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Colombia - Things to Do in Colombia in September

Things to Do in Colombia in September

September weather, activities, events & insider tips

September Weather in Colombia

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

Is September Right for You?

Advantages

  • September sits right in the shoulder season, which means you'll find accommodation prices dropping 20-30% compared to high season rates. Major tourist sites like Cartagena's Old Town and the coffee region actually feel manageable - you can walk through Plaza Bolívar without constantly dodging tour groups.
  • The weather patterns create this interesting split: the Caribbean coast is drying out from the rainy season while the interior highlands are still green and lush. You get the best of both worlds if you're planning a multi-region trip, with Cartagena beaches becoming more reliable while Medellín stays pleasantly cool at 22°C (72°F).
  • Colombia's festival calendar heats up in September with several regional celebrations that most international tourists miss entirely. The coffee harvest is ramping up in Zona Cafetera, meaning farm tours show you actual picking and processing rather than just walking through dormant plantations.
  • Flight prices from North America and Europe tend to dip in September since it's post-summer vacation but pre-holiday season. You're looking at savings of $100-200 USD on round-trip flights compared to June through August, and internal flights within Colombia run frequent sales during this period.

Considerations

  • September is technically still within the rainy season for most of Colombia, which means you'll likely see afternoon showers 10-12 days of the month. These aren't all-day washouts typically, but they can disrupt outdoor plans between 2pm-5pm. The Amazon region stays particularly wet with 200+ mm (7.9 inches) of rainfall.
  • Some Pacific coast destinations like Nuquí remain quite rainy and rough for whale watching boats - the peak season there runs July-October, but September can be hit-or-miss depending on weekly weather patterns. If whale watching is your primary goal, October is more reliable.
  • A few popular hiking trails in national parks like Tayrona may have temporary closures or muddy conditions due to recent rainfall. The Ciudad Perdida trek is doable but expect river crossings to be higher and trails to be slippery - not ideal for first-time trekkers or those with mobility concerns.

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Best Activities in September

Coffee Farm Tours in Zona Cafetera

September is actually one of the better months to visit coffee country because the harvest is actively happening. You'll see workers picking ripe cherries, processing beans, and the fincas are buzzing with activity rather than just being scenic backdrops. The weather at 1,200-1,800 m (3,937-5,906 ft) elevation stays mild at 20-24°C (68-75°F) with morning mists that burn off by 10am. The afternoon rains that do come are brief and the plantations smell incredible when wet. Tours typically run 3-4 hours including tastings and cost 80,000-150,000 COP depending on if you do basic tours or multi-day farm stays with hands-on picking.

Booking Tip: Book 5-7 days ahead through your accommodation or directly with farms - many fincas in Salento and Filandia offer tours. Look for working farms rather than tourist-only operations. Morning tours starting at 8am or 9am give you the best weather window before afternoon showers. Prices range 80,000-150,000 COP per person. Check the booking widget below for current coffee region tour options.

Medellín Comuna 13 Walking Tours

September weather in Medellín is nearly perfect - sitting at 1,500 m (4,921 ft) elevation means temperatures hover around 22°C (72°F) year-round, and while you might catch a quick afternoon shower, it's rarely enough to cancel plans. Comuna 13's outdoor escalators and street art tours work well because the neighborhood has covered areas to duck into. The transformation of this former conflict zone into a cultural hub is genuinely compelling, and local guides who lived through the changes provide context you won't get anywhere else. Tours run 2-3 hours and typically cost 40,000-80,000 COP including metro tickets.

Booking Tip: Book 2-3 days ahead or even show up at the San Javier metro station where guides congregate - though advance booking guarantees English-speaking guides. Go on weekdays if possible as weekends get crowded with domestic tourists. Morning tours at 9am or 10am beat both crowds and heat. Expect to pay 40,000-80,000 COP. See current Medellín tour options in the booking section below.

Cartagena Old City Evening Walking

By September, Cartagena's humidity is still present at around 75%, but the rainy season is tapering off and evening temperatures drop to a more comfortable 26°C (79°F) after sunset. The Old City walls and plazas come alive after 6pm when locals emerge and street performers set up. Walking tours work better in September evenings than midday when the heat is oppressive. The colonial architecture looks spectacular in golden hour light, and you'll actually want to be outside rather than hiding in air-conditioned cafes. Budget 2-3 hours for a thorough walk through Getsemaní and the walled city, with stops at plazas that have evening food vendors.

