With the Christmas festivities and New Year’s motivation well and truly behind us, there’s no need to wallow in those February blues. It’s time to get your winter sun fix. Whether you want to celebrate Valentine’s Day in culture-packed Cairo, lost amid the ancient architecture, or kick off the New Year with a sunny solo trip to Thailand’s Phuket, lounging on powdery beaches, we have you covered. Already dreaming of the sunshine? Read on for our roundup of where’s hot in February…
- Thailand (33°C)
- Costa Rica (29°C)
- Chile (29°C)
- South Africa (26°C)
- Brazil (27°C)
- India (27°C)
- Australia (26°C)
- Oman (22°C)
- Egypt (21°C)
- Cambodia (27°C)
Thailand
Average February temperature: 33°C
Average daily sunshine hours: nine hours
Flight time from the UK: 11 hours and 40 minutes (to Bangkok)
Swap frosty February walks for warm beachside bliss on a holiday in Thailand. Phuket – the country’s largest island – is the place to be for hot days and balmy evenings as the dry season draws to a close. With temperatures reaching highs of 34°C, take a dip in Phuket’s pristine waters to cool off from the tropical heat. Bustling Bangkok is also hot in February (but not too hot). Meander through the city’s traditional markets on a warm evening stroll (with the help of a local guide). Or slow down the pace with a long-tail boat ride across the Chao Phraya River – the perfect spot to soak up the sun.
Find out more about our tailor-made tours to Thailand.
Costa Rica
Average February temperature: 29°C
Average daily sunshine hours: seven hours
Flight time from the UK: 11 hours and 40 minutes
Next up on our list of where’s hot in February is Costa Rica. Located in Central America and bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica enjoys a tropical climate year-round. February falls smack bang in the middle of the country’s dry season (which runs from December to April). During your visit, expect wonderfully warm temperatures ranging from 25°C to 32°C, sometimes reaching highs of 34°C. With the tropical heat and clear skies on your side, it’s the perfect time to capture some photos in Arenal Volcano National Park. Or, enjoy wildlife watching in Tortuguero National Park – one of Central America’s largest remaining tropical rainforests. And, of course, the sunny rays offer the perfect setting for a coastal holiday in Costa Rica, with Playa Punta Uva and Playa Chiquita calling your name.
Find out more about our tailor-made tours to Costa Rica.
Image by Salva Lopez
Chile
Average February temperature: 29°C
Average daily sunshine hours: ten hours
Flight time from the UK: 14 hours and 40 minutes (to Santiago)
February in Chile brings temperatures as varied as its landscapes. Stretching over 2,500 miles along the western ‘spine’ of South America, this ribbon-shaped country offers everything from warm coastal days to cooler mountain climates. Begin your trip to Chile in sunny Santiago, where the eclectic capital experiences highs of 30°C – ideal for al fresco dining. With the southern summer running from December to March, February is also ideal for visiting Patagonia, where dry conditions make for perfect hiking weather. Travelling to the coast? Expect sunny days and minimal rainfall. Head to the vibrant port city of Valparaiso to see cliffside houses and winding alleyways, or visit the remote Easter Island to admire the iconic moai statues.
Find out more about our tailor-made tours to Chile.
South Africa
Average February temperature: 26°C
Average daily sunshine hours: ten hours
Flight time from the UK: 11 hours and 25 minutes (to Cape Town)
When it comes to hot places in February, South Africa is a stand-out destination. Whether you’re sunbathing on the coast or enjoying the dry climate of the bush, there’s something for everyone. Enjoy toasty temperatures in Cape Town (around 26°C), where you can stroll through Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens or hike up the famous Table Mountain. Craving a more secluded spot? Visit Llandudno Beach for serene sunbathing and large surfing swells. If you’re after even hotter weather, venture to Kruger National Park (one of Africa’s largest game reserves) to spot lions, leopards and elephants amid the baobab trees.
Find out more about our tailor-made tours to South Africa.
Image by Stéphanie Davilma
Brazil
Average February temperature: 27°C
Average daily sunshine hours: seven hours
Flight time from the UK: 11 hours and 40 minutes (to Rio de Janeiro)
A holiday to Brazil in February only means one thing: carnival season. With temperatures between 24°C and 35°C across the country, you’ll be basking in the sunshine. Cities like Rio de Janeiro and Salvador come alive with colourful parades, bustling street parties and lively music. If you’re looking to escape the crowds, head to Trancoso in Bahia for a peaceful retreat. Stroll through this charming beach town or take a dip in its warm waters. For guaranteed sunshine, the dry North East coast is the place to be. Picture vast, desert landscapes giving way to lush, palm-fringed beaches. Cities like Fortaleza and the fishing village of Pipa enjoy clear skies. However, if you’re keen to explore the Brazilian Amazon, you might want to hold off until after the rainy season, as February brings heavy showers and high humidity.
