May in Colombia: Is it Worth it?
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May in Colombia is one of the most rainy months, especially in the Andean region, but that doesn’t mean there’s nowhere to go or nothing to do!
With few tourists and weather that changes gradually from one region to another, May is a good time of year to soak up Colombian culture by visiting a tourist city, feel the rhythms of a festival, and discover nature that turns green under the showers.
Thanks to this guide, discover the best destinations to explore in Colombia in May, as well as those to avoid.
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MAY IN COLOMBIA
How to enjoy Colombia in May
WEATHER IN MAY
When Colombia goes green.
In Medellín and Pereira, temperatures range between 16°C and 26°C, with an average of 21°C. The humidity level rises noticeably, and precipitation becomes more regular than in March or April. Showers are often intense but remain short, giving way to beautiful clearings in the morning.
In Bogotá, temperatures remain cool, ranging from 9°C to 20°C. Rain is frequent and mornings can be gray. Always plan for a raincoat, as afternoon showers are almost daily.
In Cali, temperatures stay between 19°C and 30°C. It is one of the most rainy months of the year in the region, with persistent rain in the late afternoon.
May marks the beginning of the rainy season on the Caribbean coast, but the transition remains smooth. Temperatures range from 25°C to 33°C with an average of 28°C. The humidity level rises significantly.
Rainfall returns in the form of thunderstorms in the late afternoon, without compromising the day’s activities. The sun still shines for a good part of the morning.
The sea remains pleasant for swimming. It is calm and there is much less wind; the crossing conditions to the islands are good.
On the Pacific coast, May’s weather is characterized by more sustained rains after the relative lull of the first quarter, although this region receives heavy rainfall practically all year round.
Temperatures range between 24°C and 28°C, with an average of 26°C. It is hot and humid.
If you are a diver, you might have the chance to still observe some whale sharks and have an amazing experience in the midst of an impressive school of sardines.
In the Amazon, May shows temperatures between 23°C and 31°C, with an average of 27°C. The heat is constant.
The humidity level is very high, and the rainfall is abundant, but a little less frequent, making the atmosphere heavy.
However, May is one of my favorite months to explore this region. The water level slowly decreases, and while some trails remain impassable, it’s a good time to explore the jungle by boat.
With temperatures ranging between 22°C and 34°C and an average of 27°C, it is always very hot in Los Llanos in May.
The rains begin to intensify significantly, gradually transforming the landscape of these vast plains: the grasslands turn green, the rivers rise, and the wildlife disperses into new areas, making sightings much more difficult, if not impossible.
The humidity rate is significantly increasing compared to previous months.
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What to do in Colombia in MAY
History, culture, and festivals.
May is obviously rainy in Bogotá, but the Colombian capital is unmissable for those interested in the country’s history and culture.
Favor the morning to explore La Candelaria, the historic center, and don’t hesitate to take a guided tour. Save the afternoons to visit the Museo del Oro and its fascinating collection of pre-Columbian goldwork, or the Museo Botero, which showcases the superb works with generous shapes, the artist’s signature.
When there’s a break in the weather, take the cable car up to Montserrate for a breathtaking view of the capital.
It’s also a great opportunity for foodies and gourmets to taste Bogotá’s cuisine, which has been booming in recent years.
In May, Medellín still enjoys pleasant mornings before the afternoon rains. It’s an ideal time to explore Comuna 13, crowded in high season, and understand its history through its graffiti.
You can also go dancing salsa in a popular bar and take a trip to Guatapé with its impressive Piedra del Peñón.
The silletera farms of Santa Elena, which supply Medellín with flowers for its impressive Feria de las Flores in August, are particularly lush this season. Just make sure to protect yourself from showers and wear waterproof shoes.
At the end of April, beginning of May, the Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata takes place in Valledupar. Classified as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, it is the most important musical event in Colombia.
For five days, the city transforms into a huge open-air stage and lives to the rhythm of vallenato — a poetic music born from the Caribbean plains. Competing accordionists, free concerts in the streets, dances, and craft exhibitions make up an authentic and unmissable popular festival.
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What to do in Colombia in MAY
Enjoy nature without the crowd.
Located in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Nicaragua, more than 700 km from the Colombian coast, the islands of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina are a paradise of white sand and turquoise water. Perfect if you want to escape the rainy conditions of the country.
