Hot Countries in January 2027 & Every Month from the UK

By the Epiclectic Editorial Team · Last updated: October 2026 · Figures reviewed every autumn

January is when most of us want heat the most and find it hardest to get. Search for “hot countries” and you will see lists that mix genuinely hot places with ones that are merely mild, or that recommend destinations in the middle of their rainy season. This guide sets a clear line for what “hot” means, sorts countries by whether they are hot and dry, hot but wet, or simply warm, and then does the same for every other month of the year.

What counts as a hot country?

In this guide, a country counts as hot when its typical daytime high reaches 28°C or more. That is the point where most UK visitors stop reaching for a jumper and start reaching for the sun cream. Between 23°C and 27°C we call a country warm: lovely for a break, but not proper heat. Below that, it’s mild.

This threshold is Epiclectic’s editorial definition, used consistently across our weather guides. It is not an official classification.

Daytime high or average? Why the numbers disagree

You’ll often see the same country quoted at 26°C on one website and 30°C on another. Usually neither figure is wrong. One is the average temperature, which blends the hot afternoon with the cooler night. The other is the average daytime high, the warmest part of a typical day. The high is the number that matches how a beach day actually feels, so it’s the one we use. Just remember that evenings, especially in desert climates, can be several degrees cooler.

Why heat alone isn’t enough

Two other things decide whether a hot country makes a good January holiday:

• Rain. Many tropical countries are just as hot in their wet season as their dry season, but the wet season can bring daily downpours. That’s why every country below carries a dry or wet verdict.
• Sea temperature. Air and sea don’t always match. A country can have warm afternoons and still have water that feels cold for swimming.

Hot countries in January at a glance

This scorecard sorts 15 popular winter-sun countries into three groups: hot and dry, hot but wet, and warm but not hot. Use it to shortlist, then read the detailed sections below.

Daytime highs are long-term January averages from the Met Office holiday weather service and other established climate sources; figures vary by resort. The Canary Islands, Australia and South Africa technically sit below our 28°C line, which is why they appear under “warm”. *Flight times are approximate direct times from London unless a stop is stated, and vary by airport and airline.

The hottest countries in January (hot and dry)

These nine countries reach our 28°C line in January and are in their dry season, so you get heat without the daily downpours. Each one suits a different kind of trip, so the notes below cover where to go within the country, what to watch for and who it works best for.

1. Thailand: the hottest mainstream choice

Phuket is one of the hottest holiday spots anywhere in January, averaging around 33°C with about nine hours of sunshine and very little rain. The whole Andaman coast, including Krabi and Koh Lanta, is at its best now, with calm seas for island-hopping and snorkelling. Watch out for: peak-season prices and busy beaches, especially around New Year. Best for: travellers who want serious heat, great food and a long trip that justifies the 12-hour-plus flight.

2. The Gambia: real heat without jet lag

At around 32°C with roughly nine hours of daily sun, the Gambia is the hottest country you can reach in under seven hours from the UK. It sits in the same time zone as London, so there’s no jet lag to lose days to. Watch out for: health preparation, as this is a destination where you should check malaria and vaccine advice well before you go. Best for: winter sun on a tighter budget, birdwatching and anyone who wants heat on a week-long break.

3. The Maldives: dry season on the atolls

January falls in the Maldives’ dry season, with highs around 31°C, long sunny days and only a handful of rainy days in a typical month. The sea is bath-warm, which makes this one of the best months for snorkelling and diving from resort house reefs. Watch out for: high prices; this is the islands’ busiest season. Best for: honeymoons, special occasions and anyone who wants to swim straight off the beach.

4. Mexico: the Caribbean coast in its dry season

Cancún and the wider Riviera Maya average around 30°C in January, with dry, sunny weather and lower humidity than later in the year. It’s easy to mix beach days with Mayan sites such as Tulum and Chichén Itzá. Watch out for: a five-hour time difference, which is noticeable on a one-week trip. Best for: families who want all-inclusive resorts, and couples combining beaches with culture.

