Best Time to Visit Colombia: Month by Month Guide [2026]
When to visit Colombia for Cartagena beaches, Bogota culture, coffee country, and festivals
Photo by Juan Felipe Ramírez on Pexels
Where
Best time to visit Colombia is December through March and July through August, the country's two dry seasons (verano). These months bring sunny skies, comfortable temperatures, and ideal conditions across most of the country, from the Caribbean coast to the Andean highlands and the Coffee Triangle.
Colombia sits near the equator, so temperatures are determined by altitude rather than the calendar. Cartagena and the Caribbean coast stay hot (28-33C / 82-91F) year-round. Bogota at 2,600 meters (8,530 feet) is cool year-round (8-18C / 46-64F) and requires layers. Medellin at 1,500 meters enjoys its famous "City of Eternal Spring" climate (18-28C / 64-82F) with little seasonal variation.
Seasonal Overview
| Season | Months | Weather | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry (Verano 1) | Dec-Mar | Sunny, warm | Beaches, Carnival, festivals, coffee region |
| Wet (Invierno 1) | Apr-Jun | Rain increases | Fewer crowds, lower prices, lush green landscapes |
| Dry (Verano 2) | Jul-Aug | Sunny | Second peak, Medellin Flower Festival (Aug) |
| Wet (Invierno 2) | Sep-Nov | Heaviest rain | Lowest prices, whale watching on Pacific coast |
Best Months to Visit Colombia
January and February offer the driest weather nationwide and the most festive atmosphere. Cartagena's beaches are sunny with calm Caribbean waters, Bogota enjoys clear skies and its best views of the surrounding mountains, and the Coffee Triangle (Eje Cafetero around Salento, Manizales, and Armenia) has perfect conditions for plantation tours and Valle de Cocora hikes.
The Barranquilla Carnival in February (or early March) is Colombia's biggest party and the second largest carnival in the world after Rio. Four days of parades, cumbia music, costumes, and dancing fill the streets.
July and August bring the second dry season with reliable weather across most regions. Medellin hosts the spectacular Feria de las Flores (Flower Festival) in August, one of Latin America's most colorful events featuring the famous Desfile de Silleteros (flower carriers parade). Pacific coast whale watching peaks from July through October as humpback whales migrate to the warm Colombian waters to breed and calve.
December is festive with Christmas celebrations, city lights, and holiday energy across the country. Cali's Feria de Cali in late December is a massive salsa music and dance festival. Prices rise and popular destinations book out for the holiday period.
April through June and September through November are wet seasons, but rain typically falls in afternoon showers rather than all-day downpours. These months offer excellent value with 20-40% lower prices and significantly fewer tourists at major attractions.
Quick Travel Facts
| Detail | Info |
Currency: Colombian Peso (COP). $1 USD is roughly 4,000 COP. Credit cards are accepted in cities, but carry cash for street food, buses, and rural areas.
Language: Spanish is the official language. English is spoken in tourist areas of Cartagena, Bogota, and Medellin but limited elsewhere.
Time Zone: Colombia Time (COT), UTC-5. No daylight saving time.
Flight Time from Miami: 3.5 hours direct to Bogota (BOG). From New York, roughly 5.5 hours. From Los Angeles, about 7 hours.
Average Flight Cost from the US: Round-trip fares range from $250 to $600 depending on season and advance booking. Shoulder months (April-June, September-November) offer the cheapest fares.
Visa: US citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days. A valid passport and proof of onward travel may be required.
Tap Water: Safe to drink in Bogota. Use bottled or filtered water in Cartagena, the coast, and rural areas.
Tipping: 10% service charge is often added to restaurant bills. If not, 10% is customary. Tip tour guides $5-10 USD per person for full-day excursions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered clearly and concisely
January and February are generally the best months to visit Colombia, with the driest weather across most regions, sunny Caribbean beaches, clear Andean skies, and major events like Barranquilla Carnival.
Colombia has two main rainy seasons: April to June and September to November. Showers are often in the afternoon rather than all day, and landscapes are at their greenest.
Yes. December is part of the dry season and one of the most festive months, with Christmas lights, events across the country, and Cali’s famous Feria de Cali at the end of the month. Expect higher prices and book early.
The best time to visit Cartagena is December to April, when conditions are driest and sunniest. Temperatures are hot year-round, but humidity and rain are lower in these months.
Medellin is a year-round destination thanks to its spring-like climate, but the driest and most popular months are December to March and July to August, especially during the August Flower Festival.
January to March and July to August are ideal for the Coffee Triangle, with drier trails for hiking in Valle de Cocora and comfortable conditions for coffee farm visits.
Humpback whale season on Colombia’s Pacific coast (Nuquí, Bahía Solano) runs from July to October, with peak sightings typically in August and September.
Yes. Colombia is one of South America’s more affordable destinations, with street food from $1–4, set lunches for $3–5, hostels from $8–15, and domestic flights often $30–80 one way when booked in advance.
US citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days, but you must have a valid passport and may be asked to show proof of onward travel.
Tap water is generally safe to drink in Bogotá and some major cities, but bottled or filtered water is recommended in most other regions, especially along the coasts and in rural areas.
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