Colombia Destination Wedding Guide

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in Colombia.

Weddings in Colombia: What You Need To Know

Colombia is a beautiful country with a rich history, culture, and natural beauty, making it the perfect backdrop for a destination wedding.

Due to its colonial past and its vibrant present, Colombia has something to offer every couple looking for a unique destination wedding.

From the colonial city of Cartagena to the Coffee Region to the Lost City of Ciudad Perdida, there are endless options for unforgettable locations.

And with its diverse landscape, from the Andes Mountains to the Caribbean coast, Colombia is also the perfect place to honeymoon.

And with its year-round warm weather, Colombia is an ideal choice for couples looking to escape the cold winter months.

But it’s not just the weather and scenery that makes Colombia a top wedding destination; it’s also the people.

The Colombians are known for their warmth and hospitality, and they will go out of their way to make sure your special day is perfect.

So if you’re looking for a destination that has it all, consider Colombia for your dream wedding.

But first: you need to know where in the world Colombia is…

Where is Colombia?

Colombia is located in the northwest of South America. It borders the Caribbean Sea to the north, Venezuela to the east, Brazil to the southeast, Ecuador and Peru to the south, the Pacific Ocean to the west and Panama to the northwest.

Area: 440,531 sq mi (1,140,970 sq km), Population: (2022 est.) 52,579,000, Capital: Bogotá.

Colombia Facts To Know:

  • Language: Spanish
  • Currency: Colombian peso
  • Airports: El Dorado International Airport (BOG), Jose Maria Córdova International Airport (MDE), Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport (CLO)
  • Official Tourism Website: https://colombia.travel/en
  • Driving side: Right

Below you will find some more useful information about visiting Colombia for your special day:

4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in Colombia

Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!

But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in Colombia:

1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests

Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in Colombia or closer to home.

You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.

Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:

2. Decide on a budget

When it comes to having a Colombia wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.

But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.

Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:

3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget

No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.

Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in Colombia:

4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details

A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.

Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in Colombia

Colombia Weddings: Key Information

Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.

To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in Colombia:

  • What is the average cost of a wedding in Colombia?
  • What are the marriage requirements for Colombia?
  • What is the weather like in Colombia?
  • What should you pack for a trip to Colombia?
  • What things are there to do in Colombia?
  • What are the best Colombia wedding venues?

Read on to find out more:

How Much Does a Wedding in Colombia Cost?

The fee for the notary to review all the documents for a civil marriage is $45.  

Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Colombia

In the event that two foreigners who do not have permanent residence in Colombia are getting married in Colombia, they are required to wed in the respective consular offices of their home countries (or one of the two). 

When applying for a marriage license, you will need to provide the following documents:

  • Valid passport with a valid visa or a non-expired tourist stamp.
  • Single status certificate.
  • Birth certificate issued not longer than 6 months before the date of applying for your wedding.
  • If you have already been married, provide the relevant documentation to demonstrate that you are either divorced or widowed.
  • Name change document – generally all names on all documents need to match (including your parents’ names), otherwise proof of name change needs to be shown. 
  • A court inventory of assets is required if one of the spouses has underaged children.
  • A civil registry is required if the couple has children together.

A notary must review your documents to ensure all the paperwork is complete and authenticated. Make sure you get in touch with one that has experience with foreigners.

Here is a list of notaries for Medellin, and in the right upper corner if you click on the ‘Menu’ you can see the list for other cities.

Processing time for your application is 5 days after you submit all the documents to the notary, after which a date for your marriage ceremony will be scheduled.

Other legal requirements are:

  • To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
  • The language of the ceremony will be Spanish. If any of you does not speak Spanish well, an official translator should be present.
  • 3 witnesses are required.
  • There is no restriction for foreign people marrying in Colombia, provided that they are in the country legally.
  • All international paperwork has to be translated into Spanish by a certified Colombian translator. It is mandatory that they be authenticated with an Apostille stamp from your home country first, and not older than 90 days.

Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.

What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.

What Is The Weather Like in Colombia?

It is difficult to pinpoint a single time of year that is ideal for traveling across the whole of Colombia; nonetheless, the months of December through March are often regarded as the best time to visit the country since these months see the least amount of precipitation on average.

There are certain regions, however, where rainfall is plentiful year-round, and in some regions the least wet season is inverted (such as the southernmost portions of the Amazon and the Andes), or where the least rainy season extends from August to November (such as the southernmost portion of the Pacific coast, which is also impacted by the El Niño cycle).

The water in the Caribbean is at a comfortable temperature throughout the whole year, making it ideal for swimming and sunbathing. The Pacific Ocean is warm all year round as well, but this part of the Colombian coastline is constantly rainy.

What should you pack for your trip?

Always pack light clothes with you while traveling to plains and lowlands, regardless of the season. In the forest, you should wear clothes that are loose-fitting and bring light shirts and pants made of natural fibers (cotton, linen) or synthetics that breathe. You might want to bring long sleeves to protect yourself from mosquitoes, as well as a light sweatshirt and a light raincoat in case there are thunderstorms.