5. Barbados: the southern Caribbean at its best

Barbados averages about 29°C in January, with around nine hours of sunshine and nights that rarely fall below 21°C. The southern Caribbean is at its most reliable this month, with steady trade winds keeping the heat comfortable. The flight is about nine hours from the UK. Watch out for: peak-season prices, especially over the New Year holidays. Best for: couples, golfers and first-time Caribbean visitors.

6. Dominican Republic: big beaches, big resorts

Punta Cana and the east coast sit at around 29°C in January, in the drier half of the year. The Dominican Republic has some of the Caribbean’s largest all-inclusive resorts, which suits families who want everything on site. Watch out for: the occasional passing tropical shower, which usually clears quickly. Best for: families and groups who want an all-inclusive Caribbean week.

7. India: Goa and Kerala

Goa is dry and sunny in January, with highs in the high 20s to around 32°C and roughly nine hours of sunshine a day. It’s a relaxed beach destination with a strong food scene. Further south, Kerala adds backwaters and tea country to a beach stay. Watch out for: visa requirements; UK visitors need to arrange entry before travel. Best for: longer stays, good-value beach holidays and culture lovers.

8. Sri Lanka: the south and west coasts

January is one of Sri Lanka’s best months, but only on the right side of the island. The south and west coasts, including Galle, Unawatuna, Mirissa and Bentota, are dry and sunny with highs around 30°C and calm seas. It’s also whale-watching season off the south coast. Watch out for: the east coast, which is still affected by the north-east monsoon (see below). Best for: combining beaches with wildlife safaris and ancient cities.

9. Vietnam: the far south only

Southern Vietnam is in its full dry season in January, with little or no rain. Ho Chi Minh City and the island of Phu Quoc see highs from the high 20s to around 30°C, right on our “hot” line. Watch out for: the rest of the country. Hanoi and the north are cool, and the central coast around Hoi An and Da Nang is still coming out of its rainy season. Best for: travellers happy to base themselves in the south, or to accept a mix of climates on a longer tour.

Hot but wet in January: countries to think twice about

Some countries are just as hot in January as those above, but it’s their rainy season. You can still have a good trip, but you should expect regular downpours, high humidity and some grey days. Go with realistic expectations and flexible plans.

Warm but not hot in January: the shorter-haul options

If you’d rather not fly for nine hours or more, you can still find sunshine in January, but it will be warm rather than hot. These destinations sit between about 20°C and 27°C by day: comfortable for walking, lunch outside and sunbathing in a sheltered spot, but with cooler evenings and sea.

Are any countries in Europe hot in January?

No. Nowhere in Europe is hot in January by our definition. The Canary Islands, technically part of Spain but lying off the coast of Africa, are the warmest part of Europe at around 20–22°C. Madeira is a little cooler, at about 20°C. On the mainland and the Mediterranean islands, January afternoons usually sit in the mid-teens: around 16°C on the Costa del Sol and about 17°C in Cyprus. Mediterranean seas are too cool for most swimmers at this time of year. These places are pleasant for sightseeing and walking, but if you want to lie on a beach in real heat, you need to leave Europe.

Hot countries month by month: the 12-month calendar

January is only one month. This calendar shows when each popular country is hot, warm or mild across the whole year, and when its wet season falls. Read along a row to find a country’s best months, or down a column to compare countries for your travel dates. The sections that follow go through each month in more detail.

Bands are based on average daytime highs from the Met Office holiday weather service and the other climate sources quoted in the month sections. Months not covered in detail follow each country’s established seasonal pattern. Egypt’s band reflects the southern Red Sea (around Marsa Alam); Hurghada, further north, runs a couple of degrees cooler in winter.

Hot countries in February

February carries on where January left off, and for several countries it’s even better. Phuket has its driest month of the year, and the Maldives remain in peak dry season with calm seas. The main difference for UK families is the half-term week, which pushes prices up across all of these destinations.

