March is the last of the dry season and the first month you really feel the heat. The wind that made January pleasant has gone; the sun has not.
Weather#
| Typical | |
|---|---|
| Days | Around 32°C |
| Nights | Around 25°C |
| Rain | Still rare |
| Wind | Fading |
| Sea | Calm, best of the year for the islands |
February is breezier; from April the rains start and July is full wet-season summer.
The March day#
Walled city 7 to 11. Pool, lunch, siesta or museum 11 to 4. Walled city and Getsemaní after 5. Islands and beach days work in March because the sea is calm: day trips from Cartagena.
What's on#
FICCI, the film festival, in March or April: free screenings in the plazas at night, which is the right time to be outdoors anyway. Semana Santa, when Easter is early: processions from the churches of the walled city, Good Friday solemn, the city full of Colombian families and hotels at peak prices for the week.
Crowds and prices#
Quiet and good value except Holy Week. Where to stay, on a budget. Things to do, where locals eat, nightlife.
What to pack#
The lightest clothes, a hat, serious sun protection, sandals, and one modest outfit for churches in Holy Week. Is Cartagena safe?
Plan it#
The 5-day itinerary with the island day on the calmest forecast. Post your dates on Roavi Community. Roavi has very few Local Friends in Cartagena yet; browse who is on Roavi and post early.
Cartagena in March? Beat the heat the local way.
Post on CommunityFrequently Asked Questions
Is March a good time to visit Cartagena?
Yes, if you can take heat. It is drier than any month from April on, the sea is calm for the islands, and prices are low outside Semana Santa. It is noticeably hotter than January because the wind drops.What is Semana Santa like in Cartagena?
Holy Week is Colombia's biggest travel week. The walled city fills with Colombian families, hotels charge peak rates, the churches hold processions, and Good Friday is quiet and solemn. If it falls in March, book early or avoid that week.What is FICCI?
The Cartagena International Film Festival, the oldest in Latin America, held in March or April. Screenings in the Teatro Adolfo Mejía and free ones in the plazas and Getsemaní at night.How hot is Cartagena in March?
Highs around 32°C and nights around 25°C, with less breeze than January and February. Plan the walled city for early morning and after five.