Keep reading for our top ten travel destinations in January.
February is the shortest month of the year, make the most of it by traveling somewhere fun. Here, we curated a list of the top travel destinations for you to head to this February. Be sure to check events you may have arranged or planned as they may be cancelled or postponed.
Take advantage of these amazing travel destinations we’ve written for you today! In addition, you can check out our best credit card bonuses here to maximize savings.
1. Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
| Average Temperature | 88°F high; 77°F low |
| February Events | Carnival |
Rio de Janeiro is a beautiful city to visit, year-round. However, it is especially beautiful in February when daytime averages in the mid-80’s. This time of year has the it perfect weather to sunbathe in one of the city’s many beaches.
Ipanema Beach offers For white sand, mountain views and beautiful people. If you want a livelier scene, head to Copacabana Beach with al fresco restaurants and bars dotting the surrounding streets. To escape the crowds, follow the hidden trail to Praia do Secreto and swim in its crystal-clear tide pools. Prainha Beach is the perfect spot to stop and surf but if you’re looking for a more liberated spot then check out clothing-optional Abrico.
In the month of February, Rio de Janeiro hosts Carnival, a week-long celebration many refer to as “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Enjoy parades, live music, street parties, performances, dancing, floats, and colorful costumes galore.
2. Greater Palm Springs, California (USA)
Greater Palm Springs, California (USA)
| Average Temperature | 75°F high; 48°F low |
| February Events | Modernism Week Riverside County Fair & Date Festival |
The greater Palm Springs area features warm temperatures in February, so it’s a nice Valentine’s getaway from colder climates. You can celebrate the most romantic day of the year by taking in a bird’s eye view of Coachella Valley with the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Make a pit stop when you get to the top at the restaurant, cafe or lounge, or hike deeper into the San Jacinto Mountains.
Other area attractions include the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, the Palm Springs Art Museum, the waterfall oasis at Tahquitz Canyon, the Moorten Botanical Garden and Sunnylands, the former winter retreat for the well-to-do Annenberg family.
If you’re in town the week of Valentine’s, consider attending Modernism Week, an annual celebration of mid-century design, architecture, art, fashion and culture. There’s also the Riverside County Fair & Date Festival with rides, games, demos, shows and food featuring locally-grown dates.
3. Perth (Australia)
Perth (Australia)
| Average Temperature | 88°F high; 68°F low |
| February Events | Fringe World Festival Perth Festival |
Perth‘s white sandy shores are the perfect destination for surfing this time of year, with temperatures in the high 80’s. If you’re not a surfer then the city offers a plethora of things to do in town and the surrounding areas, including DNA Tower for the views, the Kings Park and Botanic Gardens for a quiet walk, the Margaret River region for some wine-tasting, and Rottnest Island for the adorable quokka marsupials.
Perth events in February include the Fringe World Festival with street performances, visual arts, circus, comedy, dance, film and children’s entertainment, and the Perth Festival featuring music, film, dance, literature and performance art throughout the city.
4. Saint Lucia (Caribbean)
Saint Lucia (Caribbean)
| Average Temperature | 83°F high; 71°F low |
| February Events | Independence Day |
Saint Lucia is small but diverse destination, not far from Barbados in the eastern Caribbean. Here’s travelers can enjoy white sand beaches, a rainforest, mud pools, waterfalls, diving and two iconic volcanic peaks. We also recommend discovering the island’s chocolate heritage when you visit.
If you’re around on February 22, you’ll witness Saint Lucia’s Independence Day with parades, festivities and the island’s national dish of “green figs” and salt fish.
5. Madrid (Spain)
Madrid (Spain)
| Average Temperature | 54°F high; 39°F low |
| February Events | Gastronomy Festival Carnival |
February in Madrid can get quite chilly but this just means that city is full of museums, restaurants and popular attractions with fewer crowds. The Prado Museum is the perfect spot to admire the masterpieces of Goya and Velasquez, as well as Italian and Flemish art. Afterwards, take your pick of the Paso del Arte, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofia museums nearby. And let’s not forget the flamenco and tapas!
February events in Madrid include the Gastronomy Festival where professional chefs share their creations via workshops, exhibitions and special restaurant menus, and Carnival featuring a parade, masquerade balls and festivities.
6. Mumbai (India)
Mumbai (India)
| Average Temperature | 90°F high; 64°F low |
| February Events | Kala Ghoda Arts Festival |
Located in tropical India, Mumbai never really gets cool. The warm weather makes this spot a great place to travel and experience diverse and cosmopolitan city of over 19 million people.
