When Is The Best Time To Go To Cartagena Colombia?
Planning Your Trip To Cartagena, Colombia And Wondering When Is The Best Time To Go To This Caribbean Coastal City?
When I was living in Colombia I got the chance to travel around to nearly the entire country (more than 20 locations), and although I traveled on the weekends, holidays, or whenever I didn’t have to work, I found that for some locations (like Cartagena) there can be a better time to visit depending on the weather, the crowds, or the prices.
🇨🇴 When Is The Best Time To Go To Cartagena, Colombia?
Although Cartagena wasn’t my personal favorite place to visit in Colombia (I just think there are so many other great destinations around the country), it is a very popular tourist destination so it can definitely be worth visiting if you’re looking for a beach, islandy, party, and little bit of history kind of trip.
It is located on the northernmost coast of Colombia so a flight is necessary from other Colombia destinations (unless you’re coming in on a cruise ship), but it can be a good last stop on your way back home.
The Best Time To Visit Cartagena For The Weather
Since Cartagena, Colombia is a very outdoorsy kind of place to visit, the weather plays a big factor in determining when the best time to visit is.
Most of the activities in Cartagena will take place outdoors or in the water, so you want nice and sunny weather. Luckily Cartagena is a very warm destination year-round so no matter what month you visit, it will be hot.
Colombia has a lot rain and Cartagena is no different during certain times of the year. The summer and fall seasons have the highest average number of rainy days (up to 11 a month) which can also make Cartagena a lot more humid.
➡️ So, the best time to go to Cartagena, Colombia for good weather is during the winter or spring seasons when there’s less rain, but it’s still nice and hot out (although getting around the city by walking can be exhausting).
Best Time For Crowds
Unfortunately because the weather is warm and sunny year-round, and cruise ships never stop docking in Cartagena, no matter what time you go to this coastal city in Colombia it’s almost always busy.
➡️ To find a very slightly less busy Cartagena than normal, it can be better to travel here during the weekdays in the late spring and late fall seasons.
Although many travelers like to visit Cartagena when there are lots of crowds because they want to experience the lively party and nightclub-type activities. That’s not my kind of thing, but if you want that, visiting on the weekends during holidays or the busier summer and winter seasons will be better.
Best Time To Visit Cartagena For Prices
➡️ Because it’s the rainier season in Cartagena, Colombia, the best time to go to get better deals and cheaper prices all around is during the fall season (August through November, outside of any holidays).
Cartagena is not the cheapest place to visit in Colombia anyway, but compared to the US or Europe, it’s a much cheaper beach destination.
*️⃣ Because so many tourists visit Cartagena, the street vendors can be relentless here so just be prepared for a lot of nagging and potentially even some vendors following you to try and get you to buy their stuff
📆 How Many Days Do You Need In Cartagena?
Cartagena wasn’t my favorite place to visit in Colombia, but I think it can still be worth a short trip to see some of the history, beautiful architecture, and pretty beaches (Playa Blanca is the closest white sandy beach).
➡️ If you’re more into the nature, historical, and cultural side of Colombia like me, then I think Cartagena can easily be visited in two to three days to see the old walled city area (the best area to stay in Cartagena), spend the day at the beach, or go on a few guided tours.
➡️ If you like the party/nightclub scene of Cartagena, then you might want a few extra days to still explore Cartagena but also spend the weekend doing those activities.
🔁 Sum Up: Best Time To Go To Cartagena, Colombia
The best time to go to Cartagena, Colombia for nice, warm, and sunny weather is during the winter and spring seasons (which is great for all the outdoor and water activities), but these can also be the busier seasons (although Cartagena is almost always busy), which might be good for those looking for the lively, nightclub type of trip. If you want to visit Cartagena with the least possible amount of crowds and have the lowest prices, then fall will be the best season to visit, although rain is more likely at this time.
