Santa Marta (Tayrona) weather in July
July in Santa Marta: sweltering, soaked, with clean air — fine if you can take 18 rainy days.
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
#6 of 12 months in Santa Marta · #716 of 1413 destinations to visit in July · comfort 79/100 (tier B)
- Days
- 32°C
- Nights
- 25°C
- Wet days
- 18
- Sun
- 10.5 h
- Humidity
- 83%
- Daylight
- 13 h

Traveller notes on Santa Marta in July
Notes from nearby Minca (14 km away)
Santa Marta doesn't have its own notes for July yet — these are about Minca, close enough to share the season.
Colombia-forum threads on July travel (Minca specifically tracks this pattern up in the Sierra Nevada foothills) describe July and August as a short break in the wetter pattern, alternating between real rain and genuine sun rather than settling into one or the other. Posters call the elevation here the defining feature regardless of the specific week's forecast - noticeably cooler and fresher than Santa Marta down on the coast, a real relief from the coastal heat and humidity that makes Minca worth the drive up in the first place. Wind is a regular feature too, enough to notice on an exposed ridge or waterfall trail. Regulars recommend lightweight, breathable clothing with a cover-up for sun protection rather than heavy rain gear, since a shower here tends to pass quickly rather than settling in. The record: 25.4C days feeling like a sticky 30C, 22.5C nights, a notably high 221mm across 26.9 days, 83 percent humidity and 10.9 hours of sun.
Other months in Santa Marta
Colombia's coast forum has mixed reports for August, but the pattern that comes up again and again is hot, humid days cut by a steady onshore breeze, with rain that's more forecast than felt - a few minutes of tropical shower rather than a soaking afternoon, most days. One traveler who spent the whole month on the coast said it only properly rained a couple of times the entire trip. Santa Marta gets recommended as a solid base for day trips to Tayrona, since the beach weather generally holds even when the forecast looks ominous.
Forum posters describe February as hot and largely dry along this stretch of Colombia's Caribbean coast, with daytime temperatures commonly in the 85-95F range and January-through-March named as the best overall window to visit. Mornings can feel intensely warm, but posters note a breeze typically picks up by midday, providing real relief. One recurring theme in the forums: online weather forecasts for this region are notoriously unreliable, frequently showing rain nearly every day regardless of what actually happens - posters consistently advise trusting the destination's seasonal reputation over a daily forecast app. Santa Marta serves as the main gateway for Tayrona National Park and the Lost City trek, both commonly paired with a February visit given the reliably dry conditions.
Add your own note from Santa Marta's card on the map.
Santa Marta climate normals — July
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Santa Marta in July
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
Peak crowdsMid-year school holidays, Fiestas del Mar, Mid-year recess in Colombia(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Santa Marta's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Fair weatherSanta Marta's weather peaks January–March.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Santa Marta in July
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Holiday
Mid-year school holidays
15 Jun – 31 Jul · usuallyCrowdedColombian families head for the coast during the mid-year break, and Santa Marta is one of the busiest cities for hotel occupancy. Rodadero beaches and the Tayrona entrances are crowded, especially on long weekends. Source ↗
- Festival
Fiestas del Mar
23–29 JulMajor festivalCrowdedThe city's founding anniversary on 29 July is celebrated with a week of concerts, parades, water-sports contests and the national sea pageant along the bay. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Santa Marta — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Santa Marta?
Santa Marta in July — FAQ
- Is July a good time to visit Santa Marta?
- July in Santa Marta: sweltering, soaked, with clean air — fine if you can take 18 rainy days. It ranks #6 of 12 months for Santa Marta on SeasonMap's comfort score (79/100).
- What is the weather like in Santa Marta in July?
- In July, Santa Marta averages a daily high of 32.2°C and a low of 25.3°C, with about 151.2 mm of rain over roughly 17.5 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Santa Marta in July?
- Santa Marta has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 46 in July.
Within 300 km: Cartagena's Veranillo dry spell around 20 Jun – 31 Jul.