best places to live in Colombia - a digital nomad's guide
Table of Contents
Colombia. Once one of the most notorious countries in the world, now a favourite destination for backpackers, slow travellers and digital nomads. For good reason, Colombia entices with delicious food, a mild climate, a low cost of living and a contagious zest of life. Colombia’s size is not to be underestimated with different climate zones, the Amazon, the Andes, the Pacific, the vast grassland plains of Los Llanos and the Caribbean coast. So the first step is to look into the best places to live in Colombia.
I was lucky enough to visit the country for a month last year just before the pandemic hit. While Colombia was one of the hardest hit countries last year, it’s all the more surprising that there is no requirement anymore since June 2021 to show a negative PCR test when entering the country.
During my travels, I have met a ton of travellers who decided to make Colombia their temporary home. So here is best to live in Colombia? While the bustling city of Medellin is the main hub for startups, the tech industry and creatives, Colombia has got many other exciting options to settle for a while. But first let’s look at some of the reasons why Colombia is an up and coming digital nomad destination.
It's hot!
Being so close to the Equator, Colombia’s weather is mild and tropical year around. That said it varies between regions and changes with the wet and dry seasons. The Caribbean North and the Pacific Coast is generally hot and humid throughout the year, whereas Bogota in the Andean region can get quite chilly. Medellin is known as the “city of eternal spring” with pleasant temperatures year round making it one of the best places to live in Colombia.
The wet seasons are slightly different in each region, but generally throughout Colombia the wettest months are April-May and October – November so avoid those months if you can.
It's cheap!
The cost of living in Colombia is fairly reasonable even when comparing it to other Latin American countries. Medellin is the most expensive city followed by Bogota and Cartagena but even here “most expensive” means an approximate $900-$2000 including rent for a studio or 1-bed apartment in a safe area depending on the quality of the apartment and your lifestyle. Food, taxis and public transportation are cheap with an approximate $0.80 per Metro ride (busses are cheaper). Hot-desking in one of Medellin’s cool co-working spaces will cost you about $80-$100 a month.
It's fun!
Colombians are friendly, laid back and love a good night out. I found it easy to meet people and with a low cost of living, there is lots left to enjoy everything that Colombia has to offer. Use the time to improve your Spanish, take up some salsa, hike the Andes or learn to kitesurf up north. If you’re only here for a few weeks you might want to check out this fab 3-week Colombia itinerary!
The Best Places to Live in Colombia for Digital Nomads
There are four places I could see myself staying for much longer Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena and…Barichara! You might have not head about the last one, but it’s such a beautiful hidden gem and deserves to make it in the list of the best places to live in Colombia. But let’s start with Colombia’s capital!
Bogota
I was really positively surprised by Bogota. Yes it’s big, loud and smoggy but isn’t this the case for all metropoles? I found that Bogota had it all; A beautiful Old Town, an exciting culinary and nightlife scene, fantastic shopping including lots of bohemian boutiques and artists making wonderful products. It’s also got a a vibrant startup scene, although smaller than the one in Medellin. Here’s why you should stop in Bogota:
Bogota is perfect for digital nomads who:
- Love the buzz of a big city
- Foodies – it’s Colombia’s gastronomic capital
- Enjoy the outdoors on weekends – Páramo de Sumapaz and Chingaza National Park are easily reached from Bogota
Where to stay in Bogota?
Bogota has a variety of neighbourhoods that will make a good and safe base for both shorter and longer stays. Wherever you decide to stay in Bogota, you will find hostels perfect for digital nomads across the city.
Chapinero and Chapinero Alto conveniently located between the historic center of La Calendaria and the chic northern neighbourhoods, is popular with students and a young international crowd. With its many trendy cafes and bars, brewpubs, artisan bakeries and cool boutiques, the up and coming neighbourhood has a bohemian vibe that attracts creatives, artists and designers.
