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Best time to visit Colombia

The best time to go to Colombia is in December to March, when the Andes are drier. September to October are the wettest months, but it’s all relative – the rainforest can be wet all year round, and the coast is seriously hot. Read on to find out about our top Colombia activities and tips from our vacation companies.

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best time to visit colombia

Colombia is vast, with mountains, jungle and Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. As the climate changes hugely from region to region, you can travel all year round.

Generally, the best time to go to Colombia is Dec-March – the driest months in the Andes. Keep in mind that these months, especially Dec-Jan, as well as Easter, are extremely busy with domestic and international tourists; prices will rise and you’ll need to book early. There is a shorter dry season in July to early Sep. The wettest months along the Caribbean are Sep-Oct, though it remains scorching hot. The Amazon is warm and wet year-round, of course, and the mountains will be much cooler and fresher, with warm layers needed at night, although the sun heats things up quickly during the day.

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Cartagena Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

102

JUN

110

JUL

AUG

130

SEP

140

OCT

218

NOV

129

DEC

Our Colombia Vacations

Month by month guide

December, January, February and March are the driest months across the country. The Andes tend to stay dry into April, but the rain hits lowland areas earlier. May, June and July are soggy in the highlands, as are October, November and early December. The Caribbean coast is wettest in September and October, although its almost equatorial latitude means it sits south of the Caribbean hurricane belt. The rain eases off in the mountains in August, so this can be a good option if you are tied to traveling during school vacations. It stays pretty wet in the Caribbean though. Cartagena has temperatures in the low 30°Cs all year round, and its high humidity as well as the fact it is a large, built up city mean it feels unbearably hot. You many need to spend longer than you think here as you won’t be speed walking between its attractions. Santa Marta has a slightly cooler, drier microclimate which makes it feel more comfortable. Carnival season comes to Colombia in February or early March; the wildest celebrations are in the Caribbean city of Barranquilla, which rivals Rio in terms of the spectacle. Being a deeply Catholic country, Easter is widely celebrated here, with elaborate yet sombre street processions taking place across the country. Tayrona National Park is often closed to tourists throughout February. Local indigenous communities use this month to perform indigenous rituals there, as well as to clean and tidy the park. Head to the Pacific Coast from July to November, when humpback whales migrate here from Antarctica to mate and give birth. It’s possible to observe them from land.

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What happens when in Colombia

Scott Marquardt from our supplier Tucan Travel:

“Colombia can make for an excellent trip any time of the year, however December through February generally has the most sunshine, although it's also high season which means things can be a bit busier.”

Dan Clarke, from our supplier RealWorld Vacations, shares his tips on the best time to go to Colombia to make the most of the weather:

“In terms of when to go, Colombia gives you two bites of the cherry: either June to September or December to February will give you pretty good weather throughout the country.”

Festivals & events in Colombia

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Feria de las Flores

Medellín’s Flower Festival was founded in 1957, and showcases huge floral arrangements presented by local farmers. In a commemoration of the abolition of slavery, the farmers carry the arrangements up a hill on a large wooden contraption on their backs, in an echo of the slaves who used to carry their masters on their backs in wooden chairs. This takes place over several days in July or August, and the processions are interspersed with plenty of drinking and dancing until the early hours.

Did you know about...?

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Written by Vicki Brown

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Photo credits: [Page banner: Nick Harris] [The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy National Park: YoTuT] [Jardin, Colombia: Pedro Szekely] [Guatapé, Colombia: Milo Miloezger] [Flower festival - Medellin: Guía de Viajes Oficial de M]