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Colombia - Things to Do in Colombia in October

Things to Do in Colombia in October

October weather, activities, events & insider tips

October Weather in Colombia

28°C (82°F) High Temp
18°C (64°F) Low Temp
150 mm (5.9 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is October Right for You?

Advantages

  • Shoulder season pricing means accommodation costs drop 20-30% compared to December-January peak, with boutique hotels in Cartagena running 400,000-600,000 COP ($100-150 USD) versus 800,000+ COP ($200+ USD) in high season
  • Coffee harvest season in the Zona Cafetera creates exceptional farm tour experiences - you'll actually see picking, processing, and can participate in harvest activities rather than just walking past dormant plants like in May-August
  • Whale watching season overlaps perfectly with October on the Pacific coast near Nuquí and Bahía Solano, with humpback whales still migrating through (season runs July-November, with October being less crowded than peak August)
  • Manageable rain patterns - showers typically hit afternoons around 2-5pm for 30-60 minutes then clear, meaning you can plan morning activities outdoors and have indoor options ready for afternoon, unlike the relentless all-day rain of April-May

Considerations

  • October sits squarely in Colombia's second rainy season, meaning you'll deal with wet conditions in most regions except San Andrés and La Guajira - pack accordingly and build flexibility into your itinerary
  • Some hiking trails in popular areas like Cocora Valley can get muddy and occasionally close after heavy overnight rain, though they usually reopen within 24-48 hours once conditions improve
  • Caribbean coast (Cartagena, Santa Marta, Tayrona) experiences more overcast days and occasional rough seas compared to December-March, which can limit boat trips to Islas del Rosario and affect beach conditions

Investigate Other Months

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Best Activities in October

Coffee Farm Tours in Salento and Valle de Cocora

October is harvest season in the Coffee Triangle, which transforms standard farm tours into active harvest experiences. You'll see workers picking ripe cherries, participate in sorting, and watch the entire wet-processing method in action. The landscape is incredibly green from recent rains, and temperatures in Salento sit around 18-22°C (64-72°F) - perfect for walking between farms. Morning tours (starting 8-9am) avoid afternoon rain and catch the best light over the wax palms in Cocora Valley. The combination of active harvest and lush scenery makes this the single best month for coffee tourism.

Booking Tip: Reserve farm tours 5-7 days ahead during October as it's moderately busy. Expect to pay 80,000-150,000 COP ($20-38 USD) for half-day tours including tastings and transport from Salento. Look for working farms rather than tourist-focused operations - you want to see actual production. Most tours run 4-5 hours. Check the booking widget below for current tour availability in the Coffee Triangle region.

Pacific Coast Whale Watching

Humpback whales migrate through Colombia's Pacific waters July through November, with October offering a sweet spot - whales are still abundant but tourist numbers drop after September. Nuquí and Bahía Solano are the main departure points, and you'll typically spot mothers with calves breaching, tail-slapping, and singing. The Pacific coast is rainy year-round anyway, so October's wet conditions don't disadvantage you here. Sea conditions tend to be calmer in morning hours. This is genuinely one of the world's best whale watching experiences and October timing means better availability on boats and accommodations.

Booking Tip: Book Pacific coast whale watching at least 2-3 weeks ahead as boat capacity is limited and lodges fill up. Tours typically cost 150,000-250,000 COP ($38-63 USD) for half-day excursions. Most operators run morning departures around 7-8am when seas are calmest. You'll need to factor in small plane flights to Nuquí or Bahía Solano from Medellín or Cali, which run 300,000-500,000 COP ($75-125 USD) roundtrip. See current whale watching tours in the booking section below.

Bogotá Museum Circuit and Cultural Activities

Bogotá's elevation at 2,640 m (8,661 ft) means October brings cool temperatures around 14-18°C (57-64°F) and frequent afternoon drizzle - perfect weather for spending time in world-class museums. The Gold Museum holds 55,000 pieces of pre-Hispanic metallurgy, Botero Museum showcases the artist's signature style plus his personal Picasso and Monet collection, and the newer MAMU (Museo de Arte Miguel Urrutia) focuses on modern Colombian art. October is shoulder season so you'll avoid the December-January crowds but museums stay open normal hours. The rain actually enhances the experience - ducking into a museum while rain patters outside, then emerging to fresh mountain air.

