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These Are the 21 Best Warm Weather Destinations When It’s Cold AF in Winter

As we all know, when February rolls around in the Northern Hemisphere, nearly everyone is so sick of the cold weather that they are willing to pay anything just to get out of it for a week or two. Luckily, the world is filled with cheap and warm areas that are waiting for you. Here are some places that will make your winter escape more memorable.

1. Santiago, Chile

  • February avg high: 84F/29C
  • February avg low: 54F/12C
  • February avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm

In the Southern Hemisphere, we have warm days that are bone-dry for the entire late summer, and Santiago is the best stop on any tour of South America. It’s a very large city that includes a bit of everything; culture and beaches are never too far away.

2. Dubai, UAE

  • Avg. temperature: 25°C
  • Avg. hours of sunshine: 8.5 hrs
  •  Avg. flight time: 7 hrs
The shiniest city in the United Arab Emirates is blessed with great weather and is well connected to the UK with daily non-stop flights from six airports. It is known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Dubai is a city that ensures very warm and sunny weather all year round – in fact, it’s almost too hot in the summer, with temperatures reaching over 40°C. A much better time to visit Dubai is from November to March when temperatures are more tolerable for sun-seekers.

 

3. Phuket, Thailand

  • Avg. temperature: 28°C
  • Avg. hours of sunshine: 9 hrs
  • Avg. flight time: 12 hrs

Phuket is still quite crowded in February, as it’s a longtime favorite sunshine destination for northern Europeans. Even if it’s the most expensive part of Thailand, it’s still quite a bargain by international standards. Phuket is actually a large rainforest, with mountainous islands in the Andaman Sea, and has some of Thailand’s most popular beaches situated along the clear waters of the western shore. There are about 10 different major beach towns, each with its own vibe and price range, so be sure to include this on your itinerary if you are a beach person.

 

4. Bangkok, Thailand

  • February avg high: 91F/33C
  • February avg low: 74F/23C
  • February avg precip: 1.2″/3.0cm

Bangkok is Thailand’s capital, a large city known for ornate shrines and vibrant street life. By the time February rolls in, the large winter crowds are fading a bit, so it’s still a very good time to visit as long as you are okay with hot and humid days and nights.

5. Buenos Aires, Argentina

  • February avg high: 84F/29C
  • February avg low: 67F/19C
  • February avg precip: 4.6″/11.5cm

Buenos Aires is Argentina’s big, cosmopolitan capital city that actually gets quite hot and wet during the peak of summer. By the time February rolls in it, cools off a bit. Other major attractions include Teatro Colón, a grand 1908 opera house with nearly 2,500 seats, and the modern MALBA museum that displays Latin American art.

 

6. Cape Verde, Africa

  • Avg. temperature: 25°C
  • Avg. hours of sunshine: 9 hrs
  • Avg. flight time: 6 hrs
For active thrillseekers, a holiday to Cape Verde, also known as Cabo Verde, is perfect. Cabo Verde is a nation on a volcanic archipelago that could involve awesome hiking on hillsides layered with frozen lava, incredible surfing and windsurfing, and excellent deep sea fishing. Situated around 300 miles just off the coast of West Africa in the Atlantic Ocean, it is an eclectic hybrid fusion of African and Portuguese culture. If you’re looking for something a little different and an average daytime temperature of 25C, minimal rainfall of 3mm and daylong sunshine, then this could be the remote February escape you’re looking for.

7. Ambergris Caye, Belize

 

  • February avg high: 76F/24C
  • February avg low: 71F/22C
  • February avg precip: 2.6″/6.5cm

Belize’s largest island, with a rainy season that lasts through part of January, is known for its Caribbean beaches, water sports and scuba diving. Off the eastern shore, the Belize Barrier Reef features famed snorkeling and dive sites like the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which boasts an abundance of sea life and the 124m-deep Great Blue Holehas. Ambergris Caye also has a relatively late season of ideal weather, with February acting as its first month. San Pedro is the center for sailing and reef exploration.

