Nomads Data

Barranquilla, Colombia

South America · Tropical

Rank: 46 | Index: 89.0

Barranquilla, a vibrant city in northern Colombia, offers a unique blend of cultural richness and modern amenities. Its tropical climate, with distinct wet and dry seasons, provides a comfortable environment for remote workers. The city's affordable cost of living, coupled with its growing infrastructure, makes it an attractive option for digital nomads seeking a new base.

Budget FriendlyDN HubFast InternetAdventure BaseNature EscapeHistoric City
Monthly Cost
$559
Single · No rent
Internet
252.5Mbps
Fixed broadband
Safety
33
Quality of Life
54.36

At a Glance — Barranquilla

Nomad Index
Rank: 46 | Index: 89.0
Climate
Tropical · 28°C avg · 171 rainy days/yr
Health
63.21 / 100
Pollution
51.31 / 100
Traffic
134.2 / 100
Rent (1BR)
Centre $416.87 · Outside $284.21
Power Grid
99% electricity access
Coworking
0 spaces
DN Visa
Available
Data from Numbeo, Ookla, Open-Meteo, World Bank & more

City Personality

Barranquilla is a culturally rich and vibrant city with a relaxed atmosphere, making it suitable for digital nomads who value a laid-back lifestyle.

Best For

  • digital nomads seeking affordability
  • remote workers who enjoy cultural experiences

Less Suitable For

  • those seeking a fast-paced urban environment
  • digital nomads with specific coworking needs
Lifestyle: Cafe culture and outdoor activities
Pace: Relaxed

Barranquilla Climate & Weather

Barranquilla's tropical climate features warm temperatures year-round, with distinct wet and dry seasons. The dry season, from December to April, offers comfortable temperatures and low rainfall, making it ideal for visitors. The wet season, from May to November, brings more rainfall, with the most significant precipitation occurring in September and October.

Warm temperatures year-roundDistinct wet and dry seasonsIdeal visitor months: December to April

Barranquilla has a Tropical climate.Warm all year with distinct wet and dry seasons.

Climate Type
Tropical
27.8°C avg · 171 rainy days/yr
Dry Days / Year
245
No rain (≥3 mm)
Daylight Range
11.4h – 12.6h
Varies by 1.2h across the year

Average Daily Temperature

Max TempMin Temp
☀️ Peak Season
Jul, Dec – Apr
Comfortable temperatures · Low rainfall
⛅ Shoulder Season
May – Jun, Aug, Nov
Warm or mild · Moderate rainfall
❄️ Off Season
Sep – Oct
Hot or cold · Heavy rainfall

Daylight Hours

DaylightNight
Open-Meteo Archive API

Is Barranquilla Safe?

Barranquilla has a high crime rate, with a numbeoCrime.index of 67.41, indicating a significant risk of petty crime, violent crime, and corruption. Remote workers should exercise caution, especially at night, and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

High crime rateCaution advisedExercise caution, especially at night
Safety Index
33/ 100
Crime index: 67.41
Daylight Safety
39.34/100
Not Safe
Night Safety
15.94/100
Very Unsafe

What Residents Worry About

Home break-in
52.9
Mugged or robbed
78.31
Car stolen
55.6
Things stolen from car
66.42
Physically attacked
59.19
Harassment / insults
43.85
Discrimination
16.15

Crime Severity

Drugs
65.77
Property crimes
67.8
Violent crimes
83.21
Corruption
91.02

Safety Tips for Barranquilla

  • Keep valuables out of sight in crowded areas and avoid walking alone after dark in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
  • Choose accommodation with secure building access, and consider portable door alarms.
  • Avoid leaving belongings unattended in public spaces and use lockers for laptops and cameras.
  • Research which districts have higher crime rates and plan your route accordingly, especially at night.
Travel Advisory: Level 3 — Reconsider Travel
Risks: unrest, crime, kidnapping_or_hostage_taking, terrorism, natural_disaster, other
View advisory details
Numbeo — Crime and safety data
Travel advisories — Government travel advisory data

Cost of Living in Barranquilla

Barranquilla has a relatively low cost of living, with a numbeoCost.index of 37.72. The monthly budget without rent is approximately $559, and the cost of housing varies, with a 1-bedroom apartment averaging $416.87 in the city center. Remote workers can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle at a lower cost compared to many other cities.

