Weather in Medellín in July

Joanne Owen

written by
Joanne Owen

updated 24.04.2024

When it comes to considering when to visit Medellín, it’s worth knowing that this Colombian charmer doesn’t see extreme seasonal changes — it’s known as the “City of Eternal Spring" for very good reason. Having said that, if you’re looking to visit in summer, you might be pleased to learn that July is warm and sees low levels of rain. For more detail, read on to find out everything you need to know about the weather in Medellín in July, along with some inspiring itinerary suggestions.

Is July a good time to visit Medellín?

Similar to June, Medellín’s temperatures in July are unlikely to dip lower than 18°C (64°F) at night, often hitting 28°C (82°F) during the day.

While you can still expect some afternoon showers — bring a brolly and light raincoat — the weather in Medellín in July brings less rainfall than many months. 

For example, while May sees an average of 150mm of rainfall, and June around 130mm, July sees in the region of 100mm. Meanwhile, October can experience up to 200mm. If you’re looking for minimal rainfall, at the other end of the scale, January typically experiences around 40 mm.

As a result, July is a good time to visit Medellín if you like it warm and want to spend a lot of time outdoors, whether that’s picnicking in the botanical gardens, walking on the wilder side in Parque Arví ecological nature reserve, or heading further afield for more adventurous activities.

Like it lively, but not frantically crowded? Visiting Medellín in July might be your ideal month. While it's not peak tourist season like December or August, July’s agreeable weather attracts a fair number of visitors, offering a good balance between buzziness and space.

Interested in visiting Medellín? Talk to our local Colombia experts to kick-start creating your dream trip. 

Metropolitan cathedral church in Medellin, Colombia © Shutterstock

The weather in Medellín in July sees less rainfall than many months © Shutterstock

Average temperatures in Medellín in July

As in June, Medellín’s average temperatures in July range from 18°C (64°F) at night to 28°C (82°F) during the day.

For context, January, February and December are usually a little cooler — expect averages from 16°C (61°F) to 28°C (82°F).

Meanwhile, March and April tend to be a little warmer, with a range of 17°C (63°F) to 29°C (84°F).

Editor’s tip: for a bigger picture of the weather, read up on the best time to visit Colombia.

What about the crowds and cost?

As touched on above, Medellín is moderately crowded in July compared with the peak seasons of December to February and during August’s Flower Festival.

This makes July a good month to visit if you're looking for a balance between pleasantly warm weather and avoiding the biggest crowds. While there will be more visitors than during the wettest months, the city and its surrounding attractions remain accessible, with smaller queues for top attractions.

At the same time, costs are moderate too — neither excessively high, nor notably cheap.

Set on taking a trip at this time of year? Discover some of the best places to visit in July.

Medellin escalators in Comuna 13, Colombia © Shutterstock

Comuna 13's iconic escalators are a Medellín must-visit © Shutterstock

Unforgettable customisable Colombia itineraries

If you fancy seeing a rewarding range of Colombia, consider taking a trip that’s been curated by a Rough Guides' local expert.

As revealed in our guide to backpacking Colombia, going it alone takes some planning and can present challenges. In contrast, taking the Rough Guides route means our experts will take care of planning an unforgettable trip that’s been 100% tailored to your preferences.

Here are a few sample itineraries to spark inspiration:

  • Magnificent Colombian Highlights (11 days): from exploring bustling Bogota and charming Cartagena to uncovering the natural wonders of Puerto Narino and Medellín’s vibrant culture, this trip is rich in experiences and magnificent in nature. 
  • Fascination Colombia - Medellín and Cartagena (11 days): This immersive two-centre trip will see you divide your time between Medellin and Cartagena, with each base offering opportunities to experience a richness of Colombian culture, from taking authentic cooking classes to exploring the great outdoors on horseback.
  • Unforgettable Colombia - cities, coffee, and islands (13 days): encompassing Colombia's three main areas, including the capital, Bogotá, the beautiful colonial town of Villa de Leyva, and Cartagena, this diverse trip will see you uncover coffee culture in lush hillsides and valleys before blissing out on the idyllic Islas del Rosario.

Still looking for options for your summer trip? Explore our list of the best holiday destinations in July.

colombia-cartagena-shutterstock_510842902

Book a customisable Rough Guides' trip to take you from Cartagena (pictured) to Medellín © Shutterstock

What to do and see in Medellín in July

Being the City of Eternal Spring, Medellín’s year-round pleasant weather doesn’t really prohibit activities whenever you visit. 

