What's the best time to visit Bogota?
The best time to visit Bogota is from December to March, when the dry season brings sunny days and cool nights. This window is perfect for those looking to hike the lush trails of the Andes or dive into the city’s bustling nightlife and cultural festivities.
January, in particular, offers a serene experience as many locals vacation elsewhere, making it a golden opportunity to see a quieter side of Bogota while still enjoying the best of its weather and attractions.
Bogota, the capital of Colombia, is the gateway to the rest of the country and a must-visit destination when you decide to visit South America.
Bogota’s historic center is one of the best in South America, with landmarks such as the Primatial Cathedral and the beautiful neighborhood of La Candelaria. If you prefer nature to cityscapes, then the mountains of the Andes and many green parks are just a short ride away.
Bogota is also a modern city of ten million people, with a lively culinary and music scene. To make the most of this city, you need to time your visit properly. Keep reading to hear about the best time to visit Bogota.
The Overall Best Time to Visit Bogota
Bogota Colombia August 6 The Seventh street in the center of Bogota is full of life and every day there is a an event to celebrate. Shoot on August 6, 2019/Mark Pitt Images/Shutterstock
The best time to visit Bogota is between December and March, which is the city’s dry season and when you’re the most likely to get good weather. This is also the best time to visit the rest of Colombia.
Bogota’s location in the Andes highlands and its subtropical climate means that the city is fairly rainy all year round. December to March are the city’s primary dry season, meaning that cloud coverage decreases to “only” 80% of the time, and there’s only a 24% chance of rain.
January is the least rainy month. The best thing about this weather is that it is the dry season in most of Colombia as well (with the exception of the Amazon). You can expect good weather along the Caribbean coast, high in the Andes, and in other areas of the country.
That makes the December-March dry season the best time to visit Bogota if you are hoping to use it as a base to explore the rest of Colombia.
If you’re hoping to use Bogota as a base for hiking in the Andes mountains around the city, then the best time to visit is from January to March. By January, the trails and roads have dried out from the extensive rainy season, making the infrastructure passable again.
The hills and mountains are still green, so everything is beautiful for your hikes and photos. The dry weather means that the city of Bogota comes alive—locals and tourists find it easier to have fun when it’s not pouring rain on their heads, understandably so.
Bogota’s famous nightlife is in full swing, and the party often spills into the street. Summer is the peak festival season in Bogota, but some events happen during these months as well.
For Christmas, the city turns the center into a spectacular light show, and there are traditional novenas and processions as well. Surprisingly, this is also a good time to visit to beat the crowds, if you time your trip properly.
Visit in January and Bogota will be nearly empty (although the rest of Colombia is at its most crowded). Most locals head to the coast or go on vacation elsewhere, so you’ll have the city to yourself.
Cheapest Time to Visit Bogota
20 July 2018, Bogota, Colombia – the Navy marches at the Colombian Independence Day military parade/James Wagstaff/Shutterstock
The cheapest time to visit Bogota is towards the end of the main rainy season, in November. Surprisingly, you can also save money by visiting at the end of the dry season, towards the end of January and February.
The rainy seasons are when most people avoid Colombia, including Bogota. In Bogota, the rains are so heavy that it’s not worth visiting during this time, even if the savings are at their best.
November is technically the rainy season, but by the end of the month, the rains tend to slow down. November is also one of the least expensive months to visit Bogota. It’s the most affordable month of the year for flights, especially if you are coming from the United States.
During November, you can also save around 20-30% on hotel rooms. Although the dry season is one of the most popular times to visit Colombia, you can actually get good deals when visiting towards the end of this season.
February is the second-most affordable month for flights to Bogota. Hotel deals are also possible during this month, with savings of 25-30%, and even 40% for last-minute deals.
Least Busy Time to Visit Bogota
Mark Pitt Images/Shutterstock
The least busy time to visit Bogota is during the rainy season. However, if you want to experience some local life but avoid the worst of tourist crowds, visit in June-August.
During the rainy seasons of April-May and October-November, most visitors avoid Colombia because the weather is very rainy and humid. In Bogota, the rains are quite heavy during this time. You will have the city to yourself, but it may not be worth it due to the weather.
The city has a second dry season from June to August. Unlike the Caribbean coast, when this season also brings high temperatures and humidity, the temperatures are pleasant even during the summer in Bogota.
While most foreigners avoid Colombia during this time, you can use the time to get to know how the locals live. Summer is the best time of year for festivals in Bogota.
The famous Festivals al Parque, a series of music festivals held for free in the city’s parks, with six events divided by genre, mostly take place in the summer (the only exception is Rock al Parque, which takes place in November). There are plenty of other music and dance events during this time as well.
Worst Time to Visit Bogota
Bogota, Colombia, March 2023, bus station of transmilenio bus/Simlinger/Shtuterstock
The worst time to visit Bogota is during one of the rainy seasons, when the weather makes it nearly impossible to walk around. Bogota has two rainy seasons. April-May is the shorter rainy season, and the rains aren’t as intense.
