Why February Works for a Honeymoon
For most of the US, February is the bleakest stretch of winter, which makes it a smart time to vanish somewhere sunny. Flights to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean are short. The weather in those regions is typically about as reliable as it gets all year.
February is also a sweet spot for cold-weather romance. In Lapland and the Arctic, the deepest darkness of December and January gives way to more daylight for husky rides and snowshoe walks, while nights remain long enough for strong aurora chances. And for safari lovers, February is often the heart of calving season in northern Tanzania, when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest are born on the southern plains within a few weeks.
The one thing to watch is Presidents' Day weekend, which sends a wave of US travelers to the Caribbean and Mexico; avoid those dates or book well ahead.
Our Top Picks for February
Swedish Lapland is our wildcard winter favorite. The Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi typically opens each December with a newly designed set of ice suites. February brings deep snow, brighter days and excellent aurora odds. Combine a night or two on ice with warm rooms, then head south to Treehotel, where suspended rooms hang among the pines above the Lule River valley.
Ngorongoro Crater is a superb base for calving season. The herds gather roughly from December to March on the plains near Ndutu, to the west of the crater. The crater floor itself is busy with resident wildlife year-round. &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge sits right on the rim, all-inclusive and famously theatrical in its design.
Soufrière in Saint Lucia is February at its most cinematic. The dry season brings sunny days and cooler nights. The Pitons rise straight from the sea. Jade Mountain, with its open-walled sanctuaries, is the headline splurge; Anse Chastanet, Ladera Resort and Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort each offer their own take on the view.
Ambergris Caye and the Cayo District make a natural Belize pairing. Start inland at The Blancaneaux Lodge in the cool pine forests of the Mountain Pine Ridge, where February through April are typically the driest months, then finish on the reef at Cayo Espanto, a private island with only a handful of villas.
Koh Samui's driest stretch typically begins in January, so February brings calm seas and clear skies at Six Senses Samui. Chiang Rai & the Golden Triangle is still in its cool, dry season early in the month, a good window for Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle before haze can build later in the spring.
Los Cabos is our short-flight pick: dry, sunny and in the thick of whale season. Watch humpbacks from your terrace at Esperanza, Auberge Collection or Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort.
Finally, Noonu Atoll in the northern Maldives is ideal for stargazing in the dry season. Soneva Jani, with its overwater villas and retractable roofs, is built for exactly that.
Weather & Crowds
February is typically one of the driest months across Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, with sunny days in the low to mid 80s Fahrenheit and comfortable nights. Thailand is warm and dry on both the Andaman and Gulf coasts. The Maldives are hot, calm and clear.
In northern Tanzania it is the short dry period between the rains, usually warm and green. In Lapland, temperatures can still drop far below zero Fahrenheit, but daylight returns quickly through the month; resorts provide thermal outerwear.
Crowds are steady rather than overwhelming, apart from Valentine's Day, Presidents' Day weekend and Carnival in Venice, which make specific dates far busier than the rest of the month.
Where to Avoid (or Go Anyway)
The South Pacific is still in its wet, warm season. Bora Bora, Moorea and Fiji's islands can be steamy and showery, with cyclone risk. Some couples go anyway for lower rates and lush scenery; if you do, a flexible itinerary and travel insurance are essential.
Bali is wet too, as is Sumba, but here there is a reason to go anyway: Pasola, western Sumba's dramatic mounted spear-throwing ritual, is typically held in February and March, with dates set by village elders. Nihi Sumba can advise if you want to witness it.
Most hotels in Santorini, Mykonos, Amalfi and Tuscany are closed, though Lake Como is evolving: Passalacqua now programs some fall and winter seasons. Big Sur and the Pacific Northwest are cool and wet, but cozy: a fireside night at TreeHouse Point near Seattle has its own February charm. Newfoundland remains closed for winter.
Festivals & Seasonal Moments
- Calving season in the southern Serengeti and around Ndutu typically peaks in February, with large numbers of births over a few weeks.
- Carnival in Venice usually takes place in February, with masked balls and costumes; it is a spectacle but very busy.
- Lunar New Year often falls in February, bringing red lanterns and lion dances to Thai cities, including Phuket's Old Town and Chiang Rai.
- Saint Lucia celebrates Independence Day on February 22 with music and local events.
- Plum blossoms usually start appearing in Kyoto's temple gardens in late February, a quieter preview of cherry-blossom season.
- Humpback whales are still active off Los Cabos, Maui and in Turks & Caicos waters.
Booking Tips
If you want to be somewhere specific on Valentine's Day, book dinner when you book your room. Signature restaurants and private beach dinners at small resorts often sell out weeks in advance for February 14.
Check school holiday calendars, too. Presidents' Day week and, in some regions, mid-February winter breaks push up demand in the Caribbean and Mexico.
For calving season safaris, work with a specialist who understands where the herds tend to be in a given year, because timing and location vary with the rains. For Lapland, book aurora-focused stays for at least three nights. Add a cancellation-friendly rate if possible in case of flight disruptions. Comparing flexible and nonrefundable rates side by side is always worth the extra minute.