That said, with July being one of the city’s drier months, we especially recommend enjoying outdoor experiences in the city and venturing further afield for adventure. Read on for a few ideas for what to see and do in Medellín in July.

Take a walking tour of the city

Explore Medellín's historic and cultural sites in the company of a local guide. 

Love art? Be sure to stop off at the Museo de Antioquia and Plaza Botero. The museum houses a large collection of works by the renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero, along with pre-Colombian and contemporary art.

Outside, Plaza Botero showcases 23 of Botero's larger-than-life bronze sculptures in a pretty park.

Editor’s tip: take a guided graffiti tour of Comuna 13 to see cool street art and learn about the neighborhood's transformation.

Ride the Metrocable

Take the cable car up to Parque Arví for an incredible of the city and surrounding mountains.

After taking in the view, spend time exploring Parque Arví. This large ecological nature reserve is the ideal place to hike, picnic, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

Editor’s tip: if alfresco eating is your bag, pack a picnic to enjoy in Medellín's Botanical Garden, and head to the El Poblado district, which is known for its bars, cafés and restaurants.

cable-car-slums-medellin-colombia-shutterstock_694995034

Medellín's cable car © Shutterstock

Get your adventure on

If you have a head for heights, enjoy breath-taking views of the Andean mountains by going paragliding. Located just outside the city, San Félix and San Pedro are popular launch spots.

In addition, you could go zip-lining through the forests near Medellín — a fun and exhilarating way to see lush landscapes from above.

Meanwhile, climbers will be keen to know that the region around Medellín — particularly Suesca — is known for its rock-climbing opportunities, with routes for beginners and advanced climbers.

For water-based adventures, experience the thrills and spills of white-water rafting or kayaking on rivers near Medellín, such as the Rio Calderas, Rio Verde and Rio Samana.

Back on land, local operators offer excursions into the Colombian countryside on horseback, with guided tours available for all experience levels.

Go on day trips to Pueblito Paisa and Guatapé

Perched on Nutibara Hill, Pueblito Paisa is the perfect place to experience Colombian culture in a pretty setting.

Evoking the spirit and architecture of early 20th-century Colombian towns, it offers insights into the region's rural life and traditions.

Located 50 miles east of Medellín, Guatapé is another incredible day trip option. It’s known for its colourful houses, with nearby El Peñol Rock (La Piedra del Peñol) serving breath-taking vistas of lakes and islands.

Still making up your mind? Read up on the best things to do in Colombia.

Colorful houses in Guatape Colombia

Colourful houses in Guatapé © Barna Tanko/Shutterstock

Visit Medellín in different months

To be better informed before booking your trip, find out what to expect of the weather in Medellín around the year.

  • January: falling within the dry high season, January sees warm days, low rainfall and a decrease on December’s crowds.
  • February: still warm, and with fewer crowds than the preceding months, February sees a slight increase in rain.
  • March: expect more rain as the region transitions to the wet season, with warm daytime temperatures, and pleasantly mild mornings and evenings.
  • April: offering lush scenery, this month sees increased rain, relatively few visitors, and warm daytime temperatures.
  • May: high season is on the horizon, so visit in May for lower prices, smaller crowds, comfortable temperatures and blooming greenery as a result of the rain.
  • June: this month sees the start of the summer high season and heralds warmer temperatures that invite outdoor adventuring during a mini-dry season.
  • August: part of the high summer season period, extra crowds visit for the famous flower festival
  • September: this month sees Medellín shift back into the wetter season, with a mix of sunny days and increased rainfall in the afternoon.
  • October: despite increased rain, the city maintains its "Eternal Spring" temperatures. Explore outdoors in the morning and enjoy cultural activities during wetter afternoons.
  • November: one of the wettest periods of the year, this shoulder-season month offers small crowds and green scenery.
  • December: hola full-on festive high season! Attracting peak visitor numbers, December is stacked with events and sees the city shift back to the dry season.
Joanne Owen

written by
Joanne Owen

updated 24.04.2024

Joanne is a Pembrokeshire-born writer with a passion for the nature, cultures and histories of the Caribbean region, especially Dominica. Also passionate about inspiring a love of adventure in young people, she’s the author of several books for children and young adults, hosts international writing workshops, and has written articles on the Caribbean and inspirational community initiatives for Rough Guides. Follow her @JoanneOwen on Twitter and @joanneowenwrites on Instagram.

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