The City of Eternal Spring: Medellín’s Climate and When to Visit

Why Medellín stays mild year-round, what the rainy seasons look like, and what to pack.

Medellín earned the nickname La Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera for good reason. The city sits at roughly 1,500 meters above sea level in the Aburrá Valley, close enough to the equator that temperatures barely change across the year. Average daytime highs hover in the high 20s °C, nights cool to the mid-to-high teens, and the yearly average is about 22 °C.

Wet and dry seasons

Instead of summer and winter, Medellín has two drier and two wetter periods. The drier months are generally December to March and June to August. The rainier stretches usually run from April to May and from September to November. Even in rainy season, mornings are often clear and showers arrive in the afternoon.

What to pack

• Light layers and one sweater for evenings or trips up to Santa Elena and Parque Arví, which are noticeably cooler.
• A compact umbrella or rain jacket.
• Strong sunscreen. At this altitude the sun is intense even on cloudy days.
• Comfortable shoes for steep streets.

When to go

Any time works. December brings the Alumbrados, the city’s famous Christmas light displays along the Medellín River and in parks across the city. August brings the Feria de las Flores. Shoulder months offer lower prices and fewer visitors.

Quick facts

• Elevation: ≈1,500 m
• Average temperature: ≈22 °C
• December: Alumbrados Christmas lights