Winter in the UK can be gloomy with the cold and wet weather, so it's not surprising that a lot of Brits go in search of sunnier climates for holidays.

Luckily there are plenty of brilliant destinations where it's hot and sunny in January.

There are some European destinations where it's a little warmer than the UK such as the Canaries, but for true hot and sunny weather, long-haul is the answer.

The Caribbean, Mexico, Vietnam and Florida are just some of the hotspots where you'll likely enjoy plenty of sunshine and balmy temperatures (not to mention you'll make everyone back home jealous with your picture-perfect social media feeds!).

So, where is hot in January? We take a look at some of the best destinations to have on your radar…

Dubai, UAE

Temperatures can go up to 24C in January, make it an ideal time to visit Dubai before temperatures start to soar.

Highlights include the Burj Khalifa – the world's tallest building – as well as the huge Dubai Mall filled with hundreds of shops. Then of course there are those picture-perfect beaches, luxury hotels with epic pools, and the countless bars and restaurants which are an influencer magnet!

For those after an extra thrill, Dubai also boasts plenty of fun theme parks with rollercoasters and attractions.

Mexico

Come January, Mexico enjoys temperatures of up to 29C so it's an ideal beach getaway.

Cancun tends to be a firm favourite for those looking for a brilliant nightlife, not to mention there are heaps of hotels catering to all budgets, right by some of those incredible sandy beaches.

Meanwhile Cabo San Lucas is a popular celebrity hotspot – the likes of Selena Gomez, George Clooney and the Kardashians have been spotted enjoying breaks at the resort.

Barbados

From mid-December, Barbados enjoys a dry season meaning you'll get heaps of hot and sunny weather. Basically, the ideal conditions for basking in the sunshine on those picture-perfect white sand beaches and taking a dip in the crystal-clear waters.

For those who get bored sitting around all day, there are plenty of adventures to be had such as hiking some of the beautiful routes on offer or exploring the breathtaking caves that are hidden throughout the island.

Thailand

Thailand is a classic winter sun holiday destination, especially with temperatures reaching up to 32C in January.

If it's gorgeous beaches, leisurely boat trips and plenty of relaxation that you're after then a trip to Phuket is worth having on your radar, while the island of Koh Samui is known for offering a great mix of parties and relaxed beach club vibes.

If you've got time to make a longer trip of it and want to do some exploring, leave space on the itinerary for a trip to Bangkok and some of the country's amazing temples.

South Africa

If you've always had Cape Town on the bucket list, January can be ideal with temperatures of up to 29C and heaps of sunshine making an appearance.

Explore the beaches, check out the local wildlife (especially the penguins at Boulder's Beach), and go exploring Table Mountain – you can take on one of the hiking trails, or if it's too hot then enjoy the views from a cable car.

Alternatively, hire a car and head off on a road trip along the Garden Route with heaps of amazing attractions, beautiful scenery and brilliant restaurants to discover along the way.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica has everything you could want for a bucket-list-worthy adventure with its incredible dense rainforests, gorgeous sandy beaches and fascinating wildlife.

Make sure to leave space on the itinerary for the likes of the Manuel Antonio National Park which showcases some of those Costa Ricna landscapes, as well as the 'Cloud' rainforest with treks that take you into atmospheric misty settings.

It's a hiker's galore too with plenty of trails in the forests as well as the volcanic scenery – although temperatures can reach up to 33C so you may want to get up early for those cooler mornings!

Vietnam

January temperatures can reach about 26C in the day and drop to still-balmy 23C in the evenings, making the winter month one of the best times to visit this breathtaking country.

Hanoi is a must-visit with heaps of incredible restaurants, hotels and beautiful places to explore, while intrepid travellers may want to add the likes of the Nga Bay floating market to their itinerary.

For beach-seekers, Phu Quoc Island is filled with gorgeous palm tree-fringed sandy beaches.

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