It’s Spring Break and you really want to take a mid-year escape, and you can’t decide where to hole up by the sea or explore a new country. Whether you want to take a beachside vacation or an urban experience, Colombia is the place for you!
A Piece of Piety
Colombia in March is an interesting time to visit. As much as there is partying, salsa, dancing and fun, Colombia is a country with conservative values. The ‘Semana Santa’, or Holy Week, is a huge event in all corners of the country. There are grand processions and a lot of iconography and celebration, it can be a surreal, interesting, and fun experience!
To find the best place to experience the Holy Week, visit Popayan in the South of the country. Popayan is an example of Spanish Colonial heritage. The plazas are rivalled to European cities, and the whitewashed buildings employ massive European influences. During the Holy Week, those plazas will be covered in ornaments and the cobbled streets are filled with followers observing and celebrating the week from Good Friday to Easter Sunday.
Musical Pilgrimage
Close to Bogota, is the town of Villa de Levya. It is another example of Spanish Colonial history and during the Holy Week, hosts a huge music festival with discussions about traditional and colonial music. You can enjoy the lively music of different parts of Colombia, or you can listen to the ancient music from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.
Bangin’ Barranquilla
Barranquilla is famous for its carnival season! Which bleeds into early March before Ash Wednesday. Barranquilla boasts the largest carnival outside of Brazil. It is a celebration of dance, fare and fun! The streets are lined with flowers, colors, and ornamentation. Be sure to bring your cha-cha heels as you will definitely be breaking some moves or two with in upbeat and vibrat musical celebration!
Hotels in Colombia in March
The majority of March is clear of the peak season in Colombia, so expect lower fares, hotel fees and the absence of minimum night stays. One thing that it worth noting is that the Holy Week is the time when locals tend to be more of the tourists than foreigners would be. People close up shop and travel with their families to the hotspots during this time and will be vacationing and for the most part in the same situation as yourself. It is suggested that you book your reservations in advance.
As the dry season comes to an end, visiting Colombia in February is a popular choice amongst tourists as the weather is still pleasantly reliable. Temperatures remain warm, rainfall remains low and the crowds begin to disperse, meaning the price of your vacation could drop, too.
Colombia is in the northern, southern and western hemispheres, meaning the temperatures are pleasant year-round and dictated mainly by altitude rather than by season.
With coastlines straddling the Pacific ocean and the Caribbean sea and mountainous central regions in the heart of the Andes ranges, February is for many the best time to visit Colombia whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway, or an adventure holiday.
Things to do in Colombia in February
Do not miss the Barranquilla Carnival!
When you’re thinking about places to visit in Colombia, Barranquilla may not be immediately on your radar. Colombia’s principal port and second largest city, Barranquilla is nestled on the Caribbean Coast and is most famous for its annual carnival.
It takes place in the four days leading up to Ash Wednesday each year and is Colombia’s most famous festival – and the country’s biggest street party – attracting over 1.5 million visitors every year. In 2003, UNESCO declared the Carnival of Barranquilla a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity!
A colorful port city on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast, Cartagena is one of the countries most visited destinations. Old town Cartagena is a declared Unesco World Heritage sight, so visitors can expect to soak up the history as well as the sun!
As a coastal colonial city, Cartagena has a lot to offer visitors from beautiful scenery and remarkable restaurants, to colourful architecture and a rich culture and history. This fun and fascinating city boasts a vibrant energy combined with a laid-back charm typical of Caribbean coastal towns. The colourful buildings in this fortified city entice visitors to explore and there is no greater place to do so.
Playa Blanca
Known as one of the best beaches in Cartagena, and its most famous, Playa Blanca is famed for its turquoise, crystal-clear waters and golden sand; a picture-perfect beach if ever you have seen one. Here you can hire jet skis or partake in other watersports, and there are some great snorkeling spots just a few minutes boat ride away.
Playa Blanca is not a relaxing, tranquil beach. It is a busier, more developed one, so come early to avoid the crowds, though they do start to disperse throughout the month of February.
Medellin
Thanks to its low altitude and year-round pleasant weather, Medellin is known as the “City of Eternal Spring”. It has shed its prior image as a place of violence and danger and is now famed for its buzzing drinking and dining scene, its rich culture and history and world-class coffee. All of this set against a mountainous backdrop provided by the Andes ranges, and covered with leafy coffee plantations.
