January is an action-packed month in Latin America. In addition to excellent summertime weather, there are new openings and attractions that will excite everyone from culture hounds to adrenaline seekers, and from sybarites to shoppers.

To determine the absolute best places to travel in the area, we tapped into a large pool of top tourism providers that specialize in this region. We also looked at popular annual events and noteworthy openings, sought out prime weather, and called upon a deep knowledge of travel in Mexico, Central America, and South America.

But we scoured all of Latin America to find the best reasons to travel there right now, including a new 15-day bike adventure in Brazil, a natural phenomenon in Bolivia, the first helicopter tour of Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes, and world-famous orchid blooms in Peru.

From just below the border all the way to Argentina and Chile — two countries that extend to the bottom of the Earth — these are the best places to travel in South America, Central America, and Mexico this January. 

Merida, Mexico

The largest city in the Yucantan Peninsula was founded on January 6, 1542 — a date that is celebrated annually. This year's 476th anniversary celebrations will span three weeks beginning on January 5. Festivities will include concerts, art exhibitions, theater performances, readings, fireworks (this is Mexico, after all), Afro-Caribbean dances with the city's Chamber Orchestra, and the FILUX international light festival: a series of avant-garde light installations that lead visitors through the city's gorgeous historic district.

Recife, Brazil

This month, TDA Global Cycling debuts the new Carnival Tour: a 1,700 mile journey from Recife to Rio de Janeiro down the coast of Northeast Brazil, arriving just in time for Carnival. During the month-long tour riders will pedal past fishing villages, beaches, Atlantic rainforest, the Historic Center of Salvador de Bahia — a UNESCO World Heritage site — the Discovery Coast, and more. Rest days and good food (fresh fish, the national meat dish, feijoada, cold beer, and caipirinhas) keep you fueled. Two shorter sections of the tour are also available.

Quito, Ecuador

This month, Metropolitan Touring  unveils the first helicopter volcano tour in Ecuador. Four different itineraries will take five passengers from Quito along the “Avenue of Volcanoes," a series of enormous volcanoes, many of them active, flanked by waterfalls, lakes, and spectacular Andean peaks. Trips range from 35 minutes to 90 minutes, and prices are based on flight duration and seat selection.

Mexico City, Mexico

People from all over the world travel to Mexico City to shop in the city's lavish malls and department stores. Prime among them is El Palacio de Hierro, the largest luxury department store in Latin America, in the swanky Polanco neighborhood. In January, traveling shoppers can take part in a Korean Beauty pop-up at El Palacio including K-Beauty brands IPKN, Huxley, Cool Enough, and others in one avant-garde shopping event. Spend the rest of the day exploring the 646,000-square-foot retail mecca which his home to flagship boutiques like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Gucci year-round.

Santiago, Chile

The best weather of the year comes in January with clear blue skies, dry conditions, and milder temperatures. Travelers should expect hot days and cardigan-cool nights. January in Santiago also ushers in the annual Teatro a Mil theater festival, which is a month long celebration of theater (think parades and performances) in both established venues as well as on the streets.

Mendoza, Argentina

Be one of the first to bed down at Casa de Ucos's new private vineyard bungalows, which feature a dining area with an indoor fireplace, a rooftop Jacuzzi, and a private bonfire area. From the floor-to-ceiling walls of glass, guests will enjoy spectacular views of the 750-acre-property. The spacious bungalows range from 538 square feet to a 1,077-square-foot unit that can accommodate up to five guests and includes a deck that extends over a lake.

Source: https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/best-places-travel-south-america-january?slide=4e1a9af7-d3eb-4701-a03e-9e3214fa99f1#4e1a9af7-d3eb-4701-a03e-9e3214fa99f1