Forum
Analytics
Cartagena, Colombia 🇨🇴
#221
,
Nomad Score:
66%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Generally affordable compared to Western cities, though slightly higher than inland Colombian cities due to its tourist appeal.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
63%
Weight: 80
Prices vary; budget options available but premium and beachfront rentals can be pricey.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are cheap; imported goods and dining in tourist areas cost more.
🚌 Transportation Cost
85%
Weight: 20
Public transport and taxis are inexpensive; ride-sharing apps widely used and affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
67%
Weight: 15
Moderate prices for nightlife and cultural events; tourist spots tend to be pricier.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
70%
Weight: 10
Affordable gym memberships, though high-end gyms are more expensive.
💱 Currency Stability
54%
Weight: 30
Colombian Peso experiences moderate fluctuations; inflation is controlled but some volatility exists.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
76%
Weight: 100
Reliable broadband and 4G widely available; average speeds around 20-30 Mbps.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
68%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces in the city center, but fewer than larger Colombian cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
79%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, especially in tourist and expat areas.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
72%
Weight: 30
Good selection of cafes with power outlets and reliable internet.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
60%
Weight: 100
Growing but still less popular than Medellín or Bogotá.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
75%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with plenty of leisure options and a slower pace.
🌳 Environmental Quality
60%
Weight: 15
Coastal city with some pollution issues, especially in crowded tourist zones.
🧼 Cleanliness
58%
Weight: 10
Varies by neighborhood; tourist areas are cleaner but some parts suffer from litter.
🗨️ Language Barrier
45%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; English is limited outside tourist and expat circles.
💨 Air Quality
62%
Weight: 15
Generally good but can worsen during peak tourist seasons and traffic congestion.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
58%
Weight: 25
Limited family-oriented amenities; more suited for singles or couples.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
70%
Weight: 20
Good quality private healthcare available; public healthcare is basic.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
83%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low compared to Western standards.
🏥 Healthcare
71%
Weight: 20
Access to quality healthcare facilities, especially private clinics.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
87%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; some humidity and rainy season.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
65%
Weight: 10
Low risk of earthquakes; occasional heavy rains and flooding possible.
🏞️ Green Spaces
59%
Weight: 10
Limited green urban parks; more natural green spaces outside the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
78%
Weight: 15
Common in hotels and modern buildings; less so in older structures.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
21%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal changes due to tropical climate.
🔊 Noise Pollution
47%
Weight: 10
High noise levels in tourist and nightlife areas; quieter neighborhoods exist.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
84%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with vibrant festivals, music, and colonial architecture.
🌃 Nightlife
73%
Weight: 15
Active nightlife with bars, clubs, and live music, especially in the historic center.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
70%
Weight: 15
Access to beaches, nearby islands, and natural parks.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
62%
Weight: 10
Several Spanish schools and language exchange meetups available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
80%
Weight: 10
Wide range of cultural, historical, and nature tours tailored for tourists.
🎳 Indoors Fun
65%
Weight: 10
Museums, galleries, and cultural centers available but limited compared to larger cities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
81%
Weight: 25
Diverse local cuisine with fresh seafood and international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
67%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers, mostly in tourist areas.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
70%
Weight: 15
Adequate gyms and fitness centers, some with modern equipment.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
74%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh fruits, vegetables, and health-conscious eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
85%
Weight: 20
GMT-5, convenient for North and South American time zones.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
60%
Weight: 25
Growing expat and digital nomad community but still limited professional networking events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
52%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most opportunities come from international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
58%
Weight: 20
Emerging freelance community with some platforms and coworking support.
🏢 Coworking Quality
65%
Weight: 30
Decent coworking spaces with good amenities but fewer options than bigger cities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
49%
Weight: 15
Limited startup ecosystem compared to Bogotá or Medellín.
💳 Local Payment Services
67%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and local banking apps available but less developed than in larger cities.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
55%
Weight: 15
Growing interest but still in early stages of adoption.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
73%
Weight: 30
International airport with connections to major cities in the Americas.
🚇 Public Transit
58%
Weight: 20
Limited public transit options; mostly buses and taxis.
🚶 Walkability
71%
Weight: 20
Historic center is walkable; other areas require transport.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
80%
Weight: 15
Uber and local apps widely used and affordable.
🚲 Cycling
50%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure; hot climate can be a deterrent.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
64%
Weight: 15
Bus services to other cities are available; limited train options.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Some scooter and bike rentals in tourist areas but not widespread.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
79%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage throughout the city and surrounding areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
82%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with minimal restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
70%
Weight: 15
Generally stable electricity supply with occasional outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Free WiFi available in many cafes and public areas but can be inconsistent.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
75%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa is easy to obtain; 90-day stay extendable.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Tax system is complex for foreigners; no special digital nomad tax benefits.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
78%
Weight: 15
Generally respected with some regional political sensitivities.
🏛️ Political Stability
62%
Weight: 20
Stable compared to past decades but occasional protests and unrest occur.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
55%
Weight: 15
Requires documentation and local residency or visa; can be bureaucratic.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; processes improving but still somewhat slow.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
67%
Weight: 50
Growing awareness and infrastructure but not yet a top-tier nomad destination.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
54%
Weight: 25
Some informal meetups; limited organized events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
61%
Weight: 20
Moderate presence on social media and digital nomad forums.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
59%
Weight: 100
Generally safe in tourist areas; caution advised in some neighborhoods.
♀️ Female Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Women travelers generally safe but should exercise standard precautions.
✊ Racial Tolerance
65%
Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; some social challenges but generally welcoming.