What is the best time to visit Colombia?

Best Time to Visit Colombia

The best time to travel to Colombia is during the dry season (December to March) and the shoulder season (July to November).

Dry Season in Colombia

The dry season in Colombia runs from December to March and is the best time to visit the country. During this season, the weather is generally sunny and dry, making it ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing. In the Caribbean region, temperatures are warm and humid, while in the Andes region, temperatures can drop to below freezing. Travelers can also expect to enjoy the country’s vibrant festivals and cultural events during this time.

Shoulder Season in Colombia

The shoulder season in Colombia runs from July to November. This is the second-best time to visit the country as the weather is still pleasant and the crowds are much smaller. Temperatures are cooler in the Andes region, with temperatures ranging from 10-20°C (50-68°F). In the Caribbean region, temperatures remain hot and humid. Travelers can also enjoy the country’s many outdoor activities, such as hiking and cycling, during this time.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Colombia

Colombia in January

Weather

January in Colombia is usually warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (21-30 degrees Celsius). The rainy season begins in the south of the country in mid-January, and the north of the country experiences its wet season in late January.

Events

• Festival Internacional de la Música: This annual music festival takes place in the city of Medellin and features a wide variety of musical acts from around the world. It usually takes place in the first two weeks of January.
• Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata: This folk music festival takes place in the city of Valledupar and features traditional Vallenato music. It usually takes place in the third week of January.
• Carnaval de Barranquilla: This is one of the largest carnivals in the world, and it takes place in the city of Barranquilla. It usually takes place in the last week of January.
• Festival de la Mejorana: This folk music festival takes place in the city of Guarne and features traditional Mejorana music. It usually takes place in the last week of January.
• Festival de las Flores: This is one of the most important cultural events in Colombia, and it takes place in the city of Medellin. It usually takes place in the last week of January.

Colombia in January

Weather

January is the start of the dry season in Colombia. Temperatures are generally warm and pleasant, with average highs of 28°C (82°F) and lows of 17°C (63°F). Rainfall is rare, with an average of only one day of rain during the month.

Events

• The Festival of San Sebastian in Medellin is celebrated on January 20th. It is a religious celebration that includes processions, parades, and traditional music and dance.
• The Festival of San Blas in Cartagena is celebrated on January 25th. It is a religious celebration that includes traditional music, dance, and fireworks.
• The Bogota International Film Festival is held in January. This is the largest film festival in Colombia, with screenings of films from around the world.
• The Festival of the Three Kings in Barranquilla is celebrated on January 6th. This is a religious celebration that includes parades, processions, and traditional music and dance.
• The Festival of San Juan in Cali is celebrated on January 24th. This is a religious celebration that includes traditional music, dance, and fireworks.

Colombia in March

Weather

The weather in Colombia in March is generally mild. The temperatures range from the high 70s to the low 90s Fahrenheit. The humidity is usually high, and there is usually some rain during the month.

Events

• The Carnaval de Barranquilla is a four-day festival that takes place in Barranquilla, Colombia in March. It features parades, music, and dancing.
• The Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata is a music festival that takes place in Valledupar, Colombia in March. It celebrates the traditional music of the Vallenato region.
• The Festival Internacional de Teatro de Cali is an international theater festival that takes place in Cali, Colombia in March. It features performances from around the world.
• The Festival Internacional de Jazz de Bogotá is an international jazz festival that takes place in Bogotá, Colombia in March. It features performances by jazz musicians from around the world.
• The Festival de Orquídeas is an orchid festival that takes place in Medellín, Colombia in March. It features displays of orchids from around the world.

Colombia in April

Weather

April in Colombia is generally mild with temperatures ranging from 15-25 degrees Celsius. The country experiences a lot of rain during this month, so it is best to bring an umbrella and waterproof clothing.

Events

• Semana Santa (Holy Week): This is one of the most important religious celebrations in Colombia and takes place in April. People take part in processions and religious ceremonies throughout the week.
• Festival Internacional de la Cerveza (International Beer Festival): This festival takes place in Bogota and celebrates the craft beer industry in Colombia. There are beer tastings, live music, and food stalls.
• Festival de Orquideas (Orchid Festival): This annual festival takes place in the city of Medellin and celebrates the beauty of orchids. There are displays of orchids from all over the world, as well as workshops and lectures.
• Festival de la Música (Music Festival): This festival takes place in the city of Cali and celebrates the musical heritage of Colombia. There are performances from local and international artists, as well as food stalls and art exhibitions.
• Festival de las Flores (Flower Festival): This annual festival takes place in the city of Medellin and celebrates the beauty of flowers. There are displays of flowers from all over the world, as well as workshops and lectures.

Colombia in May

Weather

May in Colombia is generally hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 16°C to 27°C (61°F to 81°F). Rainfall is common, particularly in the latter half of the month.

Events

• The Festival of Flowers in Medellín is held during the first week of May, and is a celebration of the city’s vibrant culture and history.
• The International Jazz Festival in Bogotá is held during the second week of May, and brings together jazz musicians from around the world.
• The Festival of the Caribbean in Cartagena is held during the third week of May, and celebrates the region’s unique culture and music.
• The International Book Fair in Bogotá is held during the last week of May, and is a great opportunity for book lovers to find new titles and meet authors.
• The Festival of the Sea in Barranquilla is held during the last week of May, and celebrates the city’s fishing culture and traditions.

Colombia in June

Weather

June in Colombia is typically a warm and sunny month. Temperatures range from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit (24-30 Celsius). Rainfall is low, with an average of only 2 inches (50 mm) of rain throughout the month.