Affordable housingLow cost of livingMonthly budget: $559 (excluding rent)
Total Monthly Cost
$976
Restaurants
$15916%
Groceries
$13914%
Transport
$12213%
Utilities
$657%
Clothing
$343%
Leisure
$404%
Rent
$41743%
Living $559+Rent $417=$976
International flights and trip insurance not included.
Numbeo — Cost of Living data
Open calculator for detailed breakdown
Adjust household size, lifestyle, and rent preferences

Cost Comparison: Cities in Colombia

BarranquillaSelected
$559
/mo
CaliCheapest
$-63
$496
/mo
Bogota
$-11
$548
/mo
Medellin
$-2
$557
/mo

Barranquilla vs Medellin

Barranquilla
Barranquilla
$559
/mo
vs
-$2
cheaper
Medellin
Medellin
$557
/mo
Full Comparison

Barranquilla vs Bogota

Barranquilla
Barranquilla
$559
/mo
vs
-$11
cheaper
Bogota
Bogota
$548
/mo
Full Comparison

Internet Speed in Barranquilla

Barranquilla offers fast internet connectivity, with a fixed download speed of 252.5 Mbps and a mobile download speed of 73.9 Mbps. The city's infrastructure supports video conferencing, cloud development, and file transfers, making it suitable for remote work.

Fast fixed internetReliable mobile internetSupports video conferencing and cloud development

Fixed Broadband

Fiber, cable, or DSL in your apartment

Download
253 Mbps
Upload
204 Mbps
Latency
11 ms
Excellent

Mobile Data

4G/5G cellular network

Download
74 Mbps
Upload
21 Mbps
Latency
31 ms
Good

Remote Work Readiness

Video Calls
HD calls supported
Screen Sharing
Smooth sharing
Cloud Development
Low latency
Ookla Speedtest Intelligence — Q1 2026

Visa Options for Barranquilla, Colombia

Colombia offers a Digital Nomad Visa, making it easy to stay long-term.

Colombia offers a digital nomad visa, allowing remote workers to stay up to 2 years, with a maximum of 180 days per calendar year. The visa requires a minimum income of ~$1,400/month and a fee of $170-$230.

Digital nomad visa availableUp to 2 years of stayIncome requirement: ~$1,400/month
Digital Nomad Visa
Income Requirement
~$1,400/month
Validity
Up to 2 years (max 180 days stay per calendar year)
$170–$230 fee; tied to 3x national minimum wage
Passport Checker — Colombia

See what visa you need for Barranquilla based on your passport

Pick your passport above to see the visa requirement instantly
Digital Nomad Visa Database — visa policy information

Healthcare Quality in Barranquilla

Barranquilla's healthcare system has a numbeoHealth.index of 63.21, indicating good quality care. The city's medical facilities and staff are well-regarded, providing remote workers with reliable healthcare options.

Good healthcare qualityReliable medical facilitiesWell-regarded staff
Healthcare Index
63.21/ 100

Quality Scores

Skill & Competency
73.33
Speed of Exams
46.88
Modern Equipment
66.07
Accuracy of Reports
65.62

Satisfaction Scores

Staff Friendliness
65.62
Responsiveness / Wait Times
46.67
Cost Satisfaction
65.62
Convenient Location
73.44
Numbeo — Healthcare quality data

Power Grid in Colombia

Barranquilla's electricity grid has a high access rate of 98.7%, with a relatively low grid loss of 7.7771. The city's grid consumption is 1551.1938 kWh per capita, indicating a stable energy supply.

High grid access rateLow grid lossStable energy supply
Electricity access
99%
of population in 2023
Firms facing outages
31%
of businesses
Consumption
1.6k
kWh per person
Reliability
Moderate
grid stability

Energy Mix

· 30% fossil fuels
10%
16%
65%
Coal10%
Natural Gas16%
Hydro65%
Oil4%
World Bank — Power grid statistics

Traffic & Commute in Barranquilla

Barranquilla's traffic congestion is moderate, with a numbeoTraffic.index of 134.2. The city's commute times average 35.5 minutes, with a mix of transportation options available, including buses, taxis, and ride-hailing services.

Moderate traffic congestionAverage commute time: 35.5 minutesVariety of transportation options
Traffic Index
134.2
Avg commute: 35.5 min / 9.75 km

Overview

Avg Commute
35.5 min
Avg Distance
9.75 km
44.4%
Top Mode
Car
CO₂ Index
3,850

Traffic Indexes

Time Index
35.5
Time Exp. Index
632.4
Inefficiency Index
132.4
CO₂ Emission Index
3849.8

Commute Mode Split

Work from Home
11.1%
Walking
22.2%
Car
44.4%
Bus
22.2%
What This Means for Digital Nomads
  • Traffic congestion is significant — consider accommodation close to co-working spaces or use public transit.
  • Car dependency is high — factor in parking costs and traffic when choosing where to live.
Numbeo — Traffic data

Pollution & Environment in Barranquilla

Barranquilla's air quality is moderate, with a numbeoPollution.index of 51.31. The city's air pollution level is 41.25, indicating a relatively low risk of air pollution. However, remote workers may still want to take precautions on high-pollution days.

