September is when Cartagena rains and the visitors leave. The walled city after a downpour, steaming, empty, lit for the evening, is a thing worth seeing. Whether you want to pay for it in wet feet is the question.
Weather#
| Typical | |
|---|---|
| Days | Around 31°C, highest humidity |
| Nights | Around 25°C |
| Rain | Heavy downpours most days, afternoon or evening |
| Flooding | Old-town streets, an hour or two, then clear |
August is drier; October is wetter still; November brings the independence fiestas and the turn to dry season.
What the rain changes#
Mornings are often fine: do the walls, the Castillo and the markets before noon. Afternoons go to museums, long lunches, the Palacio de la Inquisición, the Museo del Oro Zenú, a hotel pool. Evenings are the best of the year once the rain has passed. Boat trips depend on the morning's sea; book refundable. Day trips from Cartagena.
Crowds and prices#
The emptiest month. Cartagena on a budget barely needs the guide in September; where to stay for which rooms suddenly become possible.
What to do#
Things to do in Cartagena with the indoor ones in the afternoon. Where locals eat is where the city is in September. Nightlife carries on; Getsemaní's plaza fills as soon as the rain stops.
Who it suits#
Long-trip travellers, repeat visitors, anyone on a budget who can shrug off a wet afternoon. Not a first short visit with a list.
What to pack#
Sandals you can wade in, a real 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. How to meet locals in Cartagena.
Cartagena in September? Cheapest month, wettest streets. Find a local.
Post on CommunityFrequently Asked Questions
Is September a bad time to visit Cartagena?
It is the wettest, with October. Daily downpours and flooded streets are normal. The trade is the emptiest walled city and the lowest prices of the year. If you can be flexible hour by hour, it works; if you have three days and a list, pick another month.Does Cartagena flood in September?
Streets in the old town and Getsemaní flood ankle to knee deep after a big downpour and drain within an hour or two. It is a nuisance, not a danger. Wear sandals you can wade in.Can I go to the Rosario Islands in September?
On calm mornings, yes, and the boats are half empty. On rough days trips are cancelled, sometimes the night before. Book one that offers a refund or a date change.How cheap is Cartagena in September?
The lowest hotel prices of the year, along with October. Rooms in the walled city that are unaffordable in December are reasonable. Ask your hotel for the actual rate; it changes yearly.