Culture and Attractions
- Local Heritage
- Palenqueras (Women in colorful dresses selling fruit, heritage from San Basilio de Palenque)
- Must-See Landmarks
- Castillo San Felipe de Barajas and the Walled City fortifications
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo del Oro Zenú (Gold Museum) and Museo de Arte Moderno
- Historical Sites
- Convento de la Popa (Panoramic views of the city)
- Religious Sites
- Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría
- Annual Events
- Hay Festival (Literature, Jan) and Cartagena International Film Festival (FICCI, March)
- Cultural Districts
- Getsemaní (murals, street performance, local life)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Adolfo Mejía (Stunning interior and architecture)
- Local Markets
- Las Bóvedas (Artisan crafts and souvenirs)
- Music Scene
- Champeta music in Bazurto and Salsa at Donde Fidel or Quiebra-Canto
- Street Art
- The murals of Calle de las Sombrillas and Calle de la Sierpe in Getsemaní
- Cooking Classes
- Sky Kitchen Cartagena - Market tour and traditional Caribbean cooking
- Art Galleries
- NH Galería (San Diego)
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio de la Inquisición
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Botanical Garden 'Guillermo Piñeres' (Turbaco) - 30 mins away
- National Parks Nearby
- Islas Corales del Rosario y del San Bernardo (Marine park)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 11km perimeter of the colonial city walls ('Las Murallas')
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The top of Cerro de la Popa for the entire bay view
- Birdwatching Locations
- National Aviary of Colombia (Barú) - Largest in the Americas
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Private beach clubs in Tierra Bomba (e.g., Blue Apple Beach)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Servientrega and Coordinadora (Local); DHL for international
- Tech Repair Services
- Centro Comercial Getsemaní (multiple tech/phone repair stalls)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Selina Getsemaní common area
- Language Classes
- Nueva Lengua Spanish School (Getsemaní)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Centro de Formación de la Cooperación Española (Beautiful courtyard library)
- Community Centers
- Casa Cultural Colombo Alemana
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited specialized lounges; usually internet cafes in residential areas like Manga
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Rio (Bocagrande)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,800/m² - (40 m² = $192,000 USD in Walled City)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,200/m² - (40 m² = $88,000 USD in Crespo/Turbaco)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,200/m² - (60 m² = $252,000 USD in San Diego)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,800/m² - (60 m² = $108,000 USD in Serena del Mar)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,800/m² - (80 m² = $304,000 USD in Bocagrande)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,600/m² - (80 m² = $128,000 USD in Marbella)
- Corporate Tax
- 35% (Standard rate for 2025/2026)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 20% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Residency based (183+ days triggers worldwide income tax)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 39%
- VAT
- 19% (IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to Colombian tax residents with foreign entities
- Property Tax
- Impuesto Predial, annually 0.5% to 1.2% of cadastral value
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 1.5% to 3% (Notary and registration fees)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- The 'V Digital Nomad' visa allows stay up to 2 years; tax depends on residency status
Essentials
- City
- Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia
- Population
- Approximately 1,050,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 60-100 Mbps (Fiber available in Bocagrande and Crespo)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 3,900 COP, 1 EUR ≈ 4,200 COP (As of March 2026)
- Tap Water
- Generally safe in main tourist areas, but bottled water is recommended for sensitive stomachs
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (Same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Claro or Tigo; approx. 40,000 COP ($10 USD) for 20GB and unlimited social media
- Banking for Expats
- Bancolombia, Davivienda, and digital banks like Lulo Bank or NuBank (Revolut/Wise work at ATMs)
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Selina, and local agencies like Lifefarer for long-term stays
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes in Bocagrande/Walled City; cash (Efectivo) still necessary for street food and taxis
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com; prices range from $600 to $2,500 USD/month
- Budget Accommodation
- Clock Hostel & Suites (Walled City) - Approx. $25/night for a dorm
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Centro Histórico (Walled City) and San Diego for history and charm
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Getsemaní (trendy, social) or Bocagrande (modern apartments, stable internet, sea views)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Selina Cartagena (Getsemaní) - Day pass approx. 50,000 COP ($13 USD)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Ábaco Libros y Café (Centro) - Quiet, surrounded by books and excellent coffee
- Networking Events
- Tuesday Language Exchanges at Townhouse Rooftop; Cartagena Startup Meetups on LinkedIn
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Cartagena and 'Expats in Cartagena' Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- InDrive (highly popular) and Uber; Cabify is also reliable
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bike tours and rentals at 'Cartagena Bike' in Getsemaní - $5 USD/hour
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Blanca (Barú) or the Rosario Islands (45-60 mins by boat)
- Top Regional Airline
- EasyFly (Clic) and Satena for smaller regional routes
- Top International Airline
- Avianca, LATAM, and Copa Airlines
- Highway Access
- Vía del Mar (Route 90A) connecting to Barranquilla and Santa Marta
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal de Transportes de Cartagena (Main Bus Terminal, 45 mins from center)
- Public Transport Passes
- Transcaribe card (BRT system) - Card costs 6,000 COP, rides are ~3,000 COP
- Regional Travel
- Door-to-door shuttles via Marsol or Berlinas to Santa Marta (approx. 60,000 COP)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Serena del Mar (North) or Clínica Medihelp (Bocagrande)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Cartagena in the Walled City; various rooftop sessions at boutique hotels
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Bodytech (Bocagrande/Plaza Bocagrande) - Premium facility with short-term memberships
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería Getsemaní - Weight-based pricing, approx. 15,000 COP per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Rappi (extremely efficient, can even deliver cash)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Arroz con Coco (Coconut rice) served with fried Mojarra fish and Patacones
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Girasoles (Centro) or Pezetarian (Getsemaní) for bowls and plant-based options
- Best Dessert Spots
- Portal de los Dulces (Old City) for traditional 'cocadas'
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Bazurto Market (authentic/chaotic) or Éxito supermarkets for standard needs
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre Colombia and Amazon (Free shipping to Colombia on orders over $35)
- Grocery Delivery
- Rappi or Carulla.com.co
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Calle del Arsenal (Getsemaní) for clubs; Cafe del Mar for sunset drinks
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Cartagena (Barrio El Laguito)
- Wine Bars
- El Barón (Plaza de San Pedro) - Exceptional cocktails and wine selection
- Street Food Stalls
- Arepa de Huevo vendors at Plaza de la Trinidad (Getsemaní) - ~4,000 COP
- Popular International Cuisine
- Cuzco Cocina Peruana (Calle de Santo Domingo) - High-end Peruvian