Digital Nomad Cartagena

The Best of Cartagena

• Plenty of Things to Do: Cartagena is Colombia’s most popular tourist destination for a good reason. Its colonial city has historic charm, there are some great beaches near Cartagena, and there are vibrant cultural, food, and nightlife scenes. You will truly never get bored with so many things to do in Cartagena.

• Fantastic Travel Potential: It’s also fairly close to a variety of other destinations on Colombia’s Caribbean coast: Santa Marta, Barranquilla , Palomino, and more. This makes it a good choice for spending some time living in Cartagena as a digital nomad, especially if you’re looking for warm weather year-round when it gets colder elsewhere.

The Worst of Cartagena

• Cartagena is Relatively Expensive : Cartagena is probably Colombia’s most expensive city , although it remains relatively cheap compared to similar cities in many other countries. Check out the cost of living in Cartagena budget below for a full budget breakdown.

• A Lot of Tourism: During peak travel seasons, Cartagena can get very crowded . Vendors on the street and beach will likely never truly see you as a local and can get frustrating after a while.

Nonetheless, this situation is no different in other prominent tourist cities, and if you are willing to endure the crowds during certain times of the year and politely decline vendors’ offers, it is truly delightful to reside in such a delightful location.

Colombia Visa Requirements

Tourists from the USA and the UK, among others, can enter Colombia without a visa. Tourist visas are granted for a period of 90 days and can be extended once, providing a total of up to 180 days. If you plan to stay in Cartagena for an extended period as a digital nomad, you should explore permanent residency options.

Colombia Digital Nomad Visa

Colombia made public its plan to introduce a fresh visa for digital nomads in late 2021. However, the specifics have yet to be revealed except for the allowance of steady self-employed individuals to reside in the country full-time. It is uncertain what the demands and procedure for submitting an application will entail once the regulation goes into effect. Regardless, the Colombia digital nomad visa is a favorable step towards the possibility of living in Cartagena as a digital nomad.

Taxation

It’s important to mention that individuals who stay in Colombia for more than 183 days per year are regarded as residents for tax reasons. Such residents are required to report their income, including foreign income, as part of the “declaración de renta” requirement if their earnings exceed a certain limit (approximately $12,500 USD for 2020).

Health Insurance

It is probable that obtaining health insurance will be mandatory for the digital nomad visa, as all working individuals in Colombia, whether through an employer or self-employment, are obligated to allocate a portion of their income towards insurance.

If you are arriving on a tourist visa, it is imperative to have quality travel insurance. Our top pick for digital nomads is World Nomads travel insurance which offers reasonably priced and malleable policies, including special add-ons for activities such as scuba diving or adventure sports.

Cost of Living in Cartagena Colombia

The expenses in Cartagena can differ significantly depending on one’s residential location and preferred way of living. Although a typical Colombian family of the working class lives on a monthly income of $500 USD or below, digital nomads residing in Cartagena might incur greater expenditures and hence require a higher budget.

To live in Cartagena, digital nomads should plan for a monthly budget of $1000-2000 USD.

For digital nomads who plan to reside in Cartagena, it’s advisable to aim for a budget between $1,500-2,000 USD, which is considered a favorable range. With this financial plan, you can afford to live comfortably and also have some funds to spare for traveling. Nonetheless, for individuals willing to share accommodation, limit eating out and leisure activities, an expenditure of $1,000 USD per month may be sufficient.

Rent in Cartagena

The cost of rental properties may differ greatly depending not only on the location, but also on the age of the building and the facilities offered in the apartment. Typically, the ideal neighborhoods for residing in Cartagena are also the most desirable areas for tourists to lodge in.

Residing in the Walled City or adjacent Getsemaní can be delightful, although it may come at a higher cost, much like living in the swanky seaside locality of Bocagrande. On the other hand, El Cabrero and Marbella, which are also located on the beach, as well as Manga and Crespo provide more economical options. It is imperative to opt for a secure community within Cartagena.

