Best Times To Visit Colombia in 2025: Discover the Top Travel Months

Colombia has it all: colorful cities, exotic islands, coveted coffee, and the Amazon.

Exploring this beautiful country is special at any time of year, but you may get more enjoyment out of its coastal, urban, and rainforest wonders if you visit at just the right time. Some seasons are more affordable than others, rainier than others, and more crowded than others, and it’s best to use this information to plan your ideal vacation.

Here’s everything you should know about when to travel to Colombia, organized by season, month, and destination, plus a brief guide to the country’s best festivals.

What To Know About Traveling to Colombia: Weather, Safety, Visas, and More

Because of its proximity to the equator, much of Colombia is warm year-round. However, there are 2 distinct rainy seasons and 2 distinct dry seasons that tend to affect most of the country. El Niño and La Niña can affect Colombia’s weather patterns, making it drier or wetter, respectively.

Many areas of Colombia are safe, but it’s best to check the U.S. Department of State travel advisory page, which currently rates the country at a level 3. It’s best to avoid the Colombia-Venezuela border and the Arauca, Cauca, and Norte de Santander departments, all of which have a level 4 travel warning.

The currency in Colombia is the Colombian peso. At the time of publishing, $1 was equivalent to approximately 4,426 Colombian pesos.

U.S. citizens can visit Colombia for up to 90 days without a visa, though they have to fill out an online form first. It’s a good idea to check the Centers for Disease Control website before traveling, but at the time of writing, there aren’t any major travel health notices. Still, it’s a good idea to wear mosquito repellent, especially if you’re traveling during the rainy season. This can help you avoid dengue, Oropouche, and chikungunya.

You can fly nonstop from several U.S. hubs to Colombia. Airlines such as Avianca, LATAM, American, United, and Delta all operate nonstop routes between the U.S. and Colombia. Travelers on a budget can fly with Spirit, but our favorite route (especially if you can get your ticket using points) is the fifth freedom route that Emirates operates between Miami (MIA) and Bogotá (BOG).

Hot Tip:

Fifth freedom flights are flights that take passengers between 2 different countries, neither of which is the airline’s home country. They offer passengers opportunities for more competitive pricing, added award availability, and the ability to fly new airlines.

Best Seasons To Travel to Colombia

The best time to visit Colombia for good weather is during the country’s 2 dry seasons. The low seasons are during the 2 rainy seasons, when you can travel affordably with fewer crowds. The shoulder season marks the months between these 2 seasons, where the weather may be dry and rainy but you may get travel deals and not have to fight the crowds.

And although you might associate Colombia with year-round warm weather, not all the regions experience a consistently warm climate (though most of them do). The country’s climate can be divided into 3 distinct groups that are mainly based on elevation: the hot zone, which are the areas closer to sea level; the temperate zone (higher in elevation); and the cold zone (mostly in western Colombia, home to the Andes Mountains), which has much higher elevation.

When To Visit Colombia by Month

This month-to-month guide on when to visit Colombia can help you plan your trip. You’ll want to factor in your budget, the weather, and crowds when deciding the best month for a Colombia vacation. Most of Colombia’s seasons are as follows:

• Dry, Peak, and High Seasons: December to February, July to August
• Shoulder Seasons: March, September, June
• Rainy, Off-Peak, and Low Seasons: April to May, October to November

It’s worth noting that these general rainy, dry, and shoulder seasons don’t apply to every region in the country. The Amazon region experiences its wettest conditions from December to April, has a brief shoulder period in May and November, and is dry from June to October.

Below, we’ll break out the pros and cons of visiting Colombia during every month of the year.

Visiting Colombia in January

Many areas of Colombia experience a dry season in January, making it one of the best times to visit. Although you may experience crowds, you encounter fewer tourists as the holiday season tapers off. Bogotá has cooler, spring-like temperatures, Medellín is warmer, and it’s hot and sunny in Cartagena.

The Coffee Triangle also has dry and cool weather in January, but it’s best to avoid the Amazon until the summer (this area experiences heavy rain and flooding in winter and spring).

Visiting Colombia in February

February is a relatively quiet month to visit Colombia, as the holiday season is over. Still, the weather is dry in many areas of the country, which means you can explore without heavy rains.

Some areas of Colombia celebrate Carnival, but the biggest and best celebration is in Barranquilla, where the weather is hot and there’s practically zero chance of parades getting rained out.

Visiting Colombia in March

The weather in Colombia in March is moderate, but it starts getting hotter and humid in coastal areas, and you may see some rain. Still, this shoulder period is when you might be able to get a deal on hotels yet still visit without terrible rain.

Visiting Colombia in April

Much of Colombia is humid and rainy in April, including the Amazon, which can flood around this time of year. Unless you’re really looking to travel on a budget, it might be best to skip visiting Colombia in April.

