Winter
Dec → Feb31 to 32°
nights 24 to 25°
- 5 rainy days · 17 mm
- 11.1 h of sun
- sea 29°
When is the best time to visit Colombia?
In short: December to March, the dry season common to the whole country: the Caribbean coast is then very sunny (9 mm of rain in February in Cartagena) and the Andes more settled. July and August form a second dry window for Bogotá, Medellín and the coffee region, but not for Cartagena, which gets 175 mm of rain in August.
- Caribbean beaches and Tayrona: From December to April, sunny weather in Cartagena, Santa Marta and San Andrés; from May to November, frequent afternoon showers.
- Barranquilla Carnival: In February or March (a movable date, just before Ash Wednesday), preceded from mid-January by a pre-carnival of street parties and parades.
- The Andes and the coffee region: Two dry seasons, from December to March and then in July and August, separated by rains in April and May and again in October and November.
- Humpback whales on the Pacific: From July to November off Nuquí and the Chocó, one of the wettest coasts in the world, where it rains almost every month.
- The Amazon: From August to February, the relatively dry season makes forest hiking easier around Leticia; from March to July, the rivers rise and are explored by boat.
Best avoided: October and November, the rainiest months: 214 mm in October in Cartagena over 26 days, and frequent showers in the Andes as on the Pacific.
Sources: colombia.travel, colombia.travel, colombia.travel
- Jan32°recommended
- Feb32°recommended
- Mar33°recommended
- Apr32°fair
- May31°fair
- Jun30°fair
- Jul31°fair
- Aug30°fair
- Sep30°fair
- Oct29°not recommended
- Nov29°not recommended
- Dec31°recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Colombia, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sea | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32° | 24° | 11.1 h | 12 mm | 4 d | 29° | ✓ |
| February | 32° | 24° | 11.3 h | 9 mm | 2 d | 28° | ✓ |
| March | 33° | 24° | 11.4 h | 19 mm | 6 d | 28° | ✓ |
| April | 32° | 25° | 11 h | 70 mm | 16 d | 28° | |
| May | 31° | 25° | 9.7 h | 141 mm | 22 d | 30° | |
| June | 30° | 25° | 9.5 h | 184 mm | 26 d | 30° | |
| July | 31° | 25° | 9.8 h | 157 mm | 21 d | 30° | |
| August | 30° | 25° | 9.4 h | 175 mm | 24 d | 30° | |
| September | 30° | 25° | 9.3 h | 154 mm | 24 d | 31° | |
| October | 29° | 25° | 9.1 h | 214 mm | 26 d | 30° | |
| November | 29° | 25° | 9.3 h | 215 mm | 24 d | 30° | |
| December | 31° | 25° | 10.9 h | 29 mm | 9 d | 30° | ✓ |
The four seasons in Colombia, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Cartagena) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Spring
Mar → May31 to 33°
nights 24 to 25°
- 15 rainy days · 77 mm
- 10.7 h of sun
- sea 29°
Summer
Jun → Aug30 to 31°
nights 25°
- 24 rainy days · 172 mm
- 9.6 h of sun
- sea 30°
Autumn
Sep → Nov29 to 30°
nights 25°
- 25 rainy days · 194 mm
- 9.2 h of sun
- sea 30°
Book early for December to March
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. The selection does not depend on these links.
What to do in Colombia, month by month
EventsBarranquilla CarnivalFebruary to MarchFestival de la Leyenda VallenataAprilFeria de las FloresAugustFeria de CaliDecemberDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
Beach & swimming: good conditions all twelve months.
Diving & snorkelling: good conditions all twelve months.
- Towns & culture: December
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall, sea), not from an opinion.
What's on in Colombia, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. These events fill the hotels and push prices up: something to aim for or to avoid, depending on what you want.
- February to MarchBarranquilla Carnival big crowds
Four days of cumbia, marimonda masks and flour fights in the streets of Barranquilla, before Ash Wednesday.
- AprilFestival de la Leyenda Vallenata big crowds
At the end of April, Valledupar crowns the best vallenato accordionist, after several days of competitions and concerts.
- AugustFeria de las Flores big crowds
In August, Medellín hosts the parade of the silleteros, who carry floral arrangements weighing several dozen kilos on their backs.
- DecemberFeria de Cali big crowds
Between Christmas and New Year, Cali runs through a horseback cavalcade, salsa orchestras and neighbourhood dances until the small hours.
