Season guide · Cartagena · Colombia
Cartagena in the dry season
December–April: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Petruss, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Sunny with trade winds that make the heat more bearable; peak crowds from mid-December to mid-January and at Semana Santa. Expect highs up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F), with about 9 rainy days across December–April. February–April are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- December–April
- Temperatures
- 24°C (75°F) to 32°C (90°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 9
- Sea
- 26°C (79°F) to 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in the dry season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 1 | 11.6 h | 5/5 |
| February | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 0 | 11.8 h | 3/5 |
| March | 31°C (88°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 | 12 h | 4/5 |
| April | 32°C (90°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 | 12.3 h | 3/5 |
| December | 31°C (88°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 4 | 11.5 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 31°C (88°F) against a yearly 32°C (90°F), and 9 of the year's roughly 84 rainy days fall in these 5 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in the dry season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: Hay Festival Cartagena — literature and ideas (usually late January)
- January: Cartagena Festival de Música — classical music (usually January)
- February: Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria at La Popa (around 2 February)
- March: Cartagena International Film Festival (usually March or April)
- March: Semana Santa processions (March or April)
- December: Christmas lights and New Year's Eve celebrations in the walled city
Make the most of the weather
Landmark · El Centro
City walls and bastions
About 11 km of walls, built from the late 16th to the 18th century to defend against pirates and rival powers, encircle the old town.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Couples
Castle · Getsemaní
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
Go at opening time or late afternoon, carry water and wear a hat; there is almost no shade on the ramparts.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Kids
Viewpoint · Cerro de la Popa
Convento de la Popa
On the city's highest hill, about 150 metres high, the 17th-century convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa has a flowered courtyard and a lookout over the whole city, the bay and the walled town.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Beach · Bocagrande
Bocagrande beach
Agree prices before accepting chairs, massages or food from beach vendors.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
Castle · Tierra Bomba
Fuerte de San Fernando de Bocachica
On Tierra Bomba island at the narrow Bocachica entrance to the bay, this 18th-century fort and the San José battery opposite once guarded the main sea approach to the city.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
Day trips in the dry season
- Rosario Islands (About 1 hour by speedboat) — The Islas del Rosario are a coral archipelago inside a national natural park, with clear water, snorkelling, small island beach clubs and the Oceanario aquarium on San Martín de Pajarales.
- Playa Blanca, Barú (About 1 hour by road or 45 minutes by boat) — Barú's Playa Blanca has white sand and turquoise water and is the most popular beach near Cartagena.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the dry season a good time to visit Cartagena?
Yes: February–April are among the best months. Sunny with trade winds that make the heat more bearable; peak crowds from mid-December to mid-January and at Semana Santa.
+What is the weather like in Cartagena in the dry season?
Highs of up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F), with about 9 rainy days over the season.