrities and CEOs congregate at the Caribbean for post-Christmas vacations, so you could have a chance to do a little star-sighting while you’re there. In addition to the year-long activities like surfing and water-skiing, January features some great festivals including the Grand Parade and “Las Lap Jam” in St. Kitts, the Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival in Trelawny or the Bequia Mount Gay music festival where the aire fils with the sweet sounds of jazz, steel pan, and reggae.

4. Cancun

January is the coolest time of the year to visit Cancun, but the tropical weather conditions still make the city one of the best winter vacation ideas for travelers. Enjoy a plethora of activities on relatively empty beaches; you’ll be vacationing at the perfect time, right before the spring breakers migrate down. You’re also avoiding the rainy season as well, which means that you’ll likely have a sunny vacation for your entire trip, save for maybe a few showers. Do yourself a favor though, and look for a place to stay with a heated pool in case the ocean is too cold to swim in!

5. Rio de Janeiro

Summer occurs in the winter months south of the equator, so if you’re looking to vacation in Rio de Janeiro in January, you’ll be arriving in peak season. Everyone is coming back from Christmas break, so January is a good time because the shops re-open. January does, however, get to be very crowded, so if you’re looking for a quiet getaway, be mindful of which beaches are densely populated. But for those looking for some energy, the nightlife in Rio de Janeiro is hotter than ever. Live music is everywhere and the Copacabana Beach is still bumping even after Reveillon (New Year’s Eve). Pack an umbrella, though; it does tend to rain in the afternoons during the summer season.

Got your own vacation ideas for the winter? Check out our inventory! We’ve got plenty of great deals on vacation rentals in dozens of warm locations this winter!