Colombia in February: Carnivals and Fair Weather
February is carnival time in Colombia. The port city of Barranquilla comes alive at the end of the month with one of the biggest carnival celebrations in South America. This is an experience not to be missed. Besides the extravagant carnival, there are also plenty of travel opportunities and things to do in Colombia amid lovely weather. Explore the vast topography of the country ranging from the frosty white peaks of the Andes, traversing through the high-altitude lakes of the paramo to the sun-baked Caribbean beaches in Colombia.
- Isabel Evans
- From England
Colombia Weather in February
February is a fantastic time for a trip to Colombia as the weather is ideal for adventures, from exploring cities like Bogota and Cartagena to trekking through the Amazon jungle or hiking to Laguna de Guatavita. Temperatures depend on the altitude rather than the season. Therefore, in February, you can experience lows from 6°C in the higher altitude areas to balmy 26°C and higher in the coastal areas like Bogata. In the low-altitude regions of Cartagena and Barranquilla on the northwestern shores, temperatures hover between 24°C to 30°C with little rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities or spending days on the beach.
For a seasonal overview of Colombia, check out our guide on the best time to visit Colombia.
Weather in Colombia in February - 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 |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 19 | 18 | 19 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 9 | 7 | 10 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 67 | 65 | 67 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 49 | 45 | 50 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 30 | 40 | 50 |
Why Visit Colombia in February
The spectacular landscapes of Colombia are fantastic for outdoor adventures like climbing, hiking, trekking, and scuba diving. The country also boasts an extraordinary culture with a wealth of ancient civilizations and historic sites to explore. Here are some reasons why it is a good idea to visit Colombia in February:
- Barranquilla Carnival: Downtown Barranquilla comes alive for four days preceding Ash Wednesday when Barranquilla Carnival is held. Colombia’s golden gate is adorned with vibrant costumes, as colorful parades, music, dancing, and street parties amuse the carnival town.
- Scuba-diving in the Rosario Islands: Colombia's Rosario Islands offer some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving. Spend a few days exploring the gin-clear waters and the colorful corals teeming with shoals of brightly colored fish, shimmering silver barracuda, elegant manta rays, and curious hammerhead sharks surrounding the picture-perfect Islas del Rosario.
- Discover Cartagena’s Indigenous Heritage: Explore the picturesque walled city of Cartagena (Cartagena de Indias) and its rich history that features Spanish conquistadors, pirates, battles, and sieges. The small town was one of the first to proclaim independence from Spain in 1811. It is still much the same with beautifully preserved stone buildings and a rich architectural heritage dating back to the town’s original settlement.
Where To Go and What to Do
Colombia is a mixed bag of diverse landscapes and magnificent architecture. There are plenty of places to visit in Colombia. The dryer month of February is ideal for a trip to the Colombia-Ecuador border to see the Santuario de Las Lajas. This neo-Gothic cathedral, built on a 150-foot-high gorge, has attracted pilgrims for centuries.
The dryer month of February is an ideal time to head into the Amazon jungle and explore its incredible biosphere. Trek through the dense jungles to search for unusual wildlife like the endemic pink dolphin, meet local tribes or take a river tour to the vibrant port city of Puerto Nariño. Also, take a detour to Leticia, the capital of this region of Colombia.
A trip to Cocora Valley (Valle de Cocora) in the center of Colombia's coffee-growing region takes you through a traditional Colombian coffee farm. Adventure seekers can try white-water rafting down the Rio Pato in the Caquetá Department. Pedal through the Class III and IV rapids with ex-FARC guerrillas who will narrate tales of Colombia’s notorious past.
Home to soaring snow-capped Andean summits, an ambiguous Amazon jungle, alluring Caribbean coast, ancient pre-Columbian architecture, and rich culture and history, Colombia boasts all of South America's charisma and more. February is a great time to visit and enjoy all that this incredible country has to offer.
Chat with one of our local travel experts for a customized trip to Colombia in February. To plan your itinerary, you can check out our guide on how many days to spend in Colombia. Or, browse through our Colombia tours in February for more information.