 

8. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • February avg high: 91F/33C
  • February avg low: 73F/23C
  • February avg precip: 4.7″/11.8cm

Rio is known for its natural settings, Carnival, samba, bossa nova, and balneario beaches. In addition to the beaches, some of the most famous landmarks include the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer . In February, the city welcomes the Rio Festival, so expect a busy yet warm and festive atmosphere. You will inevitably get some rain in February as well, but usually only in short tropical downpours.

9. Caribbean

  • Avg. temperature: 25°C
  • Avg. hours of sunshine: 8 hrs
  • Avg. flight time: 9 hrs
The Caribbean Islands will always satisfy the need for a spot of February winter sun. From the Bahamas in the north of the Caribbean region to Barbados in the south, whatever the occasion, it is a secluded, untouched island that blends old Caribbean with five-star luxury touches. February is a season of warm day temperatures, low rainfall and steady trade winds to keep things cool ideal for romantic getaways or water sports adventure.

10. The Canary Islands

  • Avg. temperature: 22°C
  • Avg. hours of sunshine: 7 hrs
  • Avg. flight time: 4.5 hrs
The Canary Islands are just over 50 miles from sub Saharan Africa and so benefit from a pleasant climate and plenty of sunshine all year round. Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, which is dominated by the sometimes-snowy active volcano Mt. Teide, has some stunning beaches — notably Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos. Other islands such as Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Gomera also enjoy pleasant winter sun temperatures, averaging around 22°C in February.

11. Boracay Island, Philippines

  • February average high: 82°F/28°C
  • February average low: 74°F/23°C
  • February avg precip: 1.8″/4.5cm

Have you heard of Boracay Island in the Philippines? This gorgeous stretch of sand may be a small island, but it is huge in its offering of a variety of activities– from swimming in its pristine blue water, to strolling along the sugary white sanded beach, enjoying the nightlife, making choices on restaurants featuring multi-ethnic foods, and just relaxing in wonderment of the island’s amazing scenery viewed from a range of affordable to expensive hotels. But for most people, it is more than enough to just relax on the sand of White Beach and bask in the summer heat.

12. Cancun

  • Avg. temperature: 23°C
  • Avg. hours of sunshine: 7 hrs
  • Avg. flight time: 11 hrs
Known for its nightlife and white sandy beaches, Cancun is a top Caribbean holiday destination all year round. Despite a 10-hour flight time or more, it will all be worth it. Enjoy the eco-theme parks that are overflowing with activities, to extreme water sports, to a lesson in Tequila; this city is full of sun, sand and adventure.  Visit Ik-Kil, which has one of the most popular cenotes (derived from the Mayan name, which means “secret well”) for swimming and snorkeling and is located just a couple of miles from Chichen Itza. If that’s not your style, the eastern side of Cancun is home to Playa Ballenas, Gaviota Azul, San Miguelito and Playa Delfines with quieter beaches ideal for peaceful February escape.

 

13. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • February avg high: 91F/33C
  • February avg low: 73F/23C
  • February avg precip: 0.2″/0.5cm

Locally known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh  isn’t a beach city, but there are some very nice and cheap beaches not far away. It does start to get quite hot in February, especially toward the end of the month, so it’s not really a good idea to plan for a longer stay in this huge and sprawling city. If you are in the area it’s a must to stop off here for at least a few days, so it’s good to know that this is also the driest time of year. Check out museums and other landmarks to have a taste of their history and culture.

14. Florida, US

  • Avg. temperature: 23°C
  • Avg. hours of sunshine: 8 hrs
  • Avg. flight time: 9.5 hrs
When travelling with kids, their happiness should be first on our list. When we think of happiness, there’s only one place we’d rather be — Disneyworld and the other Orlando theme parks. Furthermore, Florida boasts stunning beaches such as St Petersburg and Clearwater, making Florida a brilliant choice for a family holiday in February. With an average temperature  and  rainfall of 8.2cm in comparison to 20cm in June, it’s definitely a safe bet for holidaymakers desperately searching where to have a hot yet fun family adventure in February.

