Best holiday destinations in February
Maldives
Temperature: Average daily maximum (28 to 31°C), Average daily minimum (26°C to 27°C)
Travel Time from the UK: Nonstop flights: Ten and half hours; Connecting flights: Upwards of 12 and half hours
Time Difference: The Maldives is five hours ahead of the UK
Weather: Driest month of the year with an average of 10 hours of sunshine and excellent water visibility
Main Watchout: Snorkelling and diving
Bright and clear skies and cerulean blue waters act like a magnet and attract travellers from around the world to the island nation of the Maldives. Revel under a warm sun, dig your toes into the soft sands of your resort’s private beach or dive in for an underwater exploration of the house reef. Either way, sunny Maldives is one the best places to holiday in February and the perfect island break to relieve your winter fatigue.
Iceland
Temperature: Average daily maximum (-4°C), Average daily minimum (-1°C)
Travel time from the UK: Nonstop flights: Around three hours; Connecting flights: Around five hours
Time difference: Nil
Weather: Expect rain, snow and windy conditions
Main Watchout: Northern Lights and the Winter Lights Festival in Reykjavik
Stark, serene and utterly mesmerising, Iceland is one of the best holiday destinations in February for its unreal landscapes and winter experiences. A short flight from London allows you to tour ice caves and get up close to majestic glaciers. While it is a quiet period to visit Iceland, the illuminations from the Northern Lights and Winter Lights festival keep things lively and vibrant in the country.
Antarctica
Temperature: Average daily maximum (-6°C), Average daily minimum (-11°C to -12°C)
Travel time from the UK: Most cruises leave from Ushuaia, Argentina; Connecting flight to Ushuaia: 22 to 23 hours
Time difference: Antarctica is 13 hours ahead of the UK
Weather: Sunny days, bright skies with 15 to 17 hours of daylight and sub-zero temperatures are the norm
Main Watchout: It’s prime wildlife viewing time!
It’s peak whale-watching season in Antarctica, making it a great choice if you are wondering where to go abroad in February. With the sea ice retreating to its maximum level, the stage is set to spot humpbacks, orcas, blue whales, minkes and more. Watch newborn penguins take their first steps and seals at their predatory best. With incredible sunrises and sunsets, it’s also a fantastic time for landscape photographers to capture the most enchanting frames.
Costa Rica
Temperature: Average daily maximum (28°C to 32°C), Average daily minimum (18°C to 22°C)
Travel time from the UK: Nonstop flights: 11.5 hours; Connecting flights: Upwards of 14 hours
Time difference: Costa Rica is six hours behind the UK
Weather: Mostly dry weather, sunny skies and warm temperatures. The Caribbean coast sees some rainfall.
Main Watchout: Puntarenas Carnival
The sparkling blues of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast and the lush greens of its teeming jungles makes the country an easy answer to where to go on holiday in February. Sunny skies and dry weather conditions make Costa Rica’s coastal and inland destinations a welcome change to the UK’s dull and cloudy days. It’s also a great time to experience Costa Rica’s colourful culture through festivals and celebrations.
New Orleans
Temperature: Average daily maximum (18°C), Average daily minimum (10°C)
Travel time from the UK: Nonstop flights: Around ten hours; Connecting flights: 12.5 hours
Time difference: New Orleans is six hours behind the UK
Weather: Sunny or partly sunny conditions, along with dry weather, dominate during the month. Daytime temperatures are perfect for sightseeing though nighttimes can get a little chilly.
Main Watchout: Mardi Gras celebrations
Paragraph: With Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day falling during this month, a holiday in New Orleans in February is filled with colour and celebrations. Mild weather conditions make walking through the French Quarters, exploring the city’s historic neighbourhoods or being part of vibrant parades a joyful affair. Take a cruise down the Mississippi River, be part of the Vietnamese Tet celebrations and savour the local and seasonal speciality, King Cake!