Events

• Colombia celebrates its independence day on June 20th. This day is marked with parades, fireworks, and other festivities.
• The Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata is a popular music festival that takes place in Valledupar in late June. It celebrates the traditional music of the region.
• The Festival Internacional de Teatro is held in Bogotá in early June. It is a celebration of theater, with performances from both local and international artists.
• The Festival de la Caña de Azúcar is a celebration of the sugar cane harvest in the region of Magdalena. It takes place in late June and includes parades, music, and food.
• The Festival de la Música is a popular music festival that takes place in Medellín in late June. It features performances from both local and international artists.

Colombia in July

Weather

July in Colombia is generally hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (24-30°C). Rainfall is common, with an average of 15 days of rain in July.

Events

• The Festival de la Mejorana is held in the city of El Carmen de Viboral in the first week of July. The festival celebrates the traditional music of Colombia and features concerts, parades, and food.
• The Festival Internacional de Teatro de Cali is held in the city of Cali in the second week of July. This festival features a variety of theatrical performances from around the world.
• The Festival de la Palabra is held in the city of Medellín in the third week of July. This festival celebrates literature and poetry, with readings, workshops, and exhibitions.
• The Festival de la Música is held in the city of Bogotá in the fourth week of July. This festival celebrates Colombian music, with concerts, workshops, and exhibitions.
• The Festival de la Cerveza is held in the city of Cartagena in the last week of July. This festival celebrates Colombian craft beer, with tastings, workshops, and exhibitions.

Colombia in August

Weather

August in Colombia is typically warm and humid. Temperatures range from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit (around 24-30°C). Rainfall is common during this month, particularly in the afternoon.

Events

• The Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata is held in Valledupar in early August. This festival celebrates the traditional music of Colombia’s Caribbean region.
• The Festival Internacional de Teatro de Cali is held in late August. This event features performances from local and international theater companies.
• The Festival Internacional de Música de Cartagena is held in mid-August. This is a popular music festival featuring performances from renowned artists from around the world.
• The Festival de la Mejorana is held in San Jacinto in mid-August. This festival celebrates the traditional music and culture of Colombia’s Pacific region.
• The Festival Internacional de Cine de Bogotá is held in late August. This event features screenings of films from around the world, as well as workshops and discussions.

Colombia in September

Weather

The weather in Colombia during September is generally warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from 18-30°C (64-86°F). Rainfall is common in some areas, especially in the northern part of the country.

Events

• The Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata is held in Valledupar, Colombia in September. It is a celebration of traditional Colombian music and culture, and features live performances from local and international artists.
• The Festival Internacional de Teatro de Cali is an annual celebration of theater, dance, music, and art. It takes place in Cali, Colombia in September and features performances from local and international artists.
• The Festival de la Cosecha is a celebration of the harvest season in Colombia. It takes place in September and features traditional music, dance, and food.
• The Festival de la Palma is a traditional celebration of the palm tree in Colombia. It takes place in September and features traditional music, dance, and food.
• The Festival de la Caña is a celebration of the sugar cane harvest in Colombia. It takes place in September and features traditional music, dance, and food.

Colombia in October

Weather

October is the start of the dry season in Colombia, with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 25°C. There is generally little to no rain during this month.

Events

• October 12 is Colombia’s Independence Day, a national holiday that celebrates the country’s independence from Spain in 1810.
• The Festival de la Música, an international music festival, is held in Bogotá in October.
• The Barranquilla Carnival is held in October, a celebration of Caribbean culture with parades, music, and dancing.
• The Festival Internacional de Teatro is held in October in Bogotá, showcasing theatre and dance performances from around the world.
• The Festival de Cine de Cartagena is held in October, featuring local and international films.

Colombia in November

Weather

November in Colombia is generally warm and humid. The average high temperature is 28°C (82°F), with an average low temperature of 17°C (63°F). The average rainfall is around 200 mm (8 inches).

Events

• All Saints Day (November 1st): All Saints Day is a public holiday in Colombia, and is celebrated by visiting cemeteries and honoring deceased family members.
• Independence Day (November 11th): This is a national holiday in Colombia, celebrating the day in 1811 when the country declared independence from Spain.
• Cartagena International Music Festival (November 21st-25th): This annual music festival takes place in the city of Cartagena and features a variety of musical genres, from jazz to salsa.
• Bogota International Film Festival (November 28th-December 2nd): This annual film festival showcases the best of Colombian and international cinema.
• Barranquilla Carnival (November 28th-December 8th): The Barranquilla Carnival is one of the largest carnivals in the world, and features parades, music, dancing, and more.

Colombia in December

Weather

December in Colombia is generally warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from the low to mid-20s Celsius (70s Fahrenheit). The northern region of the country is generally cooler than the south. Rainfall is common throughout the country, with the Caribbean coast experiencing the most rain.

Events

• The Festival of Lights is a popular event in December, where people in Bogota and other cities light up their homes and streets with colorful lights and decorations.
• The Festival of the Flowers is held in Medellin in December, and celebrates the city’s culture and traditions with parades, music, and dance.
• The Festival of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated in December, and is a religious event that honors the Virgin Mary.
• The Festival of the Virgin of the Candelaria is held in December in the city of Popayan. This is a religious event that honors the Virgin Mary.
• The Festival of the Three Kings is held in December in many parts of the country. This is a religious event that celebrates the visit of the Three Kings to the baby Jesus.