Month guide · Cartagena · Colombia
Cartagena in October
What October is really like in Cartagena: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sgonzalezb, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
October is a month many travellers avoid. Expect average highs of 31°C (88°F), lows of 25°C (77°F), about 15 rainy days and roughly 11.9 hours of daylight. The wettest month, with heavy downpours that can flood streets briefly; quietest month for visitors.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 31°C (88°F) / 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days
- About 15
- Daylight
- About 11.9 hours
- Sea temperature
- 29°C (84°F)
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in October
October is the 10th-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 25°C (77°F). Rain falls on roughly 15 of its 31 days. Compared with September (32°C (90°F)), October is about as warm; by November highs stay near 31°C (88°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 05:50
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 17:44
- Daylight
- About 11.9 hours
- Sea
- 29°C (84°F)
Veranillo (July–August). A drier spell in many years, busy with Colombian school holidays in late June and July; still hot and humid.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 1 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes October one of the better-value months to book.
Events in October
October has no major recurring festival in Cartagena, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in October
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Market · Pie de la Popa
Mercado de Bazurto
Cartagena's sprawling, chaotic main market sells fish, meat, fruit and household goods, with cheap lunch stalls cooking fried fish and stews.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Photo spot
Castle · Tierra Bomba
Fuerte de San Fernando de Bocachica
Combine it with a beach afternoon on Tierra Bomba; arrange your return boat time in advance.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
Experience · Bay of Cartagena
Sunset sail on the bay
Sailboats and catamarans leave the old-town marinas around late afternoon for a cruise round the bay, with views back to the walls, Bocagrande's skyline and the forts as the sun sets.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Couples
- Views
- After dark
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
The sea averages 29°C (84°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Cartagena.
What to pack
For highs near 31°C, lows near 25°C and 15 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Cartagena?
A month many travellers avoid. If your dates are flexible, February–April are better overall. Compare every month.
Cartagena in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Cartagena?
It is a month many travellers avoid. The wettest month, with heavy downpours that can flood streets briefly; quietest month for visitors.
+How warm is Cartagena in October?
Average highs are around 31°C (88°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cartagena in October?
Expect rain on about 15 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.