AI-generated

Riohacha weather & best time to visit

City break

Best time: Jan – Mar
Warmest month: Jul · 36°
Warmest sea: Oct · 29.1°
Sunshine a year: 2,420 h
Rain a year: 970 mm
Climate: Tropical
Time zone: UTC−5
Elevation: 7 m

Climate in Riohacha

Riohacha has a tropical climate: it is warm all year round, and the seasons differ mainly in how much rain falls. July is the warmest month with average highs of 36 °C, while November is the coolest at 33 °C. With around 2,420 hours of sunshine a year, Riohacha is sunny; January is the sunniest month with 7.6 hours a day.

Holiday weather through the year

Best time to visit

Best time to visit Riohacha

The best time to visit Riohacha is from January to March. For a beach holiday – sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry – go from January to April and in July. From April to October it can get very hot, with highs of up to 36 °C. The rainy season is in May and from August to November; the wettest month is October with 190 mm.

Riohacha through the seasons

How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.

Riohacha in the dry season

Jun – Jul, Dec – Apr

Fair

33–36 °C by day
Sea 26 °C
7.0 h of sun a day
59 rainy days in all

Riohacha in the rainy season

May, Aug – Nov

Poor

33–35 °C by day
Sea 28 °C
6.1 h of sun a day
104 rainy days in all

Which month for what?

Beach & swimming

Jan – Apr, Jul

Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry

Sightseeing & hiking

No month

15–28 °C and not too much rain

Peak heat

Apr – Oct

Highs of 33 °C or more

Rainy months

May, Aug – Nov

Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days

Find your perfect month

Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Riohacha for you.

Preferred daytime temperature 23 °C

Swimming in the sea

Sunshine

Little rain

Avoid muggy heat

Your best months: January – March

Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.

Your holiday weather, at a glance

Holiday weather in October

Poor

Best time to visit: January – March

Where to go in October Sea temperature in October

Keep in mindPeak heatFrequent rain

Air temperature33°CNight 24°All months Sea temperature29.1°Cvery warmAll months Sunshine5.5h / dayof 11.9 h daylightAll months Rainy days27days / month190 mmAll months

A typical day in October

Morning, 08:00: about 28°
Midday, 13:00: about 33°
Afternoon, 16:00: about 32°
Evening, 20:00: about 28°
Night, 23:00: about 27°

05:4117:34

Warm enough for a T-shirt in the evening.

Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.

Light for photos in October

Golden hour: Morning 05:27–06:09 · evening 17:06–17:47
Blue hour: Morning 05:19–05:27 · evening 17:47–17:55

Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.

October in Riohacha compared with home

Home:

Loading the climate at home …

Early or late October?

In October, daytime highs stay at about 33° from start to end. The days get 0.3 h shorter.

Early or late October?
October	1 Oct	31 Oct
Daytime high	33°	33°
Night-time low	25°	24°
Sea	29°	29°
Daylight	12.0 h	11.7 h

What is the weather like in Riohacha in October?

In October, Riohacha is very hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 29.1 °C – almost as warm as a bath. Expect around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 27 days, totalling 190 mm. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Riohacha.

More details for October

Daylight: 11 h 53 min05:41 – 17:34
UV index: 11 · extremeclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
Muggy days: 31 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
Wind: 15 km/haverage daily peakAll months
Cloud cover: 79 %on averageAll months
Hot days: 31 days30 °C or moreAll months
Time zone: UTC−5offset from UTC

How the score comes together

Temperatureweight 50 %25 %
Sunshineweight 20 %42 %
Few rainy daysweight 30 %0 %

Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.

What to pack in October

Swimwear
Sunscreen
Sunglasses & sun hat
Light, breathable clothes
Water bottle – drink plenty
Insect repellent
Rain jacket or umbrella

Compare two months in Riohacha

Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.

February has the better holiday weather in Riohacha: score 58 against 21. Daytime highs are about the same. The sea is 4 °C cooler in February. February has 23 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in February.

