$$PlaybookLisbon
Portugal
120 Mbps
7/10
8/10
8/10
Cartagena
Colombia
Colombia's Caribbean crown jewel — colonial walls, ocean breezes, and a slower pace of life
Nomad Score
7.0/10
Cost Tier
Moderate ($$)
Internet
60 Mbps
Safety
6.5/10
Walkability
7/10
English-Friendly
5/10
About Cartagena
Cartagena is Colombia's most visually striking city — a UNESCO-listed walled old town of candy-colored buildings, horse-drawn carriages, and rooftop bars overlooking the Caribbean. It's more expensive than Medellín or Bogotá, but the tradeoff is a beachside lifestyle, warm weather year-round, and a well-trodden expat trail. Coworking infrastructure is thinner than in Colombia's bigger cities, but remote workers willing to work from cafes and boutique hotels will find it deeply liveable for 1–3 month stints.
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs in USD for a single digital nomad.
Rent (Studio)$700
Coworking$120
Groceries$220
Eating Out$300
Transport$30
Phone/SIM$15
Gym$30
Total Monthly$1,415
Visa & Stay
Visa-Free for US Citizens
Yes
Max Stay (Visa-Free)
180 days
Digital Nomad Visa
Available
Colombia Digital Nomad Visa (TP-7): up to 2 years. Requires proof of remote work and minimum monthly income of approximately $800 USD (3× the Colombian minimum wage). Apply at a Colombian consulate before travel or in-country at Migración Colombia.
Minimum Income: $800/month
Climate
Climate Type
tropical
Best Months
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Avoid Months
Oct, Nov
Peak wet season — heavy afternoon downpours, high humidity, and occasional flooding in lower-lying neighborhoods.
Timezone
COT (UTC-5)
Currency
Colombian Peso (COP)
Language
Spanish
Continent
South America
Topics & Vibes
beachhistoryfoodsailingphotographydivingnightlife
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Frequently Asked Questions — Cartagena
Common questions from digital nomads researching Cartagena.
Is Cartagena good for digital nomads?
Yes — Cartagena scores 7/10 on Settled Nomad's nomad index, making it an very good choice for remote workers. Colombia's Caribbean crown jewel — colonial walls, ocean breezes, and a slower pace of life. The city is rated "easy" difficulty for new arrivals, with a 5/10 English-friendliness score and 6.5/10 for safety. Internet averages 60 Mbps. Overall, Cartagena is Colombia's most visually striking city — a UNESCO-listed walled old town of candy-colored buildings, horse-drawn carriages, and rooftop bars overlooking the Caribbean.
How much does it cost to live in Cartagena as a digital nomad?
A typical single digital nomad can expect to spend around $1,415/month in Cartagena. The budget breaks down as: studio apartment rent ~$700, coworking space ~$120, groceries ~$220, eating out ~$300, local transport ~$30, phone/SIM ~$15, and gym ~$30. Overall, Cartagena is a mid-range destination. Costs vary depending on neighbourhood, lifestyle, and whether you cook at home.
Do US citizens need a visa to work remotely in Cartagena?
US citizens can enter Colombia visa-free for up to 180 days — no advance visa is required. For longer stays, Colombia offers a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa: Colombia Digital Nomad Visa (TP-7): up to 2 years. Requires proof of remote work and minimum monthly income of approximately $800 USD (3× the Colombian minimum wage). Apply at a Colombian consulate before travel or in-country at Migración Colombia. The minimum income requirement is $800/month.
What is the internet like in Cartagena?
Internet speeds in Cartagena average around 60 Mbps, which is solid — adequate for most remote work including video calls. Dedicated coworking spaces reliably deliver faster and more stable connections than cafes or short-term apartments. If you plan to work from home, confirm fibre availability before signing a lease — co-working memberships are a reliable fallback during slower periods.
Is Cartagena safe for digital nomads?
Cartagena has a safety rating of 6.5/10 on our scale — generally safe for nomads who stay informed and practice standard precautions — research neighbourhoods before booking and avoid displaying expensive equipment. As with any city, basic precautions apply: use ride-hailing apps rather than unmarked taxis, don't leave laptops unattended in cafes, and be aware of your surroundings in busy tourist areas.
What is the best time of year to visit Cartagena?
The best months to base yourself in Cartagena are December, January, February, March. The climate type is tropical. We recommend avoiding October, November — peak wet season — heavy afternoon downpours, high humidity, and occasional flooding in lower-lying neighborhoods..
What currency is used in Cartagena and how should I handle money?
Cartagena uses the Colombian Peso (COP). Cards are widely accepted in cities. For the best rates when converting USD, use Wise or Revolut rather than airport exchange kiosks. Keep some COP cash on hand for markets, transport, and smaller establishments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best digital nomad city for me?
Start by filtering on your non-negotiables: if budget is tight, sort by cost and look at cities under $2,000/month (Chiang Mai, Medellín, Tbilisi). If fast internet is critical for video calls, filter by internet speed score. If you're on a US passport in Europe, check Schengen status — cities in Georgia, Albania, or the UK give you unlimited stay without the 90-day limit. Use the quiz to get 3 personalized picks based on your specific priorities.
What is the 'nomad score' shown on each city?
The nomad score is a 0–10 composite rating built from verified data: internet speed (25%), cost of living vs. global median (25%), safety index (20%), English proficiency (15%), and coworking availability + visa friendliness (15%). A score of 7+ indicates a city that works well for most nomads. The score is recalculated quarterly as underlying data refreshes.
Which digital nomad cities have the best internet?
The consistently highest-rated cities for internet speed are: Tallinn, Estonia (average 100+ Mbps, fiber everywhere), Seoul, South Korea (gigabit fiber standard), Chiang Mai, Thailand (fast and cheap, coworkings have 200+ Mbps), Lisbon, Portugal (fiber widely available, 100–500 Mbps in most apartments), and Mexico City (100+ Mbps in Roma/Condesa neighborhoods). For video-heavy work, any of these cities provides reliable upload speeds for HD streaming.
Can I live in these cities without speaking the local language?
Most top-ranked nomad cities have high English proficiency — Lisbon, Tallinn, Amsterdam, Prague, and Bangkok all have strong English-speaking nomad communities and service sectors. Cities with lower English scores (Tokyo, Medellín, Chiang Mai) still work well for nomads because the expat community is large, coworkings operate in English, and translation apps handle most daily situations. Every city guide includes an English proficiency rating and practical notes on language.