Cartagena is Colombia’s Caribbean jewel: a walled colonial city of colourful balconies and plazas, with beaches, islands and salsa bars, on US Eastern time. Getsemaní, next to the old city, has street art, rooftop bars and a lively street life, and Bocagrande’s towers have modern flats by the beach.
It is hot and humid all year, more expensive and touristy than the rest of Colombia, and has a smaller nomad community than Medellín. This guide covers what you need to set up for a month or more. For sights as a visitor, see the Cartagena travel guide.
Cartagena for Digital Nomads at a Glance#
Why Cartagena Works for Remote Workers#
- Beauty. One of the best-preserved colonial cities in the Americas.
- The Caribbean. Beaches, the Rosario Islands and boat trips.
- US hours. UTC-5 with no daylight saving.
- Flights. Direct flights to the US and the rest of Colombia.
- Colombia’s visa. The V Nómada Digital is one of the easiest nomad visas to qualify for.
Who It Suits (and Who It Doesn't)#
Cartagena suits beach and history lovers on short to medium stays. It suits you less if you struggle with heat (it is about 31 to 33°C every day), want a big nomad scene, or want Colombian prices: it is the country’s most expensive tourist city. For spring weather and a bigger community, see Medellín.
Visas#
Most Western visitors get 90 days visa-free, extendable to 180 days a year. Colombia’s V Nómada Digital lasts up to two years and needs about three times the Colombian minimum wage (about $1,300 a month) from abroad.
Colombia: Digital Nomad Visa (V Nómada Digital)
- Stay
- Up to 2 years
- Valid for
- 2 years
- Renewal
- No; switch to another visa to stay
- Money required
- 3x the Colombian minimum wage: about COP 5.25 million (about $1,300) a month
- Fee
- About $55 to apply, about $175 when granted
- Who qualifies
- Remote workers for foreign employers or clients, and owners of foreign digital businesses, from visa-exempt countries.
- Family
- Spouse and children as beneficiaries
- Tax
- Tax resident after 183 days in 12 months
- How to apply
- Online through the Cancillería visa portal. Official site
Medellín and Bogotá are the main bases. Tax residency comes fast, so plan for it.
Colombia for digital nomads · Rules checked October 2026. Confirm with the official source before applying.
What It Costs#
These are monthly costs for one person renting a furnished one-bed in Getsemaní or Bocagrande, in US dollars. Prices peak from December to January and around Easter.
| Monthly cost | Typical range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Furnished 1-bed apartment, monthly | $700 - $1,400 | About COP 3-6 million in Bocagrande, Getsemaní or Manga; old-city apartments cost more |
| Electricity, water, building fees | $50 - $160 | Air-con all day makes electricity expensive |
| Home internet | Fibre from Claro or Movistar | |
| Coworking | $100 - $220 | Day passes about COP 35,000-90,000 |
| Food (eating out often) | $300 - $550 | Local corrientazo lunches are cheap; old-city restaurants are not |
| Transport | $25 - $80 | Taxis (agree the fare) and DiDi; walk the old city |
| Phone plan with data | $8 - $20 | Claro or Movistar prepaid |
| Gym and beach | $25 - $60 | Beaches at Bocagrande; boat trips to the Rosario Islands |
| Social life and extras | $150 - $400 | Salsa, rooftop bars and island day trips |
These are ballpark estimates, not quotes. Real costs vary hugely with your lifestyle, which neighbourhood you live in, how often you eat out or take taxis, the season and the exchange rate. Use them to compare places, then check current prices before you commit.
Ways to save: eat local set lunches, live in Manga or Crespo, and avoid the tourist restaurants in the walled city. Air-conditioning is the hidden cost.
Where to Live#
Most nomads live in Getsemaní or Bocagrande.
| Neighbourhood | Vibe | 1-bed / month | Best for | Getting around |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Getsemaní | The colourful barrio beside the walled city, with street art, plazas and nightlife | $700-1,300 | Social life and character | Walk to the old city |
| Bocagrande | High-rise condos on a beach peninsula, with supermarkets and coworking | $700-1,400 | Modern flats and the beach | Taxi or walk along the seafront |
| Centro Histórico (walled city) | Colonial streets, balconies, plazas and restaurants inside the walls | $900-1,800 | Short stays | Walk |
| Manga | A quiet, residential island with old mansions and a marina | $600-1,100 | Calm and lower rents | Taxi; 10 minutes to the old city |
| Crespo | A residential area near the airport and a long beach | $550-1,000 | Value and the airport | Taxi |
Monthly rentals are listed on Airbnb, Finca Raíz and in Cartagena expat Facebook groups. Make sure every room has working air-conditioning and the building has backup water.
Coworking Spaces#
Day passes cost about COP 35,000 to 90,000 ($8 to $22). Selina’s old coworking space in Getsemaní has closed. Prices below are as published or recently reported.
Coworking Bocagrande 24/6
A coworking space in an executive building in Bocagrande, open around the clock six days a week, a good fit for US-hours calls.
Best for: Long hours and calls
CoWork Cartagena
A coworking space in the city’s convention centre on the edge of Getsemaní, with hourly, daily and monthly plans.
Best for: Working near Getsemaní
Air-conditioned cafes in Getsemaní, the walled city and Bocagrande work for a few hours; outdoor cafes are too hot to work in most of the day.
Internet and SIM Cards#
Fibre is available in most of the city, often 100 to 300 Mbps, but older buildings in the walled city can be slower. Claro has the best mobile coverage.
Getting Around#
The walled city and Getsemaní are walkable. Taxis are cheap but unmetered, so agree the fare first; DiDi and other apps also work. Boats to the Rosario Islands and Barú leave from the Muelle de la Bodeguita. The airport is about 15 minutes from the old city.
Weather and When to Go#
Cartagena is hot all year. December to April is the dry season, with breezes, and the best time. May to November is wetter and more humid, with October and November the rainiest.
Community and Meeting People#
The community is smaller than in Medellín. Coworking spaces, salsa classes, language exchanges and Cartagena expat and nomad Facebook and WhatsApp groups are the easiest ways in.
Health and Safety#
The tourist areas are generally safe by day. Watch for pickpockets, overcharging and persistent street sellers, use apps or agreed-fare taxis at night, and be very careful with drinks and dating apps: drugging is a known risk in Colombia. Private clinics are good; carry health insurance.
Cartagena Digital Nomad FAQs#
Is Cartagena good for digital nomads?
Yes, for short to medium stays by the beach on US hours. It is beautiful and has good coworking in Bocagrande. It is hot, touristy and more expensive than the rest of Colombia.
How much does it cost to live in Cartagena as a nomad?
About $2,000 a month for a comfortable life with your own flat, from about $1,300 on a budget. These are ballpark figures, and air-conditioning adds up.
Cartagena or Medellín for digital nomads?
Medellín has better weather, a much bigger nomad community and lower costs. Cartagena has the Caribbean, the colonial old city and beaches.
Where should digital nomads live in Cartagena?
Getsemaní for character and nightlife, or Bocagrande for modern flats, beaches and coworking.
Last reviewed October 2026. Prices and venues change: check before you commit to a month.