Best Places To Visit In February

In February, the days are short, the weather’s miserable (if you’re in the UK like me), and the only thing keeping me going is scrolling through travel pics and thinking, “Right, where can I escape to?”

February is actually brilliant for travel if you know where to look. You’re past the New Year price hikes, schools are back in session, and a lot of destinations are in that sweet spot between peak seasons. Plus, if you time it right around half-term or Presidents’ Day, you can get decent deals without battling the summer crowds.

I’ve spent far too many Februarys shivering in cardigans and wishing I’d booked something warmer. So this year, I did my research, proper deep dives into what actually works for a February escape. Whether you want to defrost on a beach, chase some snow, or just explore a new city without melting in 35-degree heat, here are some of the best places to visit in February.

Warm Beach Destinations

Let’s be honest, the main appeal of February travel is finding somewhere that doesn’t require three layers and a big coat. If you’re chasing sun and sand, these places are perfect without the eye-watering summer prices.

Mexico has become my go-to recommendation lately. The Riviera Maya especially, you’ve got Cancún if you want the all-inclusive vibe, Tulum if you’re after something more low-key and Instagram-worthy, or Akumal if you just want to swim with sea turtles without a hundred other people doing the same thing. The weather sits comfortably in the mid-20s to low-30s, which is that perfect beach temperature where you’re not melting but you’re definitely not cold.

I had a friend who went to Tulum in February and couldn’t stop talking about the cenotes, these natural swimming holes that are amazing. She found one that was practically empty mid-morning on a Tuesday, just crystal-clear water and limestone rocks. The Mayan ruins are worth a look too, though do them early before it gets too hot. You can easily do a week there for under £1,500 if you’re sensible about where you stay.

Puerto Rico deserves more love than it gets. It’s technically part of the US, so no passport drama if you’re flying from there (not helpful for us Brits, but worth noting). The bioluminescent bays are genuinely magical, I’m talking water that literally glows when you move through it. The rainforest walks are brilliant too, proper lush and green. Flights from the Northeast US are cheap in February, often under $200 return, which makes it very accessible.

The US Virgin Islands and Bahamas are solid choices if you want that Caribbean vibe but with a bit more structure and familiarity. The USVI in particular felt really safe and easy to navigate when I visited. The water temperature in February is still around 26 degrees, which is perfectly swimmable. Plus, the resorts tend to be quieter, so you’re not fighting for sun loungers at 7am.

St. Lucia and St. Maarten are gorgeous if you fancy something a bit different. St. Lucia’s got the dramatic Piton mountains and jungle vibes, while St. Maarten has that dual French-Dutch thing going on, which means excellent food and beach bars. Both get lovely and warm in February but without that oppressive humidity you get later in the year.

Hawaii is great for whale-watching in February, humpback whales migrate there, and apparently, you can see them from the shore if you’re lucky. I’ve not done this myself yet (it’s on the list), but a friend went to Oahu and saw whales from her hotel balcony. The Big Island’s volcanoes are stunning, and Kauai’s hiking trails are meant to be incredible. It’s not cheap, but February’s one of the better times to go if you want to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Winter Adventures

Not everyone wants to lie on a beach. If you’re one of those people who actually enjoys winter sports or dramatic snowy landscapes, February’s got you covered.

Utah’s national parks look absolutely stunning under snow. Moab, Bryce Canyon, Arches – they’re all transformed when there’s a dusting of white on those red rocks. Temperatures drop to around -5 to 10 degrees Celsius, so pack accordingly, but the trade-off is virtually no crowds. You can actually take photos without fifty other people in the background, which is worth the cold fingers.

📸 credit @dinosaur802

I went snowshoeing in Canyonlands one February, and it was eerily beautiful, just us, the snow, and incredible rock formations. The ranger-led tours at Bryce Canyon come highly recommended too, though I didn’t manage to squeeze one in.

Colorado and New Mexico are the obvious picks for proper winter sports. Aspen’s pricey but undeniably beautiful with fresh powder in February. Santa Fe gets absolutely blanketed, they have over 300 inches of snow some years, and the art scene there is brilliant if you need a break from skiing. The food’s excellent too, lots of Southwestern flavours and cosy restaurants perfect for warming up after a day outside.

City Breaks and Cultural Spots

Sometimes you just want a proper city break with good food, decent nightlife, and maybe a museum or two. February works surprisingly well for this because you’re past the festive chaos but before everything gets unbearably hot.

New Orleans in the lead-up to Mardi Gras is an experience. The actual Mardi Gras day can be crazy, but if you go a week or two before, you get the building energy without quite the same chaos. The jazz scene, the French Quarter wandering, the food, it’s all brilliant. And crucially, you’re not dealing with that oppressive summer humidity that makes walking around New Orleans feel like moving through soup.

San Diego has gorgeous weather in February, consistently around 20 degrees and sunny. The zoo’s amazing, the beaches are lovely without being packed, and the food scene’s excellent. Torrey Pines for hiking, the Gaslamp Quarter for nightlife, La Jolla for seals and fancy dinners. It’s got a bit of everything without feeling overwhelming.

Las Vegas might seem like an odd choice for February, but the weather’s actually decent (low 20s), the pool parties are starting to kick off but aren’t at full madness yet, and you can get really good deals on shows and hotels. It’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you want pure entertainment and a break from reality, Vegas it is. The buffets, the shows, the general absurdity of it all, sometimes that’s exactly what you need in February.

International Destinations Worth the Flight

If you’re willing to go long-haul, February opens up some incredible options in the Southern Hemisphere or places with perfect dry-season weather.

Thailand has its dry season, which means beautiful beach weather without the rain. Also it’s really affordable, you can eat incredible food for a couple of quid, accommodation’s cheap unless you’re going full luxury, and there’s so much variety. Beyond the obvious Bangkok and Phuket, there are quieter islands and northern cities like Chiang Mai worth exploring.

The Maldives has its best weather in February, calm seas, clear skies, that beautiful blue water. It’s expensive, but if you’ve got a special occasion or you’re really treating yourself, February’s the time to go. The underwater scenery’s just as impressive as the overwater bungalows, if not more so.

New Zealand and Australia are in full summer mode. New Zealand’s landscapes are so spectacular, the South Island especially with those fjords and mountains. Australia’s massive, but Kangaroo Island’s seal colonies are adorable, and there are beaches everywhere that put European ones to shame. It’s a long flight from the UK, but if you’ve got the time, it’s worth it.

Costa Rica combines beaches and rainforest perfectly. The wildlife spotting’s excellent, and February’s in the dry season, so you’re not constantly dodging downpours. South Africa has pleasant weather for safaris without being too hot, and the landscapes are incredibly diverse. Both are good for eco-tourism if that’s your thing, with loads of opportunities to see animals in their natural habitats.

Final Thoughts

February doesn’t have to be a month of enduring grey skies and counting down to spring. There are genuinely brilliant destinations that work perfectly this time of year, whether you want warmth, winter sports, city culture, or long-haul adventure.

The key is booking reasonably early for any peak dates like Valentine’s Day or half-term, and being flexible if you can. Weather apps are your friend for checking conditions closer to the time, especially for beach destinations where a few rainy days can really impact your trip.

Personally, I’m leaning towards Mexico this February, those cenotes have been haunting my dreams since my friend wouldn’t shut up about them. But wherever you end up, just the act of booking something gives you that boost to get through January. And that’s worth it on its own.