Cartagena feels like a living postcard, where ancient stone walls frame modern art galleries and Afro-Caribbean rhythms drift through alleys glittering with string lights. Once a vital port of the Spanish empire, today it’s a mosaic of eras: horse-drawn carriages glide past boutique hotels, while fishermen cast nets just steps from rooftop cocktail bars.
It’s this blend of old and new that has begun to draw a new kind of traveler: the digital nomad. Beyond the colonial facades and cruise ship crowds, Cartagena offers a lifestyle that’s both laid-back and surprisingly well-connected. With improving internet, growing coworking options, and a culture that encourages long lunches and longer conversations, it’s no wonder more remote workers are trading coworking pods in big cities for balconies overlooking the bay.
Why digital nomads love Cartagena
Growing infrastructure
Cartagena's internet used to be hit or miss, but things have improved. Many Airbnbs and long-term rentals now advertise high-speed Wi-Fi, especially in neighborhoods like Bocagrande, Manga, and El Laguito. Cafes in Getsemaní offer reliable connections, and several coworking spaces cater specifically to remote workers.
Coworking spaces with personality
While not as abundant as in Medellín or Buenos Aires, coworking options in Cartagena are growing. The spaces are small, community-focused, and tend to offer more character than polish. You’ll find good Wi-Fi, strong coffee, and a mix of freelancers, founders, and travelers passing through. Many offer flexible day passes and social events to help nomads connect.
Laidback lifestyle
Cartagena lets you have it both ways: the hustle of a cosmopolitan city and the calm of a beach town. Workdays often start with fresh fruit juice and end with sunsets over the bay. The cost of living is moderate, especially in neighborhoods like Manga or Cabrero, which offer a local vibe and peaceful pace. And with quick access to islands like Barú and the Rosario archipelago, weekends easily turn into mini-vacations.
Cartagena at a glance
- Climate: Cartagena has a hot, tropical climate with high humidity year-round. Daily temperatures typically hover between 82°F and 88°F (28°C to 31°C).
- Getting there: Fly into Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG), located about 15 minutes by car from the Old City. Taxis and rideshare services are available 24/7.
- Living costs: Expect to live comfortably on around $1,200 to $1,500 USD per month. This includes rent, food, local transportation, and entertainment. Budget travelers can live on less.
- Language requirements: Spanish is the official language. English is spoken in tourist areas and by some younger professionals, but basic Spanish is essential for day-to-day life. Learning a few key phrases is respectful and practical.
- Safety: Cartagena is generally considered safe for digital nomads, especially in neighborhoods like the Old City, Getsemaní, Bocagrande, and Manga. As in any city, take precautions: avoid flashing valuables, be aware of your surroundings, and stick to well-lit, busy areas at night.
- Visa options: Colombia's digital nomad visa (Migrant Visa V) allows remote workers to stay for up to two years. Requirements include proof of remote employment, income of roughly $900–$1,000 USD per month, and health insurance.
Best neighborhoods in Cartagena for digital nomads
Centro Histórico (Old City)
Cartagena’s crown jewel is the historic walled center, known simply as El Centro. Inside these 400-year-old stone ramparts lies a fairy-tale setting of colonial architecture, churches, and plazas. For nomads, living in Centro means stepping out your door into postcard scenery and having countless cafes, restaurants, and bars at your fingertips. Wi-Fi is abundant (most restaurants and hotels have it), and you’re walking distance to everything. On the flip side, rent in this tourist-heavy area is the priciest in town, and weekends bring crowds and nightlife noise.
Getsemaní
Once a rough-around-the-edges district, Getsemaní has transformed into a trendy hub for backpackers, artists, and entrepreneurs. For nomads, the barrio offers a mix of budget-friendly hostels, boutique hotels, and Airbnb apartments, as well as several cafes with Wi-Fi. Safety is good, though the party can get rowdy late at night — as always, use caution walking alone in the wee hours.
Bocagrande (and Castillogrande)
If the Old City is colonial charm, Bocagrande is modern Miami-esque flair. This long peninsula just south of Centro is Cartagena’s upscale commercial district, filled with high-rise condos, hotels, malls, and popular beaches. Digital nomads who prefer a more familiar urban environment (think luxury apartments, grocery stores, gyms, and Starbucks) will feel at home here.
Manga
A quieter, residential area just across the bridge from Getsemaní. Manga is more local, with leafy streets and a marina. It’s popular among long-term visitors and has a growing number of coworking options. Solid if you want to live like a local but still be close to the action.
Best places to work in Cartagena
Best cafes in Cartagena for digital nomads
- Fruto Bendito Café (Claustro de La Merced, Cra. 4 #CL 38-40, Centro). A laptop-friendly spot with fast Wi‑Fi, multiple outlets, and a relaxed indoor/outdoor setting.
- Bohaza Café Bar (Cl. 35 #10-170 Local 1, La Matuna). This colorful cafe draws remote workers with espresso, chill vibes, and fast WiFi.
- Café San Alberto (Cl. Santos de Piedra #34-RF, Centro). Premium coffee that's worth the splurge. The WiFi is fast, and the mezzanine level offers a quieter spot to work. Seating is limited, so go early.
- Café Stepping Stone (Cra. 9 #25-56, Getsemaní). Social-enterprise café with strong coffee, a quiet back patio, and a mission-driven model that trains locals in hospitality.
- Ábaco Libros y Café (Cl. 36 #3-86, Centro). A combination bookstore and coffee bar set in a colonial-era shop. WiFi is decent, outlets are limited, and the ambiance is unbeatable.
- Juan Valdez Café (Multiple locations). Colombia’s answer to Starbucks. Dependable WiFi, air conditioning, and locations all over the city — including in Bocagrande, Getsemaní, and the Old City.
Best coworking spaces in Cartagena for digital nomads
You won’t find dozens of coworking options in Cartagena as you might in larger LatAm cities, but the spaces that do exist are welcoming and well-equipped. Here are the top coworking options in Cartagena:
- Cowork Cartagena (Calle 32 #8‑21, Edif. Banco Popular, La Matuna / Centro Histórico). Just outside the walled city, this bright, modern workspace offers coffee, printing (including 3D), a rooftop terrace overlooking the harbor, and free beer on Thursday and Friday from 2 to 6 p.m.
- TuWork (Cl. 6A #3-32, Bocagrande).A polished, professional space with fiber-optic internet, private offices, conference rooms, showers, lockers, and a sunlit outdoor terrace.
- Virtualis Centro de Negocios (Calle 26 #18A‑31, Manga). A boutique business center in Manga with high-speed Wi‑Fi, ergonomic seating, private meeting rooms, and a rooftop terrace.