Warm weather locations in late January?

[cransplash]

Hi,
I am looking for a beach vacation spot in late January. I am primarily looking for:
- white, soft sandy beaches
- very warm and clear waters
- warm, sunny weather
- short walk or taxi ride to do sightseeing
- fun activities to do (snorkeling, excursions, etc)

Not sure if we'll book a hotel/resort or do VRBO. Budget is a couple thousand (including airfare- we can fly from Cincinnati, Dayton, Indy, or Columbus.)

We'd like to do 4-5 days.

If you can help suggest any locations, that would be great.

[Brit]

::Eagerly awaiting recommendations.::

[ashap]

Any island in the Southern Caribbean.

We've been to and liked St. Martin, St. John, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Croix, St. Lucia, Grand Caymen all during the month of January. We never had a bad day weather wise.

Other Islands - Tortola, Barbados, Aruba

[balbacm]

ditto angie... anywhere in the southern caribbean. we have been all over but have made multiple trips back to Aruba and San Juan, Puerto Rico. we're actually headed back to SJ in a few weeks. Late January is high season so keep in mind you'll probably be paying about $500 for a plane ticket.

[spankswife]

The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Florida - the gulf side, Naples, Clearwater, Sanibel...

[basilosaurus]

Dec 10, 2012 14:10:39 GMT -5 spankswife said:

The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Florida - the gulf side, Naples, Clearwater, Sanibel...

No, weather is really variable in Florida in January. You don't want to plan a warm beach location and then have a cold front come through and keep the temps in the 50s. Bahamas is the same way.

Southern caribbean or hawaii would be my suggestion.

[cransplash]

Thank you ladies!!! ::off to plan next vaca::

[Deleted]

Definitely NOT Florida or the Bahamas. Not guaranteed warm weather at all in January!

Riviera Maya, MX is good at that time of the year. I also love angie's suggestions.

[Deleted]

I wouldn't recommend Florida/Bahamas. H and I went to Orlando and the Bahamas this past April and it was freezing (low 60s) and hard to enjoy our "warm" vacation away from Michigan.

[anna7602]

Puerto Rico. If you get there by Jan. 25th, you can catch the San Sebastian Festival in Old San Juan- big street parties and lots of fun. And, in general, PR is a great combination of beach and sightseeing. You can get around the whole island in very little time and it's fairly easy to get to Vieques, too (which I looooved).

[Susie]

We went to Puerto Rico in February last year and it was gloriously warm.

[spankswife]

Really? I live in Fl and its never "cold." may e bc it's so miserably hot the rest of the year I just enjoy it too much! I never wear more than long sleeves. Most of the time it's around 70.

[basilosaurus]

Dec 13, 2012 22:21:12 GMT -5 spankswife said:

Really? I live in Fl and its never "cold." may e bc it's so miserably hot the rest of the year I just enjoy it too much! I never wear more than long sleeves. Most of the time it's around 70.

I grew up in Florida (FLL). Are you telling me you never experience a cold front where it drops into the 60s? I can count on that every winter. A little more rarely it will get into the 40s at night. I don't think they've had sub zero since I was a kid, but still, 60s are cold with the ocean wind and humidity, especially if you're trying to wear a bathing suit.

And if you're further north, like Orlando, it can definitely be colder. it's not terribly uncommon for them to deal with orange tree killing frost.

ETA I just checked current temp in my hometown. It's 68. Not exactly beach weather.

[cransplash]

PR sounds like a great idea too- thank you!

[mrsnole]

Definitely Puerto Rico!

[scout8]

Another Puerto Rico vote here! My favorite beach is Flamingo beach on Culebra Island, a quick ferry ride from the east coast of PR.

[Deleted]

Dec 13, 2012 22:21:12 GMT -5 spankswife said:

Really? I live in Fl and its never "cold." may e bc it's so miserably hot the rest of the year I just enjoy it too much! I never wear more than long sleeves. Most of the time it's around 70.

We have a winter home in Delray Beach and we've had tons of chilly December, January and Februarys. If we are there for 15 days we might get 2-3 beach days, max and its only a few minutes north of Ft Lauderdale. I mean, its still NICE weather for sure, but for someone who wants WARM, I wouldn't recommend it.

And I'm Canadian. I have a pretty high tolerance for 'cold'

[RoxMonster]

We went to Orlando in early January one year and yea...it was definitely chilly. Still felt nice coming from chicago and freezing temps, but it dipped into the 40s at night and we were lucky to get 60s during the day. We had packed our suits but couldn't do any swimming at the hotel. I wouldn't do FL if you absolutely 100% wanted nice warm weather.