As winter drags on in many parts of the world, February is an ideal time to escape the cold and enjoy a warm getaway on a budget. With some strategic planning, you can soak up the sun in tropical destinations without breaking the bank. This guide covers everything you need to know to plan an affordable February vacation in paradise, from flight deals and discount lodging to free attractions and wallet-friendly eats. Read on for the inside scoop on scoring deals to 15 of the cheapest warm places to visit in February for a rejuvenating midwinter escape.
Cancun, Mexico
With an abundance of all-inclusive resorts and short, direct flights from many major US cities, Cancun is one of the most popular – and affordable – warm-weather destinations in February. The average high-temperature hovers around 80 degrees all month long. Snag significant savings by going the all-inclusive route at resorts like Ocean Coral & Turquesa by H10. There is no shortage of free beach fun and cheap eats at taco stands and markets around the Hotel Zone. Catch a ferry to the outlying islands for snorkeling, beaches, and Mayan ruins.
Negril, Jamaica
Escape the harsh winter by hitting Jamaica’s laidback west coast. Negril temps average the high-80s in February, with cooling breezes off the Caribbean Sea. All-inclusive packages abound, but also check out TripAdvisor-ranked lodging like Cliff Hotel for under $100 a night. Sign up for a resort day pass to access amenities like pools, beaches and bars at hotels like Beaches Negril for around $100 per couple. Fill up on cheap local jerk chicken and grab drinks at sunset on Seven Mile Beach, one of the Caribbean’s most stunning stretches of sand.
Havana, Cuba
Thanks to new ease-of-travel allowances for US visitors, the formerly forbidden island of Cuba is opening up for Americans. The capital city of Havana enjoys average February highs in the mid-80s. With infrastructure still developing, Havana is one of the hemisphere’s cheapest destinations – making it very wallet-friendly even if you avoid resorts. Stay in one of Old Havana’s vibrant classic homes turned guesthouses called “casas particulares” for around $30-50 per night. Enjoy flavorful street food like roast pork sandwiches for under $2 and historic sights like Old Town for free.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Part of the US commonwealth, San Juan enjoys an average February high around 85. Escape chilly winters with easy flights and no passport required. There are plenty of wallet-friendly AirBnBs under $100 per night in historic Old San Juan. The historic El Morro fortress and strolling the charming cobblestone streets of Old Town cost nada. Score cheap local eats like mofongo (mashed plantains) or alcapurrias (fritters) for a few bucks at no-frills restaurants. Plan your visit for late February and experience the Bacardi Festival free music concert.
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Jamaica’s second city offers temperatures averaging the mid-80s in February and plenty of resort packages that won’t devastate your budget. Doc’s Inn Hotel provides homestyle Jamaican hospitality for just $60 a night. Gain free access to the resort amenities of properties like Sunset Beach by signing up for a day pass. For cheap eats, hit local favorite Pork Pit for crazy cheap jerk dishes cooked over a rustic wooden coal pit. Check Groupon for deep discounted tours to attractions like the iconic Dunn’s River Falls.
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
The oldest permanent European settlement in the Caribbean averages highs in the mid-80s for bargain-hunting beachgoers. Street food like fried cheese and seafood doubled with plantains can be scored for pocket change from ubiquitous food carts. Stay at locally-owned boutique properties like Casa Sanchez Boutique Hotel in charming Colonial Zone for as little as $80 per night. Soak in 500 years’ worth of history strolling around UNESCO-listed Colonial City free of charge. Catch free open-air concerts and cultural events during the Dominican Republic’s vibrant Carnival celebration leading up to Lent.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The D.R. is home to Punta Cana, the undisputed king of affordable all-inclusive Caribbean resorts. With fierce competition, properties here offer incredible bang-for-buck with February room rates as shockingly low as $100 per person, including all meals, drinks and activities. The Punta Cana coast enjoys low humidity and average high temps of 85 degrees in February. Off resort, public beaches and family-friendly water parks like Manati Park offer affordable entry. Grab cheap authentic Dominican street food like fried cheese arepas from roadside stands for less than $2 a pop.
Cozumel, Mexico
The island of Cozumel off Mexico’s Yucatan coast averages 82 degrees in February, with water temperatures in the high 70s. It’s one of the Western Hemisphere’s top spots for snorkeling and scuba diving, the stunning Mesoamerican Reef – often for bargain basement prices. Budget hotels like the beachfront Coral Princess and all-inclusive packages provide affordable rates to pair with extremely cheap street food like tacos for $1-2 each. Avoid the bars and book booze cruises to save big on drinks. Get away from the tourist zone via scooter or public bus to eat, drink and relax like a local for pennies.
Belize City, Belize
Although one of Central America’s pricier destinations, Belize still offers plenty of relative value – especially for divers and snorkelers. Belize City sees average February high temperatures around 80 degrees. You can often find hotel deals under $100, even at higher-end properties like Radisson Fort George Hotel. Scope out toys, trinkets and souvenirs for cheap at the makeshift stalls of Tourism Village Market. Experience Belizean culture at free events like the annual Carnival King and Queen Competition leading up to the wild and crazy Carnival itself.
