If you’re looking for a true digital nomad paradise for 2024, look no further than Colombia.
While the cost of living has skyrocketed in many other popular destinations, Colombia still remains an incredibly affordable country for digital nomads.
But it’s not just Colombia’s budget-friendly prices that make it a great digital nomad hotspot.
This diverse South American nation also boasts incredible cities, stunning beaches, incredible natural beauty, delicious food, and various cultures.
It’s an amazing destination to visit as a tourist and an even better place to live as a digital nomad.
The Colombian Digital Nomad Visa
What’s so great about the Colombian digital nomad visa?
This visa, which was introduced in August 2022, is one of the easiest digital nomad visas to obtain.
Unlike some countries, which require you to jump through hoops or demonstrate an extremely high-income level to qualify, the Colombian digital nomad visa has more modest requirements.
Applicants only need to demonstrate an average monthly income of at least $684 USD per month for the past three months.
If you’re a remote worker employed by a company, you’ll need a letter from your employer. If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to write your own motivational letter.
Beyond that, you’ll need proof of health insurance and to pay a $52 USD application fee.
It’s a simple and straightforward process, and once you’re approved for the visa, you can stay in Colombia for up to 2 years.
Previously, it was possible to stay in Colombia for up to 90 days without a visa, and you could then extend this an additional 90 days, for a total of 6 months in the country.
However, the digital nomad visa makes it possible to stay in Colombia for a longer period of time.
Why Choose Colombia?
As mentioned above, Colombia is one of the cheapest countries in the world for digital nomads.
It’s possible to live on less than $1,500 USD per month in many of Colombia’s cities, and if you splash out and spend a little more, you can enjoy a great quality of life.
From a practical standpoint, Colombia is in the Eastern Time Zone, which makes it ideal for remote workers who need to keep North American working hours.
While digital nomad destinations in countries like Thailand and Cambodia are similarly affordable, the massive difference in time zones can make it difficult to work remotely if you need to stick to North American hours.
Not to mention, getting to and from Colombia from home (if you call North America home) is quicker and cheaper than far-flung Southeast Asian destinations.
Colombia’s airports are well-connected, and Bogota, in particular, has nonstop flights to nearly a dozen North American cities.
Digital Nomad Hotspots in Colombia
Now that we’ve established why Colombia makes a great base for digital nomads let’s talk about where exactly you should go.
Colombia is an incredibly diverse country and there’s a destination for everyone.
If you like a big-city vibe, consider the ever-popular Medellin. This is by far the most popular city in Colombia for digital nomads.
However, you’ll also find a big digital nomad community in Bogota (which is ideal if you thrive in a major metropolis and don’t mind colder weather) and Cali (a fun city that is famous for being the capital of both salsa and rumba.)
And if you want to be close to the Caribbean, head up north to Colombia’s coast. This is where you’ll find colorful, colonial Cartagena and laidback Santa Marta, both of which are right by the sea.
All five of these destinations are incredibly popular with digital nomads and offer the perfect base for exploring more of Colombia.
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