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Aerial view of Las Lajas Sanctuary in canyon

Colombia travel guide

Andes peaks, Caribbean coast and Amazon jungle in one country, best explored in January and February

Best: Jan, Feb

Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons

Capital
Bogotá
Language
Spanish
Currency
Colombian peso (COP)
Time zone
UTC-05:00
Plugs
Type A, B · 110 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
123

Why visit Colombia

Colombia suits travellers who want cities, mountains, coast and rainforest without changing continents. January and February bring the driest weather to most of the country, from Bogotá and Medellín to the coastal cities of Cartagena and Santa Marta. The catch is size: at 1,141,748 km2, regions have their own climates, so a single trip rarely fits every spot's best month, including Leticia in the Amazon, which peaks later in May and June.

  • A capital at altitude

    Bogotá is Colombia's capital and its largest city, with a population of 8,034,649. Its best months are January, February, July, August, September and December, giving several windows to plan around.

  • Medellín's spring-like window

    Medellín, population 2,529,403, has best months of January and March. It sits inland, away from the coast, so travel plans here pair well with the Caribbean cities on either side of those dates.

  • Two coastal cities, overlapping seasons

    Cartagena and Santa Marta are both coastal cities, with populations of 914,552 and 505,915. Both share January, February, March and December as their best months, making it easy to combine a trip to both.

  • San Andrés for a longer stretch

    San Andrés, a coastal city of 71,946 people, has the widest window of good months among Colombia's cities: January through April. That gives more flexibility than the single or two-month windows elsewhere.

  • Leticia on the Amazon, a different calendar

    Leticia, population 55,691, sits away from the coast near the Amazon and has its own best months of May and June, separate from the January-to-April pattern seen in the rest of the country.

Is Colombia right for you?

Great for

  • Travellers wanting city, coast and highlands in one trip: Bogotá, Medellín and coastal Cartagena all differ in climate
  • Beach trips to Cartagena, Santa Marta or San Andrés, all best from January to March
  • City breaks to Bogotá, where August and September bring more sun hours (11-11.2) and fewer rain days (7.5-7.6)
  • Visits timed for January-February, the best months across most cities including Medellín, Cali and Armenia
  • Amazon trips to Leticia, best in May and June

Less ideal for

  • Trips needing one weather window for the whole country, since each city has a different best season (Leticia in May-June vs coast in Jan-March)
  • Visits to Bogotá in March or November, when rain days hit 21-23 and rainfall reaches 119-131 mm
  • Travellers wanting hot beach weather alongside a Bogotá city stay, since the capital sits cool at 18-20°C highs year-round

Colombia right now: October

6.4/10
Avg high
19°C
Avg low
9°C
Rain days
15

Averages for Bogotá.

Weather by month

This data is for Bogotá, Colombia's high-altitude capital, where temperatures stay close to 18-20°C highs year-round but rainfall swings a lot. January and February are the driest and sunniest stretch, with just 58-78mm of rain and around 10-11 sun hours a day, making them the best bet. November and March are the toughest, each bringing over 120mm of rain across 21-23 rain days, so expect frequent showers if you visit then.

Average highs and lows in Bogotá by month January: high 19°C, low 9°C , 13 rain days . February: high 20°C, low 10°C , 16 rain days . March: high 19°C, low 10°C , 23 rain days . April: high 19°C, low 10°C , 19 rain days . May: high 18°C, low 10°C , 17 rain days . June: high 18°C, low 10°C , 14 rain days . July: high 18°C, low 9°C , 12 rain days . August: high 19°C, low 9°C , 8 rain days . September: high 20°C, low 9°C , 8 rain days . October: high 19°C, low 9°C , 15 rain days . November: high 19°C, low 10°C , 21 rain days . December: high 19°C, low 9°C , 12 rain days . 19°C 9°C JAN 13d 20°C 10°C FEB 16d 19°C 10°C MAR 23d 19°C 10°C APR 19d 18°C 10°C MAY 17d 18°C 10°C JUN 14d 18°C 9°C JUL 12d 19°C 9°C AUG 8d 20°C 9°C SEP 8d 19°C 9°C OCT 15d 19°C 10°C NOV 21d 19°C 9°C DEC 12d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Bogotá · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Colombia: month-by-month weather →

Colombia's climate regions

The weather varies across the country; each region has its own best months.

  • Bogotá Highlands

    Bogotá

    Cool, mild air year-round: highs around 19°C in January and 18°C in July. With 178 rain days a year, rain is common, but July, August, September and December see less of it.

