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Travel Guide · Colombia · Updated August 2026

Best Time to Visit Cartagena: the Month-by-Month Truth

Cartagena is a warm-all-year destination where rainfall, not temperature, decides your best window. The numbers below are real — monthly weather computed from the ERA5 climate archive for Cartagena's exact coordinates — so this page answers the question most guides dodge: which months are actually worth your leave days?

The short answer: aim for January, February, March, skip November if you can, and read the packing notes before you book. The dry season's first and last weeks offer peak weather at below-peak prices.

📊 Cartagena weather, all 12 months (real data)

MonthDay / NightRainTravel score
January33.2° / 24.9°C4mm
98
February32.8° / 25.5°C7mm
99 · best
March33.7° / 25.6°C13mm
94
April32.9° / 25.8°C76mm
91
May31.2° / 26°C183mm
77
June30.1° / 25.4°C203mm
75
July31.3° / 25.8°C139mm
83
August30.3° / 25.3°C193mm
76
September30° / 25.2°C224mm
72
October29.7° / 25.1°C145mm
82
November28.8° / 24.6°C254mm
68 · toughest
December31° / 25.3°C64mm
92
🥷 The verdict: January, February, March are the smart-money months. November scores lowest — humidity peaks with the rains — book air-conditioned stays in the wet months.

🎒 What to pack for Cartagena

Pack light cottons, reef-safe sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and one light rain layer. Comfortable walking shoes beat everything else in your bag.

🗓️ How to plan the days

Give Cartagena 3–5 focused days. Mornings for the headline sights (crowds arrive after 10), afternoons for neighbourhoods, evenings for food. The free RoamWise planner turns this into a full day-by-day itinerary with budgets in your currency — and shows the crowd calendar for Cartagena next to 195+ other destinations.

🥷 Plan Cartagena free — crowd calendar, budget & AI itinerary →

❓ FAQ

What is the best time to visit Cartagena?

January, February, March score highest on our weather-comfort index — daytime around 33.2°C with manageable rainfall. The dry season's first and last weeks offer peak weather at below-peak prices.

Which month should I avoid in Cartagena?

November is the toughest window (28.8°C days, ~254mm rain). Humidity peaks with the rains — book air-conditioned stays in the wet months.

What should I pack for Cartagena?

Pack light cottons, reef-safe sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and one light rain layer.

How many days do I need in Cartagena?

Most travelers are happy with 3–5 focused days; add 2 more if you want day trips around Departamento de Bolívar. The free RoamWise planner builds the day-by-day plan.

Keep exploring

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