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10 minutes readContents
- San Jose, Costa Rica
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Schweitzer, Idaho
- Maldives
- Washington D.C.
- Vienna, Austria
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- New Orleans, United States
- Kingston, Jamaica
- Ibiza, Spain
- Venice, Italy
- Book Your February Vacation with ZenHotels
1. San Jose, Costa Rica
- Where to stay: Barceló San Jose
- What to do: Visit Cocos Island National Park
February is right in the middle of Costa Rica’s dry season, making it the best time to visit for those who want to avoid the rainy season. This destination continues to top the list of the best places to visit with its “pura vida” lifestyle focused on gratitude, positivity, and wellbeing. Costa Rica has something for everyone, with its protected jungles and deserted beaches, a tropical paradise for nature lovers.
Photo: PuwanaiSomwanPhoto/ Shutterstock.com
No trip to Costa Rica is complete without visiting Cocos Island National Park, famous for its diving and as one of the best spots for dolphin watching. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also home to manta rays, sea turtles, and other diverse marine life. Prefer the land to the sea? Head to La Amistad National Park, where you’ll find Costa Rica’s highest mountain, Cerro Chirripó.
Costa Rica is one of the most popular destinations in Central America and is perfect for a February vacation with prices at a more affordable rate.
2. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Where to stay: The Myst Dong Khoi
What to do: Sample local cuisine, like Bánh xèo and Bò né.
2025 is a milestone year for Vietnam, marking 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. Ho Chi Minh City – still known in some parts as ‘Saigon’ – is set to host a series of celebrations and events to mark the anniversary of its national reunification. If you’re visiting anywhere in Asia in 2025, make it Ho Chi Minh City.
Photo: CravenA / Shutterstock.com
February is a great time, allowing you to celebrate the Lunar New Year and the latter part of the Vietnamese New Year. 2025 is the perfect time to get ahead of the curve and visit Ho Chi Minh City, a destination that is quickly starting to earn a name for itself with its culinary delights and bustling nightlife.
3. Schweitzer, Idaho
- Where to stay: Pend Oreille Shores Resort
- What to do: Hit the best slopes in the USA
You don’t have to head to Europe to hit the slopes. Idaho is home to Sun Valley, one of the top ski destinations in the United States. February is a great time for skiing in the U.S. as you can expect smaller crowds, while enjoying milder temperatures and reasonable snowfall. Schweitzer is one of the largest ski resorts in Idaho and a family-friendly destination with terrain best suited for intermediate skiers and above. Prepare to take in panoramic views of the neighboring states of Washington and Montana, including the chance to peek across to Canada.
Photo: CSNafzger / Shutterstock.com
Pend Oreille Shores Resort is just a 30-minute drive from Schweitzer, ideal for travelers who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the slopes for a quieter accommodation option. Schweitzer makes it easy to choose from a range of ticket options, including beginner lift tickets and twilight lift tickets.
4. Maldives
- Where to stay: Island Luxury Boutique Hotel, Fulhadhoo
- What to do: Go snorkeling to see the manta rays
No destination in the world is talked about as much as the Maldives. It’s become the must-visit destination for celebrities, influences, and everyday travel enthusiasts alike. The Republic of Maldives is nestled in the Indian Ocean in South Asia to the Southwest of India and Sri Lanka. There are 26 atolls and over 1,000 islands that make up the Maldives, making them a dream come true for island hoppers.
Photo: Maridav / Shutterstock.com
The Maldives is quickly becoming a go-to choice for honeymoons and romantic getaways. It’s one of our favorite February vacation ideas as the month offers ideal conditions for diving and snorkeling without the summer crowds. If you’ve always dreamt of seeing manta rays, this is the time to visit! February also falls outside of the monsoon season (May to November) and is warm and dry without being too humid.
If you’re a nature lover heading to the Maldives, book a hotel with a conservationist or biologist on the staff to ensure the resort is operating in an eco-friendly way with a conservation policy.
5. Washington D.C.
- Where to stay: Phoenix Park Hotel
- What to do: Explore the city’s diverse range of museums and historic sites
February is Black History Month and a time of reflection. While you might be tempted to book a trip to somewhere like Mexico or Chile, February is the ideal time for an educational trip closer to home. Washington D.C. is a year-round destination with a myriad of museums and exhibitions to visit – many of them opened to the public for free.
Photo: naturalhistory.si.edu/ Shutterstock.com
While famous museums like the Smithsonian and National Archives will attract visitors for every season, February is when the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and National Museum of African American History and Culture are at their busiest. Washington D.C. is a walkable city, making it ideal for a weekend break, with plenty of independent restaurants, quirky bookshops, and stand-alone boutiques to visit.
6. Vienna, Austria
- Where to stay: MAXX by Steigenberger Hotel Vienna
- What to do: Attend one of Vienna’s famous classical balls
While cities like Paris and Rome continue to top the list of the best places to visit in Europe, don’t overlook Vienna! The city is considered one of the best places to live in Europe with a wave of new hotels opening throughout the area.
