Medellin vs Puerto Viejo: cost of living for digital nomads
Medellin, Colombia and Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Medellin is about 1% cheaper than Puerto Viejo for a month of nomad living ($1,500 vs $1,520).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $650 in Puerto Viejo against $720 in Medellin.
- Both score 6/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Medellin: 100 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Medellin wins 5 of the measured lines; Puerto Viejo wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Medellin or Puerto Viejo?
Medellin is cheaper: about $1,500/month against $1,520/month in Puerto Viejo, roughly 1% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Puerto Viejo?
Medellin and Puerto Viejo score the same on safety, 6/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Medellin or Puerto Viejo?
Medellin has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 60 Mbps in Puerto Viejo.
| Line | Medellin | Puerto Viejo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,500 | $1,520 |
| Rent | $720 | $650 |
| Food | $380 | $420 |
| Transport | $45 | $70 |
| Coworking | $120 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 60 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | mountain | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 10/10 | 6/10 |
Compare Medellin with
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Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Medellin November 8, 2026, Puerto Viejo September 10, 2026.