Something I’ve noticed when people find out that we visited a glacier in Colombia is their surprise that there is snow there! Surprisingly, or maybe not so, Colombia is always thought of as this hot, tropical destination, and it is. But it also has its cold parts! So, is there winter in Colombia?
Is There Winter In Colombia?
Colombia is an equatorial country, meaning it sits on the equator, which is generally characterised by warm, tropical weather. However, Colombia does have colder regions as it has mountains and very high mountains at that!
That being said, Colombia does not experience winters. The weather stays constant (more or less) and is in fact, characterised by the altitude of an area rather than seasons. The altitude will affect whether Colombia experiences a hot or cold climate.
Does Colombia Have Seasons?
Colombia does not have the four typical seasons we experience in Britain: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Instead, it has a dry season and a rainy season, which is typical of tropical countries.
- Dry Season (Summer Season) – December thru March, June – August
- Rainy Season (Winter Season) – April, May, September thru November
You will notice that the seasons are split in half. That’s because Colombia experiences a mini rainy season in the middle of the dry season. Something to do with the change in winds. However, this can be used to our advantage.
Have you ever heard of shoulder months?
Also, something else to know before we dive into the best months to visit Colombia and explain what shoulder months are is that the two coastlines of the Pacific and Caribbean work in reverse, whereby when one is very wet, the other is less so.
When Are The Best Months To Visit Colombia?
Choosing when to visit Colombia depends solely on what you want from your trip. If you’re visiting for hiking trails, then a little bit of rain won’t hurt, but if you prefer lazy beach days, then you want to stay away from visiting during the rainy season.
There are some questions you should ask yourself to determine when’s the best time for your visit.
- Which area do you want to visit?
- What’s your budget for the trip?
- How long will you be going for?
- What activities will you be doing?
- Can you do those activities in the rain?
- Are those activities better if there has been rain? (i.e. waterfalls!)
During the rainy season, you can expect a wet and humid atmosphere. Luckily, you will find that the rainy season doesn’t mean it rains constantly for days straight.
Instead, expect short but heavy bursts towards the afternoon and into the night. Mornings are usually (but not always) sunny! The landscape is lush and tropical and there is a lot of wildlife around.
The dry season is the peak season and when you’ll find more tourists in Colombia. Even though the temperatures are different in each region, typical temps in the Caribbean are 28°C.
Shoulder Months
Colombia does experience shoulder months, which are the months just before the rain starts or the months just before the rain stops. These are some of the best months to visit Colombia, in my opinion!
For example. The end of May to the start of June is a shoulder month. Colombia is just coming out of a rainy few months and heading into the dry season.
You will find that these shoulder months generally see fewer tourists. While tours and accommodations can be more affordable too.
The rainy season is off-season and will always be cheaper than the peak seasons. This goes for wherever you visit in the tropics, including places like Bali!
It is important to know what the climate is like in the area of Colombia you want to visit as well as the season. As this can also impact when you choose to visit and do not always follow the standard rainy or dry seasons
What’s The Climate Like In Colombia?
Since Colombia is a big country that is split between the Andes mountain range, Amazonia, the Caribbean Coast, and the Pacific Coast, it experiences several climatic zones.
We can break it up into 4 regions, and it’s also worth knowing that the climate is very dependent on the altitude of that zone rather than latitude.
Climate By Altitude
What I mean by that is the temperature is regulated by the altitude and not the seasons, as is common in countries north and south of the equator.
The higher you go, the colder it gets, hence why we were able to climb to a glacier, a fantastic landmark in Colombia, aside from the Salt Cathedral. Whereas the closer to sea level you are, the warmer it will be. It’s also worth noting that the Amazon will always be hot and humid. It is a rainforest, after all.
Climate By Region
The four climatic regions of Colombia are broken up below for you.
Guajira Peninsula
The peninsula is located at the northern tip of Colombia and is hot throughout the year. It sees very little rain and so is a rather arid region home to the La Guajira Desert and the Tatacoa Desert (which isn’t actually a desert but rather a dry forest).
Other areas which make up Guajira Peninsula are the National Park of Macuira, which sees a little more rain due to the hills surrounding it and Riohacha. The best time to visit is from December to March.
The Savanna
The areas which encompass the Savana region are along the Caribbean Coast south of the Guajira Peninsula and an area inland known as Los Llanos, large plains and hills to the east of the Andes mountain range.
These areas typically experience both rainy and dry seasons characterised by the prevailing winds. It is hot all year round however, the Caribbean Coast can get more sticky rather than dry.
You will find the popular cities of Cartagena and Barranquilla within the Caribbean area of this region. The best time to visit is from December to April.
You will find Arauca, Puerto Carreno and Las Gaviotas within the Los Llanos area of this region. This area of the Savanna does see more rain however they still have their wet and dry season. The best time to visit is from Mid-December to late February.
The Forest
The Forest region, as expected, is where the main bulk of the Amazon Rainforest can be found but it’s also the region along the Pacific Coast. It has an equatorial climate which means it’s hot and rainy all year long.
Torrential rains in the afternoon and through the night are common with an average yearly rainfall of around 2,000 millimetres. The rains subside slightly from January to March and so this is the best time to visit.
