You may find it hard to believe, but the cost of living in Thailand for an entire month (including everything) is most likely less than your rent payment at home. As digital nomads, we’re constantly looking for places to stay for a couple of weeks, a month, a year, and Thailand is always one of the top options when it comes to affordability and amenities.

If you’ve been considering working abroad, or just want somewhere to put down some temporary roots, Thailand might be the place for you.

Where else can you rent an apartment for around $200 / month, dine on delicious Thai food for $1 or join the gym for $25 / month?

In this guide to the cost of living in Thailand, I’ll list the 3 best places to live, what to expect and what you’ll spend each month.

Why Choose Thailand?

There are numerous places to visit in Thailand and it has long been a backpacker favourite. Since the hippie days it has continuously been one of the most popular destinations and is always on lists of cheap countries to visit. There’s just something magical about the Land of Smiles.

From the beautiful beaches and lush jungle, to the unique culture and delicious food, Thailand is a fascinating country to see…and live in.

These days, it’s becoming more of a hot-spot for digital nomads and retirees who want to enjoy one of the cheapest places to live in the world. It’s amazing how much farther your money can go if you move to the right destinations – and Thailand is definitely one of the best options.

We’ve spent around 6 months both living in Thailand and travelling around the country, and even though we’ve lived in numerous other places around the world (Malta, Mexico, Grenada, Barbados, Argentina, Indonesia, etc.), we still list Thailand as one of our favourites.

The people are friendly (although a bit jaded by tourism), but they make you feel welcome and aren’t rude. Plus, we’ve never had an issue with our safety in Thailand.

There are international hospitals available, with high standards and low price tags. I’ve personally visited the Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok and we’ve both been to the dentist in Bangkok as well.

My only issue with the hospital was that it was incredibly busy and I couldn’t make an appointment, and since it was a non-emergency, I had to wait quite a while for a check-up. Regardless, the hospital was very clean, the equipment was modern and the doctor spoke English.

In Thailand, you can get many medications over the counter without having to visit a doctor for a prescription first. The pharmacists are helpful (and knowledgeable) and you can purchase things like antibiotics and birth control pills within minutes. This saves you time and money.

Apart from feeling safe and not having to worry about healthcare, you can enjoy the beaches, mountains and jungle. Or, you can hop on a cheap flight to a nearby destination for a quick holiday away.

With the cost of living in Thailand being so low, you’ll have money left over each month for a holiday – whether domestic or international.

The only decision you’ll need to make is which part of Thailand you want to live in.

Visa Situation When Living in Thailand

If you aren’t living in Thailand full-time (ie: running a business or retiring there), then you can enter Thailand on a tourist visa. If you’re from one of these countries, Thailand is one of the best visa free countries because you don’t have to pay for your visa.

However, you can only stay for 30 days before you will have to either renew your visa at an immigration office (for a fee), or leave the country and return.

When we were living in Koh Samui, we landed at the Bangkok airport and received a 1-month visa for free, and then extended it at the immigration office on the island of Koh Samui to receive a further month. The cost of that extension was 1,900 thb ($58).

Another option is to obtain a 60 day tourist visa before entering Thailand (at a consulate abroad, or in your home country). You will be allowed to extend that visa once more when you’re in Thailand, giving you a total of 90 days before you need to leave the country.

If you’re arriving by air, there is no limitation on the amount of times you can enter Thailand in a year if you are from one of the visa exempt countries, and you leave and return by air (not sea or bus).

It’s not an ideal visa situation if you plan on living in Thailand long-term, as you’ll constantly have to leave the country.

But, it’s always nice to head out on a holiday and with cheap flights with AirAsia and IndiGo, you can fly to nearby countries of Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam or Laos and enjoy a weekend away before returning to Thailand.

If you are 50 years of age or older, and you want to retire in Thailand, you can apply for a Retirement Visa, which is valid for one year. However, you aren’t able to open up a business or you would need a Work Visa.

According to the US Embassy and Consulate in Thailand:

• Applicant must be able to provide proof of a pension or other regular income from a source outside of Thailand;
• Applicant’s pension or other regular income must be no less than the equivalent of 65,000 Baht ($1,995) per month;
• Alternatively, the applicant may meet the financial requirement by maintaining a Thai bank account with a minimum amount of 800,000 Baht ($24,500). (Applicants will need to show that they have 800,000 Baht in savings each year when they renew their visa.)
• Any applicant married to a Thai citizen may be able to receive a visa on that basis rather than retirement.