Things to do in Colombia in February
Get a caffeine boost at the National Coffee Park
The National Coffee Park offers an immersive experience into the life and history of coffee, set on 58 hectares of land. The onsite museum walks visitors through the origin and cultivation of coffee, the history and culture of Colombia’s coffee scene, and takes you on a journey from bean to cup. And for the adventurous of you, it also doubles as a theme park with 27 rides on offer, ranging from a peaceful gondola ride to a thrilling roller coaster to knock your socks off.
Visit the national trees of Colombia at the Wax Palms of Cocora Valley
The Wax Palms of Cocora Valley are located in the Los Nevados National Natural Park at the heart of Colombia’s coffee growing region, a vast protected area that’s a hotspot for hiking, trekking and bird watching. The country’s national tree is one of the most iconic sights in Colombia and can be enjoyed during February as the temperate climate is consistent year-round. Expect lower temperatures and prepare for higher altitude as you admire the spindly wax palms and spot rare animals including the Spectacled Bear along the way.
Embrace the adventure in San Gil
February is one of the driest and warmest months of the year in northern Colombia’s San Gil, which is famous for being a thrill-seeking hotspot attracting adrenaline junkies from around the world. Known as Colombia’s adventure capital, some of the top activities include hiking in the Chicamocha National Park, white water rafting in the Rio Fonce and paragliding over the Chicamocha Canyon.
Hotels in Colombia in February
Colombia in February is the start of the low season, as the crowds begin to disperse and head back home. With less tourism comes lower prices, so you can expect to see some great deals on accommodation and airfare, too!
You will often find that hotels offer prices 10-20% below the norm, with many also offering deals such as “stay for 3 nights, pay for 2!” and more.
The exception to this rule is in Barranquilla during the carnival, where you will need to book well in advance to secure your spot as many hotels reach 98% occupancy weeks ahead of the festivities. You can also count on prices hiking up during these few days, and many hotels will have a minimum duration stay.
Need some winter sun? Then consider Colombia in January!
For many travellers, the best time to go on vacation is largely dictated by the weather. Particularly in a country like Colombia where much of the attraction revolves around outdoor activity, we can certainly understand why the weather is such an important factor!
Colombia straddles the northern, southern and western hemispheres, to which it gives thanks for year-round warm temperatures. With coastlines along the Pacific ocean and the Caribbean sea, it is the perfect place to enjoy some winter sun.
With highs of 29.7°C / 85.4°F and an average of 24.5°C / 76.1°F, the temperature in Colombia in January makes for the ideal time to explore this diverse country. Not to mention, it is dry season, too.
The Caribbean coast presents the hottest weather suitable for a beachy vacation, whilst the capital Bogota offers cooler temperatures ideal to use as a base for hiking in the Andes mountain ranges. For something in-between, the region around Medellin has a hint of spring with lovely warm temperatures.
Things to do in Colombia in January
If you are visiting Colombia in January, you’ll be there for party season!
Start the New Year with a bang with street parties, parades and a fun-packed trip filled with festivities by attending one of the annual festivals.
The Cali Fair
This annual traditional Spanish bullfighting festival begins in December in Santiago de Cali, and extends through the New Year to the first few days of January. Once a humble local festival the event is now an annual extravaganza when the streets fill with locals and tourists who come to join in the festivities. Salsa dancing, bullfights and musical performances can be expected at the Cali Fair.
The Black and White Carnival
Celebrated from 2-7 January each year, this 5 day carnival is the largest such celebration in South Colombia and a UNESCO declared Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
The carnival originated when slaves in 1607 started a rebellion against the Spanish Crown to seek a declared “rest day” and took to the streets to perform African street dances to traditional music. Today, it is an exuberant display of bright and bold colours, art and creativity and weird and wonderful costumes, floats and performative art.
The Manizales Fair
This one is for coffee lovers and caffeine addicts! Each year around 6-13 January, the Queen of Coffee hosts the International Coffee Pageant in Colombia’s coffee district, which is without doubt the highlight of the festival. Other traditions include bullfighting displays, sporting activities and arts and crafts to be admired to the soundtrack of traditional folk music and orchestral concerts.
