Season guide · Cartagena · Colombia
Cartagena in the main wet season
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The rainiest months, with heavy storms that pass quickly; the quietest period apart from the independence festivities in November. Expect highs up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F), with about 38 rainy days across September–November.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 25°C (77°F) to 32°C (90°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 38
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F) to 29°C (84°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in the main wet season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 32°C (90°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 12 | 12.2 h | 2/5 |
| October | 31°C (88°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 15 | 11.9 h | 1/5 |
| November | 31°C (88°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 11 | 11.6 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 31°C (88°F) against a yearly 32°C (90°F), and 38 of the year's roughly 84 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 2/5 and hotel prices 2/5 on average.
What's on in the main wet season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- November: Fiestas de Independencia — parades and celebrations around 11 November (usually mid-November)
Good choices for the main wet season
Religious site · El Centro
Church and Cloister of San Pedro Claver
Combine it with the modern art museum on the same square, Plaza de San Pedro Claver.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Gallery · El Centro
Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena
Housed in a former customs warehouse on Plaza de San Pedro Claver, the museum shows 20th-century Colombian art, including Cartagena-born painter Alejandro Obregón and Enrique Grau.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
Museum · El Centro
Palace of the Inquisition
Visit during the midday heat; afterwards rest in the shade of Plaza de Bolívar opposite.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · El Centro
Museo del Oro Zenú
The Banco de la República's small gold museum on Plaza de Bolívar shows gold and ceramic work of the Zenú people, who lived in the plains south of Cartagena and engineered vast drainage canals.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Day trips in the main wet season
- San Basilio de Palenque (About 1.5 hours by road) — Founded by escaped enslaved Africans in the 17th century, Palenque is recognised by UNESCO for its culture and keeps its own Creole language, music and traditions.
- Tierra Bomba (About 15–45 minutes by boat) — The island across the bay has simple beaches, beach clubs facing the Bocagrande skyline and the colonial fort at Bocachica.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the main wet season a good time to visit Cartagena?
It is a trade-off: The rainiest months, with heavy storms that pass quickly; the quietest period apart from the independence festivities in November. The best months overall are February–April.
+What is the weather like in Cartagena in the main wet season?
Highs of up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F), with about 38 rainy days over the season.