Colombia has long been a popular destination for digital nomads and expatriates. It offers a good quality of life, beautiful natural landscapes, and diverse cultural experiences, making it an increasingly attractive choice for digital nomads. But is it really that easy to live in Colombia as a digital nomad? What challenges and difficulties do we face when living the real life in Colombia? This article gathers insights from four Colombian digital nomad bloggers, delving deep into topics such as living expenses and challenges to find answers.
Safety
For those who haven’t been to Colombia, the first concern for digital nomads is often about safety. In recent decades, Colombia has made significant progress in improving safety, allowing more digital nomads to enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes and diverse cultural experiences.
In a YouTube video by Crosby Grace Travels titled “DIGITAL NOMAD IN MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA (2022) – internet, safety, transportation + exploring the city!“, safety is mentioned:
“Now, let’s address the elephant in the room real quick, which is safety. Yes, you know, 30-40 years ago, Medellin in Colombia, in general, was a very dangerous place to come. But over the last few decades, Medellin and Colombia have done an incredible job of enhancing the overall safety here, the infrastructure, the culture. And I have felt nothing but…
Safe here, but you know when I was telling people back home that I’m going to Colombia, you know, the first response is, “Oh, be safe, be safe.” You know, it’s so dangerous, blah blah blah. And I’m just like, “Okay, like anywhere you go, you need to be careful. You need to exercise the proper precautions, whether you’re in the United States or somewhere in South America or somewhere across the world.” “
In a YouTube video by Joyoushapes titled “The Ultimate Medellin Digital Nomad Guide – Is It Worth It?“, the safety issue is also addressed:
“And like this, I always thought that Colombia, generally talking South America, was full of mafia, drug dealers, kidnappers, and things like that. I was hyper-aware of what’s happening around me, and I was kind of anxious as well because I was like, ‘Oh my God, something is going to happen.’ Generally, it didn’t happen; anything, and I never felt in danger. One time, of course, this doesn’t mean that crimes don’t happen. It happens in Medellin, as it happened in Switzerland, as it happens in London, in the US, wherever in the world. The thing is that you are in another city with probably another culture, other people, maybe you don’t speak the language. So, don’t be naive, stay in safe areas, and avoid the unsafe ones wherever you are in the world. ”
Language
Regarding language, the official language used in Colombia is Spanish. However, the prevalence of English in South America is not as convenient as in other countries. Therefore, if digital nomads choose to live in Colombia for a period of time, it is important to learn some Spanish.
In the video “DIGITAL NOMAD IN MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA (2022) – internet, safety, transportation + exploring the city!” by YouTuber Crosby Grace Travels, language is mentioned:
“All of that is a good tip to have. If you don’t speak any Spanish, is to have the address of your Airbnb or your hostel, whatever you’re staying at, in the notes section on your phone. So that if you’re getting in a cab, you can show them the address. You don’t have to try and show them where to go. Always have your translation apps open. Here are some good ones that you can download. But yeah, just have that at the ready whenever you’re getting in a cab or going to a restaurant or in the airport or something like that when you know you’re going to be talking to people that don’t speak English. So just keep that in mind and be prepared.”
Digital Nomad Community and Coworking Spaces:
Currently, Colombia has become a gathering place for many digital nomads, forming a community that supports and encourages the digital nomad lifestyle. This means that digital nomads can interact with like-minded individuals and establish meaningful relationships. As a result, the digital nomad community in Colombia is growing.
In the video “DIGITAL NOMAD IN MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA (2022) – internet, safety, transportation + exploring the city!” by YouTuber Crosby Grace Travels, one of the coworking spaces called Selena is mentioned:
“So unfortunately, I’m not going to be in Medellin that long, but I already know if I was Selena, it’s definitely out there in terms of a co-working space. I would consider getting a membership at it. It has a yoga room, it has really friendly people. I’ve literally made a friend outside. He’s from Spain, and they have like happy hours and get-togethers every single day here. So, it’s a really great place for you to network.And meet other nomads or remote workers and this is definitely not the only co-working space in the area. There’s a lot. I can list them here on the screen for you. And I’m gonna try and hit up a few more just to kind of see what a more local one looks like.
