Month guide · Cartagena · Colombia
Cartagena in January
What January is really like in Cartagena: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Petruss, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 31°C (88°F), lows of 24°C (75°F), about 1 rainy days and roughly 11.6 hours of daylight. Dry and breezy, but the first half of the month is packed with Colombian holidaymakers; prices are high.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 31°C (88°F) / 24°C (75°F)
- Rainy days
- About 1
- Daylight
- About 11.6 hours
- Sea temperature
- 27°C (81°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in January
January is the 7th-warmest month in Cartagena: days average 31°C (88°F) against a yearly average high of 32°C (90°F), and nights fall to about 24°C (75°F). Rain falls on roughly 1 of its 31 days. Compared with December (31°C (88°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 31°C (88°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:23
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:58
- Daylight
- About 11.6 hours
- Sea
- 27°C (81°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, January rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- Hay Festival Cartagena — literature and ideas (usually late January)
- Cartagena Festival de Música — classical music (usually January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Landmark · El Centro
City walls and bastions
Walk the stretch between Baluarte de Santo Domingo and Baluarte de Santa Catalina at sunset, when the sea breeze picks up.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Couples
Castle · Getsemaní
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
Built on San Lázaro hill from the 1630s and expanded in the 18th century, this is the largest Spanish fortress in the Americas.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Kids
Viewpoint · Cerro de la Popa
Convento de la Popa
Go by taxi with an agreed return, rather than walking up through the neighbourhoods below.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Beach · Bocagrande
Bocagrande beach
The city's main beach runs along the Bocagrande peninsula in front of the hotel towers.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
The sea averages 27°C (81°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Cartagena.
What to pack
For highs near 31°C, lows near 24°C and 1 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Cartagena?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, February–April are better overall. Compare every month.
Cartagena in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Cartagena?
It is a shoulder-season month. Dry and breezy, but the first half of the month is packed with Colombian holidaymakers; prices are high.
+How warm is Cartagena in January?
Average highs are around 31°C (88°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cartagena in January?
Expect rain on about 1 days of the month, so it is usually dry.