Digital Nomad Life in Colombia

"Expats in Colombia often join a variety of social, cultural, and athletic activities available locally to make connections and meet people. Examples may include joining Meetup groups, attending language exchange events, enjoying outdoor activities such as cycling and hiking, or taking classes in music and dance. Expats may also get involved in sports teams like soccer, swimming, and fitness classes. Expats can also explore the culture by taking salsa and flamenco dance classes, visiting local cultural events, or joining volunteer activities. Additionally, many expats take advantage of Colombia's vibrant nightlife by checking out live music venues or adding themselves to salsa and bachata dancing groups," explained one expat living in Colombia.

"Life for expats and digital nomads in Colombia can be incredibly rewarding. Colombia is home to a vibrant culture, a rich landscape, and friendly locals who are eager to show you a good time. The cost of living is much lower than in other parts of the world, making it an ideal destination for those who want to stretch their budgets. There are many opportunities to explore and experience the culture, while enjoying the excellent climate and landscapes. The country also has reliable Internet connections, allowing digital nomads to enjoy their time while remaining productive. Additionally, there are plenty of activities and events to take part in, providing lots of chances to meet new people and make friends," said one expat who made the move to Colombia.

"In general, in my opinion, this is a very fine, large Latin city of over four million. Being Latin, families are very strong, work is strong, socializing is very strong and the people of Medellin are some of the nicest you will find worldwide. They welcome expats. This is a very diverse city, thirteen universities, excellent medical facilities, clean, excellent food, water, air (seasonal concerns). Worldwide metropolitan city that is very difficult to beat. You will look long and hard to find a better worldwide city," explained one foreigner living in Medellin, Colombia.

"Several American friends live in the Cartago-Cerrito-Alcala-Quindio areas. Just outside Cartago is a paradise. The Cerritos or Quindio areas i think is one of the best places in the world to have a good life. A little bit expensive but you can have great choices from $100k to $300k. Several acres, swimming pool, everything you did not have in the USA. or if you want you can buy a house in El Prado neighborhood for $70k. Fantastic," explained one expat living in Cartago, Colombia.

"Before retiring in Colombia, expats should research the various options for health care and find out which insurance policies cover them for short-term and long-term care. Another important factor to consider is the preferred location in Colombia, as this would determine the cost of living, expat amenities and the availability of services and activities. It is also important to familiarise oneself with the local culture and understand the local laws and regulations that may affect expats. Lastly, expats should choose the right visa or residency status to ensure they are pension and tax compliant," explained one person living in Colombia.

"A person can develop a beautiful life here, however, it will take time and not happen magically .The assets of this city are well worth the investment. Be kind to yourself and patient. Don't believe all you hear. Everyone (expat, other) has their best visa person, you can loose a lot of money on that one. Just because someone has lived here two years, or in four Latin countries, does not mean they are experts, at all. Find the ones who have lived here fifteen years. Listen to what people say, put what they say through your own filter system, use your head, you can do this. You can do this! You will make mistakes, everyone does! It is part of moving abroad. You will have to put some effort into this and give yourself three years in the long term. One has to learn how to live here, the resources are excellent and again, Medellinguru.com is very helpful. It is worth the investment of your time and energy to learn how to do this," said one expat in Medellin.

"Can I get away without saying anything here? I'm not sure there is anything I appreciate," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Villavicencio.

"The local and pretty much Countrywide CULTURE that I enjoy most is the 'MANANA' culture. I returned to the USA 2 years ago for a planned 4 month stay after 15 years here. After all my time in Colombia, I had forgotten how much of a rat race the US really is. I stayed for 2 months and returned to Colombia. In the States, you make a list of everything you need to do the next day and then you rush around doing everything on the list. In Colombia I make the list at night but in the morning I look at the list and say MANANA. Here, there is very little rush to do anything," explained one person living in Colombia.

"Expats in Colombia often appreciate the locals' hospitality and their enthusiasm to share their culture. The friendly nature of the people frequently makes expats feel very welcome in the country. Another aspect that is often enjoyed by expats is the vibrant, flavorful cuisine. Colombia's cuisine makes use of both native and Spanish ingredients to create unique dishes that are difficult to find elsewhere. Additionally, the country is known for its beautiful landscapes and stunning natural parks, which offer wonderful spots for nature appreciation. Overall, the culture of Colombia is diverse and colorful, and people living in the country have the opportunity to experience a rich and rewarding experience," said one expat in Colombia.

"The people! The people I have met here are the most sincere and kind people I have ever met. I am from the Mid-West (USA), but have never experienced the level of hospitality that I have here. Colombians never take themselves too serious. They always take the time to enjoy life and explore its possibilities. This is something that I am hoping I will learn while living here," remarked one member in Pereira.

"Primarily the language barrier, and second is the difference in which Americans value time much more than Colombians. Often I explain why we are impatient people, and why time is so valuable and we don't like to wait or waste it. I'm often saying that it's logical really, you can buy, find, replace, or make most anything but not time of course," said one expat who made the move to Villavicencio.

"Shops don't specially order anything in that they don't stock. People are overawed by officials," explained one foreigner living in Buga, Colombia.

"I secured a Spousal Visa 2 years ago... it was a little bit challenging. There were offices that Walter wasn't allowed to go into with me. But once they discovered that we needed his translation skills (LOL), he was promptly admitted. Fortunately, I had ALREADY had our Marriage License "legalized" with the Colombian Consulate in Miami, so that wasn't a problem. But we DID have to have our US Marriage License translated. We had this done at a local college very inexpensively. We also were required to travel to Bogota to get the Visa. But we were told that as all of my documentation is now on file, we can obtain my Residence Visa there in Cali," explained one expat living in Cali, Colombia.

"The only documents Colombia required were Apostilled Letters from Social Security and our passports. We received our 3-year Pensionado visas within 3 weeks, and our Cedulas a few weeks after that. The process was about a third the cost we paid in Panama, and that process took about 6 months and required two trips across country to Panama City," said one person in Medellin.

"It is important to try to avoid making any negative comments about Colombia's past conflicts or suggest that there is still violence present. Additionally, it is considerd disrespectful to dispute with or criticize a person's religious beliefs. It is important to use formal language when addressing someone and to take off your hat when entering a church or a private home. It is also recommended to dress modestly and to give a gift such as flowers or chocolates when attending a social gathering or an event. It is inappropriate to whistle at women and it is important to avoid using offensive language or gestures," said one person in Colombia.

"There is a vast difference between the lowest level of health insurance and the highest level. The difference is night and day. I have both a low level and high level. I pay $30/mth, SaludTotal low level, $250/mth AXAColpatria, high level. The lower level insurance is required by my high level insurance. With my AXAColpatria, the doctor will come to my house as a non-emergency first response," commented a person living in Bucaramanga, Colombia.

"Colombia has a public healthcare system that provides basic healthcare services to its citizens. The quality of public healthcare in Colombia is generally considered to be good, with a wide range of services available. Foreign residents in Colombia are able to access the public healthcare system, although they may need to pay for some services. Expats in Colombia typically use the public healthcare system, although they may also opt to use private healthcare services. Private healthcare services are generally more expensive than public healthcare, but they may offer more comprehensive services," explained one digital nomad living in Colombia.

" Minor problems can be taken care of here, but really serious problems require a trip to a bigger City like Bogota which is 11 hours away by car.," said one member in Florencia.

"Pay the higher insurance premium to insure quicker access to specialists. Have at least a working knowledge of the language as most doctors speak no English. ," explained one expat in Colombia.

"The weather and climate are great. The cost of living is ok but housing has seen a massive increase in costs," remarked one member in Medellin.

"I love Villavicencio, the llanero and the rivers and the culture is amazing. It has all the modern conveniences with many large malls and great restaurants. Guanajuato at Prima Vera is as close to TexMex as it gets. Bastimento has amazing American and traditional dishes. Overall has many wonderful day trips in the area," explained one expat living in Villavicencio, Colombia.

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the affordability of living in Colombia, as well as the friendly and welcoming culture of the locals. They also enjoy the country's diverse landscapes, from the Caribbean coast to the Andes mountains, as well as the vibrant cities and towns. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the infrastructure and public services to be lacking, as well as the lack of reliable internet access in some areas. Additionally, the language barrier can be a challenge for some, as Spanish is the primary language spoken in Colombia," said one digital nomad in Colombia.