Colombia’s equatorial place means temperatures fluctuate by altitude, not the time of 12 months, so virtually anytime is an effective time to go to, and the nation’s variety of landscapes is matched by few different locations.
The adjustments in altitude additionally imply Colombia has many microclimates and mini dry and moist seasons to think about, though most locations have little temperature variation between seasons. As soon as you already know the place you’d prefer to go in Colombia, spend a while researching the climate within the space.
Right here’s our information to one of the best time to go to Colombia and expertise one of the best festivals the nation has to supply.
Excessive Season (December to February)
December to February is a improbable time to journey by Colombia as a result of it’s dry in every single place besides the Amazon. Within the Andes, count on sunny skies and warmish days – good for mountain climbing within the nation’s clutch of excellent nationwide parks, whereas the Caribbean coast is at its most beautiful – and busiest. It is a common time to go to (together with for home vacationers), so costs are at their highest all through the whole nation. Advance bookings for accommodations and flights are important, notably alongside the northern coast.
Shoulder Season (March to September)
Examine the climate rigorously earlier than reserving a visit between March and September as a result of the temperature and rainfall have large regional variations. Bogotá, Medellín and Cali endure a secondary wet season in April and Could whereas Cartagena shines by April however laborious rains start in Could.
July by August is one other mini dry season, though you possibly can count on quick tropical showers in highland cities. For animal lovers, one of the best time for whale-watching on the Pacific coast is July to October. Festivals round Easter are a spectacle price touring for.
Colombia’s Caribbean islands, San Andrés and Providencia, stay dry till Could, so shoulder season is a chance to discover their wonderful seashores and noteworthy coral reefs.
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Low Season (October to November)
Throughout the nation, costs are at their lowest, and it’s an exquisite time to go to the Amazon, the place low water ranges imply glorious mountain climbing and wildlife recognizing alternatives, white-sand seashores and fewer mosquitoes. Elsewhere although, flash floods typically wash out roads within the Andean area, and Medellín, Cartagena and the Caribbean coast are disproportionately moist in October.
January
January is good for exploring the Caribbean coast. Towards the top of the month, the vacation crowds dissipate, however the festivals and events keep on. Low ranges of humidity and heat temperatures make sunbathing and swimming an interesting prospect. Cartagena and Santa Marta are extraordinarily busy within the first few weeks of January. Surfers will benefit from the large swells that convey waves to the seashores near Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Cartagena and Parque Nacional Pure Tayrona.
January is the right month for mountain climbing in Colombia, with path situations sometimes dry and the sky clear, making certain glorious views from the highest of lots of the nation’s lofty peaks. In the event you dislike crowds, head to Bogotá, which is abandoned due to residents hitting the coast for his or her holidays, or go to a secluded eco-lodge alongside the Pacific coast.
Key occasions: Carnaval de Blancos y Negros, Pageant Internacional de Musica, Fiestas de Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria, Hay Pageant, Feria de Manizales
February
The Andean area stays nice, and Cartagena is nearly drought-stricken, making February a good time to beach-hop alongside the Caribbean coast, though Parque Nacional Pure Tayrona sometimes closes from February 1 to February 15 for park upkeep. With children again at school and home merrymakers returning to the grind, Colombia is tranquila. Bogotá experiences a lower than ordinary amount of rain, making this month to take a look at the capital’s glut of eating places and cultural actions. That is additionally a good time to discover among the nation’s hottest locations, with financial savings on accommodations and airfare for locations corresponding to Cartagena and Santa Marta.
Relying on when Easter falls, verbenas (pre-carnival heat up occasions) will start within the carnival capital, Barranquilla, this month. Anticipate a buzz of music, dancing and loads of meals at these public events held in open-air areas across the metropolis.
Key occasions: Carnaval de Barranquilla, Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria
March
Semana Santa (Easter) is large enterprise in Colombia. Whether or not it falls in March or April, the nation is critically tuned in, with celebrations happening in all the important cities. Nonetheless, crowds flock to these held within the good-looking, colonial period city of Popayán, the place 1000’s spill out onto the cobbled streets and plazas to hitch solemn spiritual processions and costumed parades which have taken place yearly since 1566. Mompox, Pamplona and Tunja additionally maintain colourful celebrations for Holy Week.
Excessive water ranges in March and into April imply the white water rafting in journey capital San Gil is at its most thrilling, and situations are sometimes good for different adrenaline-fueled actions, together with paragliding and caving.
Key occasions: Semana Santa, Concurso Nacional de Belleza, Pageant Iberoamericano de Teatro de Bogotá, Francisco el Hombre, Pageant Nacional de Música Colombiana
April
By April, excessive season is effectively and really over, and moist climate is beginning to make its presence identified throughout the nation. For visits to the Metropolis of Everlasting Spring, Medellín, and the capital Bogotá this month, rise up early to keep away from the afternoon showers and produce a rain jacket or contemplate profiting from the decrease airfare and lodging prices to go north to Cartagena, San Andrés, Providencia or Santa Marta. Alternatively, discover La Guajira, the place sizzling year-round temperatures haven’t fairly hit their July and August highs. Guests to the Amazon will discover excessive water ranges that cowl jungle mountain climbing trails and make wildlife watching extra difficult. On the Colombian–Panamanian border, leatherback turtles take the chance to reach on the seashores close to Capurganá and start laying their eggs.
If Semana Santa falls this month, make sure you e book all of your transportation and lodging effectively prematurely. Costs will likely be excessive.