In Chapinero you’ll also find Zona G, which is home to many foreign embassies, large hotels and some of Bogota’s best restaurants. Here you’ll also find the colourful, green and trendy barrio of Quinta Camacho and its many cool cafes and restaurants. A bit further north the swanky neighbourhood of Parque 93 is another brilliant choice, albeit more expensive. The further south you search, the more affordable the rent will be. Most of Chapinero is generally considered safe, especially the further north you go (it goes without saying to never walk alone by night anywhere in Bogota).
Then there is the barrio of Teusaquillo east of Chapinero. Once the preferred place for well-heeled Bogateños, it’s now popular with students and a young international crowd due to its proximity to Universidad Nacional. It’s also one of the greenest parts of Bogota and home to the Simon Bolivar Park and the Botanical Garden.
Lastly, I’d recommend looking into Usaquén as long as you’re not hellbent on living super centric. The trendy, upscale neighbourhood lies on the northern outskirts of Bogota and is popular with families, young professionals and internationals. It’s also one of Bogota’s foodie hotspots boasting with cool brewpubs, bistros and top restaurants. Expect to pay a little more here for rent.
For the five senses
Usaquén is also a hotspot on Sundays due to its colourful weekly flea market. Expect food stands, vendors selling art, crafts, clothes and jewellery and entertainment. It’s worth it!
Best coworking spaces in Bogota
Most coworking spaces in Bogota can be found in and north of Chapinero. They all offer complementary coffee, tea, water and sometimes fresh fruit. As a dog mum myself, I also love that all of the following coworking spaces are pet-friendly.
- Co+Labora in Usaquén is a modern, light airy and super stylish space offers visitors a range of workspaces. At the heart of Co+Labora lies collaboration, teamwork and connections so if you’re looking for a cool community, this one’s for you. $80 will get you 100 hours of access a month.
- CoWo in Quinta Camacho is a small, cozy and friendly space with free coffee, tea and fruit. You can get unlimited access for $95 a month.
- Emprendu has two super stylish spaces in Zona T and nearby Chico. With a range of work spaces, private offices and meeting rooms, and inviting bar and cafe area they cater for freelancers, digital nomads, startups and more established companies. Hot-desking starst at $70, a dedicated desk will cost you about $155.
- Selina is more a hostel chain, but one that caters to slow travellers, digital nomads and everyone in between. It’s therefore more coliving than coworking, but you can easily get a monthly pass to use their facilities at either their Parque 93 or Zona Rosa location. Pricewise hotdesking at Selina is comparably expensive with about $120 a month.
Medellin
I would normally choose the country over any city but I absolutely loved Medellin. Definitely one of the best places to live in Colombia. Once known as the most dangerous city in the world during Colombia’s Guerrilla and drug wars, it’s fascinating how Medellin became one of South America’s coolest, cleanest and technologically most advanced cities in just a couple of decades; A hipster stronghold with an amazing startup, art and cultural scene and a history that’s very much worth learning about.
Medellin is perfect for digital nomads who:
- Are looking for a vibrant tech and startup scene
- Enjoy a more local feel – Medellin is three times smaller than Bogota
- Seek mild and warm weather throughout the year
Rising like the phoenix from the ashes after Colombia’s darkest historical chapter, Medellin is now Colombia’s richest city and one of South America’s top tech hotspots and creative hub attracting international startups, digital nomads and artists.
Where to stay in Medellin?
Out of Medellin’s 16 communes, upmarket Poblado is the most popular choice among foreigners. With 22 neighbourhoods to choose from, there is something for every taste; quieter and greener areas to busy barrios close to Medellin’s buzzing nightlife and restaurant scene. The majority of hotels and hostels are located here attracting backpackers, business travellers and digital nomads.
Another popular choice is Laureles, for everyone who is looking for a more local experience away from the touristy center. The area offers lots of green spaces and parks, good shopping and rent is more affordable than in Poblado.
