Cartagena · Month comparison

May vs February

February ranks #1 overall vs May at #7. The driest month with Carnaval — perfect Caribbean weather and Colombia's biggest street party.

Cartagena May — the Caribbean coast near Playa Blanca at sunset as the rainy season begins on Colombia's coast

May

#7 of 12 months

Strong option

Rainy season begins — afternoon downpours most days but warm; prices drop noticeably.

  • ↑Accommodation prices drop 25–35% below dry-season peak: mid-range and boutique hotels in the walled city available at budget-adjacent rates
  • ↑The old city significantly less crowded: cruise ship schedules thin out and international tourism retreats, returning the colonial streets to their local character
Cartagena February — a row of brilliantly painted colonial houses with flower-covered balconies in the old walled city

February

#1 of 12 months

Best match

The driest month with Carnaval — perfect Caribbean weather and Colombia's biggest street party.

  • ↑Carnaval de Barranquilla (80km north, early February): Colombia's most famous carnival is accessible by bus or driver, and Cartagena runs its own parallel festivities
  • ↑8mm of rain: February is statistically the driest month on the Caribbean coast — Angélica María weather, as Colombians say
FactorMayFebruary
Weather score
6
9
Value score
8
5
Crowd score
8
4
Events score
3
7
Atmosphere
6
9
Avg high temp31°C31°C
Monthly rain85mm8mm
Daily sunshine7hrs8.5hrs

May trade-offs

  • ↓Afternoon rainstorms arrive reliably from 14:00–17:00 and are often heavy: boat trips to Barú or the Rosario Islands face cancellation risk
  • ↓Humidity at 82% makes 31°C feel significantly more oppressive than dry-season temperatures; comfortable only in air-conditioned spaces midday
  • ↓Some beach-club operators on Barú reduce service in the wet season; the island experience degrades compared to January–April

February trade-offs

  • ↓Carnaval week brings additional visitors to the region: accommodation fills rapidly and prices rise accordingly
  • ↓Heat can feel more intense in February without the sea breeze of January: midday in the walled city requires shade
  • ↓Carnaval de Barranquilla itself is 1.5 hours from Cartagena — access requires planning and transport, not a walk out the hotel door
See all 12 months for Cartagena →May in detail →February in detail →
Scores compare months within Cartagena. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →