Forum
Analytics
Santa Marta, Colombia 🇨🇴
#223
,
Nomad Score:
67%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
81%
Weight: 150
Generally low cost of living compared to major cities, with affordable food, transport, and services.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
76%
Weight: 80
Reasonably priced apartments and shared housing, though prices rise in tourist hotspots.
🍎 Food & Groceries
84%
Weight: 40
Local markets and eateries offer fresh produce and meals at low prices.
🚌 Transportation Cost
87%
Weight: 20
Public transport and taxis are inexpensive; moto-taxis are common and affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
79%
Weight: 15
Affordable nightlife and cultural events, though some tourist venues can be pricier.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
73%
Weight: 10
Gyms are available at moderate prices, with some upscale options costing more.
💱 Currency Stability
62%
Weight: 30
Colombian Peso experiences moderate fluctuations but remains relatively stable.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
68%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 20-40 Mbps; fiber available in some areas but inconsistent.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
65%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist but limited compared to larger Colombian cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
74%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer WiFi, though connection quality varies.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
69%
Weight: 30
Growing number of cafes catering to remote workers with power outlets and decent WiFi.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
58%
Weight: 100
Emerging destination for digital nomads but 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
80%
Weight: 30
Relaxed coastal lifestyle supports good work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
71%
Weight: 15
Coastal environment with some pollution concerns but generally pleasant.
🧼 Cleanliness
59%
Weight: 10
Varies by neighborhood; tourist areas are cleaner, some parts suffer from litter.
🗨️ Language Barrier
43%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; limited English spoken outside tourist and expat areas.
💨 Air Quality
70%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality due to coastal breezes, occasional pollution spikes.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
54%
Weight: 25
Limited family-oriented amenities; more suited for singles or couples.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
67%
Weight: 20
Decent healthcare facilities, though not as advanced as in larger Colombian cities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
83%
Weight: 25
Healthcare services are affordable compared to Western standards.
🏥 Healthcare
69%
Weight: 20
Basic and emergency care accessible; specialized treatments may require travel.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
88%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; some humidity and rainy season.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Low earthquake risk; occasional flooding and storms during rainy season.
🏞️ Green Spaces
64%
Weight: 10
Limited urban parks but proximity to natural reserves and beaches.
❄️ Air Conditioning
72%
Weight: 15
Common in hotels and newer apartments; less prevalent in older buildings.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
21%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate with minimal seasonal variation.
🔊 Noise Pollution
49%
Weight: 10
Noise from traffic, nightlife, and street vendors can be high in central areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich local culture with Afro-Colombian and indigenous influences.
🌃 Nightlife
70%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife focused on bars and beach clubs, though smaller than major cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
85%
Weight: 15
Access to beaches, mountains, and national parks ideal for outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
61%
Weight: 10
Several Spanish schools and informal language exchange meetups available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
77%
Weight: 10
Good variety of tours including Tayrona Park, cultural tours, and water sports.
🎳 Indoors Fun
54%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly bars and small cultural venues.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
76%
Weight: 25
Strong local cuisine with fresh seafood and traditional Colombian dishes.
🧠 Yoga Studios
63%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers, especially near the beach.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
68%
Weight: 15
Gyms and outdoor fitness options available but limited variety.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
71%
Weight: 15
Fresh fruits, seafood, and organic markets support healthy eating.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
80%
Weight: 20
Colombia is GMT-5, favorable for North and South American clients.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
57%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events; growing expat and nomad community.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
49%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most nomads rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
52%
Weight: 20
Emerging freelance community but not well-established locally.
🏢 Coworking Quality
64%
Weight: 30
Decent coworking spaces with basic amenities; fewer high-end options.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
48%
Weight: 15
Limited startup ecosystem compared to Bogotá or Medellín.
💳 Local Payment Services
60%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and local banking improving but still developing.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
55%
Weight: 15
Growing interest but infrastructure and adoption remain limited.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
63%
Weight: 30
Simón Bolívar International Airport offers regional flights; limited direct international routes.
🚇 Public Transit
56%
Weight: 20
Basic bus system; no metro or rapid transit; taxis and moto-taxis common.
🚶 Walkability
67%
Weight: 20
Central areas are walkable; outskirts require transport.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
71%
Weight: 15
Uber and local apps operate but sometimes face regulatory challenges.
🚲 Cycling
53%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure; some bike rentals available.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
65%
Weight: 15
Buses and domestic flights connect to major cities; travel times can be long.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
58%
Weight: 10
Some scooter and bike rentals in tourist areas but limited overall.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
74%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in urban areas; rural coverage less reliable.
🔒 VPN Reliability
82%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with minimal restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
70%
Weight: 15
Generally stable electricity with occasional outages during storms.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
61%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public spaces but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
75%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa easy to obtain; 90-day stay extendable; no specific digital nomad visa.
📊 Tax Friendliness
54%
Weight: 30
Tax system can be complex for foreigners; no special nomad tax benefits.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
78%
Weight: 15
Generally respected, though some political tensions exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
63%
Weight: 20
Relative stability but occasional protests and security concerns in some areas.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
51%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners due to documentation and residency requirements.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
57%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; possible with local assistance.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
64%
Weight: 50
Growing but still developing infrastructure and community for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
55%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups and events; community still small.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
60%
Weight: 20
Some social media groups and forums but limited compared to bigger hubs.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
58%
Weight: 100
Moderate safety; petty crime common; avoid certain neighborhoods at night.
♀️ Female Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Generally safe for women; standard precautions advised.
✊ Racial Tolerance
72%
Weight: 50
Diverse population with relatively good racial tolerance.