15. Gambia, Africa

 

  • Avg. temperature: 26°C
  • Avg. hours of sunshine: 9 hrs
  • Avg. flight time: 6.5 hr
Gambia is often overlooked by holiday seekers, as they tend to flock instead to the Canaries, Balearics, Greece and Turkey. However, Gambia is a great alternative to a Med holiday and also offers a February winter sun option for sun-starved people like us. It has wide range of various eco-systems and dense forest and mangrove regions. With this beautiful forest park, you will come to know about the woodland fauna and local medicinal plants. You may have access to a boat trip through dugout canoe where you will enjoy the local beats of music and local-style of dance. Just be reminded to have injections for safe travels (Malaria tablets too). but you are virtually guaranteed 9 hours of sunshine, with temperatures up to the mid 30s in the daytime and zero rainfall in February.

16. Perth, Australia

  • Avg. temperature: 26°C
  • Avg. hours of sunshine: 10 hrs
  • Avg. flight time: 19 hrs
With a reputation of offering the most sunshine hours in the world, the capital city in Australia, Perth, is a great destination for travelers looking for a hot and sunny February holiday. It offers a lot of fun-filled activities from man-made attractions, to beautiful parklands, to nature and marine life. Life in Perth city center focuses around the Swan River, which is lined with bars and restaurants.

17. Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

  • February average high: 72°F/22°C
  • February average low: 57°F/14°C
  • February avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm

Sharm el-Sheikh could be a great place to spend at least part of your February. It is known as Egypt’s best destination not just to chill on the beach, but to also try excellent unique things. The underwater world of Ras Mohammed Marine Park puts this place as the best diving destination among tourists. This Red Sea resort isn’t really warm enough for much sunbathing this time of year, but still the weather remains pleasant, which is warm and dry —  more than you can say about most areas around the globe in February.

 

18. Goa, India

  • February avg high: 89F/32C
  • February avg low: 69F/21C
  • February avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm

If you are looking for a cheaper or more pleasant beach resort area in February, then try Goa. A land where a both the traditional and modern worlds meet, this small state with dozens of small beach towns up and down its coast proves that choosing the one that fits you best is at least half struggle. While in Goa, be sure to visit the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, home to thick forests and a taste of wildlife experience.

19. Luang Prabang, Laos

  • February avg high: 88F/31C
  • February avg low: 59F/15C
  • February avg precip: 0.6″/1.5cm

In Luang Prabang, it remains dry and warm during the day and it cools off at night. It gets more popular every year as new tourists are charmed and captivated by its magic. Other attractions are the National Museum, Wat Sisaket, Wat Prakeo, Luang Stupa, Patuxay Monument and etc. This contributes to Luang Prabang being relatively expensive for Laos, but that’s the beauty of the place — In our opinion, it’s all worth it.

20. Siem Reap, Cambodia

  • February avg high: 92F/33C
  • February avg low: 69F/21C
  • February avg precip: 0.1″/0.3cm

The best months to visit Siem Reap are November through February since it is still very dry. Of course you’ll be visiting the Angkor Wat temples, one of the wonders of the oriental world, just north of Siem Reap itself. It is also very easy to get around because of the abundance of minivans, motorcycle taxies, and remok (Cambodian tuk-tuk), so visiting the quaint museums and classical music venues downtown will be a breeze.

 

21. Cape Town, South Africa

 

  • February avg high: 80F/27C
  • February avg low: 60F/16C
  • February avg precip: 0.7″/1.8cm

Cape town is a port city on South Africa’s southwest coast. The high season for hotels is still in effect in February, when the weather doesn’t really get any better than pleasant and warm sunny days with mild nights. As the month goes on you, are likely to find good bargains mixed in. Enjoy Safari tours while exploring their wildlife, and other attractions which includes wine tasting and lagoon cruises.

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