Colombia is easy to settle into: apartments are modern, services are good in the cities, and people are friendly and social. The one thing to get right from day one is safety. This page covers the practical details.
Renting a Place#
- Where to look. Airbnb for the first weeks; then Facebook groups, Finca Raíz, Metrocuadrado, Ciencuadras and local agents.
- Furnished monthly rentals are common in Medellín, Bogotá and Cartagena; unfurnished long leases are cheaper but often need a Colombian co-signer (fiador) or a deposit.
- Check the building’s security (porter or reception), water heater and internet before signing.
- Estrato. Colombian neighbourhoods are graded from 1 to 6 (estrato), which affects utility bills; most nomads live in estrato 4 to 6.
Phones and Internet#
- SIM cards: Claro, Movistar and Tigo sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport.
- Home internet: fibre from Claro, Movistar, Tigo and ETB in cities.
- Apps worth having: Uber, DiDi, InDrive and Cabify (rides), Rappi (delivery), WhatsApp, and Nequi once you have a bank account.
Getting Around#
Medellín’s metro and cable cars are excellent; Bogotá’s TransMilenio buses are crowded but cover the city. App taxis are cheap and safer than street taxis. Domestic flights are cheap and save long mountain bus rides.
Healthcare#
Colombia has some of Latin America’s best private hospitals, especially in Medellín and Bogotá, at low prices. Pharmacies are everywhere. For emergencies, call 123. Get health insurance.
Community and Meeting People#
Medellín has one of the world’s biggest nomad communities, with coworking events, language exchanges, salsa classes and meetups every night. Bogotá and Cartagena have active groups too. Colombians are warm, and Spanish helps a lot.
Customs and Etiquette#
- Greetings: a handshake, or a kiss on the cheek between women and between men and women.
- Polite Spanish: Colombians are formal and polite; “¿Me regala…?” is how you ask for something in a shop.
- Time: social events start late.
- Tipping: restaurants often add a 10% “propina voluntaria” to the bill; you can decline it.
Safety#
- Don’t show your phone on the street or in taxis, especially at night.
- Dating apps: meet only in busy public places; robberies of foreigners after app dates are common.
- Drinks: never leave them unattended; scopolamine drugging happens.
- Use app taxis, not street taxis, at night.
- Check advice before travelling to rural regions.
Emergency number: 123.
Everyday Life FAQs#
How do I find an apartment in Colombia as a digital nomad?
Start with Airbnb, then use Facebook groups, Finca Raíz and agents for cheaper monthly rentals.
Is Colombia safe for digital nomads?
With precautions, yes. Keep your phone out of sight, use app taxis, and be careful with dating apps and drinks.
Do I need to speak Spanish in Colombia?
In Medellín’s nomad areas you can manage in English, but Spanish makes a big difference everywhere else.
What is an estrato?
A socio-economic rating from 1 to 6 given to every Colombian neighbourhood, which sets utility prices. Most nomads live in estratos 4 to 6.