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When to Go

Best Time to Visit Colombia (Cartagena & Bogotá)

South America · Month-by-month weather, seasons and what to do — from Noura's Destination Finder.

Noura's timing tip: The Dec-Apr dry season is the sweet spot; October is the rainiest month with heavy afternoon downpours and Caribbean storm risk. Bogota sits at about 8,660 ft and stays far cooler (highs in the 60s F) than the sweltering coast, so pack layers for both.
Best months
Jan–Mar, Dec
Flights from the US
🟢 Non-stop options
Great for
couples · adult group · female solo traveler · multi-gen
Seasons at a glance
JanuaryFebruaryMarchDecember AprilMayJuneJulyAugustNovember SeptemberOctober

🟢 Peak season  ·  🟠 Shoulder  ·  ⚪ Off-peak

Colombia (Cartagena & Bogotá) month by month

Average temperatures, sunshine and the feel of each month. Getting the timing right is half of a great trip.

MonthAvg °FSunRainSeasonWhat it's like
January 75–88°F 9h Minimal (4mm) Peak Sun-drenched, breezy and dry: peak Caribbean weather in the walled old city.
February 76–88°F 8h Minimal (1mm) Peak Bone-dry, sunny and breezy: flawless beach and old-town weather.
March 77–88°F 8h Minimal (2mm) Peak Hot, dry and lively with clear skies over beaches and colonial plazas.
April 78–89°F 7h Low (25mm) Shoulder Still mostly dry and hot as the first brief showers hint at the coming rains.
May 79–89°F 7h High (115mm) Shoulder Wet season opens with hot mornings and heavy, refreshing afternoon downpours.
June 79–90°F 7h Moderate (100mm) Shoulder Hot and humid with short, intense rains and green, uncrowded surroundings.
July 78–90°F 7h High (110mm) Shoulder Breezy midsummer with a brief drier spell between tropical downpours.
August 79–90°F 7h High (125mm) Shoulder Hot, green and humid with lively streets and frequent afternoon storms.
September 78–90°F 6h High (135mm) Off-Peak Deep wet season: humid, cloudy and quiet with heavy tropical downpours.
October 78–89°F 5h Very High (230mm) Off-Peak Rainiest month: warm, grey and stormy, but green, cheap and crowd-free.
November 78–88°F 6h High (140mm) Shoulder Rains ease as Independence festivities fill the streets with music and parades.
December 77–89°F 8h Low (35mm) Peak Dry season and festive lights return with warm, breezy, sun-filled days.

Data cross-referenced from climate and flight sources; conditions vary year to year.

Things to do in Colombia (Cartagena & Bogotá), month by month

Hand-picked ideas for every month of the year — from Noura's Destination Finder.

JanuaryPeak75–88°F
  • Wander Cartagena's walled Old City and Getsemani
  • Tour the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas fortress
  • Boat to the Rosario Islands for snorkeling
  • Catch the Hay Festival literary events (late Jan)
  • Watch sunset from the Cafe del Mar ramparts
FebruaryPeak76–88°F
  • Explore the colorful streets of the Ciudad Amurallada
  • Relax on Playa Blanca on Baru
  • Visit the Palace of the Inquisition museum
  • Day-trip to the Totumo mud volcano
  • Sip cocktails on a rooftop overlooking the sea
MarchPeak77–88°F
  • Stroll the Old City walls at golden hour
  • Island-hop the Rosario and San Bernardo archipelagos
  • Climb to La Popa monastery for city views
  • Take a Colombian cooking or salsa class
  • In Bogota, tour the Gold Museum and La Candelaria
AprilShoulder78–89°F
  • Explore Getsemani's street art and nightlife
  • Relax on Baru's beaches before the rains
  • Tour Castillo San Felipe fortress
  • Visit Bogota's Monserrate and Zipaquira Salt Cathedral
  • Boat out to the Rosario Islands
MayShoulder79–89°F
  • Wander the Old City between afternoon showers
  • Duck into the Palace of the Inquisition museum
  • Take a covered chiva party-bus tour
  • Day-trip to the Totumo mud volcano
  • Explore Bogota's museums and Usaquen market
JuneShoulder79–90°F
  • Tour the walled city's plazas and churches
  • Snorkel the Rosario Islands on a clear morning
  • Sample street food in Getsemani
  • Visit the Convento de la Popa
  • See Bogota's Botero Museum and Candelaria quarter
JulyShoulder78–90°F
  • Explore the Old City ramparts and Clock Tower
  • Boat to Isla Grande in the Rosario chain
  • Take a salsa dancing night in Getsemani
  • Day-trip to the Totumo mud volcano
  • In Bogota, ride the funicular up Monserrate
AugustShoulder79–90°F
  • Wander Cartagena's UNESCO walled center
  • Relax on Playa Blanca between showers
  • Visit the San Felipe fortress and its tunnels
  • Explore Getsemani's murals and plazas
  • Tour the Gold Museum and Salt Cathedral near Bogota
SeptemberOff-Peak78–90°F
  • Explore the Old City's museums and cafes
  • Take a covered chiva tour of the ramparts
  • Visit the Palace of the Inquisition
  • Enjoy low-season hotel deals in Getsemani
  • See Bogota's La Candelaria and Botero collection
OctoberOff-Peak78–89°F
  • Duck between showers exploring the walled city
  • Tour Cartagena's indoor museums and churches
  • Take a cooking class or coffee tasting
  • Visit Bogota's Gold Museum and Monserrate
  • Day-trip to the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral
NovemberShoulder78–88°F
  • Join the Cartagena Independence Day celebrations (Nov 11)
  • Watch parades and street music in the Old City
  • Boat to the Rosario Islands on clearer days
  • Tour Castillo San Felipe fortress
  • Explore Getsemani's nightlife and murals
DecemberPeak77–89°F
  • Stroll the Old City lit up for the holidays
  • Relax on Baru and the Rosario Islands beaches
  • Watch sunset from the city walls at Cafe del Mar
  • Take a salsa night out in Getsemani
  • See Bogota's Christmas lights and Monserrate views

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