In a nutshell
- Colombia is a great destination almost year-round — temperatures are always warm. There are no seasons as such; instead, the year is split into dry season and rainy season.
- The dry season (December–March and June–July) is generally the best time to go, though the rainy season has its advantages too.
- This guide covers everything you need to plan your trip: the best months to visit, all five climate zones with climate charts, and what to know about holidays and festivals.
- Our top pick? July — great weather across the whole country, without the peak-season crowds.
Climate in Colombia: An Overview
The climate in Colombia is tropical. Only in the mountain regions does it shift to a temperate tropical climate. Temperatures stay pretty consistent throughout the year — around 25°C (77°F) in the highlands and around 30°C (86°F) in the lowlands.
There are no seasons — instead, Colombia has dry and rainy seasons. When planning your Colombia vacation, rainfall matters far more than temperature.
There are two dry seasons and two rainy seasons in Colombia. When exactly they fall varies a little by region.
Dry Seasons in Colombia
- December, January, February, March
- June, July
From December to March is high season in Colombia — that’s when the most tourists are out and about. Keep in mind that August is still dry in some regions, while others already see more rain.
Rainy Seasons in Colombia
- April, May
- August, September, October, November
The rainy season is low season in Colombia. Fewer tourists, lower prices in many places. Mornings are usually sunny or lightly overcast — it’s the afternoons that bring heavy downpours and the occasional storm.
Also read our tips on safety in Colombia
The Best Time to Visit Colombia
Generally speaking, the dry season is the better time to visit Colombia — but the rainy season has its upsides too.
Our recommended travel months for Colombia
- July: Honestly, July might be our favorite month to go. It rains very little across the whole country, and it’s not yet peak travel season — so you get great weather without the biggest crowds. Colombia is a seriously great destination in July.
- December, January, February, March: These months bring the most stable, sunny weather. Just be aware that Colombia’s top attractions will be packed with tourists during this time.
- June, August: Some regions are in their rainy season while others are still dry — but rainfall is manageable everywhere. These are solid months to travel to Colombia.
These months are not ideal for a trip to Colombia
- April, May, September, November: Weather is unpredictable during these months. Most regions are in their rainy season, though a few corners stay dry.
- October: The rainiest month in many areas — really not a great time to visit. We especially wouldn’t recommend October for a beach trip to Colombia or any serious hiking.
Weather in Colombia by Climate Zone
You can broadly divide Colombia into five climate zones:
- Caribbean Region
- Mountain Region
- Amazon Region
- Pacific Region
- Los Llanos
Los Llanos is of limited interest for tourism, so we won’t go into detail about it here.
Climate on the Caribbean Coast
- Best time to visit: December, January, February, March, April, and July
- Worst time to visit: August, September, October
- Popular destinations: Cartagena, Tayrona National Park, Santa Marta, Ciudad Perdida, Palomino
The Caribbean coast is a must on any Colombia road trip. Good weather really matters here — you’re coming for the stunning beaches, and you’ll want to enjoy them in sunshine and blue skies.
The Caribbean climate is hot and tropical year-round. During the rainy season it’s humid, with heavy afternoon showers and sunny mornings. During the dry season it’s less humid, more comfortable, and the sun tends to shine all day.
One nice constant: water temperatures stay around 27°C (81°F) year-round — so swimming is always on the table.
Climate Chart for Cartagena
Climate in the Mountain Region
- Best time to visit: December, January, February, March, June, July
- Worst time to visit: April, May, October, November
- Popular destinations: Medellín, Salento, Valle de Cocora, Bogotá
In Colombia’s highlands it’s cooler than on the coast — and honestly, wonderfully pleasant year-round. Daytime temperatures typically sit around 20–25°C (68–77°F), and it cools down noticeably at night, so pack a layer or two. The air is also relatively dry, nowhere near as humid as the coast.
Dry and rainy seasons follow roughly the same pattern as the Caribbean. December through March is dry and sunny; April and May bring more rain. Things ease off in June and July, then rainfall builds again from August onward, peaking in October.
During the rainy season, skies usually stay clear until around midday — plan your activities for the morning and let the afternoon showers pass.
For reference: Medellín sits at about 1,500 meters (4,900 ft), Salento at 2,000 meters (6,600 ft), and Bogotá at 2,600 meters (8,500 ft).
Climate Chart for Medellín
Climate in the Amazon Region
- Best time to visit: June through October
- Worst time to visit: November through May
- Popular destinations: Leticia
The Amazon has one rainy season and one dry season. The dry season from June to October is the best time to go — you’ll have more dry days and, crucially, better chances of spotting wildlife.
During the rainy season, animals tend to stay hidden and it rains a lot. That said, mornings are often dry and sometimes sunny, and you can absolutely still have a great Amazon experience — just set your expectations accordingly.
Climate Chart for Leticia
Climate on the Pacific Coast
- Best time to visit: July, August, September
- Worst time to visit: April, May, October, November
- Popular destinations: Nuquí, Chocó
The Pacific coast gets a lot of rain — a serious amount — even during the dry season. The driest stretch is December to March, which makes those months the best bet weather-wise.
That said, this isn’t a classic sun-and-sand destination. People come here primarily for surfing and whale watching.
Whales are most commonly spotted between July and September. You can surf here year-round, but the best waves come in from April through December.
Climate Chart for Nuquí
Holidays and Festivals in Colombia
During vacation periods and major festivals, Colombia’s streets and attractions get significantly more crowded. It’s worth factoring this into your plans.
Also read our travel tips for Colombia
School Vacations in Colombia
Mid-December to mid-January: Almost all Colombians take time off during this stretch. Expect the highest tourist numbers and elevated prices.
Easter: Colombians also travel a lot over Easter — expect large crowds at popular spots.
Late June to early August: This is the second, slightly smaller high season. Not quite as hectic as the main holiday period, but noticeably busier than other months.
The Most Spectacular Festivals in Colombia
Colombia has some genuinely impressive festivals. They draw big crowds, but they’re absolutely worth experiencing.
Carnaval de Barranquilla: South America’s second-largest carnival takes place every year in February or March, running from Carnival Saturday through Ash Wednesday. All of Barranquilla dresses up and gets into full party mode.
Flower Festival in Medellín: Every August, Medellín hosts a parade where farmers walk through the city carrying elaborate silleteros flower arrangements on their backs. There are also concerts and plenty of other great events happening throughout the city.
Cali Fair: From December 25 to 30, Cali celebrates its beloved folk festival. The highlight is salsa music — and Cali is world-famous for it.
