Cheapest Places to Visit in February

This ancient Maya city in Mexico is highly popular in February. The weather is dry and much cooler than the baking summer months, making it the most comfortable time to walk among the stone temples. Mexico is often seen as a cheap destination, but Chichen Itza is an exception. The state government has doubled entry fees in recent years, making it one of the most expensive archaeological sites in the region. To save money, stay in nearby Valladolid instead of Cancun. Take a local collectivo bus early in the morning to arrive before the tour buses and the midday heat.

These two volcanic plugs rise straight out of the sea on the island of Saint Lucia. February offers excellent dry weather with low humidity, making it perfect for hiking Gros Piton. Saint Lucia is not a budget destination. February is the peak of the winter season, so resort prices and flights are at their highest. You must pay a registration fee and hire an official guide to climb Gros Piton. The hike is steep, physically demanding, and takes about four hours of intense climbing.

This small national park on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica combines rainforest trails with sandy beaches. February falls in the dry season, so you have the best chance of spotting sloths and monkeys without getting rained on. Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Central America. Park entry tickets must be purchased online in advance, and they sell out weeks ahead for February dates. Local guides wait outside the park gate to sell their services. While they help you spot wildlife with scopes, their fees add significant cost to an already expensive day.

This cone shaped volcano in northern Costa Rica is surrounded by rainforest and thermal rivers. February weather brings clear skies, which gives you the best chance of actually seeing the volcanic peak. While the national park entry fee is reasonable, the surrounding activities are not. Access to the famous hot spring resorts nearby can cost over eighty dollars for a day pass. You cannot climb the volcano itself because it is active and dangerous. You can only walk the old lava trails around the base of the mountain.

Dubai experiences its best weather of the year in February. Temperatures hover around twenty five degrees Celsius, which is perfect for walking around the city before the extreme summer heat arrives. This is not a cheap destination. February is peak tourist season here, meaning hotel rates in the city center are at their highest. You can find cheap meals in the older districts like Deira, but tourist areas and western style restaurants will deplete your budget quickly.

The Maldives is a chain of low lying coral islands in the Indian Ocean. February is the driest month of the year, offering calm seas and endless blue skies. This is one of the most expensive places on earth. Resort islands charge premium rates in February, and even local guesthouse islands see price hikes. Getting between islands requires expensive speedboat rides or seaplane transfers. These transport costs can easily double your total trip budget.

This eighty two kilometer waterway connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. February is the middle of the dry season, making it the best time to watch giant ships navigate the locks without tropical downpours. Panama is moderately priced compared to Costa Rica, but it is not a bargain. The main visitor center at Miraflores Locks charges a significant entry fee for foreigners. To save money, you can view the canal for free from certain public viewpoints along the Amador Causeway or near the locks.

This national park contains the highest peak in New Zealand and is covered in glaciers. February is late summer in the southern hemisphere, offering the warmest and most stable hiking weather of the year. The park itself is free to enter, which is great for budget travelers. However, getting to this remote part of the South Island requires a rental car or an expensive bus journey. Accommodation options inside the park are very limited. If you do not book a campsite months in advance, you will pay high prices for lodge rooms.

Lake Atitlan is a deep volcanic lake in the highlands of Guatemala. February is dry and sunny, with warm days and cool mountain nights that require a jacket. This is a true budget destination. You can find cheap rooms and inexpensive local meals in almost all the lakeside villages. Moving between villages is cheap if you use the local public wooden boats. Some villages like San Pedro are very cheap, while others like Santa Cruz are more secluded and expensive.

This historic city in northern Laos sits on the Mekong River. February is the last month of the cool season, making it perfect for walking to the various temples without melting in the heat. Laos is incredibly cheap for travelers using foreign currency. You can get a private room and three meals a day for a fraction of what you would spend in neighboring Thailand. While the city is cheap, getting there can be expensive. Flying directly into the local airport is costly, so many travelers take the train from Vientiane to save money.