Categories: For Expats

What to Wear and Not to Wear for Bogota Weather

When we think about South America and Colombia we picture warm weather, sexy mamas, and an exotic tropical paradise. And so we pack our bathing suits, summer wear and sandals only to be surprised by the chilly 20° weather the capital welcomes us with once we arrive at the airport.

And then there are those smarty pants who check the weather on Google ahead of time. I’m here to tell you that I tracked the weather in Bogotá on Google one year prior to moving to the capital and I assure you, Google lies. It will show you a cold, grey and rainy city all day, every day. Fortunately, this is not true! (Well, partially, but not always)

Welcome to the reality of the confusing and crazy Bogotá weather. To decipher its climate, the first note to take into account is its altitude. Bogotá is a city 2,640 m above sea level. Which means that although the rest of Colombia might be warm, Bogotá and its surroundings are an exception to the rule. The high altitude brings a drop in temperatures with an average of 10 to 20°C year round. There are no seasons except for a few rainy months towards the beginning and end of the year.

How to dress for Bogotá when sightseeing

Weather in Bogota is unpredictable. In one single day, you can have a cool 15° morning followed by a warm and sunny 20 to 25° afternoon, a short mid-afternoon shower and a drop in temperatures in the evening.

Even if the day looks bright and promising, it’s best not to trust the unpredictable forecast of Bogotá and prepare for all temperatures.

Especially, if you are going to be walking out and about all day long sightseeing and such, ideally, it is best to layer and peel as the day goes on.

What to Bring

Comfortable closed shoes (for walking and the rain)
Jeans and a shirt (ready for anything)
Cardigan (if it gets chilly in the shade)
Jacket (if you stay out till the wee hours of the night)

This guarantees your preparation for cold, cool, warm and even sometimes even hot all in one day, especially if you will not be going back to your hotel to change.

And don’t forget the umbrella! Gray clouds are very prone to creeping up from one minute to the next. But fear not as it’s most likely to last for less than 30 minutes.

What Not to Bring

Beach clothes and sandals (unless you’re headed for tierra caliente!)

Bogota weather, although quite unpredictable, is not as bad as many central European countries I have visited, where it rains all day for months on end. There’s sunshine almost every day and happy people. What more can you ask for?