Essentials
- City
- Jericó, Antioquia, Colombia
- Population
- Approximately 13,000 residents
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic available up to 200 Mbps via local provider Legon Telecomunicaciones; average mobile 4G at 15-25 Mbps (Claro/Tigo)
- Currency & Banking
- Colombian Peso (COP). 1 USD ≈ 3,950 COP. Bancolombia and Davivienda ATMs are available at the main park (Parque Principal)
- Tap Water
- Generally considered safe to drink in the town center, though many nomads prefer filtered water (Filtros de barro) for taste and safety
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A and B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Claro has the best coverage in town; Tigo is good for data packages. Available at local shops on Carrera 5 for ~5,000 COP
- Banking for Expats
- Bancolombia is most reliable; Revolut/Wise work at ATMs but may charge fees (Bancolombia is usually fee-free for non-local cards)
- Accommodation
- Coliving spaces like Bloom Coliving, Boutique hotels like El Sula, and local Airbnb listings
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate. Larger hotels and upscale restaurants (e.g., Tomatitos) accept cards, but daily small transactions require cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is the primary source; high-end apartments near the main park cost ~$450-$700 USD/month
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Los Amigos or Hostal La Casa de mi Abuela (~$12 - $18 USD/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Around the Plaza Principal (Main Park) for proximity to the cathedral and shops
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Sector Los Aguacates or La Variante, offering quieter surroundings and better views while remaining a 10-minute walk to center
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Bloom Coliving Jericó (Carrera 5 # 4-22). Daily pass: ~45,000 COP; features high-speed fiber and ergonomic chairs
- Best Cafe for Work
- El Saturia (Calle 7 # 5-43). Excellent local coffee and reliable Wi-Fi for light work sessions
- Networking Events
- Jerico Digital Nomad Meetups (informal gatherings organized via WhatsApp groups); English/Spanish language exchanges at local cafes
- Social Events for Expats
- Cultural festivals and movie screenings at Centro Cultural Bomarzo
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt. Use Moto-Taxis (Tuk-tuks) from the main park. Standard town fare: 5,000 - 8,000 COP
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Local rentals at Bicicletas Jericó; ~25,000 COP per half-day for mountain bikes
- Best Beach Nearby
- N/A (Mountain town). Closest water access is the Penderisco River in Urrao (3 hours) or day trips to Santa Fe de Antioquia (hot climate pools)
- Top Regional Airline
- EasyFly (Clic) or LATAM flying from Medellín (Olaya Herrera Airport - EOH)
- Top International Airline
- Avianca, American Airlines, and United (flying into Medellin MDE - Rionegro Airport)
- Highway Access
- Route 60 connects to Medellín (approx. 3-hour drive depending on roadwork/Bolombolo bridge status)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Medellín South Terminal (Terminal del Sur). Buses via Transjerico or Transportes Jericó (~35,000 COP)
- Public Transport Passes
- Not applicable. Pay as you go on local buses ('Chivas') for rural routes
- Regional Travel
- Bus to Jardín (via local 'Chiva') or Medellín via microbus
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital San Rafael (Carrera 4 # 11-44) for basic emergencies. Major procedures require travel to Medellín
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Casas de Retiro nearby offer mountain yoga; Bloom Coliving often hosts private sessions
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gimnasio Municipal near the sports complex (Sector El Llano); ~10,000 COP per day
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia El Sol (Calle 6). Price per kilo: ~8,000 COP
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None. Order directly via WhatsApp from local restaurants like Pizzería Tomatitos
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Bandeja Paisa (local version) at Restaurante El Mango
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Kallpas (Calle 5). Offers lentil burgers and plant-based 'Day of the Week' menus (~20,000 COP)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Postres Doña Estela (famous for 'Cardamomo' sweets and milk-based desserts)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Municipal (The Market Plaza) for fresh produce and grains
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre Colombia (deliveries take 3-5 days to Jericó)
- Grocery Delivery
- Supermercado El Punto; message via WhatsApp for home delivery
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The bars surrounding the Plaza Principal (Main Square) for beer and 'Aguardiente'
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Jericó (Artisanal micro-brews, check for pop-up availability at local bars)
- Wine Bars
- Centro Cultural Bomarzo has a small refined selection of wines in an art-gallery setting
- Street Food Stalls
- Empanada and Buñuelo stands located on the corners of the main park
- Popular International Cuisine
- Tomatitos (Artisanal Pizza and Pasta) located at Carrera 4 # 6-25
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercies; Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cerro El Salvador)
- Museums & Art Venues
- MAJA (Museo de Antropología y Arte de Jericó). Entry: ~10,000 COP
- Historical Sites
- Casa Natal de la Madre Laura (Birthplace of Colombia's first Saint)
- Religious Sites
- Monasterio de las Clarisas; several colonial-era chapels
- Annual Events
- Festival del Viento y las Cometas (Kite Festival) in August
- Cultural Districts
- Calle del Comercio (Carrera 5) for traditional leather 'Carriel' workshops
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Santamaría (Beautifully restored 19th-century theater)
- Local Markets
- Sunday Farmers Market in the Plaza Principal
- Music Scene
- Traditional 'Musica de Carrilera' and Tango found in local cantinas
- Street Art
- Murals on the 'Escalas de colores' (Painted staircases throughout the town)
- Cooking Classes
- Traditional Antioquian cooking classes at Finca La Esperanza
- Art Galleries
- Galería de Arte Bomarzo
- Historic Buildings
- The entire town center is a designated Heritage Town (Pueblo Patrimonio)
- Local Heritage
- The Carriel (Traditional leather bag); Jericó is the world capital of Carriel production
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Las Nubes Nature Reserve (accessible via a steep hike/jeep)
- National Parks Nearby
- Parque Natural Jardín-Tamesis (Buffer zone); cloud forest ecosystems
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The trail to Cerro El Salvador (1.5km uphill) for panoramic views
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de los Vientos (Paragliding launch site)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Finca La Nohelia (famous for spotting the Cock-of-the-rock)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Certain rural glamping sites like Ecolandia allow controlled bonfires
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Servientrega or Interrapidisimo (located near the park)
- Tech Repair Services
- Small repair shops on Carrera 6 (limited to phone screens/basic laptop fixes)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Public sports hall near the 'Coliseo'
- Language Classes
- Private tutors available through Bloom Coliving or the local House of Culture
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal (public library) on the second floor of the cultural center
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural Bomarzo
- Gaming Lounges
- Very limited; small internet cafes with Xbox/PlayStation consoles
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Small local slot-machine parlor on Calle 7
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,500,000 COP per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 180,000,000 COP / ~$45,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,500,000 COP per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 140,000,000 COP / ~$35,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,200,000 COP per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 252,000,000 COP / ~$63,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,200,000 COP per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 192,000,000 COP / ~$48,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,000,000 COP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 320,000,000 COP / ~$80,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,000,000 COP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 240,000,000 COP / ~$60,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 35% (Standard Colombian rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 20% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Residency-based (183 days rule applies for worldwide income)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 39%
- VAT
- 19% (Standard IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable under Colombian tax law
- Property Tax
- Yes, Impuesto Predial (calculated by the municipality, approx. 0.5% - 1.2% of cadastral value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 3-4% in registration and notary fees
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Colombia offers a 2-year Digital Nomad Visa (V-Visa) with simplified requirements and potential tax exemptions if income is foreign-sourced and stay is under 183 days