That said, Cartagena’s rains haven’t really gotten started yet (though it’s hot and humid), and islands like San Andrés and Providencia are still dry.

Colombia also celebrates Holy Week (it falls in April in 2025) with events and processions, which may be interesting if you want to understand more about the country’s history and religious traditions.

Visiting Colombia in May

It’s still rainy in much of the country in May, though it may be a good time for affordable travel and to experience some of the best museums and cultural attractions. If you’re an avid reader, you may want to attend the Bogotá Book Fair, which starts April 25 and runs through May 11 in 2025.

Visiting Colombia in June

Drier weather starts approaching many areas of Colombia in June, but it’s still not the high season. This means you might get some deals but likely won’t be rained out. The weather should also dry out as the month goes on. Many of the country’s natural wonders and natural parks are green from all the rain during this time.

The start of the Amazon’s dry season is in June, when everything is still lush and verdant from the spring rains.

Visiting Colombia in July

July marks the start of Colombia’s second dry season, which is peak season. It’s summer, and tourists come from around the world to enjoy the beautiful weather.

July is also when Colombia’s whale-watching season begins. From July until November, you may spot humpback whales along the country’s Pacific coast. Head to the port of Buenaventura in late June or early July, where boats head out to Indigenous communities along Málaga Bay, where residents and visitors not only view the whales but dance and sing for them, too, during the Festival Mundial Ballenas y Cantaoras (it happens again in September if you miss the summer edition).

Colombia has a couple of surf seasons, but one begins in July, especially for more experienced surfers.

Visiting Colombia in August

August is a lively season in Colombia — it’s dry and has many visitors. It may be more expensive to visit at this time, as August is a popular time for Europeans to travel to Latin America. Many folks head to the famous Feria de las Flores in Medellín or to the Feria del Verano in Bogotá.

It’s also dry in the Andes region, which is perfect for hiking enthusiasts.

Visiting Colombia in September

Water levels are low in the Amazon region, which means you might be able to hike in areas that are normally wet or flooded or see mudslides during rainy times of the year. It’s also a pleasant time to boat along the Amazon and watch the world go by without excessive humidity or storms.

Whale watching is popular during this month because you can also see baby sea turtles hatching, dolphins, and other wildlife along the country’s Pacific coast.

Since it’s shoulder season, you may find deals on accommodation and attractions, but just know that the weather can get more humid toward the end of the month in some regions.

Visiting Colombia in October

October marks the start of Colombia’s second main rainy season, although it’s still dry in the Amazon region. It can rain heavily for much of the day in some areas, but if you want to visit museums and relax in cool coffee shops in an urban hub like Bogotá, you’ll likely find cheap hotel rates during this month.

Visiting Colombia in November

November is one of the country’s most humid months, and rain keeps falling through much of Colombia. Therefore, it’s probably best to avoid visiting many regions during November.

That said, budget travelers may find epic deals at this time of year, and you never know, you could enjoy intermittent sunshine along with the rain, especially in coastal areas like Cartagena.

Visiting Colombia in December

While the rains may still drizzle into the very beginning of December, they taper off to warm sunshine as the holidays approach. Colombia’s other surf season starts in December, and waves are often higher during this month than they are in January, February, and March, as this is when winds come from the northeast instead of the southwest (where they come from April through December).

Locals love the holiday season, so if you visit during this time, expect processions, parties, and other cultural events, as well as Christmas lights and decorations, especially in the larger cities.

Best Times To Visit Colombia by Destination

Colombia’s weather varies by city and region. These are the best times to visit Colombia by location, from the white sands of San Andrés to the farms of the Coffee Triangle and the busy cities of Medellín, Bogotá, and beyond.

Best Times To Visit Medellín

Medellín is known as the City of Eternal Spring. The best times to visit Medellín coincide with the country’s main dry seasons. If you visit during December and January, you can partake in holiday celebrations beneath sunny skies. The city’s Festival de las Luces y Alumbrados Navideños, which runs from December 1 to January 12, is when the city is covered with more than 8 million holiday lights. Visiting in July and August is also dry and warm, and August is when Medellín’s famous flower festival occurs.

Best Times To Visit Bogotá

Bogotá’s higher altitude means it’s cooler than many other popular spots around the country. The temperature stays relatively stable throughout the entire year. For example, the average temperature in January is about 66 degrees, while daily temperatures in July are about 64 degrees.

The capital city follows the country;’s main dry and rainy season patterns (dry from December to February and July to August, rainy from April to May and October to November, and shoulder during March, June, and September). However, since Bogotá is a large city with many cultural offerings, visiting in the rainy season means you’ll still find a lot to do indoors, like museums, restaurants, and cafes.

It’s important to know that Bogotá’s altitude of 8,661 feet may cause altitude sickness, so take things slow and drink a lot of water to adjust, regardless of when you visit.