Visit the Caribbean region for sun, sea and sand
Given the warm temperatures and dry climate in January, it is the perfect time to enjoy the best the Caribbean coast has to offer!
Tayrona National Park
The Tayrona National Park is not to be missed during your visit to Colombia in January. The dry, sunny weather makes for a fantastic time to explore all the biodiversity the 30km area has to offer. From snorkeling and swimming in the crystal clear waters, to hiking and trekking through the rainforest, there is plenty to keep you occupied at the park. The golden sand beaches also make for a great place to simply relax and unwind.
Santa Marta
Some of the best beaches in Colombia sit on the tropical Caribbean coast, and the best beach town in Colombia is frequently said to be Santa Marta.
One of the best beaches in the area is Playa Cristal. A quiet beach with calm, gentle waves is a favourite for those looking to relax and take in the tranquil surroundings that the local landscape has to offer. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in Colombia, and has made many top twenty lists for the most beautiful beach in the world.
This is thanks to its mountainous backdrop, coral filled waters and stunning marine life, that can be explored by swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters.
Cartagena
A colorful port city on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast, Cartagena is one of the countries most visited destinations. Old town Cartagena is a declared Unesco World Heritage sight, so visitors can expect to soak up the history as well as the sun!
As a coastal colonial city, Cartagena has a lot to offer visitors from beautiful scenery and remarkable restaurants, to colourful architecture and a rich culture and history. This fun and fascinating city boasts a vibrant energy combined with a laid-back charm typical of Caribbean coastal towns. The colourful buildings in this fortified city entice visitors to explore and there is no greater place to do so.
Barranquilla
When you’re thinking about places to visit in Colombia, Barranquilla may not be immediately on your radar. Colombia’s principal port and second largest city, Barranquilla is nestled on the Caribbean Coast, and as a primarily industrial city it is a less obvious choice for travelers.
As the underdog for your Colombian vacation, it is a cheaper alternative to the likes of Cartagena or Santa Marta, making for less costly transport and budget-friendly accommodation, all the while in close proximity to the true jewels of Colombia.
Get lost in the clouds in Chicaque National Park
Just 30 minutes outside of the Colombian capital is the Chicaque Natural Park, one of the top spots for hiking, birdwatching, horseback riding or just exploring the natural wonders of the Cloud Forest.
January is the height of summer at Chicaque and typically a dry month, so it’s a great time to visit for an adventure undisturbed by the rain and fog. More than 300 species of birds provide the soundtrack to your exploration as they sing in the trees.
Take a trek to the Lost City
This is a hike not for the faint hearted and the weather will certainly dictate the best (or worst!) time to undertake the journey. January and February are the driest months in the Lost City so this is the best time to trek the 42km trail through the jungle, river streams and steep stepping stones. Just remember to pack bug spray – unfortunately, the bugs are not seasonal! See our full guide to the Lost City.
Hotels in Colombia in January
Colombia in January is the peak tourist season, so you can expect bigger crowds and higher prices. If you are visiting Colombia in January, you’ll want to plan in advance and book your accommodation early to secure some of the best deals. Furthermore, during the high season many hotels require a minimum duration stay so you might need to shop around if you only plan on staying in one place for a day or two.
With so much on offer you can choose from budget hotels and hostels, quirky B&Bs and apartments, off-the-beaten-track cabins and villas, luxury all inclusive resorts and upscale hotels and more. There is something to suit all travellers and all budgets, so you won’t be short on options!
For travelers from countries in the Northern Hemisphere it can feel a little out of the ordinary to experience a warm Christmas. Come to Colombia, and that’s just what you will get! With temperatures averaging at a spring-like 23.9°C / 75°F you should not expect a Winter Wonderland at Christmastime.
How long does Christmas last in Colombia?
You may be surprised to find out that in Colombia, Christmas lasts for a whole month! Starting with Dia de las Velitas, or “Day of the Little Candles”, on 7 December, 30 days of festivities follow before the holiday finishes on 6 January with the celebration of the Three Kings.
Unlike in Christian countries where Christmas is celebrated on 25 December, Christmas in Colombia is founded on Catholic traditions and the celebrations are held on 24 December.
In case you’re travelling with the family… Does Colombia believe in Santa?
