Colombia Weather Essentials
- Colombia Climate : Being located near the Equator, Colombia has few climatic variations.
- Temperatures in Colombia : Temperatures are stationary over the months, only rainfall changes during the year.
- Weather on the Carribean Coast : It is hot and humid (tropical climate from Cartagena to Santa Marta)
- Weather on the Pacific coast : Hot and Humid
- Weather in the Amazon : Hot and Humid
- Weather in Los llanos (Orinoco): experiences severe drought from January to about April and then undergoes massive flooding between June and October. Temperatures vary between 18°C and 35°C, between day and night.
- Weather in Bogota : located at an altitude of 2,600 meters, has a “temperate altitude” climate with cool temperatures for most of the year (15-20°C), with a peak of rain from April to May and then from October to November.
- Weather in Cali : It is hot and dry (30°C on average all year round).
- Weather in La Guajira : tends towards a desert climate.
- Weather in La Tatacoa : Desert Climate
- Weather in The coffee region : is very rainy.
- Weather in the High Mountains (Cocuy, Nevados & Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta ) : Ice time on the side of the eternal snows
Colombia Weather : best time of the year to travel
That Colombia is one of the most fascinating destinations in South America is a fact, but to enjoy your trip to Colombia you have to take into account the climate in Colombia, it is also a fact.
Because of the size of Colombia, its orography, the coast and the Amazon, depending on what you want or can visit, you must know how is the climate in Colombia in each of those areas.
If you are still preparing your trip to Colombia, here is our travel itinerary, in case it helps you.
Climate in Colombia
The climate in Colombia varies according to the region and altitude.
On the coast and in the flat areas, temperatures can reach 30 degrees; while in the surroundings of the Andes Mountains they can go down to 0 degrees in the coldest months.
Despite these extreme differences in some parts of the country, its proximity to the equator means that temperatures remain stable throughout most of the country
Temperatures vary between 20 and 30 degrees all year round.
Colombia has only two seasons, summer corresponding to the dry season (December-February and July-August) and winter to the rainy season (April-May and October-November).
In the rainy season it rains every day but it doesn’t rain all day long, don’t worry! Of course,
The Amazon and the Caribbean have a humid tropical climate, the Guajira a desert climate and the Andean region has sometimes freezing temperatures.
Let’s detail it region by region
Colombia Weather in The Andes
The Colombian Andes, which are divided into three distinct cordilleras (eastern, western and central), have a climate subject to variation according to the height at which one is located.
There are three main climatic zones:
– The zones below 900 meters of altitude belong to the Tierra Caliente and benefit from a temperate climate alternating dry and rainy seasons twice a year: from April to June and September to November for the rainy period and December to March and July to August for the dry season.
– The areas between 900 and 2000 metres belong to the said Tierra Tamplada zone.
– Beyond that, from 2000 meters to 3000 meters, we arrive at the third climatic stage: Tierra Fria, where its capital, Bogota, is located.
It is worth noting that, apart from the temperatures which drop to an average level of between 10°C and 17°C, the dry and rainy seasons remain the same as in Tierra Caliente.
Thus, in the heart of the famous golden coffee triangle formed by Manizales, Pereira and Armenia, contrasts are the order of the day, with hot regions along the Cauca River and snow-capped peaks in the Andes Cordillera, the highest of which is 5775 metres above sea level.
In Bogotá, located at 2640 meters above sea level, in the heart of the Eastern Cordillera, the climate is mild and temperate and temperatures are fairly stable throughout the year.
They oscillate between 17°C and 22°C in the afternoon and can drop to between 9°C and 13°C in the evening.
Rainfall is similar to that typical of the Andean region.
Weather in Bogotá
Bogota is somewhat cold, humid and rainy practically all year round.
The months in which you can escape the rains and enjoy the sun much more are from the end of December to February.
Coincidentally, from the middle or end of December to the beginning of January the city is practically empty.
Most people in Bogota take advantage of the festivities to go on a trip and disconnect from the capital.
Weather in MedellÃn
MedellÃn‘s climate is a real delight, which is why it is known as the city of eternal spring.
