Colombia · tool
Best time to visit Cartagena
Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.
Photo by Leandro Loureiro on Unsplash
Best time to visit Cartagena, Colombia
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24-30°C, sunny and humid with occasional breezes | peak | peak |
| |
| February | 24-31°C, sunny and dry with low humidity | peak | peak |
| |
| March | 25-31°C, sunny with increasing humidity | high | high |
| |
| April | 25-31°C, hot and humid with more frequent rain showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Semana Santa dates vary; check calendar. | |
| May | 25-31°C, hot and very humid with frequent afternoon downpours | low | low |
⚠ Start of the rainy season. | |
| June | 25-30°C, hot and humid with daily heavy rain showers | low | low |
⚠ Rainfall is heavy but often short-lived. | |
| July | 25-30°C, hot and humid with daily heavy rain showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Can still be very wet. | |
| August | 25-30°C, hot and humid with daily heavy rain showers | low | low |
⚠ Still in the wet season. | |
| September | 24-30°C, hot and humid with frequent rain | low | low |
⚠ Peak of the rainy season; potential for tropical storms. | |
| October | 24-30°C, hot and humid with persistent rain | low | low |
⚠ Rainfall gradually decreases towards the end of the month. | |
| November | 24-30°C, sunny with occasional showers, less humid | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Rainfall significantly decreases. | |
| December | 24-30°C, sunny and warm with gentle sea breezes | peak | peak |
⚠ Book accommodations and flights well in advance. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
February
Carnival
Vibrant parades, music, and street parties celebrating pre-Lenten festivities.
March
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Religious processions and cultural events leading up to Easter.
March
Cartagena Film Festival (FICCI)
One of Latin America's oldest film festivals, showcasing international and Colombian cinema.
November
Independencia de Cartagena
Celebration of Cartagena's independence from Spain with parades and fireworks.
August
Festival de Música del Pacífico 'Petronio Álvarez'
While primarily held in Cali, related cultural events and music can be found, celebrating Pacific Colombian music.
Insider timing tips
- •The 'dry season' from December to March offers the most pleasant weather, but also the highest prices and crowds.
- •The shoulder months of November and April provide a good balance of decent weather and fewer tourists, with moderate prices.
- •The rainy season (May-November) sees frequent, heavy downpours, often in the afternoon, but also the lowest prices and fewest tourists.
- •Local holidays, especially around Semana Santa and Independence Day, can cause domestic travel surges and price increases, even if international tourism is moderate.
- •Humidity is a constant factor; while the dry season is less humid, it's still tropical.
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