🇨🇴 Buy Property in Cartagena, Colombia
354 properties from $100K to $1862K
Median Price
$240K
Listings
354
About Cartagena
A stunning walled colonial city on the Caribbean coast where retired couples live comfortably on $2,000-$2,500/month, including rent in neighborhoods like Bocagrande or Manga. The year-round heat and 90% humidity is the main filter -- you either love tropical living or you don't. A growing but still small American expat community, with affordable healthcare and easy beach access, though Spanish is essential and the pace of life is decidedly slow.
Living in Cartagena
What American expats need to know about Colombia
Visa
Digital Nomad Visa (Type V) — requires proof of ~$900-1,000/mo income for 3 months, health insurance, and clean criminal record. Valid up to 2 years. Retirement Visa (Type M) — requires $750+/mo pension or 3x minimum wage. 2026 update: approvals for both have tightened; IT/tech workers are favored for digital nomad.
Cost of Living
Excluding rent, a single person needs ~$500 USD/mo; a family of four ~$1,800 USD/mo. Rent (1-bed, city center): Bogotá ~$700, Cartagena ~$750, Medellín ~$600, Cali ~$450. Groceries run COP 25,000-40,000/day per person. Overall 60-70% below US major cities — Medellín runs $1,000-1,800/mo all-in for a comfortable life.
Key Fact
Colombia's digital nomad visa approvals have become unpredictable in 2025-2026 — the government now favors applicants in IT or with visible foreign employers. Safety has improved dramatically in major cities but varies by neighborhood.
Life in Colombia
Eternal spring weather in Medellín, salsa music drifting from every doorway, and a warmth from Colombians that makes you wonder why you ever thought strangers were something to avoid.
354 Listings in Cartagena
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