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Weather in Cartagena
Candy-coloured colonial city on the Caribbean
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About Cartagena
Cartagena is the most beautiful city in South America. The old walled city — a UNESCO World Heritage site — is a photogenic labyrinth of balconied colonial buildings in bougainvillea-draped candy colours. Gabriel Garcia Marquez called it home.
Best months to visit
January, February, December
Things to do in Cartagena
Walled city wandering
Islas del Rosario snorkelling
Sunset on the walls
Castle San Felipe
Getsemani neighbourhood
Caribbean boat trip
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
Recommended
January
32C
Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
February
32C
Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.
March
33C
Hot and humid, with occasional showers.
April
32C
Hot and humid, with some rainy days.
May
31C
Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.
June
30C
Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.
July
31C
Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.
August
30C
Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.
September
30C
Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.
October
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
November
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
Recommended
December
31C
Hot and humid, with occasional showers.
Cartagena de Indias is one of the New World's great baroque cities — its perfectly preserved colonial old town of pastel mansions, bougainvillea-draped balconies, and horse-drawn carriages on cobblestones has a dreamlike quality that makes Gabriel García Márquez's magical realism feel less like fiction and more like reasonable reportage. The Caribbean just beyond the city walls sparkles appropriately, the cumbia fills the plazas at night, and the local seafood is exceptional. It's the most seductive city in South America.
Best areas to stay in Cartagena
Ciudad Amurallada (Walled City)
The UNESCO-listed colonial heart of Cartagena — pastel palaces, bougainvillea balconies, the Cathedral, and the Plaza de Bolívar forming one of the Americas' most beautiful historic districts.
Getsemaní
The neighbourhood immediately outside the walls — hip bars, street art, excellent restaurants, and an increasingly fashionable atmosphere without old city prices.
Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
The most impressive Spanish colonial fortification in the Americas — a vast 17th-century hilltop fortress with labyrinthine tunnels and exceptional views over the bay.
Islas del Rosario
An archipelago of 30 coral islands 45 minutes by boat — excellent snorkelling, white sand beaches, and a Caribbean escape from the city heat.
Getting to Cartagena
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Flights
Fly from London to Cartagena (CTG) via Bogotá (BOG) with Avianca or via Miami, Madrid, or other hubs — there are no direct UK flights to Cartagena.
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From London
~14–16 hours total journey time from London
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Getting around
The walled city is best explored on foot; taxis and Uber are available throughout the city and surroundings. Horse-drawn carriages offer memorable evening tours of the old town streets.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Cartagena?
December to April is the dry season — warm, bright, and the most popular time for visitors. May to November brings rain but also greener landscapes and fewer tourists. The city is hot year-round (28–32°C) so heat is always a factor.
Is Cartagena safe for tourists?
The walled old city (Ciudad Amurallada) and Getsemaní are generally safe for tourists, though Getsemaní requires more awareness at night. Cartagena has improved significantly in safety in recent years and is considered one of Colombia's safest tourist destinations.
Do I need a visa for Colombia?
UK passport holders do not need a visa for Colombia for stays up to 90 days. Ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay and register your entry into the country.
Can I visit the Rosario Islands from Cartagena?
Yes — boat trips to the Rosario Archipelago (Islas del Rosario) operate daily from Cartagena's Muelle de la Bodeguita. The islands offer excellent snorkelling and coral reef diving in Caribbean waters, though the most famous beaches can be crowded.
What is the best neighbourhood in Cartagena to stay in?
The old city (Ciudad Amurallada) is the most atmospheric — colonial hotels and boutique posadas within the walls. Getsemaní is more youthful and affordable with excellent street art and restaurants. Bocagrande is the modern beach suburb.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Cartagena is the most romantic city I've ever visited — strolling the flower-draped streets of the old town at golden hour, cocktails on a rooftop terrace overlooking the bay, cumbia music in a Getsemaní bar until midnight. Absolutely magical.
Isabella P. · March 2024
★★★★★
The colonial architecture is stunning and the Castillo de San Felipe is genuinely impressive — one of the great Spanish military constructions of the Americas. The coastal snorkelling at the Rosario Islands was beautiful and very affordable.
Nathan G. · January 2023
★★★★☆
Very hot even in December but Cartagena compensates with extraordinary beauty. The food scene is excellent — fresh ceviche and lobster rice at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the old city wall was a meal I won't quickly forget.
Amy R. · December 2024
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