Weather in Cartagena in July

In July, the Colombian city of Cartagena sees moderate visitor numbers as a result of it sitting in the rainy season. But, bearing in mind that the heaviest rain falls in September and October, and temperatures remain warm-to-hot, visiting the city in July means you can explore its UNESCO attractions with the extra space brought by it being a low season for tourism. Read on for detail on the weather in Cartagena in July, along with suggestions for what to see and do. 

Is July a good time to visit Cartagena?

If you enjoy tropical rainy season weather and prefer smaller crowds and lower costs, July is a good time to visit Cartagena.

Characterised by average daytime temperatures of 31°C (88°F), the weather in Cartagena is generally hot and humid. Refreshing rain typically falls in the late afternoon or evening, which takes the edge off the heat.

As a result, you might just find yourself ducking into the nearest bar to shelter and sip a drink before resuming your evening stroll of the city’s historic streets and plazas.

Related, given that July is a low season month, you’ll have more freedom on said streets and plazas, with fewer fellow tourists vying for space.

If that wasn’t enough, July’s bath-warm sea temperatures make it perfect for water-based activities like swimming, snorkelling, and visiting the nearby Rosario Islands. Rain showers certainly don’t have to curtail your enjoyment of Cartagena’s Caribbean coast.

In short, if you pack and plan accordingly — beach and outdoor activities in the morning; and culture in the afternoon — July can be a great month to visit if you’re looking to spend less and enjoy more space.

Keen to visit Cartagena? Talk to our local Colombia experts to kick-start creating your dream trip. 

Average temperatures in Cartagena in July

Thanks to its tropical climate, Cartagena is warm (or hot) around the year, with the weather in Cartagena in July typically seeing a temperature range of 25°C (77°F) at night, rising to 31°C (88°F) during the day.

This range is in line with Cartagena’s temperatures in May and June, though July can see higher levels of heat than those preceding months. 

As highlighted above, July is part of the region’s wet season. As such, it sees an average of 99mm (3.90 inches) of rainfall. 

For context, this is considerably less than October, which sees around 206mm (8.11 inches), and notably more than the 1mm (0.04 inches) experienced during the dry season months of January, February, and March.

Bearing in mind that July’s rainfall tends to come in the form of brief, heavy bursts, if you’re prepared to be flexible with your plans and pack a raincoat, it doesn’t have to hamper your experience.

Editor’s tip: for a bigger picture of the weather, read up on the best time to visit Colombia.

What about the crowds and cost?

As is often the way, as a result of it sitting in the rainy season, July is a low season for tourism in Cartagena, which means crowds are smaller than at other times of the year. 

For context, Cartagena’s tourist high season runs from December to January, with another spike seen around Semana Santa (Easter week). For a balance between moderate rain, and moderate crowds and costs, the February-April and late-November to early-December shoulder seasons come recommended.

But back to July. Corresponding to the city seeing low visitor numbers during this month, costs are lower too, as a result of the reduced demand for flights, accommodation, and tours. 

Still not sure where to go? Discover some of the best places to visit in July.

Unforgettable customisable Colombia itineraries

If you fancy seeing a rewarding range of Colombia, consider taking a trip that’s been curated by a Rough Guides' local expert.

As revealed in our guide to backpacking Colombia, going it alone takes some planning and can present challenges. In contrast, taking the Rough Guides’ route means our experts will take care of planning an unforgettable trip that’s been 100% tailored to your preferences.

Here are a few sample itineraries to spark inspiration:

• Magnificent Colombian Highlights (11 days): from exploring bustling Bogota and charming Cartagena to uncovering the natural wonders of Puerto Narino and Medellín’s vibrant culture, this trip is rich in experiences and magnificent in nature. 
• Fascination Colombia - Medellín and Cartagena (11 days): this immersive two-centre trip will see you divide your time between Medellin and Cartagena, with each base offering opportunities to experience a richness of Colombian culture, from taking authentic cooking classes to exploring the great outdoors on horseback.
• Unforgettable Colombia - cities, coffee, and islands (13 days): encompassing Colombia's three main areas, including the capital, Bogotá, the beautiful colonial town of Villa de Leyva, and Cartagena, this diverse trip will see you uncover coffee culture in lush hillsides and valleys before blissing out on the idyllic Islas del Rosario.

