June in Colombia: Is it Worth it?
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In June, in Colombia, the weather improves but remains varied in certain regions. It’s the time to discover wonderful destinations, like Caño Cristales, which reopens to the public.
On the festivities side, in Neiva (Huila), the Festival del Bambuco sets the city ablaze in a carnival atmosphere.
June flies under the radar for foreign tourists, but Colombian families take over as soon as school breaks start in mid-June.
Thanks to this guide, discover the best destinations to make the most of your trip during this colorful month.
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JUNE IN COLOMBIA
How to Enjoy Colombia in June
weather in JUNE
A month of contrasts depending on the regions.
In Medellín and Pereira, temperatures range between 17°C and 27°C, with an average of 22°C. In June, showers persist, especially in the late afternoon, while the mornings are often clear and bright.
In Bogotá, temperatures range between 9°C and 19°C. June is an interesting month of transition: rainfall gradually decreases compared to May, and the atmosphere becomes more pleasant in the middle of the day. The capital is slowly coming out of its wettest period.
In Cali, temperatures remain between 19°C and 30°C. Rain is still present, but less intense than in May, allowing you to enjoy the city and its surroundings in good conditions.
In June, on the Caribbean coast, it is the rainy season. Temperatures remain very high, between 25°C and 32°C. In Cartagena, the sun still shines mostly; showers are often brief and occur at night.
The sea is no longer as rough, and crossings to the Rosario Islands are calmer.
In Santa Marta and in the Tayrona Park, however, the weather is less favorable with more frequent precipitation. The interior of the Sierra Nevada can be foggy.
In June, on the Pacific coast, the weather alternates between sunshine and intense tropical showers.
Temperatures range from 25°C to 28°C, with an average of 26°C.
Surfing fans will enjoy the beautiful waves.
In the Amazon, temperatures range between 23°C and 31°C. The peak of the rainy season has passed and although precipitation remains significant, it decreases throughout the month.
June is a transition month between the High Water season and the Low Water season; the water level drops. It’s a time of year I love to explore the jungle by boat, as many paths remain impassable on foot.
The rainy season is well underway in June in Los Llanos. Temperatures range between 22°C and 33°C, the air is warm and sometimes heavy.
The vast plains that are partially flooded have regained their green hues.
The trail to Caño Cristales becomes accessible again: the park officially reopens in mid-June — it’s the most anticipated event of the season in the region.
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What to do in Colombia in JUNE
Natural wonders and adventures
In the heart of the Serranía de la Macarena National Park, in the department of Meta, winds one of the most spectacular natural wonders on the planet. Caño Cristales stretches nearly 100 kilometers through gorges and ancient stone terraces, inherited from the Guiana Shield — the world’s oldest geological formation.
Its secret? The Macarenia clavigera, an endemic aquatic plant, colors the riverbed green, pink, red, purple, and brown depending on the sunlight. A phenomenon you won’t see anywhere else with such intensity.
Waterfalls, powerful rapids, exceptional biodiversity, savannas and jungles, captivating Llanera culture… The Serranía de la Macarena is much more than a river. It’s a unique experience that deserves to be explored for 4 or 5 days.
Note: The park usually reopens in mid-June.
In the coffee region, the sun returns more clearly even though showers are still present in the afternoon.
Get up early and go hiking in the Cocora Valley among its spectacular wax palms and enjoy magnificent views. Nature lovers can venture into one of the many natural reserves in the region, which are home to an amazing biodiversity.
You can discover everything about coffee culture by visiting a coffee farm and, if you have a sweet tooth, choose to take a chocolate tour, a drink that is part of Colombian culture.
Besides the very popular village of Salento, take the opportunity to stroll through lesser-known colonial villages like Pijao or Filandia, two gems of Quindío still spared by mass tourism.
San José del Guaviare, in the department of Guaviare, between Los Llanos and the Amazon, is Colombia for adventurers — little known, little visited, yet extraordinary.
Alternative more accessible to Caño Cristales, the region captivates with its rock paintings dating back 12,000 years, engraved in red on the walls of the tepuys by the indigenous peoples of Guaviare. The site of Cerro Azul is particularly impressive.
Around San José, the rock formations of the Guiana Shield, sculpted by erosion, offer stunning landscapes.
From June to November, the rivers are magnificent, the waterfalls swollen, and the finca Trankilandia even reveals its own version — more confidential — of a dazzling rainbow river.
June is in the intermediate period between the high water season and the low water season; the drop in the water level of the Amazon River has begun. The rainy season is over, and even though there may be showers, it’s a time of year that I particularly love to explore the parts of the jungle still accessible only by boat.
The Amazon is a paradise for naturalists, with its prodigious biodiversity, in both flora and fauna, even if sometimes you have to be patient or follow the trained eye of your local guide.
I’ll let you imagine the spectacle of nature awakening at sunrise from your ecolodge, lost in the heart of the jungle.
It’s also an opportunity for wonderful encounters with the indigenous communities eager to preserve their culture and their deep attachment to their land.
In short, an unforgettable human experience.
For lovers of the ocean floor, the Colombian Caribbean coast is full of gems, from the most well-known to the most secret.
Off the coast of Cartagena, the magnificent Rosario Islands stand out as a paradise for snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts, with their crystal-clear waters and ocean floors.
Further west and less crowded, Rincón del Mar is an authentic fishing village facing the sublime islands of the San Bernardo archipelago, surrounded by coral reefs.
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JUNE EVENTS
Folklore and culture.
