Ultimate Travel Guide To Colombia

If you are planning a trip to Colombia, you have landed on the right spot. This travel guide to Colombia gives you valuable information to a couple of amazing destinations in Colombia, Medellin and Cartagena. We loved visiting Colombia so much, that I know we will return and add more destinations in the future.

When To Visit Colombia

Colombia is pretty close to the equator, so the temperatures don’t swing like other countries that are located further away. Instead of the four seasons, you have two. There is the dry season and the wet season. There is some variance in climate depending on where you visit.

The two areas we cover in this Colombia travel guide are Medellin and Cartagena. Medellin is in the mountains and has temperate conditions all year round. It is nicknamed the city of eternal spring for a reason. Cartagena on the other hand is hot as it is right on the ocean.

Peak Season

Peak season and the dry season happen at the same time in Colombia. Expect to find the biggest crowds in Colombia in December during the holidays. Prices for hotels and flights will be higher during this time period too.

Cartagena: You will find dry, hot and humid weather that is perfect for spending time on the beach in Cartagena between December and April.

Medellin: It is also the busy season in Medellin around the same time. Medellin’s dry season ends a bit early in March, but it has a short time in the July and August where it isn’t rainy too. This short couple of months is also a popular time to visit.

Off Season

For smaller crowds and lower prices, traveling to Colombia in the off season is a great option.

Cartagena: While there will be rain between May and November in Cartagena, the rain doesn’t last all day. The wettest months are October and November if you really want to avoid most of the rain.

Medellin: Rain showers happen in April and May and again in September through November in Medellin. Expect a mid-day shower and cooler temperatures in the evening during this time.

Shoulder Season

My favorite time to travel to any destination is during the shoulder season. This travel season is the time in-between the peak and off season that brings a good mix of weather and a discount on prices.

Cartagena: Strive for late November where the weather is transitioning into the dry season or May when the rains are just beginning. The rain is less intense and so are the crowds.

Medellin: The shoulder season in Medellin is June. It is still considered the rainy season, but it is transitioning into a period of dry weather. You might still experience a rain shower, but it won’t be as heavy as other periods of the year.

Plan Your Trip To Colombia

Below is an overview of all of our Colombia travel guides. These posts will provide you with all the information you need to plan a trip to Colombia. At least to the two locations we’ve visited so far, Cartagena and Medellin.

Cartagena

Medellin

Where To Go In Colombia

There are other destinations in Colombia that are worth a visit too. Some of the locations that are on my list still to visit are Tayrona National Park, Bogotá, Jardín, and Salento. On this map below, I have indicated these locations along with Medellin and Cartagena, so you can visually see where everything is located. I have also added the major airports.

Colombia Travel Blogs

Read our latest travel blogs to Colombia.