Take in the city’s beautiful architecture (Taj Mahal, Gateway of India, etc.), shop in Kala Ghoda neighborhood, watch the sunset at Bandra Fort, explore Chowpatty Beach and the Queen’s Necklace, and visit the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya museum.
The country’s largest multicultural festival – Kala Ghoda Arts Festival – takes place in Mumbai every February. This festival features visual arts, dance, music, theater, cinema, literature, workshops, heritage walks, urban design and architecture, food, a children’s section and a street section for eco-friendly, handmade arts and crafts.
7. Antartica
Antarctica
| Average Temperature | 27°F high; 4°F low |
| February Events | Most active wildlife month Southern Lights |
The sea ice in Antarctica has melted in February, leaving behind summer winds have sculpted the icebergs into beautiful shapes. This time of year is when all wildlife is most active – whale sightings are more common, penguin chicks learn to swim and leopard seals are on the prowl. As an added bonus, you’ll catch glimpses of the magical Southern Lights.
8. Botswana
Botswana
| Average Temperature | 87°F high; 67°F low |
| February Events | Afternoon thunderstorms Baby wildlife Birds in full breeding plumage |
February in Botswana is characterized by torrential downpours in the afternoon. Once the storm has rolled through, there are breathtaking rainbows to see! These sights are great for the background of your photos. Additionally, prices are up to 40% cheaper compared to the peak season.
During this time, all the wildlife have babies – zebras, wildebeest, antelopes. Which means the predators are more conspicuous as they search for their prey. February is also the time when migratory birds show off their full breeding plumage and all their splendid colors.
9. Myanmar
Myanmar
| Average Temperature | 99°F high; 75°F low |
| February Events | Mahamuni Pagoda Festival Pindaya Cave Festival Kayik Khauk Pagoda Festival |
February is one of the best times to visit Myanmar, especially if you get there in the first half of the month before the weather becomes sweltering.
Take a long boat ride through the network of canals and floating villages at Inle Lake, and visit the men and women hand-crafting cigars, woven scarves, wooden boats and silverware.
Go to Mandalay and Bagan with their ancient temples and beautiful rolling landscapes. Watch the sunrise from a hot air balloon, walk through the Hsinbyume Pagoda surrounded by lush green forests, or visit the archaeological ruins of Shwesandaw Pagoda.
If you want to hit the beach, we recommend the white sands and turquoise-blue waters of Ngwe Saung or Ngapali. The water is pleasantly warm and you can go snorkeling, diving, sea kayaking and more.
The second month of the year is also festival season, with the Mahamuni Pagoda Festival in Mandalay, the Pindaya Cave Festival near Inle, and the Kayik Khauk Pagoda Festival across the river from Yangon.
10. Peru
Peru
| Average Temperature | 63°F high; 38°F low |
| February Events | Fiesta de la Candelaria Carnival |
February in Peru is typically known as rainy season. However, the country has a diverse climate that varies from region to region. In fact, it’s usually warm and sunny in the North where all the best beach resorts are.
If you don’t mind a challenging and muddy trek, February is the best time to visit Machu Picchu. You’ll trade in a dry hike for quieter access to the ruins without the crowds.
There’s also the Candelaria Festival, a religious celebration in the Lake Titicaca area, and Carnival in Cajamarca.
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Top Destinations By Month
To start accumulating more miles & points, below is a list of the top destinations for each month during the calendar year:
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in January
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in February
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in March
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in April
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in May
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in June
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in July
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in August
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in September
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in October
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in November
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in December
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Bottom Line
February may be the shortest month of the year but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be great! Be sure to consider some of the spots we’ve mentioned if you want to head to one of the top travel destinations this February.
If you want to save even more money on your travels, then be sure to check out our Best Travel Credit Cards. Check our list on Discounted Gift Cards and get the best bang for your buck with the Best Cash Back Shopping Portals and our eBay Gift Cards list offered here at HMB!
Thank you for including Modernism Week in Palm Springs, CA in your list of events for February. Please be advised that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Modernism Week events will now be all online. No in-person events will be held in February. In-person events will be held in April 2021 if public gatherings will be allowed in the state of California. You also included the Riverside Country Date Festival, which has been cancelled for 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic. For more information, please go to modernsimweek.com.
Bob Bogard, public relations for Modernism Week