Climate of Putumayo

The department of Putumayo occupies the transition between the Eastern mountain range and the Amazon rainforest, giving it a warm and very humid climate influenced by both formations. Mocoa, its capital, is at 327 meters above sea level and has temperatures of 22 to 28 °C with abundant rainfall almost all year round. The department is one of the rainiest in Colombia: some areas of the lower Putumayo receive over 4,000 mm annually. This extreme humidity together with the mountainous geomorphology makes Putumayo highly vulnerable to landslides, such as the tragic event of April 2017 in Mocoa. Biodiversity is extraordinary: Putumayo is home to more than 1,000 bird species and one of the highest concentrations of flora in the country.

THERMAL FLOORS OF PUTUMAYO

Temperature in Putumayo varies by altitude. These are the department's thermal floors:

Thermal Floor	Altitude	Temperature	Municipalities
Cold-temperate upper foothill	1,000 – 2,500 m	14 – 20 °C	Sibundoy, Colón, San Francisco, Santiago
Temperate-warm lower foothill	300 – 1,000 m	20 – 26 °C	Mocoa, Villa Garzón
Warm Amazon	100 – 300 m	26 – 30 °C	Puerto Asís, Puerto Leguízamo, Orito

RAINY AND DRY SEASONS IN PUTUMAYO

It rains almost all year. Rainiest season: March–August. Relative drought: November–January. Puerto Asís receives 3,000–4,000 mm annually. The Sibundoy valley, in the upper Putumayo, is cold and almost permanently cloudy. Rivers rise dramatically between May and July.

TEMPERATURE BY MUNICIPALITY IN PUTUMAYO

Average annual temperatures of the main municipalities of Putumayo:

Municipality	Average Temperature
Mocoa	24 °C
Puerto Asís	28 °C
Orito	27 °C
Sibundoy	15 °C
Puerto Leguízamo	27 °C
Villa Garzón	24 °C
San Francisco	16 °C
Colón	15 °C

BEST TIME TO VISIT PUTUMAYO

November–January: less precipitation, more navigable rivers. For the Sibundoy valley (páramo ecotourism and Kamentsá and Inga indigenous cultures): any month, although July–August are somewhat drier. Always bring waterproof gear and rubber boots.