Colombia is a South American country located at the northern tip of the continent, bordered by Venezuela to the east, Brazil to the southeast, Peru to the south, Ecuador and Panama to the west, and the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean to the north and northwest. It is the only country in South America with coastlines on both the Caribbean and Pacific oceans, contributing to its rich and varied geography.
The country can be divided into several distinct geographical regions:
- Andean Region: The mountainous region, home to Colombia’s three main mountain ranges, the Cordilleras. Major cities such as Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali are located in this region, which has a temperate climate depending on altitude.
- Caribbean Region: This coastal area along the northern edge of the country, including cities like Cartagena and Barranquilla, experiences tropical weather with high temperatures year-round.
- Pacific Region: This area, including Buenaventura and Chocó, is known for its heavy rainfall and humid climate.
- Amazon Region: The southeast part of Colombia is dominated by dense rainforest, with high humidity and significant rainfall throughout the year.
Colombia’s weather is heavily influenced by its proximity to the Equator, meaning that it does not experience four distinct seasons like temperate countries. Instead, the climate is determined by altitude and rainfall patterns. Colombia’s weather can be categorized into two main seasons:
- Wet Season: April to November (depending on the region).
- Dry Season: December to March and sometimes July to August.
Below is a month-by-month breakdown of Colombia’s weather across its various regions.
January
Weather Overview
January is part of the dry season in many parts of Colombia, especially in the Andean and Caribbean regions. Temperatures remain warm across most of the country, and there is less rainfall compared to other months.
Andean Region (Bogotá, Medellín, Cali)
- Temperature: 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F) in Bogotá, 16°C to 27°C (61°F to 81°F) in Medellín, 19°C to 30°C (66°F to 86°F) in Cali.
- Rainfall: 20-60 mm
- Weather: Dry and pleasant, with clear skies and moderate temperatures. Bogotá is cooler due to its high altitude, while Medellín and Cali experience warmer, sunny weather.
Caribbean Region (Cartagena, Santa Marta, Barranquilla)
- Temperature: 24°C to 32°C (75°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 10-20 mm
- Weather: Hot and sunny, with very little rain. This is an ideal time to visit the Caribbean coast for beach activities and exploring historical cities like Cartagena.
Pacific Region (Buenaventura, Chocó)
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 300-400 mm
- Weather: Wet and humid. The Pacific region experiences significant rainfall even during the dry season, particularly in the Chocó department, one of the wettest places on Earth.
Amazon Region (Leticia)
- Temperature: 23°C to 31°C (73°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 200-300 mm
- Weather: Warm and humid with frequent rain showers. Leticia, located in the Amazon rainforest, experiences high humidity and intermittent rainfall.
February
Weather Overview
February continues to be part of the dry season for most regions, with warm temperatures and low rainfall. The Caribbean coast remains dry, while the Pacific coast experiences heavy rains.
Andean Region
- Temperature: 10°C to 21°C (50°F to 70°F) in Bogotá, 17°C to 28°C (63°F to 82°F) in Medellín, 19°C to 30°C (66°F to 86°F) in Cali.
- Rainfall: 30-70 mm
- Weather: Dry and sunny. The Andean cities continue to experience pleasant weather, with Medellín often referred to as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its year-round mild climate.
Caribbean Region
- Temperature: 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 5-15 mm
- Weather: Hot and sunny with minimal rain. This is one of the best times to visit the Caribbean coast, as the weather is ideal for outdoor activities.
Pacific Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 350-450 mm
- Weather: Warm and rainy. The Pacific coast remains wet, with heavy rainfall and high humidity.
Amazon Region
- Temperature: 23°C to 31°C (73°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 200-300 mm
- Weather: Humid and rainy. The Amazon region continues to experience warm temperatures and frequent rainfall, although the rainforest is lush and vibrant during this time.
March
Weather Overview
March marks the end of the dry season in many parts of Colombia, with increasing temperatures and the arrival of more rainfall, especially in the Andean region.
Andean Region
- Temperature: 11°C to 21°C (52°F to 70°F) in Bogotá, 18°C to 28°C (64°F to 82°F) in Medellín, 20°C to 31°C (68°F to 88°F) in Cali.
- Rainfall: 50-100 mm
- Weather: Mild with increasing rainfall. Bogotá and Medellín see more rain showers as the month progresses, while Cali remains warm and sunny for most of March.
Caribbean Region
- Temperature: 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 10-30 mm
- Weather: Hot and mostly dry. The Caribbean coast continues to enjoy hot weather, with only occasional rain showers.
Pacific Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 300-450 mm
- Weather: Wet and humid, with frequent heavy rainfall. The Pacific coast experiences one of its wettest months, particularly in areas like Buenaventura and Chocó.
Amazon Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 250-350 mm
- Weather: Warm and rainy. Leticia in the Amazon experiences increased rainfall, with hot and humid conditions making it typical rainforest weather.
