6 cheap winter sun holidays for February

By February, the novelty of winter has well and truly worn off. Christmas feels like ages ago, spring still seems incredibly far away and checking the weather forecast is no fun at all. A little bit of winter sun can be the perfect solution to this cold weather burnout. 

The good news is you don't need to spend tropical island money to swap grey skies for sunshine. From the Canary Islands to West Africa, there are plenty of cheap winter sun holidays within a relatively manageable flight from the UK.  

So, where is hot in February for the best value break?  

We've picked six destinations that combine warmer weather with plenty of package holiday choice, whether you're looking for genuine beach temperatures or simply somewhere you don’t need the heating on.

1. Tunisia: Mild, around high teens, best for a cheap short-haul break  

2. Tenerife: Around 20-22°C, ~4.5 hours flight time, best for an easy short-haul escape 

3. Egypt: Low-to-mid 20s, ~5 hours flight time, best All Inclusive value 

4. Cape Verde: Around 24-27°C, ~6 hours flight time, best mid-haul beach weather 

5. Mexico: Mid-to-high 20s, ~10 hours flight time, best for tropical, long-haul All Inclusive  

6. Goa: Around 28-32°C, ~9 hours flight time, best for cheap food and beach life 

Best for: Budget-conscious couples, spa breaks, sightseeing and travellers who value price over guaranteed heat. 

Tunisia is a good option if your priority is keeping the holiday cost down rather than chasing baking beach weather. 

February is winter in Tunisia, so we wouldn’t describe it as properly hot. It has a Mediterranean climate, with winters that are generally mild and drier in the south, and an average February high of around 18°C. 

That means this is more of a sunshine, sightseeing and spa break than a week spent permanently in swimwear. 

For a straightforward package holiday, Hammamet is a good place to start. You’ve got a sandy coastline, a historic medina and plenty of resort hotels, while nearby Yasmine Hammamet adds a marina, restaurants and modern resort facilities. 

Sousse is another option if you want more going on. Its UNESCO-listed medina gives you somewhere to explore away from the beach, while Port El Kantaoui adds restaurants and a more polished resort feel. 

There’s a large package-holiday market, including All Inclusive resorts, so it’s worth comparing the overall cost with destinations such as the Canary Islands rather than judging it purely on temperature. 

It’s also a destination where the hotel doesn’t have to be the entire holiday. Hammamet’s medina, the historic sights around Sousse and Tunisia’s spa and thalassotherapy scene give you plenty to do when the weather isn’t calling for a full beach day. 

Best for: Couples, families, short-haul sunshine and easy package holidays.  

If you want sunshine without going long haul, Tenerife is tough to beat. 

It's around 4.5 hours from the UK, has a huge choice of package accommodation and stays pleasantly mild throughout the winter. 

In February, temperatures can reach around 22°C, particularly in the warmer south and west of the island. Tenerife also tends to see relatively little rain and plenty of sunshine at this time of year. 

For the best chance of warmer weather, look around: 

• Costa Adeje for smart hotels and restaurants. 

• Playa de las Américas for beaches and nightlife. 

• Los Cristianos for a more relaxed resort with restaurants and a walkable seafront. 

Tenerife tends to be really good value in general because there’s a huge number of flights from UK airports and accommodation options available.  

Just manage your expectations: 22°C can feel lovely in the sun, but Tenerife isn't always guaranteed to have tropical beach weather in February. 

Best for: All Inclusive, couples, families, snorkelling and reliable sunshine. 

Want a stronger chance of sitting beside the pool without flying long haul? Have a look at Egypt. Red Sea resorts such as Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam combine dry winter weather with a long string of beachfront hotels lining the sand.  

February temperatures can reach the mid-20s, while rainfall is extremely low. Meanwhile, the Red Sea sits at around 22°C, so you can go snorkelling on the famous coral reefs too. If you prefer your holidays a little more horizontal, there’s usually plenty of that on offer too.  

All Inclusive packages are where Egypt often outperforms other winter sun hotspots. The headline price might sometimes look higher than a B&B holiday in the Canaries, but your package usually covers: 

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner 

• Drinks 

• Snacks 

• Pools and resort facilities 

• Entertainment 

That means you could spend a week without getting your wallet out once.  

If your ideal holiday mainly involves staying in a good hotel, Egypt can be one of the best-value winter sun destinations around.

Best for: Couples, beaches, All Inclusive and relaxing. 

If your definition of winter sun is being able to lie for eight straight hours on the beach, then Cape Verde could be for you.  