As you can see, there are numerous variations to the visas you can obtain, and the extensions you can receive. Always check with the Thai Consulate for the most up to date information.

Note: new rules state that you must be able to show sufficient funds in the amount of 20,000 THB ($610) when entering Thailand as a tourist. Whether or not the immigration officer asks you to show proof is up to them. But, to make sure you’re not turned away or questioned, make sure to have sufficient funds (doesn’t have to be in Thai Baht) on you. We were never asked to show proof of funds on entry in 2017. Also, you must have proof of onward travel out of Thailand. Click here to learn how we deal with that requirement. 

Cost of Living in Thailand: Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is known as being one of the top digital nomad hubs in Asia – it has everything you could want or need. This is the place to live in Thailand if you want to be surrounded by other entrepreneurs and those who work remotely.

You’ll find people who get paid to write online as freelance writers, virtual assistants, social media influencers, web designers, people who teach English online and numerous other genres of remote work.

In Chiang Mai, you’ll find many restaurants (both local and international), bars, shops, gyms, a cinema, grocery stores, spas and much more. It has everything you could want or need when living abroad.

There are numerous things to do in Chiang Mai to keep you busy – watch some Muay Thai boxing, practice yoga, or take a motorbike out to the waterfalls or on scenic drives in the mountains.

Another option is to head to nearby cities. Check out the fun things to do in Chiang Rai and all of the chilled out things to do in Pai. If you’re feeling antsy, hop on a cheap domestic or international flight at the Chiang Mai airport and head off for a weekend away on the southern islands of Thailand, or nearby country.

How To Find An Apartment in Chiang Mai

There are a few ways to find accommodation in Chiang Mai. Unless you’re going to book through a reputable website like Airbnb, I would definitely wait to see the apartment in person before agreeing to one online.

Even with Airbnb, I recommend choosing a “Superhost” or a place with good reviews. Due to Airbnb scams, I would be hesitant to book an apartment that was newly listed and had zero reviews. Airbnb hosts will often offer a discount for 1 month+ stays.

In Chiang Mai, it’s more popular to arrive and look around once you’re on the ground. If you don’t want to book through Airbnb, you can check out these companies and agents in Chiang Mai:

Basically, send them an email of what you’re looking for in an apartment, and they will have some viewings lined up and take you around to look at places. The cost of living in Thailand is low, but the cost of apartment rentals in Chiang Mai is really low.

You can find places for around $200 / month (it will most likely be a studio apartment, however). Typically, for a newer apartment with a pool and kitchen expect to spend around $400 – $600 / month.

If you are renting a small house outside of the city center, you would spend around $450 / month for 6 months or more. And finally, if you’re looking for a more modern, luxurious accommodation (with 2+ bedrooms), you’ll spend around $1,000 / month. The longer you rent for, the cheaper it will be.

As you can see, the cost of living in Chiang Mai really depends on the type of accommodation you want, which part of the city you live in, and how long you rent for.

Something to note is that ideally, you can find a place that has a swimming pool and/or a gym attached. The days can be hot in Chiang Mai and with no beach around, having a pool can be a lifesaver.

But, if you can’t find a place with a pool, you can always purchase a pass at one of the fitness centers and use their facilities.

Best Areas to Stay in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Old Town

This area is in the middle of all the action. You’ll be surrounded by numerous accommodation options and western restaurants. Accommodation prices tend to be on the higher end here.

Chang Khlan Area

Accommodations in this area are cheaper than the Old Town, yet you’re just a 15 minute walk southeast of the Old Town. This area is less modern, with a few seedy bars, but it’s still a safe place to live. You’ll also find lots of street food and cheap restaurant options.

Nimmanhaemin Road Area

This is a popular, trendy, “cool” area located northwest of the Old Town. This part of Chiang Mai is home to a large expat crowd, numerous coffee shops, western restaurants, a massive mall with a cinema and lots of co-working spaces. It is one of the more expensive areas Chiang Mai to rent in, but is where many digital nomads choose to live.

Chang Puak

Since this area is close to a university, you’ll find lots of students around. It’s located north of the Old Town about a 25-minute walk to the center, and a 5-minute walk to a large grocery store.

Accommodation is cheaper here and again there are lots of street food and cheap restaurant options. If you’re looking for a really low cost of living in Thailand, check out this area in Chiang Mai.

Costs of Living in Chiang Mai

Depending on your lifestyle, you can live for very cheap, or live like a king (while still spending less than you would in your home country most likely).

Costs are incredibly varied in Chiang Mai, with some people living on the budget end in a studio apartment and spending a total of $600 / month including everything.

Others in the mid-level range spend around $700-$800 / month, and at the higher end from $1,000 and up. There are top-end options as well, but with so many nice houses and apartments in the budget – mid-range, it’s really not necessary to overspend in Chiang Mai.

Obviously, if you’re a couple or if you find some housemates, you’ll be able to split the cost of rent and utilities.

Here’s a list of some average costs of items in Chiang Mai:

Description		Range
Apartment Rental – Nightly		$9 – 12 / Night
Accommodation Rental – Monthly		$200 – $1,200 / Month
Electricity and Internet		$150 / Month
Scooter Rental		$75 – $110 / Month
Full Tank of Petrol in Scooter		$3
Tuk-Tuk Journey		$3 / 10 minute ride (approx)
Co-Working Space Membership		$100 / Month (for the best co-working space)
Gym Membership		$25 / Month
Bottle of Wine (midrange)		$14
Domestic Beer in a Bar		$1.70
Imported Beer in a Bar		$2.85
Cappuccino		$1.70
Liter of Milk		$1.40
Loaf of Bread		$1.00
Dozen Eggs		$1.45
Bananas (1kg)		$1.00
Western Style Meal		$5+
Thai Street Food Meal		$1 – $3

Total cost of living in Chiang Mai per month: $600 – $1,500 / person

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Cost of Living in Thailand: Koh Samui

The cost of living in Thailand is very affordable, but if you want to live on one of the islands, you’ll spend a bit more each month than you would on the mainland.

The islands of Phuket, Koh Phangan, Koh Lanta and Koh Samui are probably your best bets when it comes to places with amenities that digital nomads and westerners typically want/need.

We spent 2 months living in Koh Samui in a gorgeous pool villa in the jungle. The island is quite large and offers everything from beaches and waterfalls to nightlife and street markets.

This island isn’t known as being a party place (unless you stay in the Chaweng area), but rather, it’s a spot for holidaymakers and expats.

Koh Samui isn’t exactly a “digital nomad hub”, but it’s a chilled out place where you can relax and get some work done while staying near the beach in a stunning villa.

There aren’t really co-working spaces here, but we did find an amazing spot that you can work from, while enjoying healthy food – Vikasa Life Cafe Organic Restaurant.

Another option that we’ve heard about is the Content Castle where you stay in a shared house, pay $200 / month and receive room and board. You’ll also have to do some writing for the company. Click here for details.

We met a few remote workers, and those practicing or teaching yoga during our time spent at Vikasa. The setting is stunning and food is amazing (around $7 / meal).

We chose to stay in the Lamai area which has a long stretch of sand, beach bars, a local community (where we were), 2 large supermarkets (Makro and Tesco Lotus), plus numerous markets offering produce and street food.

Restaurant food goes from around $3 and up for a plate of Thai food, whereas at the nightly food market, you can get meals for around $1.50.

The Lamai area is a great spot if you’re looking to have enough going on so that you’re not bored, yet looking for a place that isn’t as busy as Chewang.

How To Find Accommodation in Koh Samui

If possible, I recommend coming to the island and renting a guesthouse or hotel for a few nights while you search for a place to stay.

But, if you’re short on time, or if you just don’t want to waste days looking for accommodation, you can contact an agency online, or book with a reputable site such as Airbnb.

We contacted an agency and they showed us many accommodations they had available on Koh Samui. After some back and forth bargaining about the price, we ended up booking a villa through the agent.

We found out afterward that the villa is actually on Airbnb as well. As always, opt for a place with recent, positive reviews.

To find accommodation in Koh Samui, check out the listings on Airbnb (don’t forget to get your Airbnb coupon code!), have a look at Samui Renting agency (the company we went through), or Thailand Property which lists availability through numerous agencies.

You can also search on local Facebook groups for houses and villas for rent. Another option is to simply rent a motorbike when you arrive on the island and drive around.

You’ll see numerous signs “For Let” or “House For Rent” and you can speak with the owner and see the property.

The only issue might be that you’ll have to pay cash. With online booking sites, you can pay with PayPal or your credit card, which gives you some sort of insurance and recourse if the owner happens to be a shady character.

You’ll notice that there aren’t a lot of apartments in Koh Samui in the traditional sense – high rises, big apartment blocks – but rather, small houses, villas or bungalows.

Best Areas To Stay in Koh Samui

If you’re a tourist, there are numerous areas to see in Koh Samui. However, if you’re looking to live for a while as a digital nomad, you’ll probably want to stay in one of the 2 areas below. This is because you won’t want to be secluded from everything and you’ll want some amenities nearby.

Lamai:

This is the area that we stayed in and is the best place in my opinion. If you’re looking for enough food options, a beautiful beach, grocery stores (Tesco and Makro), a night market and restaurants, then this is the place for you.

The beach at Lamai is the second-longest on the island and is very calm for swimming. The beachside restaurants are great, but they cost more than eating away from the water. There’s also a weekly night market with lots of food, plus a nightly smaller market as well.

Chaweng:

If you want to be right in the action, then this might be the area for you. In Chaweng, you’ll find a large stretch of beautiful beach (quite shallow though), lots of bars and restaurants, many shops and grocery stores. The people who stay in this area tend to be a younger crowd who are more interested in partying.

Cost of Living in Koh Samui

It’s still Thailand, so even though the cost of living on the island is more than in the northern city of Chiang Mai, or the bustling capital of Bangkok, it’s still affordable. Again, your monthly budget will vary depending on the lifestyle you want to lead.

When it comes to accommodation, if you want a pool villa, expect to spend $1000+ / month. If you’re after a bungalow or smaller home, you can find these for around $600+/month. One of the things we noticed was that there are lots of places that are 2 bedrooms or more. So if you are 2 couples, or a few friends, you could split the cost of rent.

Description	Average	Range
Accommodation Rental Monthly		$600 – $1,500+
Electricity and Internet		$200 / Month (with air-conditioning)
Scooter Rental		$120 / Month
Full Tank of Petrol in Scooter		$3
Cheddar Cheese		$5.60
Milk		$2.75
Dozen Eggs		$2.60
Bread		$1.20
Chicken Breast		$2.75/kg
Fruit and Vegetables		$0.30/kg (average)
Bottle of Wine		$9
Big Beer		$1.50
Western Style Meal		$5+
Thai Street Food Meal		$1.50 – $3
Thai Restaurant Meal		$3+
Massage		$9/hour
Yoga Class		$15 drop-in, 3 classes for $30
Helmet for Motorbike		$10

Total cost of living in Koh Samui per month: $800 +

Our personal monthly cost of living in Koh Samui was:

Accommodation: $1500

Electricity: $200

Motorbike: $120

Groceries: $430

Restaurants: $450

Alcohol: $380

Massage: $36

Total: $3,115 (for 2 people)

Obviously, your costs could be a lot less if you shared the accommodation or if you found a cheaper place to stay. If you don’t drink much alcohol or purchase western food at the grocery store, then your costs of groceries and booze would be significantly reduced as well.

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Cost of Living in Thailand: Bangkok

Ah, Bangkok, the city that never sleeps. This is one of our favourite cities in the world – there are so many awesome things to do in Bangkok that each time we visit, we always find something new to see, do and eat.

If you get tired of the busy city, you can always head out on a day trip to places like the Ayutthaya Historical Park and the floating market.

Not only that, but there are endless accommodations for rent, numerous co-working spaces and a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. And actually, in my opinion, the best Thai food in Thailand is found in Bangkok.

The cost of living in Thailand can be incredibly cheap, or in the case of Bangkok, incredibly expensive. The budget for living in Bangkok varies widely – with luxurious accommodations available, or smaller more modest apartments.

Bangkok is also an excellent hub for getting around Asia, and further afield as well. This modern city offers huge malls, a skytrain for getting around, proper healthcare and hospitals and endless restaurants and bars to choose from.

If you’re looking for a modern city that has it all, Bangkok is the place for you.

Note that many people end up spending a lot of money in Bangkok due to the awesome craft beer scene, trendy nightclubs and 5 star restaurants. But, if you stick to local food and midrange bars, you’ll be able to save some cash.

How To Find Accommodation in Bangkok

When thinking about where you want to live in Bangkok, it’s important to take into consideration the size of the city, and the climate as well.

If you have a favourite co-working space or gym, you don’t want to be an hour away from it – otherwise, you’ll find yourself stuck in traffic in 30-degree heat, or having to navigate the skytrain at rush hour.

Even if you consider yourself a bit of a partier, you’ll want an apartment that’s far enough away from the nightclubs so you don’t hear the sound of bass all night long…

The cost of accommodation in Bangkok really depends on which neighbourhood you’re in, how many facilities are included, and how modern the apartment is.

If you’re planning on staying long-term in Bangkok, your best bet is to contact an agent and have them look for places for you.

Other options include walking around the neighbourhood you think you might want to stay in and speak with the receptionist/admin at the front entrance of the apartment building (although, they may not speak much English).

If you’re looking to rent online, check out Airbnb, HipFlat or DDProperty.

Unless you’re booking through Airbnb with a host that has a high amount of positive, recent ratings, don’t sign any contracts, or pay for any accommodation until you’ve actually seen the property in person. There are too many horror stories of properties not being at all like the photos.

Best Areas To Stay in Bangkok

There are 50 districts and numerous neighbourhoods in Bangkok. The most popular ones for expats and digital nomads are Silom, Sukhumvit and Sathorn.

However, they are also the more expensive areas, and the more westernized places. For a few underrated spots that offer a bit more local character, check out On Nut, Phra Khanong and Rachadaphisek.

Just make sure that you’re close to a train line, coffee shops, restaurants, your gym, co-working spaces, etc. Basically, choose an area that you can easily get from your accommodation to where you want to go each day.

Cost of Living in Bangkok

No matter your budget, there’s an accommodation that will suit your needs. And, with food costs being so low, and getting around Bangkok being affordable, your costs don’t necessarily need to be high — although, if you bump up the budget, you’ll be rewarded with some stunning apartments!

At the budget end: you can find a modest studio apartment with some basic furnishings for around $200/month. This won’t be near to the BTS or MRT stations however and will be very much “no frills”.

At the budget – midrange end: if you spend $250 – $375 / month, that will afford you a slightly more modern place (could still be a studio, however) that might have a pool, sauna and a gym attached. If you’re looking for a modern apartment that is near to public transport options and includes a kitchen, the minimum you’ll most likely spend is $400 / month.

At the more “comfortable” end: to us, having a comfortable place to stay is important. If having a bedroom (rather than a studio), a kitchen, space to move around, a pool, a gym and a cleaner is what you’re after then expect to spend $800+ / month.

When it comes to restaurant and food options in Bangkok, this is where you can really spend a lot, or save a lot. If you hit up the food courts in the malls, or food stalls on the streets during lunch hour, you can get a great meal for around $3.

There are also some awesome Thai restaurants serving up authentic dishes for around $3 – $4. Street food such as noodles and basic dishes cost around $1 – $2.

However, if you plan to eat at American style restaurants, pubs or wine bars, you can expect to easily spend $5 + / meal.

Description	Average	Range
Apartment Rental		$200 – $900+ / Month
Electricity and Internet		$75 / Month (approx)
Monthly BTS Transport Card		$11.50 – $30 / Month
Co-Working Space		$90 – $180 / Month
Liter of Milk		$1.50
Chicken Breast		$2 / lb
Dozen Eggs		$2.30
Gym Membership		$25 / Month
Bottle of Wine		$10
Domestic Beer in a Bar		$1.70
Imported Beer in a Bar		$2.85
Cappuccino in Expat Area		$3.50
Liter of Milk		$1.50
Loaf of Bread		$1.00
Dozen Eggs		$2.35
Apples (1kg)		$2.30
Western Style Meal		$5+
Thai Street Food Meal		$1 – $3

Approximate cost of living in Bangkok per month: $800+

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Summing Up The Cost of Living in Thailand

It’s really hard to put an average on the cost of living in Thailand as each city and island will have different costs. I think the main thing to note is that everyone has a different level of comfort that they require — based on your budget, age or personality.

Some people might want to party more and eat at restaurants, but stay in a very modest studio apartment. Others might want a luxurious apartment and will cook for themselves most of the time.

On the whole, the cost of living in Thailand is incredibly affordable (especially as a couple) and if I compare it to what we were spending when we lived in Canada, it’s significantly less!

I hope that this guide to the cost of living in Thailand gave you a rough idea of what you could potentially spend while living there. Let me know if I’ve missed anything in the comments below.

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Digital nomads are always looking for somewhere to work with good wi-fi and a decent cup of coffee. I personally try to find a destination with at least one other nomad around, where the concept of sitting in a cafe for hours on my laptop isn’t too strange.

But in Medellin, it’s not a question of ‘where can I find the best cafe’. The question really is — ‘which one should I choose?’

As Colombia’s second-biggest city, which was recently named “the world’s most innovative city”, it’s no surprise that it has become such a major hub for digital nomads.

If you’re considering living in Medellin as a Digital Nomad, here’s all you need to know.

Best Areas to Live in Medellin & Rough Costs

The most popular places for digital nomads to live are south and west of the city centre: El Poblado, Envigado, Ciudad del Rio, Laureles, Floresta, Estadio.

El Poblado: Tends to be the most expensive area as it’s the most touristy. A double room in a shared apartment will start around 1m COP (roughly 330 USD) per month. A one-bedroom apartment starts around 700 USD per month.

Envigado: Technically located outside of Medellin, Envigado is a little further south than El Poblado. Prices are similar – sometimes a little less. If you are looking for somewhere close to Poblado but not within the tourist bubble, it could be a good option.

Ciudad del Rio: Close to El Poblado but accommodation is usually a bit cheaper here, as it’s less touristy with lots of apartment blocks. Prices for a standard room in a shared apartment start around 600k COP (roughly 200 USD). A one-bed apartment usually starts around 600 USD per month.

Laureles/Estadio/Floresta: These areas are located west in Medellin, and feel a little more authentic Colombian than El Poblado (although they are westernizing quickly). They are close to the football stadium, a public sports arena, and home to one of the main universities – so it feels young and vibrant, full of Colombian students that live here.

A double room in a shared apartment should start around $600k COP (roughly 200 USD). For a private one bed apartment, expect to pay from 500 USD per month.

If you are looking to live in luxury with amazing panoramic views of the city, there are a lot of penthouse apartments (with pools, gyms, saunas etc) dotted around all these areas – for a fraction of European prices.

Where to Search for Apartments in Medellin:

Comparto Apto: Often the best place for value as you deal directly with the landlord, on this website. However, you will most likely need to have a basic level of Spanish to be able to communicate with the landlords.

Facebook groups: Sometimes the costs can be marked up a little, but it’s relatively easy to find a room especially for English speakers. Check out “Digital Nomads Medellin” and “Medellin Rooms, Apartments and Expat Info”. 

Airbnb: Lots of rooms are available here, and many have discounts on stays over a month.

If you find yourself visiting the big city of Bogota during your stay, check out our post on the best things to do in Bogota.

Best wi-fi Spots & Cafes to Work in Medellin

Internet connection is generally very strong around the city, and there’s frequently free wi-fi in the streets and parks. (But as with any public network, be careful using it for anything personal)

Of course, digital nomads need to ensure there is fast and stable wifi for working. Here are my favourite cafes & spots to work in Medellin:

El Poblado

• Botanika Lounge – great wifi connection with plug sockets under every table
• Cafe Zeppelin – go for the menu of the day for 12,000 COP (under 4 USD) and stay all afternoon
• Pergamino – known for the best coffee in El Poblado
• Cafe Velvet – a popular spot for nomads although you need to get there early as plugs are a little sparse
• Amarillo Chocolate – cute interior with a great selection of veggie sandwiches
• Como pez en el agua – go for brunch and stay all day (their fried eggs on toast with mushrooms & truffle oil is just 16,500 COP – approx 5.50 USD)

Envigado

• Cafe Otra Parte – great garden and terrace if you want some peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of Poblado
• Cocolatte – relaxed atmosphere, great coffee and friendly staff makes it easy to stay all afternoon

Ciudad del Rio

• Cariñito Cafe – often a bit quieter than the Poblado cafes, with an impressive coffee menu & large terrace

Laureles

• Algarabia – has a scenic view overlooking the second park in Laureles
• Cafe Revolucion – located on the main road, it can be a bit busy but it’s great for people-watching at the same time.
• Naturalia Cafe – one for the health-conscious foodies out there, with an extensive menu & another cheap but great menu of the day

Floresta

• Hostal Ondas – has a cafe on the ground floor open to anyone, and a great co-working area above

Transport Options in Medellin

Getting around the city is generally very easy and cheap – either by taxi, metro or bus.

Local taxis: There are plenty of taxis driving around the city; however, sometimes it can be tricky to track them down. Often they don’t stop, despite seemingly looking empty.

Uber: The rules on Uber are slightly strange in Medellin. Technically it is illegal to take an Uber, but the app still exists – so it is very easy to pick them up. However, if the police stop you, you could be in trouble. Therefore, I’d recommend taking the local taxis – they are similar in price anyway.

Metro: The standard cost of the metro is 2,300 COP (roughly 80 cents), for pretty much all trips (regardless of the distance). It was built to enable locals up in the outskirts work in the centre – so it’s a great option to save money.

Unfortunately, the metro station in Poblado is a little way out of the centre, at the bottom of a hill. If you take the metro to go to the centre of Poblado, be prepared to walk up Calle 10.

Bus: There are lots of buses around the city so you can easily pick one up from the side of the road. There aren’t as many bus stops but they stop and pick you up as it drives along the route on the main road.

They say in big letters on the front where they are heading – but always check with the driver when you hop on, and if in doubt, ask the guy next to you. Each journey costs between 1,900 COP (under 1 USD).

With the massive influx of nomads, there are lots of meet-ups and social events. Hostel Ondas has a weekly social on their roof, specifically for digital nomads, and there are lots of independently organised Couchsurfing meet-ups.

Plus, there are lots of groups on Facebook, which you can request to join and be part of the community. For example:

So if you are looking to make some friends with like-minded people, it shouldn’t be too difficult.

Living Like a Local in Medellin

Here are some of the best ways to get your food, groceries and other daily needs while living in Medellin.

Groceries

The most popular supermarkets are: Exito, Jumbo, Euro, & Carulla. There are many large supermarkets, as well as smaller convenience stores, all over. Exito, Jumbo & Euro are cheaper; Carulla is more premium.

For the more niche health foods, there are shops such as Salud Pan or Ceres Mercado Organic where you can pick up non-dairy milks, nut butter etc.

Plaza Minorista is a huge market with lots of fresh fruit, veg, meats, cheeses and more…such as the superstitious soaps that apparently the locals like to buy, to get good fortune in things such as love or finances.

Goods here are cheaper than in the supermarkets, but its location in El Centro means it’s not as convenient to just pop down there, if you are coming from one of the resident areas mentioned above.

Street food

Arepas & empanadas are everywhere! There is a wide variety of types and flavours of each, and prices usually start at 2,000 COP (0.65 USD).

Drinks

Beer

The two most common, and generally cheapest, beers are Aguila & Club Colombia. Expect to pay around the following:

• Supermarket: 2,000 COP (0.65 USD)
• Local pub: 4,000 COP (1.30 USD)
• Bars/restaurants: 6,000 COP (1.95 USD)
• Nightclubs: 8,000 COP (2.60 USD)

Spirits

Aguardiente is the national spirit that’s available all over Colombia. A 750ml bottle costs around 27,000 COP (just under 9 USD) in the shops, and with an aniseed taste, similar to sambuca, it is popular with the locals. (It’s not for everyone though!)

“Ron Medellin” is Medellin’s most popular rum, and is the cheapest spirit, after aguardiente. A 750ml bottle is around 28,000 COP (just over 9 USD) in the shops.

Juices

Colombians love their fresh juices, and there is usually a juice of the day included within the menu of the day at lunch. Popular flavours are:

• Lulo – an exotic, sour Colombian fruit
• Maracuya – passionfruit
• Guanabana – a unique Colombian fruit, that almost tastes both sweet and sour.

They usually cost around 6,000 COP (1.95 USD).

Water

Tap water in Medellin is fine to drink. However, if you do travel elsewhere in Colombia, check the health warnings as it’s generally not drinkable in most other areas.

Exercise

They say the Colombians are some of the most beautiful people in the world — so if you are looking to join the crew and stay in shape, there are plenty of places to go in Medellin.

Gyms

• Alpha Fitness (Poblado) – has a great timetable for classes such as HIIT, TRX, yoga and crosstraining
• Bodytech (all over) – loads of equipment available but one of the more expensive gyms, although you can get a trial pass which has 3 days free
• Dinamo fitness (Envigado) – tends to be a bit cheaper, especially if you choose an off-peak membership

Yoga

• Flying Tree (Laureles) – classes are available in both English & Spanish; 1x class is 25,000 COP (8.20 USD) or monthly unlimited passes are 160,000 COP (52.50 USD).

Running / walking

• Parque Arvi – take the gondola to this massive area of nature, where you can walk around & enjoy the waterfalls and more
• Cerro El Volador – a short but very steep hill close to Estadio, with incredible views overlooking the whole city
• Stadium (Estadio) – the full-sized athletic track is free for public use

Nightlife

There’s a variety of bars and clubs all over the city, although they are most heavily saturated in El Poblado or Laureles. Reggaeton and salsa are probably the two most popular music types for the locals, but there are numerous places around so you’ll find something to suit your taste.

El Poblado:

The bars and clubs here tend to be a bit more western with more techno, house as well as the more Colombian reggaeton, salsa and bachata.

• Electronic music: Mansion & Calle 9 are two popular clubs at the weekends, with entry usually costing just 10,000 COP (3.30 USD). Salon Amador has a good sound system but is a bit swankier and more expensive (usually 35,000 COP, approx 11.50 USD – although it can be more on special nights)
• Salsa: Mojito Salsa Guaracha y Son. is a small, intimate but popular one.
• Cheap beers with a chilled atmosphere: Latineria – located on Parque Poblado – has beers for around 4,000 COP (1.30 USD).

Laureles:

Calle 33 and the ‘setente’ (Carrera 70) is where most of the bars are situated here. They tend to feel a little more local, with more salsa and reggaeton.

• Salsa/bachata: Son Havanah & El Tibiri are both popular spots amongst the locals

Carlos E Restrepo (not in, but close to, Laureles): A super eclectic area, close to the university, where many locals hang out and drink beers on the street, singing and dancing to the street performers. Drinking in the streets was banned in January, so this is one of the few places where you can chill at night.

Can’t speak Spanish?

Medellin is a very cosmopolitan city so most people in cafes and shops speak English — especially in the more western areas of Poblado & Laureles.

El Centro is slightly less Western so you may find it a little harder to communicate in English but on the whole, you shouldn’t struggle too much without any Spanish.

There are lots of Spanish schools around and language exchanges if you do want to pick it up while living there. Some recommended Spanish schools are below:

El Poblado

Laureles

Weather in Medellin

Medellin is also called ‘The City of Eternal Spring’, because the weather is generally pretty good all year round. It does rain from time to time (and usually when it rains, it pours) but it’s consistently warm, being in the high 80s F / low 20s C.

It’s a cultural hub

There are many museums, independent theatres and cinemas, concerts, and street art to inspire you when you’re not working.

Botero’s sculptures are dotted around the city, there’s a plaza filled with 20m tall lights (Parque De Las Luces), and Comuna 13 (home to hip hop & graffiti artists) has some of the most vibrant street art in the city.

The list is constantly growing so it would be difficult to exhaust everything – but in the unlikely event of that happening, Medellin has two airports and national bus stations, so it’s easy to travel internally for a weekend away.

Safety in Medellin

One of the main things that puts people off visiting Medellin is the question of safety. The city has undergone a massive transformation in the last 20 years, and the locals are trying super hard to shift the stigma to increase tourism.

There are the same general precautions which need to be taken, as with any big city.

However, from a personal perspective, I can honestly say that I haven’t felt at risk at all. Obviously, if you go looking for illegal stuff, you will put yourself more at risk — but if you are careful, it shouldn’t be any more dangerous than any other big city in the world.

With a low cost of living, good internet connection, and a large nomad community – it’s no wonder more and more nomads are flocking here. Will you be next?

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