Cartagena sits on Colombia’s Caribbean coast at roughly 10 degrees north of the equator, which means temperatures stay around 28 to 32°C all year. What changes between months is not the heat - it is the rain, the sea conditions, and the price of a hotel bed. Understanding this shapes everything about when to go.
The Two Seasons
Dry season (roughly December to April): Little to no rain, calm seas, clear light, and great visibility for snorkelling trips to the Rosario Islands. This is the period most international visitors target, and prices reflect that.
Rainy season (roughly May to November, with September to November wettest): Short, intense afternoon thunderstorms rather than all-day grey skies. Mornings are often clear. Island boat trips become less reliable due to rougher seas. Hotels are cheaper - sometimes significantly so.
In practice, the distinction is softer than a hard on/off switch. June and July often see a brief dry spell within the rainy season (the “veranillo de San Juan”). And even in October, many days in Cartagena are entirely rain-free.
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Month-by-Month Breakdown
January
One of the best months to visit. The dry season is fully established, seas are calm, and the Christmas holiday premium is fading after the first week. The Hay Festival de Cartagena (usually last week of January) draws an international literary crowd and adds cultural programming across the walled city. Accommodation is still in demand but easier to book than December.
Weather: 27–32°C, very little rain. Sea conditions: calm and clear - best snorkelling visibility. Crowds: High in the first two weeks; moderate after January 6 (Epiphany holiday ends domestic tourism rush). Best for: Island trips, beach days, cultural events.
February
The quietest of the dry season months and often the best value. Fewer domestic tourists than January, similar weather, and a slightly cooler evenings (as cool as Cartagena gets). Barranquilla Carnival is in February (or occasionally early March) - day-trip distance from Cartagena if the dates align.
Weather: 27–31°C, dry. Sea: calm. Crowds: Low to moderate. Best for: Budget travellers wanting dry-season weather without peak pricing.
March
Still dry and warm, but humidity starts to build towards the end of the month. The heat is more intense than January or February. Good for beach trips; equally good for walking the walled city (mornings are more comfortable than afternoons).
Weather: 28–33°C, mostly dry with occasional brief showers from late March. Crowds: Moderate. Semana Santa (Holy Week, week before Easter) falls in March or April and brings a surge in domestic visitors - book early if Semana Santa overlaps. Best for: Independent travel, diving, Semana Santa processions (Cartagena’s are colourful).
April
The transition month. Early April is still largely dry; late April sees the first regular afternoon rain. Sea conditions remain generally good. Semana Santa (if it falls in April) makes the first week very busy and expensive.
Weather: 29–33°C, increasingly humid, showers developing in the second half. Crowds: High during Semana Santa, moderate otherwise. Best for: Early-April visits before the rains begin; avoid late April if you want reliable beach weather.
May to August
The rainy season begins in May. Afternoon thunderstorms are common: typically 1 to 3 hours of heavy rain, usually clearing by evening. Mornings and early afternoons are often fine. The sea is rougher, making island excursions more weather-dependent. July and August see a brief dry spell - the “veranillo” - which produces some surprisingly good weeks between the rain. These months offer the lowest hotel prices in Cartagena by a significant margin.
Weather: 28–32°C. Rain: daily in May and June, often easing in July–August. Crowds: Low to moderate. Mostly domestic and regional visitors. Best for: Budget travellers, slow travellers comfortable with occasional rain delays.
September to November
Cartagena’s wettest period. October in particular can see sustained periods of heavy rain, and the sea becomes choppy - Rosario Islands boat trips are more frequently cancelled or rescheduled. The walled city itself is still very functional: restaurants, museums, and nightlife continue regardless. Prices are at their lowest - hotel rates can be 40 to 60 percent below December peak.
Weather: 27–31°C. High rainfall - October averages 150–170mm. Crowds: Low. Quietest period for tourism. Best for: Very budget-conscious travellers, visitors focused on the city rather than beaches.
December
The most expensive month to visit Cartagena. The dry season returns from mid-November, and by December the city is firmly in sun and festive mode. Cartagena’s Independence Day (December 11) marks the start of the holiday season with parades and the beginning of the Film Festival. From December 20 onwards, prices spike, accommodation is scarce, and the walled city is loud, packed, and celebratory.
Weather: 27–32°C, dry. Sea: calm by mid-month. Crowds: Very high from December 20 onwards. Book 2 to 3 months in advance. Best for: Visitors who enjoy festive atmosphere and can book early; Independence Day events; New Year celebrations.
What to Book in Advance
December–January: Book flights 3 to 4 months ahead. Book accommodation 2 to 3 months ahead - especially anything in the walled city or with a rooftop pool.
Semana Santa (March or April): Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead for decent options; walled city hotels sell out first.
February to April: 2 to 4 weeks ahead is usually sufficient for most options.
May to November: Same-week and even same-day availability is common in most categories.
Getting There
Cartagena’s Rafael Núñez International Airport receives direct flights from Bogotá, MedellĂn, Cali, and international connections from Miami, New York (JFK), Toronto, and Panama City. From Bogotá: flights from COP 110,000–200,000 one way; journey time 1 hour. Taxi from the airport to the walled city: COP 25,000–40,000 (use an authorised taxi or app - avoid unmarked vehicles at the airport).