Where would you go for a three week adventure in January?

[Evisam]

I have 3 weeks off from 27th Dec - 18th Jan. I want an adventure with my friend from Scotland!

We looked at flying out to Mexico then doing Central America as a group tour. However, we need a visa just to travel through Honduras. That is ok for me (I live near London) but a pain in the a-- for Scottish friend to attend a 5 minute interview at the Honduras Embassy for a £30 visa.

Where would you go for an adventure if you had 3 weeks off in January. Want somewhere memorable for NYE. We are both 30 years old and single.

Sri Lanka!

We loved our trip there in January so much that we’re going back again in January next year.

I'd go to New Zealand! DH and I did that in Dec/Jan 25 years ago and I remember it with a lot of fondness.

Well I would go skiing for 3 weeks as that’s what we always do over Christmas / new year, but I see you’ve said you want warmth. So instead what about 3 weeks in Sri Lanka, hire a car and drive yourself all over - right down to the south or to the north west for the sandy beaches, central for culture, south east for safari? Or do what we did last summer and go island hopping in the Caribbean. We booked it all ourselves and had villa stays really near to almost deserted beaches on each island, hired a car and went into the rainforests, and did loads of snorkelling too.

Mexico is only touristy in bits ( we lived there for a few years) most of Mexico only has Mexican tourists. It has amazing history, food and culture. I would do that that Belize. Mexico is a big country.

Check out South Africa. You can indulge your adventurous side for sure there. Try the bungee jump off Bloukrans Bridge, ziplining, cage diving with sharks, paragliding, safaris, kite/surfing, hike up Table Mountain and so on. Plus the wildlife safaris etc.

Or heck, just enjoy the wine in the Stellenbosch and chill.

Overnight flight from London, and no jet lag. Have a look anyway for the fun of it.

EDIT. I missed your post - you've been to SA. sorry bout that!

Central America for sure

I’ve traveled across the region on three trips visiting every country and would recommend all of them! It’s perfect timing weather wise and you might be able to see Leatherbacks at that time of year eg in Tortoguero

I would fly into one airport travel through 3 countries and fly out of another

Travel distances in Mexico can be very long if flying into Mexico City but if you’re just flying into cancun can be doable just visiting the southern bit. You could combine with Guatemala and Belize. Combo of architecture / history and nature. Caving and scuba or snorkelling in Belize a highlight/ Semuc Champney highlight in Guatemala along with towns and villages and ancient ruins (lots to choose from).

Or combine Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Perfect for nature lovers and thrill seekers! Too many highlights to mention in Costa Rica!

Either combo has some amazing destinations to explore

Use the long distance coaches - they are really nice, comfortable, safe and affordable. And reliable. Avoid chicken buses - only for fun short distances!

Madness! Roads will be closed and impassable in lots of destinations. January is not the time to travel this region- locals would think you’re mad

We did 2 weeks in Guatemala last year, it's great. You could easily add a week on in Belize at the end for some beach time, or even spend 3 weeks in Guatemala itself and get off the beaten track a bit. Travel can be quite slow. We took it quite gently and just did Atitlan, Antigua and Tikal with 4 days in each and 3 travelling. I think Atitlan or Antigua would probably be great for new year.

I wouldn't worry too much about el Fuego erupting. It goes through phases. As far as I can see they've only suspended climbs up Acatenango for 72 hours and haven't evacuated Antigua.

@ColdWaterDipper which islands did you go to? That sounds amazing!

Australia.

Thailand. Or your China-Vietnam-Singapore idea sounds great

Bali, Lombok and Gili Air / Trawangan

Sri Lanka, book a hotel through to 2nd January then go off into the interior, I climbed Adam’s peak at night, went to tea plantations and saw various historic sites then there’s a national park in the south you can book a safari - but compact enough to spend more time doing that traveling

Australia! Jan/Feb is my favourite time to visit! Three weeks is perfect.

South Africa...weather is amazing at that time of year. Amazing bars and clubs in cape town, do the garden route and safari!

I did 3 weeks in Vietnam last January. It was a cycling trip with Exodus and I loved it.

Yes, something like this. ^^

Or, Cape Town is a wonderful city. Great beaches, wine route, lovely people. Kind & welcoming.
I can’t wait to go back.

Tenerife

Vietnam? Though may be too cold then. Cambodia?

Egypt including an oasis?

Sri Lanka in a heartbeat

Malaysia and Singapore. Plenty to see in Malaysia with lots of variation.

Argentina (I spent two months travelling around there!)

Mexico, Belize, etc. Watch the last series of Celebrity Race Across the World and copy a shortened version of their route.

Madagascar!

Costa Rica - loads to do, jungle trips, visit volcanoes, surfing, amazing wildlife and that is perfect time of year

Colombia - so much to do amd see.
or
Sri lanka - easy to travel around beautiful at every turn - spectacular food. Cheap as chips if you book it all yourself

You could do Mexico and Texas.

If you like adventure then look at Big Bend for hiking, and there’s some interesting places nearby.

Namibia self drive - you could do most of it over 3 weeks