It may rain or you may need a jacket or coat when night falls but as a rule the weather is very pleasant.
The best months in terms of weather are from December to March, when practically the whole Andean region enjoys the best temperature.
April and May are probably the rainiest months in this region.
Weather in Coffee Axis
The Coffee Triangle, also know as Eje Cafetero enjoys a very pleasant climate with moderate rainfall almost all year round.
The intensity of the rains usually increases in April and May, with the months of October and November being the wettest.
Colombia Weather in The Caribbean
The Caribbean coast, which stretches over 1600 km and offers a unique diversity of landscapes between paradisiacal beaches, tropical jungle, mountains and coral islands, benefits from an abundance of climates that we like to decipher for you.
On the Caribbean coast, the climate is tropical and the rains are more or less abundant depending on the season.
Temperatures remain high all year round with an average close to 25°C and relatively high humidity, especially between May and November.
It is also important to know that the beaches are very popular with Colombians from mid-December to mid-January and with foreigners during the months of July and August.
A little further north, in the Guajira Peninsula, most of which is occupied by the desert of the same name, the climate is warm and the average annual temperature is 27°C.
The phenomenon of trade winds blowing towards the equator and gaining heat as they approach, absorb moisture and thus dry out the Guajira soil as they cross it.
Also in this region, in the heart of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park, temperatures can vary between 0°C and 27°C depending on the level, thus contributing to the richness of the flora and fauna.
Thus snowy peaks and tropical forests meet to form one of the most incredible biosphere reserves on the planet.
Weather in Cartagena
The best months to Travel to Cartagena are between November and March.
Rainfall is usually a little more abundant in April and May, while October is usually the wettest month of the year in this region.
Rain or not, the heat and the good atmosphere will not take it away from you
Weather in Tayrona
If you want to enjoy your visit to Tayrona National Park to the fullest, as well as knowing what time of year is best to visit, we will tell you some tricks, so that you can enjoy this unique place even more.
Between the months of November and April, is when it is considered the best time of the year, because of the rain and the temperature, that is, it hardly rains.
We went in the month of October, early, and the truth is that during the day, the weather was perfect, but at night it rained heavily, and there were some brutal thunderstorms.
But well, at night, you’re basically either sleeping, or having dinner, or having a few beers quietly, so it doesn’t affect much.
It is quite likely that the beginning of May will be the same as the beginning of October.
Another thing you should keep in mind when visiting Tayrona is the day of the week you do so.
On weekends it is quite crowded, not so on weekdays.
So if you can square your visit during the week, you will enjoy it much more.
Another detail to take into account is that the Tayrona National Park is closed several times a year for cleaning and maintenance.
As every year, these days change, so it is best to take a look at the website of the Tayrona National Park.
Best time of the year to travel to Colombia
As you can see, depending on the area you want to visit, the weather will vary, and where it might be good weather in one place, it might not be the best month to go to another.
So when planning your trip, keep these details in mind, so you can enjoy the places you visit and the activities you plan to do to the fullest.
But I tell you one thing, when you go to Colombia, you will enjoy it and a lot.
Weather in San Andres and Providencia
The islands of San Andres & Providencia have an almost perfect climate all year round.
Probably the rainiest months are from October to early December.
That said, the rest of the year San Andrés and Providencia tend to enjoy the privileged climate of this region of the Colombian Caribbean.
Rainy season in Colombia When are the rainy months in Colombia?
Well, it depends, although we have already left some data to be taken into account in the previous point.
The most normal is that the time of the first rains in the country is between the months of April and May, which is when it begins to rain abundantly in almost all of Colombia.
That said, after the rains of April and May, the rains of October and November usually arrive, which are generally the strongest and most intense of the year.
If you are only visiting Bogotá, don’t worry, it has a very peculiar microclimate and it rains during most of the year.
December, January and February are usually the driest months in the capital.
If you are travelling outside of Bogotá, then remember that the rainiest months are October and November and that April and May are also usually somewhat rainy.
Colombia Weather : The Amazon
In the heart of the Amazon Region, the climate is hot and humid all year round.