Los Patios Hostel
is definitely one of the best hostels I have ever stayed at – the definition of a flashpacker hostel. They’ve won multiple awards including the world’s best large hostel in 2020. While I was skeptical at first, it was well worth it. Featuring a wide range of room and dorm types, coworking spaces, cafés, art nights, city tours, yoga classes, incredible city views from their roof tops and social projects you can get involved in; it’s all there. Just skip the pub crawl. Prices start at 17 USD for a 4-bed dorm ensuite and 48 USD for a private ensuite a night.
Best coworking spaces in Medellin
The majority of coworking spaces in Medellin can be found in popular Poblado and Laureles. Being one of South America’s top tech hubs, there is an abundance of cool places to work from. Besides the list of coworking spaces below, Selina has coworking facilities in every large Colombian city.
- With different spaces across Laureles and Poblado, Circular Coworking, is one of Medellin’s most popular choices amongst locals and internationals. The offices are bright and modern with a large choice of different workspaces. There are lots of events, a bar, terrace and cafeteria.
- Coworking Inspira is based in the barrio of Belen south of Laureles. Inspira concepts are inspired by the serenity of nature and sustainability with lots of plants and vertical gardens decorating the space. Please contact Inspira for prices directly.
- Impact Hub Medellin is a large coworking space conveniently located about 10 minutes from the Poblado metro station. Being a member comes with the Global Impact Hub passport, which gives access to 100+ Impact hubs all over the world. Stylish workspaces, an auditorium, private offices and a variety of events make this one of Medellin’s best places to work from. A month of hotdesking will cost you $130.
- Ivy Laureles Cowork and Wellness Center does what it says – combining a hip coworking space in Laureles with wellness including yoga, massages, chiropractic care, and even physical therapy. Close to lots of restaurants and cafes, Ivy visitors benefit from lots of natural light, a variety of workspaces and events. Ivy also offers furnished apartments in the same building. Coworking, coliving and wellness – perfect! Hotdesking starts at $115 a month.
- Quokka Café in the heart of Poblado combines great coffee in their coffeeshop and garden with and ideal space to work with fixed and hot desks. A month at a dedicated desk will be about $120.
Highlight
I did a Comuna 13 walking tour with Zippy Tours. Comuna 13 was once one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods and war zone in Medellin both under Escobar and during the Guerrilla and Paramilitares conflicts. Nowadays it’s a playground for the world’s best graffiti artists who showcase their pieces around the Escaleras Electricas, the famous Escalators connecting the many buildings and houses on the slope. The guides are all Comuna 13 natives and often still live there. Listening to them recalling what it was like growing up here is just as fascinating as seeing the graffiti artists create incredible murals, sometimes right in front of you.
Barichara
Barichara is a small gorgeous colonial town about eight hours northeast of Bogota located in the department of Santander. As it’s fairly off the beaten tourist path and yet to be discovered by the international traveller crowd, this colonial town is as authentic as they come. It’s a peaceful and laidback place with a bohemian vibe. It’s the place where authors escape to to write their next novel. I really enjoyed just walking around the gorgeous streets and pretty houses with the occasional stop at one of the craft shops or cute cafes. I absolutely loved it and for people looking to get away from it all for a bit, this is one of the best places to live in Colombia.
Barichara is perfect for digital nomads who:
- Are looking for a a laid back, quiet and creative place to escape to for a while
- Love to be close to nature and the mountains – Chicamocha Canyon is close by
- Are ready to mingle with the locals and enjoy the intimacy of a small town
Barichara offers a great mixture – lively but not too lively, calm but not too calm, a traveller’s place without being touristy. You won’t find streets packed with souvenir shops – instead you’ll see local art and craft galleries and initiatives of local artists selling jewellery, home décor, accessories and fashion.
The proximity to Chicamocha Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world, makes it a great place for all extreme sports, such as canyoning, rafting or paragliding. Check out my full guide on the colonial towns of Barichara and Villa de Leyva.
Barichara is small but offers a good range of cheap and welcoming guesthouses. If wifi speed is important, then best liaise directly with potential guesthouses regarding internet speed and stability.
