Climate Insights for Cartagena

The climate in Cartagena is temperate. The average annual temperature is 13°C and approximately 319mm of precipitation falls per year. June is the wettest month, receiving around 96mm of rainfall. Cartagena is in the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons are reversed — summer runs from December to February, while winter falls between June and August. The summer months are: February, January, March. The coldest months are July, August, June, when temperatures can drop to 7°C.

Cartagena sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 7°C to 21°C. February is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 21°C with a mean of 17°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 7°C and an average of 10°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 7°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between March and April, with a 2°C shift in average temperatures.

Cartagena is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 319mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 27mm per month. The wettest month is June, averaging 96mm of rainfall. July and August also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is February, with just 0mm. That's 96mm less than June, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

Cartagena is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 18km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is November, averaging 21km/h, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in May, with average winds dropping to 15km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 6km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 17km/h in winter, 20km/h in spring, 19km/h in summer, 17km/h in autumn.

It is currently autumn in Cartagena, which began on March 20, 2026. Cartagena is in the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed — spring starts in September, summer in December, autumn in March, and winter in June. The warmest period peaks in February at around 21°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 7°C. Winter is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 days from now.

The best time to visit Cartagena is during January, February, March and December, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 16°C with modest rainfall averaging 2mm per month. By contrast, July can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 7°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Cartagena based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.