Colombia's timezone, internet, and cost of living make it one of the best remote work bases in the Americas. The complete setup guide.
Digital Nomad Guide to Colombia: Internet, Visas, Cities, and Cost of Living
Colombia Works. So Do You.
There’s a reason Colombia keeps showing up on digital nomad lists. The timezone aligns with US East Coast (EST/GMT-5 year-round, no daylight saving changes). The internet infrastructure in major cities is genuinely strong (200+ Mbps fiber is standard in good apartments). The cost of living lets you live well on a remote salary. And the lifestyle outside work hours is unlike anything you’ll find in Lisbon, Bali, or Bangkok.
But most nomad guides give you the same recycled advice: go to El Poblado, work from Selina, eat at a gringo restaurant. That’s fine if you want the generic version. This guide is for people who want to actually understand how remote work functions in Colombia, what the real tradeoffs are, and which setup matches your work style.
The Three Main Cities for Remote Work
Medellin
The obvious choice. Spring-like weather year-round (22-28°C), walkable neighborhoods, a growing coworking ecosystem, and a critical mass of international remote workers. The infrastructure is mature: good WiFi everywhere, reliable Uber, excellent restaurants, and a social scene that doesn’t require effort to access.
Best neighborhoods: Laureles is the smart pick. Local, walkable, cheaper than El Poblado, and just as connected. El Poblado works if you want English-speaking restaurants and nightlife at your doorstep, but you’ll pay 40-60% more for accommodation. Envigado is a quieter alternative with metro access and local prices.
Coworking: Selina (El Poblado), Tinkko, Epicentro, and a growing number of smaller spaces. Monthly passes run $80-200 USD. But honestly, many nomads in Medellin work from their apartments or cafes. The infrastructure is good enough that a dedicated coworking space isn’t strictly necessary.
The reality check: Medellin is saturated with nomads. That brings benefits (community, events, English-friendly services) and drawbacks (inflated prices in tourist zones, a “digital nomad bubble” that can feel disconnected from actual Colombian life).
Bogota
The underrated choice. Bogota is where serious remote workers who want cultural depth over weather go. The city is massive, chaotic, cold (14-18°C), and endlessly fascinating. The restaurant scene rivals any in Latin America. The coworking infrastructure is corporate-grade. And because Bogota isn’t a nomad magnet, you’ll interact with actual Colombians more naturally than in Medellin’s El Poblado.
Best neighborhoods: Chapinero Alto for walkability and food. Zona G / Parque 93 for upscale quiet. La Macarena for bohemian vibe. Usaquen for weekend markets and family-friendly atmosphere. All have strong fiber internet and are well-connected by Uber and TransMilenio.
Coworking: WeWork, Tinkko, HubBOG, and a range of independent spaces. Bogota has the best professional coworking infrastructure in the country because it’s the business capital.
The reality check: weather. Bogota is cool and can be gray. If you need sunshine to function, this isn’t your city. But if you want substance over aesthetics, Bogota delivers more than Medellin in terms of culture, food, history, and professional networking.
Santa Marta / Caribbean Coast
For when you want the beach part of the equation. Santa Marta has improving internet infrastructure, a growing nomad community, and proximity to Tayrona, Minca, and Palomino. It’s hot (30°C+), humid, and the WiFi isn’t as reliable as Bogota or Medellin. But the lifestyle trade-off is sunset over the Caribbean every evening.
Best setup: rent an apartment in El Rodadero or the historic center. Use a local coworking space or cafe for calls. Accept that the pace here is different: slower, hotter, more improvised. That’s the point.
The Practical Setup
Internet: in Bogota and Medellin, 200+ Mbps fiber is common in apartments marketed to nomads. Always verify before booking. Our Tropical Shift experiences include WiFi-tested accommodations, guaranteed speed, and ergonomic workspace setup. If you’re booking independently, test the connection on arrival. A backup plan (mobile hotspot on Claro or Movistar 4G) is smart for emergencies.
SIM cards: Claro has the widest coverage nationwide. Movistar is a solid alternative. A prepaid tourist SIM with generous data costs 30,000-50,000 COP ($8-12) and works as a WiFi backup.
Visa: most nationalities get 90 days visa-free. You can extend once for another 90 days (180 days total per calendar year). Colombia also offers a specific Digital Nomad Visa (V visa) for remote workers employed by non-Colombian companies, valid for up to 2 years. Requirements: proof of remote employment, monthly income of at least 3x the Colombian minimum wage (approximately $1,070 USD/month in 2026), health insurance, and a clean background check.
Time zone: UTC-5, same as US Eastern Standard Time. No daylight saving changes. This means Colombia stays on EST year-round, which is a genuine advantage for US-based remote workers. When New York switches to EDT in spring, you’re one hour behind. The rest of the year, you’re aligned perfectly.
Cost of living: a comfortable nomad lifestyle (private apartment, eating out, coworking, social activities) runs $1,500-2,500/month in Medellin or Bogota. $1,000-1,800/month in smaller cities. This is significantly less than Lisbon, Barcelona, or most US cities, with comparable quality of life.
What Nobody Tells You
Spanish matters more than you think. You can survive without it in Medellin’s Poblado and some parts of Bogota. But you’ll live inside a bubble. Learning even basic conversational Spanish transforms the experience. Classes are cheap ($10-15/hour for private tutors in both cities).
The altitude affects you. Bogota is at 2,640 meters. Your first day, you’ll feel tired, maybe headachy. Give yourself a day to adjust. Medellin (1,500m) is milder but still above sea level.
Banking is complicated. Colombian banks make it difficult for foreigners to open accounts without a cedula de extranjeria. Use Wise (formerly TransferWise) for receiving payments and ATMs for cash. Bancolombia ATMs are the most reliable.
The community is real but seasonal. Nomad communities in Medellin and Bogota have high turnover. People come for 1-3 months and leave. Deep friendships require effort. Join group activities, take Spanish classes, attend local events. The best connections happen outside the nomad bubble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colombia good for digital nomads?
Yes. Strong internet, US-aligned timezone, low cost of living, excellent food and lifestyle. The infrastructure is mature in Bogota and Medellin.
Medellin or Bogota?
Medellin for weather and social scene. Bogota for cultural depth, food, and serious professional networking. Both have excellent internet.
Do I need a special visa?
For stays under 180 days, no. Tourist visa covers it. For longer stays, apply for the Digital Nomad Visa (V visa). Requires proof of remote income of at least ~$1,070/month.
How’s the WiFi?
200+ Mbps fiber is standard in good apartments in Bogota and Medellin. Always verify before booking. Mobile data on Claro or Movistar as backup.
Is it safe?
Yes with standard precautions. Use ride apps, keep valuables discreet, stay in established neighborhoods.