In San Andrés, the most touristic of the three, large hotel complexes have sprung up everywhere.
For a wilder and better-preserved nature, escape to Providencia and its reggae vibe, without cars, just a hop away from San Andrés.
With Santa Catalina, its neighbor connected by a wooden bridge, it’s a paradise for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts. You can admire a 360° view of the island’s landscapes and the “sea of five colors” that bathes its shores by climbing up to El Pico, its peak.
For this dream destination, not really economical, you will need to plan an adequate budget.
May is a good time to stroll through the walled city and its magnificent colonial buildings, explore Getsemaní, admire its colorful graffiti, and enjoy the atmosphere of its nightlife.
You can escape to the paradisiacal Rosario Islands, and even though May is not the best month for sunbathing, the showers usually don’t last long.
May is not the high tourist season, but avoid going to Cartagena on holidays or during a long weekend (many in Colombia). Colombians love this city.
Barichara and the villages of the department of Santander are particularly beautiful in May. The awakening of nature gives a new face to the landscapes surrounding these charming villages with white walls and cobblestone streets.
Hiking on the Camino Real between Barichara and Guane, with its various viewpoints, in an environment that comes alive under the rain, is a memorable experience.
The Chicamocha Canyon takes on beautiful shades of green, much more intense than in the dry season, and offers stunning panoramas from its viewpoints.
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MAY EVENTS
Between tradition and modernity.
It’s the flagship event of late April-early May in Colombia. Since 1968, Valledupar has hosted this festival that brings together the best composers and performers of vallenato from all over the country.
The main competition is the accordionists’ contest, where male and female soloists of all generations, accompanied by the caja (drum) and the guacharaca (percussion instrument), symbols of Colombian mestizaje, compete for the title of “Rey Vallenato.”
The festival also features parades of floats, traditional dances such as those of the Piloneras, artisanal exhibitions, improvised parties (parrandas) by individuals who open their doors, and concerts in the open air in a popular, colorful, and warm atmosphere.
A wonderful experience for those interested in Colombian culture.
For 15 days, every year, between mid-April and early May, Bogotá hosts the Feria Internacional del Libro de Bogotá, one of the largest book fairs in the Hispanic world.
National and international authors, workshops, conferences, debates on literature, book signings, the FILBo extends far beyond its strictly literary framework by also highlighting arts and cinema, to offer a true cultural celebration throughout the city.
Access is open to the general public and a large portion of the activities are free or low-cost.
Every year for 10 days in May, Medellín hosts Expoartesano, a craft fair that brings together artisans from all over the country. This event, sponsored by a government entity, is considered one of the most important heritages of Colombian traditions.
More than 450 exhibitors showcase their work: hats, handbags, kitchen utensils, baskets, clothing, and many other items you can admire and buy.
It is also possible to participate in workshops, classes, and conferences on the artistic expression of the different cultures that are part of the Colombian heritage (body painting, hairstyles, knitting, etc.).
Born in 2015, with the same name as the famous Baum Club in Bogotá, now closed, the Baum Festival has established itself as the largest electronic music festival in Colombia.
Every year at the end of May, it brings together tens of thousands of ravers for two days, following a carefully curated lineup mixing international stars — techno, house, underground — and Colombian talents.
It is not just a music festival, but a complete cultural experience that is part of the dynamism and diversity of Bogotá, which claims to be the capital of a true epicenter of electronic culture in Latin America.
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Tourism in MAY
Showers, but fewer tourists.
May is clearly a low tourist season month in Colombia. After the excitement of Semana Santa, the country returns to its calm rhythm.
The vast majority of destinations — Cartagena, Tayrona Park, Medellín — are significantly less crowded. You can enjoy the iconic sites without the lines or the crowds of the high season months. Accommodations are more readily available and rates are often more attractive.
Colombia has many holidays in May (Ascension, Corpus Christi…). These holidays lead to peaks in local traffic to weekend destinations near major cities.
Plan your trips accordingly and book accommodations for long weekends a bit in advance.
If you plan to attend the Vallenato Festival, the FILBo, or the Baum Festival, book your accommodations and tickets well in advance.
For the rest of the country in May, booking in advance offers more choices, but is not absolutely necessary.
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Packing for MAY
Essentials for dealing with the rain.
