February is one of the cheapest times of the year to travel. Budgeters will find it’s a sweet spot, as it falls between winter holidays, including New Year, and just before spring and summer travel revs back up again.
Industry leaders are anticipating more travelers in 2024. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts a record 4.7 billion people will fly in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic numbers. A historic high of 4.5 billion people was recorded in 2019.
As more people become comfortable with traveling again, it means travelers should expect higher ticket prices and larger crowds at popular destinations. Now is a good time to take a vacation if you want to avoid the chaos in airports and travel in peace. Here’s a curated list of the cheapest destinations this February and what to do in each location.
San Juan, Puerto Rico For Less Than $150 Round Trip
Puerto Rico is one of the cheapest destinations to travel to this February. What’s great about Puerto Rico is the weather is ideal year-round and the island has so much to offer.
Fly into San Juan as a starting point, then book a tour to visit El Yunque Rainforest or spend a day visiting some of the beaches. Puerto Rico also has beautiful caves and neighboring islands people don’t normally go to, such as the island of Vieques, which is about a 15-minute ferry ride, and Playa Negra, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
According to Skyscanner, flights from Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, Fort Myers, Orlando, Philadelphia, Durham, Tampa, New York City, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Nashville, and Charlotte can be purchased for less than $150 round-trip. Miami takes the top spot for the cheapest departure city. Plug in February 24 through February 28 into Expedia for a roundtrip ticket for just $89 round trip.
Cartagena, Colombia For Less Than $300 Round Trip
Colombia’s port city, Cartagena, is a great place for Black History Month. Roughly 45 minutes away from the city is Palenque, a town that was established by runaway enslaved people. The community is keeping its rich history alive. Visitors will learn about the music, dance, food, way of life, and more.
Alex Rocha, founder of Experience Real Cartagena, guides visitors on an incredible tour through Palenque. One of the highlights of his experience is learning the intricate details of the lengths people went to be free. Women played a vital role in this community, and Rocha explains how.
For accommodations, be sure to book a stay at Casa Noir, Cartagena’s only Black-owned hotel. Round-trip flights from Orlando, Miami, New York City, Nashville, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Tampa, Dallas, and Philadelphia are less than $300 round-trip on Skyscanner.
According to Expedia, the cheapest departure city is Fort Lauderdale this February. Plug in February 25 through February 29 for a round-trip ticket of less than $200.
Paris, France For Less Than $400 Round Trip
As the Olympics take center stage this year in Paris, February may be one of the last times of the year to travel to Paris before mayhem commences. It may be cooler than you would like but think about romance. Whether you’re in a relationship or choosing to love yourself, there’s no better way of spending Valentine’s Day in one of the most romantic cities in the world.
First-timers visiting Paris should visit the iconic Louvre Museum, the popular cabaret show Moulin Rouge, and Musée d’Orsay, the famous French museum located on the Seine River. Frequent flyers should spend a day in “Little Africa,” located in the 18th arrondissement. It’s primarily where you can support Black-owned businesses throughout France’s capital city.
People leaving New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C., Nashville, Dallas, Philadelphia, Fort Lauderdale, Charlotte, Chicago, New Orleans, Orlando, and Houston are among the lucky ones. According to Skyscanner, round-trip flights are going for less than $400 this month.
For what feels like a rare occurrence, Miami is the cheapest city to leave from. Use February 25 through March 7 in Expedia for a round-trip ticket for less than $300.
Bridgetown, Barbados For Less Than $500 Round Trip
People who struggle with seasonal affective disorder, otherwise known as SAD, will find solace in Barbados. February is one of the happiest times to go because the sun is out for an average of nine hours a day. Leave it to Rihanna’s home to help you shine bright like a diamond – even if it’s just on the inside.
Don’t waste your time staying indoors while visiting Barbados in February. Make good use of the sun by spending time at the beaches and on excursions that will allow you to swim with turtles.
Holetown Festival is another way to keep you active and having fun while visiting. Held each year in mid-February, the Holetown Festival is a weeklong festival celebrating early settlers on the island. Various events are happening throughout the week, including singing, dance, street parades, and cuisine that showcase Barbadian culture.
There are round-trip flights leaving Houston, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Orlando, Durham, and Jacksonville for less than $500 on Skyscanner.
According to Expedia, Miami is the cheapest option. Use February 21 through February 28 for a round-trip ticket for less than $400.
Tirana, Albania For Less Than $600 Round Trip
Albania is on a lot of traveler’s radar because people are looking for new and exciting places to explore before they become mainstream. The country’s capital will be cooler in February, but if you’re not afraid of the cold, it’s worth the visit.
During the winter, people who want adventure head to Dajti Mountain for the ski slopes. Skiing and snowboarding are offered at the ski resort, as well as classes for every level.
For people who want to remain indoors, Tirana is known for its unique Bunk’Art Museum, which is situated inside an atomic bunker. There are two parts of the museum that, unfortunately, take visitors on a journey to explore the history of the Albanian communist army and the lives affected by the regime. While sad, it’s a fascinating museum that helps to understand present-day Albania.
Just an hour north of Tirana is Kruja. It’s home to Kruja Castle – a medieval fortress described as one of the most important landmarks to protect people at the time. Now, it’s known for its stunning views and museum.
According to Skyscanner, flights leaving Atlanta, New York City, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Houston, Charlotte, Cleveland, and Washington, D.C. are less than $600 round-trip.
Miami is the cheapest option, according to the Expedia. Use February 21 through February 28 as your travel dates for a round-trip ticket for less than $600.
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