Weather in Medellín in December

There are plenty of reasons the Colombian city of Medellín attracts peak visitor numbers in December. First up, while the “City of Eternal Spring" doesn’t experience extreme seasonal changes, this month is drier than most, with mild temperatures setting a pleasant tone for cultural activities, festive events, and wilder adventures in the wider region. For more detail, read on for intel on the weather in Medellín in December, along with suggestions for what do see and do during this high season month.

Is December a good time to visit Medellín?

Given that the weather in Medellín in December is warm, and considerably drier than the preceding months, this can be a great time to visit. Add to those weather conditions the bonus of festive ambience and events, and the month has much to commend it.

If you’re hoping to spend a lot of time outdoors — perhaps enjoying the likes of hiking, para-gliding and horse-riding in the wider region — the reduced rain is a real boon. On average, December sees around 70mm of rainfall, compared with 200mm in October and 180mm in November.

One key factor in deciding whether December is a good time to visit Medellín is the fact this is tourist high season. That’s thanks to the pleasant weather luring lots of visitors from colder climes, while the city’s celebrated Christmas lights (Alumbrados Navideños) also attract tonnes of local visitors.

So, while the city comes alive with lights, events and fun festivities in December, it will be busy and more expensive than other times of the year. 

But back to December. On balance, December is a great month to visit if you prefer drier conditions, enjoy the buzz of bigger crowds, and are prepared to pay peak season prices.

Interested in visiting Medellín? Talk to our local Colombia experts to kick-start creating your dream trip. 

Average temperatures in Medellín in December

Similar to September, October, and November, the weather in Medellín in December means mild-to-warm average temperatures that range between 16°C (61°F) and 27°C (81°F).

For comparison, August is slightly warmer, ranging from 18°C (64°F) at night to 28°C (82°F) during the day. 

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 mentioned above, December is the high season in Medellín. It’s worth noting that the city sees two significant spikes in visitor numbers throughout the year — December and January, and August, when the famous Feria de las Flores (Flower Festival) takes place.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed trip, consider visiting one of Medellín’s low seasons. These run between April and June, and September to November. 

When it comes to visiting Medellín in December, it’s essential to book flights and accommodation as early as possible. That way, you won’t end up being disappointed by missing out on your preferred place to stay or being forced to travel on an unfavourable flight. 

Decided to take a December trip but still not sure where to go? Discover some of the best places to visit in December.

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 back-packing 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 Medellín in December

Visiting Medellín in December offers a vibrant, festive experience. With pleasantly mild weather and overall temperatures averaging 22°C (72°F), this time of year is perfect for exploring the city and escaping the high-season crowds by getting back to nature. 

Read on for some of the best things to see and do in Medellín in December.

Be dazzled by the Alumbrados Navideños

From early December, Medellín is transformed into a colourful, sparkling spectacle courtesy of its celebrated Alumbrados Navideños (Christmas lights).

These adorn streets, parks, and riversides, especially along the Medellín River. 

Take a ride on the Medellín Metrocable

For breath-taking views of the sparkling city and the surrounding mountains, Medellín’s cable car system offers a unique perspective, and access to otherwise hard-to-reach neighborhoods. 

Editor’s tip: combine your Metrocable trip with a visit to Parque Arví, a vast eco-park where you can hike, picnic, and explore pre-Hispanic trails.

Take a walking tour of the city

Spend a day exploring Medellín's historic and cultural sites in the company of a local guide. 

If you love art, be sure to spend time in the Museo de Antioquia and Plaza Botero. The museum houses a large collection of works by the renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero, along with pre-Colombian and contemporary art. 

Outside, Plaza Botero showcases 23 of Botero's larger-than-life bronze sculptures in a pretty park. 

Editor’s tip: take a guided graffiti tour of Comuna 13 to see street art and learn about the neighbourhood's transformation.

Get your adventure on

To escape December’s crowds in the city, find more space and get back to nature in the region around Medellín, where a huge range of outdoor activities awaits.

How about going paragliding to take in breathtaking views of the Andean mountains? Located just outside the city, San Félix and San Pedro are popular launch spots.

Alternatively, go zip-lining through the forests near Medellín, or go white-water rafting and kayaking on rivers near Medellín, such as the Rio Calderas, Rio Verde, and Rio Samana.

Uncover Colombia’s coffee culture

Another interesting way to see beyond the busy city is to visit a local plantation to discover how coffee is made, and enjoy tasting experiences — there’s a reason Colombian coffee is regarded as some of the world’s best.

For example, for insights into coffee production from bean to cup, tour D'arrieros Coffee Farm. It’s just 45 minutes from Medellín.

Editor’s tip: back in the city, coffee addicts won’t want to miss café-hopping around the chic El Poblado neighbourhood.

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

Visit Medellín in different months 

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

• January: falling within the dry high season, January sees warm days, low rainfall and a decrease on December’s crowds.
• February: still warm, and with fewer crowds than the preceding months, February sees a slight increase in rain.
• March: expect more rain as the region transitions to the wet season, with warm daytime temperatures, and pleasantly mild mornings and evenings.
• April: offering lush scenery, this month sees increased rain, relatively few visitors, and warm daytime temperatures.
• May: high season is on the horizon, so visit in May for lower prices, smaller crowds, comfortable temperatures and blooming greenery as a result of the rain.
• June: this month sees the start of the summer high season and heralds warmer temperatures that invite outdoor adventuring during a mini-dry season.
• July: sitting at the height of the dry, summer high season, expect lively festivals, larger crowds and higher costs.
• August: part of the high summer season period, extra crowds visit for the famous flower festival
• September: this month sees Medellín shift back into the wetter season, with a mix of sunny days and increased rainfall in the afternoon.
• October: despite increased rain, the city maintains "Eternal Spring" temperatures. Explore outdoors in the morning and enjoy cultural activities during wetter afternoons.
• November: one of the wettest periods of the year, this shoulder-season month offers small crowds and green scenery.