Barranquilla, Colombia 🇨🇴
#224
,
Nomad Score:
66%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Barranquilla is a vibrant coastal city located in northern Colombia, known for its cultural heritage and modern infrastructure. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1.2 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of 25 Mbps, with potential for higher speeds in coworking spaces. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 4,000 COP; major banks include Bancolombia and Davivienda. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Claro, Movistar, and Tigo, with prepaid plans widely available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Cash and cards accepted; services from international banks like HSBC available. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from local apartments to Airbnb; average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom is around 1,500,000 COP. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely in urban areas but carry cash for small purchases. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb is popular; monthly rentals often available. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like The Coffee House starting from 40,000 COP per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | El Prado and Rodadero are recommended for tourist attractions and dining. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Centro and Villa Santos offer good amenities, coworking spaces, and cafes. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Garage is a top coworking space with high-speed internet and networking events. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Arti is known for its relaxed atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Look for meetups organized on platforms like Meetup.com; many local expat groups also gather. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups such as 'Barranquilla Expats' facilitate community gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Apps like Domicilios and Uber are widely used. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Biciudad offers bike rentals and pathways are becoming more common. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Puerto Colombia Beach, about 30 minutes from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Avianca offers flights to other Colombian cities. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Copa Airlines and Avianca serve international routes. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major access via the Carratera 40 and Autopista al Mar. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Barranquilla is served by the Caribbean region's bus networks; no major train service. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Transmetro card available for local bus services. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses operate to cities like Cartagena and Santa Marta; tickets start around 30,000 COP. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Clínica del Caribe is a primary healthcare facility with modern services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Studio Barranquilla offers various classes; costs around 20,000 COP per session. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Smart Fit is a popular chain; memberships start at 90,000 COP per month. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavandería Express offers wash and fold services at reasonable rates. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Rappi and Domicilios are leading food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Arepas de Huevo; a fried egg-filled corn patty is a must-try. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Veggie Burger Barranquilla offers a variety of plant-based dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Heladería el Corral for artisanal ice cream and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Plaza de la Paz for fresh produce and local goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Linio Colombia serves as a popular online marketplace. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Merqueo delivers groceries straight to your door. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | La 84 is the main nightlife area with numerous bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cervecería 28 offers local craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | La Cava del Vino is a cozy spot for wine lovers. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street vendors sell local snacks like empanadas and arepas. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pizza Bizz offers a great selection of international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Barranquilla's Carnival Museum is a highlight celebrating the city's vibrant festival culture. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museo del Caribe showcases the region's cultural heritage. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The old section of Barranquilla has colonial architecture and historical significance. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Iglesia de San Nicolás is an iconic church well worth a visit. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Barranquilla's Carnival takes place annually in February, drawing international crowds. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | El Prado is a cultural district with museums and art galleries. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro José Consuelo Caicedo hosts various performances and events. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado de San Nicolas is a vibrant local market to explore. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The city has venues that host salsa music and nightlife. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Barranquilla has impressive street murals throughout the city, especially in neighborhoods like La Luz. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Learn Colombian cooking at local culinary schools like Sazón. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galería de Arte de Barranquilla features local artists and collections. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Historical buildings like the old Customs House reflect Barranquilla’s architectural heritage. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Barranquilla celebrates its heritage through festivals and local traditions. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Boca de Cenizas where the Magdalena River meets the Caribbean Sea is a scenic escape. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Parque Nacional Tayrona located a few hours away showcases Colombia's biodiversity. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Malecón is a waterfront promenade ideal for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Mirador del Metro is a great spot for city views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Lago de Soledad attracts various bird species. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Beach areas in Puerto Colombia allow bonfires in designated spots. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Servientrega and Deprisa provide parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Serviteca offers electronic repairs and services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local parks in Barranquilla often have outdoor table tennis tables. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Instituto de Idiomas offers Spanish classes for foreigners. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca del Caribe is a serene spot for studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural del Caribe hosts various community events and workshops. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamers Paradise offers video gaming experiences. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Buenaventura is popular for gaming. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 3,500,000 COP per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 140,000,000 COP) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 2,800,000 COP per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 112,000,000 COP) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 3,200,000 COP per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 192,000,000 COP) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 2,500,000 COP per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 150,000,000 COP) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 3,000,000 COP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 240,000,000 COP) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 2,300,000 COP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 184,000,000 COP) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 31% is the standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | The tax rate applied to dividend distributions is 15%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Colombia operates on a territorial tax system. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 39% is the maximum personal income tax rate. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate is 19%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are regulations governing taxation of foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation is based on the cadastral value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | A tax of approximately 1.5% applies during property purchases. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Colombia has been making efforts to attract digital nomads, including tax incentives for long-term visitors. |