One place which I can recommend for a shorter getaway is Casa Yahri, which has just opened this year. Rather than just accommodation Casa Yari provides authentic and immersive experiences for its guests. The whole property is just beautiful, the rooms bright, colourful and airy with access to the serene gardens. The staff is happy to organise transfers, workshops, cooking sessions and dinners if you wish so. It does come at a cost though, a 2-night stay including breakfast and private terrace comes in at about $300 according to booking.com. I do think there is some flexibility though as a solo traveller, if you contact them directly, especially in the low season.
Best cafes to work from in Barichara
Being so small Barichara does not have any coworking spaces per sé but a bunch of cafés to work from. The town has lots of vegetarian and vegan eateries, with most products organic and locally sourced, worth exploring. To name a few you need to try La Rola Pan and Cafe, Shambala, Nona’s Bread and Noa Comida!
Meeting the Locals
In his workshop Taller de Ceramica Terracota, Sebastian will teach you how to make wonderful items of ceramic. From plates and bowls to artwork, you will be able to create your own beautiful piece of ceramic.
Another way to support the local craft and art making industry is to participate in the All Female Artisanal Paper Making Workshop. Created in 2001 with the aim of financially supporting single-parent women, Fundación San Lorenzo‘s paper-making factory is today’s number one employer in Barichara.
Cartagena
I have to be honest, before I went to Cartagena I thought it would be too much of a cruise ship tourism hotspot for me. I thought wrong! While it is no doubt one of the main tourist destinations in Colombia, Cartagena is one of the prettiest places I have been to. The vibrant old town is a UNESCO World heritage site with its beautiful cobbled streets lined by colourful colonial houses and balconies overgrown by flowers. Many points along the 13km century old stone wall surrounding the city offer spectacular views over the ocean.
Getsemaní is Cartagena’s bohemian district and is located southeast of the Old Town. Incredible graffiti murals, art installations, colourful lanterns and umbrellas decorate the streets and plazas. Besides the artsy vibe, Getsemaní offers some of Cartagena’s best nightlife.
While Cartagena lies directly by the Caribbean Sea, the most beautiful beaches are found outside of the city and on the surrounding islands. A 40min boat ride will bring you to one of the most stunning beaches in the region, Playa Blanca on the Barú Peninsula – this one alone makes nearby Cartagena one of the best places to live in Colombia. This doesn’t mean it’s not worth checking out some of Cartagena’s city beaches if you’ve got some free time.
Cartagena is the place to be for digital nomads who:
- Want to be by the sea, don’t mind the heat and love a Caribbean feel
- Like a bit of an international vibe – Cartagena is Colombia’s main tourist destination
- Are foodies! The restaurant scene is top notch
Where to stay in Cartagena?
Many foreigners will choose to live in Bocagrande in one of the high-rise apartments that face Cartagena Bay or the more residential and laidback neighbourhood of Manga. A 1-bed apartment in Bocagrande with sea views comes in from about $60 a night on Airbnb. Below are a couple of stunning Airbnbs that deserve a shout out in particular.
Casa FIGi, a tiny house with a cute rooftop in the heart of the Old Town – about $45/night
Diana’s bright and modern studio flat in the heart of of Getsemaní – about $70/night
Best coworking in Cartagena
While Cartagena isn’t the place you’d think of digital nomad hotspots, there have been a few new coworking spaces popping up recently. Most of the coworking offices in Cartagena can be found in Getsemaní. However, I found that there is an abundance of cafes to work from in Cartagena.
- Cafe Epoca – Specialty Coffee Bar, one of the best breakfast and brunch spots in town.
- Folklore Colombian Café – Great coffee, strong wifi and excellent service and homemade lemonades.
- Ábaco Libros y Café – Book shop and café stocked with books from floor to ceiling
- Cowork Cartagena features bright and modern offices with an amazing rooftop with a view over the Old Town.
- The coworking space at Selina’s Cartagena branch in Getsemaní is one of Cartagena’s most beautiful spaces. It’s light, colourful, quirky and you can use their swimming pool, chill out area, terrace and yoga space before, during or after work.
