Hometown temperatures dropping towards subzero? Worry not, the best warm places to visit in February are closer than you might expect. And if you’re happy to travel, it’s a magical month to explore more long-haul destinations too.
Even within the US land borders, there are pockets of warmth to be found inland and on the coast. Nearby Mexico, Colombia and the Caribbean also offer reliable hot spots where golden beaches and extravagant cocktails banish winter thoughts. You’ll find them all and many more among my takes on the best places to travel in February for warm weather.
Warm places to visit in February
Filter below by price or temperature to find the best warm destination for you based on KAYAK data, or keep reading for more info on the best hot spots this month.
Best warm beaches to visit in February
With chill winds blowing across much of the mainland US, thoughts turn to days spent lazing on golden beaches. Daydream no more with the best places to travel for warm beaches in February.
1. Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao
- Average temperature: 81°F
Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are often lazily grouped as the ABC islands. Despite their shared Dutch influence, each has emerged distinct from the others in many ways. Except perhaps for their consistently flawless beaches.
February is peak Caribbean season with all three islands basking in blue skies and beach temperatures. The main party is found in Aruba, especially as it’s Carnival month. Fly into Oranjestad and make for Palm Beach to go wild with the parades and parties.
Blessed with more sand than its rockier siblings, Curaçao is the largest island with the most beaches. Find dramatic cliffs, picture-perfect coves, and Caribbean blues at Grote Knip, Klein Knip, and Playa Lagun.
Bonaire is the outlier of the trio, more rugged and wild. While lesser-visited it has world-beating diving and a glowing reef only feet offshore. Watersports are a part of daily life here and the island’s 400-plus caves make it a spelunker’s utopia.
2. Santa Marta, Colombia
- Average temperature: 82°F
Colombia’s oldest European-founded city hugs the Caribbean coastline and in February, swelters. Daytime highs average in the high 80s yet cool evening sea breezes make it lovely at night.
Santa Marta’s long history has seen much of its colonial splendor destroyed – largely at the hands of British and Dutch pirates. The port town that developed was no beauty, although that has changed with the new marina and lovely Parque de los Novios among other developments.
It’s Santa Marta’s location close to Tayrona National Park and its 11 tourist-friendly beaches that sets it apart. They are among the most spectacular in the Caribbean. For day trips, Playa Cristal and Playa Arenilla (next to the more crowded La Piscina) are perfect. Great swimming and snorkeling and beachside shacks with lovely fresh food.
For a little more adventure, camp overnight at the sublime Bahìa Concha. Or even better, hang your hammock in the tower on the rocks at remote Cabo San Juan for a truly unique night under the stars.
3. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Average temperature: 70°F
Head to buzzy Puerto Vallarta for warm beaches in February. While cooler evenings bring down the average, daytime temperatures sit in the mid 80s. That’s plenty hot enough for days of lazing on powder-fine sands drinking in the views over Banderas Bay.
In February, there are few better places to be. This is peak whale season, with humpbacks and grays flocking to Banderas Bay to mate. It’s one of the great places to witness this extraordinary coming together of leviathans. The excellent Ecotours Vallarta runs four hour tours to get up close with breaching whales and uses underwater mics to listen in on their whale song.
Back on land, escape the crowded town beaches for the quieter hamlet of Yelapa. With its jungly backdrop, rustic B&Bs, waterfall and postcard-perfect shore it ticks every imaginable beach vacation box.
Best warm places to visit in February in the US
Happily, not everywhere is huddled under the blankets dreaming of summer. There are plenty of cheap warm places to visit in February in the US. And there’s enough winter sun to make the most of the great outdoors.
4. Sarasota, Florida
- Average temperature: 64°F
The default go-to for warm places in the US in February, Florida is home to beautiful beaches and buzzing cities. On its Gulf Coast, Sarasota flies more under the radar than its big-name neighbors. That’s not to say it offers any less in terms of natural beauty, city glitz and sophistication. Indeed, it’s one of Florida’s most scenic areas.
February sees average temperatures in the mid 60s with highs nudging towards the 80s. That may not be warm enough to laze on the white sands of Siesta Key Beach but it’s just right to explore the lush habitats of nearby Myakka River State Park. Bring binoculars to spot limpkins and ospreys soaring through the skies above and alligators and turtles slinking through the waters below.
