I know what you're thinking. Why would anyone recommend visiting a city during its wettest months? Bear with me. Because Bogota's rainy season has a secret: it rains, but it doesn't rain all day. And everything else about visiting during this period is better.
Bogota's rainy season runs roughly March through May (and again September through November). But here's the thing most travel guides get wrong: "rainy season" in Bogota means afternoon showers. Mornings are typically clear. The rain comes in sharp, dramatic downpours between 2-5PM, and then it stops. The city smells like wet eucalyptus and the evening light through breaking clouds is extraordinary.
You don't lose a day to rain. You lose two or three hours. Spend them in a cafe with a tinto and some empanadas.
| Factor | March | April | May |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average High | 19°C (66°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 18°C (64°F) |
| Average Low | 8°C (46°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 9°C (48°F) |
| Rainy Days | 14-16 | 18-20 | 18-20 |
| Rainfall | 84mm | 115mm | 106mm |
| Crowds | Moderate | Low | Low |
Compare that to the "peak" months of December-January, when temperatures are nearly identical but flights and hotels cost 30-40% more.
One of the world's largest performing arts festivals. Street performances, international theater companies, and free shows throughout La Candelaria. The 2026 edition is happening, and it transforms the city.
Colombia takes Easter seriously. Processions through La Candelaria with elaborate floats, live music, and the city takes on a reverent, festive atmosphere. Many locals travel to their hometowns, which means Bogota is actually emptier and easier to navigate.
Bogota's International Book Fair is one of the largest in Latin America. Held at Corferias convention center. Hundreds of publishers, author signings, literary events. Entry: around 14,000 COP. Even if you don't read Spanish, the energy and scale are worth experiencing.
March through May is when Colombian fruit reaches peak season. At Paloquemao Market, the stalls are overflowing with fruits at their ripest and cheapest:
The juice stands are at their absolute best. A fresh maracuya juice: 3,000 COP. Try asking for a salpicon — a mixed fruit cup with chopped fruits, ice, and sometimes a splash of condensed milk.
This is where people mess up. You don't need a heavy rain suit. You need:
The Gold Museum on a Tuesday afternoon in April? Practically private. Monserrate at sunrise with maybe fifteen other people instead of a hundred. Ciclovia still runs every Sunday but the Carrera 7 stretch has breathing room.
Restaurant reservations at Zona G restaurants that normally require a week's notice? Walk-in on a Thursday. Hotels in La Candelaria that cost 250,000 COP per night in January? Available for 150,000-180,000 COP.
Here's how to structure a rainy season day in Bogota:
7AM-12PM: Outdoor activities. Hike Monserrate (cable car opens 6:30AM weekdays), explore La Candelaria street art, hit Paloquemao Market, ride the Ciclovia on Sundays.
12-2PM: Lunch. Find a menu del dia (10,000-15,000 COP). Sit by a window and watch the clouds build.
2-5PM: Indoor activities. The Gold Museum, Botero Museum (free!), a coffee tasting at Azahar or Libertario, or shop at a mall (Centro Comercial Andino in the north is excellent).
5-6PM: The rain breaks. The city is washed clean. The evening light is golden. This is when Bogota looks its most beautiful — wet cobblestones reflecting streetlights, the mountains surrounding the city emerging from clouds.
7PM onward: Dinner and nightlife. Rainy season has zero effect on Bogota's restaurant and bar scene.
Certain dishes hit differently during the rainy season:
| Category | Dry Season (Dec-Feb) | Rainy Season (Mar-May) |
|---|---|---|
| Flights from Miami | $350-500 | $220-350 |
| Mid-range hotel/night | 200,000-300,000 COP | 130,000-200,000 COP |
| Monserrate wait | 30-60 min | 10-15 min |
| Gold Museum crowds | Packed | Comfortable |
| Menu del dia | Same price | Same price |
| Fruit quality | Good | Peak |
The savings are real. On a 7-day trip, you could save $300-500 just on flights and accommodation.
Day 1 (Arrival + Rest)
Day 2 (Full Exploration)
Day 3 (Markets and Neighborhoods)
I visited Bogota in April my second time. I'd been in January before. The difference in crowds alone made the rainy season trip superior. The Gold Museum felt meditative instead of chaotic. Monserrate sunrise was shared with a handful of people. The afternoon rain gave me permission to slow down — to sit in cafes, to read, to have long lunches. For more insights, check out our 12 Things to Do in Bogota That You Won't Find in the Usual Guides. For more insights, check out our Bogota travel tips.
The rain itself is dramatic and beautiful. Bogota at 2,640 meters, with clouds rolling between the mountains and breaking apart in the late afternoon — it's a city that wears weather well.
Bring a rain jacket. Save some money. Have the city more to yourself. Bogota's rainy season is genuinely one of South America's best-kept travel secrets.
