Colombia in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Colombia

28°C (82°F) High Temp

16°C (61°F) Low Temp

45mm (1.8 inches) Rainfall

65% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect dry season weather with minimal rainfall - only 45mm (1.8 inches) total and clearest skies for mountain views and photography
Peak whale watching season on Pacific Coast - humpback whales migrate through December with 90% sighting success rates
Optimal hiking conditions in coffee region and national parks - trails are dry, temperatures comfortable at 22-26°C (72-79°F) at altitude
Christmas markets and Día de las Velitas (December 7) create magical atmosphere with candle-lit streets and extended shopping hours until midnight

Considerations

Peak tourist season means accommodation prices increase 40-60% and popular destinations like Tayrona require booking 6-8 weeks ahead
Intense UV levels (index 11) at high altitudes require constant sun protection and can cause severe burns within 15 minutes of exposure
Caribbean coast experiences occasional norte winds bringing choppy seas and cancelled boat tours to islands like Rosario

Best Activities in December

Coffee Triangle Hiking and Farm Tours

December's dry weather creates perfect conditions for hiking Valle de Cocora's wax palm trails (5-6 hours, 12km/7.5 miles) and visiting working coffee fincas during harvest season. Temperatures stay comfortable at 22-26°C (72-79°F) with minimal mud on mountain paths. This is peak coffee harvest time, so you'll see the entire bean-to-cup process in action.

Booking Tip: Book finca tours 7-10 days ahead as harvest season attracts more visitors. Expect to pay 150,000-250,000 COP ($40-65 USD) for full-day experiences including transportation and tastings. Look for tours that include both Valle de Cocora hiking and working farm visits. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Pacific Coast Whale Watching

Humpback whales migrate through Colombian Pacific waters specifically in December-March, with December offering 90% sighting success rates. Calm seas and minimal rainfall make boat trips from Nuquí or Bahía Spain comfortable. Water temperature reaches 26°C (79°F) and visibility extends 15-20km (9-12 miles) on clear December days.

Booking Tip: Book whale watching tours 10-14 days ahead during peak migration. Expect 280,000-450,000 COP ($75-120 USD) for full-day trips from Buenaventura or Nuquí. Choose operators with hydrophone equipment for underwater whale sounds. Weather rarely cancels December tours. Current operators available in booking section below.

Tayrona National Park Coastal Trekking

December's dry conditions make Tayrona's coastal trails from Canaveral to Cabo San Juan (9km/5.6 miles) manageable without mud. Ocean temperatures reach 27°C (81°F) perfect for swimming after hiking. December's northeast trade winds keep temperatures bearable at 28-30°C (82-86°F) but bring occasional choppy waters.

Booking Tip: Book Tayrona accommodation 6-8 weeks ahead for December - camping spots fill completely. Park entry costs 54,500 COP ($14.50 USD) plus 6,000 COP ($1.60 USD) environmental fee. Enter before 2pm to secure camping spots at Arrecifes or Cabo San Juan. Book current tours with transportation in section below.

Medellín Christmas Markets and City Tours

Colombia transforms in December with elaborate Christmas lighting displays along Río Colombia and in Parque Norte running December 1-January 15. December weather stays perfect at 24°C (75°F) year-round with only 3-4 rainy days. Evening temperatures drop to comfortable 18°C (64°F) ideal for walking tours through El Poblado and Comuna 13.

Booking Tip: Book Comuna 13 graffiti tours 3-5 days ahead as group sizes stay small (maximum 12 people). Expect 80,000-120,000 COP ($21-32 USD) for 4-hour walking tours including metro cable car. Christmas light tours operate 6pm-10pm and cost 45,000-70,000 COP ($12-18 USD). Check current tour availability in booking section below.

Cartagena Colonial Walking and Food Tours

December's lower humidity (65% vs 80% other months) makes exploring Cartagena's Old City comfortable during midday hours. Sunset occurs at 6pm providing golden hour photography opportunities at Las Murallas. Sea breezes from Caribbean keep temperatures feeling like 26°C (79°F) despite 30°C (86°F) readings.

