What's the best time to visit Medellin?
The best time to visit Medellín is between December and March, when the weather is ideal for exploring. For cultural enthusiasts, summer months are vibrant with festivals like the International Tango Festival and the Flower Festival in August. Despite its tropical climate, Medellín’s location ensures mild temperatures and a mix of dry and rainy seasons throughout the year.
The Colombian city of Medellin, nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring by locals, is a popular place to visit for tourists to the country—and for digital nomads to stay long-term.
Medellin is nestled in a valley of the Andes Mountains, which means that if you want to visit the mountains, they are an easy cable car ride away. In the city proper, check out the many museums, as well as the open-air museum of Botero Plaza, honoring Fernando Botero.
After dark, Medellin becomes a vibrant nightlife destination, with plenty of salsa clubs, bars, and late-night eateries. This cultural life is a big reason why the city attracts so many Western visitors and expats (if you go at the right time, that is). We’ll show you this and more below.
The Overall Best Time to Visit Medellin
MEDELLÍN COLOMBIA, August 09 of 2015 a Woman carrying a Silleta in the silleteros Parade/Orchid Photho/Shutterstock
The best time to visit Medellin is from December to March, when you are guaranteed to have the best weather. If your main goal is to catch festivals and nightlife, then visit during the summer.
Medellin is a tropical city, which means that it gets a lot of rain. Unlike many other places with tropical climates, its temperatures are mild even during the hottest months thanks to its location in the mountains (that is where the nickname “City of Eternal Spring” comes from).
Since the city is located close to the equator, that means that temperatures are consistently warm all year round, without much variation between seasons. High temperatures are usually in the low 80s, even during cooler months, although evenings can be colder.
The seasons differ the most by the amount of precipitation. The least rainy months are December, January, and February, forming the city’s dry season. March is also part of the dry season—although slightly rainier than the previous months, it is still relatively dry.
However, in Medellin, the term “dry season” is fairly relative. Expect showers any time of year that you visit. The relatively clear skies of the dry season make this the perfect time to visit Medellin if you were hoping to use it as a base for some outdoor adventures.
The nature around the city is truly spectacular, and you can take day trips to surrounding natural areas such as the mountain of El Penol in nearby Guatape or a visit to a nearby coffee farm.
The roads are passable since there is no mud, and the weather is perfect for exploring. If your traveling style is more visiting clubs and festivals than hiking up a mountain, then summer is a better time for you to visit.
Summers in Medellin can get humid and rainy, but the temperatures aren’t overwhelmingly hot. More importantly, summer is the peak of Medellin’s cultural calendar. The city’s most famous events take place between June and August.
Some popular events include:
- International Tango Festival (June)
- Salsa Fest Medellin (June)
- Colombiamoda, the country’s fashion week (July)
- Medellin Pride (June-July)
The granddaddy of Medellin’s festivals is the Flower Festival, one of the most popular festivals and when the city gets packed with tourists. Celebrating the thousands of flower species that call Colombia home, the festival lasts for ten days in August.
During that time, the city is covered in stunning flower arrangements. The main event is the Desfile de Silleteros, a parade of people covered in flowers.
Cheapest Time to Visit Medellin
hillsn_1992/Shutterstock
The cheapest times to visit Medellin are from late April until May and then again in the autumn, which are Medellin’s low seasons. Medellin has two rainy seasons, one in the late spring and one in the fall.
During this time, visitors tend to avoid the city since it’s difficult to go exploring in a downpour. In the spring, Holy Week and Easter are major holidays.
The exact date changes every year, but it usually falls between late March and mid-April. This is a fairly busy time in Colombia since many people are traveling to be with their families. Once Easter is over, many airlines offer travel deals, making spring an affordable time to visit.
Plus, many hotels have discounts up to 30% off. Autumn is another time when you can save a lot of money on visiting Medellin.
September and October are the months of the year when you can find the best flight deals, especially if you are coming from the United States. Many hotels also offer discounted rates during this time.
Least Busy Time to Visit Medellin
Medellín, Antioquia / Colombia – 04.03.2018 Plaza Botero and the Botero sculture/Antoine Barthelemy/Shutterstock
The least busy time to visit Medellin is during the rainy season months of April to May and September to November. Spring can get a bit crowded at the beginning of the season due to holidays.
Easter and Semana Santa tend to be popular traveling times in Colombia, while Medellin is becoming an increasingly popular destination for spring breakers in March and early April. However, once these travel periods end, you’ll likely have the city to yourself.
May is one of the rainiest months in Medellin, and the bad weather chases many people away. If you do brave the rains, you’ll be able to catch cultural festivals that are more local-oriented than the ones during peak season, such as Expoartesano in April, an exhibition by local artists and artisans.
Autumn marks the start of Medellin’s second rainy season—October is also one of the rainiest months of the year. There are no major holidays in the fall, so there are even fewer crowds than in the spring.
This is a great season to check out some of Medellin’s indoor attractions, such as shopping malls and museums. The autumn also brings festivals of important music genres to Medellin, such as Altavoz, a diverse music festival held in October, and the Festival de la Salsa Romantica, held in November.