One unique tradition you’ll want to be aware of for your Colombian Christmas relates to the delivery of gifts. You shouldn’t expect many Santa sightings! Instead, in Colombian culture, it is El Niño Dios (or the Baby Jesus) who delivers presents to children during the night, ready to open under the tree on Christmas morning.
Many Colombians still believe in Santa Claus and his reindeers, soaring the night sky in his sleigh, but most don’t believe he’s responsible for the gifts.
El Niño Dios has the same magical wonder about him as Santa does in Christian countries as he flies through the skies at midnight delivering treats to the well-behaved children of Colombia.
Colombian Christmas traditions
Dia de las Velitas
The Day of the Little Candles is the first day of the celebrations on 7 December. Houses and streets are decorated with candles, lanterns and lights. Huge fireworks displays are held in most major towns and cities, and the streets fill with people who come together to celebrate the start of the holiday season.
Music, dancing and delicious local foods fill the streets for what Colombians call “The Feast of the Immaculate Conception“, and the Christmas season has officially begun.
The most famous Christmas lights in Colombia – and potentially some of the best in the world – are at El Alumbrado, the Christmas Lights Festival held in Medellin each year. The lights tend to go up at the end of November and are lit until the festive season ends on 6 January.
Novenas
Beginning on 16 December, Colombians take part in “Novenas”, a form of worship consisting of special prayers or services on nine successive days, leading right up to Christmas day itself. Throughout the nine days, family, friends and loved ones come together to pray in celebration of the birth of Jesus.
There are often special services where people sing Christmas carols and read verses from the bible, and as per Colombian festivities of any kind, cook delicious local delicacies and share love through food.
On the final day, 24 December, families eat their traditional Christmas dinner before unwrapping the presents left by El Niño Dios during the night.
Cena de Navidad
This is the name of the traditional Colombian Christmas dinner! It typically consists of pork stuffed with rice and peas (or “lechona”), a meat soup known as “Ajiaco Bogotano” and various small finger-food dishes.
Innocent Days
A few days after Christmas, on 28 December, is the “Innocent Days” celebration which is equivalent to the April Fools Day you hear of in many parts of the world. Jokes are told, pranks and played, and mayhem is caused throughout the day, which is intended to commemorate the massacre of male children in Bethlehem when King Herod ordered the execution of male toddlers under 2 years old.
Whilst the history of Innocent Days sounds tragic, the story goes that God interrupted the plan to deceive Herod in order to protect the innocent young children. In honour of this, Colombians use 28 December to playfully deceive with a series of childish pranks and jokes that can be enjoyed by all!
How do you say Merry Christmas in Colombia?
You may be familiar with the world-famous festive song, “Feliz Navidad”. Well, that literally translates to “Merry Christmas” in Spanish!
Where can I spend Christmas in Colombia?
As the whole country celebrates the festive season, there are so many options for places to stay during your Christmas break. It is the highlight of the year for many Colombians and tourists, and with so much to get involved in choosing where to stay could be a tricky decision! The big cities tend to have the most going on, and here are some of the options that prove most popular.
You’ve heard about Medellin’s famous light festival, El Alumbrado (in National Geographic magazines top 10 lights in the world!), and this is the main reason it is considered by many to be the best place to visit in Colombia during your Christmas vacation. In 2019 the festival saw 27 million LED lights be lit alongside various woven artefacts made by a team of more than 200 creatives.
Bogota is a tamer version of Medellin at Christmas. It still offers spectacular light displays but the crowds are much less and the city generally feels a little calmer. For many this could be a benefit and by no means does it mean it’s any less fun!
Cartagena is another popular spot for Christmas in Colombia, and one of the best places to be if you want to spend Christmas by the beach. Every house, shop and building is lit up with stunning bright lights and the bars and clubs invite all to come and dance during the celebrations. There are beaches and boat tours, sea and snorkeling and plenty of fun to be had on the neighbouring islands!
Colombia’s near-equatorial climate means that the country has very little seasons, meaning there is not a huge difference between summer in Colombia and winter in Colombia, and its climate really depends on the altitude of the city. The difference between the climate in Cartagena and the climate in Bogota differs vastly. Cartagena employs a tropical climate around 30 degrees celsius or more all-year round while Bogota’s pre-Andean biome experiences cooler air at an average of 15-20 degrees celsius.
