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Where to Go in February: The Best Places to Travel
This list represents U.S. travelers’ best bets for February 2022 specifically, when it comes to a combo of good weather, reduction of Covid-related risks, and favorable conditions for local activities: With the right local expert arranging your trip, you can spend most of your time in the open air, keep socially distanced, and limit your activities to places with high vaccination rates and low rate of local spread. If you’re hesitant to travel abroad right now, read these reviews to see how happy the travelers are who are doing just that. For more pandemic travel solutions, see our Covid-19 travel advice. Don’t miss the rest of our “Where to Go” series on the best destinations for every month of the year.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park in winter. Photo: tpsdave/Pixabay
In February, Yellowstone is a winter wonderland with limited visitors. Take advantage of this excellent opportunity to see wildlife—elk, bison, even wolves—and to cross-country ski, snowshoe, and ride in snowmobiles or heated snow coaches.
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Saguaro cacti, Arizona. Photo: samuriah/Pixabay
This park’s two sections—the Tucson Mountain District and the Rincon Mountain District—lie in the Sonoran Desert to the west and east, respectively, of the city of Tucson. The weather there is not as extreme in winter, when daytime temperatures range from the low 50s to the high 70s (it can get up to triple digits in summer). Explore its trails by foot or horse to see the continent’s largest cacti, the namesake of the park.
Belize
Nonstop flights to Belize take off from several U.S. cities that are only about three hours away. Once you’re there you can explore world-class coral reefs, visit uncrowded Mayan ruins, learn to scuba dive (as Wendy’s son did), fish for 100-pound tarpon (which kept her husband busy), and laze beside sparkling Caribbean waters—or you can charter your own private yacht, enjoying fabulous snorkeling, sunbathing, kayaking, and plenty of distance from everyone except your captain and first mate.
Read reviews of WOW trips to Belize during the pandemic. To get your own WOW trip and VIP treatment, use the black button below.
Mexico
Picture yourself at this private villa in Punta de Mita. Photo: Journey Mexico
Got the late-winter blues? A Mexico getaway could just be the cure. In addition to the mandatory dose of beach time, a savvy Mexico specialist can also sprinkle into your itinerary visits to Mayan ruins, strolls through indigenous villages, and excursions to top snorkeling spots.
Read reviews of WOW trips to Mexico during the pandemic. To get your own WOW trip and VIP treatment, use the black button below.
Costa Rica
Quetzal, Costa Rica. Photo: William Grandados R. Photography
February falls in the middle of Costa Rica’s dry season. Fill your days with hikes through the jungle, birdwatching in the cloud forest, visits to small sugar-cane and coffee plantations—and of course, plenty of time relaxing along the country’s storied coastlines.
Read reviews of WOW trips to Costa Rica during the pandemic. To get your own WOW trip and VIP treatment, use the black button below.
Panama
Pearl Islands, Panama. Photo: Latin Excursions
January and February see the best weather, with less humidity and a cool breeze in the mornings and afternoons. The sun goes down a bit earlier, but the sunsets are amazing.
Read reviews of WOW trips to Panama. To get your own WOW trip and VIP treatment, use the black button below.
Nicaragua
The Jicaro Island Eco Lodge is a private island resort in Lake Nicaragua. Photo: Jicaro
In the first half of the month, the country is lush and green, there is no rain, and the breezes keep temperatures in the high 80s during the day.
Chile and Argentina
It’s summertime in the Southern Hemisphere: That means ideal weather just about everywhere in Chile and Argentina, from Chile’s Lakes District to Mendoza’s wine region to Patagonia. (But be warned: Temperatures in Buenos Aires can reach the high 90s.) If you’re headed to the Atacama Desert, time your trip for early in the month, when the lack of moonlight makes the night skies even more impressive than usual.
Read reviews of WOW trips to Chile and Argentina. To get your own WOW trip and VIP treatment, use the black button below.
Iceland
Northern Lights. Photo: kamilgrygo/Pixabay
February is one of the darkest months of the year in Iceland, bettering your chances of seeing the spectacular display of the Northern Lights. It’s also when the Winter Lights Festival takes place, with beautiful art installations and cultural events happening all around Reykjavik. Winters can be harsh and unpredictable, and some activities will be unavailable, but the dramatic snowy scenery—not to mention the extra time that locals have available for visitors—can make this a particularly satisfying time to visit and enjoy glacier hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and heli-skiing, topped off with a dip in a natural hot spring (which you may well have to yourself at this time of year) to rest your weary muscles.
