The Best Times to Visit Colombia
From tropical Amazon jungle to Caribbean beaches, the Andean Mountains and the world's largest bird population (almost 2,000), it's time you visited Colombia, the second-most biodiverse country on the planet after Brazil. Tucked into the northwest corner of South America, its warm and friendly people are more than ready for visitors after its 52-year civil war officially ended in 2016, meaning it is now safe and welcoming to travelers.
TPG himself, Brian Kelly, just visited Colombia, as documented on his new vlog series, Being The Points Guy.
The three major hubs are the Andean capital of Bogotá; Medellín, surrounded by coffee country; and Cartagena de Indias, a beautiful colonial city that fuses laidback Caribbean vibes with a curious array of high-rise contemporary architecture. Colombia's mixed heritage, which includes European, Afro-Colombian and indigenous influences, means you could easily be visiting cities in three different countries.
The Best Times to Visit Colombian Cities
The Best Times to Visit Cartagena
While most of Colombia is located in the northern hemisphere, it doesn't necessarily mean that seasons apply. Sitting on the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena de Indias' weather is hot and very humid all year, with an average temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit. "Dry season, December through April, is high season. And it gets particularly sticky between June and September, which is when many locals escape and the city is a lot quieter," guide Kristy Ellis of Cartagena Connections told The Points Guy. Given that Cartagena is a prime cruise-ship stop-off, expect to find the beautiful, colonial old town to be bustling with visitors at any given moment. The good news is that you're not competing with cruise-ship passengers for hotel rooms.
The Best Times to Visit Bogotá
At around 8,660 feet above sea level, the city of Bogotá can experience a few weather fronts in a single day; its average, year-round, top temperature is 66 degrees Fahrenheit. It cools down to 48 degrees come nightfall, so always go out with a coat. And, while the mountainous city is prone to frequent showers, the least rainy period is between January and March. Given the altitude, accept coca leaf tea when offered, which can help keep altitude sickness at bay.
The Best Times to Visit Medellín
Known as the "City of Eternal Spring" for its mild, year-round temperatures, the peak season in Medellín (whose leafy streets are buoyed by the chubby works of sculptor Fernando Botero) is also between January and March — and when flights and hotel room prices soar. December is low season, though Christmas light excitement might indicate otherwise.
When to Visit Colombia for Events
Cartagena
Every January, Cartagena hosts the Hay Festival, which specializes in literature, a fitting tribute to Nobel prize-winning author Gabriel García Márquez, the famous Colombian son who made the coastal city his home. In the days before Easter, don feathers and an abundance of glitter for the fabulously flamboyant four-day Barranquilla Carnival, a 90-minute drive from Cartagena, which gives Rio a run for its money.
Medellín
Colombia's floral home, every August, Medellín hosts the seven-day Flower Festival, where cultivators parade their petaled beauties through the streets. Should you be visiting over the Christmas vacation, the seasonal lights are a sight for sore eyes.
Bogotá
Culture vultures should make a beeline to the capital in late March for the biannual Ibero-American Theater Festival. The world's largest of its kind, more than 900 productions are shown over the two-week duration. Bogotá is also known for its music fests (Rock in the Park, for example, takes place in Parque Simón Bolívar every summer) and its own Carnival, when revelers dancing to salsa and cumbia rhythms fill its streets.
The Best Times to See Wildlife in Colombia
The Best Time to See Turtles
Turtles head to Bahía Solano on the Pacific Coast to lay eggs September through December, a wonderful close-up of nature that takes places during evenings.
The Best Time to See Birds
Any time is a fantastic opportunity for spotters to spy on some of Colombia's 1,920 bird species, which includes 160 types of hummingbird: 73 of those are considered endemic. Other avi-fauna draws include the Andean cock-of-the-rock, which makes cloud forests its home, and the Amazon-dwelling green-backed trogon.
The Best Time to See Whales
Humpback whales travel 5,500 miles to take up residency off Colombia's Pacific coastline July through December, to mate and calf. It's a wonderful destination for enthusiastic whale watchers.
The Cheapest Times to Visit Colombia
Depending on where you are traveling to in Colombia, flights are usually priciest during peak season. If you need to keep an eye on your budget, wait for off-peak season, which varies between cities and regions.
Easter is a prime vacation time for Colombians, with many taking the entire week off, spelling a brief high season all over the country.
Affordable Airfare
As Cartagena is a tourist magnet all year, it might be cheaper to fly a major airline such as Avianca, Copa (both part of the Star Alliance), or LATAM (part of the OneWorld alliance) to Bogotá, then connect to Cartagena or Medellín with a budget airline such as Viva. The US legacy carriers all have flights to Bogotá, too.
Affordable Hotels
A favorite destination for backpackers as well as cruise-ship passengers, Cartagena offers an array of accommodation to suit all budgets, starting with $5-a-night hammocks on Isla Barú, a 90-minute boat ride, for a legit Robinson Crusoe experience. There's also an array of affordable hostels and hotels in the hip Getsemani neighborhood. While Zona Rosa is the heart and soul of Bogotá's nightlife scene, stay in La Candelaría, the capital's colonial gem of a district, for a variety of budget hotels. As for Medellín, El Poblado neighborhood is the best place to pitch up, thanks to its lively nightlife scene and assortment of accommodation.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.