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Colombia - Things to Do in Colombia in March

Things to Do in Colombia in March

March weather, activities, events & insider tips

March Weather in Colombia

30°C (86°F) High Temp
18°C (64°F) Low Temp
120 mm (4.7 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is March Right for You?

Advantages

  • Dry season continues through most of March with minimal rainfall in popular destinations like Cartagena and Santa Marta - you'll get long stretches of sunshine perfect for beach days and coastal exploration, typically 8-10 consecutive dry days between brief showers
  • Whale watching season peaks along the Pacific coast near Nuquí and Bahía Solano - humpback whales are most active and visible in March before migrating south, with sighting rates around 90% on boat tours during morning departures
  • Coffee harvest season wraps up in the Eje Cafetero region, meaning farm tours show the full production cycle from picking to processing - you'll see actual coffee workers in the fields rather than just empty plants, plus March pricing for tours drops 15-20% compared to January-February peak
  • Fewer international tourists than December-February but still excellent weather - accommodation prices in Bogotá and Medellín drop by roughly 25-30% after Semana Santa if you visit late March, while weather remains consistently good

Considerations

  • Semana Santa (Holy Week) falls in late March or early April 2026, causing domestic tourism to spike - Colombian families travel heavily during this week, booking out coastal hotels months in advance and driving prices up 40-60% for the 5-day weekend period
  • Amazon region enters heavy rainy season with daily afternoon downpours lasting 2-3 hours - while navigable, expect muddy trails and some lodges reduce tour offerings or close entirely for maintenance during March
  • Bogotá experiences its transitional weather pattern with unpredictable afternoon rain showers - you'll need to plan morning activities for outdoor sightseeing and carry rain gear daily, as showers can appear within 20 minutes despite clear morning skies

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Best Activities in March

Caribbean Coast Beach Time in Cartagena and Tayrona

March sits in the sweet spot of Colombia's Caribbean dry season with daytime temps around 30°C (86°F) and minimal rainfall. Tayrona National Park trails are fully accessible without the mud you'd get in rainy months, and Caribbean waters have excellent visibility for snorkeling at Cabo San Juan beach. The park limits daily visitors to 6,500, so March's medium crowd levels mean you can actually get entry tickets without the December-January stress. Sea conditions are calm with gentle waves, making it ideal for swimming even for nervous swimmers.

Booking Tip: Book Tayrona park entry tickets 2-3 days ahead through the official park system - they sell out on weekends even in March. Beach tours from Cartagena to Islas del Rosario typically cost 150,000-250,000 COP per person and should be booked through operators at the main tourist dock, not street vendors. Morning departures at 8-9am give you the calmest seas and best snorkeling visibility.

Coffee Farm Tours in Salento and Filandia

March marks the tail end of the main coffee harvest in the Eje Cafetero region, meaning you'll see actual picking and processing in action rather than just touring empty facilities. The weather is particularly cooperative with morning sunshine and afternoon clouds that keep temperatures comfortable at the 1,800-2,400 m (5,900-7,900 ft) elevation. You'll walk through muddy-free trails between coffee plants, and farm guides are less rushed than during peak January-February tourist season. The region's famous wax palms in Cocora Valley are also accessible via dry hiking trails.

Booking Tip: Half-day coffee farm tours typically cost 80,000-150,000 COP per person and can be arranged through your accommodation in Salento the day before - you don't need to book weeks ahead. Tours starting at 9-10am let you see morning harvest activities. Cocora Valley hikes are best done early morning (7-8am start) before afternoon clouds roll in around 2pm, obscuring mountain views.

Pacific Coast Whale Watching in Nuquí

March is peak season for humpback whale sightings along Colombia's Pacific coast - these whales migrate from Antarctica to breed in warm Colombian waters, and March offers the highest concentration before they begin returning south. Sighting rates on morning boat tours hover around 85-90%, with mothers and calves often visible breaching close to shore. The Pacific coast gets significant rain even in drier months, but March typically has slightly less rainfall than April-May, and morning tours usually depart before afternoon storms arrive. Water temps are warm at 26-28°C (79-82°F).