• Hot but wet: Bali (about 30°C) is still in its rainy season, and Mauritius remains in the most active part of its cyclone season.
• Not hot yet: the Canary Islands (about 22°C), Egypt (Cairo about 20°C) and the whole of mainland Europe, where Seville and Málaga reach only around 18–19°C. Cape Town is warm rather than hot at about 27°C.

Resort-by-resort detail: where is warm in February.

Hot countries in March

March is when some short-to-medium-haul countries rejoin the hot list. Luxor and the Nile Valley become properly warm, with about ten hours of sunshine and no rain, and the Gulf climbs past our 28°C line. Long-haul favourites stay hot and dry. In 2027 there’s an extra factor: Easter falls early, on 28 March, so school holidays will lift prices towards the end of the month.

• Hot but wet: Bali’s rainy season is easing but not over, and Mauritius is still in cyclone season.
• Not hot yet: the Canary Islands (about 22–23°C), Egypt’s Red Sea coast around Hurghada (about 22°C), Morocco (about 22°C) and the Mediterranean, where the sea is at its coldest. Cuba is warm rather than hot at about 27–28°C.

Resort-by-resort detail: where is warm in March.

Hot countries in April

April is one of the hottest months of the year in much of Asia and North Africa, and many countries are still in their dry season. For heat within five hours of the UK, Egypt is the standout: the Nile Valley is already very hot, and the Red Sea resorts return to proper beach temperatures. Europe, meanwhile, is only just waking up.

• Hot but wet: the Seychelles reach about 30°C, but brief tropical showers are common on many days.
• Not hot yet: the Canary Islands (about 20–23°C), Cyprus, Rhodes and southern Turkey (low 20s), and Spain and Portugal. Morocco is warm at about 24°C, and Cape Verde at about 25°C.

Resort-by-resort detail: where is warm in April.

*Flight times in the month tables are approximate direct times from London and vary by airport and airline.

Hot countries in May

May is the month when the balance shifts. Europe starts to get genuinely hot, led by Cyprus with around 11 hours of sunshine a day, while several long-haul favourites begin to turn wet. It’s a strong month for short-haul heat before summer prices arrive.

• Hot but wet: Mexico’s Caribbean coast stays hot but becomes more humid, with rainfall rising sharply. Thailand, Sri Lanka’s south-west and the Maldives move into their wetter season from around May.
• Not hot yet: the Canary Islands (about 24°C), Crete and much of Greece (low to mid 20s, with the sea still around 19°C) and southern Spain (Seville about 27°C: warm, but not quite hot).

Resort-by-resort detail: where is warm in May.

Hot countries in June, July and August

In high summer, heat is easy to find: almost every country around the Mediterranean passes 28°C. The real questions become which places are too hot, and which long-haul countries are in their wet season. This summary covers all three months together.

Resort-by-resort detail: where is warm in June, July and August.

Hot countries in September

September is one of the best months for a hot holiday without long-haul travel. The Mediterranean holds on to its summer heat, while school holidays end and prices drop from their August peak. The sea is warmer now than it was in early summer, which makes this an excellent month for swimming.

• Hot but wet: September is the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, so the Caribbean, Mexico and Florida carry the highest storm risk of the year. Thailand is hot, with Bangkok around 33°C, but it’s the rainy season.
• Not hot any more: nowhere major in the Mediterranean drops out yet, but the Canary Islands (about 27–28°C in Fuerteventura) are warm rather than hot, and the Adriatic and Balearics become more prone to storms late in the month.

Resort-by-resort detail: where is warm in September.

Hot countries in October

October is when Europe’s heat fades and the map of hot countries shifts south and east. The first half of the month can still feel close to summer in Cyprus and southern Turkey, but by late October the reliable heat is in North Africa, the Atlantic islands off West Africa and the Gulf.

What countries are hot in October half term?

