Data updated Nov 13, 2026
Best fit: FIRE / Geoarbitrage (score: 76)
Cartagena sits on Colombia's Caribbean coast, a walled city of colonial plazas and sea air where the elevation above sea level is just 2 m and the timezone is America/Bogota. The climate is tropical, with consistently warm temperatures year-round, high humidity, and a distinct dry season from December to April that offers relief from the wetter months. Expats tend to cluster in Bocagrande, Castillogrande, and Getsemani, three neighborhoods that put the water, the old town, or both within easy reach. The expat community here is large and active, which makes it easy to find familiar faces without giving up the local rhythm of the city.
Rent is the number that surprises most newcomers. A one-bedroom in the city center runs $192/mo, while the same apartment outside the center drops to $120/mo. Three-bedroom places follow the same pattern: $380/mo in the center and $260/mo outside it. Utilities come to $110/mo, internet to $29/mo, and a mobile phone plan to $13/mo. Day to day, an inexpensive restaurant meal costs $7 per person, a mid-range restaurant meal for two with three courses is $37, and a cappuccino is $2. A single person's monthly cost excluding rent comes to $650/mo. Budget tiers land at $356/mo, $460/mo, and $597/mo for single adults with rent included. Against those figures, the average monthly net salary locally is $339/mo, a reminder that this is a city where foreign income and local wages live in very different worlds.
The safety index is 60/100 and the crime index is 40/100, with lower crime numbers meaning a safer feel. Air quality sits at 45, and healthcare quality is rated good. English is widely spoken, which softens the landing for anyone arriving without Spanish. The overall expat score is 76/100, with a digital nomad score of 81/100, a retiree score of 71/100, and a FIRE score of 86/100. Average internet speed is 80 Mbps, enough for calls and remote work without drama.
For longer stays, the Colombia Pensionado Visa requires a minimum monthly income of $1,382/mo, and the Colombia Digital Nomad Visa requires $1,318/mo. The nearest airport is CTG, 17 km away. With a population of 30 thousand in the immediate area and a climate that rarely demands a jacket, Cartagena suits remote workers, early retirees, and anyone chasing a low-cost Caribbean base with a strong expat network already in place.
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Cartagena at the budget tier comes to about $450 a month for one adult, with $120 of that going to rent. Beyond rent the estimate covers $139 on groceries, $21.00 on dining out, $29.00 on entertainment and lifestyle and $141 on utilities and connectivity.
Rent
$120/mo
1BR outside the centre
Groceries
$139/mo
75% of mid-range grocery spend
Dining out
$21.00/mo
4 inexpensive meals
Entertainment & lifestyle
$29.00/mo
1 cinema trip, 8 cappuccinos
Utilities & connectivity
$141/mo
utilities, mobile, internet
Budgets (excl. rent)
Excludes rent. The total above is all-in, rent included.
Cartagena at the mid-range tier comes to about $544 a month for one adult, with $120 of that going to rent. Beyond rent the estimate covers $185 on groceries, $52.00 on dining out, $46.00 on entertainment and lifestyle and $141 on utilities and connectivity.
Rent
$120/mo
1BR outside the centre
Groceries
$185/mo
Staples basket scaled to a full month
Dining out
$52.00/mo
10 inexpensive meals
Entertainment & lifestyle
$46.00/mo
2 cinema trips, 12 cappuccinos
Utilities & connectivity
$141/mo
utilities, mobile, internet
Budgets (excl. rent)
Excludes rent. The total above is all-in, rent included.
Cartagena at the comfortable tier comes to about $867 a month for one adult, with $192 of that going to rent. Beyond rent the estimate covers $259 on groceries, $195 on dining out, $80.00 on entertainment and lifestyle and $141 on utilities and connectivity.
Rent
$192/mo
1BR in the centre
Groceries
$259/mo
140% of mid-range grocery spend
Dining out
$195/mo
6 inexpensive meals + 6 mid-range meals
Entertainment & lifestyle
$80.00/mo
4 cinema trips, 20 cappuccinos
Utilities & connectivity
$141/mo
utilities, mobile, internet
Budgets (excl. rent)
Excludes rent. The total above is all-in, rent included.
Estimates for one adult, built from this city's average prices and the usage shown for each tier. Your spending will differ with how often you eat out and where you live.
A 1BR in the center runs about $191.8/mo. If your income is in another currency, bank FX fees add up. A multi-currency account can cut that cost.
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Cartagena is moderately safe for expats, with a Security Index of 60 indicating reasonable stability in this historic walled city. Primary concerns include petty theft, pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas, and occasional armed robbery in outlying neighborhoods like Zaragocilla and El Pozón—avoid these after dark. Scams targeting foreigners (inflated taxi fares, counterfeit goods) are common. The city center and established expat neighborhoods (Bocagrande, Getsemaní) are generally secure with police presence. Gang activity exists but rarely affects residents in tourist zones. Overall, Cartagena is livable for expats who exercise standard urban precautions: use registered taxis, avoid displaying valuables, and stay informed on local conditions.
Cartagena has a safety index of 42.16/100. Petty theft and lost belongings are the most common problems for newcomers. Compare travel insurance before you go.
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See how Cartagena's healthcare compares with Rionegro
Cartagena has a tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round, high humidity, and a distinct dry season (December-April) that offers relief from the wetter months.
Cartagena boasts vibrant culture and excellent facilities for digital nomads.
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cowork Cartagena | |
| Virtualis |
Names, locations and hours can change. Check each space's website before you visit. Places from © OpenStreetMap contributors and Foursquare Open Source Places (Apache 2.0).
Planning to live in Cartagena long-term? Colombia Digital Nomad Visa lets remote workers live legally.
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Colombia's coastal gem. Highly active community of digital nomads and retirees in the safe districts of Bocagrande and the Old City.
Areas of Cartagena that expats often consider.
Conditions can change from one block to the next, and these descriptions are general guides, not safety assessments. Before choosing where to stay or live, check current travel advisories, talk to people who live there, and visit in person if you can.
Modern beachfront high-rise living
Bocagrande is Cartagena's most modern area, filled with high-rise apartments, hotels, restaurants, and shops. It's very walkable and offers easy access to the beach, but can be noisy and touristy. Many expats choose Bocagrande for its convenience and amenities, but it lacks the historical charm of other neighborhoods.
Bohemian, vibrant, historic, lively nightlife
Getsemaní is a colorful, historic neighborhood known for its street art, plazas, and vibrant nightlife. It's popular with backpackers and digital nomads, offering a more authentic and budget-friendly experience than Bocagrande. While charming, it can be noisy at night, and some areas are less safe than others.
Historic, upscale, touristy, beautiful
The Walled City is the heart of Cartagena, a UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning colonial architecture. It's filled with luxury hotels, restaurants, and shops, catering primarily to tourists. Living here offers unparalleled access to history and culture, but comes at a premium price and with constant tourist crowds.
Quiet, upscale, residential, beachfront
Castillogrande is an upscale residential neighborhood located on a peninsula, offering a quieter alternative to Bocagrande. It features beautiful beaches, parks, and high-end apartments. It's a good choice for retirees or those seeking a more relaxed environment, but it's less walkable than other areas and relies more on taxis or personal vehicles.
With a 1-bedroom in the center at $192/mo, your FIRE number here might be much lower than you think.
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