Photo: wiener-staatsoper.at
If you’re a music fan, 2025 is the year to plan a trip to Vienna as the city celebrates the double centenary of Johann Strauss. February is when Vienna hosts its iconic balls that capture an imperial tradition and offer a unique chance to get dressed up and dance in the city’s most famous buildings. Make sure to practice your Viennese Waltz before grabbing a ticket for the Vienna Philharmonic Ball, Vienna Opera Ball, or the Johann Strauss Ball.
7. Reykjavik, Iceland
- Where to stay: Hotel Holt – The Art Hotel
- What to do: Indulge in a trip to a natural hot springs, like Blue Lagoon
Iceland is another location constantly topping the list of best places to vacation in February. The month is one of the darkest of the year in Iceland, giving you the best chance of catching the showstopping display of the northern lights. You’ll want to add extra layers to your travel checklist, including sturdy boots and thermal tops.
Photo: ARoxoPT / Shutterstock.com
The Winter Lights Festival is hosted annually in Reykjavik with a range of cultural events held throughout the surrounding area, including art installations. It’s worth noting that the unpredictable weather in February means some activities on your travel itinerary may become unavailable at short notice. However, there’s still plenty to do throughout Reykjavik, from horseback riding to relaxing in the natural hot springs or glacier hiking.
8. New Orleans, United States
- Where to stay: Hotel Mazarin
- What to do: Celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans’ French Quarter
Blanch DuBois in Tennessee Williams’ play ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, set in New Orleans, famously said that “I don’t want realism, I want magic”. If you want magic, look no further than New Orleans in February. Mardi Gras is the hallmark event of the year for the city with carnival events happening from February to March. Expect to see daily parades, street performers, and masquerade balls taking over the famous French Quarter.
Photo: mardigrasneworleans.com
New Orleans is known for its mouth-watering culinary delights, from gumbo to jambalaya. Musicians like Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Louis Armstrong provide the soundtrack of the city, often playing out loud from restaurants and nightclubs all day long. Make sure to pack a costume, comfortable shoes, and a mask if you want to take part in the parades.
9. Kingston, Jamaica
- Where to stay: The Courtleigh Hotel and Suites
- What to do: Explore the Bob Marley Museum
Every reggae music fan needs to visit Jamaica at least once. February is one of the best times to explore Jamaica, especially if you’re planning on doing outdoor activities across the island. Visiting during its driest month provides ideal conditions for snorkeling and swimming as the sea is often the calmest.
Photo: Follow / freepik.com
February also marks the birthday of Bob Marley with the island hosting a range of events and concerts. He was born just two hours outside of Kingston in Nine Mile with tourists still able to visit where he was born. Bob Marley Museum is one of Jamaica’s top attractions, set within a 19th-century colonial-style home purchased by Marley in the 1970s. Music aficionados can visit Tuff Gong, where Marley recorded his albums, and Trench Town Culture Yard, considered the birthplace of reggae music.
10. Ibiza, Spain
- Where to stay: El Hotel Pacha
- What to do: Discover the sandy beaches and lively nightlife
Ibiza is one of the go-to destinations for holidaymakers during the summer, but February offers a unique opportunity to experience the island like a local. Expect a more laid-back experience than the intense clubbing atmosphere that takes over during peak season. February is when you’ll get some of the best deals for a trip to Ibiza with food, drinks, and experiences usually being more affordable as tourist numbers fall.
Photo: Alex Tihonovs / Shutterstock.com
If you want a Mardi Gras experience without crossing the Atlantic, you can experience a Carnival atmosphere in Ibiza with parades and parties held throughout February. Although famous for its nightclubs, those who prefer a more laid-back vacation can reconnect with nature on the north side of the island. There are plenty of remote beaches to explore with Ibiza Horse Valley being a popular choice for animal lovers who want to explore the island on horseback.
11. Venice, Italy
- Where to stay: Hotel San Cassiano Ca’Favretto
- What to do: Dress up and attend the Carnival of Venice
Another city famous for its carnival is Venice. Although you can expect February to be the coldest time of year, it gives you a chance to get up close to Venice’s iconic Gothic architecture without the bustling summer crowds. Carnival changes annually, ending on Shrove Tuesday before the start of Lent, just like Mardi Gras. This carnival can be traced back to the Middle Ages with the modern celebration revived in 1979.
Photo: veniceevents.com
Famous for its Venetian masks, the Carnival of Venice is centered around Saint Mark’s Square. The theme for 2025 is ‘in the time of Casanova’, running from 22nd February to 4th March. You can’t leave Venice without a traditional gondola ride down Canal Grande and a visit to Doge’s Palace, the Basilica di San Marco, and Piazza San Marco.
Book Your February Vacation with ZenHotels
February vacations are a chance to escape the cold and grey weather of late winter and treat yourself to a getaway. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or want to book a long weekend away, February is the perfect time to grab a bargain.
Photo: Martin Valigursky/ Shutterstock.com
Some of the most popular destinations in the world – like the Maldives – are in their off-peak season, giving you a unique chance to visit without the usual tourist crowds.
At ZenHotels, it’s our goal to make your travel dreams a reality. Wherever you’re heading this February, we’ve got hotel and accommodation options to suit your budget and travel needs.
Book the best hotel ratesin over 220 countries with ZenHotels and download our mobile app to access exclusive rates even lower than on our website.
