When is the best time to visit Colombia?

Colombia is a fascinating and colourful country offering stunning scenery and a wealth of unique experiences.

The country boasts beautiful Caribbean beaches, colourful colonial towns and fascinating ruins.

But when is the best time to visit Colombia?

Read on below to find out when it’s the best time to visit this fascinating South American country.

The Colombian climate

Colombia is a year-round destination offering wonderful experiences all 12 months of the year.

The equator runs through the southern end of the country, meaning that the temperature changes very little throughout the year. But each part of the country has its own unique climate, and the weather can be very different, depending on when you visit the country and where you visit.

Colombia does not have four seasons as we know them in the UK, but a rainy season and a dry season. In addition to the two seasons, the weather also depends on how far above sea level you are.

The weather in Colombia’s regions

As mentioned, the weather is very different depending on where you are in the country.

So, the country is often divided into three regions:

• The northern part of the country on the Caribbean coast
• The Andes around Bogotá and the Coffee Region
• The southerly Amazon rainforest

Northern Colombia

The northern part of Colombia, where Cartagena is located, is relatively flat and on the Caribbean coast. Here, the average daytime temperatures are up to 30–32 degrees all year round.

• The dry season is between December and April.
• The rainy season is between May and November.

The dry season is characterised by hot, sunny days and is perfect for a stroll in Cartagena’s colourful streets. The town oozes cultural heritage, and the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the dry season, you can absolutely sit yourself down in a park with a good book or enjoy the delicious specialities found at the street food markets.

The rainy season brings heavy rain at times. However, the northern area is still a fantastic place to visit in the rainy season, as the showers are usually only brief but torrential during the afternoon.

La Ciudad Perdida – Lost City

In the Sierra Nevada Santa Marta Mountains in northern Colombia you will find the ruin city, La Ciudad Perdida.

If you dream of trekking through the lush rainforest in search of the Lost City, it may be worth considering the best time to do so.

The trek takes place in the rainforest in the mountains to the north, where it is hot and humid all year round.

• The dry season is from December to March and therefore slightly shorter here in the mountains than on the coast in Cartagena, for example. At this time of the year, you will find dry paths, beautiful sunny vistas and calm river crossings.
• The rainy season is from April to November, and during this period there is a greater risk of heavy rain, muddy paths and slightly rougher river crossings. But this is all something that helps make the adventure even more unique.

Please note that the Lost City trek is closed in September and over Christmas and the New Year.

The Andes

The Andean Mountains are where Colombia’s capital Bogotá, the city of Medellín and the Coffee Region are located. This part of the country experiences not one but two dry and rainy seasons.

• The dry seasons are from December to March and from June to August.
• The rainy seasons are from April to May and from September to November.

Bogotá

Bogotá, Colombia’s lively capital, is situated at an altitude of 2,600 AMSL.

The mountain city offers spring-like average daytime temperatures of up to 15–17 degrees all year round, while at night, it can become quite chilly.

It rains somewhat less in Bogotá than in the Coffee Region, for example, and the distinction between the dry season and the rainy season is very small. So you can enjoy a spring-like feel in the capital all year round.

The Coffee Region

The Coffee Region, around Armenia, is not as high up in the mountains as Bogotá – 1,483 AMSL – and the average daytime temperatures here creep up above 25 degrees all year round, which is perfect for the cultivation of the red coffee berries that the country is especially famous for.

The Coffee Region is worth a visit whatever the season. The dry season offers beautiful, clear, sunny days, perfect for a walk around the coffee farm. The coffee is harvested in the rainy season, making it a really exciting time to visit Armenia as this is when you can experience the coffee farm at its most active.

Medellín

The city of Medellín is located in the northern part of the Andes, north-west of Bogotá, at an altitude of 1,495 AMSL. The city is known for its mild climate, which has earned it the nickname of the city of eternal spring. The weather here is also reminiscent of Bogotá, with average daytime temperatures of 20–21 all year.

The rainy season can bring unsettled weather, making it difficult to predict when it will start to rain. So it’s a good idea to carry a small umbrella with you in your bag. It can easily rain at one end of the city while it’s dry at the other – the weather in Medellín is certainly unpredictable.

The Amazon rainforest

In southern Colombia is the Colombian part of the Amazon rainforest.

It is hot and humid here all year round, with average daytime temperatures of around 30 degrees and just a few degrees lower at night. So, it’s not possible to distinguish between the seasons.

Colombia is wonderful all year round.

If there are particular experiences you wish to enjoy, or you’re unsure about the best time to visit Colombia, please do not hesitate to contact our Colombia experts, who will help you on your way to an unforgettable holiday!

Please note that the above is a guideline only, and recommendations may change on an ongoing basis.

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