The peak season varies slightly depending on where in Colombia you are flying to, however, July, August and December tend to be the most popular. This is when the weather is driest and usually when some of the best festivals take place. If you’re in Medellin during July then you’ll be able to enjoy the Colombiamoda (or fashion week). It’s a 3-day event that can be a great day for fashion lovers. July also sees the Salsa Festival. There’s a dance competition, different workshops you can look into and just general dance during the evenings. Bogota sees a huge increase in tourism during August from the annual Carnival of Bogota. It involves orchestras, salsa dancing and loads more including live music from thousands of different genres. December can be very busy around Christmas and you definitely shouldn’t pass on the chance to see the decorations, especially in Medellin, as they are absolutely spectacular. You’ll need to make sure you secure your flight tickets well in advance if you’re to have any chance of finding cheap flights to Colombia.
Off season:
There isn’t too much of an off season in Colombia as the weather is warm almost all year-round. April to June and September to November are classed as the wettest months of the year which does decrease tourism slightly. That said it makes it easier to find the cheapest flights to Colombia if you search for the wetter season.
When is the best time to book a flight to Colombia?
You’ll find discounted flight tickets from October through to March if you plan ahead although you can find the cheapest flights to Colombia in December, January and February. This does vary of course depending on where exactly in Colombia you are hoping to go. Flexibility is your best friend when trying to find the cheapest flights to Colombia so if you’re not governed by a particular week of the year then you’ll have much better odds of saving money. Aim to have your flights to Colombia secured and booked at least four months in advance but if you can book your flight tickets earlier than that then you should. Depending on the weather conditions you should aim to sit on the right hand side of the plane to get the best views. This can, and does, change frequently due to different wind conditions as you approach so as long as you try to avoid sitting beside a wing you should be okay.
When you’re searching for cheap flights to Colombia you’ll more often than not stumble upon Avianca. They tend to provide direct flights to Colombia from London as well as being a major airline for connecting flights too. American airlines and Iberia are other alternative airlines that provide cheap flight tickets so deciding who to fly with will usually come down to your budget. Once you’ve decided where in Colombia you want to visit, you’ll be able to compare the different airlines available and find out who offers you the best value for money. You’ll find that the price of flight tickets increase during the peak season so make sure you’ve secured your flights well in advance to avoid over-paying.
It takes around an hour to get into the city centre from Jose Maria Cordoba International Airport, which is around 63km away from the city itself. One of the cheapest ways to get into the city is to get the official airport bus. If you turn right as you leave the airport and walk down the path you’ll come across a white bus. It’s small and can be very crowded but it’s certainly cheap, costing no more than £4. It’s also reliable and runs until 9pm. If you can’t get the bus or would rather not, then the most convenient way of travel is a taxi. They aren’t cheap at all, with the average price around 60 000 Colombian Pesos, so make sure you don’t pay more than that. You can find the taxis outside of arrivals.
Bogota is the capital of Colombia so getting from the airport to the centre is relatively painless. The most convenient method of transportation is to jump in a taxi. First of you’ll need to go to a stand where you’ll explain where you want to go. You’ll be given a ticket which states the price and then you can go and tell a taxi driver your destination. At the end of your journey you’ll simply have to pay the indicated fee on your ticket. Second option of choice is to get a bus. You’ll find the ‘paradero’, or bus stop, a few meters away from the entrance to the airport. The downside to getting a bus is if you’re not familiar with the city you could end up getting dropped off anywhere. It’s a huge place to get lost in. That said most drivers are friendly and will help you where they can.
Colombia insider information
If there’s one reason to book flights to Colombia, it has to be the rainbow river between September and November. It’s a magnificent and breath-taking sight as the Cano Cristales Rainbow River transforms.
Secure your flight tickets for December, and more specifically visit Medellin, to witness mesmerizing display of Christmas decorations that attracts thousands of people every year. It’s no wonder Colombia makes the list of the top 10 Christmas lights displays.
Colombia also boasts one of the best breakfasts worth getting out of bed for. The Calentado is a combination of rice, beans, chorizo, grilled beef, flatbread and a cup of hot chocolate. What more could you want to start your day.
Most popular destinations in Colombia
(prices quotes are from Doha)
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