Best time to go to Colombia for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 04/06/2024When is the best time to go to Colombia?
The best time to travel to Colombia is during the winter, between December and early March. Depending on the regions, there is also a somewhat drier season, around July-August, which is very pleasant.
However, the rest of the year should not be ruled out: as the country is very vast, there is always a region spared from the rains between March and November. Moreover, the climate is rarely extreme, with a few exceptions, especially if you plan to visit high altitudes (over 3000 m).
The only region to avoid during the winter is the Amazon. The humidity rate is very high (close to 100%) and your trip to Colombia could be reduced to uninterrupted rainy days. It is therefore preferable to visit the Colombian Amazon between July and October.
When to go to Colombia based on your interests?
- For hiking and trekking, the months from January to early March offer exceptional weather. The sun shines, but the heat remains reasonable.
- For diving, the ideal period is from January to April. The visibility is perfect and the water temperature very pleasant.
- For relaxing and enjoying the beach, the Caribbean coast is perfect between November and July, with a preference for the drier months of January and February.
- To discover the wonders of the Amazon, you should go to Colombia between July and October.
- To observe humpback whales, head to the Pacific coast between July and September. They will offer you an unforgettable spectacle!
- To see cultural events, join the festive crowd during the dry season. At the end of February, do not miss the Barranquilla Carnival, which ranks just after the Rio de Janeiro and Venice Carnivals in terms of entertainment and popularity.
Where and when to go based on the weather?
Amazon region of Colombia
Leticia, Mitú, La Chorrera...
Andean Highlands
Bogota, Medellin, Salento...
Caribbean coast of Colombia
Cartagena, Barranquilla, Punta Gallinas...
Orinoquía and Northeast Colombia
Yopal, San José del Guaviare, Inirida (Cerros de Mavecure)...
Pacific coast of Colombia
Santiago de Cali, Tumaco, Nuqui...
To get all the information about the climate and weather in Columbia for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:
Colombia in january Colombia in february Colombia in march Colombia in april Colombia in may Colombia in june Colombia in july Colombia in august Colombia in september Colombia in october Colombia in november Colombia in december
Best time to travel to Colombia by cities
Climate and Weather in Columbia
Located in South America, between Venezuela, Brazil, Panama, and Peru, the climate in Colombia is mainly equatorial as is the case in Medellin. However, Colombia experiences other secondary climate types, the main ones being: humid and dry tropical (such as in Cartagena), oceanic (Bogotá), and humid tropical (Bucaramanga).
There are two main seasons and transitional periods:
- Summer (verano), which corresponds to the rainy season and extends from April to November. However, there is a period of calm, especially in parts of the Andes, around July-August.
- Winter (inverno) which runs from December to March. It is the dry season in the majority of the country (except in the Amazon).
Due to its geography, the weather in Colombia will vary greatly depending on the region and altitude. Nevertheless, temperatures remain relatively stable. It is mainly the humidity and frequency of rainfall that can vary.
Climate in the Andean region
The climate in the Andean region is highly diverse, often changing over short distances mainly due to the rugged terrain. This climatic variation is characterized by significant differences in temperature, precipitation, and weather conditions. For example, it is not uncommon to transition within a few kilometers from a humid tropical climate to an arid climate or even to a high mountain climate where snow is present year-round. This mosaic of climates is influenced by altitude, valley orientation, and the presence of mountain ranges, creating rich biodiversity and diverse ecosystems.
Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is located in the heart of the eastern Andes mountain range. In this region, the climate is oceanic and temperate, meaning that daytime temperatures hover around 17°C throughout the year and rarely exceed 20°C.
In general, the higher the altitude, the colder it gets (an average temperature decrease of 6°C per 1000 meters). Therefore, the city of Medellín (which has an equatorial climate), located at a lower altitude, experiences warmer temperatures (between 24°C and 27°C depending on the month). However, it receives more rainfall than the capital city as a trade-off.
It is worth noting that during the rainy season, rainfall can be quite substantial. Rainfall is most prevalent in the region from September to December and from April to June. The sky remains overcast for a significant part of the year due to the surrounding high mountains.
Overall, visiting this region between December and early March ensures the best weather conditions for sightseeing and hiking.
Climate in the Amazon
The Colombian Amazon regions experience distinct seasons. The climate is tropical with variations compared to the rest of the country:
- Dry season, between July and October: this is the ideal time to visit. The weather is pleasant, despite high temperatures, and rainfall is less compared to the rest of the year.
- Rainy season between January and June. We recommend avoiding this period due to heavy rainfall. Hiking trails become very muddy and impassable. November and December are transition months, with potentially significant rainfall.