Your fellow guests at these events will be mostly locals, not tourists. A little rain isn’t enough to stop Colombians from enjoying music.
Worst Time to Visit Medellin
Exclamation Media LLC/Shutterstock
The worst time to visit Medellin is during one of the rainy seasons, when the showers can truly get unbearable, but a savvy visitor can have a good time even then.
Medellin is a rainy city all year round, but it intensifies during the spring and autumn rainy seasons. You can expect near-daily torrential downpours.
This makes it difficult to walk around the city, and even more impossible to go on day trips to surrounding areas, as rural roads in Colombia tend to descend into mud around the rainy season. However, the rainy season doesn’t mean that it rains all day.
Usually, the city experiences a brief but intense afternoon shower that lasts a few hours at most. If you watch the forecast carefully and plan most of your activities for the morning, you can still walk around the city during this time.
This is also a good time to explore some of the city’s indoor attractions, such as museums and movie theaters. Medellin also boasts some modern shopping malls popular with locals and expats.
Medellin by Month: Climate & Activities
City train pictured running on the outskirts of town for a guide to the best time to visit Medellin/Bruno M Photographie/Shutterstock
Still unsure about the best time to visit Medellin? Take a look at our summary of the weather and climate by month below:
January
January in Medellín, with temperatures typically between 64 to 82°F (18 to 28°C), is lively and festive. This month is perfect for exploring the city’s innovative public spaces like Plaza Botero, enjoying the local cuisine in the El Poblado district, and experiencing the Feria de Manizales nearby, known for its coffee and cultural festivities.
February
February continues with pleasant weather, ideal for visiting the famous Museo de Antioquia, exploring the lush Arví Park by taking the scenic metro cable, and enjoying the vibrant nightlife in areas like Parque Lleras.
March
As the city blooms in March, with temperatures from 64 to 82°F (18 to 28°C), enjoy wandering through the Jardín Botánico, experiencing the local art scene in the Comuna 13 neighborhood, and taking day trips to nearby coffee plantations.
April
April’s mild weather, with temperatures between 63 to 81°F (17 to 27°C), invites you to the Festival of the Flowers, exploring the interactive Parque Explora, and taking leisurely strolls in the Parque de los Pies Descalzos.
May
May brings warmer days, from 63 to 81°F (17 to 27°C), perfect for exploring the city’s innovative public transport system, including the Metrocable and tram, visiting the Santa Elena region, and enjoying the city’s many outdoor cafes and restaurants.
June
June, ushering in slightly cooler weather with temperatures between 62 to 80°F (17 to 27°C), is ideal for attending the Medellín Book Fair, exploring the vibrant street art, and enjoying the city’s green spaces like the Parque Norte.
July
July’s pleasant climate, ranging from 63 to 80°F (17 to 27°C), is all about exploring the historic Pueblito Paisa, enjoying the cultural events and concerts, and visiting the interactive Museo del Agua.
August
In August, with temperatures of 63 to 80°F (17 to 27°C), don’t miss the world-famous Feria de las Flores (Flower Festival), a celebration of Medellín’s flower-growing heritage, complete with colorful parades and live music events.
September
Welcoming spring, September, with temperatures from 62 to 80°F (17 to 27°C), is perfect for visiting the tranquil Parque Arví, exploring the modern Medellín Museum of Modern Art (MAMM), and experiencing the vibrant local markets.
October
October’s cooler days, from 61 to 78°F (16 to 26°C), are ideal for taking a historical tour of Medellín, visiting the iconic El Castillo Museum, and enjoying the gastronomic delights in the El Poblado district.
November
November, as the rainy season begins, temperatures from 62 to 79°F (17 to 26°C), is a time for indoor attractions like the interactive Planetario de Medellín, enjoying the local theater productions, and experiencing the nightlife in Laureles.
December
December brings festive cheer, with temperatures ranging from 63 to 81°F (17 to 27°C). Enjoy the city’s spectacular Christmas lights (Alumbrados Navideños), celebrate the holiday season with lively festivals and events, and ring in the New Year with vibrant celebrations throughout the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Medellin, Antioquia. Colombia – January 26, 2023. Metro system with a long route of 26 km with 21 stations and a total duration of 40 minutes/Luis Echeverri Urrea/Shutterstock
Here are some of the most common questions people have asked to pick the best time to travel to Medellin:
Is there a rainy season in Medellin?
Medellin has two rainy seasons, one in the spring (April-May) and one in the autumn (September-November).
What are the hottest months in Medellin?
June, July, and August are the hottest months in Medellin, but only by a few degrees. Temperatures are consistently warm and pleasant throughout the year.
What is the best month to go to Medellin Colombia?
The best month to go to Medellin is January, which has great weather, a lull in the number of tourists, and local festivals such as the annual bullfighting festival.
What is the rainiest month in Medellin Colombia?
May is the rainiest month in Medellin, with October following closely behind. Expect near-daily showers if you are visiting during those months.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Medellin?
The best time to visit Medellin depends on what you want to do. Lovers of outdoor activities will want to visit between December and March, when the weather is best. Lovers of nightlife and culture should come between June and August, which is peak festival season.