Best Time of Year to Visit Colombia

Seasonal Planning for Colombia Travel

The best time to visit Colombia is during the dry seasons, which generally run from December to early March and from July to August. These months offer the most reliable weather for exploring the country's diverse regions, whether trekking in the Andes, exploring the Amazon, visiting Caribbean beaches, or wandering through colonial towns like Villa de Leyva. December and January are especially popular, with sunny skies and plenty of festivals, but also higher prices and larger crowds. If you prefer fewer tourists, aim for February or early March, when the weather is still pleasant but the holiday rush has eased.

Because Colombia lies near the equator, its climate varies mostly by altitude. Bogotá stays cool year-round due to its elevation, while Cartagena on the Caribbean coast is hot and humid, with rainfall peaking in October. The Amazon region is warm and wet most of the year, though slightly drier from July to September.

For ideas on Colombia trip-planning, see these tours and itineraries.

Peak Dry Season in Colombia (December to March)

From December to March, Colombia is at its driest and most popular, making it a prime time for planning travel to the Amazon, Andean regions, and the northern beaches (see this food, nature, and culture tour that includes some time in the Amazon). You'll find plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures, ideal conditions for outdoor exploration, but they also come with larger crowds and higher prices. Still, smart planning or heading slightly off the beaten path can offer both perfect weather and breathing room.

December and January are peak months on the Caribbean coast, where sun-soaked beaches (and the start of the first surf season), clear skies, and festive energy draw travelers from around the world. While Cartagena and nearby Rosario Islands can feel busy, you can escape to less-crowded Palomino, Capurganá, or even Tayrona National Park, or Nuquí on the Pacific coast.

While travelers flock to the coasts and islands, if you're visiting in February or March, consider a little cultural exploration in Bogotá or Villa de Leyva. Alternatively, head south to San Agustín to explore pre-Columbian ruins and rolling landscapes in comfortable weather, without the holiday rush of the preceding months. It's also a good time to explore the Tatacoa Desert, where stargazing is at its best and daytime heat is more manageable during this dry stretch. Note that if you're traveling over the Easter holy week (Semana Santa), plan ahead. This is a popular time for regional tourism, and the coastal cities are crowded.

Events in Peak Dry Season

Festival de Luces, Villa de Leyva (December). Villa de Leyva celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Conception with a small festival of lights. Candles and lanterns light balconies and taverns while people mix and mingle in the streets. The aromas of delicious traditional foods and the sounds of folklore music make for an authentic atmosphere.

El Carnival de Blancos y Negros, Pasto (January). The largest carnival in Southern Colombia is also one of the country's oldest celebrations, originating from the time of Spanish rule. Following New Year's Eve, festival goers paint each other in black and white colors throughout a two-day spectacle. This act celebrates the diverse races represented across Colombia and includes a "Day of Water" when people of all ages and racial backgrounds are symbolically drenched in water. 

Carnival, Barranquilla (February). Four days before Ash Wednesday, the lively city of Barranquilla hosts Colombia's largest public street celebration: Carnival! The second largest carnival in the world, next to Brazil, Carnival Barranquilla attracts a blend of dances, musical performances, and local traditions, including theatrical parades. Performers masquerade as historic and contemporary public figures and find inspiration for dramatizations from current events. 

Estéreo Picnic Music Festival, Bogotá (March). Estéreo Picnic is Colombia's biggest alternative music festival and features top international and national talent in alternative rock, indie music, punk rock, reggae, electronica, and hip-hop. With 60,000 participants, it's one of South America's most influential and dynamic contemporary music festivals.

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Colombia in December
Colombia in January
Colombia in February
Colombia in March

Wet Season in Colombia (April to June)

April marks the start of wetter weather. Persistent rainfall is very unusual, so you'll still find sun, smaller crowds, lush green landscapes, and the country is only noticeably cooler at higher altitude zones. April brings frequent rain to Bogotá and Medellín, but the showers are usually short-lived, leaving time for sightseeing. Head to the Zona Cafetera coffee region, where April's rain makes the hills especially verdant. It's also shoulder season, so accommodations are more affordable and popular spots are less crowded.

May is one of the wettest months in much of Colombia, but it's a great time to visit Cartagena and the Caribbean coast, where rain tends to fall in bursts and temperatures stay warm. The beaches are quieter post-Easter, and you'll have more breathing room. Inland, San Gil, Colombia's adventure capital, is still active for whitewater rafting and paragliding, though afternoon storms are common—start early to beat them.

By June, rain begins to taper off in many areas, and the dry season starts creeping in—a sweet spot for travelers. Barichara, a charming colonial town, offers pretty countryside walks without the tourist rush. In Medellín, the weather is mild and the hills bloom green, perfect for riding the city's famous cable cars or exploring surrounding pueblos like Guatapé. Early June also avoids the peak summer crowds, giving you more of Colombia to yourself.

Events in Wet Season

Fiesta Leyenda Vallenata, Valledupar (April). The city of Valledupar explodes yearly in late April with a four-day party celebrating locally invented Vallenato music. During the day, crowds gather in Plaza Alfonso López, while at night, tens of thousands pack the concert area by the river for more revelry. The festival culminates in an award for best musician.