Climate on the Caribbean coast
Stretching over 1600 km in northern Colombia, the Caribbean coast boasts splendid beaches and colorful colonial cities, making it a popular region for travelers. Here's what to expect in terms of climate:
- During the dry season, between December and April, the weather is ideal: clear skies and low precipitation.
- Temperatures remain relatively constant throughout the year.
- The rainy season is less pronounced in this region. Therefore, a visit in May, June, July, and November is entirely feasible (although we recommend avoiding August to October).
- In the islands off the Caribbean coast, such as San Andrés or Providencia, the trade winds make the air more breathable, and the rainy season occurs between October and December.
Climate on the Pacific coast
Be warned: the entire Pacific coast of Colombia is considered one of the wettest areas on the planet! The temperature remains relatively stable throughout the year, ranging between 23°C and 29°C, but the significant precipitation makes the climate unfavorable year-round. However, it rarely rains all day; most of the time, the coast is wet mainly in the evenings and at night, even during the rainy season.
An exception to this continual unfavorable climate: you will find pleasant weather in July and August in the southern Pacific coast towards Tumaco or on Malpelo Island.
Temperatures and rainfall in Columbia
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Colombia and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Bogota, Cartagena, Medellin, Santiago de Cali and Barranquilla, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Columbia
Find out when Colombia has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Columbia
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, September, October and November. The number of visitors to Colombia is high in: August and December.
- Very low season in Columbia: February, March, April, May, June, September and October.
- Low season in Columbia: January, July and November.
- Peak season in Columbia: August and December.
Figure: Visitor index for Colombia month by month
Average price for flights to Colombia
A return flight between Los Angeles and Bogota is generally cheaper if you go in september ($ 419 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 449 more for your airline ticket to Bogota if you go in december.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to Colombia
Where to go in Columbia?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Bogota | 21°C | 20°C | 20°C | 19°C | 19°C | 19°C | 19°C | 20°C | 21°C | 20°C | 19°C | 20°C |
| Cartagena | 31°C | 32°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 32°C | 32°C | 31°C | 31°C | 30°C | 31°C | 31°C |
| Medellin | 26°C | 26°C | 25°C | 24°C | 25°C | 26°C | 26°C | 27°C | 26°C | 24°C | 24°C | 25°C |
| Santiago de Cali | 25°C | 25°C | 25°C | 25°C | 25°C | 25°C | 25°C | 25°C | 26°C | 25°C | 24°C | 25°C |
| Barranquilla | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 32°C | 32°C | 32°C | 32°C | 32°C | 32°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C |
| Bucaramanga | 25°C | 27°C | 27°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C | 25°C | 24°C | 24°C |
| Inirida (Cerros de Mavecure) | 33°C | 35°C | 33°C | 30°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 29°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C |
| La Chorrera | 30°C | 30°C | 30°C | 30°C | 30°C | 29°C | 30°C | 31°C | 32°C | 32°C | 31°C | 30°C |
| Leticia | 30°C | 31°C | 30°C | 30°C | 30°C | 31°C | 32°C | 34°C | 35°C | 34°C | 32°C | 31°C |
| Mitú | 30°C | 30°C | 30°C | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 30°C | 31°C | 31°C | 30°C | 30°C |
| Nuqui | 30°C | 30°C | 30°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 29°C |
| Punta Gallinas | 31°C | 32°C | 32°C | 33°C | 33°C | 33°C | 33°C | 34°C | 34°C | 33°C | 32°C | 31°C |
| Salento | 22°C | 23°C | 22°C | 21°C | 21°C | 22°C | 23°C | 24°C | 23°C | 21°C | 20°C | 21°C |
| San José del Guaviare | 31°C | 32°C | 30°C | 29°C | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 29°C | 31°C | 30°C | 30°C | 30°C |
| Tumaco | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C |
| Yopal | 32°C | 33°C | 32°C | 30°C | 29°C | 28°C | 27°C | 29°C | 31°C | 30°C | 30°C | 31°C |
| Amacayacu Natural National Park | 29°C | 30°C | 30°C | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 30°C | 31°C | 32°C | 32°C | 31°C | 30°C |
| Arauca | 33°C | 34°C | 34°C | 32°C | 30°C | 28°C | 28°C | 30°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C |
| Arboletes | 34°C | 35°C | 34°C | 33°C | 33°C | 33°C | 33°C | 33°C | 32°C | 32°C | 32°C | 32°C |
| Armenia | 22°C | 23°C | 22°C | 21°C | 21°C | 22°C | 23°C | 24°C | 23°C | 21°C | 20°C | 21°C |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About Colombia
What can I do in Columbia?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Colombia reliable?
Climate data for Colombia has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Colombia allows us to determine the average for each month in Bogota, Cartagena, Medellin, Santiago de Cali, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Inirida (Cerros de Mavecure), La Chorrera, and 110 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.