Booking Tip: You can easily self-guide with a map, but local historians add valuable context about colonial history and the neighborhood transformations. If booking a guide, arrange 1-2 days ahead and start around 5pm to catch sunset. Free walking tours operate on tips (plan for 30,000-50,000 COP per person), while private guides run 100,000-200,000 COP for small groups. Check the booking widget for current Cartagena walking tour options.

Bogotá Museum Circuit

September's variable weather makes Bogotá's world-class museums particularly appealing as indoor backup plans. At 2,640 m (8,661 ft) elevation, the city stays cool at 14-19°C (57-66°F), and afternoon rain showers are common enough that having museum days in your itinerary makes sense. The Gold Museum holds 55,000 pieces of pre-Hispanic gold work and is genuinely unmissable - not tourist hype. Botero Museum is free and houses both Botero's own work and his personal collection including Picassos and Monets. Budget a full day to hit 2-3 major museums with lunch breaks in La Candelaria neighborhood.

Booking Tip: Most museums don't require advance booking except on Sundays when locals get free entry and crowds spike. Go Tuesday-Saturday for manageable crowds. The Gold Museum costs 4,000 COP, Botero is free, and most others run 5,000-15,000 COP. Buy a Bogotá Tourist Pass if hitting multiple sites. Many museums close Mondays. See current Bogotá cultural tour options in the booking section below.

Tayrona National Park Day Hikes

September is transitional for Tayrona - the heavy rains are easing but trails can still be muddy from recent downpours. That said, the park is less crowded than peak season and the jungle looks incredibly lush. Temperatures stay around 28-30°C (82-86°F) with high humidity, so early morning starts at 6am or 7am are essential before the heat builds. The main trail from El Zaino entrance to Cabo San Juan beach covers 9 km (5.6 miles) round trip and takes 4-5 hours including swimming stops. Bring serious sun protection - UV index of 8 means you'll burn in 15 minutes without SPF 50+.

Booking Tip: Book accommodations in Santa Marta as a base and arrange park entry the day before - entrance costs 60,000 COP for foreigners plus 9,000 COP for indigenous community access. Start hiking by 7am to avoid midday heat and afternoon rain risk. Hire a local guide at the entrance for 80,000-120,000 COP if you want wildlife spotting expertise. Bring 3 liters (101 oz) of water per person minimum. Check the booking widget for current Tayrona tour packages including transport from Santa Marta.

Guatapé and El Peñol Rock Climbing

September weather around Guatapé stays mild at 18-24°C (64-75°F), and while you might catch afternoon clouds rolling in, mornings are usually clear for climbing El Peñol rock. The 740-step climb up the granite monolith takes 20-30 minutes and rewards you with views over the reservoir and islands. The town of Guatapé itself is worth 2-3 hours of wandering for the colorful zócalo facades on buildings. This makes a perfect day trip from Medellín, about 2 hours each way by bus or private transport. The area sees fewer international tourists in September but plenty of Colombian families on weekend trips.

Booking Tip: Go on a weekday if possible to avoid weekend crowds on the rock stairs. Entrance to El Peñol costs 25,000 COP. You can do this independently by bus from Medellín's Norte terminal for 15,000-18,000 COP each way, or book day tours that include transport, rock entry, and Guatapé town tour for 120,000-180,000 COP per person. Start early - buses leave Medellín from 6am onward. See current Guatapé tour options in the booking section below.

September Events & Festivals

Early September

Feria de Manizales

This is one of Colombia's major regional festivals celebrating coffee culture with bullfights, beauty pageants, concerts, and street parties throughout Manizales. While the main Feria typically runs in January, September hosts pre-festival cultural events and coffee competitions as harvest season begins. Worth checking local calendars if you're in Zona Cafetera, though it's not the full-scale festival.

