January in Latin America brings summer skies, long horizons, and a season when wildlife and landscapes are at their most abundant.
Patagonia’s rivers run fast with snowmelt, Chile’s Lake District is in bloom, and Brazil’s beaches glow under long, golden days. The tropics bask in Caribbean sunshine; further south, Antarctica is at its peak.
For those weighing where to go in Latin America in January, our specialists have selected five destinations that truly come into their own this month, from cultural heartlands to extraordinary wilderness.
Chile
January is the height of summer in the Southern Cone, making it a wonderful time to explore Chile. Patagonia is in full swing; we like to steer travellers away from busy trails into quieter regions like Futaleufú, the Lake District, and the winding Carretera Austral, where remote lodges and wild rivers offer just the right amount of solitude. On Chiloé, life is all about fishing and artisanal traditions: colourful wooden churches, seafood feasts, and a slower pace that feels worlds away from Torres del Paine’s crowds.
Pair with: Argentina or Antarctica.
Explore Chile
Belize
January in Belize means calm seas and Caribbean sunshine. It’s lobster season, too, best celebrated with a barefoot beach barbecue with a rum cocktail in hand. While the main resorts are at their busiest, we guide travellers to quieter stretches of coast along Ambergris Caye. Inland, the jungles of the Cayo District are easier to explore without the rains; lodges deep in the forest come into their own, and Mayan ruins, limestone caves and nights under a canopy of stars offer a striking contrast to time by the ocean.
Pair with: Guatemala or Mexico’s Yucatan.
Explore Belize
Brazil
January is Brazil at full tilt: long, sun-drenched days, warm seas, and an atmosphere that feels permanently celebratory. New Year in Rio is legendary, with millions dressed in white spilling across Copacabana Beach for fireworks, champagne and midnight swims. Through the rest of the month, the city limbers up for Carnaval; while it won’t erupt until February, Samba schools and rehearsal parades spill into the streets with an infectious sense of anticipation. Further north in Bahia, it’s festival season: expect processions honouring Afro-Brazilian deities, music on the beach, and drumming groups rehearsing until dawn.
Pair with: Argentina or Uruguay.
Explore Brazil
Antarctica
January is the pinnacle of Antarctica’s short season. Penguin chicks cluster on the shore, whales feed in krill-rich bays, and long daylight hours allow for extended explorations by zodiac and kayak. For those considering the White Continent, it is the most abundant and rewarding time to travel.
Pair with: Chilean or Argentine Patagonia.
Explore Antarctica
Nicaragua
January brings Nicaragua into its own. Granada’s colonial streets glow in the warm light, while Lake Nicaragua and Ometepe open up for hiking, cycling, and exploring volcanic slopes. With clear skies and little rainfall, it is one of the best moments to experience the country’s rare mix of culture and adventure.
Explore NicaraguaThese five are only a starting point. Latin America in January offers far more than we could possibly cover here: hidden valleys and high plateaus, city festivals and far-flung islands. If you’re considering a January escape, our travel specialists will delighted to share more of what’s possible, and help you shape a journey that feels entirely your own.
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Speak to our specialists to start planning your January adventure in Latin America.
Conde Nast Traveler Specialists every year since 2017