    Best: Jul, Aug, Sep, Dec

  • Western Valleys & Islands

    Medellín, Cali, San Andrés, Leticia

    Warm and humid, with highs near 27°C all year in Medellín, Cali, San Andrés and Leticia. Rain falls on 277 days a year, so March and April stand out as the driest window.

    Best: Mar, Apr

  • Caribbean Coast

    Cartagena, Santa Marta

    Hot coastal climate in Cartagena and Santa Marta, with highs of 30-30°C year-round. It's drier here than inland, at 172 rain days a year, and December through March are the clearest months.

    Best: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec

  • Armenia Coffee Zone

    Armenia

    Mild highs of 22-23°C in Armenia all year, but this is the wettest region on the list, with 346 rain days a year. January and February bring the least rain.

    Best: Jan, Feb

Where to go in Colombia

City guides with their own best months and weather.

Sample itineraries

7 days

Capital, Coffee Region and Caribbean Coast

  1. Day 1–3

    Bogotá

    Spend your first days in the capital, at 8,034,649 people the country's largest city. Explore the historic center, museums and surrounding mountains before heading north.

  2. Day 4

    Armenia

    Visit this coffee-region city of 301,226 people. Walk through the countryside and learn about coffee production in the hills around town.

  3. Day 5–7

    Cartagena

    Finish on the Caribbean coast in Cartagena, a coastal city of 914,552 people. Walk the walled old town and relax near the sea.

10 days

Andes, Coffee Country and Caribbean Coast in Depth

  1. Day 1–3

    Bogotá

    Start in the capital, home to 8,034,649 people, high in the Andes. Spend time in the old town and visit a museum or two.

  2. Day 4–5

    Medellín

    Fly to Medellín, a city of 2,529,403 people set in a mountain valley. Ride the cable cars and explore the neighborhoods that climb the hillsides.

  3. Day 6–7

    Armenia

    Head to Armenia, population 301,226, in the coffee-growing region. Spend your days among coffee farms and green hills.

  4. Day 8–9

    Santa Marta

    Move to the Caribbean coast. Santa Marta, with 505,915 residents, gives access to nearby beaches and coastal scenery.

  5. Day 10

    Cartagena

    End the trip in Cartagena, a coastal city of 914,552 people. Spend your last day walking the old walled city before departing.

Getting around Colombia

Typical journey times and fares between the main places.

Route By Time Price
Bogotá → San Andrés Avianca, LATAM and JetSMART fly direct. The 130 minutes is time in the air only (about 2h09–2h15), not door-to-door. I found no reliable one-way fare in COP. Google Flights showed COP 479,100 for the cheapest direct return trip (JetSMART). flight 2 h 10 min – ↗

Staying connected

If your phone plan doesn't include Colombia, an eSIM set up before you leave gives you data on arrival.

Where to stay

One good base in each main city and who it suits.

La Candelaria

Bogotá

Good for first-timers, history, short stays

Bogotá's colonial old town has cobbled streets, colourful houses, major museums and Plaza de Bolívar, all within walking distance. It is the easiest base for sightseeing and the start of the Monserrate trip. Streets empty out after dark, and some blocks feel unsafe at night, so many visitors take taxis or ride apps in the evening.

Laureles

Medellín

Good for longer stays, local feel, walkers

Laureles is a flat, residential area with tree-lined streets, small parks and a more local daily life than El Poblado. Walking and cycling are easy, and there are plenty of cafés and bars, especially around La 70 and La 33. It is further from the Poblado nightlife, and some parts lack direct metro access, so you may rely on taxis.

San Antonio

Cali

Good for first-timers, budget travellers, backpackers

This historic hillside barrio has low colonial houses, small cafés and a park on the hill with views over the city at sunset. It sits within walking distance of the old centre and has many hostels and guesthouses. The streets are steep, and some quiet corners feel empty late at night, so a taxi after dark is a good idea.

Centro Histórico

Cartagena

Good for first-timers, sightseeing, couples

The old walled city has colonial streets, balconies with flowers, plazas, churches and many restaurants, so most sights are a short walk away. It is the easiest base for a first visit. It is also the busiest and most touristy part of town, and street vendors can be persistent.

Centro Histórico

Santa Marta

Good for first-timers, food, nightlife

The old colonial centre has the cathedral, the seafront promenade and most of the city's restaurants and bars, all within walking distance. It is also the easiest base for buses and tours to Tayrona and Minca. Streets can be hot, crowded and noisy at night, and the city beach here is not the best for swimming.