Travelling off-peak
When to visit Colombia, region by region
A country's best time is an average, and it hides big differences. Here is what the records say for each area, month by month: ✓ for a recommended month, ~ for a fair one, a dot for a month to avoid. Hover over a cell for the temperature.
| Area | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇴 Tayrona National Park | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | · |
| 🇨🇴 Cartagena | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | ~ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | · | ~ |
Month by month, in detail
January
Recommended32°24° at night
- 12 mm · 4 d
- 11.1 h
- sea 29°
High season, book early
February
Recommended32°24° at night
- 9 mm · 2 d
- 11.3 h
- sea 28°
High season, book early
March
Recommended33°24° at night
- 19 mm · 6 d
- 11.4 h
- sea 28°
High season, book early
April
Fair32°25° at night
- 70 mm · 16 d
- 11 h
- sea 28°
Busy, without the crush
May
Fair31°25° at night
- 141 mm · 22 d
- 9.7 h
- sea 30°
Low season, lower prices
June
Fair30°25° at night
- 184 mm · 26 d
- 9.5 h
- sea 30°
Low season, lower prices
July
Fair31°25° at night
- 157 mm · 21 d
- 9.8 h
- sea 30°
Busy, without the crush
August
Fair30°25° at night
- 175 mm · 24 d
- 9.4 h
- sea 30°
High season, book early
September
Fair30°25° at night
- 154 mm · 24 d
- 9.3 h
- sea 31°
Low season, lower prices
October
Not recommended29°25° at night
- 214 mm · 26 d
- 9.1 h
- sea 30°
Low season, lower prices
November
Not recommended29°25° at night
- 215 mm · 24 d
- 9.3 h
- sea 30°
Low season, lower prices
December
Recommended31°25° at night
- 29 mm · 9 d
- 10.9 h
- sea 30°
High season, book early
Read the twelve months in detail
January. Real heat: 32 °C at the warmest of the day, 24 °C at night. Rain stays light: 12 mm over 4 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.1 h a day on average. The sea is at 29 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
February. Real heat: 32 °C at the warmest of the day, 24 °C at night. Hardly any rain (9 mm over 2 days). Plenty of sunshine: 11.3 h a day on average. The sea is at 28 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
March. Real heat: 33 °C at the warmest of the day, 24 °C at night. Rain stays light: 19 mm over 6 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.4 h a day on average. The sea is at 28 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
April. Real heat: 32 °C at the warmest of the day, 25 °C at night. Frequent but light showers: 70 mm over 16 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11 h a day on average. The sea is at 28 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
May. 31 °C in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. Frequent rain: 141 mm over 22 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.7 h a day on average. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
June. 30 °C in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. Frequent rain: 184 mm over 26 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.5 h a day on average. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
July. 31 °C in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. Frequent rain: 157 mm over 21 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.8 h a day on average. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
August. 30 °C in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. Frequent rain: 175 mm over 24 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.4 h a day on average. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
September. 30 °C in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. Frequent rain: 154 mm over 24 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.3 h a day on average. The sea is at 31 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
October. 29 °C in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. A very wet month, 214 mm of rain over 26 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.1 h a day on average. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
November. 29 °C in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. A very wet month, 215 mm of rain over 24 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.3 h a day on average. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
December. 31 °C in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. Expect 9 days of rain in the month (29 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10.9 h a day on average. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Colombia?
December to March, the dry season common to the whole country: the Caribbean coast is then very sunny (9 mm of rain in February in Cartagena) and the Andes more settled. July and August form a second dry window for Bogotá, Medellín and the coffee region, but not for Cartagena, which gets 175 mm of rain in August.
Which month should you avoid in Colombia?
October and November, the rainiest months: 214 mm in October in Cartagena over 26 days, and frequent showers in the Andes as on the Pacific.
What is the hottest month in Colombia?
March, with 33 °C on average in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Cartagena).
What is the coldest month in Colombia?
October, with 29 °C at best during the day and 25 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Cartagena).
What is the driest month in Colombia?
February: 9 mm over 2 days of rain, against 215 mm in November, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in Colombia?
March, with 11.4 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
When can you swim in Colombia?
The water never drops below 22 °C: from 28 to 31 °C depending on the month (warmest in September), measured in 2023-2024 on the nearest coast (Cartagena).
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable Colombia guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
Compare with other destinations
Photos: TitiNicola / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · Kamilokardona / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · Draceane / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · Andrés Góngora / Pexels · K / Pexels · Avinash Arumugam / Pexels · Parcerografo / Pexels · Greg Gulik / Pexels