Santa Marta in January

In January, Santa Marta averages 29°C (85°F) during the day and 25°C (77°F) at night, with only about 2 rainy days.

High season

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Skies are generally dry and clear.

January is a great month to visit Santa Marta: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

29°C
Avg high
25°C
Avg low
2
Rain days
9 mm
Rainfall

How January compares to the rest of the year in Santa Marta

12th
warmest month of the 12
10th
wettest month of the 12
1%
of yearly rainfall falls in January
11 h 32 min
daylight on the 15th

January is one of the coolest months in Santa Marta (12th of 12) and one of the driest months (10th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C below the annual average (30°C). January runs 1°C cooler than December (30°C) and stays flat into February.

January sunrise & sunset in Santa Marta

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:19 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:52 PM
Day length
11 h 32 min

Times shown for Santa Marta local time (America/Bogota), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Santa Marta — January

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in Santa Marta's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:19 AM – 5:59 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:59 AM – 6:59 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:12 PM – 6:12 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:12 PM – 6:52 PM

📅 When to book — Santa Marta in January

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on January's tier (High season) and Santa Marta's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
2-3 months
Prices are above off-season but not the absolute peak. Tuesday/Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than weekend ones.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
2-3 months
Wide selection still available at this lead time. Premium properties book first; consider 'last-minute deal' availability at 2-week mark if your dates are flexible.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

Crowds & pricing — January in Santa Marta

High season

This is a busy month in Santa Marta — not the absolute peak, but tourist numbers are clearly elevated. You'll feel it at headline attractions on weekends and in the historic centre, though side streets and lesser-known sights stay manageable. Prices are above off-season but not at their summit. A good week for first-time visitors who want everything open without the worst of the crush.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather beach-season conditions

Sun & mosquito risk — January in Santa Marta

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
10.4
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●○
High
Peak mosquito activity. DEET 30%+, long sleeves at dawn/dusk, sleep under nets if rural. Check current dengue/malaria advisories for the destination.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Santa Marta in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 29°C / 85°F 25°C / 77°F 9 mm 2
February 29°C / 85°F 25°C / 77°F 5 mm 1
March 30°C / 85°F 25°C / 77°F 18 mm 2
April 30°C / 87°F 26°C / 78°F 58 mm 8
May 30°C / 86°F 26°C / 79°F 109 mm 15
June 30°C / 86°F 26°C / 79°F 126 mm 17
July 30°C / 87°F 26°C / 79°F 90 mm 16
August 30°C / 87°F 26°C / 79°F 138 mm 19
September 30°C / 86°F 26°C / 79°F 135 mm 20
October 30°C / 85°F 25°C / 78°F 217 mm 24
November 30°C / 85°F 25°C / 78°F 161 mm 18
December 30°C / 86°F 26°C / 78°F 34 mm 6

Other cities with similar January weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Santa Marta in January →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Santa Marta in January?

In January, Santa Marta averages a high of 29°C (85°F) and a low of 25°C (77°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Santa Marta in January?

January is generally dry in Santa Marta, with about 2 rainy days on average.

Is January a good time to visit Santa Marta?

January is warm and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Santa Marta in January?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. See the full January packing list for Santa Marta for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Santa Marta on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.