January is the perfect time to plan an escape: the chills of Christmas are far more bearable if you are safe in the knowledge that, come January, the coldest thing you’ll be feeling is a cool bottle of beer in your hand as you watch yet another sunset from your beach hut.
Here are my picks for some off the beaten track destinations at their best during the months of January and February:
1. San Blas, Panama
For pure, it-must-be-photoshopped, perfection, you could do a lot worse than Panama’s San Blas Islands. Perched between Panama and Colombia and absolutely untouched by resorts and Starbucks, this archipelago maintains a traditional way of life and is inhabited by the, politically autonomous, ‘Kuna’ tribe.
Many backpackers explore San Blas by boat en route to Colombia thus bypassing the famously deadly ‘Darien Gap.’ A popular option is to pick up an unofficial boats in Celon, Panama but The Darien Gapster (tour company) is a far more organised way of exploring the islands (e.g. no need to worry that your captain may be a drunk, incompetent or worse!) and, at $195, is also far less than a flight to the islands (which seems to average at $300). You also get to camp on the islands for the ultimate in beach living. January is Panama’s dry season with temperatures reaching a delicious 24c.
2. Jericoacoara, Brazil
Known to those who visit as, simply ‘Jeri’, Jericoacoara is one of the coolest coastal towns in Brazil, and that’s saying a lot. Perhaps put off by its relative inaccessibility (think seven hour buy journeys or five hours in a 4×4), mass tourism has yet to make much of a mark on Jeri and the town still has a rustic, chilled out, vibe.
Travellers visit Jeri for windsurfing, kitesurfing and to watch the phenomenal sunsets, along with the rest of the town, from the giant Sunset Dune. Like most of Brazil, prices at Jeri are high, especially when compared to other South American budget destinations such as Bolivia and Ecuador. However, though you may have to work a little harder to enjoy the area on a budget, it is by no means impossible and dorm rooms can be found from around $14 a night. The rainy season runs from February to May, but rainfall isn’t heavy and tends to occur at night. Temperatures rarely falls under 25c.
3. Montanita, Ecuador
Ecuador may not be the first place you think of for surfing and full moon parties but Montanita provides both in spades. This backpacker haven provides a hippyish, laidback atmosphere and great opportunities for meeting like minded travellers.
It is also located close to the rainforests of Parque de La Machalillaa and La Isla de La Plata which is often termed ‘the poor man’s Galapagos’ (e.g. Blue Footed Boobies aplenty!). Don’t expect blazing skies: the weather tends to be overcast, but temperatures average a steamy 28c. December to May do form the rainy season, but showers tend to occur at night and are not the torrential downpours of other tropical countries.
4. Boracay, Philippines
Despite its white sand beaches, cheap prices and fascinating culture, Bali aside, the Philippines seems to have escaped the mass influx of backpackers that has turned Thailand, Laos and even Cambodia, into key spots on the well trodden ‘Banana Pancake Trail’.
The Philippines is a giant archipelago which comprises over seven thousand islands; Boracay Island is located off the northwest tip of Panay Island and is famous for its romantic vistas and amazing scuba diving. It is also one of the few islands in the Philippines that has a decent bar scene. Temperatures in January and February range from 25-32c with little chance of rain, whilst refreshing sea breezes keep the heat from becoming overpowering. Boracay has its fair share of upmarket hotels but numerous backpackers hostels cater to budget travelers keen to take advantage of the island’s calm waters and lively nightlife. Regardless of what your budget is, booking a hotel in Boracay is inexpensive.
5. Sabah, Borneo
Sabah’s main attraction can be summed up in one word: Orangutans. The ever charming primates attract thousands of visitors to Sabah and, more particularly, Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, which is located near the town of Sandakan on Sabah’s east coast. Other wildlife in the area includes the large nosed Proboscis Monkey as well as gibbons, macaques and pygmy elephants. Sandakan is a short journey from Selingan Turtle Island: an uninhabited island that acts as a nesting site for Green and Giant Leatherback Turtles.