However, this is also one of the busiest and most expensive times to travel anywhere in Colombia. Most locals take their main vacations around the Easter holidays, which usually fall during these months.
Expect hotel prices to be sky high and lines at restaurants to be fairly long—and the pickpockets to be out in full force. The benefit of traveling during the spring is that this is one of the liveliest times in Bogota.
There are plenty of street festivals around Easter, and you can catch the Semana Santa or Holy Week celebrations. A lot of other cultural events tend to happen in the spring, such as the Bogota book fair. The fall months of September, October, and November are the rainiest.
Expect downpours to be near-daily occurrences. These aren’t refreshing showers but heavy tropical downpours that mean if you go outdoors you are guaranteed to get soaked.
Forget about hiking in the Andes or taking any day trips into nature from the capital—most trails are impassable. If you decide to come take advantage of the lower prices and fewer crowds, then most of your activities will be indoors.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, since Bogota hosts many cultural events in the fall, such as the Bogocine movie festival and other events celebrating movies and theater.
Bogota by Month: Climate & Activities
David Antonio Lopez Moya/Shutterstock
Still unsure about the best time to visit Bogota? Take a look at our summary of the weather and climate by month below:
January
In January, summer temperatures in Bogotá range from 8 to 19°C (46-66°F). January is ideal for exploring the historic La Candelaria neighborhood, visiting the Gold Museum, and attending the Festival de Verano events.
February
Similar to January, February maintains cool temperatures between 9 to 19°C (48-66°F). Visitors can enjoy the street art in the Usaquén district, explore the Botero Museum, and participate in the city’s Carnival celebrations.
March
As fall begins, temperatures range from 9 to 19°C (48-66°F). March is perfect for hiking or taking the cable car to Monserrate, strolling through the Bogotá Botanical Garden, and attending the International Film Festival.
April
Fall temperatures in Bogotá range from 9 to 19°C (48-66°F). It’s an ideal time for exploring the Colombian National Museum, enjoying the local cuisine in La Macarena neighborhood, and participating in Semana Santa (Holy Week) events.
May
May sees temperatures ranging from 9 to 19°C (48-66°F). It’s a great month for visiting the Maloka Interactive Center, exploring the Paloquemao Market, and enjoying cultural events during the Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro.
June
Winter arrives with temperatures between 9 to 18°C (48-64°F). June offers opportunities for exploring the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral, attending the Rock al Parque music festival, and enjoying the city’s vibrant nightlife.
July
July maintains cool temperatures from 9 to 18°C (48-64°F). It’s a popular month for exploring the La Chorrera Waterfall, attending the Bogotá Short Film Festival, and taking cultural tours around the city.
August
Temperatures in August range from 9 to 19°C (48-66°F). It’s an excellent time for hiking in the Chingaza National Natural Park, exploring the street art in the La Concordia neighborhood, and attending the Jazz al Parque festival.
September
As spring begins, temperatures range from 9 to 19°C (48-66°F). September offers a pleasant transition, with opportunities for visiting the Colombian National Observatory, attending the Bogotá International Book Fair, and enjoying outdoor activities.
October
October sees temperatures ranging from 9 to 19°C (48-66°F). It’s a great month for exploring the Andino Shopping Center, attending the Bogotá Fashion Week, and enjoying the city’s diverse culinary scene.
November
Spring temperatures range from 9 to 19°C (48-66°F). November is perfect for visiting the Simon Bolivar Park, exploring the Usme neighborhood, and attending the Bogotá International Film Festival.
December
In December, winter returns to Bogota with temperatures ranging from 8 to 18°C (46-64°F). December brings opportunities for holiday celebrations, exploring the La Calera viewpoint, and enjoying festive events and decorations around the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gary Yim/Shutterstock
Here are some additional questions people have asked about picking the best times to vistit Bogota:
When is the best time of year to travel to Bogota?
The best time of year to visit Bogota is during the dry season of December-March, when you have the highest chance of getting good weather.
What is the hottest month in Bogota?
The hottest month of the year in Bogota is April, but the temperature actually doesn’t fluctuate much throughout the year.
How many days in Bogota is enough?
Two days is enough to see most of what Bogota has to offer but give yourself an extra day if you’re hoping to head into the mountains and need to acclimate.
What months are the rainy season in Colombia?
April-May and September-November are the two rainy seasons in most of Colombia. However, the exact times of the rainy season fluctuate a lot depending on the region you are visiting.
Is Bogota cold all year?
Bogota has cool temperatures throughout the year, usually in the low-mid 60s on the Fahrenheit scale. It’s located in the Andes highlands, and the high altitude keeps the temperatures low.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Bogota?
The best time to visit Bogota is during the dry season, from December to March. You can also visit during the secondary dry season, in July and August. Since Bogota gets very heavy rain, the main factor deciding when to go is the weather since you want to avoid the downpours. Happy travels!