Cartagena's walled city and Caribbean waterfront in warm evening light

Cartagena in December

Perfect skies, peak everything

The short answer

December is a below-average month in Cartagena.

Excellent dry-season weather but the busiest and most expensive period.

5.5/10 overall24–30°CVery high crowds$$$$ (Very high)
Weather9/10
Crowds2/10
Prices2/10
Events7/10

December in detail

What December actually feels like

Weather
24–30°C
Dry season
Crowds
Very high
Christmas/New Year travel period fills the city
Prices
$$$$ (Very high)
Peak holiday rates

+Excellent dry-season weather returns.

–The busiest and most expensive period of the year.

My tip for December

Early December is calmer than the holiday fortnight — go in the first half of the month if you can.

  • Festive atmosphere
  • Beach days

How December compares

Against the other eleven months

10th of 12 overall in Cartagena, 1st for weather, 11th for space, 11th for value. The emptiest month is September; the best value is September.

See all twelve months for Cartagena

Plan around

What’s on in Cartagena in December

Christmas & New Year

December–January

A major peak travel period with the highest crowds and prices of the year, despite the excellent dry-season weather.

Not set on December?

Months I'd choose over December

Still going to Cartagena in December?

Book early and plan around the busiest hours — the busiest and most expensive period of the year.

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