The best months to move to Colombia are January – March. Varies by altitude. Medellín: eternal spring (18–28°C, 1,500m altitude). Bogotá: cool (8–18°C, 2,600m). Cartagena: hot and humid (28–35°C). No seasons — wet and dry periods.

Seasonal planning guide — weather, visa timing, rental markets & expert tips

Last updated: June 2026

The best time to move to Colombia is January – March. Varies by altitude. Medellín: eternal spring (18–28°C, 1,500m altitude). Bogotá: cool (8–18°C, 2,600m). Cartagena: hot and humid (28–35°C). No seasons — wet and dry periods. Avoid moving during October – November (heaviest rains) if possible.

Best Time to Move

January – March

Avoid If Possible

October – November (heaviest rains)

Colombia Climate Overview

Varies by altitude. Medellín: eternal spring (18–28°C, 1,500m altitude). Bogotá: cool (8–18°C, 2,600m). Cartagena: hot and humid (28–35°C). No seasons — wet and dry periods.

Season-by-Season Guide

Dry Season (Dec–Feb)

18–30°C

Best time to arrive in Medellín — sunny, warm, dry
Christmas and New Year celebrations are incredible
Peak digital nomad season — vibrant community events

Light Rains (Mar–May)

18–28°C

Medellín: brief afternoon showers, still pleasant
Feria de las Flores (Medellín, August) prep begins
Good time for cédula de extranjería applications

Dry Period (Jun–Aug)

17–27°C

Second dry season — pleasant across most of Colombia
Good time for apartment hunting in Bogotá
Cooler months in Medellín (locals call it 'winter')

Wet Season (Sep–Nov)

17–28°C

Heaviest rains in October
Cheapest rents as nomads move on
Good time to negotiate long-term lease discounts

Visa & Immigration

Digital Nomad Visa (V-type): requires 3× SMMLV (~$1,410/mo in 2026 at COP 5.25M) — 'no averaging' rule means EVERY month must hit the threshold. Valid 2 years. WARNING: 183 days in any rolling 365-day window = tax resident with worldwide income taxation up to 39%. M-Pensionado: same income for retirees. M-Investor: 350 SMMLV (~$166K) property. Processing: 2-6 weeks online. 2026 tax reform was REJECTED by Congress 9 Dec 2025 — rates unchanged.

Rental Market

Medellín El Poblado 1-bed FURNISHED $1,250–2,000 (gringo pricing) or unfurnished long-term ~$700; Laureles $700–1,100. Bogotá Chapinero $500–900. Cartagena $400–800. RNT registration mandatory for all short-term rentals; building-level Airbnb bans common in El Poblado/Laureles. Peso strengthening (COP 3,720/$1) hurting USD purchasing power.

Colombia Relocation Timeline

6–12 months before

Research Colombia visa options and residency pathways. Consult an immigration lawyer. Start gathering documents (apostilles, translations, police clearances).

4–6 months before

Submit your Colombia visa application. Arrange international health insurance. Open a multi-currency bank account (Wise, Revolut). Start learning the local language.

2–3 months before

Book temporary accommodation in Colombia for your first 2–4 weeks. Arrange international shipping if needed. Downsize and sell belongings. Get apostilles on remaining documents.

1 month before

Book flights to Colombia. Set up mail forwarding. Cancel local subscriptions and memberships. Download offline maps and translation apps.

First week in country

Get a local SIM card. Open a local bank account. Register with local authorities. Explore neighborhoods before signing a long-term lease.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to move to Colombia?

The best months to move to Colombia are January – March. Varies by altitude. Medellín: eternal spring (18–28°C, 1,500m altitude). Bogotá: cool (8–18°C, 2,600m). Cartagena: hot and humid (28–35°C). No seasons — wet and dry periods.

What visa do I need for Colombia?

How much does rent cost in Colombia?

When should I avoid moving to Colombia?

Try to avoid moving during October – November (heaviest rains). This is typically the most challenging period due to weather extremes, peak pricing, or administrative slowdowns.

Best Time to Move to Colombia (2026)