Best Places to Visit in February

With the festival season over and the spirit of St. Valentine’s in the air, February is an excellent time to leave cold, dark days behind and venture out. Here are our expert picks of the best countries to visit in February, including the weather, top destinations, and things to do.

Why we picked it:

• Dry weather
• Jet-skiing, kayaking, windsurfing, flyboarding

Climate range: 26–30°C (Male), 25–31°C (Ari Atoll)

The Maldives is one of the best tropical places to visit in February. This is an excellent dry-weather month for water sports and lazing on the beaches. The water is ideal for diving and snorkeling on islands like Baros, while atolls like Raa Atoll will wow you with their marine life and incredible corals during your Maldives tour. Get an adrenaline rush with water sports like jet-skiing, kayaking, and banana boats on Rasdhoo Island.

The Maldives in February is a dream time for sun worshippers, with an average of nine hours of sunshine and very little rain. The Capital, Male, records only 50mm of rainfall this month. No wonder the Maldives always makes it to the list of the best warm places to visit in February!

Top 3 popular destinations to visit in the Maldives in February

Why we picked it:

• Warm, dry weather
• Fewer crowds
• White water rafting, surfing, kayaking, kiteboarding
• Puntarenas Carnival, Liberian Fiestas, CENAC Summer Festival

Climate range: 14–25°C (San José), 22–30°C (Fortuna), 23–33°C (Tamarindo)

Costa Rica in February is characterized by warm, dry weather, making it the perfect month to laze on the beautiful beaches of Tamarindo and Nosara while the January rush starts to ease as locals head back to work. The weather is also excellent for touring the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Arenal Volcano National Park. The Gulf of Papagayo is known for its diving spots, and you can see whitetip sharks and sea turtles in February. Enjoy the year’s biggest party, the Carnival in Puntarenas, a week-long affair with parades, colorful dances, and all-night revelry. Meanwhile, the city of Liberia celebrates its cowboy heritage in February through music, dance, and bull races, and San Jose’s CENAC Summer Festival is rife with art, music and dance.

The northern Pacific Coast sees the warmest weather, while temperatures are a few notches lower on the northern Caribbean side and in the central highlands, making a trip to Costa Rica in February ideal.

Top 3 popular destinations to visit in Costa Rica in February

Why we picked it:

• Lower Rates
• Meak Bochea Day
• Sightseeing

Climate range: 23–33°C (Phnom Penh), 21–34°C (Krong Siem Reap), 24–31°C (Kep)

From visiting world-renowned attractions like Angkor Wat to lesser-known gems like the splendid 12th-century Banteay Chhmar temple, February is a great time to tour Cambodia and its architectural wonders. Admire the French-styled shophouses in Phnom Penh in Cambodia in February. Enjoy the relaxed vibes of the beach resort of Sihanoukville. Explore the wild side of Cambodia at the Cardamom Mountains, where clouded leopards roam freely. See the brilliant acrobatic performance by the Phare Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap. The Meak Bochea Day, a Buddhist festival that features candlelight processions, is also celebrated this month.

February is part of Cambodia’s so-called ‘cool, dry’ season. Practically, it means the weather is fairly warm. Overall, the conditions are fine for hiking, cycling, or strolling around ancient temples. Temperatures in Cardamom and Dangrek mountains are cooler than areas on the plains. This is a low-rainfall month.

Top 3 popular destinations to visit in Cambodia in February

Why we picked it:

• Lower Prices
• Skiing and snowboarding
• Trekking

Climate range: 12–25°C (New Delhi), -3–5°C (Srinagar), 12–28°C (Bhopal)

India in February is ideal: the weather is cool and comfortable, and prices are lower compared to the tourist rush in December and January. Spot a Royal Bengal Tiger in Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park, marvel at the beauty of India’s best-known monument, the Taj Mahal, or visit the home of the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in the Himalayan region of Dharamshala, surrounded by snow-covered peaks. It doesn’t snow in the mountains of the south, but the February weather is ideal for trekking tours in India, especially in the lush hills of Munnar in Kerala.

The January chill is replaced by pleasant days and clear skies in most parts of north India, though Kashmir and Ladakh in the extreme north continue to be freezing cold, with the possibility of snowfall. Though south India is much warmer, the peak summer heat is still a few months away. Rain is less common in most parts of India in February.

