Founded in 1533, Cartagena de Indias was the primary port for Spain's South American empire and a major hub of the Atlantic slave trade. Its massive fortifications, built over two centuries to repel pirate attacks, are the most extensive in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The walled old city's pastel colonial buildings, bougainvillea-draped balconies, and plazas define Caribbean colonial elegance.
Nights sit around 26°C and afternoons around 32°C.
Cartagena barely changes season: afternoons sit around 32°C and nights around 25°C most of the year.
There is a clear wet season from July – November, peaking in October with around 237 mm. The dry months run from January – April.
Wind is a factor: February averages 21 km/h, enough to notice on a terrace or a bike. Air quality is worth watching: March averages an AQI of 58, while October clears to 39.
Daylight is steady all year, around 12.0 hours a day.
For what you're after, the best months in Cartagena are December – July. Expect fast internet (251 Mbps) and a moderate cost of living (about €1100 a month).
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