Cartagena attracts millions of visitors every year for its beaches, colorful Old Town, Caribbean sunsets, and colonial charm. But beyond tourism, a new crowd is arriving: digital nomads. Warm weather, vibrant culture, and an inspiring atmosphere make Cartagena an appealing base for remote workers—but the city also has real limitations you should know before coming.

This comprehensive guide covers Wi-Fi quality, coworking spaces, neighborhoods, cost of living, safety, SIM cards, visas, cafés, and insider tips for digital nomads considering Cartagena in 2025.

Is Cartagena Good for Digital Nomads?

Yes—but with conditions.
Cartagena is fantastic for lifestyle, climate, culture, food, and social life, but only average for long-term productivity due to inconsistent Wi-Fi, heat/humidity, and higher living costs.

Best for: short-term stays, winter escapes, work–vacation blends, creative/entrepreneurial work
Less ideal for: IT-intensive work, video calls all day, long-term residency, small budgets

1. Cost of Living for Digital Nomads in Cartagena (2025)

Cartagena is one of Colombia’s most expensive cities, especially in tourist zones.

Average Monthly Costs

• Budget nomad: €900–€1,200

• Mid-range nomad: €1,500–€2,200

• Comfort/luxury: €2,500–€4,000+

Breakdown

• Accommodation: €450–€1,500

• Food & groceries: €250–€450

• Cafés/co-working: €100–€250

• Transportation: €50–€150

• Entertainment & extras: €150–€300

Tip: Living outside the Walled City drops costs dramatically.

2. Best Neighborhoods for Digital Nomads in Cartagena

⭐ Getsemaní – Best Overall for Nomads

Trendy, central, cheaper, full of cafés and street art.

• Pros: cool vibe, walkable, affordable

• Cons: noisy, nightlife-heavy, patchy Wi-Fi in older buildings

⭐ Bocagrande – Best for Comfort

Cartagena’s “mini-Miami.”

• Pros: modern buildings, reliable A/C, gyms, supermarkets

• Cons: less charm, more expensive

⭐ Manga – Best for Long-Term Stays

Residential and peaceful, 10–15 minutes from the Old Town.

• Pros: great value, good safety, modern apartments

• Cons: fewer restaurants/cafés

⭐ Centro Histórico – Best for Short-Term Inspiration

Beautiful but pricey.

• Pros: gorgeous architecture, perfect for content creators

• Cons: expensive; many rentals lack strong Wi-Fi

3. Wi-Fi & Internet Quality in Cartagena

Wi-Fi is the biggest challenge for digital nomads.

Typical Internet Speeds

• Airbnbs: 10–60 Mbps (varies heavily)

• Coworking spaces: 60–200 Mbps

• Cafés: 5–30 Mbps

• Hotels: 10–40 Mbps

Solutions

• Confirm speed with your host (ask for a screenshot of speedtest.net)

• Use coworking spaces for important calls

• Buy a local SIM for hotspotting

4. Best Coworking Spaces in Cartagena

1. Selina Cowork Cartagena (Getsemaní & Bocagrande)

• Reliable Wi-Fi (100+ Mbps)

• Air conditioning

• Digital nomad community

• Day passes & monthly memberships

2. CoWork Latam (Bocagrande)

• Professional vibe

• Fast internet

• Ideal for longer commitments

3. St. Brigid Coworking (Centro)

• Creative atmosphere

• Good for short-term workers

4. El Centro Coworking (Centro Histórico)

• Affordable

• Great location

• Mixed reviews on noise

Coworking Prices (Approx.)

• Day pass: €7–€18

• Weekly: €40–€80

• Monthly: €90–€180

5. Best Cafés to Work From in Cartagena

Getsemaní

• Café del Mural – best coffee in the city

• Beiyu – healthy food, good Wi-Fi

• Café Lunático – rooftop vibe, limited plugs

• Demente – good daytime workspace

Centro Histórico

• Epoca Espresso Bar – specialty coffee, reliable Wi-Fi

• Libertario Coffee Roasters – productive atmosphere

• Juan Valdez (Multiple locations) – consistent Wi-Fi, A/C

Bocagrande

• Café San Alberto – premium coffee + AC

• Mila Pastelería – good pastries + Wi-Fi

• Dunkin’ / Starbucks (seaside) – reliable chain internet

6. SIM Cards & Mobile Data

Best Networks in Cartagena

• Claro (best coverage)

• Tigo (good data speeds)

• Movistar (reliable but patchy in islands)

Prices

• SIM card: €2–€4

• 20–30 GB data: €8–€15

• Unlimited WhatsApp included

7. Safety Tips for Digital Nomads

Cartagena is safer than Bogotá and Medellín, but still requires caution.

Common Issues

• Pickpocketing

• Phone snatching

• Scams in tourist zones

• Overpriced taxis

• Beach scams

Nomad Safety Tips

• Don’t use your phone while walking near streets

• Use taxi apps (InDriver, Uber, Didi)

• Avoid lonely streets at night

• Keep your laptop bag discreet

• In cafés: sit away from entrances

8. Weather & Climate Considerations

Cartagena is hot and humid year-round.

• Temperature: 28–32°C (82–90°F)

• Humidity: 70–90%

• Best months for nomads: December–April (dry season)

• Worst months: September–November (rain + heat)

Most apartments require strong A/C, which increases costs.

9. Pros & Cons of Cartagena for Digital Nomads

Pros

✓ Beautiful colonial city
✓ Beaches & islands nearby
✓ Great food and nightlife
✓ Warm climate
✓ Helpful for networking & meeting travelers
✓ Very inspiring for creatives

Cons

✗ Unreliable Wi-Fi in many Airbnbs
✗ High prices compared to rest of Colombia
✗ Constant heat & humidity
✗ Heavy tourism in old town
✗ Less nomad infrastructure than Medellín

10. Who Should Choose Cartagena as a Digital Nomad Base?

Great for:

• Nomads staying 2–8 weeks

• Creators, writers, photographers

• Nomads wanting beach + city life

• People who love warm climates

• Those with flexible working hours

Less suitable for:

• Nomads who need fast, stable internet all day

• People on a tight budget

• Long-term stays of 3+ months

• Those sensitive to heat

11. Cartagena vs. Other Nomad Cities in Colombia

Cartagena is not the “best” nomad city in Colombia—but it’s one of the most fun and unique.

12. Final Verdict: Should You Work Remotely From Cartagena?

Yes—if your priority is lifestyle over productivity.
Cartagena is inspiring, beautiful, lively, and full of energy. It’s ideal for nomads who want a tropical base with culture, beaches, and great social life.

But if you need:

• consistently fast Wi-Fi

• air-conditioned workspaces

• lower cost of living

—you may prefer Medellín or Bogotá for long-term stays, using Cartagena as a “workation” spot.