Bogotá in December: Christmas Lights, Weather & What to Expect

Bogotá Weather in December: What the Data Actually Shows

Bogotá's climate is driven by altitude, not latitude. The city sits at 2,640 metres above sea level on the Andean plateau, which keeps temperatures moderate year-round rather than swinging between summer heat and winter cold. December falls squarely in the dry season (roughly December through March), making it one of the more comfortable months for outdoor sightseeing and day trips out of the city.

Average daytime highs in December sit around 19–20°C, while overnight lows can drop to 8–11°C. Overcast mornings followed by clearer afternoons are common. Rain still happens — this is not a bone-dry month — but the heavy, prolonged downpours typical of April-May or October-November are less frequent. Plan outdoor activities for late morning to early afternoon, when conditions are most reliable.

• Average high 19–20°C (66–68°F)
• Average low 8–11°C (46–52°F)
• Rainfall Lower than most months; short showers remain possible, especially late afternoon
• Humidity Moderate — cooler and crisper than coastal Colombia
• Daylight Roughly 12 hours; sunset around 6:00 p.m., which aligns well with the evening Christmas light routes

The Christmas Season in Bogotá: What Actually Happens

Colombia takes Christmas seriously, and Bogotá, D.C. is no exception. The city's official holiday programming is coordinated by the Instituto Distrital de Turismo (IDT) and Visit Bogotá, and it runs at a scale that surprises most first-time visitors. The centerpiece is the Plaza de Bolívar and the Carrera 7 corridor, both of which are lit from early December. The official events calendar typically runs from December 7 through December 23, though some installations stay up through New Year's Eve.

December 7 is Día de las Velitas (Day of the Little Candles), a Colombian tradition where households and streets light candles and lanterns to mark the start of the Christmas season. In Bogotá this is a neighbourhood-level event as much as an official one: balconies, doorways, and public squares fill with flickering lights after dark. It is one of the most atmospheric evenings of the year in the city, and it costs nothing to experience.

The Ruta de la Navidad is the headline program. The city tourism office organises guided walking and cycling routes through illuminated sectors, including the historic centre, the southern district around Parque El Tunal, and northern neighbourhoods such as Usaquén. Recent editions have featured guided departures starting around 5:30 p.m. from the Planetario de Bogotá area, with a separate Usaquén route beginning around 6:00 p.m. Registration through the IDT website is required for the guided versions, and spots fill quickly. Free self-guided walking of the same corridors is always an option.

Beyond the official routes, several districts develop their own micro-celebrations. Usaquén in the north becomes especially festive, with its historic plaza and surrounding streets decorated through late December. The Zona Rosa area fills with shoppers, and restaurants across the city offer set Christmas menus (menú navideño) through much of the month.

Crowds, Costs & Booking: The Practical Reality of December

December splits into two distinct phases from a travel-planning perspective. Early December (December 1–20) is busy but manageable. The city is festive, the light installations are active, and popular museums and attractions see more visitors than usual but are rarely overwhelmed. Mid-week visits to places like the Museo del Oro or Cerro de Monserrate are noticeably quieter than weekends.

The final week of December, roughly December 22 through January 2, is a different story. This is peak domestic travel season in Colombia. Many bogotanos leave the city to visit family elsewhere, but the incoming tourist volume from other Colombian cities and international travelers more than compensates. Hotels in well-located neighbourhoods like Chapinero and Zona Rosa can run 30–50% above standard rack rates. Book accommodation at least 6–8 weeks in advance for the Christmas and New Year's period.

• Flights from other Colombian cities (Medellín, Cartagena, Cali) peak in price around December 20–26 and again around December 30–January 2.
• El Dorado International Airport (BOG) is the main entry point; expect longer queues at immigration during the last week of December.
• Restaurant reservations for December 24 and 31 fill weeks in advance at mid-range and upscale spots.
• The Ciclovía — Bogotá's famous weekly car-free Sunday and holiday streets — continues in December and is a low-cost way to see the city.
• Taxis and ride-hailing apps (Uber, Cabify, Didi) remain available throughout December, though surge pricing applies during peak evening hours and December 24–25.

What to Do in Bogotá in December Beyond Christmas

December's drier weather makes it one of the better months for day trips out of the city. The road to the Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá is a straightforward 1.5–2 hour trip north and pairs particularly well with the Christmas season, since the cathedral's underground nave takes on an especially atmospheric quality when decorated for the holidays. Similarly, the highlands around Laguna de Guatavita are accessible in December, with lower chances of the trail-closing rains that affect the site in wetter months.

Within the city, December is a good month for the major museums. The Museo del Oro and Museo Botero both sit in La Candelaria and are part of the Christmas light route corridor, making it easy to combine a daytime museum visit with an evening stroll through the illuminated streets. Check current opening hours directly with each museum, as holiday schedules sometimes differ from regular hours.

The weekend flea market at Usaquén is particularly worth visiting in December. Vendors stock seasonal crafts, hand-made ornaments, and local food products that make practical gifts or souvenirs. The market runs on Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays and draws a large local crowd in December, so arrive before noon for the best selection and the least congestion.

Getting Around Bogotá in December: Transport Notes

Bogotá's main public transport backbone is TransMilenio, the bus rapid transit network that connects most major districts. It is the cheapest and often the fastest option during off-peak hours, though it gets crowded in the evenings during the Christmas event period. For the full transport breakdown, including routes from El Dorado International Airport (BOG) to central districts, see our dedicated guide.

Ride-hailing apps (Uber, Cabify, Didi) are widely used and generally reliable. Prices increase during the final week of December, particularly on December 24 and 31. For the Christmas light walking routes, the best approach is simply to walk: the official Ruta de la Navidad corridors along Carrera 7 are pedestrian-friendly and policed during evening event hours.

Packing List and Practical Details for December

The single most common packing mistake for Bogotá in December is treating it like a tropical destination. The city is cool at altitude. Daytime temperatures in the low 20s are comfortable in a light layer, but evenings drop fast after sunset. The Christmas light routes run from approximately 5:30–6:00 p.m., which is when temperatures fall most sharply.

• Layers: a mid-weight fleece or wool layer plus a windproof or waterproof outer shell covers most scenarios.
• Rain jacket or compact umbrella: even in the dry season, afternoon showers happen.
• Comfortable walking shoes with grip: cobblestones in La Candelaria can be slippery after rain.
• Colombian pesos (COP): carry cash for street food, markets, and smaller vendors. Cards are widely accepted in restaurants and larger shops.
• Power adapter: Colombia uses Type A and Type B plugs, 110V/60Hz — the same as the US and Canada.
• Colombia's country dialing code is +57; the emergency number is 123.

For a fuller look at how December fits into the annual calendar and which months suit different travel styles, see the best time to visit Bogotá guide. If this is your first trip and you are trying to structure an itinerary, the 3 days in Bogotá itinerary is a practical starting point that works well in December.