Climate
The best time to visit the North (Caribbean) coast is during the dry season which lasts from December to March, when temperatures reach 30oC. Anywhere over 2000m altitude - this includes Bogotá – has a spring-like climate and can be chilly at night. The Amazon region enjoys a climate typical of the jungle at these latitudes – hot and humid all year round.
Below are two graphs showing average 24-hour temperature and rainfall for Bogotá, Cartagena, Medellin and London for comparison.
Average 24-hour Temperature (in oC)
Average Rainfall (in mm)
Festivals & Holidays
Most festivals are related to the Catholic calendar or historical events and involve a lot of dancing, salsa music and drinking. They are especially vibrant on the Caribbean coast where the culture is a mix of Latin and black Caribbean. New Year’s Eve is fun in Cartagena, when the whole walled city celebrates with a huge party, makeshift bars spilling out into the streets.
Currency
The local currency is the Colombian Peso. Current exchange rates are available via Google currency conversion or the OANDA currency converter. It’s not advisable to try to acquire Latin American currency before travelling, if a currency is available in high street banks or exchange outlets the exchange rate is usually very poor. You can change US dollar cash or travellers checks locally and obtain cash advances via ATMs in most towns and cities. We’d advise that you tell your bank you intend to use your card abroad before you set off.
Visas
British citizens can find up-to-date information on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website. Citizens of other countries should consult their embassy before travel.
Vaccinations
We recommend that you always check with your own travel clinic or health professional before you travel, for advice specific to your requirements. The NHS Fit For Travel website contains for up-to-date health advice and lists the common vaccinations for travellers to Colombia.