The sea temperature at Cartagena today is 29.8 °C (86 °F) – water as warm as a bath. The usual October average is 29.8 °C. The forecast for the next 3 days is 29.9 to 30 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 30.7 °C to 29.8 °C. Swimmable all year – the sea averages 27 °C or more in every month. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.5°C / 81.4°F | 28.0°C / 82.3°F | 28.5°C / 83.4°F |
| February | 26.9°C / 80.4°F | 27.5°C / 81.6°F | 28.1°C / 82.7°F |
| March | 26.9°C / 80.4°F | 27.4°C / 81.3°F | 28.2°C / 82.8°F |
| April | 27.2°C / 80.9°F | 27.8°C / 82.0°F | 28.2°C / 82.7°F |
| May | 28.3°C / 82.9°F | 29.0°C / 84.1°F | 29.6°C / 85.3°F |
| June | 29.2°C / 84.6°F | 29.5°C / 85.2°F | 29.9°C / 85.8°F |
| July | 29.1°C / 84.4°F | 29.4°C / 85.0°F | 29.9°C / 85.9°F |
| August | 29.1°C / 84.4°F | 29.6°C / 85.3°F | 30.2°C / 86.3°F |
| September | 29.5°C / 85.1°F | 29.9°C / 85.9°F | 30.4°C / 86.8°F |
| October | 29.5°C / 85.0°F | 29.8°C / 85.7°F | 30.2°C / 86.4°F |
| November | 29.2°C / 84.6°F | 29.5°C / 85.1°F | 29.9°C / 85.8°F |
| December | 28.2°C / 82.8°F | 28.7°C / 83.7°F | 29.1°C / 84.4°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.7°C / 78.2°F | 27.7°C / 81.9°F | 30.0°C / 86.0°F |
| February | 25.7°C / 78.3°F | 27.8°C / 82.0°F | 29.9°C / 85.9°F |
| March | 25.9°C / 78.7°F | 28.0°C / 82.4°F | 30.0°C / 86.0°F |
| April | 26.2°C / 79.2°F | 28.1°C / 82.5°F | 29.4°C / 84.9°F |
| May | 26.6°C / 79.9°F | 28.2°C / 82.8°F | 29.6°C / 85.2°F |
| June | 26.3°C / 79.3°F | 27.9°C / 82.2°F | 29.2°C / 84.5°F |
| July | 26.6°C / 79.9°F | 28.2°C / 82.8°F | 29.5°C / 85.2°F |
| August | 26.5°C / 79.7°F | 28.0°C / 82.4°F | 29.2°C / 84.6°F |
| September | 26.4°C / 79.6°F | 28.0°C / 82.4°F | 29.3°C / 84.7°F |
| October | 26.0°C / 78.8°F | 27.6°C / 81.7°F | 28.9°C / 84.1°F |
| November | 25.9°C / 78.6°F | 27.4°C / 81.4°F | 28.7°C / 83.6°F |
| December | 26.0°C / 78.9°F | 27.8°C / 82.0°F | 29.5°C / 85.0°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Cartagena holidays
Cartagena de Indias, on Colombia's Caribbean coast, grew up as a Spanish colonial port, and its walled old town, with the port and fortresses around it, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Balconied houses in bright colours line the streets inside the walls, while the high-rise hotels of Bocagrande stand on a narrow peninsula to the south.
Beaches
Bocagrande is the main city beach, a long strip of sand in front of the hotel towers, with vendors and beach chairs. North of Cartagena's walled city, the beaches of Marbella and Las Tenazas are divided by stone groynes and see more waves. The sea temperature on this page is measured off the western sea wall of the walled city. Clearer water is found out on the islands: boat trips head to the Rosario Islands, part of a national park with coral reefs, and to Playa Blanca on the Barú peninsula, which can be crowded on weekends.
Things to do
Cartagena's walled city is best explored on foot, from the Clock Tower gate to the squares of San Diego and the Church of San Pedro Claver, named after a Jesuit who ministered to enslaved Africans arriving at the port. Just outside the walls, Getsemaní is known for its murals and evening life on Plaza de la Trinidad. Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a Spanish fortress on a hill east of the old town, has tunnels that visitors can walk through, and the convent of La Popa looks out over the whole city from the highest hill.
Weather and best time to visit
At Cartagena the sea stays above 27 °C / 81 °F all year, even in the coolest month.
Cartagena is hot and humid all year. December to April is the driest season, when trade winds blow from the north-east and make the heat easier to bear. From May to November rain is more frequent, usually as heavy afternoon showers, and October and November tend to be the wettest months. The Christmas and New Year holidays and Holy Week are the busiest times, when Colombians also travel to the coast.
Hotels and where to stay
Boutique hotels in restored colonial houses fill Cartagena's walled city and Getsemaní, which puts the sights within walking distance. Bocagrande and Castillogrande have large hotels and apartments by the beach, and newer resorts are spread along the coast north of the airport.
Signature hotels: Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena (San Diego) · Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand, a member of Radisson Individuals (Bocagrande)
Airport and getting there
Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) lies in the Crespo district, about 3 km north-east of the walled city, usually 10 to 20 minutes by taxi depending on traffic. Cartagena is served by domestic flights from Bogotá, Medellín and other Colombian cities and by some international routes, and coastal buses and shuttles run to Barranquilla and Santa Marta; check current routes and timetables for your travel dates.