Best Times To Visit Cartagena

Cartagena’s dry season is slightly different than other areas of the country, running mainly from December to March. This is when you’ll be able to explore nearby islands and national parks like Rosario and Baru beneath warm and sunny skies.

The rainy season runs from April to November, though you may see many sunny, humid, and hot days with short bursts of rain during this period. Still, you might find better deals on hotels and activities during this time of year.

Best Times To Visit Cali

Colombia’s third-largest city and capital of salsa dancing, Cali, has wet and dry seasons similar to the rest of Colombia, so the best time to visit is when it’s dry.

That said, if you’re heading there to salsa, you can visit rain or shine. However, many of the best salsa can be enjoyed in the open air, so if local street parties complete with music and dance sound appealing, it’s best to visit in months like January and February.

Best Times To Visit San Andrés and Providencia

San Andrés and Providencia are islands that belong to Colombia but sit off the coast of Nicaragua. In the middle of the sea, these islands are tiny slivers of paradise, especially during the dry season, when you can snorkel, surf, swim, and explore under sunny skies. The islands’ dry season runs from December to April, May is the shoulder season, and the rains swoop in starting in June and running through November, similar to the Atlantic hurricane season.

Hot Tip:

San Andrés and Providencia are home to some of the best beaches in Colombia, such as Playa San Luis and Manzanillo Beach (Manchaneel Beach).

Best Times To Visit Colombia’s Coffee Triangle

Colombia’s Coffee Triangle, as its name suggests, is where much of the country’s coffee is cultivated. The region is made up of 3 main cities: Pereira, Manizales, and Armenia. If you visit during December, January, or February, expect sunshine and spring-like temperatures hovering around 72 degrees (the Manizales Fair occurs in January, which is a fun time to visit). The second dry season occurs in July and August, when you see similar temperatures but perhaps cloudier skies.

Best Times To Visit Tayrona National Park

Shoulder season may be the best time to enjoy Tayrona National Park with fewer crowds. The month with the least amount of rain is February, and the month with the most amount of rain is October, but visiting in months like the end of November, March, and June means you can expect decent weather but see the park when it’s emptier.

That said, surfers may prefer to head to the park and to nearby coastal areas of Santa Marta during the country’s second surf season, July through September. Nearby, the famous Barranquilla Carnival occurs annually in March (some years, it happens in February).

Hot Tip:

There aren’t many points options for lodging around Tayrona National Park, but you can use your points at the Hilton Santa Marta. I recommend getting a Hilton cobranded card beforehand, such as the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card*, which offers a generous welcome bonus and complimentary Hilton Diamond status.

*The information regarding the American Express Aspire was independently collected and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Best Times To Visit the Amazon

The driest weather in the Amazon region occurs from June to October, and it’s the most pleasant time to experience the area. That said, it can be rainy in the shoulder seasons (May and November), which can be better for spotting animals. You’ll likely want to avoid the rainy season in this famous rainforest, as water levels are high and you won’t be able to reach many areas that flood.

7 Top Festivals To Experience in Colombia

Colombia has incredible cultural events and festivals that may be worth planning your trip around, depending on your interests.

Here are some of the top ones to consider:

• Manziales Fair (Feria de Manziales) (January 2-9, 2025): Inspired by Seville’s fair in Spain, this festival includes parades, traditional music and dancing, bullfighting, and lots of coffee (it’s in Colombia’s main coffee hub, Manziales).
• Cartagena Music Festival (January 4-12, 2025): This musical festival features concerts, workshops, and other events with composers and musicians inspired by the Iberian Peninsula.
• Barranquilla Carnival (March 1-4, 2025) Experience parades, street parties, elaborate costumes, concerts, and more at this fun yearly celebration.
• Bogotá Book Fair (Feria del Libro Bogotá) (April 25 to May 11, 2025): At this annual festival, book lovers can purchase books, meet authors, and participate in events. The 2025 edition is dedicated to Spain.
• Flower Festival (Feria de las Flores), Medellín (August 1-10, 2025): Celebrate the eternal spring with over 140 events dedicated to Colombian blooms, culminating in a massive parade.
• Festival de Verano (Summer Festival), Bogotá (August 3-11, 2025): Kite flying, group jogs, and concerts are just a few of the many events here.
• Cali Fair (Feria de Cali) (December 25-30 every year): This festival includes beauty pageants, fashion shows, bullfights, concerts, and, of course, salsa dancing.

Final Thoughts

Colombia’s general climate is varied, with 2 rainy seasons and 2 dry seasons, but this differs by region. While you might have better weather if you visit Colombia outside of the rainy season, you can also get great deals on accommodation and activities if you brave a little wet weather. Heading to the country during some of its most emblematic festivals means you get a taste of Colombian local culture.