gowhereandwhen.comGo 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 booking links earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jan.
Other months to compare; prices and crowds depend on your destination and dates.
Rainy season.
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.
Colombia month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Cartagena.
JanuaryHot and dryIdeal 90
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 1 mm
Hot and dry.
FebruaryHot and dryIdeal 90
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 1 mm
Hot and dry.
MarchHot and dryIdeal 90
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 25°C / 77°F
- Rainfall
- 2 mm
Hot and dry.
AprilHot and dry.Ideal 87
- Daytime high
- 32°C / 90°F
- Overnight low
- 25°C / 77°F
- Rainfall
- 25 mm
Hot and dry.
MayHot with a little rain.Ideal 79
- Daytime high
- 32°C / 90°F
- Overnight low
- 26°C / 79°F
- Rainfall
- 90 mm
Hot with a little rain.
JuneHot with a little rain.Great 71
- Daytime high
- 32°C / 90°F
- Overnight low
- 26°C / 79°F
- Rainfall
- 110 mm
Hot with a little rain.
JulyHot with a little rain.Ideal 77
- Daytime high
- 32°C / 90°F
- Overnight low
- 25°C / 77°F
- Rainfall
- 95 mm
Hot with a little rain.
AugustHot with a little rain.Great 71
- Daytime high
- 32°C / 90°F
- Overnight low
- 25°C / 77°F
- Rainfall
- 110 mm
Hot with a little rain.
SeptemberHot and wet.Great 64
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 25°C / 77°F
- Rainfall
- 130 mm
Hot and wet.
OctoberHot and wet.Good 52
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 25°C / 77°F
- Rainfall
- 180 mm
Hot and wet.
NovemberHot with a little rain.Great 72
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 25°C / 77°F
- Rainfall
- 110 mm
Hot with a little rain.
DecemberHot and dry.Ideal 90
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 40 mm
Hot and dry.
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.
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.
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.
Watch out
Rainy season
Sep to Oct.
Where to stay in Colombia
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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
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