October vs February, Riohacha
Month	October	February
Holiday weather score	21	58better
Daytime high	33°	33°
Night-time low	24°	23°
Sea	29.1°	24.9°
Sunshine	5.5 h	7.4 hbetter
Rainy days	27	4better
Rainfall	190 mm	13 mmbetter
Muggy days	31	28better

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Riohacha month by month

The typical weather for every month at a glance.

56January33° · Sea 25° · 7.6 h

In January, Riohacha is hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 25.2 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.6 hours a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 18 mm. On about 30 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, January is a so-so month for a holiday in Riohacha – and yet one of the best months here.

Riohacha in January

58February33° · Sea 25° · 7.4 h

In February, Riohacha is hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 24.9 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.4 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 4 days bring 13 mm in total. On about 27 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, February is a so-so month for a holiday in Riohacha – and yet one of the best months here.

Riohacha in February

57March33° · Sea 25° · 7.0 h

In March, Riohacha is hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 25.2 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.0 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 4 days bring 15 mm in total. On about 30 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, March is a so-so month for a holiday in Riohacha – and yet one of the best months here.

Riohacha in March

39April33° · Sea 26° · 5.8 h

In April, Riohacha is very hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 26.0 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 5.8 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 42 mm. On about 29 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Riohacha.

Riohacha in April

20May34° · Sea 27° · 5.7 h

In May, Riohacha is very hot: daytime highs average 34 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 26 °C. The sea averages 27.3 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 5.7 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 16 days, totalling 111 mm. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Riohacha.

Riohacha in May

24June35° · Sea 28° · 6.9 h

In June, Riohacha is very hot: daytime highs average 35 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 26 °C. The sea averages 27.6 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 87 mm in total. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Riohacha.

Riohacha in June

33July36° · Sea 27° · 7.5 h

In July, Riohacha is very hot: daytime highs average 36 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 26 °C. The sea averages 27.0 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 56 mm in total. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, July is not an ideal month for a holiday in Riohacha.

Riohacha in July

17August35° · Sea 28° · 7.1 h

In August, Riohacha is very hot: daytime highs average 35 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 26 °C. The sea averages 28.0 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.1 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 16 days, totalling 102 mm. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, August is not an ideal month for a holiday in Riohacha.

Riohacha in August

17September34° · Sea 29° · 6.1 h

In September, Riohacha is very hot: daytime highs average 34 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 29.0 °C – almost as warm as a bath. Expect around 6.1 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 23 days, totalling 157 mm. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Riohacha.

Riohacha in September

21October33° · Sea 29° · 5.5 h

Riohacha in October

26November33° · Sea 28° · 6.0 h

In November, Riohacha is hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 28.4 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 22 days, totalling 129 mm. On about 29 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Riohacha.

Riohacha in November

40December33° · Sea 27° · 7.0 h

In December, Riohacha is hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 26.7 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.0 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 50 mm in total. On about 29 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, December is a so-so month for a holiday in Riohacha.

Riohacha in December

Climate in detail

Year & climate table

Climate through the year

Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.

Best time to visit

Nights and sleep in Riohacha

How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.

Warm 20–24°
Hot 24° and more
muggy month (15+ muggy days)

HotOctober: nights around 24°. Hot nights: air conditioning makes sleeping much easier. Muggy on about 31 days (dew point 18 °C or more).

The coolest nights are in January (23°), the warmest in June (26°). Nights stay tropical all year (20 °C and more), so a room with air conditioning or at least a fan pays off. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) all year, on about 365 days a year.

Temperatures through the year

Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.

