When to visit Cali without the crowds
Cali (Colombia) is calmest in January, February, March, April, May, June and September: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with April and May: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Feb–Mar, May & Sep–Nov
When everyone heads home
The second week of January, after the Fair.
Tip
Book months ahead for the Cali Fair; the rest of the year salsa goes on and there is room.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2/5 · calm | 27 °C (81 °F) | New Year's Day, Epiphany |
| February | 2/5 · calm | 27 °C (81 °F) | |
| March | 2/5 · calm | 27 °C (81 °F) | Saint Joseph's Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday |
| April | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 27 °C (81 °F) | |
| May | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 28 °C (82 °F) | Labour Day, Ascension Day, Corpus Christi |
| June | 2/5 · calm | 28 °C (82 °F) | Sacred Heart |
| July | 3/5 · moderate | 28 °C (82 °F) | Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Our Lady of Chiquinquirá Day, Declaration of Independence |
| August | 4/5 · busy | 28 °C (82 °F) | Petronio Álvarez Festival (August), Battle of Boyacá, Assumption of Mary |
| September | 2/5 · calm | 28 °C (82 °F) | |
| October | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 27 °C (80 °F) | Columbus Day |
| November | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 27 °C (80 °F) | All Saints’ Day, Independence of Cartagena |
| December | 3/5 · moderate | 27 °C (80 °F) | Cali Fair (Dec 25–30), Immaculate Conception, Christmas Day |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Rainy season (Apr–May and Oct–Nov): downpours most days.
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (DANE, Pacific region, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Cali without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually January, February, March, April, May, June and September (crowds 2/5). In January the average high is 27 °C (81 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, April, May, June and September.
When is Cali most crowded?
The busiest season is August. The second week of January, after the Fair.
What is the weather like in Cali?
Average highs range from 27 °C (80 °F) in December to 28 °C (82 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Cali?
Rainy season (Apr–May and Oct–Nov): downpours most days.
What festivals are there in Cali?
The main ones: Petronio Álvarez Festival (August) (August); Cali Fair (Dec 25–30) (December).
More places in Colombia
- Cartagena calm in April, May, September and October; busiest in January, March and July
- Medellín calm in February, March, April, May, June, September and October; busiest in August and December
- Bogotá calm in January and December; busiest in March and November
- Santa Marta calm in April, May, September and October; busiest in January, July and December
- San Andrés calm in April, May, September and October; busiest in January, July and December
- Salento calm in February, March, April, May, September and October; busiest in January, November and December
- Villa de Leyva calm in February, March, April, May and September; busiest in January, July, August and December
- Barichara calm in February, March, April, May and September; busiest in December
- Leticia calm in February, March, April, May, June and September; busiest in July, August and December
- Guatapé calm in February, March, April, May, June, September and October; busiest in January, July and August
- Popayán calm in January, February, May, June and September; busiest in March, April, July, August, October, November and December