This is the number one accessory in May. Showers can be sudden and intense, especially in the Andes.
Opt for a compact garment that is easy to store in your backpack.
The rainy season awakens mosquitoes and other insects, especially if you venture into the Amazon. Opt for long-sleeved shirts and pants.
Also, bring sunscreen; the equatorial sun is always strong when it comes out, even if the sky is cloudy.
Waterproof or quick-drying walking shoes are essential if you’re heading to the paramos or going for walks in the jungle. The trails will be muddy in May.
Plan for technical clothing that dries quickly — avoid cotton. A plastic bag or waterproof bags to protect your hiking bag and electronic devices are welcome.
Bring a hat, light clothing suitable for the heat of the Caribbean region (30°C during the day), and comfortable shoes for the long hours of outdoor concerts.
Colombian pesos in cash are preferable to card payments in many places in Valledupar.
Evenings in Bogotá can be cool. In addition to your rain gear, plan for a sweater or a jacket, or even several layers to put on if you get cold easily. A foldable umbrella is handy in the city.
Colombians love to dress up to go out. Consider a few more polished outfits if you plan to enjoy the nightlife in Medellín, Bogotá, or Cartagena.
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MY TIPS FOR MAY
To properly prepare for your trip to Colombia.
May is one of the most underrated months to visit Colombia.
The rain is indeed more present, but it usually falls in short showers at the end of the day, leaving the mornings free to explore.
The vegetation is an extraordinary green, the waterfalls are at their most beautiful flow, and Colombians resume their daily rhythm after the excitement of Semana Santa.
An authentic atmosphere that hurried travelers of the high season don’t know.
If you plan to spend 7 days in Colombia, focus on one region.
Antioquia: Explore Medellín and Comuna 13, take a trip to Guatapé, climb the Piedra del Peñón, and why not spend a night in a cozy hotel by the lake.
Bogotá and surroundings: In Bogotá, visit La Candelaria, the museums, and, depending on your travel dates, check out the FILBo or Baum Festival. Escape to a village in Boyacá, like Monguí or Villa del Leyva.
Cartagena & Caribbean Coast: The old walled city, Getsemaní, a getaway to the Rosario Islands and Tayrona Park with far fewer people than in high season.
If you plan to spend 15 days in Colombia, you can combine two regions, or even three at most:
Bogotá, Coffee Region & Antioquia: Bogotá, with its museums and historic center; the Coffee Region, with the Cocora Valley, its colonial villages and coffee farms; the dynamic Medellín and its Comuna 13, with a getaway to Guatapé.
Caribbean Coast & Santander: Cartagena and its islands, a hike in Tayrona Park, then the easygoing life in Barichara and the spectacular Chicamocha Canyon.
Caribbean, Antioquia, and Santander: Cartagena, its historic center, a getaway to Providencia, the charming Barichara and its fabulous landscapes, then Medellín, its museums and nightlife, with a getaway to Guatapé.
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My favorite activities in Colombia
Contact the best local agencies directly to organize these experiences
La Guajira : Cabo de la Vela, Punta Gallinas & Macuira park 4d
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Enjoy 4 days of adventure in the La Guajira desert, with a mix of classic and new destinations.
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Cartagena: Rent a boat to explore the Rosario Islands 1d
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A tailor-made boat trip to enjoy the Rosario Islands: Find the most stunning islands and either dodge the tourists or party with them.
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Santa Marta : The Lost City [Ciudad Perdida] trek 4d
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Discover the magic of the Ciudad Perdida and its importance for the indigenous communities.
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The Cerros de Mavecure and Its Unforgettable Landscapes 4d
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Imagine three massive hills rising from the ground in the middle of a vast jungle plain.
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Leticia: the Amazon from a jungle ecolodge, comfort option 5d
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Stay in the world's largest forest and discover its wonders and diversity.
View this tour
Yopal : Safari in los Llanos from a nature reserve 4d
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Gallop at full speed across the vast plains of the Llanos, discovering an admirable natural habitat.
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Caño Cristales: discover the famous rainbow river - group option 4d
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Imagine the spectacle of a multicolored river winding through unique landscapes.
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Los Nevados: Santa Isabel glacier ascent 3D
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The perfect combo of high and medium-altitude mountains plus the discovery of numerous ecosystems.
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We test and select the best activities in Colombia especially for our readers.
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