Weather
The good thing about Colombia is that, because the country is so close to the equator, there's little fluctuation in weather throughout the year. Therefore, how hot or cold a particular region of the country will typically depend on its altitude. Colombia's coastal areas will always be hot and humid, with the Caribbean lowlands averaging 86°F (30°C). Medellín and other towns and cities in Antioquia Department enjoy a perpetual springlike climate (even in December), and the southern city of Cali is similar, with average lows of 65°F (18°C).
You can expect the central Andes and Bogotá to be cold and rainy throughout the year, with temperatures averaging around 66°F (19°C). Having said that, you're in luck—April-October is considered the rainy season in the capital city, and December-February is regarded as the best time to visit.
Crowds & Costs
Colombia has many high travel seasons, often coinciding with holidays and festivals. December is no different, as the entire country seems to be preparing all month for Christmas. Mid-December is when most Colombians start their vacation, so know that if you arrive during this month, you won't just be contending with foreign travelers but local vacationers as well.
You won't be paying more for meals during this time (although reservations at nicer restaurants might be tougher to book), but expect steep price increases for flights and hotels. Know that in the more touristic cities (Cartagena in particular), many hotels enforce a minimum stay of 3-4 nights during the holiday season.
Where to Go
Because it's the dry season in Bogotá, travelers who find themselves in the capital can take advantage of the sunnier skies and spend more time outside. If you're escaping winter back home, you might prefer a tropical Christmas somewhere along the Caribbean, like Cartagena, Santa Marta, or even Isla San Andrés, whose beaches and mar de siete colores (sea of seven colors) certainly beat those snowed-in driveways back home.
Still, no city in Christmas-mad Colombia exudes more festive spirit than Medellín. To visit this city during the month of December is to be lost in a wonderland of street parades and celebrations. Most impressive is that the exterior of seemingly every house is lit up, illuminating the surrounding Andes in vibrant displays of red, green, and gold.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
What to Do
If you do happen to be in Bogotá, you need to make a special trip up to Cerro Monserrate. This peak clocks in at over 10,000 feet (3,048 m), and it's one of the nation's top draws due to the panoramic views it affords of Bogotá below. What outsiders may not know is that every year at the beginning of December, the peak of Cerro Monserrate comes alive with Christmas lights and decorations. Come up for sunset, when Bogotá lights up from below while you're awash in Christmas colors from above.
Also, be sure to travel a few hours north to Villa de Leyva. No one kicks off the Christmas season in Colombia quite as raucously as this colonial gem of a town (more on this below). Alternatively, head south toward Neiva and make a point to check out the Tatacoa Desert now that the skies are more consistently clear, making it ideal for hiking, exploring the dramatic red and gray landscapes, and—most famously—stargazing at night.
December Events
Festival de Luces, Villa de Leyva. 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.
La Feria de Cali. From December 25 to 30, Cali reminds the world why it's synonymous with salsa. There are live music concerts, Paso Fino horse parades, revelry, and much dancing.
Traveling to Colombia in December? Check out these great itineraries
December Holiday Adventure in Colombia - 7 Days. This fun and festive Latin American adventure starts in Medellín, a city that goes bonkers with Christmas lights. From here, you'll head to lakeside Guatapé for hiking, visit a coffee farm, and then fly to Cartagena—a fairy-tale city that draws an international crowd.
Colombia's Ruins, Beaches, Mountains & Desert with Lost City Trek - 14 Days. With the dry season opening up more of the country, spend two weeks discovering Colombia, beginning in Bogotá. Trek through the Sierra Nevada rainforest, relax on the beaches of Tayrona National Park, and stargaze in the Tatacoa Desert. Finally, wrap up your adventure in the Andes, discovering pre-Columbian relics and burial chambers in Tierradentro and San Agustín.
More Helpful Information
Colombia in November
Colombia in January
Best Time of Year to Visit Colombia
How Many Days to Spend in Colombia