when to go to colombia

Recommended time to visit

Thanks to Colombia’s geographical location on the equator, it is warm throughout the year, therefore every season is a good season to travel. Having said that, December to March and June to September are regarded as the best times to visit.

Spring

March to May

In the Andes, Bogota and La Zona Cafetera, Easter is one of the rainier times of the year, and it can feel chilly on a rainy day. On the Caribbean Coast, rainfall increases from May onwards, and Spring is a good time to head here for example, Cartagena, Tayrona National Park, and the islands of San Andres and Providencia.

Other considerations:

Easter is a time of colourful processions in Colombia, for example in the colonial town of Mompox, and it can be a little busy with Colombians travelling around the country. Away from Easter, spring is a fairly quiet time to visit and a good time to visit if you don’t mind some rain during the trip.

Summer

June to August

The weather in summer is great and it is one of the best times to visit Colombia. The entirety of Colombia experiences some of their driest weather in these months. For the Andes, in particular, this is the best time of year to visit. There are also a number of interesting festivals, such as Medellin’s Flower Festival in August or Festival of Kites in Villa de Leyva. Summer is the best time to visit if you want to go whale watching.

Other considerations:

Prices of flights to Colombia might be a bit higher at this time of year, but once you get to Colombia prices are generally not higher, except special festivals. Additionally, it is actually not that busy despite being an excellent time to travel.

Autumn

September to November

Most parts of Colombia have an increase in rainfall in autumn, particularly in October and November. In October Cartagena has its wettest month. Having said that, rainfall won’t affect your holiday too much as temperatures remain constant. This is with the exception of those planning to spend a lot of time in the Andean regions. The water levels on the River Amazon continue to fall until November and it’s a good time to stay in a beautiful eco-lodge and explore the lush and diverse Amazon rainforest. This is also the last opportunity to see the whales on the pacific coast.

Winter

December to February

Everywhere in Colombia is drier from December to February and this is one of the best times to travel to Colombia. As with the rest of the year temperatures are consistent. This is the driest season along the Caribbean Coast and it’s the best time to visit Bogota. This is also a great time for treks in the Andes. In the Amazon, this is a high-water season as the river is fed by rain in countries to the south, particularly Peru.

Other considerations:

During Christmas and New Year, popular destinations such as Cartagena are very busy and booking in advance is recommended. In addition, you can experience one of the largest carnivals in the world - the Barranquilla Carnival, full of extravagant costumes and colour, music and dancing!