Santa Marta, Colombia

Santa Marta, Colombia is one of the cities IndepAI tracks for digital nomads chasing financial independence. At about $900 a month, it sits among the most affordable bases on our list, which leaves plenty of room to save. For our reference profile that translates into reaching financial independence in about 2.6 years, one of the quicker timelines we see.

Safety scores run below average, so it pays to research neighbourhoods before committing to a long stay. Connection speeds sit near 35 Mbps, enough for everyday remote work and most calls. The climate is a mixed bag across the seasons, pleasant for part of the year and less so the rest.

The idea behind geo-arbitrage is simple: earn at a higher-cost standard and spend at Santa Marta prices, and that gap is what shortens your path to financial independence.