Find out more about our tailor-made tours to Brazil.
India
Average February temperature: 27°C
Average daily sunshine hours: ten hours
Flight time from the UK: eight hours and 30 minutes (to New Delhi)
India’s vast size means you can easily track down the sunshine. A visit to India in February is ideal for exploring Gujarat and Rajasthan, where the weather is dry and temperatures sit comfortably between 20°C and 29°C. In Rajasthan, in North India, you can wander through ornate palaces, colourful cities and iconic monuments – ticking off the world-famous Taj Mahal and many other bucket-list spots. Over in Gujarat, on India’s western coast, you’ll find striking architecture and vibrant temples, as well as Gir National Park (home to the last remaining Asian lions). February is the perfect time to explore these regions to avoid the monsoon rains and intense summer heat.
Find out more about our tailor-made tours to India.
Image by Alix Pardo
Australia
Average February temperature: 26°C
Average daily sunshine hours: eight hours
Flight time from the UK: 22 hours and 50 minutes (to Sydney)
Australia is next up on our list of hot places in February, where summer is in full swing. A country so large it could be a continent; it offers everything from thriving rainforests to white-sand beaches and buzzing cities. According to our Australia expert, South Australia is the go-to destination for some sizzling winter sun (with highs of 38°C), not to mention world-class wine and wildlife. Head to the wild Southern Outback or explore Kangaroo Island, all while enjoying clear blue skies. To cool off in pristine waters, visit the beaches of Bondi, Byron or Esperance along the southern coast, or lap up the sun in Sydney. Melbourne, on the hand, offers a more temperate climate with warm days and cooler nights.
Find out more about our tailor-made tours to Australia.
Oman
Average February temperature: 22°C
Average daily sunshine hours: 11 hours
Flight time from the UK: seven hours and ten minutes (to Muscat)
February is a great time to explore Oman’s muscular mountains and rugged canyons. For warm weather, head to Muscat on the north coast, where daily temperature hover around 22°C, occasionally climbing to 26°C. February’s cooler temperatures in the southern mountainous regions also create the ideal conditions for hiking. Our Oman expert can’t get enough of the country’s diverse geography, highlighting February as a great time to visit the Daymaniyat Islands. The mild climate is perfect for snorkelling and diving in crystal-clear waters. And don’t miss a drive along the coastal road from the north down to Salalah, where you’ll see pink lagoons and charming fishing villages bathed in sunshine.
Find out more about our tailor-made tours to Oman.
Image by Nevena Lukic
Egypt
Average February temperature: 21°C
Average daily sunshine hours: 11 hours
Flight time from the UK: four hours and 50 minutes (to Cairo)
The temperatures are just right on a trip to Egypt in February. Sunny and warm but cool enough to make sightseeing enjoyable. Chase the sun to Cairo, where highs hit 25°C and make sure to marvel at the pyramids of Giza or wind through the Khan El Khalili Market. While you’ll escape the sweltering heat, expect to share the ancient sites with winter crowds. According to our Egypt expert, the country is hot most of the year, especially around Luxor and Aswan, so be sure to pack light and breathable clothing. Keen to uncover Egypt in style? Step back in time with a cruise along the Nile on our authentic 1920s Steam Ship Sudan. Soak up the sun and the archaeological sites during the day, but don’t forget to bring some layers for the cooler evenings, as the temperatures drop after sunset.
Find out more about our tailor-made tours to Egypt.
Cambodia
Average February temperature: 27°C
Average daily sunshine hours: nine hours
Flight time from the UK: 17 hours and 40 minutes (to Phnom Penh)
Last but by no means least on our list of where’s hot in February is Cambodia. It’s the perfect blend of culture, adventure and, of course, fantastic food. In February, the country experiences daily averages of 27°C, with the dry season varying from region to region. The south-west enjoys its dry spell from December to April, where you can unwind on the silky sands of coastal Koh Krabey. While the north-west – home to the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex – experiences its sunniest months between November and April. February also falls within Phnom Penh’s dry season, with the country’s capital enjoying comfortable temperatures ranging from 23°C to 32°C.
Find out more about our tailor-made tours to Cambodia.
Image by Olivier Romano
Written by Amy Larsen