Mid September

Festival de Jazz al Parque

Bogotá's free jazz festival usually happens in September, bringing international and Colombian jazz musicians to outdoor stages in city parks. It's part of the larger 'al Parque' festival series that makes music accessible to everyone. Exact dates shift year to year, but it typically runs over a long weekend in mid-September with multiple stages and genres beyond straight jazz.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket that packs small - September showers are brief but frequent enough that you'll use this 3-4 times during a two-week trip. Skip heavy rain gear, you want something that stuffs into a daypack.
SPF 50+ sunscreen and reapply every 90 minutes - UV index of 8 means you'll burn fast at higher elevations like Bogotá and in coastal areas. Locals use it religiously despite having darker skin tones.
Layers for elevation changes - you'll go from 28°C (82°F) in Cartagena to 14°C (57°F) in Bogotá within a single day of travel. A light fleece or long-sleeve shirt is essential for highland cities and evening bus rides with aggressive air conditioning.
Closed-toe hiking shoes with good tread - trails in coffee country and national parks get muddy in September. Skip the white sneakers unless you're only doing cities. Waterproof is helpful but quick-dry is more important than full waterproofing.
Small dry bag or waterproof pouch for phone and documents - afternoon showers come suddenly and while you can duck under cover, protecting electronics matters. A 5-liter (1.3-gallon) dry bag costs 20,000 COP at outdoor shops.
Breathable cotton or linen clothing - synthetic fabrics feel miserable in 70% humidity. You'll sweat regardless, but natural fibers dry faster and smell better. Bring enough for 5-6 days and plan to do laundry.
Insect repellent with 25%+ DEET for lowland areas - mosquitoes are present in Amazon regions, coffee country, and coastal areas. Dengue and other mosquito-borne illnesses are real concerns, especially during rainy season transitions.
Refillable water bottle (1 liter/34 oz minimum) - tap water isn't drinkable in most of Colombia, but hotels and restaurants have filtration systems. Carrying your own bottle saves money and plastic waste.
Small umbrella in addition to rain jacket - locals use umbrellas constantly for both rain and sun protection. A compact one that fits in your bag is more versatile than you'd think for market visits and city walking.
Cash in small bills - many local buses, market vendors, and small restaurants don't accept cards or can't make change for 50,000 COP notes. Keep 5,000 and 10,000 COP bills handy at all times.

Insider Knowledge

September is when Colombian universities are in session and local tourism drops off after the July-August vacation period. This means better deals on accommodations if you book directly with hotels rather than through booking platforms - call or email and ask for 'tarifa directa' rates, which can be 15-20% lower than online prices.
The afternoon rain pattern is predictable enough that locals plan around it. Schedule outdoor activities and travel between cities in the morning, use 2pm-5pm for museum visits, lunch, or hotel downtime, then head out again after 5pm when rain typically clears. Fighting against this rhythm makes for a frustrating trip.
September is mango season across Colombia, and street vendors sell them sliced with lime and salt for 2,000-3,000 COP. It's one of those simple pleasures that tastes better than any restaurant dessert. Also look for lulo, granadilla, and guanábana fruits in markets - they're at peak ripeness and dirt cheap.
If you're doing multi-city travel, book internal flights on Viva Air or Wingo at least 3-4 weeks ahead during September. Last-minute prices spike, but advance fares between Bogotá-Medellín-Cartagena run as low as 80,000-120,000 COP one-way. Bus travel is scenic but eats up full days - the Bogotá to Medellín bus takes 9-10 hours versus a 1-hour flight.

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating elevation impact in Bogotá and other highland cities. At 2,640 m (8,661 ft), you'll feel winded climbing stairs and might get headaches the first day. Don't schedule intense activities immediately after arriving - give yourself 24 hours to adjust, drink extra water, and avoid heavy alcohol the first night.
Wearing expensive jewelry or pulling out phones carelessly in crowded areas. Petty theft is opportunistic in tourist zones, and September's shoulder season means pickpockets focus on the tourists who are present. Keep phones in front pockets, wear daypacks on your chest in crowds, and leave valuables in hotel safes. Most Colombians are genuinely helpful, but you don't need to advertise that you're carrying $1,000 worth of electronics.
Assuming all of Colombia follows the same weather pattern. The country has five distinct climate zones, and September weather in Caribbean Cartagena is completely different from Pacific coast Nuquí or Amazon Leticia. Don't pack for one region and expect it to work everywhere - check specific forecasts for each destination on your itinerary.

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October

Travel guide for October

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Colombia

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Plan Your September Trip to Colombia

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