From the Coffee Triangle to the Caribbean – The best time to visit Colombia

Colombia is the land of “C”: coffee, Caribbean, culture, cacao, coconuts, coral reefs…the list goes on and on.

Whether you’re dancing your way through Medellín and Cali, relaxing on the dream beaches of Tayrona National Park, or strolling through the streets of Cartagena, Colombia is pure enjoyment and zest for life.

Carnival in Colombia: pure joy of life.

But when is the best time to truly immerse yourself in the homeland of Shakira and James Rodríguez, and lose yourself among the foothills of the Andes and palm trees?

Thanks to its proximity to the equator, Colombia enjoys pleasant, mild to tropically warm weather all year round in low-lying areas. However, it can get much cooler at higher altitudes. You should also not underestimate the landscape and climate differences between the rainy and dry seasons. Your travel route will determine what you need to pack!

We’ve put together our tips for the best time to visit Colombia by region.

There are two rainy seasons in the Andes: from April to May and from September to November, you can expect increased rainfall, while the dry season from December to March and the European summer months of July and August are mostly dry.

El Cocuy National Park boasts Colombia’s highest Andean peaks. If you want to hike at high altitudes here or in Los Nevados National Park (near the Coffee Triangle), you should take advantage of the dry season and the best visibility from December to March or from May to September.

A general rule: while the warm Andean sun can make you sweat during the day, it can get very cold at night. Especially if you’re above 2,000 metres, such as in Colombia’s capital Bogotá (2,640 m) or in the coffee region around Manizales (2,160 m), you should expect chilly nights. Jeans and a T-shirt are fine during the day, but temperatures drop sharply in the afternoon.

The temperatures in the Cocora Valley are perfect for hiking!

In the Coffee Triangle between Salento, Pereira, and Armenia, you’ll find pleasantly mild temperatures—ideal for exploring the many coffee fincas and hiking among the famous wax palms in the Cocora Valley. Medellín, the “City of Eternal Spring” in Antioquia, also enjoys a mild, warm climate all year round.

White beaches, turquoise waters: You can experience the Caribbean paradise dream in Colombia all year round. The Caribbean coast enjoys a consistently tropical climate with 80% humidity.

Cartagena de Indias, Barranquilla, and Santa Marta entice visitors with their warm, humid temperatures of around 30 degrees, inviting you to lose yourself among fruit stalls and souvenirs in the colourful streets before heading to the beach or taking a trip to the Islas Rosarios.

Fresh fruit is sold everywhere in the streets of Cartagena.

During the dry season from December to March, there is hardly any rainfall, while from September to November you can expect more frequent rain. In October, daily rain and thunderstorms are common and can sometimes last two to three days. Humidity during this period can reach up to 90%, with the muggy air only easing when the rains begin. There can also be showers in April and May, but these are usually much lighter and shorter. However, it is always tropically warm!

No matter whether you choose a lesser-known spot on the Caribbean coast or head to Tayrona National Park, you should be aware that Colombia’s coast can experience strong waves during the Colombian summer from December to March. Due to the winds in the dry season, high waves are especially common in December and January. While this is paradise for surfers, it can make swimming at secluded beaches impossible and can also significantly restrict swimming at supervised beaches, such as those in Tayrona National Park.

Once a year, Tayrona National Park is closed to visitors for four weeks.

Each year, Tayrona National Park is closed to visitors for one month, usually in February. During this time, the park can recover from the influx of tourists and indigenous communities can hold ceremonies undisturbed.

The Guajira Desert is a climatic exception: On the Guajira Peninsula, with Cape Cabo de la Vela, it rains so rarely that there is a constant water shortage even during the rainy season. Temperatures here regularly rise above 40 degrees Celsius, but drop to around 20 degrees at night.

Colombia is especially famous for its Caribbean coast, the dream beaches of Tayrona National Park, and Cartagena. However, the Pacific coast—especially the El Chocó region with Utría, Katío, and Tatamá National Parks—is also well worth a visit. Here, jungle, rivers, and beaches come together between the Caribbean and the Pacific. The lush green rainforest of the Pacific coast, with its rich flora and fauna, is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world!

Colombia’s Pacific coast, including El Chocó, is still a hidden gem among travellers. Image source: Wikipedia

The beaches along Colombia’s Pacific coast are always much quieter than those on the Caribbean coast. From late July to October, you can even spot whales off the coast. Besides Bahía de Solano, the town of Nuquí—nestled between beaches and tropical jungle in El Chocó—is a popular spot for this. It rains almost daily, but the tropical showers usually pass within a few hours. The driest months, though still not without rain, are from January to March. So if you don’t mind the water, have some time to explore beautiful spots, and are looking for peace and a jungle atmosphere after visiting the Caribbean, El Chocó is the perfect place—a true insider tip for travellers to Colombia!

Eastern Colombia is still largely unexplored by tourism. In the Orinoco region (Arauca, Casanare, Meta, and Vichada) east of the Andes, there is a long dry season from December to April. From July to November, however, it often rains, with many short but heavy showers, especially in September and October. Although the colourful Caño Cristales river in the municipality of La Macarena, Meta, has already gained some fame, very few travel routes venture this far beyond the Andes.

It’s best to visit Caño Cristales between June and December.

If you want to admire the colourful river—also known as the “River of Five Colours” for its red, yellow, blue, green, and black hues—you should travel to the Meta region during the rainy season. From June to December, Caño Cristales can be seen in all its glory. In the first third of the year, however, Caño Cristales is not accessible to visitors, as the algae that give the river its colours are regenerating and the ecosystem is recovering. If you still wish to visit La Macarena during the dry season, you can go on other hikes in the Serranía de la Macarena National Park and visit its lagoons. The national park is considered one of Colombia’s most biodiverse areas, where the three main ecosystems of the Orinoco region meet: Andes, rainforest, and savannah.

If you’d like to experience the Colombian savannah, the Llanos are the place to be. The wet and dry savannahs stretch from the regions of Arauca and Casanare, with their vast bush and pastureland, all the way into Venezuela. The dry season is especially good for spotting wildlife such as big cats and anacondas, while in the rainy season you can see countless bird species nesting.

In the south of the country, Colombia’s Amazon region borders Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil. Rainfall is always possible in the rainforest, but the driest months are usually July and August. In the west, on the border with Ecuador between the Andes and the rainforest, lies the Putumayo region—the gateway to the lowlands. To the east is the Amazonas region, which borders Peru and Brazil.

Leticia is a popular starting point for jungle expeditions. Image source: Wikimedia

The city of Leticia is located at the tri-border area of Colombia, Peru, and Brazil, making it the best starting point for cross-border excursions and boat tours. Amazon boat trips from Colombia to Iquitos (Peru) and vice versa are becoming increasingly popular.

The climate in the Amazon region is tropical, humid, and warm all year round. This means expeditions are possible throughout the year—just make sure to bring weatherproof gear!

Travel to Colombia with us!

Which region interests you the most? If you have any other tips for Colombia, feel free to share them in the comments.