Trips to Sabah are often complimented with a trip down the Kinabatangan River which is the longest river in the area and home to a remarkably rich ecosystem. Temperatures around Sandakan are consistently tropical, with highs of 29c and lows of 24c year round. January and February fall in the rainy season, however this is not necessarily and unpleasant time to visit: the greens of the jungle become more verdant and the showers tend to be short and heavy as opposed to long and drawn out.
6. Vanuatu, South Pacific
Located close to Fiji in the South Pacific, Vanuatu is an utterly unspoilt island that has yet to be discovered by the international backpacking crowd. This means it is almost entirely off the beaten track and there are numerous opportunities to spend time with locals as opposed to other travellers. In fact some of the more remote villages may have never seen a Westener!
Vanuatu has all the crystal clear waters, blinding white sands and refreshing waterfalls that one would expect from a South Pacific island, however it is also home to one of the most intriguing tribes in the world: sections of the Yaohnanen tribe on the Southern Island of Tanna worship a curiously familiar face. Legend has it an ancient mountain spirit once left the island to search for a bride; the spirit went on to spirit marry a great lady, and will one day return to his tribe. According to the tribe the lady was Britain’s own Queen Elizabeth and the ancient spirit was none other than Prince Philip! The tribe worship a photo of the Duke of Edinburgh: a stand in, sent from the man himself, and await the day when he will return to them. Temperatures range from 27c to 30c in January and short, tropical showers are common in the month. Be sure to check weather reports before you leave as hurricanes and cyclones do affect the island!
7. Sihanoukville, Cambodia
A tropical paradise located in the Gulf of Thailand in South of Cambodia, 232 km from Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville is a perfect backpackers town: think beach shacks, fabulous and strange street food (barbequed tarantula anyone?!), and nightly fire dancers. Sihanoukville did not escape the destruction of the Vietnam War and the subsequent occupation of the Khmer Rouge: wreck divers can visit Koh Tang, 27 miles of the coast, and explore the remains of two shipwrecks; sobering remnants of the last battle between the Khmer Rouge and the US forces.
January and February fall in the cool, dry seasons when temperatures range from 20-28c and there is little chance of rainfall. These months provide ideal conditions to explore the waters of Cambodia, with visibility at a maximum.
8. Utila, Honduras
Utila is internationally famous for being one of the cheapest places in the world to get a PADI Open Water Certificate: the going rate for the four day course is currently around $299 and many places provide free accommodation for the duration of the course. The island is also one of the best places in the world for reliable sightings of the gentle giants of the Ocean: whale sharks. Less developed and more backpacker friendly than neighbouring Roatan; Utila has a Carribean, diving centric, vibe.
Stories abound of backpackers happening on this little piece of paradise and never leaving: living the dream of becoming a dive master or setting up a small beach bar. Temperatures average around 26c in January with a reasonable chance of rain showers, decreasing as towards the end of the month as February marks the beginning of the dry season.
9. Taganga, Colombia
Colombia is not the no-go zone it once was with many intrepid backpackers returning from the country declaring it to be one of the highlights of South America. A country of colonial cities, Latin joie de vivre and beautiful scenery, it’s only a matter of time before commerical tourism wakes up and notices the riches Colombia has to offer. Taganga is a small fishing village, popular with backpackers, located on the country’s Caribbean coast. The village is perfectly located for trips to the stunning Tayrona national park in which many a backpacker whiles away a week sleeping in a hammock on beautiful, secluded beaches.
It is also in close proximity to the Sierra Nevada mountain range and the ‘Lost City’ trek: a challenging five day hike to the remote ruins of the ancient city of ‘Teyuna’ in which hikers navigate through the jungle, paying visits to indigenous tribes and even illegal cocaine factories en route to the magical city. As an equatorial country, Colombia’s weather
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