April
Weather Overview
April is the start of the wet season for much of Colombia, with significant rainfall across the Andean and Amazon regions. Coastal areas, particularly on the Caribbean side, remain relatively dry.
Andean Region
- Temperature: 12°C to 21°C (54°F to 70°F) in Bogotá, 18°C to 27°C (64°F to 81°F) in Medellín, 20°C to 31°C (68°F to 88°F) in Cali.
- Rainfall: 100-150 mm
- Weather: Rainy with occasional sunshine. Bogotá and Medellín experience frequent afternoon showers, while Cali remains warmer with less rain.
Caribbean Region
- Temperature: 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 20-50 mm
- Weather: Hot and dry with some rain showers. The Caribbean coast begins to see slightly more rain, but the weather remains predominantly hot and sunny.
Pacific Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 350-500 mm
- Weather: Very wet and humid. The Pacific region continues to experience heavy rainfall, making it less ideal for travel during this time.
Amazon Region
- Temperature: 23°C to 31°C (73°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 300-400 mm
- Weather: Warm and wet. Rainfall increases in the Amazon, creating ideal conditions for the lush rainforest ecosystem but also leading to high humidity.
May
Weather Overview
May is fully within the wet season for most regions, with significant rainfall across Colombia. Temperatures remain warm, but the increased rain can limit outdoor activities in some areas.
Andean Region
- Temperature: 12°C to 21°C (54°F to 70°F) in Bogotá, 18°C to 28°C (64°F to 82°F) in Medellín, 20°C to 31°C (68°F to 88°F) in Cali.
- Rainfall: 120-180 mm
- Weather: Rainy with occasional sunny spells. Bogotá and Medellín experience frequent downpours, while Cali remains warm, though with increased rainfall.
Caribbean Region
- Temperature: 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 30-60 mm
- Weather: Hot with occasional rain showers. The Caribbean coast begins to see more rain, but it’s still a good time to visit for beachgoers.
Pacific Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 400-550 mm
- Weather: Extremely wet and humid. The Pacific region remains one of the wettest areas, with heavy rain and high humidity throughout May.
Amazon Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 300-450 mm
- Weather: Warm and rainy. Leticia in the Amazon continues to experience frequent rain showers, with high humidity and lush vegetation throughout the month.
June
Weather Overview
June sees continued rainfall in the Andean and Amazon regions, while the Caribbean coast remains relatively drier. The Pacific region continues to experience heavy rainfall.
Andean Region
- Temperature: 12°C to 21°C (54°F to 70°F) in Bogotá, 18°C to 28°C (64°F to 82°F) in Medellín, 20°C to 31°C (68°F to 88°F) in Cali.
- Rainfall: 100-150 mm
- Weather: Rainy but with longer periods of sunshine. Bogotá and Medellín continue to experience afternoon showers, while Cali sees warmer days with occasional rain.
Caribbean Region
- Temperature: 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 20-50 mm
- Weather: Hot and mostly dry. The Caribbean coast remains a popular destination, with sunny weather and less rain compared to the inland regions.
Pacific Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 450-600 mm
- Weather: Wet and humid. The Pacific coast continues to experience heavy rainfall, making it one of the wettest months of the year in this region.
Amazon Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 300-450 mm
- Weather: Warm and rainy. The Amazon rainforest remains humid and wet, with frequent rain showers throughout June.
July
Weather Overview
July marks the beginning of the dry season in some regions, especially along the Caribbean coast and parts of the Andean region. However, the Pacific coast and Amazon remain wet.
Andean Region
- Temperature: 12°C to 21°C (54°F to 70°F) in Bogotá, 17°C to 28°C (63°F to 82°F) in Medellín, 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F) in Cali.
- Rainfall: 70-120 mm
- Weather: Warm with less rain. Bogotá and Medellín see a reduction in rainfall, making July a pleasant time for exploring the highlands, though Cali remains warm and mostly dry.
Caribbean Region
- Temperature: 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 10-40 mm
- Weather: Hot and sunny. July is one of the driest months on the Caribbean coast, making it an ideal time for visiting beaches and coastal cities.
Pacific Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 400-550 mm
- Weather: Very wet and humid. The Pacific region continues to experience significant rainfall, with wet conditions persisting through July.
Amazon Region
- Temperature: 23°C to 31°C (73°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 250-400 mm
- Weather: Warm and wet. The Amazon rainforest remains hot and humid, with frequent rain showers and lush green landscapes.
August
Weather Overview
August sees continued dry weather in the Caribbean and Andean regions, while the Pacific coast remains rainy. The Amazon experiences less rain compared to the earlier months of the wet season.
Andean Region
- Temperature: 12°C to 21°C (54°F to 70°F) in Bogotá, 17°C to 28°C (63°F to 82°F) in Medellín, 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F) in Cali.
- Rainfall: 70-110 mm
- Weather: Warm and mostly dry. Bogotá and Medellín continue to experience pleasant weather with occasional showers, while Cali remains hot and dry.
