Wondering where are the best places to visit in February for your vacation? Save this list! Includes US places to travel in February and international getaways too.
February is a busy time for travel! Romantic getaways and day trips with partners are in the books. It’s winter in many places, so curling up in front of a fireplace inside a cozy cabin is an option for some. For others – especially couples celebrating Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or engagements – it’s the perfect excuse to go on a romantic adventure. Save this list of great places to visit in February for your vacation.
February is the height of ski season for mountain adventurers. But if you’re like me, some of the best places to travel in February are in warmer climates where you can take a break from months of cold and lack of sun.
For many destinations, you can enjoy cheaper off-season prices on travel and accommodations. And it’s the perfect time to find unique experiences like whale season in Hawaii, or carnival in Brazil and some Caribbean countries.
Whether you need to break up the lull after the holiday season or just want to take advantage of fewer crowds, keep reading for my top picks for February travel destinations.
Table of Contents:
Best Places To Visit In February In the USA
Best Places to Travel in February Internationally
Plan a Visit to One of the Best Places to Travel in February
Best Places to Visit in February in the USA
Florida Keys
Other times during the year, the Florida Keys mean unpredictable weather and intense heat, but February is calm and balmy. Average temperatures hover between 65 and 75 degrees with a breeze, so just bring layers to shed as the day warms up.
The Florida Keys make up an archipelago at the southern tip of Florida. While it may be too cold to swim further north in the state, the waters here are warm enough for swimming, fishing, scuba diving, and more. It’s also a great time for experienced surfers visiting the Keys!
Enjoy a romantic dinner on the beach or book a lively sunset cruise with your love. Later in the month, you can attend the annual Old Island Days Art Festival in Old Town Key West.
Peak season in the Florida Keys is November through March, so plan on joining lots of fellow travelers.
2. Savannah, GA
If you’re craving mild weather and rich history, one of the best places to travel in February is Savannah, Georgia. Highs in the 60s offer sunny, less humid days that are perfect for exploring the United States' largest historic district. Walk the city’s 22 historic squares or enjoy one of the city’s many scenic rooftop bars, like The Rooftop at the Drayton Hotel.
February is also Black History month, which makes it the perfect time to check out some important sites. Tour the First African Baptist Church which was once a former safe house for enslaved people or take a picture with the moving African-American Monument at Rousakis Riverfront Plaza.
If you’re looking for romance, walk through the gorgeous Forsyth Park, lined with 18th-century mansions and Old Oaks dripping with Spanish Moss. Make sure you stop by the fountain, which is a popular spot for proposals!
3. New Orleans
New Orleans is another city that’s rich with culture and history. Plan a trip this month, before the humidity of the warmer months sets in. Bring light layers because temperatures can range from the 40s to the 70s, but tend to stay pretty moderate and dry.
If you’re coming for Mardi Gras, the date changes every year, but the party usually starts mid-to-late February. Book your hotel and travel well in advance, especially if you want to stay near the historic French Quarter and Bourbon Street.
A food tour of New Orleans is a must and you’ll find dozens of Black-owned restaurants, bakeries, and bars. Try all the Southern, Cajun, West African, Creole, and Caribbean cuisine across this vibrant city! Spend Valentine’s Day enjoying French-Creole cuisine at the romantic Café Sbisa, one of the oldest restaurants in the French Quarter.
4. Santa Barbara
With the city’s balmy Mediterranean climate and romantic Spanish Colonial architecture, Santa Barbara is one of the best places to travel in February. With the holiday season past and the water being too cold to swim, you’ll find the city pretty quiet (and affordable) this month.
You can explore historic Santa Barbara and the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley. Or go hiking to Inspiration Point in Los Padres National Forest for great views of Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean. And while you’re there, don’t forget to take a wine-tasting bike tour with a stop at 2 vineyards above Santa Barbara. If you’re wanting to get out on the water despite the cold, one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara in February is going on a nature-sighting kayak tour.
5. Maui, Hawaii
Maui is one of 8 major islands that make up Hawaii and it’s the best place to visit in February for outdoor adventures. You can expect a little rain this time of year, but temperatures reach into the 80s with the most sun on the western and southern shores.
North Shore is a great place to watch pro surfers ride waves or venture out on a waterfall hike along the Road to Hana. West Maui is the best spot to find whale-watching cruises. November through March, humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of the Auau Channel of Maui.
And, as one of the top romantic honeymoon destinations in the world, you can find any number of romantic things to do on Maui. Go for a sunset walk on the beach or attend a high-end luau like The Feast at Lele.
6. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is one of the warmest places to visit in February in the US, with the average temperature being a perfect 70 degrees! The water can reach up to 80 degrees, which means you can enjoy your days on golden sand beaches.
