Where to Travel in February

February is the driest month in Phuket. This island province in the Andaman Sea was once a major trade route between India and China. It is the second smallest province in Thailand. The island connects to the mainland by the Sarasin Bridge. It consists of the main island and 32 smaller islands. The area covers 547 square kilometers. The weather is consistently sunny. This makes it a popular time for boat trips to the smaller islands. You will find very little rain during this period. Crowds are at their highest level on the west coast beaches. Traffic in the main towns is often heavy and slow.

February offers stable sunny weather on this island in the Philippines. It is located 0.8 kilometers from Panay Island. The land area is small at about ten square kilometers. The population has grown to over 37,000 residents. The island is known for white sand and relaxation. It was originally inhabited by the Ati people. Commercial development has been very intense since the 1970s. This has pushed many original inhabitants out of their homes. It is a very built up destination. The main beach is divided into three stations. Station Two is usually the most crowded and noisy area.

February is the warmest month in Rotorua. This city sits on the southern shores of Lake Rotorua on the North Island. It is the 13th largest urban area in New Zealand. Te Arawa Māori people first settled here in the 14th century. The city is a major center for Māori culture. You can visit traditional villages like Ohinemutu. The area is famous for geothermal activity and hot springs. This activity creates a strong sulfur smell throughout the city. Some people find the smell of rotten eggs difficult to tolerate. The city has a resident population of about 58,500. It is the seat of the Rotorua Lakes District.

February has low rainfall and manageable heat in Cambodia. This city is the gateway to the ancient temples of the Khmer Empire. It is the second largest city in the country. The city contains French colonial and Chinese architecture. You can find the Old French Quarter near the Old Market. Local silk farms and rice paddies are located just outside the urban area. Tourism is the main industry here. This means the area around the temples is very busy. You will encounter many vendors selling souvenirs. Angkor Wat is the main attraction. It gets very crowded at sunrise and sunset.

February is prime time for skiing and snowboarding in the Coast Mountains. Whistler is located 125 km north of Vancouver. It has a permanent population of about 14,000 people. Over two million people visit the resort every year. The pedestrian village has won many design awards. It was a host site for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The snow depth is usually at its peak during this month. This makes it the best time for winter sports. The temperatures stay well below freezing. Prices for hotels and lift tickets are very high in February. You should expect long wait times for the lifts during weekend periods.

February is the best time to visit the southernmost city in the world. Ushuaia is located below the 54th parallel south. It sits on a wide bay on the Beagle Channel. The city has a population of nearly 90,000 people. It is the capital of Tierra del Fuego. The Martial mountain range provides a border to the north. The days are long during the southern summer. You can take boat tours of the channel to see penguins and seals. It is the primary starting point for Antarctic cruises. The wind is very strong and can make the air feel much colder. Weather conditions change in minutes.

February is a dry month in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. The town is famous for monolithic churches carved directly into the rock. These date from the 7th to the 13th century. Ethiopia adopted Christianity in the 4th century. Lalibela is a major center of pilgrimage for these Christians. The site represents ancient and medieval civilization. The rock cut churches are the main reason people visit. Walking between them is easy during the dry season. The town is located in the Lasta district. Reaching the town is a challenge. The roads are rough and domestic flights are often delayed.

February is the short dry season in Kenya. The Maasai Mara is a game reserve contiguous with the Serengeti. It is named after the Maasai people who live there. The word Mara means spotted in the Maa language. This refers to the short trees that dot the landscape. Wildlife like lions and leopards are easy to see because the grass is short. Many animals have their young during this month. This attracts many predators to the open plains. It is a good time for wildlife watching without the massive crowds of the Great Migration. The tracks are very dusty and bumpy. You will spend several hours a day in a vehicle.

February has clear weather in the central highlands. Antigua was the capital of Guatemala until an earthquake in 1773. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is known for Spanish Baroque architecture and ruins. It serves as the capital of the Sacatepéquez Department. The street layout dates back to the early colonial period. The city is surrounded by three large volcanoes. These provide a dramatic backdrop to the old churches. The climate is mild and dry during this time of year. The cobblestone streets are very uneven and hard on the feet. Walking for long periods can be tiring.

February is the peak of summer in South Africa. Cape Town is the oldest city in the country. It is located on the shores of Table Bay. Table Mountain and Cape Point are the primary landmarks. The city sits within the Cape Floristic Region. The weather is hot and there is very little rain. The City Bowl is the oldest urban area in the Western Cape. It contains the central business district and many historic sites. The harbour area is popular for dining and shopping. The South Easter wind is very powerful in February. It can cause the Table Mountain cable car to shut down for several days.