Best Places To Visit In Mexico In February (That Are Not Cancun)

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Tired of winter’s gloomy skies, freezing temperatures, and having to wear layer upon layer of clothing just to go outside? Me too! So here are some of the best places to visit in Mexico in February for the perfect winter getaway.

Whether you live in a true winter wonderland that gets covered in snow every year and are looking to escape the cold, or if you simply want a trip to start the travel year with a bang, there are many incredible places to visit in Mexico in February.

From fascinating metropolies that can keep you busy for weeks on end, to beachside towns with unimaginable warm days in the middle of February, to charming towns full of history and delicious food, Mexico has something to offer to every kind of traveler.

So pack your sunscreen and let’s get started!

Best Places To Visit in Mexico In February

Mexico City: An activity-packed destination

One of the largest cities in the world, Mexico City, is a buzzing metropolis that can keep you entertained for weeks.

Covering the basics alone can very easily fill up a couple of days, which is perfect for people who like to keep busy while traveling.

From visiting some of the many museums the city has to offer to eating your way around Roma Norte, trying Michelin-starred restaurants and humble street food carts, bar-hopping around Mexico City’s many “World’s 50 Best Bars”, and—my favorite—exploring some of the best coffee shops in Mexico City.

Woman in front of the Fine Arts Museum in Mexico City

Visiting Mexico City doesn’t have to break the bank, as many of the must-dos for first-time travelers are also free things to do in Mexico City—like simply wandering through its various and unique neighborhoods.

Like the ancient and history-rich Centro Histórico, the European-looking tree-lined Condesa, the colorful and charming Coyoacan, the high-end Polanco, and more.

The exciting Mexican capital is a destination that I think should be on everyone’s bucket list. And if you are in desperate need of escaping the cold in February, you are in luck, as Mexico City boasts pleasantly warm temperatures even during the winter months.

Weather information sourced from Weather Spark.

Weather in Mexico City in February

  • Average temperature: 24°C – 9°C (76°F – 48°F)
  • Rain percentage: 4% chance of rain

La Paz: A warm winter getaway and a sea lover’s paradise

La Paz, one of Mexico’s most underrated destinations is a hidden paradise for sea and nature lovers.

With unique desert landscapes surrounded by contrasting turquoise waters, rich biodiversity, and a famed regional cuisine for the foodie traveler, visiting La Paz, BCS definitely deserves a spot on your Mexican travel bucket list!

The area’s rich biodiversity allows for some incredible wildlife spotting, from the roadrunner sprinting over rocky mountains to the enormous gray whales that visit the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez year after year.

Woman standing on top of a hill with a scenic view of Balandra Bay in Baja California Sur

This off-the-beaten-path destination—even among local travelers—is one of the best places to visit in Mexico in February for warm sunny weather.

And if the warm sunny weather isn’t enough to convince you, visiting in February offers the perfect setting to enjoy some of the best things to do in La Paz, Mexico, such as swimming with whale sharks and witnessing the magnificent grey whales up close.

Another advantage of visiting La Paz, BCS is that it is a more budget-friendly winter getaway compared to other popular Mexican beach destinations like Cancun and Los Cabos.

Weather in La Paz, Mexico in February

  • Average temperature: 27°C – 12°C (80 °F – 53°F)
  • Rain percentage: 3% chance of rain

Todos Santos: A relaxing oasis in Baja Sur

If what you are after is a quiet and charming Mexican town to escape to cure your winter blues, then look no further than the magical town of Todos Santos—seriously, it holds a “pueblo mágico” title.

Pueblo mágico, or magical town, is a title given by the Mexican government to small Mexican towns rich in history, culture, and local charm—and Todos Santos is one of them.

This is why Todos Santos is the perfect place to visit in Mexico in February for a peaceful getaway, with a small town center that is very easy to walk around, adorable local shops, an infallible cute town square, and picturesque streets with papel picado dangling from above.

Woman in Todos Santos' town square in Baja California Sur

The town is small with not a lot to do, which is ideal for a peaceful and quiet winter retreat, especially when staying at one of the various gorgeous hotels in the area, perfect for unwinding and resetting after the new year.

Weather in Todos Santos, Mexico in February

  • Average temperature: 26°C – 14°C (78 °F – 57°F)
  • Rain percentage: 2% chance of rain

Los Cabos: Sunny days by the water

A popular destination once Spring Break rolls around, Los Cabos is also one of the best places to visit in Mexico in February if a warm winter getaway is what you are after.

While the water will be at its coldest point of the year, the days are still sunny and warm enough to spend them by a pool, or in the water if you are not as sensitive to the cold as I am.

Contrary to popular belief, Los Cabos is not Cabo San Lucas, but the name that groups Cabo San Lucas AND San Jose Del Cabo.

Woman walking on a beach in Los Cabos, Mexico

Being 32km (20 mi) from each other, both Cabos experience similar warm temperatures year-round, however, it is important to know the differences between Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo, to know which one is more your vibe.

Cabo San Lucas is a more flashy, party-oriented town with luxury stays, and San Jose del Cabo, on the other spectrum, is a charming Mexican town, with colonial architecture, a thriving artistic community, and small-town charm.

Whether you choose one Cabo over the other or decide to visit both, Los Cabos, in general, is one of the best places to visit in Mexico in February for a sunny and warm winter destination.