Colombia has the advantage of being a prime visiting destination all year round, but the summer months are when the country’s festival seasons and the special events come to bring Colombia to the limelight. The awesome beaches and waterfalls explode with activity and the time ripe to meet and befriend the hospitable locals.
What months are Summer in Colombia?
While Colombia is not categorized by seasons, Summer would usually be during May to August. These ‘seasons’ are mostly punctuated by how dry or how wet the area is, and these are only determined by altitude and topography, rather than hemispheric identifiers.
What are the hottest months in Colombia?
While this depends on the altitude and topography of the area you want to visit, the hottest months in general terms would be between June to early August.
Hotels in Colombia during the Summer
Colombia’s prime year round climate gives leeway for Colombia to have multiple high seasons a year. During the summer, Mid-June to July would be the typical peak season for tourism, so it is recommended in advance if you are booking then. If you are booking for the advent of summer, It is good to book when you feel comfortable. Colombia is a huge country with a still burgeoning tourism sector, so there is no real shortage of locations to book!
Weather in Colombia in the Summer
Colombia is a jewel of diverse ecosystems. From tropical rainforests, savannahs, steppes, deserts and mountains, there is much to see and even more to experience. With the diversity of locations come the diversity of the climate.
In the Southeast of the country, you will find the rainforest climate of the Amazon to be muggy, warm, teeming with life as well as periodically raining. In the North and the East of the country you will find a savanna climate with grassland and sparse vegetation. You will find this biome hot, but adventurous, with opportunities for shade. In the interior, you will find steppe regions with mild climate and a feeling of sparse vastness. In the Northeastern tip of the country, you will surprisingly find a desert-like climate which will be hot and dry. With all of these said, each area in Colombia has a different culture that surrounds these different climates, and you will be sure to have a rich experience in every part of the country that you go.
Festival Season
Summer is a prime time for festivals. With Independence Day that lines the streets with parades and street events, to the Flower Festival which lines the entire city of Medellin with flowers. Those and everything in between will create a fun and festive atmosphere for you and your family.
Colombia has the great advantage of being isothermal, this means that there is no real change in seasons. This is because of its proximity to the equator, as well as its extremely varied biomes. Although Colombia’s seasons are not very different, the real difference between going to Colombia in the winter as opposed to going in the summer depends on which part of Colombia you would like to visit.
Colombia’s climate and how you would like to spend your winter vacation depends heavily on the altitude on which your destination will be. Though Colombia is a prime visiting destination all year round, there are some tips and tricks on how to gauge your trip to best enjoy either your beachside getaway or your Andean expedition.
Hotels in Colombia during the Winter
Colombia’s varied climate during the winter gives leeway for travelers to tailor their vacation based on places that would be considered ‘low season’ in one place, and ‘peak season’ in another. In major cities and the Caribbean coast, the peak season would mainly be from December to March, as this chronicles what Colombia considers the dry season. What a lot of people do not know (lucky for you adventurers!) is that the Andes experiences a similar dry season, meaning you can split your time between a beach retreat and crisp hike in the picturesque Andes! A rule of thumb is that the temperature differs by around 6 degrees celsius for every 1000 meters of altitude.
Further, while Savanna in the Eastern portion of the country experiences a hot and very dry climate, this is the best time to take a wildlife safari as animals tend to congregate more readily around the few water sources. In comparison, the Amazon rainforest tends to be the wettest during what the rest of the country experiences drier weather. This however, does not mean that the Amazon’s ‘wet season’ necessarily prohibits travel, and that’s the beauty of Colombia. There is no hard wet or dry season, just wetter or drier.
This being said, Colombia is a big country and there is no shortage of accommodation. And because of Colombia’s lack of seasonal climate, the country will always be busy, so luckily, you can book whenever you may please!
Is December a good time to go to Colombia?
December is the time in Colombia where people shut out from work and school and spend more time out with friends, family or just going shopping in preparation for Christmas. This is a great time to make local friends and there are many events in the winter that will allow you to do so. Christmas is a given, but there are carnivals in many cities, most notably the Grand Carnival in Barranquilla begins in late January through to February! This is comparable to the Carnival in Brazil, and goes on for days!
