The Best Destinations to Visit in February
After the excitement of Christmas subsides, we need something to get us through the long, dark January nights. The answer? A February vacation courtesy of Culture Trip.
Holidaying in the off-peak season keeps costs down and the crowds at bay. That being said, you’ll need to pick your destination carefully during this time of year – especially when it comes to weather. Read on for our pick of the best Culture Trips to book in February.
Costa Rica, for wildlife watching and adrenaline-fuelled activities
Costa Rica is a fantastic February vacation spot for lots of reasons. As well as being one of the driest months (bringing warm weather), it’s a great time for wildlife spotting. On this eight-day adventure – which takes you from San José to Tamarindo – you’ll spot sloths, hummingbirds and frogs, and zipline or go whitewater rafting your way through the jungle. This trip is a popular choice for its flexibility, allowing you to tailor your itinerary if you’d like to travel privately.
From US$2099
Next available from 9th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
San Jose, Costa Rica
ENDS AT
Tamarindo, Provincia De Guanacaste
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
17
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Northern Thailand, for jungle trekking and elephant encounters
Why is Thailand one of the best places to go in February? In addition to the abundance of sunshine, it’s also when the Chiang Mai Flower Festival takes place – a vibrant three-day celebration full of parades and dancing. On this 10-day adventure, you’ll explore the city by bike before continuing to Pai to marvel at the sunset from Pai Canyon. You’ll also trek through the Mae Hong Son jungle and feed and bathe elephants in a rescue sanctuary.
From US$1189
Next available from 12th Nov 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Chiang Mai, Thailand
ENDS AT
Chiang Mai, Thailand
DURATION
10
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Mexico City, for the cultural richness and street food to die for
Another of our best February vacation ideas is Mexico City. It’s a cooler time of the year, but there’s little rainfall, making it an excellent time to immerse yourself in Mexican culture while avoiding the crowds. On our trip, a local insider will take you to the hidden corners of CDMX, through a vibrant food market and to the ruins of Teotihuacán – a Mesoamerican pyramid complex. There’ll also be a visit to the Monumento a la Revolución, the Museo Nacional de Historia and Mercado de San Juan.
From US$802
Next available from 9th Nov 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Mexico City, Mexico
ENDS AT
Mexico City, Mexico
DURATION
5
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Easy
STYLE
Discovery
Iceland, for glacier hikes and steamy hot springs
In February, Iceland is pretty much as icy as it gets – but so long as you don’t mind the cold, there are plenty of great reasons to visit. Snow blankets much of the landscape, turning it into a winter wonderland, and it’s also a prime time to see the Northern Lights in all their green glory. On our Iceland trip, you’ll charge through the wilderness on a snowmobile, hike the frozen glacial tongue of Sólheimajökull and soak in the mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon.
From US$2369
Next available from 21st Oct 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Reykjavik, Iceland
ENDS AT
Reykjavik, Iceland
DURATION
5
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Colombia, for tropical islands and blissful beaches
Warm beaches in February are few and far between in Europe, making the Caribbean coast of Colombia a tempting alternative. Hop on a boat to the tropical Rosario Islands, which form one of the most scenic vistas in the country, canoe through mangrove forests in La Boquilla, and spot wildlife on a beach hike through Tayrona National Park. On our eight-day trip, adventurous travellers can also try river tubing in the Río Don Diego before rounding off with a farewell dinner in Palomino.
From US$1711
Next available from 9th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cartagena, Colombia
ENDS AT
Santa Marta, Colombia
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
This is an updated version of an article by Heather Hamblin.
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meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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