For the late-October half term, the countries that are reliably hot are Egypt, the UAE, Oman, Cape Verde and Morocco. Here’s how they split by flight time:

• Under five hours: Morocco (about 3.5 hours) and Egypt’s Red Sea resorts (about 5 hours). Egypt is the better choice if you want warm sea for swimming.
• Five to eight hours: Cape Verde (about 6 hours) and the Gulf (about 7–7.5 hours). The UAE and Oman are the hottest, but the heat suits pool days rather than long walks.
• Warm rather than hot: Cyprus, southern Turkey, Tunisia and the Canary Islands, at around 26–27°C. They’re comfortable, sunny and cheaper to reach, but by late October they fall just short of our “hot” line.

• Hot but wet: Thailand’s Andaman coast and Sri Lanka’s south-west are still in their rainy seasons, and the Caribbean, Mexico and Florida remain in the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs until 30 November.
• Not hot any more: Greece, the Algarve and mainland Spain, where afternoons drop into the low to mid 20s and the weather becomes more changeable as the month goes on.

Resort-by-resort detail: where is warm in October.

Hot countries in November

November is the month when Europe drops off the hot list entirely. Reliable heat now means West Africa and its Atlantic islands, or a long-haul flight to countries entering their dry season. It’s often a good-value month, between the October half term and the Christmas peak.

• Hot but wet: Phuket and Thailand’s Andaman coast can still be very wet in November, and Mauritius enters its cyclone season.
• Not hot any more: the whole Mediterranean. The Canary Islands are the warmest part of Europe at about 23–24°C: warm, not hot. Madeira is milder at about 22°C.

Resort-by-resort detail: where is warm in November.

Hot countries in December

December is the start of peak winter-sun season for long-haul destinations. The Caribbean leaves hurricane season behind and enters its driest months, and the Indian Ocean and South Asia settle into reliable dry weather. Closer to home, nowhere is properly hot: even the Gambia is about six hours away.

• Hot but wet: Bali is well into its rainy season, and Mauritius is in cyclone season.
• Not hot: the Canary Islands (about 20–21°C), Egypt (about 25°C on the southern Red Sea), Cape Verde (about 26°C) and the UAE (about 26°C) are warm, pleasant options rather than hot ones. Prices across all winter-sun destinations rise sharply once UK schools break up for Christmas.

Resort-by-resort detail: where is warm in December.

*Flight times are approximate direct times from London and vary by airport and airline.

Which hot country suits you?

Heat is only one part of the decision. Flight time, budget, swimming and what you want to do all narrow the list quickly. Use this table to match the hot countries in this guide to the kind of trip you have in mind.

Example: choosing a hot country for a mid-January week

The scenario: A couple from the north of England have seven nights in mid-January. They want at least 28°C, dry weather and a sea warm enough for long swims. They’d rather not fly more than about ten hours or lose much sleep to jet lag. Three countries make their shortlist.

The decision: All three pass the heat and dry-weather tests. The Maldives has the warmest sea but also the longest flight and highest cost. The Gambia is the hottest and cheapest, with no jet lag, but its sea is pleasant rather than bath-warm. Because long swims are a priority, the couple choose Barbados: comfortably hot, a genuinely warm sea and a manageable nine-hour flight. If budget had been tighter, the Gambia would have been the clear pick.

What the example shows: Once you know a country is hot and dry, the decision usually comes down to three trade-offs: sea temperature, flight time and cost. Decide which matters most before you compare prices.

Before you book: entry rules, health and money

Common mistakes when choosing a hot country

Hot countries: FAQs

What to do next

Start with the month you can travel, pick two or three countries that are hot and dry, then compare flight time, sea temperature and cost. Before you book, check the entry rules and health advice for your chosen country. Figures on this page are reviewed each autumn, so check back as your dates approach.

Last updated: October 2026. Climate averages describe typical conditions, not forecasts. Always check the latest forecast and official travel advice before you travel.