February Leave List
Sunshine, wildlife and unforgettable escapes.
Where to travel in February?
February is the perfect month for escaping winter. While much of Europe is still cold, dark and firmly in the middle of winter, plenty of destinations around the world are enjoying sunshine, warm temperatures and ideal conditions for exploring.
From tropical islands and Caribbean beaches to safari adventures, colourful cities and cultural escapes, February offers plenty of ways to swap grey skies for something a little more exciting.
And if you’d rather embrace winter than escape it, there are still some spectacular snowy destinations where February is made for skiing, Northern Lights and Arctic adventures.
Best Places to Visit in February
Sunshine, beaches & warm weather
Philippines
Perfect for: Islands, beaches, snorkelling & adventure
Average temperature: Around 25–30°C
Season: Dry season
With thousands of islands to choose from, the Philippines is made for a February escape. The weather is warm and generally dry, making it a great time to spend your days moving between turquoise lagoons, white-sand beaches and colourful underwater worlds.
Best things to do: Island hop around Palawan, explore El Nido and Coron, swim in turquoise lagoons, snorkel with marine life, discover Siargao or simply find a quiet stretch of tropical beach to call your own.
Jamaica
Perfect for: Beaches, waterfalls, music & adventure
Average temperature: Around 25–30°C
Season: Dry season
Jamaica is much more than a beach holiday. February brings warm, sunny weather and relatively little rain, giving you the freedom to combine lazy days by the sea with waterfalls, mountains, music and some of the Caribbean’s best food.
Best things to do: Relax on Seven Mile Beach, swim beneath waterfalls, explore the Blue Mountains, discover Kingston’s music scene and visit the Bob Marley Museum. February is also Reggae Month, with celebrations and events taking place across the island, including tributes around Bob Marley’s birthday on 6 February
Cuba
Perfect for: Beaches, culture, history & old-world charm
Average temperature: Around 20–27°C
Season: Dry season
Cuba offers something a little different from the classic Caribbean escape. Spend a few days getting lost among the colourful streets and historic buildings of Havana before heading to the coast for some proper beach time. February’s warm, mostly dry weather makes it a particularly good time to combine the two.
Best things to do: Explore Old Havana, see the city in a classic American car, visit Trinidad, discover Cuban music and culture or finish your trip relaxing on the beaches of Varadero or the islands of the north coast.
Colombia
Perfect for: Beaches, colourful cities, coffee & culture
Average temperature: Around 25–30°C on the Caribbean coast
Season: Dry season in many regions
Colombia offers the kind of variety that makes it easy to build an exciting trip around your time off. Start with the colourful streets and colonial architecture of Cartagena, head out to the Caribbean coast or venture inland to discover coffee country and the mountains around Medellín.
Best things to do: Explore Cartagena’s colourful old town, relax on the Caribbean coast, visit the Rosario Islands, discover Medellín or explore the coffee region around Salento.
Wildlife & Adventure
Sri Lanka
Perfect for: Beaches, wildlife, culture& adventure
Average temperature: Around 25–30°C on the south coast
Season: Dry season in the south & west coats
If you’re looking for a destination that gives you a bit of everything, Sri Lanka is hard to beat. The south and west coasts are warm and relatively dry in February, making it a great time to combine beach days with wildlife, temples and scenic train journeys through the highlands.
Best things to do: Relax on the beaches around Mirissa and Unawatuna, go on safari in Yala National Park, spot elephants, explore Galle Fort, visit the tea plantations around Ella or take a scenic train through the hill country.
Nicaragua
Perfect for: Volcanoes, beaches, surf & adventure
Average temperature: Around 25–30°C
Season: Dry season
February is an excellent time to explore Nicaragua, with warm, dry weather and plenty of sunshine across the country. It’s also a great-value destination for travellers looking for something more adventurous than a traditional beach escape.
Best things to do: Climb or hike a volcano, surf around San Juan del Sur, explore the colourful streets of Granada, kayak through Lake Nicaragua or visit the volcanic island of Ometepe.
Tanzania
Perfect for: Safari, wildlife & beaches
Average temperature: Around 25–30°C
Season:*Dry season / calving season
For a safari with a very special twist, February is an exciting time to visit Tanzania. The Serengeti is in the middle of the Great Migration’s calving season, when thousands of wildebeest are born and predators are never far away. Add in the possibility of finishing your trip on Zanzibar’s beaches and you have an incredible combination of adventure and relaxation.
Best things to do: Watch the Great Migration calving season in the Serengeti, see lions and elephants, explore the Ngorongoro Crater, visit Tarangire National Park or finish your trip relaxing on the beaches of Zanzibar.
India
Perfect for: Culture, history, food & colourful cities
Average temperature: Around 15–25°C in Rajasthan
Season: Dry season
Northern India is much easier to explore before the intense heat of spring arrives, making February a great time to discover Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle. From grand forts and palaces to bustling markets and some of the world’s most famous monuments, this is a trip that packs an incredible amount into a relatively short holiday.
Best things to do: Explore Delhi, visit the Taj Mahal in Agra, discover Jaipur’s palaces and forts, wander through the blue streets of Jodhpur or spend a few nights experiencing Rajasthan’s desert landscapes.
Winter Escape
Norway
Perfect for: Northern Lights, Arctic adventures & snow
Average temperature: Around -5 to 2°C in northern Norway
Season: Arctic winter
For a completely different kind of February escape, head north to Norway. The Arctic landscape is covered in snow, the nights are still long enough for Northern Lights hunting and there are plenty of ways to experience the wilderness beyond simply admiring it.
Best things to do: Chase the Northern Lights around Tromsø, go dog sledding, explore the fjords, try snowmobiling, go whale watching or experience a traditional Arctic sauna. By February, the days are also beginning to get noticeably longer.
French Alps
Perfect for: Skiing, snowboarding, mountain scenery & après-ski
Average temperature: Around -5 to 5°C in the mountains
Season: Peak ski season
For an easy winter escape from the UK, the French Alps offer some of Europe’s best skiing, spectacular mountain scenery and a huge choice of resorts. February is right in the heart of the ski season, with good snow conditions and long days on the slopes.
Best things to do: Ski or snowboard in Chamonix, Val d’Isère or Méribel, explore alpine villages, enjoy a long lunch on the mountain or finish the day with some classic après-ski. If you’re travelling during UK half-term, book early as February is one of the busiest periods of the season.
Why travel in February ?
February is made for escaping winter. While much of Europe is still cold and grey, some of the world’s most exciting destinations are enjoying sunshine, warm temperatures and ideal conditions for exploring.
You can:
- Chase the sun on tropical islands and Caribbean beaches
- Go on safari during some of the year’s most exciting wildlife experiences
- Explore colourful cities, ancient sites and vibrant cultures
- Embrace winter with skiing, snow and Northern Lights adventures
And with Europe still in the depths of winter, February is a great opportunity to trade grey skies for sunshine, adventure or a completely different kind of landscape.