Where to go in February: 9 places at their best
February is the shortest month and one of the most useful for planning. The northern hemisphere is still in winter, with cold cities, good snow and the lowest hotel prices of the year in many European capitals. The southern hemisphere is at the end of summer, with warm seas, long evenings and a Carnival season that has its own calendar.
The month also holds school breaks. Many places in Europe and North America have a half-term week in February, which fills ski resorts and short flights, and Lunar New Year, which falls in late January or February, moves millions of people around Asia. Book those dates early, or choose somewhere those holidays do not touch. Here are nine places that are properly good in February.
The pattern to notice is that the best February trips are either clearly warm or clearly cold. The in-between latitudes, such as the Mediterranean and most of northern Europe, are at their greyest, so we have left them out until spring.
South Africa
Cape Town is in the middle of its summer: hot and dry days, long light evenings, and beaches and wine estates at their best. A strong southeasterly wind often blows in the afternoon, so plan hikes and the cable car for the morning. Christmas and January are the school holidays, so February is calmer and cheaper than the weeks before. Kruger and the north are hot and wet at this time of year, so save safari for the dry winter months. Our Cape Town itinerary shows how to spend four days, and the South Africa travel guide covers the Garden Route and beyond.
Brazil
Summer in Rio and Salvador is hot and humid, with afternoon storms and beaches full of people. Carnival falls in the days before Lent, in February or March depending on the year, and Rio, Salvador, Olinda and Recife each celebrate it in their own way. Book flights and rooms many months ahead and expect very high prices. If crowds are not for you, go in the weeks either side and see the same places in peace. The Brazil travel guide explains the regions.
Kenya
January and February are the short dry season, and they are the quieter of Kenya's two good safari windows. It is hot and dry, game viewing is excellent, and there are fewer vehicles at each sighting than in the busy months. The coast is a good place for a beach week afterwards. The wildebeest migration is in Tanzania at this time, not the Maasai Mara, so choose a trip based on the resident animals rather than the crossings. Read the Kenya travel guide.
Argentina
February is high summer, and Patagonia is at its best for trekking at El Chaltén and seeing the glaciers. Argentine school holidays make it busy and expensive, so book lodges and flights well in advance. Buenos Aires is hot and humid and quiet in places, as many residents leave in the heat. The grape harvest in Mendoza begins in February and March, which makes the wine region a good second stop. Carnival is celebrated in the north-west with water, flour and parades. Use the Buenos Aires itinerary and the Argentina travel guide.
Singapore
Singapore is hot and humid all year, but February to April is usually the driest and sunniest stretch, so it is the best time to walk outdoors and visit the gardens. Chinese New Year falls in January or February, and when it does, Chinatown is lit up and many family-run shops close for a few days. Book hotels ahead for those dates. The Singapore itinerary works well as a stopover or a stand-alone break, and the Singapore travel guide has the detail.
Philippines
The dry season runs from November to April, and February is among the most comfortable months: less rain, calmer seas and sunshine for the islands. December to February is cooler and the busiest period, so book flights and island ferries early. Festivals such as the Sinulog in Cebu, which is usually held in January, and the Ati-Atihan, also in January, fill the calendar just before. Typhoons are rare in this season. See the Philippines travel guide.
Mexico
The dry season is in full swing, so Mexico City, Oaxaca and the beaches are all sunny and warm. Nights are cool in the highlands. Whale watching in Baja California Sur runs from about December to April, when grey whales and humpbacks come to the warm lagoons. Christmas and New Year are the busiest coast weeks, so February is easier. Mexico City is cool at night and mild in the day, which makes walking pleasant. Start with the Mexico City itinerary and the Mexico travel guide.
Malaysia
December to February is the dry season on the west coast of the peninsula, which makes it the best time for Penang, Langkawi, Ipoh and Malacca. The east coast and its islands are in monsoon and many resorts there close, so choose west. Kuala Lumpur gets a heavy shower in the late afternoon in any month, so plan museums and malls for then. Chinese New Year can fall in the month, which means busy trains and full hotels around the holiday. Details are in the Malaysia travel guide.
Switzerland
February is peak ski season, with reliable snow at altitude, thermal baths and cities that are quiet and clear in the cold. It is also the school holiday time, so resorts are at their busiest. Many hiking trails close, but winter walking paths stay open. If you are not skiing, a train ride through the Alps is still one of the best things to do, and the lake cities are calm. The Switzerland travel guide and our advice on planning a ski trip help you choose a resort.
Planning a trip for February
The first rule is to check whether your dates hit a holiday. Half-term weeks, Lunar New Year and Carnival all push prices up and fill the transport, and they move each year, so look up the dates before you search for flights. Our guide to how far in advance to book explains how long you need.
If you want sun without paying for the peak, pick a place in the dry season that has no holiday in the month, such as Mexico, Malaysia or Kenya. If you want snow, aim for the weeks outside school breaks. For more on trading dates for price, read about shoulder-season travel.
February is also a good month to plan a trip for later in the year. Prices for summer flights and rooms are often announced early, and the long evenings are still far enough off that you can agree dates with friends without a rush. Sketch the route now, and you will have time to fill in the days properly.
