Medellin or Cartagena in January?
On climate data, Cartagena comes out ahead overall in January. See the per-criterion details below.
MedellinPhoto: JIMENA MARTIINEZ · CC BY-SA 4.0
CartagenaPhoto: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0Key figures in January
| Criterion | Medellin | Cartagena |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 22 °C | 30 °C |
| Average daily low | 14 °C | 26 °C |
| Sea | n/a | 28 °C |
| Rainy days | 22 rainy days (est.) | 2 rainy days (est.) ★ |
| Sun | 6 h/day | 7 h/day ★ |
| Humidity | 87 % | 78 % |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- Cartagena is about 8 °C warmer by day.
- Cartagena is drier, with about 21 fewer rainy days.
Medellin or Cartagena in January: the short answer
In January, Cartagena comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Medellin 57/100 vs Cartagena 82/100). That is a snapshot of one month, though — which one truly fits depends on what you want from the trip, so the breakdown below goes criterion by criterion.
This comparison focuses on January as a representative month for the pair; for any other month, use each destination's month-by-month pages. Across the whole year Medellin averages a climate score of 55/100, Cartagena 64/100. Both profiles below are historical monthly averages, not a forecast.
Weather in January, side by side
The average daily high is about 22 °C in Medellin and 30 °C in Cartagena — warmer in Cartagena. Average daily lows are around 14 °C versus 26 °C.
On rain, Medellin sees about 22 rainy days in January and Cartagena about 2 — drier in Cartagena. Cartagena gets more sunshine (6 vs 7 hours a day).
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Medellin records roughly 303 rainy days and Cartagena about 185 — the drier of the two overall is Cartagena. At their sunniest, Medellin reaches about 7 hours of sun a day (July) and Cartagena about 7 (February). If dependable dry, sunny weather is your top priority, weigh these annual totals alongside the single month above.
Best time to visit each
Climatically, Medellin has no month that stands clearly above the rest, while Cartagena peaks in January, February, March and December. If your dates are fixed, pick the destination whose strong season overlaps them; if you are flexible, plan around these windows.
Which suits which kind of trip
Based on the January scores for each travel style:
City breaks: Cartagena scores higher in January (Medellin 68 vs Cartagena 79).
Active & hiking: Cartagena scores higher in January (Medellin 60 vs Cartagena 65).
Family: Cartagena scores higher in January (Medellin 46 vs Cartagena 84).
Verdict: which should you pick?
In January, Cartagena leads across every scored category here — the overall score and each travel type — so on the climate data it is the clearer pick this month. Over the year, Cartagena carries the higher overall climate score. Your own priority (sun, sea, low rain or sightseeing comfort) still matters, and the month-by-month pages for each destination give you the full picture before you book.