Booking Tip: Whale watching tours from Nuquí or Bahía Solano cost 120,000-200,000 COP per person for 3-4 hour trips. Book through established operators in town rather than independent boat owners - you want insured boats with life jackets and experienced captains who know whale behavior. Morning departures between 7-9am have calmest seas and best visibility. Getting to Nuquí requires small plane flights from Medellín or Cali (typically 400,000-600,000 COP round trip), so budget accordingly.

Bogotá Cultural Exploration and Street Food Tours

March weather in Bogotá at 2,640 m (8,660 ft) elevation is mild with temps around 18-20°C (64-68°F), though you'll want to plan museum visits and indoor activities for afternoons when rain showers are likely. The city's extensive museum scene (Gold Museum, Botero Museum, street art in La Candelaria) works perfectly with March's unpredictable weather. Street food markets like Paloquemao Market are covered and operate rain or shine, offering ajiaco soup and empanadas for 8,000-15,000 COP. March also sees fewer tourists than summer months, meaning shorter lines at popular museums.

Booking Tip: Walking food tours through neighborhoods like La Candelaria or Chapinero typically cost 120,000-180,000 COP per person for 3-4 hours with 6-8 food stops. Book these for morning departures (9-10am) to avoid afternoon rain. Museum entry fees are modest (most under 10,000 COP, many free on Sundays), and you can book same-day. The TransMilenio bus system is efficient but crowded during rush hours (7-9am, 5-7pm) - use it mid-morning or early afternoon instead.

Medellín Paragliding and Comuna 13 Tours

Medellín's eternal spring climate stays consistent in March with daytime temps around 26-28°C (79-82°F) and minimal rainfall compared to April-May. The city's famous transformation is best seen through Comuna 13 walking tours showing street art and escalators that changed the neighborhood, while paragliding from nearby San Felix offers aerial views of the Aburrá Valley. March winds are typically stable for paragliding with morning thermals ideal for 15-20 minute flights. The metro system (including cable cars up to hillside neighborhoods) is cleanest and least crowded mid-morning.

Booking Tip: Comuna 13 walking tours cost 40,000-80,000 COP per person for 2-3 hours and can be booked day-of through operators near the metro station - go with groups of 8-12 people maximum for better interaction. Paragliding tandem flights from San Felix cost 180,000-280,000 COP for 15-20 minutes and should be booked 3-5 days ahead through certified operators with insurance. Morning flights (9-11am) have smoothest conditions before afternoon thermals get choppy.

Amazon Jungle Lodges Near Leticia

March enters the Amazon's wetter season, but this actually increases wildlife activity as animals congregate around remaining dry areas and water levels rise for better boat access to tributaries. You'll see pink river dolphins more frequently, and bird watching improves as species become more active. That said, expect daily afternoon rain lasting 2-3 hours, muddy trails requiring rubber boots (lodges provide these), and high humidity around 85-90%. If you're comfortable with rustic conditions and don't mind getting wet, March offers excellent wildlife viewing with fewer tourists than dry season months.

Booking Tip: Amazon lodge packages typically cost 800,000-1,500,000 COP per person for 3 days/2 nights including meals, guides, and activities. Book at least 3-4 weeks ahead as lodges have limited capacity (usually 12-20 guests maximum). Tours include canoe trips, night walks, and piranha fishing. Flights from Bogotá to Leticia cost 400,000-700,000 COP round trip. Bring quick-dry clothing and waterproof bags - cotton takes days to dry in March humidity.

March Events & Festivals

Late March

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

Colombia's most significant religious holiday period typically falls in late March or early April 2026. Cities like Popayán host elaborate nighttime processions with religious floats carried through colonial streets, drawing thousands of spectators. Mompox also features traditional processions dating back centuries. This is primarily a domestic tourism event - Colombian families travel heavily during the 5-day weekend, so expect fully booked coastal hotels and higher prices. Many businesses close Thursday-Sunday. If you want to experience authentic Colombian religious traditions, this is your chance. If you want empty beaches and low prices, avoid this week entirely.