Moderate air qualityRelatively low air pollution riskPrecautions advised on high-pollution days
Pollution Index
51.31/ 100
Cleanliness: 49/100

Overview

Air Quality
59/100
Good quality
Drinking Water
68/100
Good quality
Green Spaces
60/100
Good quality
Noise Level
45/100
Moderate noise

Pollution Levels — Lower is better

Air pollution
41.25
Drinking water pollution
32.14
Noise & light pollution
55
Water pollution
48.75
Dirty / untidy
64.29

Quality Metrics — Higher is better

Air quality
58.75
Drinking water quality
67.86
Garbage disposal
43.75
Clean & tidy
35.71
Water quality
51.25

Livability

Green & parks quality
59.52
Comfortable to walk
61.25
Quiet at night
45
What This Means for Digital Nomads
  • Look for accommodation on quiet streets or higher floors to escape noise and light pollution.
  • Avoid swimming in local rivers or lakes — water pollution levels are elevated.
  • Some areas may be less tidy — research neighborhoods before committing to a longer stay.
Numbeo — Pollution data

Real Estate Market in Barranquilla

Barranquilla's housing market offers relatively affordable options, with a 1-bedroom apartment averaging $416.87 in the city center. The city's price-to-income ratio is 11.33, indicating a moderately expensive housing market. Remote workers can find suitable accommodations within their budget.

Affordable housing optionsModerately expensive housing marketVariety of accommodation choices
Price-to-Income Ratio
11.3years
Loan affordability: 0.8

Overview

1BR City Centre
$416
1BR Outside
$284
Avg Salary/Mo
$526
Mortgage Rate
10.0%

Buy vs Rent

Price-to-Income
11.3 yrs
Mortgage % Income
131.2%
Loan Affordability
0.8
Price-to-Rent Centre
19.1
Price-to-Rent Outside
10.3

Rental Yields & Returns

Gross Yield Centre
5.2%
Gross Yield Outside
9.7%

Apartment Prices

City Centre

1-Bedroom$416
3-Bedroom$737
Price per sqm$0

Outside Centre

1-Bedroom$284
3-Bedroom$555
Price per sqm$0
What This Means for Digital Nomads
  • Buying property requires 11.3 years of salary — renting is more practical for nomads.
  • Mortgage costs take up 131.2% of income — renting offers more flexibility.
  • Loan affordability is low — plan for upfront cash payments if considering property.
Numbeo — Property data

Frequently Asked Questions About Barranquilla

What is the cost of living in Barranquilla?
The cost of living in Barranquilla is relatively low, with a monthly budget of $559 (excluding rent) and housing costs varying from $284 to $737 per month.
Is Barranquilla safe for remote workers?
Barranquilla has a high crime rate, and remote workers should take necessary precautions to stay safe, especially at night.
What is the climate like in Barranquilla?
Barranquilla has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, featuring distinct wet and dry seasons.
Can I use my mobile phone and laptop in Barranquilla?
Barranquilla offers fast mobile internet, with a download speed of 73.9 Mbps, making it suitable for remote work.
What are the best months to visit Barranquilla?
The best months to visit Barranquilla are from December to April, with comfortable temperatures and low rainfall.
How do I get a digital nomad visa for Colombia?
The digital nomad visa requires a minimum income of ~$1,400/month and a fee of $170-$230. The visa allows remote workers to stay up to 2 years.
What is the quality of healthcare in Barranquilla?
Barranquilla's healthcare system offers good quality care, with well-regarded medical facilities and staff.
What are the transportation options in Barranquilla?
Barranquilla has a variety of transportation options, including buses, taxis, and ride-hailing services.
Can I find coworking spaces in Barranquilla?
Currently, there are no coworking spaces available in Barranquilla. Remote workers may need to rely on cafes or business centers for workspace.

Key Takeaways

Quick insights for each category

Tropical Climate with Distinct Seasons

The best months to visit Barranquilla are from December to April, with comfortable temperatures and low rainfall.

Safety Concerns: A City with High Crime Rates

Remote workers should be aware of the high crime rate and take necessary precautions to stay safe.

Affordable Cost of Living

The cost of living in Barranquilla is relatively low, making it an attractive option for digital nomads.

Fast Internet Connectivity

Barranquilla's internet infrastructure supports most remote work needs.

Digital Nomad Visa Availability

The digital nomad visa provides flexibility for remote workers, with a relatively straightforward application process.

Limited Coworking Options

Remote workers may need to rely on cafes or business centers for workspace.

Good Healthcare Quality

Barranquilla's healthcare system offers good quality care, with well-regarded medical facilities and staff.

Reliable Electricity Grid

The electricity grid in Barranquilla is reliable, with a high access rate and relatively low grid loss.

Moderate Traffic Congestion

Remote workers should expect moderate traffic congestion, with commute times averaging 35.5 minutes.

Moderate Air Quality

Barranquilla's air quality is generally moderate, with a relatively low risk of air pollution.

Affordable Housing Options

Barranquilla's housing market offers affordable options, with a range of prices to suit different budgets.

Exploring Nearby Destinations

Remote workers can explore nearby cities in Colombia for diverse cultural experiences.