Sarasota city is also a cultural hub, the 66-acre Ringling Museum Complex is its crowning glory. Now Florida’s state art museum, it’s a showcase for railroad magnate John Ringling’s extensive art collection. Don’t miss Ringling’s Circus Museum and even more impressive (and bonkers), his extravagant Venetian Gothic home, Cà d’Zan.
5. Palm Springs, California
- Average temperature: 58°F
Cold nights drag the average Palm Springs February temperatures down into the low 60s. Daytime temperatures, however, hover around the 70 mark – much more amenable. Layer on lashings of Californian sunshine and things really start to heat up.
Retro chic Palm Springs is hot in every way: a benchmark of Californian cool. It went from a 60s Rat Pack hangout to 80s retirement town before being reborn in the 90s. Today its iconic mid-century architecture and stylish hotels have become a hipster magnet. It’s also a beacon for the LGBTQI+ community.
February is high season, so expect beautiful and buzzing crowds across the city. For eleven days from the 13th, Modernism Week takes over town. Some 400 events, from classic car shows to nightly parties, dominate the calendar day and night. I love it most for the iconic private home tours and the chance to explore incredible architecture up close. Other walking and cycling tours peel back the modern facade to showcase the city’s true glamor underneath.
6. Malibu, California
- Average temperature: 59°F
California’s location on the Sun Belt makes it an oasis among the warmest places in the US in February. Just north of Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades and Malibu are particularly lovely, although chilly evening temperatures can make it appear colder than it is. Daytime temperatures usually sit in the high 60s and rain is rare.
While it doesn’t deliver the glitz of summer, February is when Malibu’s epic coastline comes into its own. Surfers flock to the winter swells at aptly named Malibu Surfrider Beach. Yet there’s so much more to Malibu than this one spot that indelibly links it to its surfing reputation.
With 27 miles of stunning coves, caves and cliffs to discover, February is among the best times for crowd-free coastal walks. It’s also whale watching season. Keep one eye on the ocean as you walk for tell-tale plumes from the blowholes of passing pods. Premium viewing spots are from Point Dume and El Matador state beaches.
Turn your gaze inland for views of the astonishing Getty Villa. Almost as spectacular as nature’s show, it is perched on an ocean-view hillside; a showcase of Greek and Roman art.
7. San Luis Obispo, California
- Average temperature: 59°F
A little further north, equidistant between LA and San Francisco, lazy-paced San Luis Obispo is a California dream in February. With its Mediterranean climate and low-key vibe, it couldn’t be more removed from either. That location also makes it a perfect launch point into the wild wonders of Big Sur.
Mild February temperatures render the beaches and trails of nearby Montaña de Oro State Park ripe for exploration. Appetite earned, make for SLO’s downtown to refuel in one of its many quirky eateries. Find yourself there on a Thursday and the farmer’s market brings live music, barbecues and a party atmosphere to Higuera Street.
Tranquil and historic, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is the heart of downtown. Stroll the peaceful gardens and beautifully preserved but unassuming church for insight into its Chumash tribal and Spanish colonial identity. At the other end of the cultural spectrum, Bubblegum Alley is a 15-foot-high, 70-foot-long repository of chewed gum. Something of a tourism icon, its millions of pieces of gum are every bit as disgusting as you might imagine. Which likely explains its huge popularity!
Warmest places to visit in February around the world
While the US offers great places to find solace from the cold, the best places to travel in February for warm weather are further afield. Here are three of my favorite warm places to visit in February.
8. Da Nang, Vietnam
- Average temperature: 72°F
Da Nang may be central Vietnam’s biggest city, but it lives in the shadow of its more picturesque, tourist-friendly neighbor, Hoi An. That’s a shame, because this once quiet town is burgeoning with new hotels, cool bars and great restaurants.
The riverfront has been the focus of attention. Stroll the leafy promenade and you’ll find a city buzzing with new life, its colonial French buildings now complemented by stunning new architecture like the eccentric Dragon Bridge that spews fire on Saturday and Sunday nights at 9PM.
The beaches of My Khe and Non Nuoc offer long stretches of sand lined with seafood restaurants less than two miles from the city center. To the north, the Sơn Trà Peninsula holds hidden coves, sandy beaches and spectacular views from its mountaintop summit.
