When to Go to Eastern Colombia

By Lorraine Caputo

In general, Eastern Colombia experiences two rainy seasons per year, sometime from March to May and September to November. The dryer months are June, July, December, January and February. Though due to its diverse topography, some areas, like San Gil and Barichara, receive very little rain year-round and others, like Cúcuta and Capitanejo get down right scorching in the dry periods, with temperatures reaching into the upper 30s°C (upper 90s-lower 100s F). The best time to visit Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy and its neighboring villages is during the December-February dry season; however, this is also when temperatures get coldest, below freezing in the park itself.

Malagá and Pamplona are both college towns. When the universities are in session —January to June and August to the beginning of December— the towns have an energetic atmosphere. Once the students leave on break, these cities become quiet villages.

Amongst vacationing Colombians, Villa de Leyva, Barichara, San Gil and Pamplona are extremely popular during major holidays and three-day weekends (puentes). Hotel prices rise substantially at these times and reservations are necessary. Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy is becoming a trendy spot for the extended December-January vacation.