Weather in Los Cabos, Mexico in February

  • Average temperature: 26°C – 16°C (78 °F – 60°F)
  • Rain percentage: 2% chance of rain

Valle de Guadalupe: A relaxing escape to Mexican wine country

Located relatively close to the Californian border, Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico’s wine country, is a popular destination year-round for food, wine, and design lovers—both national and international.

Loved among locals as a weekend getaway spot to wind down in boutique hotels with a bottle of regional wine, the valley is a prime spot for a relaxing escape.

Its proximity to the USA makes Valle de Guadalupe the perfect winter getaway where the days are still warm and sunny, and the nights are chilly, perfect for bundling up around a fire with a glass of wine in hand.

Woman standing with wine glass in hand with a view of rocky mountains and vineyards

While being a remote area—a car is a must to visit Valle—Valle de Guadalupe is a heaven for foodie travelers, with various Michelin star restaurants, farm-to-table spots, and my favorite, the humble Cocina de Doña Estela, a typical Mexican restaurant known for its award-winning breakfast.

Enjoyed by the likes of Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay.

Besides the incredible wine experiences and delicious food, Valle de Guadalupe is also known for its boutique hotels with impeccable design and relaxing atmosphere set in the middle of desert hills.

This is why visiting Valle de Guadalupe in February is the perfect reset trip to start the year surrounded by all the good things: beautiful nature, good wine, and good food.

Weather in Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico in February

  • Average temperature: 26°C – 6°C (78 °F – 42°F)
  • Rain percentage: 5% chance of rain

Oaxaca City: Mexican folklore in full splendor

Another one of my favorite Mexican destinations that I believe everyone should visit at least once in their life, is the culturally vibrant Oaxaca City.

Oaxaca City is the perfect destination for an energizing winter getaway filled with culture, art, and mind-blowingly delicious food, all for a fraction of the price that it would be at other popular Mexican holiday spots.

If you are short on time for your winter getaway you might be interested to know that 3 days in Oaxaca City offers plenty of time to cover most of the highlights, as the city is quite compact.

Located inland, Oaxaca City is surrounded by a lush jungle ecosystem, with green hills framing the city, so not the best spot if what you want is a beach holiday.

Woman standing in front of the Santo Domingo Temple in Oaxaca City, Mexico

However, it is the perfect destination for an immersive and culturally rich trip to one of the most quintessential Mexican towns.

Even among national tourists, Oaxaca is a very loved destination since it is the birthplace of some of Mexico’s most delicious dishes—eating your way around the markets is one of the best things to do in Oaxacaiconic craftsmanship, and charming Mexican folklore, truly filling that wish of visiting a typical Mexican town.

With its warm day temperatures, exploring Oaxaca City during February is an easy and enjoyable task to do. The perfect location for a culture-packed trip, and a dream destination for food lovers.

Weather in Oaxaca City, Mexico in February

  • Average temperature: 28°C – 11°C (82°F – 51°F)
  • Rain percentage: 5% chance of rain

Bacalar: A tucked-away turquoise paradise

If your wish for your winter getaway is to be somewhere warm with gorgeous turquoise water but not as crowded, nor expensive, as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, then Bacalar is the perfect spot for you.

Bacalar is a small town in the state of Quintana Roo, located about 4.5 hours drive south of Cancún, situated at the edge of Lake Bacalar, also known as the seven-color lagoon due to its many vibrant shades of blue.

Because of its inland location—and since Bacalar is a freshwater lake and is not connected to the ocean—Bacalar is the ideal place to go during the high seaweed season in the Caribbean since seaweed doesn’t show up here.

Shallow and turquoise water at Bacalar lagoon

This small town is also one of the best places to visit in Mexico in February, with its warm summery days, and year-round enjoyable water temperatures—estimated to be around 24°C (75°F).

The off-the-beaten-path Bacalar is a great alternative to visiting places like Cancun, offering all the perks of escaping to the south of Mexico during the winter while remaining more affordable than other popular Mexican beach towns.

Weather in Bacalar, Mexico in February

  • Average temperature: 30°C – 21°C (86°F – 69°F)
  • Rain percentage: 15% chance of rain

Holbox: Bohemian and slow-paced island

On a similar note, another incredible winter getaway destination that you can reach from Cancun is the off-the-beaten-path, peaceful, and bohemian island of Holbox.

Holbox is an idyllic island off the northern coast of Quintana Roo. This car-free island is the perfect place for a relaxing vacation by the water, with a laid-back vibe that lets you slow down and soak it all in.

The lack of resort hotel chains here makes it one of the most beautiful and bohemian places to visit in this otherwise popular, and sometimes saturated, region of Mexico.

And since it is located on the southern Mexican peninsula of Yucatán, you know that you will have warm temperatures through the winter months, making it a great alternative to the nearby beach hot spots.

A woman standint next to a mural of a little girls face in Holbox Island, Mexico

Undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Mexico in February for a relaxing and slow-paced holiday by the beach in the South of Mexico without the Cancun price tag and crowds.

Weather in Holbox, Mexico in February

  • Average temperature: 33°C – 19°C (91°F – 66°F)
  • Rain percentage: 9% chance of rain

From the country’s vibrant and diverse capital to picturesque towns in Baja California Sur, to culture-packed destinations in the middle of lush jungles, there are SO many incredible locations to visit in Mexico in February to escape the winter blues.

Hope this post inspires you to choose one of these amazing destinations as your ultimate winter getaway, maybe it even inspires you to book more than one trip… I wouldn’t blame you.

So, which of these fascinating Mexican destinations is at the top of your list to visit to bring you back to life in the middle of winter? Let us know in the comments.

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