And once you’ve had your fill of Da Nang, rent a scooter and make for Hoi An to see why it’s so popular. You won’t be disappointed.
9. Málaga, Spain
- Average temperature: 55°F
In Andalusía, Spain’s far south, the beaches are wilder and the cities more historic. Málaga is a case in point. Look past the Costa del Sol’s faded party reputation and you’ll find that lovely balance between history and modernity that makes great cities sing.
The home of Picasso may at first appear rough around the edges. Ignore the clusters of high-rises that dominate its outskirts and instead focus on its central and seafront reinvention. There is the elegant pedestrianized old central zone – the store-lined Calle Marqués de Larios, the Plaza de la Constitución with its stupendous fountain.
The radical new seafront and port area is enticing new hotels and restaurants along its beachfront promenades. There are fewer partygoers and more cultural tourism. Aided by the glut of museums and art galleries, it’s now one of Southern Europe’s most vibrant art destinations.
10. Cairo, Egypt
- Average temperature: 59°F
Cairo in February is a very different experience to visiting in the summer. Temperatures are mild enough to rule out beach lazing and make exploring much more enjoyable. You won’t see a drop of rain either.
And what a metropolis it is to explore! The city of a thousand minarets is breathtaking in its Islamic splendor, particularly at dawn and dusk.
The Khan el-Khalili bazaar, unchanged since the 14th-century, is a sensory assault of spices and perfumes. Wekala al-Balaq Street market is the place to pick up a new bed set of super soft Egyptian cotton. You may be less tempted to buy something at the camel market, but that doesn’t mean you should miss it.
The Pyramids of Giza are much more amenable at this time of year too. That’s especially true of the desert plateau that surrounds the three pyramids Khufru, Khafre and Menkaure. Here you’ll find tombs, temples and smaller pyramids that have stood for thousands of years.
Where is hot and cheap in February?
There are several global hotspots that cluster high temperatures with low prices in February. South America and Southeast Asia are once again the focal points. In the former, Cartagena sizzles with high temperatures averaging 84° and hotels $126 a night. That’s nearly a third cheaper than nearby Santa Marta.
In Southeast Asia, the major cities average a sweaty 90° and, air ticket notwithstanding, are incredibly cheap. A Kuala Lumpur hotel in Malaysia averages $70 a night, in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City it’s $51 and in Laos capital Vientiane it’s $48. Still unsure where to go? Try KAYAK Explore.
FAQs
Much of Florida’s coast will see daytime high temperatures into the low 80s although the average high in Miami tops out at 79°. Your best bet for temperatures averaging above 80° are the Hawai‘ian islands. Honolulu on O‘ahu and Kailua-Kona on Hawai‘i Island average 81° highs in February.
For somewhere truly tropical in February, look to the Caribbean Sea. The combination of flawless blue skies, high temperatures and carnival season all crank the tropical feel up to 11. From Cancún on Mexico’s southern peninsula all the way across to Oranjestad in Aruba, it swelters.
More travel inspiration
Recommendation ranking of cities:
Our recommendation ranking of where to go is calculated based on the presented five factors: average flight prices, average hotel prices, average, high, and low temperatures, and average precipitation. Flight prices, hotel prices, and precipitation constitute inverse factors, the less the better. All factors are equally weighted.
From the ranked destination lists, destination exclusions may have been applied in cases of insufficient data or according to the official travel advisory at the time when the data analysis was conducted.
Flight and hotel prices:
Average prices are estimated from KAYAK internal data from the search period ‘2024-07-01’ to ‘2024-11-15’ for the travel period ‘2025-01-01 – 2025-02-28’. Flight prices include economy class return trips for one traveler, and hotel prices represent 3-stars or below hotels’ nightly rates for a standard double room. Price insights are subject to vary depending on the exact departure airport and over time as travel dates are approaching.
Weather (monthly average, high, and low temperatures, and average precipitation):
Weather data is pulled from a third-party site, Weatherbase, and has not been verified by KAYAK. Monthly average temperature and precipitation data are based on historical insights from the past 102 years. Weatherbase data is updated in real-time from the US Census Bureau and other databases worldwide.
