Colombia in April: Post-Summer Siesta
After the long summer holidays full of festivals and celebrations, Colombia in April is a quieter month. This is the best time to go on a Colombia tour, as flights into the country are much cheaper, accommodation is good value for money, and it is easy to find space on tours and excursions. Even though the holiday crowds may be absent, you will still find plenty of things to do in Colombia. The locals are naturally exuberant and inviting, so you will feel welcome as you explore this country of diverse landscapes. You will find adventures in urban sprawls and off-the-beaten tracks.
- joe zachariah
- From USA
Colombia Weather in April
With a wide range of geographical regions, the weather in Colombia in April depends on where you are in the country. In Bogotá, expect an average daily high of 20℃, dropping to a cool 9℃ at night. Bogotá is also fairly wet in April, with the city receiving 135mm of rainfall throughout the month.
In Cartagena, on the Caribbean coast, the weather is still hot. The temperature here ranges between 25°C and 31°C with an average of four days of rain in April. In the southern city of Pasto, close to the Amazon basin, April brings lots of rain (140mm over 25 days) with pleasant temperatures of 13°C to 21°C
For a seasonal overview, check out our guide on the best time to visit Colombia.
Weather in Colombia in April - Rainfall and Temperatures
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 9 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 67 | 65 | 67 | 65 | 65 | 63 | 63 | 63 | 65 | 67 | 68 | 65 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 49 | 45 | 50 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 50 | 50 | 49 | 47 | 45 | 43 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 30 | 40 | 50 | 90 | 80 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 70 | 110 | 70 | 50 |
| Mar | Apr | May | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 19 | 18 | 18 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 10 | 11 | 11 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 67 | 65 | 65 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 50 | 52 | 52 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 50 | 90 | 80 |
Why Visit Colombia in April
Although the main season of festivals in Colombia is over by April, Colombians still love to socialize. You will find the people are welcoming and more relaxed after the hectic holidays.
- Dine Out in Bogotá: Bogotá is a foodie’s paradise, combining the cuisines of the Andes, the Caribbean, and the Pacific into a unique blend of flavors. When the April showers are falling, you can repair to one of the many restaurants around the Plaza Bolívar or grab inexpensive, traditional antojitos (snack foods) from one of the myriad street food vendors across the city.
- Coffee Culture: The verdant country around Manizales—known as the Zona Cafetera—is Colombia’s premier coffee-growing region. In April, you can visit one of the area’s many working coffee plantations to see how the world’s favorite brew is harvested and prepared. Manizales itself has many excellent cafes and also has several universities, so you will be guaranteed some intellectual discussions with the locals as you sip your favorite blend.
- Chill out in Cartagena: The summer crowd has slimmed in Cartagena, making the city more relaxed in April. In the coastal regions, beach enthusiasts can take a boat to the nearby Rosario and San Bernadino islands. In April, you will have a strip of pure white, palm-fringed sand virtually to yourself. The city’s Old Town is also a popular tourist attraction. Adorned with colorful colonial facades and narrow cobbled streets. Here, you can relax at a hip courtyard cafe with a cool drink on hot afternoons.
- Party in Vallenato: Enjoy the unique musical festival Vallenato in the Fiesta Leyenda Vallenato toward the end of April. This multi-day event features concerts, street parties, and talent shows. Vallenato music originated from strolling cattle herders who passed on news and information via songs played on traditional instruments.
Where to Go and What to Do
With fewer locals out and about, April is ideal for a guided tour from Bogotá to the Guatavita Lake and the Zipaquirá. While in Bogata, take the opportunity to see the spectacular April sunsets as thunderclouds cluster over the sky this time of the year. A tour of Salt Cathedral, a subterranean church hollowed out of rock salt deposits, is a must while in Zipaquirá.
Cocora Valley tours in the Los Nevados National Park allow hiking opportunities among groves of stately Quindío wax palms along the steep streets of Salento. The city still retains the grandeur of Spanish colonial architecture and flaunts a laidback lifestyle. Coffee enthusiasts can visit the town center in Salento, listed as the "Coffee Cultural Landscape" by Unesco.
April is also a perfect time to undertake the Lost City Trek in Colombia from Santa Marta in northern Colombia. This four-day hike takes you deep into jungle-clad mountains to see the ancient ruins of Cuidad Perdida, abandoned in the 16th century and undiscovered until 1972.
Although the weather in April can be wet, the lack of crowds and more affordable hotels in Colombia means that it is much easier to get around and you will be able to stretch your travel budget to see more of the country.
Not sure how to plan an ideal trip to Colombia? Check out our guide on how many days to spend in Colombia. If you need help with planning a customized trip to Colombia in April, you can always reach out to our local travel experts. For more information and instant inspiration, check out our Colombia tours in April.
