Colombia lies within an intertropical zone. Its climate varies essentially depending on which region you're visiting. In the central areas, for example, in the cities of Bogotá, Villa de Leyva, Medellín or Mompox, the heat is moderate and the evenings cool considerably once the sun sets. There, temperatures fluctuate between 6°C and 18°C during the dry season, from December to March. And the heat rises above 20°C during the rainy period, from April through November.

If you're planning an excursion to the snow-capped mountains of the region, you'll still want to pack warmer clothing. The same goes for hiking through caves, forests, or marshlands: bring waterproof boots and a raincoat.

If you head east toward the cities of Mitú or Yopal, expect considerably more humidity. You could say the country's Amazon region lives up to its reputation. There, temperatures typically range between 18°C and 36°C. Rainfall is relatively sparse between December and April, though not entirely absent.

As for the Caribbean region, it stays warm year-round. If you visit the city of Aracataca, Cartagena or the Llanos, you'll notice that temperatures rarely drop below 18°C. Precipitation is typically expected between April and November. But it's much less frequent from December through mid-March.

It's also warm in Buenaventura and Tumaco, on Colombia's Pacific coast. Temperatures range between 13°C and 37°C. But they can occasionally reach 39°C. Showers are frequent throughout the year, though less abundant between December and April.