Early March

Festival Internacional de Cine de Cartagena

This film festival typically runs in early March, showcasing Latin American and international cinema across venues in Cartagena's historic center. While primarily for industry professionals and serious film buffs, some screenings are open to public with tickets available at the door. The festival brings an artistic crowd to the city and occasional celebrity sightings, though it doesn't significantly impact general tourism or pricing.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket or packable poncho - Bogotá and Andean regions get afternoon showers lasting 20-40 minutes in March, and you'll want something that stuffs into a daypack rather than carrying a full umbrella while walking cobblestone streets
SPF 50+ sunscreen and reapply every 90 minutes - UV index hits 8-10 in coastal areas and high-altitude cities like Bogotá where thin air provides less protection, even on cloudy days
Quick-dry clothing (synthetic or merino wool, avoid cotton) - humidity stays around 70-85% in most regions, and cotton takes 24-48 hours to fully dry in hotel rooms without proper air circulation
Closed-toe walking shoes with good grip - cobblestone streets in Cartagena and Bogotá's La Candelaria become slippery when wet, and you'll be walking 8-12 km (5-7.5 miles) daily in most cities
Light layers for Bogotá and high-altitude areas - temperatures swing from 10°C (50°F) early morning to 20°C (68°F) afternoon at 2,640 m (8,660 ft) elevation, so bring a fleece or light sweater
Insect repellent with 25-30% DEET - mosquitoes are active in coastal regions and especially aggressive in Amazon areas during March's wetter conditions, most active dawn and dusk
Waterproof phone case or dry bag - essential for boat tours to Islas del Rosario or Pacific whale watching where sea spray is constant, and for protecting electronics during unexpected rain showers
Reusable water bottle - tap water isn't drinkable in most Colombian cities, but hotels and restaurants have filtered water dispensers, saving you 3,000-5,000 COP per bottle daily
Small daypack (20-30 liters) - you'll need this for carrying rain gear, water, sunscreen, and purchases while walking through cities or doing day hikes in coffee regions
Cash in small bills (20,000 and 50,000 COP notes) - many small restaurants, street food vendors, and local transport only take cash, and breaking 100,000 COP notes is often difficult

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodation strategically around Semana Santa dates - if the holiday falls in late March 2026, prices spike 40-60% for the 5-day weekend in beach destinations like Cartagena, Santa Marta, and San Andrés. Visit these places either before mid-March or after early April to avoid both crowds and inflated pricing. Colombians book these hotels 2-3 months in advance.
Morning departures work better than afternoon for almost everything in March - whether it's Bogotá walking tours, Tayrona beach time, or Cocora Valley hikes, you'll get 4-6 hours of clear weather before afternoon clouds or rain arrive around 1-3pm. This pattern is remarkably consistent across most Colombian regions in March.
The coffee region (Salento, Filandia, Manizales) offers significantly better value than coastal destinations in March while having equally good weather - accommodation costs 60,000-120,000 COP per night for quality hostels or guesthouses versus 180,000-350,000 COP in Cartagena, and the landscapes are actually more dramatic with those 60 m (197 ft) tall wax palms.
Domestic flights are often cheaper than long-distance buses when you factor in time - Bogotá to Cartagena is 20+ hours by bus (90,000-140,000 COP) versus 90 minutes by flight (180,000-350,000 COP), and you save a full day of travel. Budget airlines like Wingo and Viva Air have sales if you book 3-4 weeks ahead, sometimes matching bus prices.

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating travel distances and times between Colombian destinations - the country is geographically large with mountainous terrain, so what looks like 300 km (186 miles) on a map often takes 8-10 hours by bus due to winding mountain roads. Travelers routinely try to pack Bogotá, Cartagena, Medellín, and coffee region into 10 days and end up exhausted from constant movement.
Skipping travel insurance that covers adventure activities - if you're planning paragliding in Medellín, diving near Cartagena, or Amazon jungle treks, standard travel insurance often excludes these activities. Colombian medical care is excellent but expensive for foreigners, and evacuation from remote areas like Nuquí or the Amazon can cost 10,000-20,000 USD without proper coverage.
Assuming all of Colombia has the same weather in March - the Caribbean coast is hot and dry at 30°C (86°F), Bogotá is cool and rainy at 18°C (64°F), and the Amazon is hot and very wet. Travelers pack for one climate and suffer in the others. You need layers, rain gear, and sun protection all in the same suitcase.

Explore Activities in Colombia

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February

Travel guide for February

April

Travel guide for April

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Colombia

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Plan Your March Trip to Colombia

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