From mid-June to the end of the month (early July depending on the year), Neiva, in the department of Huila, hosts the Festival Folclórico and Reinado Nacional del Bambuco. Declared a Cultural Heritage of the Nation in 2006, this event is one of the most important folkloric celebrations in the south of the country.
For two weeks, the pretty green city lives to the rhythm of Bambuco, a traditional Colombian music originating from the Andes. Sumptuous parades, dance, and beauty contests, including the Reinado Nacional del Bambuco, where candidates from all departments perform the Sanjuanero Huilense, a traditional Colombian bambuco song, in hand-embroidered outfits.
The atmosphere in the streets of Neiva is electric: colorful comparsas (groups of dancers and singers), live music, food stalls, and a Défilé Acuático on the Magdalena River where decorated boats parade at sunset.
A popular and authentic festival, far from the classic tourist circuits.
June 24th (San Juan) and June 29th (San Pedro) are celebrated in many cities of the country, but it is in Huila, while the Festival del Bambuco is in full swing in Neiva, and in Tolima, where the festivities are the most vibrant. Processions, traditional dances, and popular parties mix Catholic tradition and local culture.
In Los Llanos, these festivals also mark the beginning of the llanero summer: gatherings, horse races, and joropo music evenings in the hatos, vast ranches where cattle are raised.
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Tourism in June
A month with two faces.
June is a paradox: low international season (prices lower, fewer foreign tourists), but high Colombian season (school vacations).
The popular destinations for Colombians, like Cartagena and the Rosario Islands, can be busy on weekends. On the other hand, Caño Cristales (reopening mid-June) and the Andean villages remain accessible and pleasant.
Depending on your destinations and the school vacation calendar, consider booking in advance; you’ll have more options.
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Pack your bag for June
The essentials according to your destination.
A lightweight raincoat is essential, no matter your destination. A hat that provides good sun protection, sunscreen (equatorial radiation penetrates clouds), and an external battery to capture your discoveries.
The national park of Serranía de la Macarena imposes its rules: sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and plastic bottles are forbidden inside the park.
Plan for light long-sleeved clothing, a swimsuit, closed hiking shoes that can get wet, and a headlamp for the evenings.
Don’t forget an insect repellent and favor long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Plan for an easy-to-carry backpack and a waterproof cover to protect it on the boat.
If you have a pair of binoculars, now is the time to take them.
Take good waterproof hiking shoes for the still damp paths and a suitable backpack.
Depending on your destination, the mornings and evenings can be a bit cool; plan for a sweater or a light jacket.
Light clothing but covering the shoulders (the heat in Huila is intense), and good walking shoes for the long hours you will spend standing. You will need to arrive early and wait if you want to find a good spot to admire the Gran Desfile Folclórico.
Plan for a small, discreet bag for your valuables.
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MY TIPS FOR JUNE
To properly prepare for your trip to Colombia.
June is a good month to discover some of Colombia’s natural wonders that are still not frequently visited by foreign tourists at this time of year.
Choose your destinations and dates carefully if you want to avoid the local crowds at sites favored by Colombians, unless you want to experience their spontaneous joy of living, which could add another dimension to your adventure.
Depending on your destination (Caño Cristales, San José del Guaviare, or the Amazon), go through a local agency or contact us directly to organize your trip!
If you plan to spend 7 days in Colombia, focus on one region.
The coffee region: a short stop in Bogotá, in Salento, a hike in the Cocora Valley, a visit to a coffee finca, and the tranquility of more intimate colonial villages.
Boyacá and Santander: From Bogotá, a romantic getaway to Villa de Leyva, a charming colonial village, and the magnificent village of Barichara, perched above a stunning, dizzying canyon, with its cobblestone streets and vibrant crafts.
Caño Cristales (Meta): After a short stop in Bogotá for its museums and historic district, the magical experience of Caño Cristales.
If you plan to spend 15 days in Colombia, you can combine two regions, or even three at most:
Bogotá, Caño Cristales (Meta) & Antioquia: Bogotá, its museums and La Candelaria, adventure at Caño Cristales, Medellín and its Comuna 13, and the gentle lifestyle of a colonial village like Jericó.
Bogotá, the Amazon & the Coffee Region: the capital for Colombian history and culture, adventure in the Amazon jungle, then relaxation in the coffee region, with its colonial villages and the magnificent landscapes of the Cocora Valley.
Bogotá, Los Llanos & San José del Guaviare: Bogotá, its museums and historic center, a stay in a hato to discover Los Llanos and the llanera culture and an adventure in San José del Guaviare.
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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
Colombia
4 Days
1 place
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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1 Day
3 places
A tailor-made boat trip to enjoy the Rosario Islands: Find the most stunning islands and either dodge the tourists or party with them.
View this tour
Santa Marta : The Lost City [Ciudad Perdida] trek 4d
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4 Days
1 place
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
Colombia
4 Days
2 places
Imagine three massive hills rising from the ground in the middle of a vast jungle plain.
View this tour
Leticia: the Amazon from a jungle ecolodge, comfort option 5d
Colombia
5 Days
1 place
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
Colombia
4 Days
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Gallop at full speed across the vast plains of the Llanos, discovering an admirable natural habitat.
View this tour
Caño Cristales: discover the famous rainbow river - group option 4d
Colombia
4 Days
1 place
Imagine the spectacle of a multicolored river winding through unique landscapes.
View this tour
Los Nevados: Santa Isabel glacier ascent 3D
Colombia
3 Days
1 place
The perfect combo of high and medium-altitude mountains plus the discovery of numerous ecosystems.
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See more activities?
We test and select the best activities in Colombia especially for our readers.
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