My Favorite February Warm-Weather, Last-Minute Budget Travel Destinations

For years I have ventured to different vacation spots around the world during the month of February in order to escape the New England winter blues, but being not long after the holidays, I am always on a tight budget. Those of you who know me also know that I have a tendency to book flights with less than 72 hours notice, and occasionally less than 24. (I’m working on it!) If you are wanting to take a solo adventure trip abroad or have a getaway with your family during February, here are some of my top picks of where to go.

Puerto Rico

I’ve been to Puerto Rico in February three times and, to be honest, I will go back countless times in the future. Being on the east coast, it is a quick, non-stop flight out of Boston and you get all the wonder of traveling abroad with the ease of traveling in the United States. Think rainforest waterfalls, great surf, island life vibes, cobblestone streets, and culture differences, all while being able to use your cell service, credit cards, the American dollar, and not needing a passport.

Each time I have visited I have seen a different part of the island and loved each one for different reasons. If you want to FEEL like you are on an island, I recommend taking a ferry over to Vieques where you can bask on gorgeous beaches, ride around on a golf cart, and witness free-roaming horses on the beach.

Above: A free-roaming horse stops to eat along the beach on the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico.

If surfing is your thing, rent a car and make the drive to Rincon on the western side of the island. While there, make sure to checkout the night market where you can score local art and grab an evening snack or rent a car and take a drive to one of the local waterfalls.

Of course, don’t even consider leaving Puerto Rico without spending time in Old San Juan. You can wander the cobblestone streets, pop into cute shops and take photos of colorful buildings without spending a dime.

Guatemala

While I have visited Costa Rica more times than any other, with rising costs and the rural areas I adored no longer having the same vibe due to the expansion of hotel chains and large-scale Western corporations, (Don’t get me wrong, you should still visit.) consider checking out Guatemala instead. It’s hands down one of my favorite countries I’ve visited and is so unique from other areas of Central America.

Head to Antigua and spend a few days acclimating to the elevation difference in this colorful and vibrant city that is full of cultural celebrations and history. Do some people watching and try some street food in Parque del Central, buy local art at the art market, and visit the Chocolate Museum.

If you have the ability to splurge a little and once your body has adjusted to the elevation difference, do not miss the popular Acetanango hike and the opportunity to camp on the side of a volcano. If you are lucky you will be there when the neighboring Volcan de Fuego is erupting and you can watch natural fireworks and in time for sunrise. To this day it is one of my favorite adventures I have ever done.

Above: Tents setup on the edge of Volcan Acatenango overlooking Volcan del Fuego just a few hours before sunset.

Then, you need to make your way to Lake Atitlan and spend some days village hopping or, if you have the time consider heading north and visiting Chichicastenango (Chi Chi) to experience the country’s largest outdoor market (Check for which days are the best) and/or go even further north to Flores to explore the Tikal ancient ruins.

Indonesia

Above: Sunrise at Mount Batur in Indonesia.

If you have the time to venture further from the U.S., pack your sandals and floral print and head to Indonesia. Of course, if you haven’t been, you have to visit the forever popular island of Bali. While it’s the more expensive part of the country, it’s still far cheaper than the U.S., especially if you are open to staying at a local homestay. Eat all the Nasi Goreng you can eat, try your hand at surfing, motor scooter through rice fields straight out of National Geographic, take an art class, go on a coffee tour, visit the numerous temples and make sure to do the infamous Mt. Batur sunrise hike if that’s your thing.

But don’t stop with Bali. There are many islands to explore with my favorites being the Gili Islands. If you want to be where there’s budget accommodations and a lot going on, book your stay on Trawangan (lovingly known as ‘Gili T’). But if looking for laid back and have a higher budget, Gili Air’s quiet, local vibe or Gili Meno’s honeymoon-style luxury accommodations may be more your speed.

Regardless where you end up you won’t find any motorized vehicles on the islands. That said, with the Gili T being the largest of the three islands and less than 4 square miles, getting around by horse and buggy, on foot or by bicycle is what makes it a place unlike many others. Snorkel directly from shore and swim with the sea turtles, ocean kayak around the other islands, grab a frozen drink at a Gili T beach bar or food at their night market. Don’t stay too long though because you might never leave.

Jamaica

I just visited Jamaica in 2025 and only months later Hurricane Melissa, one of the largest and most powerful in history, struck the island and caused devastation. As the country works to rebuild, I can’t suggest visiting there enough–not only to bring tourism back to the area, but because after traveling to a large number of the Caribbean islands and all through Central America, it may have some of the most incredibly gorgeous beaches and magazine-worthy waters that mimic beaches just as beautiful as those I have walked on in southeast Asia.

Whatever you do, DO NOT just book a resort in Montego Bay! I repeat. DO NOT just stay in Montego Bay! You will miss out on all the things that make Jamaica special, beautiful, and culturally unique. You might as well go on cruise or book your stay in Orlando because you did not see Jamaica..

We, as usual, road-tripped all over the country. There are incredible waterfalls, remote white sand beaches, winding mountain roads, and such a wide variety of different vibes in different areas.

We were told to visit Cascade Blue Hole (instead of some of the other blue holes) and it did not disappoint. If you want to climb waterfalls and use rope swings, it’s your spot.

We fell in love with the endless beaches around Port Antonio with turquoise water and places with surf so much so that we didn’t want to leave plus it’s in Portland Parish where Jamaican jerk originated and not only did the chicken not disappoint, but it was so good that it kind of ruined all the chicken for the rest of our trip and maybe ever…haha.

Above: Taking a dip at Winnifred Beach–one of the many favorite beaches we came across on our Jamaican road trip.

And of course, we stayed at the infamous, and lives up to the hype, famous Jake’s Treasure Beach ,which was directly hit by the recent storm, but has been rebuilt and has reopened so go support them!

Final Thoughts

Even on a tight budget there are plenty of places to visit year round. Also, if flights abroad are eating too much of your budget, consider visiting somewhere within your home country or taking a road trip not far from home. Check out this budget trip I took in Washington D.C. or tips on how I save money on a road trip.