Colombia, South America
Cartagena in April
The end of the dry season. Easter week is busy; the rest of the month is a good value window.
The straight answer
April is a good month to visit Cartagena. The end of the dry season. Easter week is busy; the rest of the month is a good value window.
- Weather
- Mostly dry, highs near 89F (32C), breezes fading
- Crowds
- 3 of 5
- Prices
- 3 of 5
What April is like in Cartagena
April marks the end of the dry season. Highs climb to about 89F (32C), the breezes fade, and the air starts to feel heavier by the end of the month, though rain is still light. Easter week is busy with Colombian travelers. The rest of the month is a good value window, with calmer seas and lower prices.
April suits families and couples who want sunny days at better prices and smoother boat rides to the islands. It is warmer and stickier than January or February, so heat-sensitive travelers should plan midday rests. Avoid Easter week if you want space.
Make the most of April
What is especially good about Cartagena this month.
Smooth island crossings
With the wind down, the ride to the Rosario Islands and Baru is at its calmest of the year.
Post-Easter value
After Semana Santa, hotel rates drop and the old city feels relaxed.
Semana Santa, in some years
If Holy Week falls in April, processions fill the walled city and the coast is packed with Colombian families.
What to pack for April
- Lightweight, quick-dry clothes
- A small umbrella for the first showers
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard
- Water shoes for island beaches
Our timing tip
Book the second half of April after Easter week for calm seas and good hotel rates before the rains begin.
Book Cartagena for April.
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- Hotels for April
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in CartagenaOpens a hotel search for Cartagena in April, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in CartagenaWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in CartagenaTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Cartagena for April. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in April
Semana Santa
The week before Easter, March or April
Processions in the old city and a big rush of Colombian travelers to the coast.
Things to do in Cartagena
The walled old city
Walk it in the early morning or after 4pm, when the heat eases. Sunset on the walls near Cafe del Mar is the city's ritual.
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
The largest fortress Spain built in its American colonies, with tunnels you can walk. Go at opening to avoid the midday heat.
Getsemani
Street art by day, Plaza de la Trinidad and salsa bars by night. Stay here for better value than the walled city.
Rosario Islands and Baru
Day trips or overnights by boat. Calmer seas in the late dry season make the ride more comfortable.
Museo del Oro Zenu
A small free gold museum on Plaza de Bolivar run by Colombia's central bank, with pre-Hispanic goldwork from the region.
Palacio de la Inquisicion
A colonial mansion and museum on Plaza de Bolivar covering the Inquisition and city history.
Beat the crowds
- Skip mid December through the first week of January, when Colombian holidays drive peak prices.
- Walk the walled city at 7am before the heat and the cruise ship groups arrive.
- Stay in Getsemani instead of the walled city for lower rates and a livelier local feel.
- Book island trips midweek; weekends fill with day-trippers from the city.
Know before you go
- Semana Santa and the late December holidays fill hotels and beaches; some businesses close on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
- Colombia has many Monday public holidays (puentes) that bring weekend crowds from Bogota and Medellin. Check the calendar when booking.
- Boat trips to the Rosario Islands can be canceled by high winds in the dry season or storms in the wet season.
- Museums in the old city usually close one day a week and keep shorter hours on holidays.
Cartagena in April, quick answers
Is April a good time to visit Cartagena?
April is a good month to visit Cartagena. The end of the dry season. Easter week is busy; the rest of the month is a good value window.
What is the weather like in Cartagena in April?
Mostly dry, highs near 89F (32C), breezes fading.
Is Cartagena crowded in April?
Crowds in Cartagena are moderate in April; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.
What is happening in Cartagena in April?
Semana Santa (the week before easter, march or april).
Keep planning Cartagena.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in April
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