Festival of Wayúu Culture, Uribia (May). Every year (exact dates subject to change), the Indigenous Wayúu people celebrate their heritage in the city of Uribia, in the northern Guajira Peninsula. The festival includes music and dancing as well as the preparation of regional foods and the showcasing of artisanal handicrafts. 

International Tango Festival, Medellín (June). In memory of the tango dancer Carlos Gardel, this festival showcases the top tango dancers in the world. Throughout the festivities, Medellín proudly hosts citywide dance and singing competitions, as well as conferences, art exhibitions, concerts, and most significantly, the official World Tango Championship.

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Colombia in April
Colombia in May
Colombia in June

Dry Shoulder Season in Colombia (July to August)

July and August fall in Colombia's mini dry season, with the Caribbean coast—particularly Cartagena, Santa Marta, and nearby Tayrona National Park—experiencing some of its driest, sunniest days. This is a great time for beach hopping and watersports, or, now that the skies are clear and the trails dry, joining a multiday hike in the Andes or to Ciudad Perdida in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. See this itinerary, which includes four days of trekking to the Lost City.  

Medellín comes alive in August with the Feria de las Flores (Flower Festival), one of the country's most colorful events. It features parades, concerts, and the famous silleteros carrying massive floral displays on their backs. The weather in Medellín remains comfortably spring-like, with mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine, though you'll need to book domestic flights well in advance during the last week of July to the first week of August—this is a popular time for both local and foreign visitors.

For a quieter experience, head to the Andean towns of Villa de Leyva or Barichara, where the cobblestone streets, colonial buildings, and surrounding countryside are ideal for laid-back wandering. If you're craving a coastal vibe but want to skip the crowds of Cartagena, consider Capurganá or Sapzurro, tucked along the jungle-lined Darién coast near Panama. These towns offer pristine beaches and excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities with far fewer tourists.

Meanwhile, get to the Pacific coast in July to experience the start of the whale watching season. August is particularly exciting now that calves are actively learning to swim, and therefore breaching more frequently. And if it's on your bucket list to see the "liquid rainbow" of Caño Cristales, dry season weather is your best bet to see the rare macarenia clavigera aquatic plant do its thing, though you can view the colorful river from July to October.

Events in Dry Season 

La Feria de las Flores, Medellín (July). One of Colombia's most beloved and unique festivals proudly showcases authentic Antioquia culture. The ten-day festival, which runs from the last week of July to the first week of August, significantly increases the population of Medellín, with Colombians migrating from across the country to see the city adorned in flowers and city-wide parades. 

Festival de Verano, Bogotá. One of the most recognized festivals in Bogotá, the music festival showcases concerts and performances on the main stage of Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park and in hip venues throughout the city.

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Colombia in July
Colombia in August

Wet Season in Colombia (September to November)

September through November in Colombia falls within the second rainy season. Caribbean coastal areas like Cartagena and Santa Marta remain warm and tropical, with more frequent but intense rain showers that usually pass quickly. You'll also find fewer foreign visitors, better hotel deals, and more breathing room at popular spots like the Rosario Islands or Tayrona National Park (tip: aim to visit at the tail end of the rainy season in November). 

The Zona Cafetera—especially around Salento, Manizales, and Filandia—is particularly verdant during this time. While showers are frequent, the lush landscapes are at their most vibrant, and one of the coffee harvest seasons kicks off in October. This is a great time to visit a coffee farm and get an immersive look at the production process, often accompanied by tastings and local festivals celebrating the harvest. See kimkim's Ultimate Guide to Colombia's Coffee Region for more information, or check out this six-day coffee-forward trip.

Popayán, a colonial gem in the south, is an excellent alternative to more touristy towns. The rains here tend to be more sporadic, and its cultural scene—rich in cuisine, whitewashed architecture, and music—is lively without the big-city hustle. San Andrés and Providencia, two Caribbean islands far off the mainland, tend to have milder weather than the coast, offering beach time, surfing, diving, and snorkeling without the mainland's crowds.

Events in Wet Season

Festival de la Luna Verde, San Andrés (September). The Green Moon Festival is a folklife tradition celebrated on the islands of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina. This multiday festival is as unique as its Caribbean island setting of Afro-Caribbean culture, food, and music. From sunrise to sunset, dance and listen to Calypso and Reggae music on a beach overlooking the sea with the surprising and welcoming influence of English lyrics.

Día de la Raza, Nationwide (October 12). Columbus Day is much the same as it is in the United States, in that it's an official holiday (Colombians get the day off work, too) that most people don't pay much attention to. Keep in mind that some businesses may be closed. 

Independence Day, Cartagena, (November 11). Visitors to Cartagena on November 11 can enjoy colorful parades, music, and dance. Festivities continue prior to and after Independence Day, and it's a fantastic way to become introduced to the proud and lively Caribbean culture.

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Colombia in September
Colombia in October
Colombia in November