Things to Do in Venezuela in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Venezuela
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season at its peak - February is statistically the driest month across most of Venezuela, with rain falling on roughly 10 days but usually brief afternoon showers that clear quickly. You'll get consistent sunny mornings for outdoor activities.
- Los Llanos wildlife viewing is extraordinary - the plains are drying out, concentrating animals around remaining water sources. You'll see capybaras, caimans, anacondas, and hundreds of bird species in numbers you won't find any other time of year. February through April is when wildlife guides make their entire year's income.
- Angel Falls has strong flow from recent rains - unlike March and April when the falls can reduce to a trickle, February still benefits from wet season runoff. The falls are visible and impressive, though not at the thundering peak you'd see in July or August.
- Carnival season energy without the chaos - if you time it right, you'll catch pre-Carnival celebrations in late February (Carnival 2026 falls around March 1-3), meaning you get the festive atmosphere, street parties, and traditional music without the absolute mayhem and inflated prices of the actual weekend.
Considerations
- Currency and cash situation remains complicated - Venezuela's economy continues to stabilize but you'll still need to bring US dollars in cash (small bills, nothing larger than $20s, printed after 2013). ATMs are unreliable, credit cards work sporadically, and you'll be doing mental math on dual pricing all day. Budget an extra 20% cushion for currency headaches.
- February is peak domestic travel season - Venezuelan families travel during school vacation periods, and February overlaps with this. Popular destinations like Los Roques, Morrocoy, and Mérida see higher prices and advance bookings from locals. International tourist numbers are still relatively low, but domestic competition for accommodations is real.
- Infrastructure challenges persist - power outages still happen, internet is inconsistent outside major cities, and road conditions vary wildly. That 200 km (124 mile) drive to Los Llanos that looks like 3 hours on the map? Plan for 5-6 hours. February's dry weather actually helps here since roads are more passable, but manage your expectations on connectivity and reliability.
Best Activities in February
Los Llanos Wildlife Safaris
February is peak season for wildlife viewing in the Venezuelan plains. As water sources shrink, animals concentrate around remaining lagoons and rivers, making sightings almost guaranteed. Early morning boat tours (departing 6am when it's still cool at 24°C or 75°F) give you the best chance to see capybaras, spectacled caimans, anacondas, and jabiru storks. The heat builds to 32-34°C (90-93°F) by midday, which is actually when you'll see the most caiman activity as they bask. Most lodges run 2-3 day packages with multiple safari drives and boat trips.
Angel Falls Fly-In Tours
February offers the sweet spot for Angel Falls - enough water flow to be impressive (unlike the trickle you'd see in March or April) but with better flying weather than the wet season. Small plane flights from Ciudad Bolívar or Puerto Ordaz to Canaima lagoon operate most mornings when visibility is best. The falls drop 979 m (3,212 ft) and in February you'll actually see water hitting the bottom rather than misting away mid-fall. The boat journey up the Churún River to the falls base is still possible with February water levels, though you might walk portions that would be navigable in August.
Los Roques Archipelago Beach Days
This national park of 350+ islands offers Caribbean waters that are genuinely spectacular - turquoise shallows, white sand, and excellent snorkeling over seagrass beds where you'll spot sea turtles, rays, and reef fish. February brings calm seas and visibility up to 30 m (98 ft) underwater. Day trips from the main island of Gran Roque involve boat rides to different cays - Cayo de Agua, Francisquí, and Madrisquí are the most visited. Water temperature sits around 26°C (79°F), warm enough that you won't need a wetsuit. The sun is intense (UV index 8-9) so you'll want reef-safe sunscreen and a rashguard.
Mérida Andes Mountain Activities
February is ideal for the Venezuelan Andes - clear skies, minimal rain, and comfortable temperatures for hiking. The Pico Bolívar cable car (when operational - check current status as it's been under intermittent maintenance) takes you from 1,600 m (5,249 ft) to 4,765 m (15,633 ft), the world's highest cable car. Even if it's closed, the hiking around Mérida is excellent - trails through cloud forest to glacial lakes, páramo ecosystem walks, and village-to-village routes. Morning temperatures start around 12°C (54°F) at altitude, warming to 20°C (68°F) by afternoon in the valleys. The air is thin above 3,500 m (11,483 ft) so acclimatize gradually.
Morrocoy National Park Snorkeling
These near-shore cays on the Caribbean coast offer easier access than Los Roques - you can reach them by boat from Tucacas or Chichiriviche in 20-40 minutes. February seas are calm, water clarity is excellent, and the coral reefs around Cayo Sombrero, Cayo Peraza, and Cayo Sal host parrotfish, angelfish, and occasional nurse sharks. The water is shallow (2-5 m or 7-16 ft in most snorkel spots) and warm at 27°C (81°F). Unlike Los Roques, you can visit Morrocoy as a day trip from Valencia or even Caracas if you're willing to drive 3-4 hours each way.
Caracas Mountain Cable Car and Hiking
The Teleférico de Caracas takes you from the city at 900 m (2,953 ft) up to Waraira Repano (Ávila) mountain at 2,100 m (6,890 ft). February offers clear views over the city and Caribbean coast - on good days you can see 50 km (31 miles) to the offshore islands. The temperature drops about 8°C (14°F) from bottom to top, so you'll go from 28°C (82°F) in the city to 20°C (68°F) at the summit. Hiking trails at the top range from easy 30-minute walks to challenging 3-4 hour routes to the coast. Go on weekday mornings to avoid crowds - weekends see long lines of Caracas families.
February Events & Festivals
Pre-Carnival Celebrations
While Carnival 2026 officially falls in early March (around March 1-3), the last week of February sees pre-Carnival parties ramping up across Venezuela. In El Callao (Bolívar state), you'll hear calypso music in the streets and see costume preparations. Caracas neighborhoods like El Hatillo host street parties with live music. This is actually a better time to experience the energy than Carnival weekend itself - prices are lower, crowds are manageable, and locals are in festive spirits without the absolute chaos. You'll see traditional diablos danzantes (dancing devils) rehearsing in some coastal towns.
Feria del Sol (Mérida)
If the timing aligns with late February (it sometimes extends from early February), this is the Andes region's biggest festival celebrating the founding of Mérida. Expect bullfights (controversial but traditional), folk music performances, food stalls selling Andean specialties like pizca andina soup and arepas de trigo, and general street festivities. The city fills with Venezuelan tourists so book accommodations well ahead if you're planning to attend. Not every year's dates align with late February so verify current year scheduling.