December is Bogotá dry again, lit up, and emptying out, which for a visitor is the best combination the city offers.
Weather#
| Typical | |
|---|---|
| Days | Around 19°C, clear |
| Nights | Around 7°C |
| Rain | Little |
November before, January after.
What's on#
- Christmas lights from early December in the parks and along the main avenues.
- Noche de las Velitas, the 7th: candles and lanterns on every doorstep.
- Novenas, the 16th to the 24th: carols, buñuelos and natilla in homes and parks.
- The exodus: from mid-month rolos leave for warm country and the city calms.
If you are combining cities, Medellín in December is the famous one for lights.
What to do#
Monserrate on a clear evening to see the lights from above. La Candelaria and the museums without the crowds. A novena if you are invited. The travel guide, the food guide.
Prices#
Flights are high season; hotels in Bogotá are calmer than the coast. Where to stay.
Pack#
A real jacket for nights around 7°C, layers, sunscreen for the clear days.
With a rolo#
Velitas and novenas happen on doorsteps and in living rooms. Post your dates on Roavi Community and browse Local Friends in Bogotá.
Bogotá in December? Candles, novenas and lights with someone who lives here.
Meet a Local FriendFrequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Bogotá?
Yes. Dry weather, the lights, the candles, the novenas, and a city that gets calmer as the holiday goes on. The only cost is flights, which are high season across Colombia.What is the weather like in Bogotá in December?
Highs around 19°C, nights around 7°C, little rain and clear skies. Cold after dark; a jacket is not optional.What is Noche de las Velitas?
7 December, the eve of the Immaculate Conception: families and neighbours light candles and paper lanterns on doorsteps, balconies and pavements, and the night is spent outside. It is the unofficial start of Colombian Christmas.Is Bogotá crowded at Christmas?
The opposite. From mid-December many Bogotanos leave for warm country, so traffic is light and restaurants easy. The lights and the novenas carry on for those who stay.Is Bogotá safe in December?
As the rest of the year in the areas visitors use, with the normal care about phones in crowds at the lights. Use a taxi app at night between neighbourhoods.