The Andes
Running from the South to the North of Colombia are the Andes Mountains which this region gets its name. It’s worth noting that there is another mountain range to the north which is called the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta – it stands independent from the Andes.
The Andes is split into three mountain ranges known as Cordilleras compromising varying levels of mountains and valleys to peaks over 5,000 meters.
This region, therefore, has differences in climatic weather and microclimates depending on altitude. The Andean region does see abundant rainfall depending on slope exposure however, the valleys will typically see less.
Depending on where you are in this region will change the best time to visit. Typical areas are as follows:
- Bogota – January to February
- Cali – January to February and June – August
- Medellin – December to February
- Popayan – Mid-June to Mid-September
Does It Snow In Colombia?
Since Colombia is located at the equator, it might seem odd that it can have snow, but it does! To reach places where there is snow, you will have to go over 3,500 meters, and even then, it’s not a given.
The snow is found high up in the Andes mountains, where the altitude beats the warmer weather. The city of Popayan sometimes gets snow, and even Bogota has been known to see snow, although it is very rare.
Even so, it’s best to head into the national parks to really experience snow in Colombia!
Where To Find Snow In Colombia?
- Sierra Nevada de El Cocuy.
- Los Parque Nevados including Nevados de Santa Isabel, Tolima, Ruix and Huila
- Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
⭐ Pro tip >> Nevados in Spanish means snow-capped mountains. So, if you’re searching for snow in Colombia, all you have to do is find Nevados in front of the word!
Tours And Excursions To Visit These Snowy Peaks
Winter In Colombia Travel Tips
Colombia Doesn’t Have A Typical Season
Remember it’s an equatorial country and so it doesn’t have changing seasons. There’s no dramatic change in the temperatures of each region.
Remember The Shoulder Months
These secret months will help you visit the country when there are fewer tourists and more affordable prices!
Colombia Has 4 Micro-Climates
Don’t forget the different climatic regions of Colombia when you’re planning your trip!
The Weather Is Consistent
If it’s dry season it will be dry and if it’s wet, then it will be wet. Use all this information to help you plan what to pack for your visit to Colombia!
Rainy Season
Remember this doesn’t mean it’s wet all day, every day. Expect bursts of thunderstorms generally towards the late afternoon and evening.
Low-Season
The rain will always mean a cheaper time to travel. If it doesn’t affect your plans, travel at this time to visit Colombia on a budget! April to June and September to November.
Peak-Season
Holidays are the same as back home. Christmas is crazy busy as well as Easter time and summer holidays. However, if you don’t want rain on your holiday then travel during peak season. It’s normally more expensive but it will be good weather!
Resources For Colombia
Is it your first time visiting Colombia? We’ve written lots of useful posts to help you plan your trip. You can check them all out on our Colombia Page here, but below are some of our most popular articles:
- A complete weather guide to visiting Colombia (so you can plan your perfect trip)
- We love hiking, and if you do too, head to El Cocuy National Park, it’s the best.
- Head to Bogota and check out La Candelaria district for the best breakfast.
- Read this post to find out how to spend the best 4 days in Cartagena.
- A couple of hours outside of Bogota is Villa de Leyva, a charming colonial town!
- To help, here’s our guide to spending 3 days in Villa de Leyva.
- I sailed from Colombia to Panama; find out how here.
Is There winter In Colombia FAQs
Discover frequently asked questions and find your answers related to winter in Colombia!
What Is The Coldest Month In Colombia?
Typically the coldest month in Colombia in January. However, Colombia is an equatorial country which means it does not have seasons. The temperature stays more or less the same throughout the year. The only thing that changes is the amount of rain a region sees.
Is It Good To Visit Colombia In December?
Generally speaking, most areas of Colombia are good to visit in December. Due to the Andes mountain which runs through the middle of Colombia the climate changes depending on altitude. The best places to visit in December are the Guajira Peninsula, the Savanna and the city of Medellin.
It’s also worth knowing that early December in Colombia (more so late November) falls into the shoulder months for some regions. This means that tourism is fewer and tours and accommodation can be found more at affordable prices!
What Is Colombia’s Winter Like?
Colombia is an equatorial country which suggests it has a tropical climate however due to its mountain range which runs through the country it also has 4 micro-climates and can easily see snow in its higher regions. However, there is no winter in Colombia only a rainy season and a wet season. The altitude determines the climate rather than the seasons.
Why Is Bogota So Cold?
Bogota is the capital city of Colombia and is located at a higher altitude than other places in Colombia. It sits at 2,600 meters (8,360 feet) above sea level and since the climate in Colombia is determined by altitude rather than seasons, it generally feels like Autumn, all the time. Another thing that makes Bogota so cold is that it’s rare to have indoor heating so it’s hard to warm up if it is cold!
Are There Hurricanes in Colombia?
Although rare, areas to the far north of Colombia on the Caribbean Coast, such as Barranquilla and on the Guajira Peninsula, do sometimes get hit by the end tail of hurricanes. One area of Colombia that gets hit more often by hurricanes is the San Andres and Providencia islands. However, these are more north of the coast of Nicaragua and not on mainland Colombia.
Is There Winter In Colombia?
Hopefully, by now, you completely understand how the weather works in Colombia, and if someone were to ask you, “Is there winter in Colombia?” You’ll be able to tell them!
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