Weather in Medellín

What the weather is like in Medellín

The weather in Medellín is the reason for its nickname, the “city of eternal spring”. The city is in the Aburrá Valley, about 1,500 m above sea level, and its temperature hardly changes throughout the year.

According to IDEAM averages measured at Olaya Herrera Airport (1981–2010), the average high is about 28 °C and the average low is about 17 °C, with an average temperature close to 22 °C. The difference between the hottest and coolest month is just one or two degrees.

What does change is the rain. Medellín receives quite a bit of rain annually, and in the wet months, downpours can be strong. At noon the sun is strong because the city is near the equator and at altitude; at night it cools down and many like to have a light jacket on hand.

In summary: there is no winter or summer like in Europe or North America, but rather drier and wetter periods.

Rainy seasons and drier months

Like the rest of the Andean region of Colombia, Medellín has a bimodal rainfall pattern, with two rainy seasons a year, according to IDEAM:

• First rainy season: starts to be felt in March and is concentrated in April and May.
• Second rainy season: from September to November, with peaks in October and November. It is usually the most intense.
• Drier periods: from December to February and mid-year, roughly from June to August.

This is a general pattern, not a rule. The El Niño (less rain) and La Niña (more rain) phenomena can change a year significantly. Before traveling, check IDEAM forecasts and alerts.

Even during the rainy season, clear mornings are common. If it rains heavily, keep in mind that traffic slows down and trips, including to the airport, may take longer.

Bus to the Airport with COMBUSES

Rain or shine, the COMBUSES bus takes you between Medellín and José María Córdova Airport 24 hours a day from San Diego and Hotel Nutibara. Keep a jacket in your carry-on: it's colder in Rionegro.

Buy your ticket →

The airport and the East: colder than the city

The José María Córdova Airport is not in the valley but on the high plateau of Eastern Antioquia, in Rionegro, at about 2,140 m altitude, more than 600 m above Medellín. This is noticeable: the annual average temperature at the airport is about 17 °C, and in the urban area of Rionegro about 18.5 °C.

What it means for your trip:

• Early morning or night flights: it's cold at the airport. Have a sweater or jacket in your carry-on.
• Fog: the road between Medellín and the airport climbs to higher areas, and with rain or fog, it is advisable to leave with time.
• Upon landing: don't be alarmed by the chill. As you descend into the Aburrá Valley, the temperature rises several degrees.

The same happens in other high-altitude plans near Medellín, such as Parque Arví and Santa Elena, or the towns of the East like El Retiro and Guatapé: bring a coat even if it's hot in the city.

What clothes to bring to Medellín

Since the weather hardly changes throughout the year, packing for Medellín is quite simple. The key is to dress in layers:

• Light clothing for the day: t-shirts, light pants or jeans, dresses or shorts.
• A light jacket or sweater for the night, the airport, and high-altitude plans.
• Raincoat or foldable umbrella, especially from March to May and from September to November.
• Comfortable shoes with good grip: Medellín has many hills and wet floors can be slippery.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a cap: the sun is strong due to the altitude, even on cloudy days.

If you're going on trips to Parque Arví, Guatapé, or towns in the East, add a warmer layer: at higher altitudes, the temperature drops several degrees compared to the valley.

With COMBUSES, you have a checked bag of up to 23 kg and a carry-on included, so you don't have to leave anything out.

Best Time to Visit Medellín

Medellín can be visited any month, but here are some guidelines:

• December to February: usually one of the driest periods. In December, the city is filled with lights from the Christmas decorations, and it's high season: book in advance.
• June to August: another relatively dry period. In August, the Flower Festival is celebrated, one of Colombia's most famous festivals, with many people and higher prices.
• April–May and October–November: it rains more, but there are fewer tourists and there are almost always good sunny spells to go out.

If your priority is to take day trips to Guatapé or nearby towns, the dry months give you more leeway. To visit museums, eat well, and explore the city, the rain isn't a problem if you bring an umbrella.

Whatever the date, remember that the airport is located on the plateau and plan the journey calmly, especially during high season and on rainy days.

Places on the Map

Frequently Asked Questions

More Guides to Medellín

Photo: User: (WT-shared) CONOCER at wts wikivoyage (Public domain, Wikimedia Commons)