Where to travel in February

The topographical diversity of northern Vietnam produces unique February weather, with mostly moderate days and cool nights. Any northern exploration begins in Hanoi. February marks the brief window when the city is bustling but not tourist-saturated like it is from March to early May. You’ll see the fascinating polyglot architecture, historical sites, and artistic traditions of the Old Quarter, and enjoy some of Vietnam’s best-known dishes in their birthplace (like bun cha and banh com) without feeling overly crowded.

In the more rural north, visiting the Mai Chau Valley is a must: you’ll see steep mountainsides, precisely maintained rice fields, waterfalls (notably Go Lao), cave systems, and more. Ba Be National Park (and its namesake lake) in Cao Bang are similarly essential. (As you go further north, you may need warmer clothing, especially if visiting Sa Pa in the Hoang Lien Son Mountains.) All the while, you’ll encounter locals renowned for their hospitality, craftsmanship, and culinary ingenuity, including Tay, Hmong, and Thai communities.

• Discover Vietnam
• Plan a trekking trip in Vietnam’s Mai Chau Valley
• Read our guide to planning the ultimate Vietnam trip

During February in Egypt, the swings from hot to cool aren’t nearly as intense as late spring, summer, or autumn: typically between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius. That’s moderate enough to keep tourism down somewhat, marking an ideal time to visit the only country where a Wonder of the Ancient World still stands: the Great Pyramid of Giza, about eight miles south of Cairo. Alongside its two smaller counterparts, with the Great Sphinx close by, this austere monument from Egypt’s Old Kingdom makes you palpably feel the age of civilised humanity.

Attractions within Cairo’s city limits bridge the gap between old and new. Sites like the Coptic Orthodox Hanging Church, the Al-Azhar Mosque, and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar operate as centres of worship, theology, and culture just as they did many centuries ago. History buffs should also visit the Roman ruins at Alexandria: the Pillar of Pompey, the ancient Roman Theatre, and the haunting Catacombs.

• Discover Egypt
• Explore the wonders of Cairo and Alexandria in February
• Read about 10 of the best things to do in Egypt

Patagonia — part Argentina, part Chile, all spectacular — should be on any ardent traveller’s list. February is arguably the best month to explore its stunning, sometimes rough terrain: temperatures generally average around 15 degrees Celsius, though sudden cold spells can strike in the most mountainous or icy regions.

The region’s Argentine half includes some of the world’s most famous glaciers and ice fields (at the appropriately named Parque de Los Glaciares), as well as dense forest along the slopes of the Adela Range of the Andes Mountains. Much of the rest is rough plains and desert, like the starkly beautiful Patagonian Steppe, so hardy outerwear is essential. But it’s worth it: specific activities vary by location, but mountain climbing, kayaking, and ATV-riding are all fairly common.

On the Chilean part of Patagonia, you can enjoy many of the same activities while seeing much more wildlife and enjoying a more diverse climate. The Andean condor and Chilean flamingo are often spotted, and you may glimpse extremely rare animals like the vicuña (similar to a llama, but more slender).

• Discover Patagonia in Argentina or Chile
• Explore Patagonia on a land and cruise adventure this February
• Read our guide to the wilds of Patagonia

The beaches along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica rank highly among the factors that make it one of the best February vacation destinations. Early in the dry season (December and January), most of these places are, at times, almost comically oversaturated with international visitors, but February isn’t nearly as crowded.

If you visit Costa Rica in mid-to-late February, it’s still the dry season (around 27 degrees Celsius), but the madcap rush of tourist activity will have wound down somewhat. Knowing which beaches to focus on is also key. The truly legendary beaches, like Playa Hermosa and Playa Tamarindo, always draw crowds, but both have lesser-known yet equally stunning beaches close by (Playa Jaco and Playa Grande, respectively). More remote beach areas, like Playa San Juanillo, also draw smaller crowds because they require effort to access (i.e., an ATV).

• Discover Costa Rica
• Explore Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula in February
• Read our guide to sustainable travel in Costa Rica

Winter sports lovers and other adventurous travellers want to lean into the cold, and Lapland, in Finland’s northern half, is among the best places to do so. Throughout much of this region, the average temperature barely cracks -15 degrees Celsius and can fall as far as -29 degrees.

