Best Places to Visit in February 2026
Top destinations, hidden gems, costs, and tips for planning your trip
Where
For the best places to visit in February, you can't go wrong with Rio de Janeiro for Carnival, Maldives for warm turquoise waters, Tokyo for plum blossoms, or Mexico City for affordable urban adventure. Each spot offers a different kind of February magic, from sun-drenched beaches to lively city festivals.
Best Places to Visit in February: Where to Travel and Why
The best places to visit in February include tropical beaches, cities with world-famous festivals, and national parks at their quietest. February travel destinations 2026 range from sun-soaked islands in the Caribbean to culture-packed cities across Asia and Europe. If you're searching for where to travel in February, the answer depends on your vibe: do you want to thaw out in the sun, catch an epic event, or explore somewhere new without crowds? For most North Americans and Europeans, February is winter escape season, and flights are often cheapest outside of Presidents' Day week. You can search flights on Travorio with Sezzle, PayPal Pay Later, or crypto, making it easier to book your dream trip.
Warm places to visit in February include the Maldives, Cancun, and Cape Town, where daytime highs hit the 80s and water temperatures are perfect for swimming. But February vacation ideas aren't just about beaches: cities like Venice and Rio go all out for pre-Lent Carnival, while nature lovers can catch safari season in Tanzania or whale watching in Baja California. The trick is picking a spot that matches your weather cravings and your budget. Here’s a breakdown of where to go, why it’s great in February, and how to make the most of your trip.
Best Beach Destinations in February
Maldives tops almost every warm places to visit February list. You get 85-88°F (29-31°C) days, water temps around 82°F (28°C), and clear skies. Resorts like Sun Siyam Iru Fushi or Constance Moofushi start around $300/night with breakfast, but you can find local guesthouses in Maafushi from $55/night. February is smack in the middle of the dry season, so visibility for snorkeling and diving is as good as it gets. It’s busier than November or May, but nowhere near as wild as Christmas or New Year’s.
Playa del Carmen, Mexico, draws a crowd of North Americans chasing warmth. Highs hover near 84°F (29°C), humidity is moderate, and sargassum (seaweed) is usually minimal in February. All-inclusives like Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen or Mahekal Beach Resort are $185-240/night, but you’ll find boutique hotels for under $70 in Centro. The wide beaches and calm Caribbean sea are perfect for swimming, and you can snorkel with sea turtles in Akumal, 35 minutes away by colectivo.
Phuket, Thailand, is in peak season during February, with temperatures around 90°F (32°C) and almost no rain. Water’s about 82°F (28°C). Patong Beach is packed and party-heavy, but Kata and Karon are quieter, especially midweek. Flights from the US are cheapest if you book 2-3 months ahead. Local buses (songthaews) connect beaches for 40 THB ($1.10), and street food is $2-3 per meal.
Cape Town, South Africa, feels tailor-made for February: highs around 79°F (26°C), Table Mountain is usually clear, and the Atlantic beaches are lively. Camps Bay is the classic beach scene, but Clifton 4th is wind-sheltered and less busy. Water’s chilly (64°F/18°C), but you’ll see locals swimming anyway. Guesthouses in Sea Point or Green Point start at $60/night, and Ubers are cheap for beach-hopping. February also brings the Cape Town Pride Festival, which spills onto the sand.
Best City Breaks in February
Venice, Italy, transforms in February with Carnevale. Masks, canal parades, and balls fill the city from February 7-18, 2026. Daytime temperatures are brisk (45°F/7°C), but crowds are smaller than in summer. Hotels like Ca’ Sagredo and Bauer Palazzo book up six months ahead, but B&Bs in Cannaregio or Santa Croce can be $120-180/night. Vaporetto passes are €20/day, and you’ll need them to reach Lido or Murano for quieter moments.
