The essentials
When to go to Colombia, in brief
December to March: the sweet spot
Dry season nationwide. Sun on the Caribbean, clear Andean skies, walkable trails. It is the busiest stretch.
Caribbean: dry Dec to April
Cartagena, Santa Marta, San Andrés: 28-32°C, sun and little rain from December to April. The best beach window.
Medellín, eternal spring
The city of eternal spring stays mild all year, around 16-28°C. Ideal in any season, especially August for the flowers.
A 2nd dry season in July-August
Andes and coffee region at their driest, perfect for hiking and the Cocora Valley. Crowds rise during the holidays.
April-May and October-November: rains
The country's two wet seasons. Showers mostly in the afternoon in the Andes. Avoid for hiking, doable on the coast.
Amazon: low water July to December
For Leticia and the Amazon, July to December brings low water, concentrated wildlife and the best viewing.
The verdict
The best periods
Dec - March
Dry season everywhere. The prime window to combine Cartagena, the coffee region and Bogotá. Book early around Christmas.
July - August
Second dry window. Andes and coffee at their best for hiking, Feria de las Flores in Medellín. More crowds.
Apr-May, Oct-Nov
The two wet seasons. Afternoon rain in the Andes, muddy trails. The coast stays more forgiving.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
28-32°C coast / 9-19°C Bogotá
Dry, high season
28-32°C coast / 9-20°C Bogotá
Dry, Carnival
28-32°C coast / 10-20°C Bogotá
Dry, window ends
28-31°C coast / 11-19°C Bogotá
Rain in the Andes
28-31°C coast / 11-19°C Bogotá
Wet season
28-32°C coast / 10-19°C Bogotá
Rain easing
29-33°C coast / 10-19°C Bogotá
Dry, ideal hiking
29-33°C coast / 10-20°C Bogotá
Dry, Medellín fair
28-32°C coast / 10-19°C Bogotá
Transition, showers
28-31°C coast / 10-18°C Bogotá
Wet season
28-31°C coast / 10-18°C Bogotá
The wettest
28-32°C coast / 9-19°C Bogotá
Dry, Feria de Cali
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cartagena & Caribbean | Dec-Apr: 28-32°C, sun | May-Nov: showers | Ideal Dec-April |
| Bogotá & Andes | Dec-March: dry, 9-20°C | Apr-May, Oct-Nov: rain | Ideal Dec-March |
| Medellín & coffee region | Year-round: mild, 16-28°C | Apr-May, Oct-Nov: wetter | Good year-round |
| Amazon (Leticia) | July-Dec: low water, 24-32°C | Dec-May: flood, rain | Ideal July-December |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Barranquilla Carnival
The world's second-biggest carnival after Rio: parades, cumbia and costumes over the four days before Lent.
🇨🇴 Barranquilla
Feria de las Flores
Medellín's big festival: ten days of music and flowers, with the silleteros parade on 9 August as the climax.
🇨🇴 Medellín
Feria de Cali
The country's biggest salsa festival: five days of concerts, the Salsódromo and dancing until dawn.
🇨🇴 Cali
Carnaval de Negros y Blancos
A UNESCO-listed Andean carnival blending powder games, paint and giant floats through the streets of Pasto.
🇨🇴 Pasto
Our analysis
Colombia is crossed by the Andes and bordered by two oceans: its climate hinges not on seasons but on altitude and region. The useful rule: the main dry season runs December to March, with a second window in July-August.
The dry season, December to March
This is the prime window. The Caribbean coast is sunny, 28 to 32°C, and the Andes enjoy clear skies ideal for hiking. December and January are the busiest, with the Feria de Cali in late December and prices climbing around Christmas. Book two to three months ahead for this period.
July and August offer a second dry season, perfect for the coffee region and the Cocora Valley, and it is the time of the Feria de las Flores in Medellín.
The two wet-season trap
Colombia has two rain peaks: April-May and October-November. In the Andes, showers fall mostly in the afternoon and turn trails muddy. For hiking, these are the times to avoid. The Caribbean coast, by contrast, stays more forgiving and can be visited almost year-round.
One nuance that changes everything: Medellín, the city of eternal spring, holds a mild 16 to 28°C throughout. It is the safe bet when the rest of the country floods. For the Amazon, around Leticia, aim instead for July to December, when low water concentrates wildlife.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Colombia? +
From December to March: dry season nationwide, sun on the Caribbean (28-32°C) and clear skies in the Andes. It is the prime window, and the busiest.
What is the worst time to visit Colombia? +
April-May and October-November are the two wet seasons: afternoon rain in the Andes and muddy trails. The Caribbean coast stays more forgiving.
When to visit Cartagena and the Caribbean coast? +
From December to April: 28-32°C, sun and little rain. It is the best beach window, ideal for San Andrés, Santa Marta and Tayrona.
When to visit the coffee region and the Cocora Valley? +
From December to March, or July-August: these are the two dry windows, perfect for hiking. Medellín stays pleasant all year.
When is the Barranquilla Carnival in 2026? +
From 14 to 17 February 2026, just before Lent. It is the world's second-biggest carnival: book your accommodation well ahead.
Do you need to book far ahead? +
For high season (December-January and July), yes: book two to three months ahead, especially around Christmas, New Year and the Feria de Cali.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026