When to visit Santa Marta without the crowds
Santa Marta (Colombia) is calmest in April, May, September and October: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in January, July and December. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with October: 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 holidays.
Tip
Tayrona also closes Jun 1–15 and Oct 19–Nov 2.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5/5 · busy | 27 °C (81 °F) | New Year's Day, Epiphany |
| February | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 27 °C (81 °F) | |
| March | 3/5 · moderate | 27 °C (81 °F) | Saint Joseph's Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday |
| April | 2/5 · calm | 28 °C (82 °F) | |
| May | 2/5 · calm | 29 °C (83 °F) | Labour Day, Ascension Day, Corpus Christi |
| June | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 29 °C (84 °F) | Sacred Heart |
| July | 4/5 · busy | 29 °C (83 °F) | Sea Festival (July), Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Our Lady of Chiquinquirá Day, Declaration of Independence |
| August | 3/5 · moderate | 29 °C (84 °F) | Battle of Boyacá, Assumption of Mary |
| September | 2/5 · calm | 29 °C (84 °F) | |
| October | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 29 °C (83 °F) | Columbus Day |
| November | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 28 °C (83 °F) | All Saints’ Day, Independence of Cartagena |
| December | 4/5 · busy | 28 °C (82 °F) | Immaculate Conception, Christmas Day |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- The rainiest months on the Colombian Caribbean (Oct–Nov).
- Tayrona Park usually closes for about two weeks in Feb, Jun and Oct–Nov for Indigenous rituals: check the dates.
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, Caribbean region, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Santa Marta without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually April, May, September and October (crowds 2/5). In April the average high is 28 °C (82 °F). All the calm months: April, May, September and October.
When is Santa Marta most crowded?
The busiest season is January, July and December. The second week of January, after the holidays.
What is the weather like in Santa Marta?
Average highs range from 27 °C (81 °F) in February to 29 °C (84 °F) in September, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Santa Marta?
The rainiest months on the Colombian Caribbean (Oct–Nov). Tayrona Park usually closes for about two weeks in Feb, Jun and Oct–Nov for Indigenous rituals: check the dates.
What festivals are there in Santa Marta?
The main ones: Sea Festival (July) (July).
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
- 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
- Popayán calm in January, February, May, June and September; busiest in March, April, July, August, October, November and December