Provided you pack accordingly, Lapland is ideal for skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and snowshoe hikes. (When you need cold breaks, head to the sauna.) The food is hearty wherever you go (lots of grilled meat and fish), but you’re working it off with all the activity. And there’s plenty more to enjoy: animal enthusiasts should make a beeline for Rauna National Park, where polar bears, Arctic foxes, lynx, reindeer, and many other rare creatures roam. Also, February is one of the best months to see the brilliant green light-curtain of the Aurora Borealis.

Discover Finnish Lapland

Plan a 10-day adventure in Finland’s great outdoors

Read about stargazing in Finland and other top destinations

February brings great weather to the Maldives (around 28 degrees Celsius) and slightly fewer travellers. Male Island is unavoidable because it’s home to the country’s only international airport, but with a local expert’s help, you’ll find the right blend of justly famous spots and off-the-beaten-path treasures.

For example, Dhiffushi Island is quite well-known, but it’s hard to pass up swimming in its pristine waters, or snorkelling among its stunning multicoloured coral reefs and thousands of marine species (including the occasional sea turtle). On the other hand, you’ll have a less crowded experience among the coconut groves and beaches of Thulusdhoo Island, which is beloved by surfers and foodies alike. Mas huni, a blend of skipjack tuna, onions, chili pepper, and ground coconut, is a common local breakfast, while there’s no bad time to eat mas riha (a tuna-based curry).

• Discover the Maldives
• Plan an island-hopping journey across the Maldives
• Read about why you should combine Sri Lanka and the Maldives for romance

New Zealand’s diverse geography offers something for every traveller, from the golden shoreline at Waihi Beach or along Tasman Bay to the snowy peak of Aoraki (Mount Cook). February is the country’s summer peak, but despite regional climate variances, extremes are rare: most days in most regions are somewhere in-between 15 and 26 degrees Celsius.

Queenstown is famous for its raucous nightlife, while the more laid-back Wellington and Christchurch offer artistic and diverse restaurants and activities. If exploring nature is your vacation raison d’être, the national parks of the South Island feature striking rock formations, glaciers, and forests, especially Paparoa, Westland Tai Poutini, and Fiordland. Back on the North Island, the Bay of Islands is one of the world’s best-known fishing and sailing hotspots. Simply put, you can find just about anything to enjoy in New Zealand during February.

• Discover New Zealand
• Take a self-drive around New Zealand this February
• Read about New Zealand’s most cinematic landscapes

By far, January and February draw the most tourist traffic to Mexico each year. Much of that, however, goes to the resorts (Cozumel, Cancun, Tulum, etc.), and Mexico City. You can enjoy more of Mexico’s unique national character (in weather that’s often wonderful) elsewhere with diminished crowds.

For example, Guanajuato City offers a picaresque glimpse into Mexico’s history and culture with distinctively coloured architecture (a remnant of the colonial era), monuments to the country’s fight for independence, and curiosities such as the Mummy Museum. To the west, in Jalisco state, the town of Ajijic is a lakeside hideaway, with a stunning view of Lake Chapala and the nearby mountains, a rich artistic culture, and particularly excellent birria (goat stew). Archaeology buffs who want to dodge the crowds at Chichen Itza will find similarly striking Mayan ruins at Calakmul in Campeche (including the largest surviving Mayan pyramid). These are just a few examples to illustrate that Mexico is far too fascinating a country to limit your visit to resorts and famous attractions.

• Discover Mexico
• Explore the world of the Mayans in Mexico in February
• Read our guide to Mexico for families

The Canary Islands are among the biggest tourist destinations in the world, let alone Spain. February, however, is the end of the peak season, so scheduling a trip for late in the month should lessen your crowd exposure and secure great weather (around 18 degrees).

Tenerife draws the lion’s share of Canary visitors. Its natural features astonish the eye, including mountains, exquisite beaches and coastal waters, and thick forests, all teeming with wildlife. In towns like Tegueste and El Batan, the rich culture on display is in many ways unchanged from centuries past. (Santa Cruz de Tenerife is another thing entirely, but we aren’t recommending it for a February trip.)

Lanzarote is more rugged than its counterpart, and certain areas (like the volcanic terrain of Timanfaya National Park) require a 4×4 vehicle to navigate. But it’s worth the effort. The smaller Canary island is also a cultural marvel: from architectural masterpieces by César Manrique (including the Jardin de Cactus) to the unique wines, cheeses, and other cuisine, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience.

• Discover Spain’s Canary Islands
• Enjoy a private tour of Tenerife in February
• Read about magical distant islands in Spain and beyond