Caribbean Region
- Temperature: 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 10-40 mm
- Weather: Hot and sunny. The Caribbean coast remains dry and sunny, making it one of the best months to visit for beach vacations.
Pacific Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 400-550 mm
- Weather: Wet and humid. The Pacific coast continues to experience heavy rainfall, with persistent wet weather through August.
Amazon Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 200-350 mm
- Weather: Warm and rainy. The Amazon region experiences slightly less rain than earlier in the year, but the rainforest remains humid and wet.
September
Weather Overview
September marks the return of the wet season in many parts of Colombia, especially in the Andean and Amazon regions. Rainfall increases, and temperatures remain warm across the country.
Andean Region
- Temperature: 12°C to 21°C (54°F to 70°F) in Bogotá, 18°C to 28°C (64°F to 82°F) in Medellín, 20°C to 31°C (68°F to 88°F) in Cali.
- Rainfall: 100-150 mm
- Weather: Rainy with warmer temperatures. Bogotá and Medellín experience more frequent rain showers, while Cali remains warm with increased rainfall.
Caribbean Region
- Temperature: 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 20-60 mm
- Weather: Hot with occasional rain showers. The Caribbean coast begins to see more rain, but it remains predominantly warm and sunny.
Pacific Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 450-600 mm
- Weather: Very wet and humid. The Pacific coast continues to experience heavy rainfall, making it one of the rainiest regions in Colombia.
Amazon Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 300-400 mm
- Weather: Warm and rainy. The Amazon region experiences heavy rainfall, with high humidity and lush rainforest conditions throughout September.
October
Weather Overview
October is one of the wettest months of the year in many parts of Colombia, especially in the Andean and Amazon regions. Rainfall peaks, and temperatures remain warm, but outdoor activities may be limited due to the rain.
Andean Region
- Temperature: 12°C to 21°C (54°F to 70°F) in Bogotá, 18°C to 28°C (64°F to 82°F) in Medellín, 20°C to 31°C (68°F to 88°F) in Cali.
- Rainfall: 150-200 mm
- Weather: Rainy and cool. Bogotá and Medellín experience frequent rain showers, while Cali remains warm but wet.
Caribbean Region
- Temperature: 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 40-80 mm
- Weather: Hot with increased rainfall. The Caribbean coast begins to experience more frequent rain showers, but temperatures remain warm.
Pacific Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 500-650 mm
- Weather: Extremely wet and humid. The Pacific coast continues to be one of the rainiest areas in Colombia, with persistent rainfall and high humidity throughout October.
Amazon Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 400-500 mm
- Weather: Warm and very rainy. The Amazon rainforest experiences peak rainfall, with high humidity and frequent rain showers throughout October.
November
Weather Overview
November sees the continuation of the wet season, with heavy rainfall across much of Colombia. Temperatures remain warm, but outdoor activities may be affected by frequent rain showers.
Andean Region
- Temperature: 12°C to 21°C (54°F to 70°F) in Bogotá, 18°C to 28°C (64°F to 82°F) in Medellín, 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F) in Cali.
- Rainfall: 150-200 mm
- Weather: Rainy and cool. Bogotá and Medellín continue to experience frequent rain showers, while Cali remains warm with occasional rain.
Caribbean Region
- Temperature: 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 40-80 mm
- Weather: Hot with occasional rain showers. The Caribbean coast continues to see warm temperatures, though rain showers are more frequent in November.
Pacific Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 400-600 mm
- Weather: Wet and humid. The Pacific coast continues to experience heavy rainfall, with high humidity and frequent rain showers throughout the month.
Amazon Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 350-450 mm
- Weather: Warm and rainy. The Amazon region remains wet, with frequent rain showers and high humidity throughout November.
December
Weather Overview
December marks the beginning of the dry season in many parts of Colombia, especially in the Andean and Caribbean regions. Rainfall decreases, and temperatures remain warm, making it an ideal time for travel.
Andean Region
- Temperature: 11°C to 21°C (52°F to 70°F) in Bogotá, 18°C to 28°C (64°F to 82°F) in Medellín, 20°C to 31°C (68°F to 88°F) in Cali.
- Rainfall: 50-100 mm
- Weather: Dry and pleasant. Bogotá and Medellín experience fewer rain showers, while Cali remains warm and sunny.
Caribbean Region
- Temperature: 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 10-40 mm
- Weather: Hot and mostly dry. The Caribbean coast experiences sunny, warm weather, making it an ideal time for beach vacations and outdoor activities.
Pacific Region
- Temperature: 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 300-500 mm
- Weather: Wet and humid. The Pacific region remains rainy, though the intensity of the rainfall decreases slightly compared to earlier months.
Amazon Region
- Temperature: 23°C to 31°C (73°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 250-350 mm
- Weather: Warm and rainy. The Amazon rainforest remains humid and wet, with frequent rain showers and high humidity throughout December.