Tokyo, Japan, is perfect for city explorers in February. It’s low season for most tourists, but you get plum blossoms in parks like Shinjuku Gyoen and Hanegi Koen. Highs are around 50°F (10°C), and skies are crisp and blue. Tokyo Metro 72-hour passes cost ¥1,500 ($10), and business hotels like Tokyu Stay Shinjuku are $85-130/night. Don’t miss Setsubun festival at Sensoji Temple (Feb 3), with bean-throwing to ward off bad luck.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, goes into Carnival overdrive in February (Feb 13-18, 2026), with parades, blocos (street parties), and samba until sunrise. Daytime highs reach 89°F (32°C), and Copacabana Beach is wall-to-wall celebration. Hotels triple in price, so book early: Sol Ipanema is $320/night, but hostels in Lapa are $38-60/dorm. Metro runs late, but expect packed trains. Street food like pão de queijo and caipirinhas keep your energy up.
New Orleans, USA, hits its stride with Mardi Gras, peaking February 17, 2026. Highs are a comfortable 68°F (20°C), and parades start weeks before Fat Tuesday. French Quarter hotels like Hotel Monteleone fill up fast ($270/night), but Mid-City or Garden District B&Bs are $110-160/night. The St. Charles Avenue streetcar ($1.25/ride) is the best way to reach parade routes. Don’t skip king cake from Manny Randazzo’s.
Best Nature and Adventure Destinations
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, is at the heart of calving season for the Great Migration in February. Over 500,000 wildebeest calves are born, drawing big cats and action on the plains. Days are warm (82°F/28°C), nights are cooler, and rain is minimal until March. Safari lodges like Lemala Ewanjan are $290/night full board, but public campsites are $38/night plus park fees. Most travelers fly into Kilimanjaro (KIA) and connect by bush plane or Jeep.
Baja California, Mexico, is a whale-watching paradise in February. Gray whales give birth in Magdalena Bay and San Ignacio Lagoon, with close-up boat tours from $50/person. Loreto and La Paz also see blue and humpback whales. Air temps are 75°F (24°C), and the desert blooms after winter rains. Hotels in Loreto start at $62/night (Hotel Oasis), and buses connect the main whale sites in 2-4 hours.
Queenstown, New Zealand, is deep in summer in February. Highs hit 75°F (24°C), and all the hiking trails (Ben Lomond, Routeburn Track) are clear of snow. Lake Wakatipu is swimmable, and adventure sports like bungee jumping or jetboating are in full swing. Hostels are $28-36/night, hotels $120-185/night. Flights from Auckland or Christchurch are $68-120 one-way on Air New Zealand or Jetstar.
Patagonia (El Chaltén and Torres del Paine) is at its best in February, with long daylight (15+ hours) and daytime temps around 68°F (20°C). Trails to Laguna de los Tres or the W Trek are busiest, but if you start early (7 am), you’ll get sections to yourself. Hostels in El Chaltén are $29-46/night, refugios in Torres del Paine are $60-110 with meals. Bus from El Calafate to El Chaltén takes 3 hours and costs $20.
Budget-Friendly February Destinations
Mexico City is a steal in February. Daytime temps reach 75°F (24°C), and air is clear after January’s high pollution. You’ll find boutique hostels like Casa Pepe for $18/night dorms, budget hotels like Hotel Catedral for $42/night, and street tacos start at $0.75 each. Museums (Museo Frida Kahlo, National Anthropology) are $4-6 entry, and the Metro is just 30¢ per ride. February is before the big Easter rush, so prices are low and lines are short.
Hanoi, Vietnam, is dry and cool in February, with highs near 68°F (20°C). The Tet Lunar New Year falls late January or early February, so plan to arrive after for fewer crowds. Guesthouses in the Old Quarter are $15-22/night, and steaming bowls of pho are $1.50. Grab rideshare is $1-2 across town. Sights like the Temple of Literature or Hoan Kiem Lake are free or $1 entry.
Budapest, Hungary, is one of Europe’s cheapest capitals even in winter. February highs are cold (43°F/6°C), but thermal baths like Széchenyi and Gellért are open ($20-25 entry). Hostels in District VII are $13-20/night, hotels like Ibis Styles are $58-75/night. Metro tickets are $1.20. February is festival season: the Mangalica Pork Festival in Liberty Square is mid-month, and you can eat your fill for under $10.
Marrakech, Morocco, sees mild weather (70°F/21°C) and low-season hotel rates in February. Riads in the Medina are $28-45/night, and street food in Jemaa el-Fnaa is $3-5/meal. Long-distance buses to the Atlas Mountains cost $7-10, and day tours to Essaouira are $11-15. Most museums and palaces are $6 entry. The city feels quieter before the spring tourist rush.
