Cartagena vs Mérida for Digital Nomads
🇨🇴 Cartagena vs 🇲🇽 Mérida · updated 2026-07
Verdict
Cheaper: Mérida · Faster internet: Mérida · Higher Nomad Score: Mérida.
Head-to-head
| 🇨🇴 Cartagena | 🇲🇽 Mérida | |
|---|---|---|
| Comfortable / month | $1,200 | $1,125 ★ |
| 1-bed rent | $600 | $550 ★ |
| Food | $280 | $270 ★ |
| Coworking | $100 | $100 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 75 | 75 |
| Affordability | 88 | 89 ★ |
| Weather | 82 ★ | 80 |
| Community | 70 | 72 ★ |
| Nomad Score | 79 | 79 |
| Climate | Tropical Caribbean | Hot tropical |
★ = better on that row. Figures are aggregated estimates.
FAQ
Is Cartagena or Mérida cheaper for digital nomads?
Mérida is cheaper — about $1,125/month vs $1,200/month for a comfortable solo setup.
Which has faster internet, Cartagena or Mérida?
Mérida has faster average broadband (75 Mbps vs 75 Mbps).
Which has the higher Nomad Score?
Mérida scores 79 vs 79 on our composite of affordability, connectivity, weather and community.