Key occasions: Semana Santa, Vallenato Pageant
Could
Could sees the wet season proceed in earnest within the Andes. In the event you’re fortunate, you may be capable to squeeze a trip within the candy spot earlier than the worst of the climate and whereas costs are nonetheless low – no ensures, although. Cartagena is likely to be damp, however it’ll be quiet, a uncommon prevalence. For surfers, swells from the southwest convey world-class waves to the browsing hotspots of Nuquí and Buenaventura, the place it’s additionally prime fishing season.
Key occasions: Primero de Mayo, Pageant de la Cultura Wayúu
June
After a respite in April and Could, storm clouds as soon as once more loom. Bogotá, nevertheless, is at its driest, and costs rise throughout the nation as faculties start to take their summer season holidays. Many accommodations alongside the Caribbean coast require a minimal two-night keep. Parque Nacional Pure Tayrona closes for the primary 15 days of the month for upkeep, however farther west, the Islas del Rosario are the right spot for diving at the moment of the 12 months.
Alongside the Pacific coast within the Chocó Division, humpback whales start to make their look as they go away Antarctica to breed in hotter waters. They are often seen throughout the area till the top of October from Bahía Solano and Nuquí. Olive ridley, hawksbill, leatherback and black turtles additionally start arriving within the area’s seashores, however gained’t start hatching till September. Within the Amazon jungle round Leticia, waters drop and the prospect to identify sloths, wild cats and among the 1300 fowl species discovered within the Amazon basin enhance together with simpler entry to rainforest mountain climbing trails.
Key occasions: Torneo Internacional del Joropo, Pageant Internacional de Tango
July
July is likely one of the peak months for each international guests to Colombia and home vacationers on summer season trip, so count on crowds at common vacationer spots and elevated costs. To flee the lots, head out to mountain climbing locations such because the Parque Nacional Pure Los Nevados and the Sierra Nevada Mountains (dwelling to the Misplaced Metropolis trek) the place trails are accessible as soon as once more because the nation re-enters the dry season. The Chocó Division stays comparatively untouched by vacationers however full of humpback whales. July additionally sees the beginning of the magenta bloom on the Caño Cristales river in Parque Nacional Natural Serranía de La Macarena, a phenomenon that lasts till October whereby the water right here turns pink due to a plant discovered on the riverbed.
Key occasions: Independence Day, Festivales al Parque, Colombiamoda
August
August in Colombia is comparatively delicate however may be drizzly, however glorious festivals greater than make up for impending rains. Bogotá, Cali and Medellín all absorb the end-of-summer ambiance with a bonanza of music and tradition, however vacationer numbers stay excessive, if tailing off towards the top of the month. Falling throughout the low-water season within the Amazon, August continues to be a superb time for visiting Leticia.
Key occasions: Rock al Parque, Pageant Petronio Álvarez, Feria de las Flores, Pageant del Viento y Las Cometas
September
Showers hit most of Colombia in September, however the Amazon River ranges are low, making it a superb time for wildlife viewing, mountain climbing or kicking again on a sandy river seaside. Salsa capital Cali and the Boyacá see much less rain, whereas nature involves its personal in Parque Nacional Pure Puracé within the south of Colombia. Right here the highland paramo is dominated by frailejón crops that bloom giant, sunflower-like flowers in September. Alongside the seashores of the Pacific coast, child turtles start to hatch and make their strategy to the ocean.
Key occasions: Pageant Mundial de Salsa, Congreso Nacional Gastronómico, Pageant Internacional de Teatro, Pageant Petronio Alvarez, Pageant de la Luna Verde, Pageant Internacional de Jazz del Teatro Libre
October
On common, October is one among Colombia’s rainiest months, together with November. Bogotá, Cali, Medellín and Cartagena are all on the mercy of the climate, with rainfall principally hitting within the afternoon so get out early to keep away from the downpours. Due to this, October is likely one of the quietest months of the 12 months for vacationers, and lodging costs hit all-time low. Parque Nacional Pure Tayrona makes use of this era of peace and quiet to shut for the ultimate two weeks of the month, so in order for you pristine nature, head as an alternative to the Amazonas Division to the peaceable city of Puerto Nariño or busier Leticia for an exhilarating jungle tour, the place water ranges stay low and wildlife-spotting probabilities excessive.
Key occasions: Bogotá Worldwide Movie Pageant, Dia de Brujitas
November
November is moist, moist, moist all through Colombia. Your finest refuge from the deluge is Bogotá, though it’ll be chilly, or the a lot hotter Caribbean coast, the place you will nonetheless be breaking out the umbrella regularly. The attraction of the latter is the events, parades and different festivities that abound in Cartagena on the eleventh of the month when it celebrates the day it declared independence from Spain.
Fortunately, when you’re touring in Colombia throughout this month, you possibly can count on to rise up to a 30% discount on resort costs and airfare.
Key occasions: Independence Day Cartagena, Pageant Pirarucú de Oro
December
In December, the rains start to recede, and the nation is awash as an alternative with vacation festivals and spur-of-the-moment partying. Anticipate crowds and cries of pleasure all through Colombia, notably from the center of the month when the holidays formally start. For the liveliest Christmas festivities, be certain that to spend a while in Medellín, the place its avenue parades and spectacular mild shows make it the place to see within the vacation interval. For tropical temperatures, beautiful aquamarine waters and a extra relaxed Christmas tempo, be part of the crowds by jetting off to Santa Marta or the islands of San Andrés and Providencia.
Key occasions: Alumbrado Navideño, Feria de Calí, Pageant de Luces
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