COLOMBIA SHOULD BE HIGH ON EVERY TRAVELERS LIST - ESPECIALLY FOR DIGITAL NOMADS AND ADVENTURE DIGITAL NOMADS. HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST CITIES TO BASE YOURSELF IN SO YOU CAN EASILY COMBINE WORK, CULTURE AND ADVENTURE.
The idea of being a digital nomad - someone who can work from anywhere as long they have internet - has become incredibly popular in the past couple of years, especially for people looking to combine their two passions: work and travel. While there are many popular spots to base yourself around the world (Bali, Chiang Mai) we instead suggest looking to Colombia (especially now with the new visa situation). There you can not only find great internet, comfortable (and cheap) accommodation and plenty of coworking places, but also a thriving culture, beautiful landscapes, and lots of adventure.
But in a county almost twice the size of Texas (and the 25th biggest country on Earth), it can be hard to know exactly where you should base yourself. Do you want beaches, a thriving nightlife or easy access to nature? Luckily, you can find all three, and more, in Colombia depending on where you go.
With so much to think about, we thought it would be nice to have a helpful list outlining the pros and cons of each city, what the overall landscape is like (this is especially important for digital nomad adventurers like us) and what the average cost of living is.
So if you are curious about being a digital nomad in Colombia, or are already planning to travel down but don't know where to go, read on for a rundown of some of the best cities to base yourself in.
🏥 TRAVEL INSURANCE
For those adventurous digital nomads (including those looking to explore more off-the-beaten-path places), we highly recommend signing up and using SafetyWing for all your travel medical insurance needs (including COVID-19 coverage). And don’t worry, policies can still be purchased while already abroad.
THE BEST CITIES FOR DIGITAL NOMADS IN COLOMBIA (AND HOW TO FIND THE BEST ONE FOR YOU)
\\ Cartagena
As one of the oldest cities in all of Colombia, Cartagena is a great spot to base yourself if you are looking to learn more about Colombia's past, as well as Caribbean culture in general. With easy access to numerous beaches, from the smaller (grayer) beaches in the city itself, to the more tropical-style beaches farther afield, most notably Baru and the Rosario Islands, Cartagena is a great spot to combine work, history and ocean adventures (snorkeling, scuba diving, etc.).
Pros: it has a beautiful and colorful old city, but also very modern amenities; plus, overall there is a fun and laid back atmosphere. And there are pretty nice beaches in the city and even prettier ones just outside the city limits. Finally, because of its popularity, it is easier to find fellow travelers to build a community with.
Cons: it is HOT. And humid. Plus, there isn’t very much green space available within the city to explore. So if you like trees and nature, maybe don’t spend much time here.
Landscape: the city is located along the Caribbean, meaning plenty of beaches available for exploring. If you want a tropical vibe, then this is a good spot. Plus there is great windsurfing and kitesurfing between December and April.
Average Cost of Living: for a single person (without rent) it is about $440 per month.
Best for: people who want easy access to beaches and nightlife, and are lovers of history
READ MORE | THE TOP ADVENTURES IN AND AROUND CARTAGENA
\\ Medellin
This thriving metropolis was named one of the most innovative cities in the world, thanks to its focus on public transportation - the Metro system is used by more than 500,000 residents and visitors each day, which in turn has reduced Medellin's CO2 emissions by 175,000 tons each year. Medellin combines work, creativity and play seamlessly, so if you want a city that has a real "go, go, go" vibe but also easy access to nature then this is a great option.
Pros: a thriving, exciting urban metropolis that puts a lot of emphasis on creativity and art. There is also a bike-sharing program and one of the biggest escalators in the world in Comuna 13 (it is 28 stories long).
Cons: some of the biggest cons have to do with the fact that the city lies in a valley, and therefore can feel a bit congested - especially when it comes to traffic. Another downside is pollution, something that yet again is amplified because of its valley location.
Landscape: Medellin has been dubbed the city of Eternal Spring due to its tropical weather. The city's average annual temperature is around 22 °C or 72 °F, plus - because of its proximity to the equator - its temperature is pretty constant year-round. One thing to note though, is that because the city is located in a valley, temperatures can be slightly cooler on the surrounding mountainsides. A couple of the best adventures can be had within three hours of the city; including, whitewater rafting, backpacking, hiking, and paragliding.
Average Cost of Living: $408.07 per month, without rent. Medellin is about 1.5x less expensive than Bogota.
Best For: art and culture lovers, people who want a big city life
LEARN MORE | WHAT TRAVELING IN COLOMBIA IS LIKE IN 2021
\\ Bogota
Bogota is the capital city of Colombia, as well as the biggest. It is also the economic, administrative, and industrial center of the country (it also has the most universities). All of that put together pretty much means that if you need anything or want anything - then Bogota has it. Plus, because of its higher elevation (the city sits at 2,640 meters or 8,660 feet), you can expect much cooler temperatures than places like Cartagena and Medellin. Finally, Bogota actually ranked 52nd on the Global Cities Index in 2014, and as of 2020, it is now considered a global city type "Beta +" by GaWC.
Pros: it has everything you could need in a city (great cafes, tasty restaurants, large shopping centers). It also has cooler temperatures because of its altitude. Finally, it is close to a lot of beautiful natural landscapes - including many with top-notch hiking and backpacking trails.
Cons: one of the biggest cons about Bogota is the overall safety. Now this is something that you come across a lot when looking into traveling around Colombia. We have heard it many times, and while there are obviously steps you should take to ensure your safety (don’t walk around at night alone, don’t leave your purse lying around, etc.) it is important to put into perspective how safe and unsafe a place is (aka, a lot of major cities have unsafe parts, that doesn’t mean you should never visit a major city). Another couple of downsides to Bogota are the elevation (especially if you are affected by higher elevations) and the rather chilly weather.
Landscape: the city sits in what is called the “Bogota Savanna,” which is really just a high plateau in the Andes mountains. The entire region is known as the Altiplano Cundiboyacense, which literally means "high plateau of Cundinamarca and Boyacá". In fact, Bogotá is the largest city in the world at its elevation - there is no urban area that is both higher and more populous than Bogotá (take that Quito, Ecuador).
Some of the best adventures around Bogota are climbing at Suesca and hiking/backpacking, especially to waterfalls; including, the tallest waterfall in the country La Chorrera (it is 590meters or 1,935 feet high) and to high alpine lakes (including one that supposedly inspired the tale of El Dorado).
Average Cost of Living: $414 per month, without rent. Bogota is said to be the most exp