Cartagena vs Puerto Vallarta for Digital Nomads
🇨🇴 Cartagena vs 🇲🇽 Puerto Vallarta · updated 2026-07
Verdict
Cheaper: Cartagena · Faster internet: Cartagena · Higher Nomad Score: Cartagena.
Head-to-head
| 🇨🇴 Cartagena | 🇲🇽 Puerto Vallarta | |
|---|---|---|
| Comfortable / month | $1,200 ★ | $1,340 |
| 1-bed rent | $600 ★ | $700 |
| Food | $280 ★ | $300 |
| Coworking | $100 ★ | $110 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 75 ★ | 70 |
| Affordability | 88 ★ | 84 |
| Weather | 82 | 86 ★ |
| Community | 70 | 72 ★ |
| Nomad Score | 79 ★ | 78 |
| Climate | Tropical Caribbean | Tropical beach |
★ = better on that row. Figures are aggregated estimates.
FAQ
Is Cartagena or Puerto Vallarta cheaper for digital nomads?
Cartagena is cheaper — about $1,200/month vs $1,340/month for a comfortable solo setup.
Which has faster internet, Cartagena or Puerto Vallarta?
Cartagena has faster average broadband (75 Mbps vs 70 Mbps).
Which has the higher Nomad Score?
Cartagena scores 79 vs 78 on our composite of affordability, connectivity, weather and community.