Centro

Armenia

Good for first-timers, budget travellers, short stays

The city centre around Plaza de Bolívar and the pedestrian Calle Real has shops, cafés and easy bus links. Buses run from here to the coffee towns and the terminal. It is noisy and crowded by day, and many streets feel empty after shops close at night.

San Luis

San Andrés

Good for couples, beach lovers, quiet

San Luis runs along the east coast, with calmer beaches, clear water and traditional wooden Raizal houses. It feels more relaxed than El Centro and suits travellers who want to swim and snorkel near their room. You will need taxis, buses or a rented golf cart to reach the main restaurants and nightlife in town.

Centro

Leticia

Good for first-timers, short stays

The compact grid around Parque Santander holds most guesthouses, cafés, banks and tour offices, and at dusk huge flocks of parrots come to roost in the park's trees. It is easy to arrange river trips and walk everywhere from here. Motorbike traffic and evening music can make some streets noisy.

Food to try in Colombia

Ajiaco

A thick chicken and potato soup with corn and a local herb called guascas. It is a classic lunch in Bogotá and usually comes with cream, capers and avocado on the side.

Bandeja paisa

A very large plate of beans, rice, minced meat, chorizo, fried pork belly, a fried egg, plantain, arepa and avocado. It comes from the Antioquia region around Medellín and is eaten at lunch.

Arepa

A round flatbread made from maize. People eat arepas across the country, at breakfast or as a side dish, and the style changes from region to region.

Tinto

A small cup of black coffee, often sweet. Street sellers and cafés offer it all day, and it is the most common way to drink coffee in Colombia.

Aguapanela

A drink made by dissolving panela, an unrefined cane sugar, in water. It is served hot or cold, and in Bogotá people sometimes drop a piece of cheese into the hot version.

Lechona

A whole pig stuffed with rice, peas and spices, then slow-roasted. It is linked to the Tolima region and is a common dish at family parties and celebrations.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Colombia uses plug types A and B, the flat-pin plugs also used in North America. The supply is 110 V. Check that your chargers and devices accept 110 V before you plug them in, and bring an adapter if needed.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right. There is no further driving information in our data, so check local rules and road conditions before you rent a car.
  • Emergency number: Dial 123 for emergencies. Save it in your phone before you arrive, and keep your accommodation address written down to give to responders.
  • Currency: The currency is the Colombian peso (COP). Prices often use the $ sign, so don't confuse it with US dollars. Check the current exchange rate before you pay.
  • Language: Spanish is the official language. Outside the main tourist areas, few people may speak English. Learn some basic phrases, or keep a translation app on your phone, preferably one that works offline.
  • Time and phone code: Colombia is on UTC-05:00. The country calling code is +57, which you need when calling a Colombian number from abroad.
  • Tap water: Tap water quality differs from place to place. Ask your accommodation whether it is safe to drink locally. If you are unsure, use bottled or filtered water.
  • Tipping: Restaurant bills often include an optional service charge, called a "propina voluntaria". The staff usually ask if you want it added. You may say no, but most people accept it when service is good.

Colombia: frequently asked questions

Is Colombia good to visit in August?

Yes, August is a good month. In Bogotá it gets 18.8°C by day and only 7.6 rain days, one of the driest spells of the year. The month scores 6.7 out of 10 overall, close to the year's average.

What is the best time of year to visit Colombia?

January and February are the best months. Bogotá sees 13.4 rain days in January and 16.2 in February, lower than the wet months of March and November, when rain days climb to 22.7 and 21.2. Several cities, including Cartagena, Cali, and Armenia, also list these two months among their best.

Is Bogotá rainy in November?

Yes, November is one of Bogotá's wettest months. It averages 21.2 rain days and 131 mm of rainfall, the highest monthly total in the data. Daytime highs still reach 18.8°C, so temperatures stay mild even with the frequent rain.

When is the best time to visit the Colombian coast, like Cartagena or Santa Marta?

January to March works well for both coastal cities. Cartagena's best months are February, January, March, and December, and Santa Marta shares the same pattern with February, March, January, and December. These line up with Colombia's drier, cooler stretch inland too.

Is Medellín or Bogotá warmer?

The fact pack only gives detailed climate figures for Bogotá, where highs range from 17.7°C in July to 19.7°C in September, staying mild year-round due to its altitude. Medellín's best months are listed as January and March, but no temperature data is available for direct comparison.

When should I visit the Amazon region around Leticia?

Leticia's best months are May and June, according to the data. No rainfall or temperature figures are given for Leticia itself, but this window differs from Bogotá's driest spell of July to September, reflecting the Amazon's separate rainfall pattern.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Colombia.