Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Aracataca, Colombia, understanding the UV Index is vital for protecting your skin and overall health. With its warm tropical climate, residents and visitors face significant risks from harmful UV radiation, especially during peak hours when the index can reach a staggering 12. Monitoring these levels helps you prevent sunburns and long-term skin damage, ensuring you enjoy all that this beautiful town has to offer without the adverse effects of sun exposure. Being aware of the UV Index not only promotes skin health but also encourages outdoor activities with the right precautions in place.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins its ascent, starting at a gentle 1 by 7:00 AM. By 8:00 AM, it climbs to 3, indicating a slight increase in UV exposure. The intensity peaks dramatically at 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, both reaching a scorching 12, signaling strong sunlight; this is the time for precaution! As the afternoon progresses, the UV levels gradually descend, with readings of 11 at 1:00 PM and tapering off to 5 by 3:00 PM. As the day winds down, the UV Index returns to safer levels, dropping to 1 by 5:00 PM and fading to 0 by 7:00 PM, reminding us of the sun's fleeting power and the importance of sun safety during the brightest hours.
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
09:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
10:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
11:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Seasonal UV changes reveal consistently high UV Index numbers throughout the year, with the peak occurring between March and May, where the UV Index reaches 14. High-risk months for UV exposure are notably from February to May, characterized by an extreme exposure category and a minimal burn time of just 10 minutes. While June to October maintain similarly high levels, December sees a slight decrease, classified as very high with a burn time of 15 minutes. To protect against harmful UV rays, it is crucial for both visitors and residents to wear protective clothing, use broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seek shade, especially during the peak hours of sun exposure.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Barranquilla UVI | 11 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
Cartagena UVI | 11 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
Aracataca | 11 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
Medellin UVI | 14 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Cali UVI | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Bogota UVI | 15 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 |