October is the bottom of Cartagena's year for weather and prices, and the month before its best party. Come late if you come at all.
Weather#
| Typical | |
|---|---|
| Days | Around 31°C, very humid |
| Nights | Around 25°C |
| Rain | Most days, heavy, sometimes prolonged |
| Flooding | Old-town streets after big downpours; clears in an hour or two |
September is nearly as wet; November brings the fiestas and the first dry-season breezes.
Early vs late October#
Early October is the wettest fortnight of the year. Late October is still rainy but easing, and the walled city starts to fill with bunting and stages for the Fiestas de Independencia around 11 November. If you can, arrive in the last week and stay into the fiestas.
What still works#
Mornings on the walls and at the Castillo. Afternoons in the museums, the Palacio de la Inquisición, long lunches where locals eat, the pool. Evenings in Getsemaní once the rain has moved on. Boats on calm mornings only, refundable: day trips from Cartagena. Things to do in Cartagena, nightlife.
Crowds and prices#
The emptiest and cheapest month. Cartagena on a budget; where to stay for the rooms that only make sense in October.
What to pack#
Sandals you can wade in, a rain shell, a dry bag, quick-dry clothes, repellent. Is Cartagena safe?
Plan it#
The 5-day itinerary, held loosely. 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 October? Stay for the fiestas, and find a local.
Post on CommunityFrequently Asked Questions
Is October the worst month to visit Cartagena?
It is the wettest. Whether that makes it the worst depends on you: the walled city is empty and cheap, mornings are often fine, and the rain is heavy but usually passes. For a first short trip, choose December to March. For a long trip or a budget, October is fine.How much does it rain in Cartagena in October?
Most days, in heavy downpours that typically last an hour or two in the afternoon or evening, with some longer grey spells. Streets in the old town flood briefly after the biggest ones.Is anything closed in Cartagena in October?
No. Museums, restaurants, the Castillo and the walls all run as normal. Boat trips are cancelled on rough mornings and some beach clubs on Barú scale back.Is early or late October better in Cartagena?
Late. The rain thins a little in the last week and the city begins preparing for the Fiestas de Independencia of early November, which are worth staying for.