Caribbean in January: Weather, Crowds & What to Expect
Climate Map for January
Average temperature across Caribbean in January.
Country Weather in January
| Country | High | Low | Rain | UV | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuba | 27° | 19° | 70 mm | high | Mild |
| Haiti | 31° | 19° | 21 mm | very high | Warm |
| Dominican Republic | 30° | 19° | 68 mm | very high | Warm |
| Jamaica | 30° | 21° | 62 mm | very high | Warm |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 30° | 22° | 114 mm | very high | Warm |
| The Bahamas | 26° | 17° | 45 mm | high | Mild |
| Barbados | 29° | 23° | 101 mm | very high | Warm |
| Saint Lucia | 29° | 23° | 121 mm | very high | Warm |
| Grenada | 29° | 23° | 108 mm | very high | Warm |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | very high | ||||
| Antigua and Barbuda | 28° | 22° | 76 mm | very high | Warm |
| Dominica | 29° | 22° | 130 mm | very high | Warm |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 28° | 22° | 86 mm | very high | Warm |
Representative figures from each country's largest city. High / low are average daily temperatures (°C); “Feels” allows for humidity.
The Bahamas & Turks & Caicos (The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos)
Blue water stays pleasantly warm and the islands feel quiet and sunny; January is one of the coolest months, with daytime highs in the low 20s°C (70s°F) and breezy northeast trade winds. Nassau and Providenciales are comfortable for beach days and boat charters, though evenings need a light jacket. This is still high season for North American visitors - expect hotels and flights to be pricier and book ahead.
Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola - Dominican Republic & Haiti, Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands)
Crystalline mornings and cool trade winds make January one of the most pleasant months across Havana, Kingston and San Juan, with daytime temperatures commonly in the low to mid‑20s°C (70s°F). This is prime time for city sightseeing, coastal beaches and hiking the Blue Mountains or El Yunque’s lower trails; pack a light jacket for early mornings and evenings. Tourist crowds remain high, especially around colonial centers and popular resorts.
Leeward Islands (Northern Lesser Antilles: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, St Kitts & Nevis, Montserrat, Guadeloupe and surrounding islets)
Cooler breezes and dry mornings make January an excellent month for Antigua Sailing Week and shore exploration; daytime temperatures generally sit in the mid‑20s°C and evenings are pleasant. Beaches across Antigua, St Kitts and Nevis are lively and hotels are busy with winter sunseekers, so book boat charters and restaurants in advance. Light layers and strong sun protection cover most needs.
Windward Islands & Southern Lesser Antilles (Dominica, Martinique, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada)
Morning cloud forests feel cool and humid in January on Dominica and St Vincent, while coastal communities enjoy steady trade‑wind breezes and daytime highs in the mid‑20s°C. This is a terrific month for waterfall hikes, diving and rum festivals without much rain interruption; expect high occupancy at popular eco‑lodges. Pack a light rain shell for quick mountain showers.
ABC Islands & Southern Caribbean Coast (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuelan islands and mainland nearby coast)
Arid breezes and low humidity make January very pleasant across Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao; daytime highs sit in the high 20s°C but lack of heavy clouds keeps the sun strong. The ABC islands are outside the typical hurricane belt and are reliably dry compared with the rest of the Caribbean, so they’re popular for diving, windsurfing and beach holidays. Bring strong sunscreen and a hat-shade is limited on many beaches.
Western Caribbean & Central American Caribbean Coast (Yucatán Peninsula - Cancun, Cozumel, Tulum; Belize; Bay Islands of Honduras; Caribbean coasts of Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama)
Cooler nights and dry mornings in January make the Yucatán and Belize especially pleasant for exploring ruins at Chichén Itzá, Tulum and Xunantunich; daytime highs are comfortable in the mid‑20s°C. Diving around Cozumel and Belize’s Barrier Reef is excellent with good visibility, and hotel availability can be tight with winter sunseekers. Pack sun protection, comfortable walking shoes and a light jacket for coastal evenings.