Month guide · Cartagena · Colombia
Cartagena in December
What December is really like in Cartagena: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 31°C (88°F), lows of 25°C (77°F), about 4 rainy days and roughly 11.5 hours of daylight. The dry season returns with trade winds; the city fills from mid-December for the holidays and prices peak.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 31°C (88°F) / 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days
- About 4
- Daylight
- About 11.5 hours
- Sea temperature
- 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Cartagena: days average 31°C (88°F) against a yearly average high of 32°C (90°F), and nights fall to about 25°C (77°F). Rain falls on roughly 4 of its 31 days. Compared with November (31°C (88°F)), December is about as warm; by January highs stay near 31°C (88°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:12
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:43
- Daylight
- About 11.5 hours
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F)
Main wet season (September–November). The rainiest months, with heavy storms that pass quickly; the quietest period apart from the independence festivities in November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Christmas lights and New Year's Eve celebrations in the walled city
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Neighbourhood · Getsemaní
Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad
Getsemaní's lanes are covered with murals by local artists, flags and hanging umbrellas, especially around Calle de la Sierpe and Callejón Angosto.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- After dark
- Food
- Photo spot
Landmark · El Centro
Plaza Santo Domingo
Have a drink on a terrace after dark, when the church is lit and the heat eases.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- After dark
- Couples
Museum · El Centro
Palace of the Inquisition
On Plaza de Bolívar, this 18th-century palace with an elaborate stone doorway was the seat of the Inquisition tribunal.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · El Centro
Museo del Oro Zenú
A free, cool half-hour stop between Plaza de Bolívar and the cathedral.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
The sea averages 28°C (82°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Cartagena.
What to pack
For highs near 31°C, lows near 25°C and 4 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Cartagena?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, February–April are better overall. Compare every month.
Cartagena in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Cartagena?
It is a shoulder-season month. The dry season returns with trade winds; the city fills from mid-December for the holidays and prices peak.
+How warm is Cartagena in December?
Average highs are around 31°C (88°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cartagena in December?
Expect rain on about 4 days of the month, so it is usually dry.