So, in addition to all of the co-working spaces that are around Medellin, there are also a ton of really cool trendy cafes that you can go and do work at. This is definitely good for someone if you’re only going to be here for maybe like a week or two and you don’t want to spend, you know, ten dollars on a day pass at a co-working space. There are a bunch of cafes that you can check out. Disclaimer: I was really only in the public area when I was here, but some of my favorite cafes were Pergamino Cafe, which there are a couple of locations. I went to the one right across the street from Cafe Velvet, which is another one of my favorites. But this is a super popular cafe both for people that want to work but also for breakfast.”
In the video “The Ultimate Medellin Digital Nomad Guide – Is It Worth It?” by YouTuber Joyoushapes, it is also mentioned:
“Co-working spaces. When it comes to co-working spaces, Medellin offers a huge variety, and…
I tried a few in Laureles, so let’s check them out. First of all, we have Cafe Fenix, which is this open-air area with dozens of tables. I really appreciate this co-working space because it gives me my own terrace vibe. It is located in the center of Laureles area, and the daily pass is 50,000 pesos, which is approximately $12. They probably have monthly passes as well, but I forgot to ask, so yeah, just in case, go there and ask. The place is run by a lovely family, and in fact, literally attached to the co-working space, there is also a small coffee shop. They offer coffee fresh in front of you, and basically, they cook it into this pot of sand, and they will pour it in front of you and let you try it. It’s great, I really like it.
Another spot is Kalma Cafe Co-working, which is located close to Laanta Road, which is a very famous road in Medellin, always in the Laureles area, and it’s literally attached to The Loft. What I really enjoy about this small co-working space is that they have a different set of breakfast, which is delicious, and they come with some juice, tea, café.
And overall, it’s a great place for breakfast and for work as well. Lastly, we have Seila, a hybrid space combining a cafe and co-working space. The ground floor is a huge open area cafe where you can go, have your breakfast and your coffee, and also sit down and work. But if you prefer to have a more professional and close environment for work, or maybe you need to do some calls, you should get the daily pass and go to the second floor to the proper co-working space. They offer different types of co-working plans. For instance, they have the daily hot desk pass that costs 33,000 pesos, so about $8.20 per day. Otherwise, there is the one-month pass that costs 500,000 pesos, about $125 per month.
Actually, what I really appreciate about Seila and the co-working space is that it’s very wide, the design is great. It has a kind of jungle vibe, but also the light inside this co-working space is very fresh and keeps you awake and very productive. They even have ergonomic chairs, and this is like, wow!”
Cost of Living:
Colombia is known for its affordable cost of living, which makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads. In general, the cost of living in Colombia is lower compared to many other countries.
In the video “DIGITAL NOMAD IN MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA (2022) – internet, safety, transportation + exploring the city!” by YouTuber Crosby Grace Travels, the cost of living is mentioned:
“In terms of cost of living, Medellín is very affordable. You can get a nice Airbnb apartment in a good area for around $500 to $800 per month. The transportation system is also very affordable, whether you’re taking the metro, taxi, or Uber. Eating out is also inexpensive. You can get a good meal for $5 to $10, and there are plenty of options. Groceries are also affordable, especially if you shop in local markets. So, overall, the cost of living in Medellín is very reasonable.”
Recommendations for Places to Live
Choosing a suitable and safe place to live is crucial, so if digital nomads are considering Colombia as their destination, where should they choose to live? Here are some recommendations from video bloggers that might provide you with some references.
In the video “DIGITAL NOMAD IN MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA (2022) – internet, safety, transportation + exploring the city!” by YouTube video blogger Crosby Grace Travels, one of the mentioned coworking spaces is Selena:
“in terms of safe places to stay in Medellin, El Poblado is probably the most popular place where nomads and expats stay. But additionally, Laureles and Envigado are also two really popular spots for other nomads. Laureles is a little bit more budget-friendly than Poblado, but I personally love Poblado. There are so many cool things to do, the nightlife, the cafes, etc. It’s really great. I don’t have much experience in Envigado, but all I know is that it is on the more luxurious side, so things are a bit more expensive. But you can find really nice apartments and stuff like that if that’s more your speed”
In the video “The Ultimate Medellin Digital Nomad Guide – Is It Worth It?” by YouTuber Joyoushapes, the following is mentioned:
“ I have a friend in Medellin that lives there for five years, and he sent me a screenshot about the areas in Medellin that he suggests to live in and some descriptions of them. So as you can see, Area 1 and 2 are Poblado Center and Provenza, where you can find the fancy part of the town with clubs, restaurants, cafes, bars, and hotels. But apparently, it’s not the best place to live as a digital nomad because it can be very chaotic and party-driven. I love to party, so if I can avoid this place, it’s better. The third area is Envigado, and apparently, it’s very good and a rich place, actually. It’s like Poblado Center, especially since there is no noise or problems with crime. Poblado Center is the tourist area, and as a tourist area, there are a lot of big pockets and small crimes, so this is something that happens and something you should consider in case you want to move here. The fourth area is Laureles, and I personally say, in L, and I really, really like it. Actually, this year it was voted as the coolest neighborhood in the world by Time Out, and I have to say that it’s a great place to live in. There are tons of co-working spaces, restaurants, cafes, bars.
It’s like a very hyped area of Medellin. For me, it was the first time that I went there, and I really, really enjoyed it. So if you don’t know where to stay, Laureles is a great place to start. Fifth, we have Sabaneta, which apparently is a little bit far from the center, like a half-hour away by car. It’s very calm but apparently also family-friendly. So if you have kids, this might be a great area to stay in. It has the best value for apartments with a great view. But my friend said that it’s actually far from the center if you plan to move a lot. So if you have a family and you’re looking for a school around that area, I guess Sabaneta could be a great place to stay. But if you’re younger and you want to meet more people, then Laureles might be the place for you. And if you’re also a party animal, then in that case, I guess Poblado Center, Provenza, as well as Envigado, can be great places to stay. “
In the video “I was a Digital Nomad in Medellin Colombia for 178 days (Recap, Review, Dating, & Recommendations)” by YouTuber Pavlo, the following is mentioned:
“So, I’m going to give you the three main spots that you should consider living in when you are visiting or when you’re going to stay long term. My suggestion is you first come for a month and check out the different areas, see what vibe fits you best. We have El Poblado. This is the most famous one. This is where all the tourists and digital nomads go to. You have all the restaurants there, and you have a lot of amazing places. However, do not sleep on Envigado. I stayed in Envigado, and I love that town. Everyone is super friendly. It’s a bit more local, it’s very safe, and I had a lot of fun staying there. But there’s also Laureles, which is the second most popular spot. I would say it’s also extremely, extremely walkable, plus it’s actually cheaper than El Poblado. All the restaurants you go to there are going to be slightly more expensive. And by the way, when I say more expensive, I mean it’s still cheaper than US prices. So no matter which of these places you stay in, you’ll probably still be saving money and enjoy the cuisine, enjoy the nature, enjoy everything around you more than you would in the US.“
These are some popular recommendations from Youtuber regarding places to live in Colombia, specifically in Medellín. Keep in mind that personal preferences and experiences may vary, so it’s essential to do additional research and visit different areas to find the one that suits your needs and preferences the best.
Transportation modes:
What are the modes of transportation chosen by digital nomads in Colombia? In fact, for digital nomads who have been to different countries, there is one common answer: Uber. So, what is the price comparison like? Let’s see how digital nomads living in Colombia make their choices.
In the video “I was a Digital Nomad in Medellin Colombia for 28 days (Recap, Review, Recommendations)” by YouTuber We All Around The World, he also mentioned:
“And that takes us to getting around. So, I personally just use Ubers, right? I know some people, they’re gonna recommend to use the metro, to take the bus, but for me, time is money, and if I can get an Uber ride for two dollars, right, to wherever I want to go, three dollars, four dollars max is what I paid for an Uber right here, which was like a 35-40 minute ride, and it was pretty far right for me. I’m not even gonna hassle unless I want to do it for the experience, but for me, I would I just took straight movers. I order it on my phone, it works, you know, it comes straight here, takes me to wherever I want to go. One dollar, one dollar fifty, two dollars per ride, and I can go anywhere that I want in the city. So, for me, I just purely used Ubers. I used a bus once. Um, but that was just because I was out on a tour, and I just went with some other people that were on the tour, so that’s how I got around. And I found that the Uber drivers were the place where I had the best tour guides, the best insight to what life is like here as a local, you know, what the locals experienced, how tourism is, how’s their economy, their politics, you know, what they like, what they don’t like. Um, how Medellin has changed over the past few years, the weather, global warming, how much, you know, um, how much a local, somebody that lives, somebody that’s born here and lives here will make in a day, what the minimum wage is, average wage for a day, which is about seven or eight dollars from what they told me. So, the Uber drivers for me were just a huge.”
In the video “I was a Digital Nomad in Medellin Colombia for 178 days (Recap, Review, Dating, & Recommendations)” by YouTube vlogger Pavlo, he also mentioned:
“Now, if you stay in El Poblado and you are up in the hills, then you’re going to have to call Ubers for everything. Now, luckily for you, Ubers are extremely cheap. I mean, every time I would take an Uber, it would basically be 2 or $3, whether it’s like a 15-minute drive or a 30-minute drive. So, it’s extremely affordable, but it’s just kind of annoying to always sit in a car, and also sometimes there’s traffic. So if you’re in the hills, understand that that’s going to be your situation. You’re going to have amazing views, but you’re going to have to Uber into town, into any restaurants, and so forth. If you live in Laureles or Envigado, you’re going to be able to walk everywhere, depending, of course, on the location as well. But if you pick in, if you make sure it’s central, you can find a gym nearby, you can find maybe even a co-working space nearby, and walk everywhere.”
In the video “The Ultimate Medellin Digital Nomad Guide – Is It Worth It?” by YouTube vlogger Joyoushapes, besides Uber, other modes of transportation are mentioned:
“Something I really appreciate about Medellin is that it’s very walkable, so you can literally walk anywhere if you want to. The other thing is that it’s also very well connected with public transportation, and you have so many different options. Plus, it’s the only place in Colombia that has a Metro System. The Metro covers most of the city, and it’s superb. I really enjoy using it. In order to access the metro station, you need the Civa card, which is this card that you get at the Metro station, and you can top up directly at the station that you are with cash. And the one ride is about 80 cents. Another way to get around Medellin is by buses, and you will see them everywhere in the city.
And I’m pretty sure they are even more cheap than getting in a cab or going around by Metro. In case you want more information, I will leave the link of the system down below. My favorite way to go around Medellin is by cab or Grab. So, you go on the street and you stop the Yellow Cab that you will see everywhere around, or you download the app Grab. The two differences about getting a Yellow Cab or Grab is that with a Yellow Cab, you will not know the total price until you arrive at your destination. For this reason, make sure that when you enter the cab, they will have the Metro system, is it called, on the top of the cab where you see the money popping up every two minutes that you are in the car. Well, make sure that they have that because at least they cannot really scam you. Apparently, in Medellin, Grab is not really well seen, and so, the driver will ask you to sit in the front like you are a friend of them. Yeah, that’s it. I just wanted to tell you because I was so weird out when they asked you to come in front. And last but not least, which I was so surprised about, you can even go around Medellin by cable car. There are some areas of Medellin that are reachable with the cable car, and you just need, again, the Civa card of the Metro. It works the same way. Just use the cable car because it’s so cool. You can literally see Medellin from above, and it’s such a great experience. “
Recommended Attractions
Here are the recommended attractions mentioned in this article, which will hopefully be helpful for digital nomads who enjoy art and sightseeing.
