Where to go when guide
Tied to school holidays, keen to miss the monsoon season or hoping for an off season deal?
Where is hot in February?
Sometimes February can feel like being stuck in an eternal holding pattern for spring – thank goodness it’s a short month. It’s a quiet time in some parts of the world and a low season for travel in much of the darker, colder parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Yet while you wait for lighter days and signs of life in the garden, elsewhere February is fabulous: a month of Mardi Gras, festivities, harvests and peak temperatures.
It’s time you gave February some love. Make this short and sweet month extra sweet – and sunny too – with our guide.
It’s time you gave February some love. Make this short and sweet month extra sweet – and sunny too – with our guide.
Brazil: for Rio Carnival celebrations
It’s the world’s largest party: carnival takes over Rio de Janeiro in February: street parties, parades, costumed balls, and samba competitions in a purpose-built Sambodrome. This is the biggest and brightest of Brazil’s carnival celebrations, which take place across the country. Samba aside, quickstep here for some great weather. February is the hottest month of the year in Rio de Janeiro. There’s an average daily high of 30°C, and seven hours of daily sunshine.
Think February for a Brazil wildlife holiday featuring waterfalls and beaches
Cambodia: for nine hours of sunshine a day
Add Cambodia to your list of February destinations for sun – this is the last month of peak tourist season, and a great time of year in most of Southeast Asia if you’re interested in a multi-country combo. You can expect average daily highs of 32°C at Phnom Penh and nine hours of daily sunshine in what is one of the driest months of the year. This is a good time to explore: visit the temples of Angkor Wat, sail up the Mekong River, or cruise shore to shore on Tonle Sap. Get in now: the temperature climbs to the mid-30°Cs next month and it becomes very humid.Costa Rica: for making the most of both coasts
Views of volcanoes unobstructed by cloud: this is one of Costa Rica’s driest months and you’re getting an average of seven hours a day of sunshine. With daily highs of 30°C in Tortuquero National Park, 33°C in Tamarindo – the latter with sea temperature a lovely 27°C, you can make the most of both coasts. Unsurprisingly, given its perfect weather, February is a busy time of year in the country. Local guides can help take you off the beaten track. Look out for fruits in season in local markets: from star apples to sun-ripened melons.
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New Zealand: for perfect cycling weather
For many, New Zealand is at least one long-haul flight away – so if you’re going to make the journey, come at the best time of year. February is late summer and the hottest month of the year. It’s warm in Wellington, North Island and Christchurch, South Island with highs of 20°C and 22°C respectively, there’s seven hours of sunshine a day and it’s the driest time of year. It’s a great time of year to attempt the Tour Aotearoa – cycling the length of New Zealand – as the weather is good and dry through most of the country. Or just do a section of it, like a normal person.
Think February for a New Zealand small group holiday
Sri Lanka: for wildlife, hill country and beaches
Is it beach time, wildlife watching time or time to head to the highlands? The answer in February is all three. On Sri Lanka’s beaches, it’s perfect: expect average daily highs of 31°C, nine hours of sunshine and sea temperatures of 28°C. There are very few rainy days about. This dry weather also means it’s easier to see wildlife – elephants and other animals converge on water sources. Seeking some shade? It’s cooler inland in the hill country, expect highs of around 22°C in Nuwara Elia, and it’s also nice and dry underfoot for hiking.Tasmania: for the state’s driest, warmest weather
If you want to visit Tasmania, this is the month. February, late summer in the Southern Hemisphere, is one of the warmest times of year in the island state: expect an average daily high of 20°C and lows of 10°C, with seven hours a day of sunshine. There’s some rain about, but this is one of the driest months – a great time for a multi-day tramp along the Freycinet Peninsula Circuit or at Cradle Mountain. February is also wine festival time, and every two years Hobart hosts the state’s largest free festival: the Wooden Boat Festival, featuring tall ships, small ships… a whole heap of teak.Trinidad & Tobago: for carnivals & a calm coast
This twin island nation is a story of two halves in February. On one hand, it’s carnival central: the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is celebrated across the islands – with huge celebrations of Calypso and Soca, steel pans and stilt dancers in the Port of Spain leaving a tide of feathers and spangles in its wake. On the other hand, this is perfect beach weather and you can hole up on quiet Tobago at a beach resort. There are average daily highs of 30°C, eight hours of sunshine, 26°C sea temperature, and it’s one of the driest months.
Think February for a relaxing break in this Tobago beach accommodation
Zanzibar: for prime sun lounger time
Calling all sun-seekers. It’s hot and dry in Zanzibar this month, with average daily highs of 32°C, eight hours of sun a day and very little rain falling on this idyllic Tanzanian island. The Indian Ocean is hot: 28°C, and visibility is good for snorkellers as rains have not washed sediment into the water. In the wider area, Mafia Island presents a quieter alternative to Zanzibar, and Kenya’s beaches are warm too. It’s a popular time to climb Kilimanjaro, whilst Tanzania safaris will be hot and dry and far quieter than in the peak summer period – this is the final month before the long Masika rains.More Best places to go in February articles
Tigers, salsa lessons and Northern Lights – there’s more to February than ski slopes.
Wildlife watchers, Antarctic cruisers, and fitness fans will love our best places to holiday.
Our top 10 February holidays explore winter sun, cultural touring and fantastic wildlife watching.
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