What to Pack for a Winter Holiday in Bogota

Ask a Bogotano about the weather and they will inevitably gaze northwards along the jagged line of cerros bordering the western edge of the city and look towards the outer-lying barrio of Usaquen for it is from here that all weather patterns form over the city.

What you will note after a little research is that there aren’t really any seasons here, just periods of more rain, wind and sun, but you are not going to see the trees changing colors in autumn or extended hours of sunlight in summer. It is all pretty standard and routine.

As most days start in the same vein in Bogota, as a clear morning then giving way to bruised clouds after midday and then showers later in the afternoon, you would be wise to pack your bag as a Bogotano when thinking of visiting the city.

Leave those havaianas at home!

Bogota’s climate is mild and changeable for the obvious reason of being located at some 2600 meters (8530ft) above sea level. At this altitude it is always going to be chilly and relatively unpredictable, but, it goes without saying, there will always be rain.

 Average Monthly Temperatures for Bogota Colombia:

In short you are likely to experience three seasons in a day and you’ll need to think accordingly. You will require a warm sweater/fleece for the decidedly unfriendly evenings, a solid raincoat for the deluges and if you are out hitting the sights as a tourist, some sturdy and somewhat waterproof shoes. An umbrella wouldn’t be remiss either but, every afternoon as the skies grey, street vendors do a thriving trade and so you could always pick one up here.

But, this paints a miserable and opaque picture of Bogota, and it must be added that you’ll also need to be prepared for the summer elements. When the skies are a cobalt blue as they can only be at this altitude, you’ll feel the strength of the sun and unless you want to be sunburnt, as if you have been toiling the land, put on some sunblock, use sunglasses and a hat.

Despite the altitude the temperature at night never falls to freezing levels and it never snows so you can leave your snowshoes behind.

Essential items for Bogota

• Raincoat
• Sweater/fleece
• hat
• sunblock
• sunglasses
• day hiking shoes/ waterproof shoes
• umbrella