UV Index in San Andres, Colombia

Last updated: May 3, 2025

Awareness of the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in San Andres, Colombia, a stunning Caribbean island known for its vibrant beaches and sunny climate. Understanding UV levels is vital not only for protecting your skin from painful sunburns but also for safeguarding long-term skin health against harmful UV radiation. With a tropical climate and typical UV exposure peaking at an intense UV Index of 13 around midday, San Andres presents significant sun safety challenges. Keeping track of these UV levels empowers you to enjoy the sun while taking necessary precautions to stay safe and healthy.

Hourly UV Index in San Andres

As the sun rises, the UV Index starts its slow climb, peaking at 13 between noon and 1 PM, signaling extreme UV exposure. The day begins gently at 7 AM with a minimal index of 1, but by 10 AM, it reaches 9, urging sun-sensitive individuals to seek protection. The highest reading of 13 persists for two hours, making midday the most critical time for sun safety. As the afternoon rolls in, the index gradually decreases, dipping to 7 by 3 PM, and further waning into the evening with values of 4 at 4 PM, 2 at 5 PM, and falling to a comfortable 1 by 6 PM. Finally, the UV Index settles at 0 after sunset, marking the end of a sun-drenched day.

Average solar exposure data for the current time of the year. Actual values may vary and depend on many factors, such as cloud cover, vegetation cover, surface type, etc.
Time	UVI	Category	Time to Burn
07:00	1	low	45 min
08:00	3	moderate	30 min
09:00	5	moderate	30 min
10:00	9	very high	15 min
11:00	12	extreme	10 min
12:00	13	extreme	10 min
13:00	13	extreme	10 min
14:00	11	extreme	10 min
15:00	7	high	25 min
16:00	4	moderate	30 min
17:00	2	low	45 min
18:00	1	low	45 min
19:00	0	low	45 min

Monthly UV Index Trends in San Andres

The UV Index experiences notable changes throughout the year, with extreme levels recorded from January to April, peaking at a UV Index of 14 in April. The high-risk months for UV exposure are from January to April, where a mere 10 minutes of unprotected sun exposure can lead to skin burns. As the year progresses, the UV Index remains high but stabilizes at 13 from May through October, still maintaining an extreme exposure category, while November and December experience a slight drop to 10 but still classified as very high. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions, such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak sunlight hours, particularly in the higher months to mitigate the risk of skin damage.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for San Andres, Colombia

The monthly maximum UV Index (UVI) represents the highest UV radiation level recorded each month in San Andres. It measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun and helps assess the risk of sunburn and UV-related health issues.

Data source: Statistical UV Index data for San Andres, based on information from the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

UV Risk Categories

Extreme (11+): Avoid the sun, stay in shade.
Very High (8-10): Limit sun exposure.
High (6-7): Use SPF 30+ and protective clothing.
Moderate (3-5): Midday shade recommended.
Low (0-2): No protection needed.

Compare San Andres UV Index with Other Colombia Cities

The table above highlights how UV exposure in San Andres compares to other major locations across Colombia. This comparison helps travelers and residents better understand regional sun intensity and plan outdoor activities with sun safety in mind.

San Andres's solar exposure compared to other cities in Colombia. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information.
	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
San Andres	11	12	13	14	13	13	13	13	13	13	10	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