Rapid response: September is low season in Cartagena. The weather brings more rain than in months like December or January, usually in the form of short downpours in the afternoon, but mornings tend to remain sunny and warm. To change that climate variability, September offers less tourists, rates are more accessible and increased availability of room categories, which in the high season is depleting fast.
September has a bad reputation among those who are planning a trip to the colombian Caribbean, and in part it is well deserved: this is one of the rainiest months of the year in Cartagena. But that same reason is the one that explains why it is also one of the months with the best prices and less agglomeration, something that many travelers end up appreciating it more than a clear sky all day.
This guide responds to what really matters before you book: how strong is the rain, how it affects the plan for the day-to-day, and if it is worth to travel in this date or it is better to wait for another month. If you want a broader view of all the months of the year, our guide of when to go to Cartagena based on the season and weather compares September with the rest of the calendar.
How is the weather in Cartagena in September
September is inside of the rainy season in the colombian Caribbean, which extends approximately between August and November. This does not mean steady rain: most common is that the morning amanezcan clear and warm, with temperatures of around 28 to 32 degrees, and the rain comes in the form of tropical downpours during the late afternoon or evening, generally of short duration.
Humidity is high throughout the month, as in the rest of the year in Cartagena, so that the heat is felt regardless of whether it rains or not. The recommendation practice is to organize outdoor activities for the morning, as a beach or touring the Historic Centre, and leave the afternoon for plans under roof or flexible.
How predictable is the rain
The heavy rains of September tend to follow a fairly consistent pattern:
- Sunny mornings, ideal for beach or hiking
- Skies begin to blur to the middle of the afternoon
- Rain intense but short, generally between 30 minutes and an hour
- Clear afternoons after the downpour, with good light for photo at sunset
This allows you to plan your day around the weather instead of leaving it to chance.
Benefits of travelling in low season
September, the high season or to match holidays or school holidays, long, brings concrete benefits for those who are not dependent on fixed dates:
- Accommodation rates lower than in December, easter, or holiday mid-year
- Less crowding on beaches, restaurants, and tourist attractions such as the Historic Center or the Rosario Islands
- Increased availability of rooms, including categories, which in the high season petered out weeks in advance
- A more laid back experience of the city, without the long lines or the fast pace of the months of peak demand
If the budget is a priority for your trip, September is well combined with other saving strategies. Our guide to budget for travel to Cartagena delves into how to stretch the money without sacrificing experience.
Take advantage of the low season to climb category
One of the benefits less mentioned the low season is that, with lower fees and higher availability, often reaches the same budget for access to a room category superior to that would you like in December or Holy Week. The Premium Suite of Hotel Regatta Cartagena, for example, tends to be available in September with a lot more easily than on dates in high demand, so you can enjoy more space and better views of the sea, without the cost skyrocket as would be the case in high season.
A typical day in the low season
To land all of the above, a typical itinerary in September could look like this:
- Early morning on the beach in front of the hotel, taking advantage of the sun and the temperature before you upload the moisture
- Mid-morning is dedicated to a tour through the Historic Center or a short sightseeing tour
- Lunch and rest during the hours of greatest heat
- Afternoon flexible, with plan B under the roof, if the downpour usual
- Clear night, perfect for dinner on a terrace, or enjoy the breeze from the malecon
This type of structure allows you to enjoy the best of the weather without a downpour ruin the entire day.
What to do if the rain does come
When it falls a downpour in Cartagena, it is almost always a matter of waiting between 30 and 60 minutes to pass. Have a plan B under the roof helps not to lose the rhythm of the day. The rain of the afternoon, in fact, it is a good time to sit in the restaurant of the hotel with a colombian coffee, freshly made or an aromatic while it clears, or ask for anything more convincing as a few wings with BBQ sauce or a bowl of ceviche fusion if the downpour coincides with the lunch hour. For those who prefer something cold, a coconut lemonade works well between breaks of rain, and whether the later extends into the night, a pasta Alfredo with chicken is an easy option to close the day without leaving the hotel.
Is it worth it to travel to Cartagena in September?
It depends on what priorices. If the goal is to guaranteed sunshine every day, without exception, September is not the ideal time. But if the budget is an important factor, if you prefer to avoid crowds, or if your schedule simply does not match the high season, September can offer a cost-experience difficult to match in other months of the year.
Stay in a hotel in front of the sea and Hotel Regatta Cartagena help to make the most of the sunny mornings, with direct access to the beach of Bocagrande just the weather permits, and with the possibility of taking advantage of a category superior room thanks to the lower demand of the month.
Frequently asked questions
Does it rain all the days in Cartagena in September?
Not necessarily. The most common are downpours of short duration in the afternoons, with mornings are usually sunny.
Is it cheaper to travel to Cartagena in September?
Yes, being low season, the accommodation rates tend to be more accessible than in months of high demand as December, or Holy Week, which also facilitates access to room categories superior as the Premium Suite.
How long are the rains at this time?
Usually between 30 minutes and an hour, in the form of tropical downpours, not rain continued throughout the day.
What Cartagena has fewer tourists in September?
Yes, do not coincide with school holidays and public holidays) long, the city receives fewer visitors than in the high season.
What is recommended to do if it rains during the trip?
Make use of spaces under the roof of the hotel, including the restaurant, and rearrange the outdoor activities to the hours of the morning.
Are you ready to take advantage of low-season prices? Reservation directly at the Hotel Regatta Cartagena and query the availability of categories with the best rates this month.
