The climate of Colombia

One of the aspects that surprises travelers who visit Colombia for the first time is the uniformity of its climate throughout the year. The reason is that the country is located in the equatorial zone, so the seasons are not experienced as in most nations of the world and the hours in which the sun rises or falls do not change.

Colombia is a country with enormous diversity in terms of climates, from freezing temperatures to tropical climates. It has two main seasons: a dry one (from December to January and from July to August) and a wet one (from April to May and from October to November). But the above does not mean that the climate in Colombia is the same. In fact, the great topographic variety gives the country a great plurality of landscapes, thermal floors and biodiversity.

Precisely, thanks to this variety, travelers have the opportunity to choose the best time to visit Colombia depending on whether they prefer hot or cold. To be clear about when to go to the country, it is best to find out about the temperatures that you might encounter in order to be prepared for any situation.

What are the climates of Colombia?

• Warm weather: In the areas with this climate, the heat exceeds 24 ° C, as occurs in the Pacific (where you can watch humpback whales) on the Caribbean coast (where the Tayrona National Natural Park is located and where the popular carnival of Barranquilla) and San Andrés (a destination with magnificent beaches for diving and practicing other water sports).

• Temperate climates: The temperature ranges between 17 ° C and 24 ° C in areas such as Cali (home of the famous Cali fair) and in Medellín (where the Flower Fair takes place).

• Cold climates: In areas with this type of climate, the temperature ranges between 12 ° C and 17 ° C. This is the case of Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. A city that fuses tradition and modernity known as the Athens of South America. An essential visit to make in Bogotá is the Gold Museum. It is essential to learn about the ancient pre-Hispanic civilizations or the famous legend of El Dorado.

• We stopped: In these areas, temperatures range between 6 ° C and 12 ° C. This is the case of the Chingaza National Natural Park, a natural treasure located in the Eastern Cordillera in the Andean region in Colombia. Species such as condors, Andean bears and white-tailed deer inhabit here.

• Glacial zones: Temperatures below 6 ° C are experienced here. This is the case in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, located in the north of Colombia on the Caribbean Coast, where you can go hiking.

• Tropical forests: With temperatures that exceed 27 ° C, the tropical forests are humid and hot. Such is the case of the Pacific coast, the Magdalena and Catatumbo basins and the Amazon, the richest and most biodiverse jungle on the planet where you can enjoy exuberant nature. Rain is abundant throughout the year, being the month of March when they reach their maximum value. However, the minimum rainfall falls between June and September. Therefore, due to the lesser amount of rain, the months of July and August are the best time to travel to the Amazon.

• Steppe tropical: It is characterized by its scarce rainfall, high temperatures and its limited vegetation. Two examples are the Candelaria desert in Boyacá or La Guajira, which is characterized by its huge sand dunes and desert landscapes. Here you can visit a ranchería to discover the culture of the Wayuu indigenous people.

• Savannah climate: Present in Orinoquia, Bolívar, North of Huila and the center of the Cauca Valley. It is characterized by a dry and a rainy season, with pasture vegetation.

• Humid rainy weather: Present in Caquetá, Vaupés, part of Antioquia and Córdoba. Lower rainfall, high temperature variation and less dense forest vegetation.

What is the best time to travel to Colombia?

The best time to travel to Colombia depends on the region you want to visit on your vacation. The country has a great topographic diversity that translates into an immense variety of landscapes, biodiversity and climates.

For example, In the Andean regions, the best time to get to know this place is the months of July and August, since during this period there are warm temperatures and little rain., which is ideal for traveling. At this time you will have to include warm clothes in your suitcase (because it gets cool at sunset and nights can be cold). It is also advisable to bring sunscreen, as the altitude of the area can make you burn easily even if the temperature is not very high.

To go to cities located in the surroundings of the Amazon such as Leticia, the best times are the months of July and August because although there are rains, it is also hot all year round on the north coast of the Pacific. To go to the South Pacific coast these months are also the most suitable. Also, June and September are appropriate to visit this area. Between December and April is the best time to visit the Caribbean coast.

If you want to travel to Colombia to enjoy the flowering spectacle, then you have to travel at the beginning of the rainy season because in the end there can be floods in some areas of the country. The exceptions are the region around Bogotá and the Caribbean coast.

Likewise, while planning your trip to Colombia you must remember that the higher the area of ​​the country you go to, the colder those lands will be. For example, mountain peaks are covered in snow at an altitude of 4.500 meters. With all this information about the climate of Colombia, you will be ready to start your adventure in this beautiful South American country.