Colombia at a Glance: Best Time to Visit
Recommended time to visit: Colombia is considered a year-round destination, but the months of December - March and June - September are regarded as the best times to visit. Temperatures are relatively stable all year round but if you're visiting the higher parts of the country then it can get chilly at night, so pack some warm clothing.
Less popular time to visit: If there are any months to avoid then April - June and August - October see the most rainfall, but the country remains perfectly navigable and prices tend to be lower at these times.
Best time for beaches: December - March is Colombia's high season, with warm, sunny days across the country. This is peak season for beach resorts so expect bigger crowds and higher prices. July - August is also an option, though expect some rainfall.
Best time for wildlife: If you're looking to explore the Colombian Amazon then June - December are considered the best months to visit, with less rainfall. This means a better chance to navigate trails and see wildlife gathering at water sources.
Best time to visit Cartagena: Colombia's most popular city is best visited between December - April, with little rainfall experienced during these months.
Climate | Bogota
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp Min °C | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| Temp Max °C | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 |
| Rainfall (mm) | 21 | 32 | 65 | 95 | 92 | 45 | 35 | 32 | 39 | 94 | 78 | 55 |
Climate | Cartagena
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp Min °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| Temp Max °C | 31 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 |
| Rainfall (mm) | 1 | 3 | 2 | 52 | 63 | 50 | 43 | 70 | 96 | 106 | 80 | 20 |
Festivals and Events
With a rich cultural heritage that combines continental Spanish influences with local Afro-Caribbean and native indigenous customs, Colombia is home to a number of colourful and boisterous festivals throughout the calendar year. Here's our selection of the best.
What is Barranquilla Carnival?
Colombia's biggest celebration is up there with the Rio Carnival in terms of size and hedonism with four days of music, dancing and drinking in the city of Barranquilla. Celebrations kick off on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday and feature street dances, colourful floats and masquerades. With roots dating back to the 19th century, the carnival is such a vibrant expression of Colombia's heritage that UNESCO has deemed it a World Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
What is Semana Santa?
Like the rest of Latin America, Colombia observes the traditions of Holy Week in which Easter falls. The more sombre celebrations of Semana Santa include religious ceremonies and elaborate processions, especially in the city of Popayan and the colonial town of Mompox where the celebrations are particularly fervent.
What is the Medellin Flower Festival?
This week-long festival celebrates all things floral and plenty more beside. Held in the City of Eternal Spring, the Medellin Flower Festival features the Saddler's Parade where local farmers carry beautifully arranged flower displays on basket-like silleteros made of wood and able to hold up to 25 different varieties of flowers. There's plenty of non-flower-related celebrations too with a boozy horse-riding parade, an orchestra festival and fireworks.
What is the Cali Fair?
The sizzling city of Cali is home to one of the world's biggest salsa parties with five days of dance performances and concerts that attract some of the biggest names in Latin music. Starting life as little more than a bull fighting fair in 1957, the Cali Fair is now one of the country's most popular events with large parades, beauty pageants and street parties held between Christmas and New Year.
Recommended tours
See Also
When planning your trip to Colombia have a look through our handy Travel Guide resources:
Best Places to Visit - where to go and what to see in Colombia
Tourist Visas - entry regulations for visiting Colombia
Top Travel Tips - voltage, health, money and time in Colombia
Style of Travel - what our tours of Colombia involve and what to expect
