Climate Insights for Santa Marta

The climate in Santa Marta is hot. The average annual temperature is 26°C and approximately 1288mm of precipitation falls per year. October is the wettest month, receiving around 362mm of rainfall. Santa Marta is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: May, June, September. The coldest months are January, February, March, when temperatures can drop to 24°C.

Santa Marta has relatively stable temperatures year-round, staying within a 4°C range. The warmest month is May, when average highs reach 28°C and the mean temperature sits around 27°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 24°C and an average of 25°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 2°C between highs and lows.

Santa Marta is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1288mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 107mm per month. The wettest month is October, averaging 362mm of rainfall. November and April also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is February, with just 4mm. That's 359mm less than October, 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.

Santa Marta is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 7km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is February, averaging 10km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in November, with average winds dropping to 4km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind speeds vary significantly across the year, with a 6km/h difference between the calmest and windiest months. This level of variation is worth factoring into travel plans. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 9km/h in winter, 7km/h in spring, 7km/h in summer, 4km/h in autumn.

It is currently summer in Santa Marta, which began on June 21, 2026. Santa Marta is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in May at around 28°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 24°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 64 days from now.

The best time to visit Santa Marta is during January and February, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 25°C with modest rainfall averaging 5mm per month. By contrast, May can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 28°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Santa Marta 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.