RD

So where can we go in January and be almost guaranteed to enjoy warm and sunny weather?

don't like it but...

ARUBA! I didn't like it but that is because it is all high rise hotels, lots of Germans getting up at 5AM to put their towels on a beach chair, etc. It wasn't ugly or dangerous and it NEVER rains. I also hear that Petit St. Vincent is out of the rain belt and the Grenadines which are very charming. But Aruba is a sure thing.

Kristen

Aruba is great. Gorgeous beaches, turquoise water, and best of all...sunny everyday!

Dont' be scared off ny everyone's talk of high winds. It is windy but it's nice because it keep you comfortable from the heat. And I never had any problems with blowing sand on the beach.

NoSandblasts

Right on Kristen! I've been to Aruba and was so worried about how "windy" it would be. People were saying I would get "sandblasted" and you can't lay on the beach. NEVER HAPPENED. I'm not sure if it depends on the time of year, but the winds we had were nice and cooled us off. Not one grain of sand ever got in my eyes or any other place for that matter! And I have to agree, the weather is great there!

Weatherman

No person, no website, no nothing can tell you what the weather will be. You may want to go and check past weather history for that destination during the time frame you want. That said, I too would have to vote for Aruba.

aruba bound

I think there are hotels and even travel agencies that give you a weather GUARANTEE for Aruba it rains so infrequently.

caveat

Remember now RD, if you go to an island that is warm and sunny with very little rain, don't expect the lush green tropics.

Some of the people who complain about St. Martin do so for that very reason. "But it wasn't green." Hey, it also didn't rain.

Agent

I am an agent I have never heard of a no rain guarantee. Even the dry islands get rain but it may only be a brief shower but then again you could get a rain day. They just don't get a lot of rain.

RD

Thanks for your suggestions, but now that's I've checked into Aruba, I think it may be too far to travel. I'm coming from Chicago, and only have a limited amount of time for this very infrequent chance of traveling without my children. Not sure I want to spend two entire days traveling! Any other suggestions? I was almost set on Jamaica, but got a little worried when I read another thread that talked about rain and cold for an entire week!

lisa

My mom just got back from St Thomas last night and the weather was absolutely gorgeous! The ocean was like bath water and the heat was like 87 degrees. Of course she came back to Minnesota cold........ If you want info on a beautiful condo she stayed at (very reasonable by owner) let me know.

char

Morningstar on St Thomas. Travel from St Louis to Atlanta to St thomas. Travel time (5-6 hours), this includes a plane change in Atlanta. Wish I was going, temperature here is 9 degrees.

Caribfan

You do not have to go all the way to Aruba to have warm sunny weather in January! The northern Leeward islands have the same temperatures as the southern islands. Low 80s, sunny, warm water and beautiful skies. These islands include St. Kitts, St. Martin, Antigua etc. Anywhere from Puerto Rico southward in the Caribbean will have plenty of sunshine and warm waters. That is one of the many reasons why people love the Caribbean. Places with cooler weather would include Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and the west coast of Mexico where you may not like the water temperatures. I would avoid these areas in January & February if you are looking for warm water as well as sunshine.

Janice

Try Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Punta Cana is the driest part of the DR. Over Xmas it was very warm and sunny. We did have one overcast day (1/2 day, really) but still warm and great beach day. This was the "worst" (if you can really call that "worst") weather we've seen there over several Xmas/New Year's visits. Usually very hot and sunny.