The week before Ash Wednesday, head to Ponce for Carnaval de Ponce with extravagant floats and costumes on parade. For a unique experience, go on a Glowing Bio Bay tour and see the dinoflagellates light up the water. You can also take advantage of the good weather and go for a coastal hike at Rincón Nature Park on the western side of the island.
Best Places to Travel in February Internationally
7. Panama
For more warm places to visit in February, Panama is a great choice. With hot, dry weather, it should be no surprise that this month is right in the middle of the country’s peak season. With the tourist season in full swing, this is your ultimate chance to play tourist in Panama.
Take a classic private tour of the Panama Canal and Panama City to learn about the city’s fascinating history. Or take a day trip to the San Blas Islands with swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters.
And the great weather in February makes this the best time to enjoy nature hikes in Panama. Check out Darien National Park, a rainforest ecological park at the east end of the country, or the mountainous Volcán Barú National Park on the west side of the country.
8. Egypt
With temperatures between 50 and 75 degrees, Egypt is one of the best places to travel in February. This is another destination enjoying the height of the tourist season in February, so plan to pay high season prices and book reservations well in advance.
Think about which landmarks you want to see at one of the oldest historic sites in the world. Head to Giza to tour the Great Pyramids and see the Sphinx. Or spend time in Cairo where you can walk along the banks of the Nile or take a food tour with a local guide.
The coastal city of Alexandria is also welcoming droves of tourists to its own breathtaking historic sites. See the stunning Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, a Roman amphitheater, or the Citadel of Qaitbay.
9. Brazil
Are you looking to go full sunshine and hot weather? Plan a trip to Brazil. In February, the country is experiencing the height of summer with its hottest weather easily reaching past 100 degrees during the day.
In the last half of February you can enjoy Carnival along the eastern coast. Head to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, or even Salvador further north. You can find street parties in every neighborhood, fireworks every night, live music, dancing, parades with floats, and more. Smaller cities and towns throughout the country all celebrate Carnival in their own way.
February is also prime time to head to the white sand beaches in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, or hike to the Christ the Redeemer Statue high above Rio in Tijuca National Park.
10. Chile
Chile is one of the best places to travel in February because of the sheer number of outdoor adventures you have access to. Chile is also in the thralls of summer, but that means drastically different things depending on where you are in the country!
The deserts in the north will experience high wind and unusual rain patterns this month, so steer clear. In the southern region of Laguna San Rafael National Park, many parts of the park that are usually inaccessible have thawed. You can go hiking to see permanent glaciers and snow-capped mountains. In the Lake District, you can swim, boat, fish, hike, or enjoy one of the beautiful lakeside resort spas like Hotel Antumalal.
While not comparable to Brazil or Colombia, Chile has its own ways of showing up for Carnival. After mid-February, you’ll find street parties throughout Santiago. And outside of Santiago, Viña del Mar hosts the annual Viña del Mar International Song Festival during the 3rd week of February.
11. South Africa
If you’ve been thinking about a trip to South Africa, and especially Cape Town, February is the time to go. The strong winds that the coastal town is known for are nowhere to be seen and highs are in the 80s, while the Kalahari Desert is reaching into the 90s.
While so many of the smaller coastal towns offer amazing beaches and tourist attractions, consider making your base Cape Town. From here, you can take the Franschhoek Tram on a fun full-day tour of the area's wine country. Or hike one of the miles of trails up the stunning Table Mountain National Park, where you can see nesting penguins.
Cape Town is a fascinating city full of rich cultural history. And one of the best ways to learn about a new destination is through its food. Join a knowledgeable guide on a half-day small-group food tour through the city.
12. Colombia
What makes Colombia one of the best places to vacation in February is the mild weather, Carnival, and fewer crowds. At higher altitudes, temperatures will hover around the dry 50s, while along the coast it can reach into the mid-80s. Enjoy the shoulder season earlier in the month with lower rates on accommodations, or come at the end of the month for the beginning of the busy festival season.
On the coast, in Cartagena, head to the popular Playa Blanca for the ultimate beach day. Or book a catamaran to snorkel at the remote Rosario Islands. The weekend before Ash Wednesday, the northern town of Barranquilla explodes with parades, parties, and endless street fairs.
Plan a Visit to One of the Best Places to Travel in February
You can find some of the best places to vacation in February in every part of the world. In many Latin American countries, festival season is beginning, connected closely to the Easter holiday.
Don’t forget that in the US, February can mean higher prices around Valentine's Day. And it’s also Black History month. While you should take the opportunity to support Black-owned businesses all year round, this month is a wonderful opportunity to patronize Black-owned eateries and find community through planned events across the country.
Leave the freezing conditions at home and find yourself on a beach with your significant other and a glass of champagne! Dance in the street at Carnival, or use the change of seasons to take advantage of amazing outdoor adventure opportunities that you’ll never forget.
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