Colombia (Cartagena)
Colombia · South America
The best time to visit Colombia (Cartagena) is January, February, March, and December. In summer, temperatures rise to 32°C; in winter they can drop to 24°C. During the best travel months, the sun shines up to 9 hours per day — ideal for beach and outdoor activities.
Colombia (Cartagena) – What you should know
Cartagena on the Caribbean coast of Colombia has a tropical-dry climate with considerably less rain than the interior. The driest time runs from December to April: clear skies, pleasant sea breezes and temperatures of typically 28–32°C make these months the ideal travel time for the UNESCO World Heritage city and the nearby Rosario Islands.
From May to November is the rainy season, though rain usually falls at night or in short showers. Beach days are largely sunny even during this period, and prices are considerably lower than in high season. The Caribbean water off Cartagena is typically 27–30°C year-round and suitable for snorkelling and diving.
Colombia has a fascinating climatic diversity: while Cartagena lies in the tropical zone, Medellín (at 1,500 m altitude) enjoys eternal spring at 22–25°C year-round. Bogotá (at 2,600 m) is even cooler and misty. Travellers in the country experience tropical coast, temperate highlands and tropical rainforest all within a few hours' drive.
Climate Overview
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MAXMAX | 32° | 32° | 32° | 32° | 32° | 33° | 33° | 33° | 32° | 32° | 32° | 32° |
MINMIN | 25° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 25° |
☀️Sunshine | 10h | 10h | 10h | 8h | 7h | 7h | 8h | 7h | 7h | 6h | 7h | 9h |
🌊Water Temp | 27° | 27° | 27° | 28° | 29° | 30° | 29° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 29° |
🌧Rain Days | 1d6mm | 0d4mm | 2d17mm | 10d61mm | 18d140mm | 19d160mm | 18d137mm | 21d169mm | 21d157mm | 21d208mm | 18d179mm | 7d45mm |
Best travel timeMonthly averages 2005–2025 · Source: ERA5 + station data
Travel Tips
April offers great weather in Colombia (Cartagena) with fewer tourists and lower prices — ideal for those who want to avoid the peak season crowds.
The travel year in Colombia (Cartagena)
December – March
Beste Jahreszeit: trocken, 28–32°C, die koloniale Altstadt in warmem Licht, Bootsausflüge zu den Rosario-Inseln mit klarem Wasser. Cartagenas Mauern und Dachterrassen im Abendsonnenlicht.
April – November
Regenzeit: Nachmittags Schauer, aber Cartagenas karibisches Stadtleben bleibt lebendig. Günstigere Preise, weniger Kreuzfahrtgruppen, authentischerer Alltag in Getsemaní.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the best time to visit Colombia (Cartagena)?
- The best time to visit Colombia (Cartagena) is January, February, March, and December. These months offer the most favourable combination of sunshine, temperatures, and low rainfall.
- How warm does it get in Colombia (Cartagena)?
- In summer, temperatures in Colombia (Cartagena) can reach up to 32°C. In winter, they may drop to 24°C.
- How much rain does Colombia (Cartagena) get?
- Colombia (Cartagena) has a relatively even rainfall pattern with an average of 13 rain days per month. The driest months are January, February, March, and December.
- How warm is the water in Colombia (Cartagena)?
- Water temperature in Colombia (Cartagena) ranges from 27°C (February) to 30°C (September). During the best travel months (January, February, March, and December), the water is most pleasant for swimming.
Best Travel Time by Vacation Type
🏖️
Beach Holiday
Warm, sunny, little rain
JanFebMar
🏙️
City Trip
Pleasantly mild, not too hot
JanFebMar
