Where it's hot in February

Top 10 destinations in February

1. 1.Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

   31°couples

   Carnival transforms Rio into something that defies easy description: samba schools that have rehearsed for a full year fill the Sambadrome with costumes of impossible extravagance, while every neighbourhood hosts its own blocos, impromptu street parades that last until dawn. Beyond the festival, February sits squarely in Rio's late summer, with average highs around 30°C, long days, and the kind of golden light that makes the mosaic of Copacabana and the hulk of Sugarloaf look like a film set. Book accommodation many months in advance.

2. 2.Bangkok, Thailand

   33°solo

   February is Bangkok's finest month. The rains are a distant memory, humidity drops to its annual low, and the average high of 33°C feels manageable rather than punishing. Temple complexes like Wat Pho and Wat Arun gleam in clear morning light before the midday heat builds. Street food markets are in full swing, rooftop bars are packed with a relaxed cosmopolitan crowd, and the Chao Phraya river ferries move through air that actually feels fresh. It is also significantly cheaper than December, making it a compelling value proposition for those who plan ahead.

3. 3.Phuket, Thailand

   33°diving

   The Andaman Sea reaches its calmest and clearest in February, and Phuket is the natural base for making the most of it. Seas are flat enough for snorkelling over pristine coral without the swell that disrupts the wetter months, dive visibility stretches to 30 metres in ideal conditions, and the beaches on the western coast receive steady sunshine through the day. Average highs sit at 33°C but the breeze off the water softens the heat considerably. Island-hopping excursions to the Phi Phi group and Phang Nga Bay run reliably, and crowd levels, while still significant, are lower than peak December.

4. 4.Cape Town, South Africa

   27°couples

   February is peak summer in Cape Town, with average highs of 28°C, long days stretching well past 8pm, and the kind of light that photographers travel continents to find. The Cape Winelands are mid-harvest, meaning farm stalls overflow with fresh produce and cellar-door tastings carry an extra energy. Boulders Beach is warm enough for a genuine swim alongside the resident penguin colony. The Garden Route sits at the other end of a very driveable stretch of N2 and offers a succession of beaches, lagoons, and forest walks in equally reliable warmth. Table Mountain's cable car operates with minimal weather interruption.

5. 5.Cancun, Mexico

   28°families

   February lands squarely in the Caribbean dry season, giving Cancun a run of reliably sunny days with average highs of 29°C and the kind of consistent weather that package-holiday dreams are made of. Crucially, hurricane season is months away, the sea is calm and brilliantly clear, and hotel rates dip noticeably from the peak Christmas fortnight. The cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula are at their most visually dramatic in the dry season, Chichen Itza and Tulum see thinner crowds than spring break, and the waters off Isla Mujeres offer straightforward snorkelling over healthy reef. A excellent value month.

6. 6.Buenos Aires, Argentina

   28°couples

   Buenos Aires in February carries the easy confidence of a city that knows its best days are still running. Average highs of 28°C mean long, warm evenings perfect for the outdoor dining culture that defines the city's Palermo and San Telmo neighbourhoods. Porteños return from January holidays and the city reawakens with a cultural intensity that January lacks: milongas fill up, theatre reopens, and the farmers markets in Recoleta buzz with summer produce. The heat is warm rather than brutal, the humidity generally lower than January, and the parks of Palermo are spectacular in the late summer light.

7. 7.Torres del Paine, Chile

   19°hiking

   Torres del Paine is weather-dependent by definition, and February offers the most reliable window in the southern summer calendar. Average highs around 19°C keep the trails manageable without the snow that closes high routes in winter, the famous towers are more consistently visible in February than the windier November or the cloudier March, and the daylight hours are still generous. The W Trek huts and campsites are at capacity but the sense of shared endeavour among trekkers adds rather than detracts. Guanaco herds roam the open steppe, condors circle the ridgelines, and the turquoise of Lago Nordenskjöld is at peak colour.

8. 8.Marrakech, Morocco

   21°culture

   February sits in a pleasant window for Marrakech, warm enough at 21°C to eat in the courtyard of a riad and cool enough at night to justify the city's legendary hammam culture without feeling excessive. The medina is less frantic than at Easter, prices at the souks are negotiable in the absence of peak crowds, and the Atlas Mountains visible on the city's horizon still carry a dusting of snow, a beautiful backdrop to the ochre city. Day trips to the Ourika Valley reveal almond trees in early blossom. The Djemaa el-Fna square comes to life each evening with storytellers, musicians, and the fragrant smoke of street grills.

9. 9.Tokyo, Japan

   11°solo

   February is Tokyo's shoulder season in the most favourable sense: flights and hotels reach their annual low point, queues at major attractions like Senso-ji and teamLab dissolve to almost nothing, and the city conducts its daily life with the unhurried rhythm of a place not performing for visitors. Average highs of 10°C call for a proper coat but the air is crisp and clear, excellent for photography. By mid-February, plum blossoms open in Shinjuku Gyoen and Yushima Tenjin, a quieter, more contemplative preview of the sakura season to come. Ramen, hot pot, and yakitori all taste noticeably better in the cold.