OctoberDay 33°Night 24°Sea 29°

DayNightSea

Month	Score	Day	Night	Sea	Sun	Rain days	Rain mm
JanuaryJan	56	33°	23°	25.2°	7.6 h	6	18
FebruaryFeb	58	33°	23°	24.9°	7.4 h	4	13
MarchMar	57	33°	24°	25.2°	7.0 h	4	15
AprilApr	39	33°	25°	26.0°	5.8 h	9	42
MayMay	20	34°	26°	27.3°	5.7 h	16	111
JuneJun	24	35°	26°	27.6°	6.9 h	13	87
JulyJul	33	36°	26°	27.0°	7.5 h	10	56
AugustAug	17	35°	26°	28.0°	7.1 h	16	102
SeptemberSep	17	34°	25°	29.0°	6.1 h	23	157
OctoberOct	21	33°	24°	29.1°	5.5 h	27	190
NovemberNov	26	33°	24°	28.4°	6.0 h	22	129
DecemberDec	40	33°	24°	26.7°	7.0 h	13	50

Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences

11.54° N, 72.91° W · 7 m · America/Bogota

Sea temperature

Swimming calendar

Sea temperature in Riohacha

Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.

Sea in October29.1°Cvery warm

8 in 10 years: 28.4 – 29.8 °C

Swimming season: all year

cold
fresh
refreshing
pleasant
warm
very warm

OctoberMean sea temperature 29.1°8 in 10 years 28.4° – 29.8°

20°

Mean sea temperature8 in 10 years20 °C – comfortable for swimming

The sea temperature in Riohacha ranges from 24.9 °C in February to 29.1 °C in October. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.

The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in October, while the air already peaks in July. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in October, eight out of ten years were between 28.4 and 29.8 °C.

Sea temperature by month
Month	Average	Cool year	Warm year	Feels
JanuaryJan	25.2°	24.3°	26.2°	pleasant
FebruaryFeb	24.9°	23.5°	26.0°	pleasant
MarchMar	25.2°	24.0°	26.6°	pleasant
AprilApr	26.0°	25.2°	27.0°	warm
MayMay	27.3°	26.4°	28.3°	warm
JuneJun	27.6°	26.7°	28.7°	warm
JulyJul	27.0°	26.2°	28.2°	warm
AugustAug	28.0°	27.0°	28.7°	warm
SeptemberSep	29.0°	28.4°	29.7°	very warm
OctoberOct	29.1°	28.4°	29.8°	very warm
NovemberNov	28.4°	27.5°	29.3°	warm
DecemberDec	26.7°	26.0°	27.3°	warm

Sunshine

Sunshine hours in Riohacha

Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.

OctoberSunshine 5.5 hDaylight 11.9 hShare of daylight 46 %

SunshineDaylight

In October, the sun shines for about 5.5 of 11.9 hours of daylight in Riohacha, 46 % of the daylight hours.

Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.

Rain

Rain in Riohacha: rainy days and rainfall

A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.

OctoberRainy days 27Rainfall 190 mm

In October, Riohacha has about 27 rainy days with 190 mm of rain in total.

UV index

Sun protection

UV index in Riohacha

How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.

Clear-sky UV in October: 11 · extremeAvoid the midday sun; SPF 50+, covering clothes, hat and sunglasses.

The sun is strongest in April (UV 13).

Minutes until sunburn in October

Very fair skin: about 10 min
Fair skin: about 15 min
Light brown skin: about 20 min
Olive skin: about 25 min

Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.

Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.

Wind & clouds

Wind and clouds in Riohacha

How breezy and how cloudy Riohacha is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.

Wind

Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.

OctoberWind 15 km/hBeaufort 3

WindBeaufort 4

In October, the wind in Riohacha typically peaks at 15 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, gentle breeze.

Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting

From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting: Jun – Jul, Dec – Apr.

Clouds

Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.

OctoberCloud cover 79 %Sunshine 5.5 h

In October, cloud covers on average 79 % of the sky over Riohacha: mostly cloudy, with about 5.5 hours of sunshine a day.

Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.

Heat & humidity

Heat and humidity in Riohacha

How often the day gets hot in Riohacha (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.

Heat calendar

pleasant
some hot or muggy days
often muggy
often hot
hot and muggy

OctoberHot days (30 °C+) 31Daytime high 33 °C

In October, it is hot in Riohacha every day, with an average daytime high of 33 °C: hot and muggy. Plan outdoor activities for the morning and evening, drink a lot and take breaks in the cool.

Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year

Planning a trip to Riohacha

Weather for your travel dates

Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.

ArrivalNights

Riohacha in the school holidays

How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.

Riohacha has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 48) and its weakest during May half-term (score 21).

Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
44
Fair
- 33 °C by day
- Sea 26 °C
- 6.2 h of sun a day
- 7 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming
Keep in mind: Peak heat
May half-term
May – Jun
21
Poor
- 34 °C by day
- Sea 27 °C
- 5.9 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat, Frequent rain
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
23
Poor
- 35 °C by day
- Sea 28 °C
- 7.2 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat, Frequent rain
October half-term
Oct
21
Poor
- 33 °C by day
- Sea 29 °C
- 5.5 h of sun a day
- 27 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat, Frequent rain
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
48
FairBest holidays
- 33 °C by day
- Sea 26 °C
- 7.3 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Getting there

Flying from

Nonstop flight: about 9 h 55 min
Distance: 7,790 km
Time zone: UTC−5
Jet lag: About 4 days (6 h west)

Rule of thumb for flying west: for a few days before, stay up a little later, and get afternoon and evening light at your destination.

Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.

Good to know: Colombia

Currency: Colombian Peso (COP)
Language: Spanish
Sockets: Type A, B · 110 V
Traffic: Drives on the right
Dialling code: +57

UK plugs need a travel adapter

Only 110 V: chargers marked 100–240 V work, other devices need a voltage converter.

Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.

Compare & alternatives

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Riohacha compared

Put Riohacha side by side with another destination.

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Riohacha vs Valledupar

In October Valledupar has the better holiday weather (score 43 vs 21). During the day Valledupar is 4 °C cooler than Riohacha. Valledupar gets 2 fewer hours of sunshine a day.

Riohacha vs Valledupar, in October
in October	Riohacha	Valledupar
Holiday weather score	21	43
Daytime high	33°	29°
Sea	29°	no sea nearby
Sunshine	6 h	4 h
Rainy days	27	16
Best time	Jan – Mar	Dec – Mar

Through the year

OctoberRiohacha 33°Valledupar 29°

RiohachaValledupar

Go to Valledupar

Best places in the country

Ranking

Colombia in October: the best places

In October, Riohacha ranks 27 of 30 destinations in this country.

Saint Andrew31°29°68
2Tolú31°30°66
3Turbo30°29°64
4Tumaco28°27°63
5Cartagena32°30°62
6Ciénaga33°29°59
7Villa de Leyva23°54
8Tunja19°54
27RiohachaThis page33°29°21

All destinations: Colombia

Places nearby

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Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Riohacha's – good alternatives.

Frequently asked questions about Riohacha

When is the best time to visit Riohacha?

The best time to visit Riohacha is from January to March. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.

How warm is the sea in Riohacha?

The sea temperature in Riohacha ranges from 24.9 °C in February to 29.1 °C in October. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.

Can you swim in Riohacha in October?

Yes. In October the sea averages 29.1 °C – almost as warm as a bath.

What is the warmest month in Riohacha?

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 36 °C and nights around 26 °C. November is the coolest month at 33 °C.

When does it rain most in Riohacha?

The rainy season is in May and from August to November; the wettest month is October with 190 mm. The driest month is February with 13 mm.

How many hours of sunshine does Riohacha get?

Riohacha gets around 2,420 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is January with 7.6 hours a day; in October there are 5.5 hours a day.

What time zone is Riohacha in?

Riohacha is on UTC−5 all year.

How long is the flight from London to Riohacha?

A nonstop flight from London to Riohacha takes about 9 h 55 min, for a straight-line distance of about 7,790 km.

Which school holidays are best for Riohacha?

Riohacha has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 48) and its weakest during May half-term (score 21). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 44, May half-term 21, summer holidays 23, October half-term 21, Christmas holidays 48.