Colombia
The best time to visit
When to go to Colombia
Go in the drier months, December to March, for the sunniest weather on the Caribbean coast and in the cities. On the equator there is no true summer or winter, just wetter and drier spells, with altitude setting the temperature.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Cartagena. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jan.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Rainy season.
In short
The year at a glance
Colombia sits on the equator, so it has no real seasons in the northern sense, just drier and wetter stretches, and the temperature is set by altitude rather than the calendar. The ratings key off Cartagena on the hot Caribbean coast, where the driest, sunniest months run from December to March.
Up in the mountains, Bogota and Medellin stay spring-like all year, cool and pleasant, while the Amazon and Pacific are hot and wet. There are roughly two drier windows, December to March and again around July and August, that travellers tend to aim for.
Month by month
Colombia month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Cartagena.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 1 mm | Ideal 90 | Hot and dry. Cartagena hotels in January |
| February | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 1 mm | Ideal 90 | Hot and dry. Cartagena hotels in February |
| March | 31°C / 88°F | 25°C / 77°F | 2 mm | Ideal 90 | Hot and dry. Cartagena hotels in March |
| April | 32°C / 90°F | 25°C / 77°F | 25 mm | Ideal 87 | Hot and dry. |
| May | 32°C / 90°F | 26°C / 79°F | 90 mm | Ideal 79 | Hot with a little rain. |
| June | 32°C / 90°F | 26°C / 79°F | 110 mm | Great 71 | Hot with a little rain. |
| July | 32°C / 90°F | 25°C / 77°F | 95 mm | Ideal 77 | Hot with a little rain. |
| August | 32°C / 90°F | 25°C / 77°F | 110 mm | Great 71 | Hot with a little rain. |
| September | 31°C / 88°F | 25°C / 77°F | 130 mm | Great 64 | Hot and wet. |
| October | 31°C / 88°F | 25°C / 77°F | 180 mm | Good 52 | Hot and wet. |
| November | 31°C / 88°F | 25°C / 77°F | 110 mm | Great 72 | Hot with a little rain. |
| December | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 40 mm | Ideal 90 | Hot and dry. |
By region
Where you go changes when you go
Cartagena and the Caribbean
Hot and humid, sunniest and driest from December to March. The wettest months come in the second half of the year.
Bogota and the Andes
Cool and spring-like year round thanks to the altitude, with brighter, drier spells around December to February and July.
The coffee region and Medellin
Mild and green, often called the land of eternal spring, pleasant in almost any month.
Go for
Best time to visit Colombia for
The Caribbean coast
December to March for the sunniest, driest days in Cartagena, the beaches and Tayrona park.
Cities and culture
The drier windows of December to February and July for Bogota, Medellin and the coffee region.
Whale watching
July to October on the Pacific coast, when humpback whales come to breed.
Hiking and the coffee triangle
The drier months for clearer mountain views and firmer trails.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Caribbean dry season, Dec to Mar
Cartagena and the coast enjoy their sunniest, driest stretch.
Whale season, July to October
Humpback whales gather along the Pacific coast to breed.
Rainy season
Sep to Oct.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Colombia
Compare hotels and rentals around Cartagena, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions
Good to know
What is the best time to visit Colombia?
Does Colombia have seasons?
When is the best time for Cartagena?
Where else, and when
Every country on one map, or jump straight to another guide.