When to go · Cartagena
Cartagena in May
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Dec–Apr (dry); Jul is drier than the rest of the wet season). Across Colombia: Wet in Bogotá and Medellín; mudslide risk on roads.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C) / 26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 10
- Crowds
- Low
- Colombia overall
- Prices
- Low
- Colombia overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Dec–Apr (dry); Jul is drier than the rest of the wet season). Across Colombia: Wet in Bogotá and Medellín; mudslide risk on roads.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- JulyGreatInside Cartagena's best window: Dec–Apr (dry); Jul is drier than the rest of the wet season.
- DecemberGreatInside Cartagena's best window: Dec–Apr (dry); Jul is drier than the rest of the wet season.
- JanuaryGreatInside Cartagena's best window: Dec–Apr (dry); Jul is drier than the rest of the wet season.
- FebruaryGreatInside Cartagena's best window: Dec–Apr (dry); Jul is drier than the rest of the wet season.
Weather in May
- CartagenaHighs around 32 °C (90 °F), lows around 26 °C (79 °F), rain on about 10 daysHighs around 90 °F (32 °C), lows around 79 °F (26 °C), rain on about 10 days
- Caribbean coast, Colombia · Cartagena, Santa Marta, Tayrona, Palominofine
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).
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Colombia overall
- Low
- Prices · Colombia overall
- Low
Colombia overall: Wet in Bogotá and Medellín; mudslide risk on roads.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cartagena, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 32 °C (90 °F)90 °F (32 °C)
Jan: 31 °C (88 °F)88 °F (31 °C)
Night low
May: 26 °C (79 °F)79 °F (26 °C)
Jan: 24 °C (75 °F)75 °F (24 °C)
Rain days
May: 10
Jan: 1 (better)
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: High
Prices
May: Low
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 0
May: Outside the best window (Dec–Apr (dry); Jul is drier than the rest of the wet season). Across Colombia: Wet in Bogotá and Medellín; mudslide risk on roads.
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
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast