Cartagena, 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 Jun, Sep & Nov, up to 254 mm in the wettest month. Time a visit for the drier half of the year.

• 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 Cartagena ranks

Cartagena also makes these lists.

• The cheapest cities for digital nomads

  solo nomads live for ~$1,071/mo here

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

  11 µg/m³ annual PM2.5 verified by CAMS

• Cities with dedicated digital nomad visas

  dedicated digital nomad visa available

• The sunniest cities for digital nomads

  3,620 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

Cartagena, honest answers.

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

A solo nomad in Cartagena runs roughly $1,071/month, broken down as rent $650 (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 Cartagena?

International primary school in Cartagena 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 Cartagena, 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 offers a dedicated digital nomad / remote-worker visa. Income thresholds and validity vary; 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 Cartagena?

Annual PM2.5 averages 11 µg/m³ (Copernicus CAMS satellite data), 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 Cartagena safe for solo female travelers?

Colombia scores 2.0/10 on the Asher & Lyric Women's Danger Index, 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 Cartagena?

Jan typically scores best on our combined comfort index, average temperature 28°C, low rainfall, high sunshine. Each city's Climate Chart on this page shows the full 12-month picture.

Are there earthquakes in Cartagena?

Yes, the USGS catalog records 6 M5+ earthquakes and 0 M6+ within 200 km over the last 50 years. The largest was M5.7 in 1998. Modern buildings in major cities are engineered for this; factor it into long-stay decisions.

Do people speak English in Cartagena?

Colombia scores 66/100 on the EF English Proficiency Index, workable in business contexts and most tourist-facing services; learn key phrases for everyday.

Every answer is built from this city's verified pipeline data, Copernicus CAMS, USGS, NOAA IBTrACS, country tax authorities, EF EPI, Asher & Lyric, OpenStreetMap. No marketing copy.