Most package holidays focus on Sal and Boa Vista. February is extremely dry, with temperatures generally ranging from around 21°C to 27°C, which is more than hot enough to top up your tan.  

On Sal, the resort of Santa Maria combines a huge sandy beach with restaurants and bars, making it the better option if you'd like to leave the hotel occasionally. Boa Vista is quieter and more chilled out, with lots of big, beachfront resorts. 

Cape Verde is the perfect middle ground when it comes to affordable winter sun. 

It feels much more tropical than southern Europe but is only around six hours from the UK, without the odyssey required to get to the Caribbean or beyond.  

There's also a strong All Inclusive market. If your plans are basically pretty much beach, food, pool, and drinks on repeat, bundling most of that into your package can make budgeting much easier. 

Best for: Couples, food, beaches and travellers who like leaving the hotel. 

February is one of the best months to visit Goa. 

You’re well into the dry season, with hot days, very little rain and plenty of sunshine. It’s got that full-on tropical atmosphere without the Maldives-level markup.  

When it comes to resorts, choose Candolim for a good balance of beach, restaurants and bars, Calangute for a busier resort feel, and South Goa for quieter beaches and more relaxed hotels.  

Beach shacks and inexpensive local restaurants mean eating out is all part of the fun, and B&B packages often work out cheaper than All Inclusive here.  

The flight is longer, but once you arrive your money can stretch much further. 

Best for: Couples, families, All Inclusive resorts, tropical beaches and guaranteed winter escapism. 

If February sunshine means proper tropical temperatures, Mexico takes things in a different direction. 

For package holidays, concentrate on the Caribbean coast around Cancun, Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen. These spots stay warm throughout the year, with typical temperatures ranging from around 25°C to 33°C. February also falls right in the middle of Mexico’s drier November-to-April season, making it an excellent time to escape the British winter.  

Cancun works well if you want large resorts, beaches, restaurants and plenty of nightlife. Playa del Carmen gives you a more walkable resort atmosphere, while Riviera Maya is home to a huge selection of All Inclusive hotels and puts you within reach of cenotes, Mayan sites and Caribbean beaches.  

Mexico obviously won’t compete with Tenerife or Tunisia on the headline package price. But it can compete very well on what you get for the money. 

There’s a huge resort market on the Caribbean coast, particularly for All Inclusives. They’re often the size of a small village, with dozens of restaurants, bars, pool areas and entertainment options to choose from.  

But you’re not restricted to the hotel here either. You can swim in cenotes, visit Mayan ruins, spend a day on Isla Mujeres or explore Playa del Carmen when you want a break from the resort. 

When it comes to cheap winter sun holidays, Mexico is less about finding the absolute cheapest trip and more about getting a lot of holiday for the money.

February can be a reasonably cheap time for winter sun, but there's one obvious period to watch out for: school half-term.  

Demand rises significantly during half-term, and packages can be considerably more competitive.  

If you're not tied to school holidays, try:  

• Early February  

• Dates immediately before half-term  

• Dates just after half-term  

• Midweek departures  

• Several different UK airports  

Even moving the holiday by a couple of days can change the price

Finding a good-value February package isn't only about choosing the cheapest destination. Here are some tips for getting the most for your money.  

• Check several airports. Manchester, Birmingham and London can produce very different package prices. 

• Move your dates. Avoiding half-term can make a major difference. 

• Compare seven, 10 and 14 nights. A longer holiday isn't always proportionally more expensive. 

• Search neighbouring resorts. You don't always need to stay in the most famous area. 

• Compare board options. All Inclusive can be good value in Egypt or Cape Verde, while B&B may make more sense in Tunisia or Goa.  

• Check luggage and transfers. Include them when comparing the real cost. 

• Think about spending money. The cheapest package upfront isn't necessarily the cheapest holiday overall. 

You don't need to fly halfway around the world to make February feel a little less bleak. 

For a straightforward escape, Tenerife gives you sunshine, easy flights and loads of package choice. Egypt offers more heat and excellent All Inclusive value, while Cape Verde takes you into proper beach-holiday territory. 

And if temperature matters more than flight time, Mexico is difficult to beat for affordable tropical sunshine. 

The best choice isn't necessarily the destination with the highest number on the weather app.  

It's the one that gives you the sunshine, hotel and holiday you actually want for the money you're happy to spend. 

For more winter sun inspiration visit the Sundeals blog, or get your February winter sun sorted today by browsing the latest deals. 

Author: Amabel Buck