Roatan, Honduras
This up-and-coming Caribbean destination centered around the second largest Barrier Reef system offers a budget-friendly beach escape averaging about 85 degrees in February. Stay at beachfront properties like the cute and colorful Blue Bahia Guesthouse for around $50-60 per night. Get your dive certification or book snorkeling, sailing or jungle tours for a comparative pittance versus better-established resort areas. Fill up on rustic yet delicious Garifuna cuisine like bean and plantain stews for just pocket change, even in tourist zones.
Bocas del Toro, Panama
This archipelago on Panama’s Caribbean coast offers an off-beat blend of lush jungle scenery and chilled-out islands surrounded by clear, warm waters. Temperatures hover around 80 degrees in February. Super cheap lodging like the Selina Hostel provides a tropical ambiance for just $10 a night for dorms. For budget rates, get your thrills ziplining through rainforest canopies or snorkel and dolphin spots in the bay. Hang with the locals sipping cold $1 beers at low-key bars and noshing on cheap yet delicious seafood along the waterfront.
Tamarindo, Costa
Rica Located on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, the surf town of Tamarindo provides the ideal warm weather escape, averaging 86 degrees in February. Budget lodgings like the beachfront Tamarindo Diria hostel make staying on a slim wallet no sacrifice. Ride horses along the beach, surf legendary breaks like Playa Grande or explore jungle wildlife preserves for bargain prices compared to tours in the core eco-resorts. In town, fill up on cheap yet outstanding tacos and ceviche at hole-in-the-wall locals’ favorites for just a couple of bucks a meal.
Santa Marta, Colombia
Colombia’s top Caribbean coastal destination boasts average February highs around 90 degrees. The charming Tayrona National Park offers fantastic beaches, camping and wildlife watching for just a $5 entrance fee. In town, the La Brisa Loca hostel provides crazy ocean views from just $12 per night. Street carts and humble local eateries dish up hearty Columbian coastal fare like whole fried snapper for a comparative pittance. Catch free outdoor film screenings or concerts at the Parque de los Novios downtown.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Ambergris Caye packs barefoot Caribbean charm into a tiny 13-mile-long island off the coast of Belize. Temperatures average near 80 degrees in February, with steady ocean breezes keeping the humidity tolerable. Snag oceanfront rooms at intimate hotels like the beachfront Caribbean Villas Hotel for around $100 per night. Belize’s amazing Barrier Reef provides world-class snorkeling and diving at competitive rates versus regional rivals. Wander off the tourist track to eat mouthwatering traditional Belizean home-cooking on the cheap from roadside BBQ stands.
Last Words
Packing up for an affordable warm places to visit in february is one of the best ways to recharge from winter’s toll. With average February high temperatures in the 80s and budget-friendly amenities ranging from street food under $2 to snorkeling day trips for a comparative pittance, the destinations above provide the perfect formula for an economical midwinter escape.
Whether you opt for an all-inclusive package or a funky locally-owned guest house, scoring travel deals to these up-and-coming tropical locales lets you maximize fun-in-the-sun time without draining your wallet. Embark on a solo escapade to the Caribbean’s budget-friendly havens, where the allure of jungle adventures, Mayan ruins, pristine white sand beaches, and mesmerizing underwater reefs awaits—so pick your poison and make your most affordable warm weather vacation dreams come true this February.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the cheapest warm places to visit in February?
Some of the most affordable warm destinations with February temperatures in the 80s include Cancun, Negril, Havana, San Juan, Montego Bay, Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Cozumel, Belize City, Roatan, Bocas del Toro, Tamarindo, Santa Marta and Ambergris Caye.
When are flight and hotel prices the lowest?
For warm weather destinations, late winter months like February offer lower pricing before the high Spring Break and Summer seasons hit. Book flights mid-week for additional savings. Hotels and resorts also deeply discount room rates pre-peak seasons.
What’s the best way to save money on a warm vacation?
All-inclusive resort packages offer the best overall value with meals, drinks and activities all bundled into one fixed rate. Opting for lesser-known destinations like Honduras and Panama can provide similar amenities for cheaper rates. Also, traveling independently instead of on group tours provides the flexibility to eat, drink and sight-see for less.
How cheap can I travel to the Caribbean?
Exploring emerging destinations like Roatan, Havana, Santo Domingo and parts of Belize provides ultra-cheap Caribbean travel options thanks to the developing tourism infrastructure. Shoestring backpackers can manage on less than $50 USD per day if you really pinch pennies on no-frills lodging and street food.
What are cheap ways to enjoy luxury in warm destinations?
Sign up for free day passes at all-inclusive mega resorts to access amenities like endless food and drinks, pools, lounges and entertainment without the astronomical room rates. Also, book excursion activities like snorkeling tours, sunset cruises, or jungle ziplines for reasonable group rates unavailable to private travelers.