Booking Tip: Most major Bogotá museums don't require advance booking except for special exhibitions. Entry runs free to 4,000 COP ($1 USD) for permanent collections. Plan museum visits for afternoons when rain is likely anyway, saving mornings for outdoor activities like the Monserrate funicular or street art tours in La Candelaria. Many museums close Mondays. Budget 2-3 hours per major museum. Check the booking widget for guided cultural tours that combine multiple sites with historical context.

Medellín Comuna 13 and Transformation Tours

Medellín's famous Comuna 13 neighborhood tours work particularly well in October because the weather sits in that comfortable 22-28°C (72-82°F) range - warm enough for the uphill walking but not the intense heat of January-March. The outdoor escalators and street art look vibrant after rain cleans the air. October falls outside major Colombian holidays so you'll experience more authentic neighborhood life rather than tourist crowds. The transformation story of Comuna 13 from conflict zone to cultural destination is genuinely compelling, and local guides provide context you won't find in guidebooks. Morning tours (9-11am) catch better light for photography and avoid afternoon showers.

Booking Tip: Book Comuna 13 tours 3-5 days ahead through licensed guides who are often from the neighborhood itself. Tours typically cost 60,000-100,000 COP ($15-25 USD) for 2-3 hours including metro tickets. Look for small group sizes under 12 people for better interaction. Afternoon tours can work but bring a light rain jacket as showers are likely. Avoid going independently without a guide as you'll miss the crucial historical and social context. See current Comuna 13 tours in the booking section below.

Tayrona National Park Coastal Hiking

October sits at the tail end of Tayrona's wetter season, which means fewer crowds than December-March peak but you'll need to accept occasional rain and potentially rougher seas that limit swimming. That said, the park's coastal trails through jungle to stunning beaches like Cabo San Juan are incredibly lush after months of rain, and wildlife spotting improves with fewer tourists. Temperatures hover around 28-32°C (82-90°F) with high humidity, so early morning starts around 6-7am are essential before heat builds. The 3.5 km (2.2 mile) hike from Cañaveral entrance to Arrecifes takes about 90 minutes and involves some elevation gain. October's moderate crowds mean better camping and hammock availability.

Booking Tip: Reserve Tayrona entry tickets online 2-3 days ahead during October as the park limits daily visitors to 6,500 people. Entry costs 60,500 COP ($15 USD) for foreign adults. If camping or renting hammocks at Cabo San Juan, book accommodations 1-2 weeks ahead as spaces fill up even in shoulder season. Budget a full day or ideally overnight to make the hiking worthwhile. Check weather forecasts as the park occasionally closes trails after heavy rain. See current Tayrona tours with transport from Santa Marta in the booking section below.

Guatapé and El Peñol Rock Climbing

The famous El Peñol rock with its 740 steps sits about 2 hours from Medellín and October weather makes it particularly appealing - temperatures around 20-24°C (68-75°F) mean you won't be dying of heat on the climb up. October's rains keep the surrounding reservoir landscape brilliantly green, and the colorful zócalos (decorative bas-reliefs) on Guatapé's buildings look freshly painted after showers clean the dust. Crowds are manageable compared to holiday periods. The climb takes 20-30 minutes depending on fitness, and views from the top over the artificial lake and its islands are genuinely spectacular. Plan to spend 4-5 hours total including the town exploration.

Booking Tip: Entry to El Peñol rock costs 25,000 COP ($6 USD) paid at the base. You don't need advance booking for the rock itself, but if arranging transport from Medellín, book day tours 3-5 days ahead. Tours typically run 120,000-180,000 COP ($30-45 USD) including transport, guide, and sometimes lunch. Go early (arrive by 9-10am) to avoid midday crowds on the stairs and catch clearer views before afternoon clouds roll in. The climb is moderately strenuous but doable for most fitness levels. See current Guatapé tours in the booking section below.

