Weather in Aruba in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Aruba and ranks 26th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Aruba is 19.5°C warmer by day and 22.8°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Aruba peaks at 26.9°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 27.9°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 1000 pass 30°C. Nights average 25.0°C; one night in ten drops to 24.2°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 30.0°C (2020-01-01) and the coldest night 22.2°C (2000-01-18).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 11 days with 1 mm or more, 33 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2005 with 123 mm, the driest 1998 with 3 mm. Humidity averages 79%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 26.3°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 25.8°C to 26.8°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (28.5°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 7.5 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:05 and sets about 18:33 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 34%.

Is January a good time to visit Aruba?

Yes - it is one of the better months: hot days, manageable rain and long sunny days. The best months for Aruba on our scoring are February, March, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Warm days, with little cooling after dark

Aruba's coolest month is still hot enough for light summer clothing throughout your stay. Average daytime temperatures are 19.5°C higher than London's in January, and days consistently reach 25°C. If you dislike very high temperatures, this is a sensible month to consider: days reaching 30°C are not typical in the figures. Humidity of 79% is the catch, making the warmth feel less comfortable than the temperature alone might suggest. Choose loose, breathable clothes and leave room for breaks around midday. Nights average 25°C, so don't expect the air to turn crisp after sunset; evenings remain warm rather than offering much relief from the daytime heat.

Useful sunshine, but allow for wet days

January brings about 7.5 hours of sunshine within 11.3 hours of daylight, so there is a useful amount of bright weather for spending time outside. It is not a reliably dry month, though: about 11 days have measurable rain. That does not tell you how long rain will last on any particular day, so neither a completely washed-out holiday nor consistently brief showers should be assumed. Keep plans movable rather than tying every outdoor activity to a fixed day. A light waterproof is a sensible addition to your bag, but choose something easy to carry and comfortable in warm, humid conditions.

A good fit if swimming matters

The sea averages 26.3°C, putting January firmly in swimming territory rather than making it a test of cold-water tolerance. Its year-to-year range of 26°C to 27°C also suggests that sea warmth is a dependable reason to choose this month. For a traveller whose priority is getting into warm water, that is a stronger selling point than expecting uninterrupted sunshine. Use the brighter parts of the day for swimming and keep some flexibility when rain arrives. Warm water does not guarantee calm conditions, so make decisions about entering the sea based on conditions at the time, not temperature alone.