Month by month
| Month | Afternoon | Sea | Rain | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29.8 °C | 26.3 °C | 2 days | Ideal — one of the best times of year |
| February | 29.9 °C | 26.1 °C | 2 days | Ideal — one of the best times of year |
| March | 30.1 °C | 26.1 °C | 2 days | Ideal — one of the best times of year |
| April | 30.8 °C | 27.1 °C | 7 days | Ideal — one of the best times of year |
| May | 30.6 °C | 28.4 °C | 15 days | Possible, with trade-offs |
| June | 30.3 °C | 28.8 °C | 18 days | Unfavourable season |
| July | 30.8 °C | 28.2 °C | 16 days | Possible, with trade-offs |
| August | 30.7 °C | 28.8 °C | 19 days | Unfavourable season |
| September | 30.5 °C | 29.6 °C | 20 days | Unfavourable season |
| October | 29.9 °C | 29.7 °C | 23 days | Unfavourable season |
| November | 29.8 °C | 29.1 °C | 18 days | Unfavourable season |
| December | 30.2 °C | 27.7 °C | 6 days | Ideal — one of the best times of year |
Nearby in February
Before you go
Three things to check once you have picked your dates.
Entry
No visa needed for stays of up to 90 days. A valid passport. Passport need only be valid on entry, but 6 months' validity after departure is recommended; onward or return ticket required; Check-Mig form optional.
For a British passport, per the UK Foreign Office on 3 September 2026. Rules change: check before booking.
Safety
Outside the areas advised against
Parts of the country are advised against (Norte de Santander (incl. Cúcuta), Arauca, the Venezuelan border, Chocó (except Quibdó, Nuquí, Bahía Solano, Capurganá), western Valle del Cauca (incl. Buenaventura), southern Córdoba and Bolívar, Urabá and Bajo Cauca, Guaviare, southern Meta, Cauca (except Popayán), southern Nariño and Putumayo); Santa Marta is not one of them.
Official advice updated 3 September 2026
Health
CDC level 2 notice: Yellow Fever
Vaccines · hepatitis A and hepatitis B if you are not already vaccinated; chikungunya depending on activities and areas visited. Routine vaccines up to date (measles in particular).
Yellow fever · Vaccine recommended for parts of the country (not recommended for the cities of Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena, or Medellín. Vaccine is not recommended for travel limited to areas >2,300 m (7,550 ft) elevation, the archipelago department of San Andrés and Providencia, or the city of Bogotá (the capital)). Vaccination certificate required on entry for all travellers.
Malaria · Present. Areas: All areas <1,700 m (<5,600 ft) elevation No malaria transmission in the cities of Bogotá (the capital), Cartagena, or Medellín. Preventive medication recommended: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine — prescribed before departure.
Mosquitoes · dengue and Zika reported: protect yourself from bites.
Per the CDC (page reviewed 3 September 2026); see a travel clinic a few weeks before departure.
Beau Fixe is not a safety or health authority. These notes summarise dated public texts and link to their source: France Diplomatie (Licence Ouverte 2.0), Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (gov.uk, Open Government Licence v3.0), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Source: CDC). Only the competent authorities are authoritative.
FAQ
Can you swim in Santa Marta in February?
The sea averages 26.1°C in February — yes, pleasant swimming.
How hot is Santa Marta in February?
Expect 29.9°C in the afternoon and 25°C at night, averaged over the last 10 years.
Does it rain a lot in Santa Marta in February?
Around 2 days with rain (≥ 1 mm) in the month — 6% of days.