CartagenaColombia

Panama-canal · Historic destination

historic

Cartagena is the most-visited port on Panama Canal and Central America itineraries, a UNESCO World Heritage walled city of pastel colonial mansions, flower-draped balconies, and old stone ramparts. Most cruisers spend the day in the Old Town, browsing emerald shops and climbing the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, the hilltop fortress above the city, before the ship heads for the canal.

Best months to cruise here:

Port Highlights

Top Tours & Things to Do in Cartagena

Tours via Viator. Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. Booking through our links keeps this site free at no cost to you.

Best Time of Year to Visit Cartagena

Each month rated on weather and crowds, alongside the real temperature, rain, and notes behind that rating — look for great weather paired with low crowds for the best overall experience. Tap a month for its full weather and tours guide.

Month	Weather	Crowds	High °F	Low °F	Rain	Notes
Jan	great	high	88	76	1	Driest month, classic tropical dry season
Feb	great	high	88	75	1	Sunny and dry, ideal walking-tour weather
Mar	great	peak	89	76	2	Still dry, heat building
Apr	good	high	89	77	4	Transitional month, first showers appear
May	good	moderate	88	77	9	Rainy season begins, brief afternoon storms
Jun	good	low	89	77	8	Hot and humid, short intense downpours
Jul	good	low	89	76	7	Brief mid-summer dry spell ("veranillo")
Aug	good	low	89	76	9	Rain returns, very humid
Sep	fair	low	88	76	11	Wet and stormy — Caribbean hurricane season regionally
Oct	fair	low	87	76	13	Wettest month of the year
Nov	fair	moderate	87	76	10	Rain tapering off toward month's end
Dec	great	peak	88	76	4	Dry season returns — peak Panama Canal cruise season