10. 10.Kyoto, Japan

    10°culture

    Kyoto in February is a revelation for anyone who has previously visited in cherry blossom season and felt overwhelmed. The city's 1,600 temples and shrines are quiet enough to absorb in genuine contemplation, the geisha districts of Gion receive real locals rather than costumed tourists, and the occasional overnight frost leaves Fushimi Inari's vermillion gates glistening in cold morning light. Average highs of 10°C reward layered packing. The Setsubun bean-throwing festival at Yoshida Shrine falls on or around February 3rd and offers a vivid window into living Japanese tradition, with almost no international crowds in attendance.

February picks by traveller type

• Cancun, Mexico

  The Caribbean dry season means guaranteed beach days with calm, swimmable water at 29°C, and the cenotes and Chichen Itza offer the kind of educational adventure that keeps older children engaged. All-inclusive resorts along the Hotel Zone are well-equipped for families, rates are lower than the Christmas peak, and there is no hurricane risk whatsoever in February.

• Phuket, Thailand

  Flat Andaman seas make snorkelling accessible even for young children, and the range of family-oriented resorts on Patong, Kata, and Karon beaches is unmatched in Southeast Asia. At 33°C with almost no rain, days are reliably structured around beach mornings and pool afternoons. Elephant sanctuary visits and cooking classes round out the week for families wanting more than beach time.

• Cape Town, South Africa

  Cape Town's February combination of 28°C warmth, the Boulders Beach penguin colony, Table Mountain's cable car, and the Two Oceans Aquarium makes it one of the most child-friendly destinations in the world. The Winelands are easily paired with a child-friendly farm stay, and the drive along Chapman's Peak is one of those road trips that children actually remember in adulthood.

February by region

Average temperatures by destination

Readings come from the last ten years of daily weather data, so they reflect the climate as it is now, not as it was decades ago. Data: Visual Crossing global historical archive. How we compute this

What to pack for February

February demands a wardrobe that covers serious temperature range. For tropical destinations like Bangkok, Phuket, and the Maldives, breathable linen and cotton with strong SPF are the priorities. Rash vests and water shoes are worth the bag space for reef snorkelling. Cape Town and Buenos Aires call for light layers as evenings cool to around 18°C. Marrakech deserves a proper fleece for nights in the medina. Tokyo and Kyoto require a proper winter coat, thermal base layers, and waterproof walking shoes. The Canaries and Lisbon sit in between: a medium-weight jacket and one warm layer will cover most eventualities.

Where to avoid in February

Northern Europe is firmly in its least inspiring phase in February: London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin are grey, cold, and expensive relative to what they offer. Vietnam's central coast around Hue and Hoi An is subject to the lingering northeast monsoon, bringing persistent rain and rough seas that disrupt beach plans. The West African Sahel from Senegal through Mali is in harmattan season, with dust haze that reduces visibility and coats everything in fine red powder. Iceland offers minimal daylight and road closures from November through March. Northern India and Nepal sit in a cold, dry winter that can disappoint those expecting warmth.

Frequently asked

Where is the best place to go in February for guaranteed sunshine?

The Maldives, Phuket, and Cancun all offer the most reliable sunshine in February. All three are in their dry season peak with less than two rain days expected across the month. The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura) are a strong European alternative, averaging 7 to 8 sunshine hours per day in February without the long-haul flight.

Is February a good time to visit Southeast Asia?

February is one of the best months for Southeast Asia. Thailand's west coast, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam are all in the heart of their dry seasons. Humidity is at its annual low, skies are reliably clear, and it represents excellent value compared to December. The exception is Vietnam's central coast around Hoi An and Hue, which can still catch the tail of the northeast monsoon.

Where to go in February without it being too hot?

Marrakech (21°C), Dubai (25°C), and the Canary Islands (21°C) offer warmth without tropical heat. For cooler but rewarding destinations, Tokyo and Kyoto sit at 10°C with early plum blossoms and almost no crowds. Lisbon at 16°C and Seville at 18°C are excellent European city breaks that feel refreshingly mild rather than cold.

Is February a good month for a beach holiday?

Yes, February is outstanding for beaches in the right places. The Maldives, Phuket, Koh Samui, Cancun, Barbados, and Cape Town all offer prime beach conditions. Seas are at their calmest in the Andaman and Caribbean, and the Southern Hemisphere's late summer keeps Cape Town and Sydney warm. Avoid beach trips to Portugal's Atlantic coast or Spain's Costa del Sol, where February water temperatures are too cold for swimming.

What festivals happen in February worth travelling for?

Rio Carnival is the global headline, running in the days before Ash Wednesday with Sambadrome parades and city-wide street parties. Venice Carnival runs concurrently and offers a theatrical European alternative. Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan is one of Asia's most spectacular winter events. Barranquilla Carnival in Colombia rivals Rio in scale and local participation. New Orleans' Mardi Gras falls in February most years, combining street parades with the city's unique music and food culture.

Which warm-band destinations are reliably dry in February?

The driest warm-band picks in February, all with a wider day-to-day swing, are: Gorée Island (26 degrees, about 0.0 rain days, swings plus or minus 9 degrees); Luxor (25 degrees, about 0.0 rain days, swings plus or minus 10 degrees); Tarrafal (27 degrees, about 0.1 rain days, swings plus or minus 6 degrees); Timimoun (23 degrees, about 0.1 rain days, swings plus or minus 10 degrees).