Cartagena, Colombia 🇨🇴
#221
,
Nomad Score:
65%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to other Colombian cities; cheaper than major global hubs but more expensive than rural areas.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
63%
Weight: 80
Rental prices in popular neighborhoods and near the historic center are higher but still reasonable compared to Western cities.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are very affordable; imported goods and dining in tourist areas cost more.
🚌 Transportation Cost
85%
Weight: 20
Public transport and taxis are inexpensive; ride-sharing apps are widely available and affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options like cinemas, bars, and cultural events are affordable but can be pricier in tourist zones.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
76%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are reasonably priced with many options available in the city.
💱 Currency Stability
52%
Weight: 30
Colombian Peso experiences moderate fluctuations; some inflation concerns but generally stable.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
69%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 20-50 Mbps in urban areas; fiber connections available but can be inconsistent.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
65%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist, mostly concentrated in the historic center and Bocagrande.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
73%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer WiFi, though connection quality varies; popular among locals and tourists.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
68%
Weight: 30
A growing number of cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and decent internet.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
57%
Weight: 100
Emerging destination for digital nomads but less popular than Medellín or Bogotá.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
84%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data packages for tourists.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
79%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with plenty of leisure options and a slower pace compared to larger cities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
60%
Weight: 15
Coastal city with some pollution issues, especially in tourist-heavy areas.
🧼 Cleanliness
54%
Weight: 10
Historic areas are well-maintained, but some neighborhoods suffer from litter and waste management challenges.
🗨️ Language Barrier
48%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; English is spoken in tourist and expat areas but limited elsewhere.
💨 Air Quality
59%
Weight: 15
Moderate air quality; coastal breezes help but traffic congestion can cause localized pollution.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
58%
Weight: 25
Some family-oriented activities and schools, but not a top destination for families.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
67%
Weight: 20
Good quality private healthcare facilities available; public healthcare is variable.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
82%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low compared to Western countries, making it accessible for expats.
🏥 Healthcare
69%
Weight: 20
Overall healthcare system is adequate with access to specialists and emergency services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
87%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; occasional rain but mostly sunny.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
61%
Weight: 10
Low risk of earthquakes; occasional flooding and storms during rainy season.
🏞️ Green Spaces
55%
Weight: 10
Limited green parks within the city; more natural areas are accessible outside urban zones.
❄️ Air Conditioning
74%
Weight: 15
Widely available in hotels, coworking spaces, and many apartments.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
23%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation due to tropical climate; consistent warm weather year-round.
🔊 Noise Pollution
49%
Weight: 10
Busy tourist areas and nightlife can be noisy; quieter neighborhoods available but limited.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
84%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with vibrant festivals, music, and historic architecture.
🌃 Nightlife
72%
Weight: 15
Active nightlife with bars, clubs, and live music, especially in the old town and Getsemaní.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
70%
Weight: 15
Access to beaches, nearby islands, and natural parks; good for water sports and exploration.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Several Spanish language schools and informal learning opportunities available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
81%
Weight: 10
Wide range of cultural tours, boat trips, and historical walks offered.
🎳 Indoors Fun
58%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly bars, cafes, and some museums.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
83%
Weight: 25
Diverse culinary options from street food to upscale restaurants featuring local and international cuisine.
🧠 Yoga Studios
64%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available, though not as abundant as in larger cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
67%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers are accessible, with some offering modern equipment.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
71%
Weight: 15
Growing availability of organic and health-conscious eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
79%
Weight: 20
Colombia’s GMT-5 time zone aligns well with North American business hours.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
55%
Weight: 25
Limited compared to larger cities; some meetups and expat groups exist.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
42%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most digital nomads rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
48%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is emerging but still small and informal.
🏢 Coworking Quality
62%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but fewer in number and less modern than in bigger cities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
45%
Weight: 15
Startup ecosystem is nascent with limited support and investment.
💳 Local Payment Services
60%
Weight: 10
Mobile payment apps and local banking services are improving but still developing.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
51%
Weight: 15
Growing interest in crypto but adoption remains limited and regulatory environment uncertain.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
70%
Weight: 30
Rafael Núñez International Airport offers direct flights to major Latin American cities and some US destinations.
🚇 Public Transit
57%
Weight: 20
Bus system is available but can be crowded and confusing for newcomers.
🚶 Walkability
78%
Weight: 20
Historic center and tourist areas are very walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
80%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride-sharing apps operate widely and are affordable.
🚲 Cycling
53%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure; some bike rental options but traffic can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
71%
Weight: 15
Good bus connections and domestic flights to other Colombian cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
59%
Weight: 10
Some bike and scooter rentals available, mostly in tourist areas.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
74%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage throughout the city; 5G rollout is limited but expanding.
🔒 VPN Reliability
83%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably with no significant restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
70%
Weight: 15
Generally stable electricity supply with occasional outages in some areas.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
56%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is limited and often unreliable; better in cafes and coworking spaces.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
68%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa is easy to obtain; 90-day stay with options to extend.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Tax system can be complex for foreigners; no special digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
75%
Weight: 15
Generally respected, though some political tensions exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
62%
Weight: 20
Relatively stable but occasional protests and regional conflicts occur.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
49%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners due to documentation requirements and bureaucracy.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
53%
Weight: 10
Process is bureaucratic and time-consuming but possible with local assistance.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
61%
Weight: 50
Growing awareness and infrastructure but still developing as a nomad destination.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
47%
Weight: 25
Few organized events; informal meetups occur sporadically.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
54%
Weight: 20
Limited online groups and forums dedicated to Cartagena digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
59%
Weight: 100
Tourist areas are relatively safe; caution advised in less frequented neighborhoods.
♀️ Female Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Generally safe for women but standard precautions recommended, especially at night.
✊ Racial Tolerance
65%
Weight: 50
Diverse population with moderate racial tolerance; some social challenges remain.