Kerala
Temperature: Average daily maximum (32°C), Average daily minimum (24°C)
Travel time from the UK: Nonstop flight to Cochin, Kerala: Around nine and a half hours; Connecting flights: Upwards of 12 hours
Time difference: Kerala is five and a half hours ahead of the UK
Weather: Warm temperatures, dry days, and sunny skies are the norm during the month. Humidity is around 70%
Main Watchout: Theyyam festival
Kerala is at the fag end of its dry winter season. But winters in this coastal state are all about balmy temperatures and beach-perfect weather. Float down Kerala’s serene backwaters, check into an Ayurvedic retreat or spend time sipping on cups of flavourful tea in Munnar. The month is also filled with cultural events, the most notable being the Theyyam festival in Kasargod. Though the month is part of the high season in Kerala, it is not as busy as December or January.
Brazil
Temperature: Average daily maximum (31°C), Average daily minimum (24°C)
Travel time from the UK: Nonstop flight to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo: 12 hrs
Time difference: Brazil is three hours behind the UK
Weather: It’s summer in Brazil so expect warm weather with some precipitation, mostly in the northern and central regions of the country
Main Watchout: Carnivals
With the entire country in a party mood, Brazil is a top destination for holidays in February. Be part of the Rio Carnival, the biggest of its kind in the world and the grand celebrations surrounding it. Warm temperatures throughout the country make it perfect for spending time at some of the country’s lively beaches. While the month is part of the rainy season, the southern parts of the country are shining bright with plenty of dry days. It’s one of the busiest times of the year, so book ahead.
Chile
Temperature: Average daily maximum (26°C), Average daily minimum (12°C)
Travel time from the UK: Nonstop flights to Santiago: Around 15 hours
Time difference: Chile is three hours behind the UK
Weather: February is the last month of summer in Chile. Expect clear skies, dry days and plenty of sunshine
Main Watchout: Easter Island and Patagonia
Great weather conditions make this one of the most popular months to travel to Chile. Chile’s beach towns are buzzing with locals and international travellers, and it’s an excellent time for outdoor activities such as hiking, white water rafting, boat tours and more in the Lake District. It is the best time to experience the magnificent scenery of Torres del Paine National Park. On Easter Island, the Tapati Rapa Nui festival gives visitors a peek into Polynesian culture.
Argentina
Temperature: Average daily maximum (25°C), Average daily minimum (19°C)
Travel time from the UK: Nonstop flights to Buenos Aires: Around 14 hours; Connecting flights: Upwards of 16 hours
Time difference: Argentina is three hours behind the UK
Weather: It’s the last month of summer in Argentina. Expect warm days with lots of sunshine and a fair bit of humidity. Towns along the Atlantic coast experience milder temperatures with a cool sea breeze.
Main Watchout: Outdoor activities in Patagonia and festivals and carnivals in different parts of the country
If you are wondering where to go in February for a colourful and culturally rich experience, Argentina rises to the top. Bright, sunny days and warm temperatures set the stage for a beach holiday or even an action-packed one in stunning Argentinian Patagonia. Head out on day trips or multi-day treks in Los Glaciares National Park, or sign up for boat excursions and spot penguins and sea lions in Ushuaia. The Buenos Aires Tango festival and the carnival in Gualeguaychu provide a window into the arts and heritage of this vibrant country.
Thailand
Temperature: Average daily maximum (32°C), Average daily minimum (23°C)
Travel time from the UK: Nonstop flights to Bangkok: 11 to 12 hours; Connecting flights: Upwards of 13 hours
Time difference: Thailand is seven hours ahead of the UK
Weather: Daytime highs in the northern part of Thailand hover in the low to mid-20s, while further south, temperatures are in the high 20s or break into the 30s. Dry weather conditions prevail in the central and northern parts of the country.
Main Watchout: Chiang Mai Flower Festival
It’s the last month of Thailand’s cool, dry season, which means that weather conditions are favourable for any activity. Head to the beach towns on the west coast, such as Phuket and Krabi, for excellent snorkelling, diving, and a blissful beach holiday. Conditions are also great in the northern regions. Revel in springtime feels at the Chiang Mai Flower Festival or trek through the mountains of Chiang Rai.
Let's Chat
We have answers to all your questions.
Start planning your dream trip by talking to our Destination Specialists
Sign up for our newsletter
Receive the latest travel inspiration and destination news.
Three Easy Steps to a Tailor-made Holiday
The Hayes & Jarvis Way
Since 1952, our travel experts have been traversing the world to connect you with the very best our 60+ destinations have to offer. Tell us what your dream trip entails and we will craft it for you with precision and passion.