So much to do, so many places to see, but so little time to do it all. That's where Destination Unknown comes into play. At the beginning of each month, HuffPost Canada Travel will be putting together a list that offers something for everyone — those on a budget, those looking for something unique or those simply looking to get away. Curious? Good. A sense of wanderlust is always healthy. So, without further ado, here's February's Destination Unknown round-up.
February may be the shortest month of the year, but it's definitely not short on big-ticket events and celebrations across the globe. Between Chinese New Year, St. Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras, Carnival, the Super Bowl, Oscar Weekend, the Grammys and a long weekend courtesy of Family Day in parts of Canada and President's Day in the States, there are plenty of reasons to go travel around the world. So the question becomes: where to start?
If you're feeling overwhelmed with choice, travel in February has a few things going for it: weather, festivities and romance. Those who shy away from the cold will be happy to know there are still a few options where beaches and sunny skies reign supreme. Those looking for love in places with a little more originality than New York or Paris also have some choice, with destinations that may just spark some romance. And for those looking for fun, well, you can't go wrong with Carnival, in any location.
The Best Places To Visit In February. Slideshow text follows for mobile readers
The Best Places To Visit In February
Was there a must-see destination we missed this month? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below or on Twitter @HPCaTravel.
Costa Rica
If you're looking for some greenery in a month typically dominated by white snow or grey skies, Costa Rica has travellers covered. February marks the start of the rainforest-laden country's dry season, giving visitors a chance to zipline through trees, bird watch and take in the sights and sounds of butterflies and frogs. The country's capital of San Jose is also easy on the wallet for backpackers and has it fair share of weather with highs around the 20ºC and lows hovering at 14ºC.
New Orleans, USA
Travellers heading to New Orleans in February can take advantage of a city swept with football fever as it plays host to the 2013 Super Bowl. According to Travelers Today, it's not too late for sports fans to snag a ticket and a hotel room due to a lack of local interest and high booking fees — just don't expect it to come cheap. Travellers looking to join in on a different type of celebration will want to head to New Orleans for Mardi Gras before the 9th, as the celebration lasts four days in preparation for Feb. 13, otherwise known as Ash Wednesday.
Sabang Bay, The Philippines
Like Costa Rica, February typically marks the time where good weather comes to the the Philippines and typhoons are at a seasonal low. Travellers can expect temperatures to stay between the low 20s and low 30s. So what's the best way to take advantage of such warm, typhoon-free weather? Scuba diving is popular, with stand-out spots including Sabang Bay and The Canyon in the city of Puerto Galera.
Quebec City, Canada
Next to Mardi Gras, Carnival is also another popular festival celebrated in countries like Brazil, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago and Malta. But for those looking for a less tropical take on Carnival, Quebec City takes the best of the popular February festival and blends it with the winter weather. The 17-day festival captures the fun of its warmer brethren, with dancing, partying and even the fashion to a degree, as one of the highlights of Winter Carnival includes a snow dip in a swimsuit.
Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort, Canada
For those who do not shy from February's offering of snow and cold, Whistler has tons to offer. The ski resort features over 30 ski lifts and 8,171 acres of skiable terrain to make it the largest ski resort in North America. New this year is a special promotion to capitalize on British Columbia's first Family Day: visitors can get 50 percent off lift tickets on Feb. 11, 2013 if you're a B.C. resident.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
For travellers looking for a second honeymoon just in time for Valentine's Day, Argentina comes highly recommended by TheKnot.com. According to their ranking of honeymoon destinations based on months, Buenos Aires during February makes sense because of incredible hotel deals, offering travellers "5-star hotels and 3-star prices." While staying in Argentina's capital city, lovers can catch a tango performance or indulge in a spa treatment at the Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires.
The Caribbean
It's tough to recommend one destination in the Caribbean during February, since there's plenty to offer weather-wise. Jamaica comes to mind when thinking about warm temperatures with highs peaking around 30ºC and lows dipping to 20ºC. If you're looking for sunshine and sand, then the Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Barbados, or Aruba come at the recommendation of USA Today.