October Events & Festivals

Not in October

Cartagena International Film Festival (FICCI)

One of Latin America's oldest film festivals, FICCI typically runs in early March, NOT October. Worth noting that October is actually quiet for major festivals in Colombia - you'll avoid event-driven crowds and price spikes, which is honestly an advantage for first-time visitors who want to experience destinations at their normal pace.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket or packable poncho - afternoon showers hit 60% of October days, lasting 30-60 minutes. Skip heavy rain gear, you want something that stuffs into a daypack and dries quickly
Quick-dry clothing in breathable fabrics - that 70% humidity means cotton takes forever to dry. Synthetic or merino wool shirts dry overnight in hotel rooms, cotton won't
Closed-toe hiking shoes or trail runners with good grip - trails get muddy in Cocora Valley, Tayrona, and anywhere outside cities. Flip-flops are fine for Caribbean coast but not sufficient as your only footwear
SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index hits 8 even on overcast days due to Colombia's equatorial position. You'll burn faster than you expect, especially at altitude in Bogotá at 2,640 m (8,661 ft)
Light layers for Bogotá - temperatures drop to 14-18°C (57-64°F) in the capital and you'll want a sweater or light fleece for evenings, while the coast stays at 28°C (82°F)
Insect repellent with DEET for Pacific coast and Amazon regions - mosquitoes are more active during rainy season. Not essential for Bogotá or Medellín but critical for jungle areas
Waterproof phone case or dry bag - protecting electronics during sudden showers is worth the small investment, especially if doing boat trips or hiking
Comfortable walking shoes for cities - you'll cover 8-12 km (5-7.5 miles) daily exploring places like Cartagena's old town or Bogotá's La Candelaria on foot
Small umbrella - locals use them and you'll appreciate the option when rain jackets feel too warm in coastal humidity
Reusable water bottle - tap water isn't drinkable but hotels and restaurants provide filtered water for refills, saving money and plastic waste

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations in Cartagena's Getsemaní neighborhood rather than the touristy walled city - you'll pay 30-40% less for equivalent quality, walk to everything in 10 minutes, and actually see where locals eat and hang out. October's shoulder season means even better deals here.
Domestic flights between major cities (Bogotá-Medellín-Cartagena triangle) cost less when booked 3-4 weeks ahead during October, typically 150,000-250,000 COP ($38-63 USD) versus 400,000+ COP ($100+ USD) for last-minute bookings. Avianca and LATAM dominate routes but check Viva Air and Wingo for budget options.
Colombian meal timing differs from North American expectations - lunch is the main meal (12-2pm) when set menus called 'menú del día' or 'corriente' offer soup, main, juice, and sometimes dessert for 15,000-25,000 COP ($4-6 USD). Dinners are lighter and later, around 7-9pm. Adjust your eating schedule to save money.
October sits between major Colombian holiday periods (Independence in July, Christmas in December) so you'll see more authentic daily life and fewer domestic tourists flooding popular spots. This is actually ideal for first-timers who want to understand real Colombian culture rather than holiday crowds.

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating travel distances - Colombia is deceptively large and mountainous. Bogotá to Medellín is only 240 km (149 miles) but takes 8-10 hours by bus due to mountain roads. Budget for internal flights between major cities rather than assuming quick overland travel.
Skipping travel insurance that covers adventure activities - if you plan to hike Tayrona, do coffee farm tours, or visit the Pacific coast, standard policies often exclude these. October's rain increases minor injury risk on muddy trails, making coverage more important.
Wearing expensive jewelry or carrying obvious camera gear in cities - petty theft targets tourists who stand out. Use a basic daypack, keep phone in front pocket, and leave valuables in hotel safes. This applies year-round but October's moderate crowds make you more visible as a tourist.

Explore Activities in Colombia

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September

Travel guide for September

November

Travel guide for November

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Colombia

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Plan Your October Trip to Colombia

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