How warm are the Canaries in January?

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Hi

DH, DS (who will be 3) and I are in desperate need of a holiday but the only time we can get off is the beginning of January.

For many reasons (mostly DS being a nightmare when travelling and financial) we are not able to go to the Caribbean so have started tlooking at the Canaries. I have NEVER booked a package holiday - pre DS DH and I would travel ad-hoc booking flights and invariably staying in very good (and expensive) hotels - and am struggling. I need help please!

I have been looking online and have a few brohures and 1) think maybe the Canaries aren't going to be warm enough - I would like to spend the day at the beach and pool and 2) cannot decide on anything between the very (too) expensive and very cheap.

Can anyone take me in hand please and help me?

Many years ago we went for Christmas and it was warm enough for the beach/pool in the day. In the evenings I needed a light cover-up but DH was fine in just a tee shirt and shorts.

Thanks hellhasnofury. As long as it is not chilly during the day it should be fine :)

We went to Teneriffe early December a few years ago and it was about 23-25 through the day, but it did get chilly in the evenings. It also rained 3 days out of the 7 so be prepared for that because we weren't!!

You may be lucky and have sun, or you could get the wrong week. It should be nice during the day, and chilly at night (pullover and light jacket).

Maybe, before buying, have a look at the Red Sea, just out of curiosity. Sea will be warmer (you can't have a dip in the canaries, except if you have a lot of willpower), you'll be able to wear a bikini and more stars at night. Between Hurgada and Sharm, you'll have one hour more of sun in sharm during the winter,

We went to Lanzarote in February one year and the temperature never got higher than 20 degrees, and the evenings were decidedly chilly.

I went to Lanzarote a few years ago on the 21st jan for a week. Being a sun person I was very dissapointed as it was quite chilly during the dsay and more so at night. I took lots of hoilday clothes with me and spent every night in jeans and trainers which I'd travelled in.

Thanks all. Think I need to try and convince DH to go somewhere else. Sounds a bit too chancey (and I love my sun!)

You could try Morocco for January sun (also not too long a flight with a 3 year old). Mazagan is a gorgeous place, with free childcare, and some decent offers around now. See here...hope helps x

Tenerife will be warmer than Morocco. The Canaries really are the best best for decent weather at that time of year within a reasonable travel time. If you want better weather you will have to go long-haul.

I've been to tenerife in February, it was unfortunately a very wet week though not cold, but rain precludes sitting by the pool! You will get lovely hot weather in Egypt and it is only 5 hours on the plane and a 2 hour time difference, so very do-able with little ones. I've been in January twice, both times the weather was lovely, slightly chilly at night but hot during the day. Wherever you go though, make sure it has a heated pool because even though it is warm an unheated pool is too cold at that time of year. (speaking from bitter experience!)

Have had poor weather in the canaries jan / feb I would second Egypt.

I'm having the same dilemma. I don't really like the Canaries and, having had a crap week in Lanzarote once in November (cold, wet, windy) am not prepared to take the chance on dodgy weather. For a variety of reasons (the main one being that we'll only be going for a week) we don't want to go long haul. So, I'm looking at Egypt (Sharm). We spent a very pleasant (and hot) week there earlier this year. Ideally, I'd like to go somewhere different but good weather is crucial so it is seeming like our safest bet for January.

What about Cape Verde?

Bunbaker....have you been to Cape Verde? I have been looking at it and quite fancy it but I'm worried about the lack of infrastructure on the islands, particularly in terms of hospitals/medical services as I will be approx. 20 weeks pregnant. I'm wondering if somewhere a bit more 'developed' (with more regular flights back to the UK if necessary) might be a safer option for me?

No, I haven't. it is somewhere I would consider though.

Would you consider Dubai?

I'm going to the Canaries for Christmas and it is going to be lovely weather. I won't hear anything to the contrary!

HSMM, I hope you have fab weather and a great holiday. Jealous of anyone going away for Christmas...I'd love to spend Christmas in the sun.

So much for not going long-haul...saw a caribbean cruise deal that was almost too good to be true so just had to book it.

Where did you decide to go in the end? We are in EXACTLY the same position! 3yr old DS who is a good traveller and done long haul before OK but for a week only in early Jan don't want to go too far cos of jetlag. Dubai.. not sure. Canaries... could be dodgy weather. Cape Verde ... possible. Cuba... interesing.. Cayo Guillermo looks good but Trip Advisor reviews mixed. Need a Greek Island that's sun, sea n sand in January really... any offers!?!?

anyone been to Cape Verde with 3yr old? Which island... any recommendations?

There are some excellent websites and guides that really help people with kids to find great places to holiday that don't have to compromise on style or break the budget. My favourite is www.i-escape.com we booked a lovely cottage through them in Lanzarote with my sister and her three babies, by far one of my favourite holidays and they have a brilliant 'recommended for families' selection.