When to visit Popayán without the crowds
Popayán (Colombia) is calmest in January, February, May, June and September: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in March, April, July, August, October, November and December. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with May: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Feb, May & Aug–Nov
When everyone heads home
The week after Holy Week.
Tip
For Holy Week book months ahead: the whole city turns out for the processions.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2/5 · calm | 26 °C (78 °F) | New Year's Day, Epiphany |
| February | 2/5 · calm | 26 °C (78 °F) | |
| March | 3/5 · moderate | 25 °C (77 °F) | UNESCO-listed Holy Week processions (Mar/Apr, varies), Saint Joseph's Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday |
| April | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 25 °C (78 °F) | |
| May | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 25 °C (78 °F) | Labour Day, Ascension Day, Corpus Christi |
| June | 2/5 · calm | 25 °C (77 °F) | Sacred Heart |
| July | 3/5 · moderate | 26 °C (78 °F) | Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Our Lady of Chiquinquirá Day, Declaration of Independence |
| August | 3/5 · moderate | 26 °C (79 °F) | Battle of Boyacá, Assumption of Mary |
| September | 2/5 · calm | 27 °C (80 °F) | Gastronomy Congress (September) |
| October | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 26 °C (78 °F) | Columbus Day |
| November | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 25 °C (77 °F) | All Saints’ Day, Independence of Cartagena |
| December | 3/5 · moderate | 25 °C (77 °F) | 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 Popayán without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually January, February, May, June and September (crowds 2/5). In June the average high is 25 °C (77 °F). All the calm months: January, February, May, June and September.
When is Popayán most crowded?
The busiest season is March, April, July, August, October, November and December. The week after Holy Week.
What is the weather like in Popayán?
Average highs range from 25 °C (77 °F) in November to 27 °C (80 °F) in September, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Popayán?
Rainy season (Apr–May and Oct–Nov): downpours most days.
What festivals are there in Popayán?
The main ones: UNESCO-listed Holy Week processions (Mar/Apr, varies) (March); Gastronomy Congress (September) (September).
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
- Cali calm in January, February, March, April, May, June and September; busiest in August
- 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