Travel tips
Best honeymoon destinations in January: 5 places to go
January is one of the best months of the year for a long-haul honeymoon. These are five destinations with dry weather in January, and the hotel we would choose in each.
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In short
The Maldives is our first choice for a January honeymoon, in the heart of the dry season and after the Christmas rush. Sri Lanka and Costa Rica are at their best, it is whale season on Maui, and Zanzibar is hot and dry. January is also cheaper than the Christmas week.
Our first choice: See rooms at Six Senses Laamu
Once Christmas is over, prices fall at many of the best beaches, but the weather is just as good. January sits in the middle of the dry season in both the Indian Ocean and Central America. For couples who married in autumn, this is often the best time for the honeymoon.
Five honeymoon destinations for January
Maldives: Six Senses Laamu
January is the heart of the dry season, with calm seas and good visibility. Six Senses Laamu is on Laamu Atoll, a domestic flight and a short boat ride south of Malé. The villas stand on the beach or over the lagoon with steps into the water, and little happens after dinner. That is the whole point.
Best for: couples who want peace and good snorkelling.
Book your honeymoon: See rooms at Six Senses Laamu
Hatton
Afternoon tea on the lawn at Ceylon Tea Trails.
Sri Lanka: Ceylon Tea Trails, Hatton
January is dry in both the hill country and on the south coast, so the whole tour works. Ceylon Tea Trails is a group of old planters’ bungalows in the tea hills near Hatton, where everything is included and meals are served wherever you like. There are only 27 rooms. The route is in our Sri Lanka honeymoon guide.
Best for: couples who want a few days without plans in the middle of the tour.
Book your honeymoon: See rooms at Ceylon Tea Trails
Manuel Antonio
The pool sits among the trees above the Pacific.
Costa Rica: Arenas del Mar, Manuel Antonio
The Costa Rican dry season is at its best in January, with sunshine on the Pacific coast. Arenas del Mar sits where the rainforest meets Playa Espadilla, and you walk straight down to the beach. Breakfast is included, and guests rate it 9.8. See our Costa Rica honeymoon guide.
Best for: couples who want monkeys in the morning and a swim in the afternoon.
Book your honeymoon: See rooms at Arenas del Mar
Wailea
Wailea Beach lies right below the hotel.
Maui: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
From December to April humpback whales gather in the waters around Maui, and January is one of the best months to see them. Four Seasons sits right on Wailea Beach, and you can often spot the whales from the sand. Drive the road to Hana one day, and get up early for sunrise on Haleakalā.
Best for: couples who want beach and whales on one trip.
Book your honeymoon: See rooms at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Dongwe
The pool sits a few steps from the sand.
Zanzibar: Baraza Resort & Spa, Dongwe
January is hot and dry on Zanzibar, around 30°C with a warm sea. Baraza is on Dongwe beach on the east coast, and every villa has a private pool for when the tide goes out. The spa is on site. See our Zanzibar honeymoon guide.
Best for: couples who want a villa and peace.
Book your honeymoon: See rooms at Baraza Resort & Spa
After the Christmas rush
From the second week of January prices drop at many resorts, while the weather stays just as good. That makes January one of the best months to get a lot of honeymoon for your money. Avoid the February half term if you want the quietest beaches.
Frequently asked questions about a January honeymoon
Where is best for a honeymoon in January?
The Maldives is the best choice, in the middle of the dry season and after the Christmas rush. Sri Lanka and Costa Rica are at their best and suit couples who want more than a beach. It is whale season on Maui, and Zanzibar is hot and dry. Avoid Mauritius and the Seychelles, where January is the rainy season.
Is January a good month for Sri Lanka?
Yes, January is one of the best months in Sri Lanka. It is dry on the south coast, in the hill country and in the Cultural Triangle, so the whole classic tour works. Finish with a few days on the beach at Weligama or Mirissa, where whale-watching boats leave in season.
Is a January honeymoon cheaper?
Often, yes. After New Year prices fall at many resorts, especially from the second week of January, while the weather is as good as at Christmas. Flights are often cheaper too. Avoid the February half term, when prices rise again and many families travel.
When should you book a January honeymoon?
Four to six months ahead is enough for most destinations. For the Maldives and Maui, book a little earlier, as the best villas go first in high season. Mention that you are newlyweds when you book, as hotels often do something extra.