Things to Do in Caracas in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Caracas
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season tail-end means mostly clear mornings perfect for exploring the city's hillside barrios - you'll get those postcard views of El Ávila mountain before afternoon clouds roll in around 2-3pm
- Carnaval season brings the city alive with street parties, particularly in the final week of February when locals take over plazas in neighborhoods like Sabana Grande and El Hatillo with live joropo music and dancing until dawn
- Hotel rates drop 20-30% compared to December-January as Venezuelan families return from beach holidays - you'll find availability at properties that were fully booked weeks earlier, especially mid-week
- Fresh mango season peaks in February, meaning street vendors sell ripe mangos for practically nothing (around 5-10 bolívares each) and every restaurant menu features mango juice, mango salads, and mango desserts you won't find other months
Considerations
- Political and economic instability continues to affect daily life - ATMs frequently run out of cash, credit cards work inconsistently, and you'll need US dollars in small bills for most transactions since the bolívar fluctuates daily
- Those 10 rainy days tend to hit late afternoon with intense downpours that flood streets in low-lying areas like Chacao and Altamira within 20 minutes, shutting down the Metro occasionally and making taxis nearly impossible to find between 4-6pm
- February sits in that awkward shoulder period where some businesses haven't reopened after extended January holidays but Semana Santa preparation hasn't started yet, so you'll find reduced hours at museums and some restaurants closed Mondays through Wednesdays
Best Activities in February
El Ávila National Park Morning Hikes
February mornings offer the clearest visibility for hiking Caracas's defining mountain - the 2,765 m (9,072 ft) peak that looms over the city. Start before 7am when temperatures sit around 18°C (64°F) at trailheads like Sabas Nieves or San Isidro. By 11am you'll understand why locals avoid afternoon hikes - clouds obscure views and that 70% humidity makes the climb significantly harder. The dry season means trails are actually passable without mud, unlike the May-November rainy months when paths turn to slick clay.
Colonial Town Day Trips to Los Teques and El Hatillo
These nearby colonial villages become weekend escapes for caraqueños in February when weather cooperates for outdoor café sitting and plaza wandering. El Hatillo, just 30 minutes (15 km/9 miles) southeast, fills up Sunday mornings with artisan markets selling ceramics and woven bags. Los Teques, 40 minutes (32 km/20 miles) southwest, has better preserved colonial architecture and fewer tourists. The variable weather actually works in your favor - if afternoon rain hits, you're already in a town with covered corridors and museums to duck into, unlike being caught on El Ávila.
Sabana Grande Boulevard Evening Strolls and Street Food
The pedestrian boulevard comes alive after 6pm when temperatures drop to comfortable 22°C (72°F) and locals emerge for paseo - the traditional evening walk. February nights are generally dry, making this the month to experience Caracas street life without rain cutting the evening short. You'll find areperas setting up carts selling arepas for 8-12 bolívares (bring small USD bills, they'll convert), juice vendors with fresh mango and guanábana, and impromptu salsa dancing near Plaza Venezuela. The scene peaks Thursday through Saturday.
Contemporary Art Gallery Hopping in Las Mercedes
When those afternoon rains hit around 3pm, Las Mercedes galleries provide perfect refuge. This upscale neighborhood hosts 8-10 contemporary art spaces within a 6-block radius, many showcasing Venezuelan artists responding to current social conditions through painting, photography, and installation work you won't see anywhere else. Galería de Arte Nacional and Museo de Arte Contemporáneo are the anchors, but smaller spaces like those along Avenida Principal offer more experimental work. February often sees new exhibitions opening post-holiday season.
Los Roques Archipelago Day Trips
February hits the sweet spot for this Caribbean island chain 168 km (104 miles) north of Caracas - seas are calmer than March-April when winds pick up, and visibility for snorkeling reaches 20-30 m (65-100 ft) in the turquoise shallows. Small planes depart Caracas early morning (6-7am) for the 40-minute flight, giving you 6-7 hours on pristine white-sand cays before afternoon return. Water temperature sits around 26°C (79°F), and those 10 rainy days rarely affect Los Roques since weather systems hit the mainland but dissipate over open water.
Baseball Games at Estadio Universitario
February marks the final month of Venezuelan Professional Baseball League season before playoffs, and Caracas locals take their Leones del Caracas team seriously. Evening games start around 7pm when temperatures become pleasant, and the atmosphere rivals any Caribbean baseball experience - drums, chanting, and vendors selling cachapas and empanadas in the stands. Games last 2.5-3 hours, and the energy peaks when Leones play rivals Navegantes del Magallanes or Tiburones de La Guaira.
February Events & Festivals
Carnaval Celebrations
The two days before Ash Wednesday (late February most years) bring street parties throughout Caracas neighborhoods, though celebrations start the weekend before. Sabana Grande and El Hatillo host the most accessible festivities with live music, dancing, and locals in costume. It's not Rio-level production, but the spontaneous neighborhood parties offer authentic Venezuelan celebration - expect water balloon fights, rum flowing freely, and joropo music. Streets around major plazas close to traffic.
Feria Internacional de Turismo de Caracas
This tourism fair typically runs mid-February at Centro de Convenciones and showcases Venezuelan destinations, crafts, and regional foods. While aimed at industry professionals, public days let you sample foods from different states, watch folk dance performances, and talk with guides about destinations beyond Caracas. Admission runs around 5-8 USD. More interesting for travelers planning extended Venezuela trips than those focused solely on Caracas.