Booking Tip: Book food tours for early evening (4pm-8pm) to avoid midday heat and catch sunset views. Expect 120,000-180,000 COP ($32-48 USD) for 4-hour food tours including 6-8 tastings. Walking tours of Old City run 150,000-200,000 COP ($40-53 USD) for 3 hours with English-speaking guides. Current tour options in booking section below.

Cocuy National Park High-Altitude Trekking

December offers clearest weather windows for seeing Cocuy's snow-capped peaks with visibility extending 30-40km (19-25 miles) on clear days. Dry season means stable trail conditions for multi-day treks, though temperatures drop to -5°C (23°F) at night above 4,000m (13,123 ft). Daytime temperatures reach comfortable 15°C (59°F) at base camps.

Booking Tip: Book Cocuy permits through SINAP system exactly 30 days before arrival as daily entries are limited to 80 people. Guided treks cost 350,000-600,000 COP ($93-160 USD) per day including equipment and meals. Require medical certificates for altitudes above 4,500m (14,764 ft). Check current availability through booking section below.

December Events & Festivals

December 7-8

Día de las Velitas (Day of Little Candles)

Colombia's most magical Christmas tradition on December 7-8 when entire cities illuminate with millions of candles and paper lanterns. Streets close to traffic, families gather outside homes with elaborate candle displays, and traditional foods like buñuelos and natilla are shared. Best experienced in Villa de Leyva, Colombia, or Colombia's El Poblado neighborhood.

December 1 - January 15

Festival de Luces Medellín

Colombia's famous Christmas lights display along Río Colombia featuring synchronized music and LED shows. Over 32 million lights create themed installations viewable from Metro stations or walking tours. Includes Christmas markets, concerts, and extended shopping hours until midnight throughout December.

Early December

Cartagena International Film Festival

Latin America's oldest film festival showcasing Colombian and international cinema in colonial venues. Outdoor screenings in Plaza Santo Domingo and indoor premieres at Teatro Heredia. Film industry networking events and celebrity appearances throughout the week.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

SPF 50+ mineral sunscreen and wide-brimmed hat - UV index reaches 11 at altitude causing burns in 10-15 minutes

Lightweight long-sleeve shirts in light colors for sun protection while staying cool in 28°C (82°F) temperatures

Waterproof hiking boots if visiting coffee region or national parks - trails stay dry but morning dew makes rocks slippery

Light rain jacket or compact umbrella for brief afternoon showers lasting 15-20 minutes

Layers for altitude changes - temperatures drop 6°C per 1,000m (3.5°F per 3,280 ft) of elevation gain

Insect repellent with 20%+ DEET for lowland areas where mosquitos remain active in dry season

Portable phone charger - December festivities mean longer days exploring with heavy camera and navigation use

Cash in small bills (50,000 COP and under) - Christmas markets and street vendors often lack card readers

Breathable cotton or linen clothing - avoid polyester which becomes uncomfortable in 65% humidity

Comfortable walking shoes with good grip - cobblestone streets in colonial cities become slippery when wet

Insider Knowledge

Book internal flights by November 15th - December domestic flights increase 50-70% after this date as Colombians travel home for holidays

Withdraw cash before December 24-26 as most ATMs run empty during Christmas celebrations and banks close for 3 days

Many restaurants close December 24-25 but street food vendors increase around churches and plazas during Christmas novenas

December rental cars should be booked 8-10 weeks ahead - locals rent vehicles for family trips causing severe shortages in popular destinations

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating December altitude sickness in coffee region and Colombia - spend first day acclimatizing rather than hiking immediately

Not booking Tayrona accommodation far enough ahead - camping spots and eco-habs fill 6-8 weeks before December dates

Forgetting cash for December festivities - Christmas markets, street food, and small vendors operate cash-only during celebrations