Cartagena, Colombia 🇨🇴
#221
,
Nomad Score:
67%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to other Colombian cities; cheaper than major global cities but more expensive than inland Colombian towns.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
63%
Weight: 80
Accommodation in the historic center and tourist areas can be pricey; more affordable options available in less touristy neighborhoods.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are very affordable; imported goods and dining in tourist areas are more expensive.
🚌 Transportation Cost
85%
Weight: 20
Public transportation and taxis are inexpensive; ride-sharing apps like Beat and DiDi are widely used and affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
67%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options range from affordable local events to pricier tourist-oriented activities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
70%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are reasonably priced; boutique fitness studios may be more expensive.
💱 Currency Stability
54%
Weight: 30
Colombian Peso experiences moderate volatility; inflation is controlled but occasional fluctuations occur.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
76%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 30-50 Mbps in most urban areas; fiber-optic available in some neighborhoods.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
69%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces in the city, mostly concentrated in Bocagrande and Getsemaní.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
78%
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 reliable WiFi and power outlets, though some can be crowded.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
65%
Weight: 100
Growing but still less popular than Medellín or Bogotá; attracts nomads seeking a coastal vibe.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
79%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with plenty of leisure options; slower pace compared to larger cities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
58%
Weight: 15
Urban pollution is moderate; coastal humidity and heat can affect comfort.
🧼 Cleanliness
55%
Weight: 10
Historic areas are maintained but some neighborhoods have issues with litter and sanitation.
🗨️ Language Barrier
43%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; English is limited outside tourist and expat zones.
💨 Air Quality
60%
Weight: 15
Generally acceptable but can worsen during dry season and in traffic-heavy areas.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
71%
Weight: 20
Good private healthcare facilities available; public healthcare is more variable.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
84%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low compared to North America and Europe.
🏥 Healthcare
73%
Weight: 20
Access to quality healthcare is good in private clinics; emergency services are adequate.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
87%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; some humidity but mostly sunny.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
62%
Weight: 10
Low earthquake risk; occasional flooding and storms during rainy season.
🏞️ Green Spaces
54%
Weight: 10
Limited green parks within the city; more natural areas outside urban zones.
❄️ Air Conditioning
75%
Weight: 15
Common in hotels and coworking spaces; less prevalent in local homes.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
21%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate means minimal seasonal changes; mostly wet and dry seasons.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
83%
Weight: 20
Rich colonial history, vibrant festivals, and strong Afro-Caribbean cultural influences.
🌃 Nightlife
74%
Weight: 15
Active nightlife with bars, clubs, and live music, especially in Getsemaní.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
70%
Weight: 15
Access to beaches, nearby islands, and natural parks; good for water sports.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Several Spanish schools and language exchange meetups available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
81%
Weight: 10
Wide variety of cultural tours, boat trips, and historical site visits.
🎳 Indoors Fun
59%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly bars, cafes, and some museums.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
76%
Weight: 25
Strong local cuisine with fresh seafood; growing international and fusion options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
64%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers, mostly in tourist areas.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
68%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers available but not as widespread as in larger cities.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of organic and health-focused eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
89%
Weight: 20
Colombia is GMT-5, convenient for North and South American time zones.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
61%
Weight: 25
Growing expat and digital nomad community but smaller than in major hubs.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
42%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most nomads work for foreign companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
50%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is emerging but still small and informal.
🏢 Coworking Quality
67%
Weight: 30
Decent facilities with reliable internet; some spaces lack modern amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
48%
Weight: 15
Startup ecosystem is nascent compared to Bogotá or Medellín.
💳 Local Payment Services
63%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and apps are growing but cash is still widely used.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
55%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest in crypto; some local exchanges and acceptance.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
70%
Weight: 30
International airport with flights to major Latin American cities and some US hubs.
🚇 Public Transit
57%
Weight: 20
Limited bus system; no metro; taxis and ride-sharing are primary transport.
🚶 Walkability
74%
Weight: 20
Historic center is very walkable; other areas less so.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
81%
Weight: 15
Popular and reliable services like Beat and DiDi widely used.
🚲 Cycling
49%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure; hot climate and traffic reduce appeal.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
65%
Weight: 15
Buses connect to other cities; domestic flights available but limited.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
52%
Weight: 10
Some bike rentals and electric scooters in tourist areas but not widespread.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
78%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage throughout city; 5G in limited areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well; no major restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
73%
Weight: 15
Generally stable electricity with occasional outages during storms.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
64%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in some public spaces and cafes but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
75%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa is easy to obtain; 90-day stay extendable; digital nomad visa in development.
📊 Tax Friendliness
51%
Weight: 30
Tax system can be complex; no special tax incentives for nomads yet.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
76%
Weight: 15
Generally respected but occasional political tensions exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
62%
Weight: 20
Stable compared to past decades but some social unrest occurs.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
58%
Weight: 15
Possible but requires local documentation; can be bureaucratic for foreigners.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; processes improving but still time-consuming.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
35%
Weight: 35
No official digital nomad visa as of early 2025; options under discussion.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
67%
Weight: 50
Welcoming community but infrastructure and services still developing.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
59%
Weight: 25
Some meetups and events but less frequent than in larger nomad hubs.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
63%
Weight: 20
Active but smaller online groups and forums focused on Cartagena.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
60%
Weight: 100
Generally safe in tourist areas; caution advised in some neighborhoods.
♀️ Female Friendly
62%
Weight: 50
Moderate; women travelers should exercise standard urban caution.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Relatively tolerant with diverse Afro-Caribbean population; some social issues persist.