When to go · Cartagena
Cartagena in December
Great month. Inside Cartagena's best window: Dec–Apr (dry); Jul is drier than the rest of the wet season.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Temperature
- 31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C) / 25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 4
- Crowds
- High
- Colombia overall
- Prices
- High
- Colombia overall
Verdict
Inside Cartagena's best window: Dec–Apr (dry); Jul is drier than the rest of the wet season.
Is another month better than December?
No other month rates higher than December for Cartagena in this guide.
Weather in December
- CartagenaHighs around 31 °C (88 °F), lows around 25 °C (77 °F), rain on about 4 daysHighs around 88 °F (31 °C), lows around 77 °F (25 °C), rain on about 4 days
- Caribbean coast, Colombia · Cartagena, Santa Marta, Tayrona, Palominobest weather
Hot (30–33 °C (86–91 °F)) all year; breezy and dry Dec–Apr; wettest Sep–Nov; Tayrona closes each year for short periods (check dates).Hot (86–91 °F (30–33 °C)) all year; breezy and dry Dec–Apr; wettest Sep–Nov; Tayrona closes each year for short periods (check dates).
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Immaculate Conception (Noche de Velitas 7 Dec) and Christmas big impact
8 Dec and 25 Dec · Colombia
Candle night, lights and holidays until mid-January.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Colombia overall
- High
- Prices · Colombia overall
- High
Colombia overall: Dry season returns; Medellín's Christmas lights; coast sells out.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cartagena, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Great
Jan: Great
Daytime high
Dec: 31 °C (88 °F)88 °F (31 °C)
Jan: 31 °C (88 °F)88 °F (31 °C)
Night low
Dec: 25 °C (77 °F)77 °F (25 °C)
Jan: 24 °C (75 °F)75 °F (24 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 4
Jan: 1 (better)
Crowds
Dec: High
Jan: High
Prices
Dec: High
Jan: High
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Jan: 0
December: Inside Cartagena's best window: Dec–Apr (dry); Jul is drier than the rest of the wet season.
January: Inside Cartagena's best window: Dec–Apr (dry); Jul is drier than the rest of the wet season.
Cartagena: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen