In the middle of winter, tourism increases in many normally crowded destinations. It’s also the height of climate extremes on both ends of the spectrum, from deserts to Antarctica.
Read recent reviews from travelers to understand what makes a trip great. Don’t miss the rest of our Where to Go series, where we introduce the best destinations for each month of the year.
belize
Imagine yourself enjoying this overwater bungalow on Tobacco Cay off the coast of Belize.Photo: Shutterstock
Direct flights to Belize depart from several U.S. cities just three hours away. Once there, explore some of the world’s best coral reefs, visit uncrowded Mayan ruins, learn to scuba dive (like Wendy’s son did), or catch a 100-pound tarpon. (Now that my husband is busy) I can relax next to the sparkling Caribbean waters. Alternatively, you can charter your own yacht and enjoy amazing snorkeling, sunbathing, and kayaking.
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chile and argentina
Chile’s Atacama Desert is a stargazer’s paradise.
It’s summer in the southern hemisphere. That means ideal weather almost everywhere in Chile and Argentina, from Chile’s Lake District to the wine region of Mendoza to Patagonia. (Be careful, though, as temperatures in Buenos Aires can reach the high 90s.) If you’re heading to the Atacama Desert, consider the beginning of the month, when the lack of moonlight makes the night sky even more impressive than usual. Please set your travel time to .
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Mexico
Monarch butterflies are in full bloom in Michoacán in February. Photo: Scott Clark/Flickr
February is the best time to see migrating monarch butterflies in Michoacán’s Oyamel Forest. He travels 3,000 miles from the United States and Canada, where millions of butterflies begin arriving at their wintering grounds in mid-November. They stay until late March, but February is ideal as butterflies fly around more in the sun as temperatures rise.
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Nicaragua
Enjoy the tranquility of Isla Jicaro, a private island resort on Lake Nicaragua.Photo: Jikalo Island
February is the height of Nicaragua’s dry season and the last month before temperatures become uncomfortably hot. The best quality properties are small and intimate. We offer comfortable restored colonial properties in cities such as León and Granada, as well as ecolodges along the San Juan River, on islands in Lake Nicaragua, and on the coasts of the Caribbean and South Pacific. Despite its decades-old reputation, Nicaragua has a very low crime rate and is one of the safest countries in the Americas. It’s not a democracy, but the only danger is people who are actively politically opposed to the government.
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skiing in the alps
February is the perfect time for a ski trip to Europe.Photo: Shutterstock
February is the best time to ski in Europe. The season is late enough that you can expect great, well-maintained snow. The longer days also mean more time on the slopes (or you can explore the charming Alpine villages nearby). Whether your home base is a ski-in/ski-out hotel or a fully staffed chalet that can accommodate the whole family, we can connect you with the right professionals.
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Costa Rica
February is the beginning of the quetzal breeding season and is the best time to spot quetzals in Costa Rica’s cloud forests. Photo: William Grandados R. Photography
February is the middle of Costa Rica’s dry season. Fill your day with hiking through the jungle, birdwatching in the cloud forest, and visiting small sugar cane and coffee plantations. And, of course, take plenty of time to relax along the country’s famous coastline.
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Panama
Bastimentos Island is a 10-minute boat ride from bustling Bocas del Toro, off the coast of Panama.Photo: Shutterstock
January and February are the best months of the year in Panama, with low humidity and cool breezes in the mornings and afternoons. The sun sets a little early, but the sunsets are spectacular.
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Lake Titicaca, Peru
Fiesta de la Candelaria is one of Peru’s biggest festivals.
Every February, Fiesta de la Candelaria, which combines Catholic and Andean traditions, is held in Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. This is one of the largest festivals in the country and is celebrated with performances, processions and competitions over several days, with dancers from all over Peru and Bolivia.
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Iceland
Aurora. Photo: Camil Grigo/Pixabay
February is one of the darkest months of the year in Iceland, increasing your chances of seeing the spectacular Northern Lights. The Winter Lights Festival also takes place during this time, with beautiful art installations and cultural events taking place across Reykjavík. Winter can be harsh and unpredictable, making some activities unavailable, but the dramatic snowy scenery, and the increased time locals give tourists, make this month especially rewarding. After a day of glacier hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling or heli-skiing, it’s time to soak in the natural hot springs (which you might want to have all to yourself at this time of year) and rest your tired muscles.
Read our review of our WOW trip to Iceland. Use the black button below to get your very own WOW trip and VIP treatment.
antarctica cruise
Zodiac cruise around the Antarctic ice.Photo: Abby Spurio
By February, the sea ice melts, allowing longer voyages and the best whale watching when humpback whales surface to feed. The short autumn days offer a chance to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis, or tropical lights. Additionally, the icebergs are beautifully sculpted by the summer winds, reflecting the sun’s rays like giant crystal chandeliers, and these late-season departures often have special offers.
Read our review of the WOW trip to Antarctica. Use the black button below to get your very own WOW trip and VIP treatment.
Southern Thailand
Longtail boat off the coast of Phi Phi Leh Island, Thailand. Photo: Juan_Luis Pixabay
February is ideal for southern Thailand. At this time of year, even after the crowded peak season, the seas are still relatively calm, and sunny skies and cool temperatures prevail before the heat returns in April.
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Cambodia
These monks have Angkor Wat all to themselves at sunrise.Photo: Timothy Baker
It’s early February, and the worst of the hot, muggy weather has yet to arrive, but the huge crowds that flock to Angkor Wat in January have already departed (although, to avoid the crowds when new Chinese tourists arrive, the worst of the hot, muggy weather has yet to arrive). Please make sure to arrive after February 10th).
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botswana
Elephant conflict in Botswana.Photo: Wilderness Safaris/Caroline Calvert
Prices are 40% cheaper in February than during the peak season, and the rain makes the vegetation lush. Periodic thunderstorms often produce beautiful rainbows, which provide a great backdrop for photos. Additionally, many wild animals, such as zebras, wildebeest, and antelopes, give birth to babies, and the number of predators tends to increase as prey becomes more abundant. This is also the time when migratory birds with their exquisitely colored breeding plumage settle in.
Read our review of WOW trip to Botswana. Use the black button below to get your very own WOW trip and VIP treatment.
UAE and Oman
Camel caravan in Qasr Al Sarab, Abu Dhabi.Photo: Timothy Baker
February is one of the coolest months of the year for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman, with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s. This makes it the perfect time to camp in Oman’s open areas, where the sand dunes are endless. Visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi (most of which is outdoors). You can also stroll among Dubai’s towering skyscrapers.
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Other smart options this month
Click on any of the destinations below to find out why February is a great time to travel.
North America
British Columbia: Snowsports and Northern Lights
Jackson Hole and Grand Teton: Skiing
Oahu: Whale Watching
Rocky Mountains: Skiing (first half of the month)
south america
Brazil: Rio de Janeiro and Trancoso
Colombia: Cartagena and Bogotá
Galapagos Islands: swimming and snorkeling
Europe
athens
Norway: winter activities
Paris: winter sale
Switzerland: skiing and winter fun
Venice: Carnevale
Asia
asia cruise
China: Yunnan province
India: Delhi, Agra, Taj Mahal, Mumbai
Myanmar
low altitude areas of nepal
seychelles
Sri Lanka
Vietnam: Central Coast
africa and middle east
africa cruise
Cape Town and Winelands, South Africa
Australia and the Pacific
New Zealand: Bay of Islands and Queenstown
sydney
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