For the coast, you may want to bring a light scarf and a light sweatshirt because of the wind from the ocean. During the rainy season, you may want to pack a light sweater and a light raincoat with you to the savannah (Barranquilla or Cartagena) in case there are any thunderstorms.

Bring light clothes, a sweater for the evening, and either a raincoat or an umbrella if you plan on visiting the tierras templadas (Medellín).

Bring clothing for spring and fall with you to the tierras frias (Bogota), including a sweater or sweatshirt, a jacket, and either a raincoat or an umbrella.

In the high mountains, you should have warm clothing with you. This includes a down jacket, a hat, gloves, a scarf, and hiking shoes.

Colombia Weather By Month

Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit Colombia:

Average Temperatures in Colombia

The table below shows the average temperatures in Colombia each month:

Month Min (°C) Max (°C) Mean (°C) Min (°F) Max (°F) Mean (°F)
January 24.1 31 27.6 75 88 81.6
February 24.2 31 27.6 76 88 81.7
March 24.9 31.1 28 77 88 82.4
April 25.8 31.6 28.7 78 89 83.7
May 26.1 31.9 29 79 89 84.2
June 26 32.2 29.1 79 90 84.4
July 25.7 32.2 29 78 90 84.2
August 25.9 32.2 29 79 90 84.3
September 25.8 32 28.9 78 90 84
October 25.5 31.6 28.6 78 89 83.4
November 25.4 31.4 28.4 78 89 83.2
December 24.9 31.5 28.2 77 89 82.7
Year 25.4 31.7 28.45 77.7 89 83

Average Rainfall in Colombia

The table below shows the average rainfall in Colombia each month:

Month Millimeters Inches Days
January 4 0.2 1
February 1 0 0
March 2 0.1 1
April 25 1 3
May 115 4.5 10
June 100 3.9 12
July 110 4.3 10
August 125 4.9 13
September 135 5.3 14
October 230 9.1 16
November 140 5.5 11
December 35 1.4 3
Year 1020 40.2 94

Sunshine Hours in Colombia

The table below shows the average sunshine hours in Colombia each month:

Month Average Total
January 9 275
February 8.5 240
March 7.5 240
April 7 210
May 6 190
June 6.5 190
July 6.5 210
August 6.5 200
September 5.5 170
October 5.5 170
November 6 185
December 8 240
Year 6.9 2520

Sea Temperatures in Colombia

The table below shows the average sea temperatures in Colombia each month:

Month Celsius (°C) Fahrenheit (°F)
January 26 78
February 26 78
March 26 78
April 26 80
May 27 81
June 28 82
July 27 81
August 28 82
September 28 83
October 29 84
November 28 83
December 27 81
Year 27.2 80.9

What To Wear in Colombia? (Packing Tips)

It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.

We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in Colombia so that you can make the most of your time there.

  • Beachwear: When visiting the coastal regions, be sure to pack swimwear and sun protection.
  • Sunscreen: The Colombian sun can be quite intense, especially during the summer months.
  • Hat and sunglasses: A hat and sunglasses will help you in the hot Colombian sunshine.
  • Insect repellent: Mosquitoes and other insects can be a nuisance when you’re trying to enjoy the outdoors. Pack insect repellent to keep them at bay.
  • Comfortable shoes: You should also pack comfortable walking shoes.
  • Camera: Don’t forget to pack your camera! Colombia is full of beautiful scenery, from the beaches to the mountains, and you’ll want to be able to capture it all.
  • Passport: Other essential items to pack include a valid passport and any necessary visas.
  • Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
  • Chargers: Also, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
  • First-aid kit: It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.

Things to Do in Colombia

There are many different things to do in Colombia, no matter what time of year you visit.

Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:

Best Colombia Wedding Venues & Hotels

With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in Colombia?

Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:

Wedding Venues in Colombia

  • Hacienda Márquez in La Calera
  • Hacienda Fagua in Cajicá
  • Hacienda Fizebad in Medellín
  • Aguas Claras in Girardota
  • Hacienda La Martina close to Bogotá
  • Cariva Eventos in Santa Elena
  • Sofitel Santa Clara in Cartagena
  • Hacienda Retiro de San Juan in Bogotá
  • Hacienda Pozo Chico in Medellín

Hotels in Colombia

  • Cassa Luxury Homes – Bogota
  • Hyatt Place Bogota Convention Center
  • Sheraton Bogotá Hotel
  • Hotel Boutique Casa Farallones – Cali
  • Hotel Stein Colonial – Cali
  • Alko Hotel Integrado – Cali
  • Marquee Medellín
  • Landmark Hotel – Medellín
  • Sui Posada Boutique – Medellín
Check out the full list here: 60+ Wedding Destination around the World

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