Remote Work in Colombia
Colombia is a digital nomad hotspot, offering the perfect combination of affordable living, good infrastructure, and welcoming policies.
Digital Nomad Visa
Colombia officially recognized remote workers with the Digital Nomad Visa in 2022.
Key benefits:
- Legal status for remote work
- Up to 2 years validity
- Multiple entries allowed
- Path to longer-term options
Requirements:
- Income of 3 SMMLV (~$1,200 USD/month in 2026)
- Proof of remote work (6+ months history)
- Health insurance
- Passport from visa-exempt country
Limitations:
- Cannot work for Colombian companies
- Cannot serve Colombian clients
- Technical requirement only - enforcement is minimal
Internet Quality
Urban areas: Excellent. Fiber internet widely available.
- Medellin: 100-500 Mbps common in expat areas
- Bogota: Similar quality
- Cost: $20-40/month for reliable service
Backup options:
- Mobile data (Claro, Movistar, Tigo) - 4G/LTE coverage good
- Coworking spaces for redundancy
- Cafes with wifi (quality varies)
Coworking Spaces
Medellin (El Poblado/Laureles):
| Space | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Selina | $150-250 | Social atmosphere, events |
| WeWork | $200-350 | Professional, corporate |
| Tinkko | $100-180 | Local favorite |
| Loft | $120-200 | Good community |
Bogota (Chapinero/Usaquen):
| Space | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WeWork | $200-350 | Multiple locations |
| Huerta Coworking | $100-180 | Creative vibe |
| Workify | $80-150 | Budget-friendly |
Day passes: Usually $10-20 available.
Best Cities for Remote Work
Medellin:
- Pros: Perfect climate, huge nomad community, well-developed infrastructure
- Cons: Bit touristy in Poblado, gentrification concerns
Bogota:
- Pros: Larger city, more business opportunities, cultural depth
- Cons: Traffic, cooler weather, more sprawling
Smaller alternatives:
- Santa Marta - beach, growing scene
- Bucaramanga - affordable, pleasant climate
- Pereira/Armenia - coffee region, very affordable
Time Zone Advantage
Colombia is on UTC-5 (same as EST), making it ideal for:
- US East Coast clients (same hours)
- US West Coast clients (3 hours ahead)
- European clients (afternoon overlap)
No daylight saving time in Colombia, so difference changes with US seasons.
Tax Considerations
Important: Remote workers in Colombia for 183+ days may become tax residents.
Implications:
- Must declare worldwide income to DIAN (Colombian tax authority)
- Tax rates: 0-39% progressive
- BUT: Tax treaties may prevent double taxation
- Digital nomad visa doesn't exempt you from taxes
Recommendations:
- Track days carefully
- Consult Colombian tax professional
- Understand your home country's rules too
Practical Tips
- Have backup internet - mobile hotspot essential
- Consider time zone when booking apartments (quiet for calls)
- Join nomad communities - Facebook groups, meetups, Slack channels
- Establish routine - easy to blur work/life when living in beautiful place
- Cowork occasionally - combats isolation, good networking
Pro Tips
- •Get the digital nomad visa for legal peace of mind
- •Medellin and Bogota have the best infrastructure
- •Always have mobile data backup for important calls
- •Track your days if approaching 183-day tax threshold
- •Join expat/nomad Facebook groups for community and tips
Have questions about working remotely in Colombia?