The best time to travel through Colombia

Short answer

December to March and July to August are usually the drier periods.

They are useful starting points, not guarantees. Colombia’s tropical location and mountain geography create local weather changes, and Bogotá generally feels much cooler than Medellín or Guatapé.

By stage

Pack for several climates, not one country.

• Guatapé and Medellín: warm days, cooler evenings and possible short showers.
• Manizales and the coffee region: mild temperatures, humidity and changing mountain weather.
• Armenia, Salento and Filandia: tropical vegetation, rain and cooler air at higher points.
• Bogotá and Zipaquirá: cooler days and noticeably colder evenings because of the altitude.

What to pack

Layers solve more than a heavy coat.

Bring a light waterproof layer, comfortable shoes with grip, sun protection and clothing that can be added or removed through the day. A small umbrella is useful, but it should not replace a rain jacket during walking visits.