Top 3 popular destinations to visit in India in February

Why we picked it:

• Great festivals
• Excellent sightseeing
• Hiking season

Climate range: 12–21°C (Christchurch), 18–23°C (Auckland), 15–19°C (Wellington)

New Zealand in February has prime, middle-of-summer visiting potential. Go bird-watching on the beautiful Stewart Island, admire the limestone caves of Waitomo, and explore the secret bays and coves while kayaking in the Abel Tasman National Park. Take time out on a gorgeous beach on Maitai Bay in Northland and Koekohe Beach in Otago Coast, or trek the Abel Tasman Coast Track. Take a break from outdoor spoils to celebrate Waitangi Day or to check out festivals like the Napier Art Deco Festival and Marlborough Wine & Food Festival during your trip to New Zealand.

February is tailor-made for outdoor activities. It’s a dry month with fewer chances of extended showers. You’ll experience some of the warmest temperatures of the year in the upper North Island and parts of the South Island. Queenstown, which is surrounded by mountains, is cooler. Places like Northland and Auckland can get humid. Snowfall is not uncommon in the higher alpine region.

Top 3 popular destinations to visit in New Zealand in February

Why we picked it:

• Hiking on trails like Paseo Superior and Laguna de los Tres
• Gualeguaychú Carnival and Fiesta Nacional de Lúpolo
• Off-season rates and few crowds

Climate range: 20–30°C (Buenos Aires), 14–23°C (Salta), 3–11°C (Ushuaia)

February is the last month of peak season to travel in Argentina, and the long summer days are perfect for the great outdoors. Check out Ushuaia, a cultural hub and gateway to sea lion and penguin colonies in the Strait of Magellan. If you want to hit the beach, top options in Argentina in February include the coastal towns of Cariló, Villa Gesell, and Mar del Plata. Patagonia is good for everything from trekking and camping to biking and rafting, not to mention wildlife viewing. This is also a great time to explore the quiet waterways and lush landscapes of the 5,405 square-mile Tigre Delta. Don’t forget to enjoy February festivals like the Gualeguaychú Carnival, which features vibrant parades, music, dances, and costumes, and Fiesta Nacional de Lúpulo in El Bolson, which is all about good beer, music, and food.

Though Buenos Aires can be hot and humid, it’s worth exploring. The Atlantic coast enjoys lower temperatures thanks to the cool ocean breeze. The Andean desert may see short, heavy spells of rain in February. Patagonia’s weather is cooler but can fluctuate between sunshine and rain. Central Argentina experiences a mild climate.

Top 3 popular destinations to visit in Argentina in February

Why we picked it:

• Northern Lights
• Fewer crowds
• Frost Festival, Winter Jazz Festival

Climate range: -2–3°C (Copenhagen), 0–3°C (Aarhus), 1–3°C (Odense)

February might be a bitingly cold winter month in Denmark, but it is also a month of great festivals, like the nationwide Winter Jazz Festival and the stunning Festival of Lights in Copenhagen. The best part? It is also a low tourist season, so you can explore this enigmatic country like a local and minus the crowds! Faroe Islands are one of the best places to visit in February for the Northern Lights, while Denmark’s second-largest city, Aarhus, was a Viking stronghold centuries ago, and you can go on a fascinating Viking-themed tour, including a visit to the Viking Museum and the waterfront. But nothing is better on a tour of Denmark visiting a 16th-century snow-covered castle surrounded by cannon batteries and bastions, and Helsingor is where to find it— called the Kronborg Castle, Shakespeare’s Hamlet was famously set here.

Temperatures in Denmark in February are often around freezing point, with barely 3 hours of sunshine per day. You can expect 10 days of rain and some snowfall too. While it’s cold throughout the country, Odense is drier than Copenhagen and Aarhus.

