The best time to visit Medellín

Dry season: December to March

The most reliable stretch of the year. Blue mornings, warm afternoons and the lowest chance of an afternoon downpour. December brings the Christmas lights, which are genuinely spectacular and worth planning around, along with the highest prices and the fullest hotels. January and February keep the good weather with far fewer people — for most travellers, the sweet spot.

Rainy season: April-May and September-November

It rains almost every day, but rarely all day: the pattern is a clear morning and a heavy shower in the afternoon. Plan the outdoor things — Guatapé, the Piedra, paragliding — for the morning and it barely affects the trip. Prices are lower and everything is greener.

August: the Flower Fair

The Feria de las Flores in the first half of August is the city's biggest event, and the Desfile de Silleteros is worth seeing once in your life. Book accommodation and transport months ahead: this is when the city is at its fullest.

Paragliding and the weather

Flights depend on wind and cloud, and mornings are the most stable time in every season. In the rainy months, book the flight for the first day of your trip so there is room to move it if a day is cancelled.

Frequently asked questions