Here you must take into account the weather before traveling.
The Amazon is a region where you will depend a lot on the weather when you go on a tour or a walk in the jungle.
The rainiest and least recommended time to travel to the Amazon is from December to February.
Between the months of March and November the climate is somewhat drier, allowing much more mobility in the region.
The average annual temperatures vary from 24 to 27°C and the water vapour released by the forest feeds the daily rains which contribute to the exceptional development of the fauna and flora of this vast natural region.
It is also thanks to them that one of the richest biodiversities in the world has taken up residence here, thus maintaining its reputation as the “Lung of the Earth”.
Weather in Leticia, Amazon
If you plan to arrive in Leticia on your trip to Colombia, you should take into account the climate, since the accessibility to many places and activities is marked by the climate. There are two seasons in the Amazon, the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season runs from June to October.
During these months, the rain is so slow, that the flow of the Amazon drops so much that you can see the different marks of the water level on the banks. This is the best time to visit the Amazon, why? Because you will be able to do many trekkings in places that in the rainy season you can only go by boat. So you’re going to feel like an explorer going through a real jungle.
In the dry season, the best months are September and October, since you will be almost alone, as it is the low season. The months of June, July and August, that area becomes quite crowded. We visit Leticia and the Amazon at the end of September. The weather was hot during the day, and very humid. At night there were always storms that cooled the atmosphere and let us sleep well. Don’t forget to take out travel insurance if you travel to Colombia.
Colombia Weather in The Pacific
The Pacific coast of Colombia has a very humid tropical climate throughout the year.
Although it is one of the wettest areas on the planet, average temperatures remain high, ranging from 22°C to 30°C.
This climate feeds the rich fauna and flora of the many natural parks in the region.
Weather in Cali
This city has its best months between November and March, having a rainy season in the months of April and May.
In general, Cali is a good city to visit practically all year round.
As in Cartagena de Indias, the warmth and the good atmosphere are assured
Colombia Weather in Los Llanos
Bordering Venezuela, the region is dominated by a vast plain, “Les Llanos”, which can easily be compared to the Argentinean pampas.
A savannah type region crossed by numerous rivers, the climate of this region is characterized by a well-defined dry and wet season and high temperatures all year round.
The wet season is between April and November and thus accounts for nearly 95% of the region’s annual rainfall.
Conversely, the intense drought occurs during the months of December to April.
The average annual temperature is 27°C with very little difference between the hottest and coldest months, but the daily range can vary from 13°C to 17°C.
When to Travel to Colombia
Any time of the year is good to travel to Colombia, as long as we don’t mind getting a little wet
Let’s make a final summary of everything that was said before.
Bogotá, also known as “la frevera”, has a cold and rainy climate during most of the year.
This tropical mountain climate improves a lot during the months from December to February, which is when Bogotá’s weather gets sunny and warm.
On the other hand, December and January is when the capital empties (everyone goes on vacation during these dates) and loses much of its charm.
A good date to enjoy Bogotá 100% is August, because that’s when most western travelers have their vacations and precisely when the capital is at 100%.
In Colombia there are no summer holidays at the same dates as in Europe, rather and as I mentioned before, the big holiday periods are in December and January.
So you’ll find a city at full throttle, with open universities in La Candelaria (the most touristy neighborhood in Bogota) and with bars and restaurants operating normally.
Cali, on the other hand, has an ideal climate almost all year round, while MedellÃn or the “city of eternal spring” shows its best side between November and March and between June and September.
Cartagena de Indias is ideal throughout the year except in May and October, when it usually rains heavily.
For the Amazon, the best months of the year are from March to November, when it rains less and you can enjoy the jungle and boat trips more comfortably.
If you are looking for whale watching on the Pacific coast of Colombia, the best months are July to October.
So far some of the basic details to keep in mind regarding Colombia’s climate.
Useful Links :
https://fr.weatherspark.com/countries/CO
Now Your Turn
Now, I’d like to hear what you have to say: Do you have any questions about the weather in Colombia? Or maybe you’d like to bring important information? Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now.