Top 3 popular destinations to visit in Denmark in February

Why we picked it:

• Pleasant weather
• The Carnival and Zona Maco art fair
• Water sports like sailing, surfing, fishing, water skiing

Climate range: 9–22°C (Mexico City), 8–23°C (Oaxaca), 23–27°C (Cancún)

Take a trip to Mexico in February for pleasant weather, festivals, culture, and beach time. Hit the beaches and snorkel in Puerto Vallarta, a charming resort town on the Pacific Coast, or for surfing enthusiasts, Playa Zicatela in Puerto Escondido and Sayulita are among the best sites to ride the waves in February. Riviera Maya, a 120-kilometer stretch on the Yucatán Peninsula, makes for a superb road trip; you’ll drive past turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and archaeological ruins. The cobblestone streets and colorful houses of Malinalco, a town in Estado de Méxic, make it another appealing destination in Mexico in February.

Mexico's cultural calendar comes alive in February. Experience Carnival in cities such as Veracruz and Mazatlán, which features parades, music, dancing, and fireworks. Zona Maco art fair, one of Latin America’s biggest art event, brings together over 200 exhibitors from more than 25 countries in Mexico City this month.

February is one of the driest months in Mexico. With the winter receding and spring approaching, places like Mexico City see moderate temperatures and little rain. In the Yucatán Peninsula, the climate is mild with plenty of sunshine. Baja California’s comfortable temperatures make it ideal for outdoor activities. Copper Canyon can be cold in some parts.

Top 3 popular destinations to visit in Mexico in February

Why we picked it:

• Slightly off-season
• Scuba diving, cruises, and The Pyramids!
• Moderate temperatures

Climate range: 10–20°C (Cairo), 9–19°C (Alexandria), 14–22°C (Sharm El-Sheikh)

February is a superb month to take a trip to Egypt. Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam are perfect for enjoying the turquoise waters of the Red Sea, which offers many opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving. You can also visit Luxor’s ancient temples, hike in Mount Sinai, cruise the Nile, and, of course, see the world-famous Giza pyramids in Egypt in February. This is also a good time to check out the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa and the Roman amphitheater in Alexandria.

Northern Egypt, including Cairo and the Nile Delta belt, sees cool weather in February. The coasts are warmer but not scorching hot. February sees little rainfall in Egypt as a whole.

Top 3 popular destinations to visit in Egypt in February

Why we picked it:

• Wildlife safari
• Kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding
• Hiking

Climate range: 14–27°C (Nairobi), 25–32°C (Lamu), 11–25°C (Nakuru)

Kenya in February is a warm, dry month. The lack of rain makes it an excellent time for wildlife safaris, as animals in the Maasai Mara and beyond—like lions and elephants— are easier to spot near waterholes. Amboseli National Park is one of the best places to visit in February if you want to see migratory birds. Hell’s Gate National Park offers superb trekking and cycling opportunities, and you can explore volcanoes and hot springs and spot animals like zebras and giraffes. For serious hiking, head to Mount Kenya National Park and climb the 5,199-meter peak.

Clear skies and sunny days make a Kenya tour one big outdoor adventure in February. Nairobi is cooler than some coastal cities such as Mombasa and Malindi.

Top 3 popular destinations to visit in Kenya in February

Why we picked it:

• Pleasant weather
• Desert activities
• Shopping

Climate range: 20–24°C (Dubai), 19–25°C (Abu Dhabi), 13–25°C (Sharjah)

Thanks to pleasant daytime temperatures, mostly clear skies and cool evenings, February is one of the most popular months to visit the UAE. Explore Abu Dhabi’s desert and have fun sandboarding and stargazing, or catch a magnificent sunset from the dunes of Rub’ al Khali. This is also a great time to visit the wildlife reserve at Sir Bani Yas Island, home to over 17,000 free-roaming giraffes, cheetahs, gazelles, and other animals; go boating in the waters of scenic Hatta Dam, and see Dubai’s world-famous landmarks like Burj Khalifa and the Burj al Arab.

There isn’t much variation in the mild temperatures between the seven emirates, and weather-wise you can’t go wrong if you take a trip to the UAE in February.

Top 3 popular destinations to visit in UAE in February

From the blissful beaches of the Maldives and the stunning mosques of Egypt to the penguin colonies of Argentina and the big cat safari tours of Kenya — the best places to visit in February pack in a lot of excitement and delight. Catch the Northern Lights in Denmark, go skiing in northern India, ride the waves in Mexico, and shop till you drop in the UAE.

Our local experts will help you plan customized trips to the best countries to visit in February that meet your budget and interests.