YouTuber We All Around The World’s video “I was a Digital Nomad in Medellin Colombia for 28 days (Recap, Review, Recommendations)” also mentions:
“For me, I found the majority of my tourist attractions or like activities that I would do on TripAdvisor, and then from TripAdvisor, I would go and look them up online on Google because sometimes TripAdvisor is more expensive than the hometown option, right? Um, I was able to find what I wanted to do and then look it up on Google and just kind of find one with great reviews, um, I believe the company, the site is called Viator or Viator, v-i-a-t-o-r, and I booked a few excursions through them. So, the main ones that I’m going to recommend are the komuna trece tour. You have to do the komuna 13 tour. That was incredible. It takes you to, like, one of the used-to-be the most dangerous neighborhoods in Medellin, and they’ve turned it all around through using, you know, um, street art and Hip-Hop as kind of like a way to transform and give people something to focus on, the arts, right? So, they turned that around by focusing on the arts, uh, by using street art. Now it’s one of the most visited places in all of Colombia, and um, it’s just amazing what they’ve done with the place. Super fun tour. You get a feel of just kind of like a more local vibe, right? And not just like the kind of tourist bubble that we’re in here in El Poblado. So, I definitely recommend that tour. I also recommend paragliding, which was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
Because I literally felt like I was flying. Like, there were Hawks, and I flew with Hawks. And we joined, we entered the gust of wind, you know, that they were using to glide, and we entered it. So, we, I was flying with Hawks, and it was just amazing, you know? I literally felt like I was flying. So, I highly recommend the paragliding. And then also, the Wattape tour. That’s a day-long tour. They take you to a few different towns outside of Medellin, and you go to the, um, oh shoot, I’m forgetting the name, but it’s like this giant rock, Piedra de Pena, I believe. Yeah, I believe that’s what it’s called. But it’s this giant rock formation, a natural rock formation that’s really famous around here. And so, you can spot it from really far, and it’s actually privately owned, which I thought was pretty cool. And, um, you take a day trip, and you go up the rock, you go to two different towns, and then they take you on a boat ride at the end where you pass by some of the most famous houses and, you know, properties in the area owned by like famous soccer players that play for the Colombia national team. You pass by one of Pablo Escobar’s old houses, and it’s all burnt down and destroyed. So, it was just super cool to be able to do that, and it was a full day. And that’s actually where I met, made a lot of friends and a good group of friends.””
Some tips to keep in mind:
In Colombia, although there are many digital nomad communities and coworking spaces, not all places provide internet access, so you’ll need a SIM card.
YouTuber Crosby Grace Travels mentions one of the coworking spaces called Selena in the video “DIGITAL NOMAD IN MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA (2022) – internet, safety, transportation + exploring the city!“:
” if you’re coming into a place and you’re a digital nomad, you need service, not just Wi-Fi. Get a local SIM card here. It’s Tigo. I guess she told me it was a good one, so we’re gonna see. Even as a general traveler. It’s better to just get one of these instead of paying your local company international fees. Yeah, because otherwise, I would be doing the Verizon plan, and it’s ten dollars a day. So for like two to three weeks or more, that adds up. So this is way more affordable. It was like 5,000 pesos, which is like a dollar for this, and then you load some data..”
Overall, it appears that living in Colombia is even easier and safer than imagined. It is important to note that these advantages and disadvantages may vary depending on individual circumstances and chosen locations. Before deciding to become a digital nomad and choosing Colombia as a destination, it is recommended to conduct detailed research and planning to make informed decisions. If you are a digital nomad who enjoys a low-cost and slow-paced environment, then Colombia is definitely not to be missed!
This article references the following video sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDD3ZXpRn9U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIxqDkIrfHg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY8tza6UfxE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0xSw5ltLMA
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