How to Book Your February Trip
Travorio makes February trip planning easier by letting you pay your way. You can book flights from 500+ airlines, and filter hotels by price, cancellation, or amenities. If you want to split your costs, Sezzle lets you pay in 4 over 6 weeks at 0% interest for US and Canadian travelers. PayPal Pay Later is also available for instant approval at checkout. For digital nomads and crypto fans, Travorio accepts over 100 cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, USDT, and SOL.
To maximize savings, search for flights 2-3 months ahead for international trips, or 4-6 weeks for domestic. Travorio’s flexible dates tool shows you the cheapest days to fly. Major routes in February include JetBlue and Delta to Cancun, Emirates to Maldives (via Dubai), and Air France to Rio (via Paris). For hotels, Travorio displays both standard and pay-later rates, so you can lock in a room even if you’re waiting for your next paycheck.
You can also book hotels with Pay Later and see all payment options at checkout. If you’re traveling as a group, split the payment across multiple cards or wallets. Most major hotels and airlines on Travorio support these options, but check for the “Pay in 4” or crypto icons before booking.
Don’t forget to sign up for price alerts on Travorio, especially if you’re eyeing Carnival, Mardi Gras, or Chinese New Year routes. Prices spike for festival weeks, so booking early is key. If you’re using crypto, rates lock in at the moment of payment, so you won’t get burned by sudden swings. Last tip: check for visa requirements and travel insurance before booking any non-refundable rates.
Top 10 February Destinations
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered clearly and concisely
Hanoi, Vietnam, is hard to beat for value in February. You can find hostel beds for $8-14/night, local meals for $1-2, and rideshares for $1-2 across the city. Mexico City is another ultra-budget pick, with daily costs around $30-40 if you eat street food and use public transit.
Phuket, Thailand, and the Maldives both reach 88-90°F (31-32°C) in February, with sea temperatures around 82°F (28°C). Rio de Janeiro is also hot, with highs near 89°F (32°C), but humidity can make it feel warmer. If you want dry heat, Dubai hits 77°F (25°C) but with lower humidity.
Phuket, Thailand, has wide sandy beaches, gentle waves, and lots of family-friendly resorts like Katathani and Sunwing Kamala. Day trips to Phuket Elephant Sanctuary or Splash Jungle Water Park are easy and affordable. Mexico’s Riviera Maya is another great pick for all-ages fun.
Venice, Italy, is classic for romance during Carnevale, when the city is filled with masked balls and candlelit gondola rides. The Maldives is also a top choice for couples, with overwater bungalows and private sandbanks for two. Bora Bora offers similar luxury with Polynesian flair.
Yes. Most Caribbean nations, Mexico, much of Europe (Schengen), Thailand, Japan, and Morocco are visa-free for US and Canadian passport holders for stays between 30 and 90 days. Always check entry requirements before you book, as some countries require proof of onward travel or travel insurance.
For pure sand and sea, the Maldives stands out for its clear water, coral reefs, and sunny skies. Playa del Carmen in Mexico is another strong pick, with warm water and plenty of direct flights. Cape Town offers dramatic scenery, though the Atlantic is on the chilly side.
Venice, Italy, is at its most atmospheric during Carnevale, with events running for nearly two weeks. Budapest is a great budget choice, with winter festivals and open thermal baths. Lisbon has mild weather, blooming trees, and fewer tourists than in spring or summer.
New Orleans is top for February thanks to Mardi Gras, with parades, jazz, and Cajun cuisine. Florida’s Miami Beach is another warm option, with highs near 77°F (25°C) and Art Deco hotels starting at $110/night. Hawaii (especially Maui) is also superb for beaches and whale watching.
If you’re traveling around Carnival, Mardi Gras, or Lunar New Year, book flights and hotels 4-6 months ahead. For most other destinations, 2-3 months is ideal for international trips. Domestic US flights are usually cheapest 4-6 weeks before departure, except during Presidents’ Day week.
Most February hotspots avoid hurricanes and monsoons, but some places have microclimates. Maldives and Bora Bora can see short, heavy showers. Rio can get humid and rainy, especially late February. Patagonia and New Zealand are mostly dry, but pack a rain shell just in case.
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