What to do and see in Cartagena in July

Given the likelihood of rain — especially in the late afternoon and evenings — our main tip for visiting Cartagena in July is to be flexible, and to plan outdoor activities for the morning, and cultural experiences in the afternoons and evenings.

Here are a few suggestions of things to do and see in Cartagena in July.

Tour the Walled City

No visit to Cartagena would be complete without exploring its UNESCO World Heritage Site Walled City and Old Town. 

This is, quite simply, a must-do no matter when you visit, with July having the bonus of such sites being less over-run with tourists. 

Alongside taking in the district’s colourful colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and pretty plazas, spend time digging deeper into San Felipe de Barajas Castle, the Palace of the Inquisition, and Santo Domingo Church.

Editor’s tip: cap off a captivating day with a sun-downer and meal at Café del Mar.

Uncover colourful local culture

To experience a literal and metaphoric flavour of the city, head to the colourful Getsemaní district to soak up local culture, cuisine, and street art.

The area has plenty of bars and cafés to shelter in when showers strike. After dark, it’s a wonderful place to eat, drink, and make merry, with street performers doing their thing on Plaza de la Trinidad.

We also recommend making a beeline for Bazurto Market. Alongside the countless stalls selling fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafood, you can also pick up handmade crafts and jewellery here. And all to the tune of traditional champeta and vallenato music.

Editor’s tip: book a guided tour of the market, or a food-themed walking tour of the wider city, to savour regional specialties like arepas and ceviche at their best.

Explore the idyllic Rosario Islands

The divinely warm waters around the beautiful Rosario Islands are blessed with incredible marine life and coral, while Playa Blanca is the perfect place to stretch out on, or else rent a kayak from if you’re feeling energetic. 

Given that booking a boat excursion to them is one of the most popular trips to take from Cartagena, if you visit in July you’ll get to snorkel, swim, and soak up the sublime scenery in a more idyllic, crowd-free style.

Editor’s tip: if you love being on the water — and love wildlife and nature — take a canoe tour of La Boquilla’s mangrove forests.

Visit museums and galleries

If your plans to hit the beach are curtailed by a spot of rain, simply switch things up and spend time in Cartagena’s fascinating museums and galleries.

While these draw big crowds during the high season, July’s low season status means you can explore them at your own pace, with more space.

Take your pick from the Museo del Oro Zenú (Gold Museum), or the Caribbean Naval Museum. If you love art, head to the Museum of Modern Art) to see contemporary and modern works created by Colombian and Latin American artists. 

Discover Afro-Colombian history in San Basilio de Palenque

Founded by escaped enslaved people in the 17th century, the village of San Basilio de Palenque has UNESCO World Heritage site status as a result of its cultural significance. 

Take a tour to learn about Afro-Colombian history, and enjoy traditional music and local cuisine in the first free African settlement in the Americas.

Still, making up your mind? Read up on the best things to do in Colombia, and get the Rough Guide to Colombia.

Visit Cartagena in different months

To be better informed before booking your trip, find out what to expect from the weather in Cartagena around the year.

• January: expect hot, dry weather and average temperatures of 31°C (88°F) in this peak season month.
• February: similar to January, shoulder-season February sees hot, dry conditions with temperatures averaging 31°C (88°F), and fewer tourists than January.
• March: the heat continues as the dry season transitions towards more humid conditions later in the month — still ideal for hitting the beach.
• April: this marks the start of the wet season, with increased humidity, occasional showers and fewer visitors as the shoulder season shifts to low season.
• May: expect more frequent rain showers as the wet season progresses, while temperatures remain warm, averaging around 31°C (88°F).
• June: the wet season continues with regular rain in this low season month, though there are still plenty of sunny intervals. 
• August: another mix of rain, and hot, sunny days. Expect visitor numbers to remain low, and look to mix the beach with indoor cultural activities.
• September: this low season month sees the city enter the peak of the wet season, but it remains hot.
• October: this is usually the wettest month, so expect significant rainfall and prepare to be flexible with your travel plans.
• November: the rain starts to decrease during November as the region shifts back to the dry season, with visitor numbers increasing as the month wears on.
• December: the dry season begins with less rainfall and more sunny days. Temperatures average around 31°C (88°F), making it a popular time for visitors.