While there are safe and pleasant residential areas located outside of the central region, most digital nomads who come to Cartagena seek to reside within these areas that offer convenient proximity to the city’s primary points of interest.

• A basically furnished small apartment in an area like El Cabrero is likely to cost in the $1.5-2 million Colombian peso range (approximately $400-600 USD).
• Larger, nicer apartments in newer buildings in the Walled City or Bocagrande can run upwards of $3 million pesos a month (approximately $800 USD).

If you are visiting on a tourist visa or have a stay duration of fewer than 6 months, AirBnB is probably your most suitable option. You could try to discuss with the host for an extended stay or connect with Expats Facebook groups to find someone in need of a roommate.

If you plan to stay for more than six months, the most effective ways of finding an apartment are by checking the online classifieds of El Universal or by asking around in buildings. It’s advisable to book a hotel or AirBnB for a brief period upon arrival and search for places at the same time. It’s essential to be careful while sending rent or deposit money from overseas as it might be a fraudulent activity.

Meats, fruits, and vegetables can be purchased inexpensively. In a tourist destination, restaurants and bars have varying prices, but typically a meal at a nice, moderately-priced place costs between $20-35,000 pesos ($5-10 USD). Nonetheless, there are more affordable and upscale options available.

Average Costs

There is a range of prices in Cartagena, but fortunately, I have acquired a useful understanding of the city through my previous visits. When considering all expenses, Cartagena ranks as the second priciest city in Colombia, with Bogota taking the first spot.

In comparison to other regions in Colombia, the expenses for amenities like dwellings and fitness centers are higher in this area. Nevertheless, there are numerous inexpensive eateries and pubs scattered throughout. Cartagena is renowned for being an attraction for tourists, hence the cost of food and beverages here is relatively low in contrast to Bogota. Most individuals do not cook locally, and they are always prepared for social gatherings.

• Apartment Costs: A one-bedroom or studio apartment in Bocagrande or the colonial city will run you at least $750 a month for decent amenities. For something that’s sure to work, you’ll want $1,000. Great two-bedroom spots can be found in Bocagrande with pools and gyms for around $1,300-1,500 a month.
• Gym Membership: The gym is pretty expensive in Cartagena. You’ll definitely find better deals in Bogota or Cali. Expect to pay $20-30 a week for a short-term membership. Monthly deals can be found for $45-75 – depending on the gym.
• Typical Meal: I found a number of great restaurants in Cartagena that I happily became a regular at. I was impressed with the food here. Breakfast was about $4 and came with a fresh juice. Lunch and dinner usually ran about $7-9 per meal, but the quality was excellent. You could do it cheaper for sure, but quality may drop. If you’re eating out three meals a day, you’ll want a budget of $15-25 per day.
• Beer in Bar: $2-5 USD
• Bottle of Wine in Bar: $20-50 USD
• Bottle of Liquor in Club: $40-200 depending on the type of booze and the bar. Good rum can be found for cheap at certain places.

Cartagena Travel Guide

• Population: Cartagena is a beach city of around 1 million people. However, with all the tourists in the city at any given time, the population tends to feel larger than it is.
• Weather: Cartagena is hot. Typically, you’ll find temperatures between 75-90 degrees Farhenieght year around. The average temperature hovers between 80-82 degrees on a normal day. May, June, and July are the rainy season – but the rain just isn’t that bad in this beach city compared to other places.
• Safety: As the majority of money coming into Cartagena is from tourism, the city is pretty safe. Police are found around most corners in the colonial city and Bocagrande never seemed sketchy. Other areas of the city may be a little rougher, but this isn’t Cali, Colombia or Venezuela.
• Language: Spanish is the official language of all cities in Colombia. As a tourist city, you can definitely find English speakers here. You’ll still be better off with Spanish in Cartagena. By speaking Spanish, you’ll avoid getting scammed as much as possible.

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