Santa Marta or Cartagena in January?
In January, Santa Marta and Cartagena are overall neck and neck — it comes down to your priorities.
Santa MartaPhoto: Jorge Láscar from Australia · CC BY 2.0
CartagenaPhoto: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0Key figures in January
| Criterion | Santa Marta | Cartagena |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 31 °C | 30 °C |
| Average daily low | 24 °C | 26 °C |
| Sea | 26 °C | 28 °C ★ |
| Rainy days | 1 rainy day (est.) ★ | 2 rainy days (est.) |
| Sun | 7 h/day | 7 h/day |
| Humidity | 71 % | 78 % |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- The sea at Cartagena is about 2 °C warmer.
Santa Marta or Cartagena in January: the short answer
In January, Santa Marta and Cartagena are essentially level on the overall climate score (both around 82/100). The decision comes down to the individual criteria below.
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 Santa Marta averages a climate score of 68/100, 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 31 °C in Santa Marta and 30 °C in Cartagena — warmer in Santa Marta. Average daily lows are around 24 °C versus 26 °C.
On rain, Santa Marta sees about 1 rainy days in January and Cartagena about 2 — drier in Santa Marta. Sunshine is comparable (7 vs 7 hours a day).
Sea temperature and swimming
In January the water is about 26 °C at Santa Marta and 28 °C at Cartagena — warmer for swimming at Cartagena. Over the year, Santa Marta is comfortable for swimming (from ~21 °C) in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December, Cartagena in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Peak sea warmth is October for Santa Marta and September for Cartagena.
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Santa Marta records roughly 139 rainy days and Cartagena about 185 — the drier of the two overall is Santa Marta. At their sunniest, Santa Marta reaches about 8 hours of sun a day (March) 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, Santa Marta is at its best in January, February, March and December, 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:
Beach & swimming: Santa Marta scores higher in January (Santa Marta 92 vs Cartagena 91).
City breaks: Cartagena scores higher in January (Santa Marta 75 vs Cartagena 79).
Active & hiking: both are close (Santa Marta 65 vs Cartagena 65).
Family: Santa Marta scores higher in January (Santa Marta 86 vs Cartagena 84).
Verdict: which should you pick?
There is no single winner — it depends on your month and your priority. For January specifically, use the head-to-head above; over the year, Santa Marta carries the slightly higher overall climate score. Choose Santa Marta if its strong months and profile match your plan, Cartagena if its do. The month-by-month pages for each destination give you the full picture before you book.