Read reviews of WOW trips to Iceland during the pandemic. To get your own WOW trip and VIP treatment, use the black button below.
Antarctica Cruises
Zodiac cruise through the ice, Antarctica. Photo: Abby Suplizio
By February the sea ice has melted, allowing for longer voyages and prime whale-watching when the humpbacks surface and feed. These shorter autumn days also allow glimpses of the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights. What’s more, the icebergs have been beautifully sculpted by summer winds—reflecting the sun’s rays like giant crystal chandeliers—and special offers often come available for these late-season departures.
Read reviews of WOW trips to Antarctica. To get your own WOW trip and VIP treatment, use the black button below.
Thailand
The Marble Temple , Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: Shutterstock
February is usually one of Thailand’s busiest months. With the country’s borders just recently opened, that’s not likely to be the case in 2022. Go now, before the crowds return, and while you can still have Bangkok’s temples, Chiang Mai’s markets, and the south’s beaches largely to yourself.
Read reviews of WOW trips to Thailand. To get your own WOW trip and VIP treatment, use the black button below.
United Arab Emirates and Oman
Qasr al Sarab camel caravan, Abu Dhabi. Photo: Timothy Baker
February is one of the cooler months of the year for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman, with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s. This makes it a great time to camp out in Oman’s Empty Quarter, where the sand dunes seem endless; visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi (a good portion of which is outside); or stroll among Dubai’s towering skyscrapers.
Read reviews of WOW trips to the United Arab Emirates and Oman. To get your own WOW trip and VIP treatment, use the black button below.
Botswana
Elephants tussle in Botswana. Photo: Wilderness Safaris/Caroline Culbert
Prices are as much as 40 percent cheaper in February than during peak season, and the vegetation is lush and green from the rains. The periodic thunderstorms that roll through often provide beautiful rainbows, which form a great backdrop for your photos. Plus, many of the wildlife have babies—zebra, wildebeest, antelope—and the predators tend to be more prolific with the greater availability of prey. This is also a time when migratory birds in full, exquisitely colored breeding plumage are in residence.
Read reviews of WOW trips to Botswana during the pandemic. To get your own WOW trip and VIP treatment, use the black button below.
Israel
Baha’i Gardens, Haifa, Israel. Photo: Touring Israel
In February Israel is virtually empty of tourists, so you have unfettered access to almost all of the sites without waiting in lines. If you are looking for the best rooms in the best hotels and the best tour guides—all at fabulous prices—this is the time to go. Temperatures are mild, in the 50s and 60s for the most part, and although you will have some rain, the scenery makes it feel like springtime in Vermont or Switzerland: green hills, colorful wildflowers, snowcapped peaks, and flowing streams and rivers.
Closed to U.S. Travelers as of December 13, 2021
Click to The Countries That Are Open to U.S. Travelers to find out whether these places have reopened.
Myanmar
The Pagoda Festival on Inle Lake. Photo: Myths & Mountains
February is the coolest month of the year in this tropical country—and one of the drier ones as well—making it a delightful time to explore Myanmar. Revel in the kaleidoscope of festivals on tap, including the Mahamuni Pagoda Festival in Mandalay, the Pindaya Cave Festival in Pindaya (near Inle), the Kayik Khauk Pagoda Festival across the river from Yangon, as well as others in off-the-beaten-track corners of the country.
Other Good Options This Month
Click on any of the destinations below to find out why February is a good time to go.
North America
British Columbia: snow sports & Northern Lights
Jackson Hole & the Grand Tetons: skiing
Oahu: whale-watching
The Rocky Mountains: skiing
South America
Brazil: Rio de Janeiro and Trancoso
Colombia: Cartagena and Bogota
Galapagos Islands: swimming and snorkeling
Europe
Norway: winter activities
Paris: winter sales
Russia: St. Petersberg
Switzerland: skiing and winter fun
Venice: Carnevale
Asia
India: Delhi, Agra & the Taj Mahal and Mumbai
Vietnam: central coast
Africa and Middle East
Cape Town and Winelands, South Africa
Australia and Pacific
New Zealand: Bay of Islands and Queenstown
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