Business
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 5,500,000 COP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 440,000,000 COP / $111,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 4,000,000 COP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 320,000,000 COP / $81,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 35%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% to 20% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for tax residents (staying >183 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 39%
- VAT
- 19% (IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to passive income of foreign entities
- Property Tax
- Impuesto Predial; varies by estratos (socio-economic levels 1-6)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Registration taxes and fees approx. 3-4% of property value
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Colombia Digital Nomad Visa (V Visa): 2-year validity, tax exempt if income is foreign-sourced and stay is under 183 days/year
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 6,500,000 COP per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 260,000,000 COP / $65,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 4,800,000 COP per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 192,000,000 COP / $48,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 6,000,000 COP per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 360,000,000 COP / $91,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 4,500,000 COP per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 270,000,000 COP / $68,000 USD)
Essentials
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Centro Histórico for nightlife; El Rodadero for family beaches
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Bello Horizonte (quiet/modern) or Bellavista (close to Marina and Centro)
- City
- Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia
- Population
- 552,000
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic available in Rodadero and Centro; average 60-100 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 3,950 COP | 1 EUR ≈ 4,280 COP
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water (approx. 4,500 COP per 5L)
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- Claro or Tigo; 40GB data pack for approx. 45,000 COP ($11 USD)
- Banking for Expats
- Bancolombia or Davivienda for locals; Revolut/Wise for ATM withdrawals (BBVA/Davivienda often allow high limits)
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local groups; monthly rentals in Rodadero or Bellavista
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; cards accepted in malls/supermarkets, but cash is king for taxis and street food
- Short Term Rentals
- Viajero Hostel, Masaya, or Airbnb apartments in Edificio Two Towers
- Budget Accommodation
- The Dreamer Hostel (approx. 60,000 COP/night for dorms)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Workia Coworking (Calle 19 #3-10); Day pass approx. 45,000 COP
- Best Cafe for Work
- Ikaro Cafe (Calle 19 #3-60); great Wi-Fi and vegetarian snacks
- Networking Events
- Santa Marta Digital Nomads Facebook Group; meetups often at Selina
- Social Events for Expats
- Language exchange nights at La Brisa Loca (Calle 14 #3-19)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- InDrive (highly popular) and Cabify; Taxis have a minimum fare of 7,000 COP
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Santa Marta Rental (Carrera 1); approx. 50,000 COP per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Cristal in Tayrona (Accessible via boat from Taganga for 80,000 COP)
- Top Regional Airline
- Avianca and LATAM Colombia
- Top International Airline
- Copa Airlines (via Panama City) or American Airlines
- Highway Access
- Troncal del Caribe (Route 90) connects to Barranquilla and Riohacha
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal de Transportes de Santa Marta (Calle 41)
- Public Transport Passes
- Blue buses (SEPT); flat fare of 2,400 COP paid in cash
- Regional Travel
- Marsol or Berlinas vans to Cartagena (approx. 65,000 COP)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Clinica la Milagrosa (Calle 22 #13-09)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Pura Vibe (Taganga) or yoga classes on the rooftop of Masaya Santa Marta
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Smart Fit in CC Buenavista; monthly membership approx. 89,000 COP
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia VIP (Centro); approx. 6,000 COP per kilo wash/dry
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Rappi (widely used)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cayeye (mashed green bananas with cheese) or Pescado Frito with Coconut Rice
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Radio Cactus (Carrera 3 #12-42); creative plant-based local fusion
- Best Dessert Spots
- Lulo (Calle 16 #2-68) for fruit sorbets and artisanal brownies
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Público de Santa Marta (Calle 11 & Carrera 9)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre Colombia
- Grocery Delivery
- Exito.com or Rappi Turbo
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Parque de los Novios (Calle 19 and 20)
- Local Brewery
- Nevada Cervecería (Minca-based, served at bars in Centro)
- Wine Bars
- Ouzo Santa Marta (Parque de los Novios); excellent selection and Mediterranean food
- Street Food Stalls
- Fritanga stalls near Carrera 3 (Arepa de Huevo for 3,000 COP)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Donde Chucho (Seafood/International) at Calle 19 #2-17
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino (Deathplace of Simon Bolivar)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo del Oro Tairona (Free entry, Custom House)
- Historical Sites
- The Lost City (Ciudad Perdida); 4-day trek costs approx. 1,750,000 COP
- Religious Sites
- Catedral de Santa Marta (Oldest church in Colombia)
- Annual Events
- Fiestas del Mar (July/August)
- Cultural Districts
- Centro Histórico
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Cajamag 'Pepe Vives Campo'
- Local Markets
- Artesanías vendors along the Camellón Rodrigo de Bastidas (Malecon)
- Music Scene
- La Puerta (Calle 17 #2-29); Champeta, Salsa, and Reggaeton
- Street Art
- Murals in the Getsemani-style alleyways of the Historic Center
- Cooking Classes
- Calle 11 Hostal in Rodadero offers Caribbean cooking workshops
- Art Galleries
- Antigua Aduana cultural center
- Historic Buildings
- Alcaldía de Santa Marta
- Local Heritage
- Indigenous Tairona culture influence (Kogi, Wiwa, Arhuaco people)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Minca (Mountain village 45 mins away for coffee and waterfalls)
- National Parks Nearby
- Tayrona National Natural Park (Entry approx. 73,500 COP for foreigners)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The newly renovated Malecon (Camellón) for sunset walks
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Los Pinos in Minca or the terrace at Sierra Nevada
- Birdwatching Locations
- El Dorado Nature Reserve in the Sierra Nevada mountains
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Taganga beach (check local regulations with hostels)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Servientrega (Carrera 5); very reliable for domestic shipping
- Tech Repair Services
- CC Ocean Mall (various phone/laptop repair kiosks)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Masaya Hostel rooftop
- Language Classes
- Spanish Center Santa Marta (Calle 18 #3-49)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Gabriel García Márquez (Banco de la República)
- Community Centers
- Alianza Francesa Santa Marta
- Gaming Lounges
- Arena Gamer (CC Buenavista)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Rio (El Rodadero)