Cali, colombia.

before you go

What to plan around.

Drawn only from the verified figures on this page, the things worth knowing before you book.

• Pronounced wet season

  Rain peaks around May, Jun & Oct, up to 339 mm in the wettest month. Time a visit for the drier half of the year.

• Seismically active region

  12 quakes of M6+ within 200 km over 50 years (strongest M7.3). Know your building's earthquake rating before signing a lease.

• Cost is a modelled estimate

  Living costs here are a purchasing-power estimate, not locally verified prices. Treat the total as a starting point and add a buffer.

where Cali ranks

Cali also makes these lists.

• The cheapest cities for digital nomads

  solo nomads live for ~$906/mo here

• Cities with the cleanest air, ranked by verified PM2.5

  8 µg/m³ annual PM2.5 verified by CAMS

• Cities outside the tropical-cyclone belt

  no tropical cyclones within 200 km since 1980

• Cities with dedicated digital nomad visas

  dedicated digital nomad visa available

• The sunniest cities for digital nomads

  3,605 sun hours / year

• Cities with dedicated nomad / expat tax regimes

  Type V DNV does not confer tax residency by itself; 183-day rule applies independently.

frequently asked

Cali, honest answers.

How much does it cost to live in Cali per month?

A solo nomad in Cali runs roughly $906/month, broken down as rent $500 (estimate), food $160, mobile $13, utilities $60, transit $35, plus coworking and a 10% buffer. That puts it in the budget tier globally.

How much does international school cost in Cali?

International primary school in Cali costs about $8,500/year per child (range $5,000 to $15,000, mid-market to premium), a national-average baseline for Colombia applied to Cali, not a quote from a specific school here. Full-day international preschool runs about $5,000/year per child. International secondary is higher: we model it around $11,000/year per child as a grade uplift over primary, a modelled estimate, not a separately sourced figure. Tuition only; it excludes one-off enrolment/capital levies, bus, lunch, uniforms and exam fees, which add materially at most schools.

What is the tax situation for nomads in Colombia?

Tax residency triggers at 183 days in any 12-month period. Residents are taxed on worldwide income. Top marginal personal income tax is 39%. Type V DNV does not confer tax residency by itself; 183-day rule applies independently. Verify current details at the country's tax authority, link on the city's Tax & Stay card.

Does Colombia have a digital nomad visa?

Yes, Colombia runs a visa route aimed at remote workers or the self-employed. Whether you qualify depends on income, savings, employment type and where you apply, none of which this page assesses. Verify current requirements at the issuing country's official immigration site (linked from the Tax & Stay card on this page).

How is the air quality in Cali?

Annual PM2.5 averages 8 µg/m³, which above WHO target but moderate. The 12-month curve on this page shows the seasonal swing, many cities have a sharp burning season or winter inversion that doesn't show in the annual number.

Is Cali safe for solo female travelers?

Colombia scores 2.0/10 on the women's-safety indicator, elevated risk, review current state-department advisories before solo travel. Country-level scores; major cities often differ from country averages, especially by neighborhood.

When is the best time to visit Cali?

Jan typically scores best on our combined comfort index, average temperature 23°C, low rainfall, high sunshine. Each city's Climate Chart on this page shows the full 12-month picture.

Are there earthquakes in Cali?

Yes, the historical record includes 62 M5+ earthquakes and 12 M6+ within 200 km over the last 50 years. The largest was M7.3 in 2012. Modern buildings in major cities are engineered for this; factor it into long-stay decisions.