Cost of Living in Santa Marta - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $404 (excluding rent), and $1,073 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $884 (excluding rent), and $1,750 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.57 COP 13.1K

$2.64 COP 9,704

$4.76 COP 17.5K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.91 COP 106.1K

$19.68 COP 72.2K

$86.1 COP 316.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.00 COP 22.0K

$8.41 COP 30.9K

Cappuccino

$1.56 COP 5,732

$0.74 COP 2,735

$1.86 COP 6,818

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.67 COP 2,452

$0.58 COP 2,137

$0.81 COP 2,977

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.43 COP 1,575

$0.34 COP 1,260

$0.70 COP 2,555

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.84 COP 3,076

$0.72 COP 2,642

$1.43 COP 5,247

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.71 COP 6,261

$1.48 COP 5,436

$2.47 COP 9,073

Milk (1 liter)

$1.17 COP 4,299

$1.02 COP 3,733

$1.24 COP 4,563

White Bread (500g)

$1.23 COP 4,527

$0.76 COP 2,783

$1.47 COP 5,380

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.89 COP 3,274

$0.62 COP 2,288

$1.12 COP 4,119

Eggs

$2.44 COP 8,947

$2.17 COP 7,974

$2.67 COP 9,808

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.59 COP 13.2K

$1.68 COP 6,173

$5.98 COP 22.0K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.89 COP 14.3K

$3.09 COP 11.4K

$4.76 COP 17.5K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.98 COP 29.3K

$3.45 COP 12.7K

$14.80 COP 54.4K

Apples (1kg)

$1.80 COP 6,611

$1.29 COP 4,733

$2.48 COP 9,090

Banana (1kg)

$0.76 COP 2,801

Oranges (1kg)

$0.99 COP 3,629

$0.74 COP 2,722

$1.20 COP 4,391

Tomato (1kg)

$0.76 COP 2,786

$0.55 COP 2,022

$1.01 COP 3,701

Potato (1kg)

$0.51 COP 1,856

$0.21 COP 771

$0.86 COP 3,152

Onion (1kg)

$1.01 COP 3,703

$0.25 COP 916

$1.77 COP 6,490

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.02 COP 3,734

$0.29 COP 1,051

$1.92 COP 7,033

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 COP 1,877

$0.38 COP 1,381

$0.70 COP 2,585

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.51 COP 9,209

$2.33 COP 8,541

$2.69 COP 9,877

Wine (Bottle)

$10.16 COP 37.3K

$3.26 COP 12.0K

$16.27 COP 59.7K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.48 COP 5,429

$0.94 COP 3,468

$2.26 COP 8,294

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.47 COP 5,390

$0.98 COP 3,606

$1.96 COP 7,211

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.66 COP 2,439

$0.51 COP 1,873

$0.93 COP 3,428

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.31 COP 52.5K

$35.78 COP 131.4K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.68 COP 6,180

$2.40 COP 8,797

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.82 COP 6,686

$1.70 COP 6,243

$1.94 COP 7,129

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.45 COP 31.0K

$6.03 COP 22.1K

$14.47 COP 53.1K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.90 COP 3,310

$0.81 COP 2,958

$0.96 COP 3,522

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.2K COP 78.0M

$14.9K COP 54.7M

$27.6K COP 101.4M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.9K COP 95.2M

$19.2K COP 70.7M

$28.4K COP 104.2M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$192 COP 704.1K

$120 COP 439.5K

$287 COP 1.1M

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$8.78 COP 32.2K

$4.08 COP 15.0K

$12.00 COP 44.1K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.31 COP 89.3K

$17.02 COP 62.5K

$36.47 COP 133.9K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$19.54 COP 71.7K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$8.01 COP 29.4K

$4.95 COP 18.2K

$10.40 COP 38.2K

Cinema Ticket

$4.70 COP 17.3K

$3.52 COP 12.9K

$5.41 COP 19.9K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$167 COP 614.1K

$123 COP 451.5K

$212 COP 776.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,922 COP 18.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$39.59 COP 145.3K

$14.25 COP 52.3K

$52.3 COP 191.9K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.05 COP 132.4K

$19.75 COP 72.5K

$66.4 COP 243.9K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.6 COP 288.4K

$67.7 COP 248.5K

$89.4 COP 328.4K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$60.2 COP 221.0K

$36.85 COP 135.3K

$74.9 COP 275.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$284 COP 1.0M

$244 COP 894.7K

$317 COP 1.2M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$448 COP 1.6M

$195 COP 716.9K

$784 COP 2.9M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$685 COP 2.5M

$574 COP 2.1M

$741 COP 2.7M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$550 COP 2.0M

$143 COP 526.8K

$1,196 COP 4.4M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,953 COP 7.2M

$849 COP 3.1M

$3,563 COP 13.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$954 COP 3.5M

$678 COP 2.5M

$1,229 COP 4.5M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$422 COP 1.5M

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.62

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 12, 2026

Santa Marta Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

169

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

220

Mbps

195

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

Cost of Living in Santa Marta - Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Marta offers a sweet balance of coastal living and value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want more than just beaches. You can enjoy fresh markets, inexpensive local meals, and a range of housing – from shared apartments to longer-term rentals – without chasing high-rise resort prices. Neighborhoods away from the water often deliver more space and flexibility, and public transport or short rides keep daily costs predictable. The vibe shifts with the season, but quality basics – wifi-friendly spaces, safe streets, and nearby nature – tend to stay stable. Cost of Living in Santa Marta can feel approachable with smart planning. Tip: Start with a week in a central neighborhood and test daily routines before committing.

Daily life in Santa Marta centers on flexible routines, affordable comforts, and easy access to both city life and nature. For housing, start with neighborhood-specific searches – shared flats in Centro Histórico or quieter studios nearer El Rodadero – but be prepared to negotiate leases and deposits. Food options range from street snacks to modest cafés offering economical dishes, plus farmers’ markets with fresh produce. Getting around is straightforward by casual taxis, local buses, or bike routes; many digital nomads work from coworking spaces near the center or beachfront. Groceries, laundry, and errands are usually manageable within a few blocks of a chosen base. Santa Marta living cost informs when you schedule longer stays. Tip: Build a weekly routine that aligns with market days to save time and transit.

Quality of life in Santa Marta comes from a mix of outdoor access, cultural life, and a relaxed pace. Create a simple budgeting framework: separate fixed essentials from flexible daily spending, and set monthly caps for dining and transport. Seasonal humidity and rain can influence indoor comfort and visibility for outdoor plans, so choose a neighborhood that offers good shade, reliable internet, and safe streets at night. For neighborhood fit, test a few zones – historic Centro with colonial charm, the breezy beachfront areas near the coast, and quieter residential pockets inland. Prioritize amenities close to your work or school and look for safe, walkable routes to markets and coworking spaces. Tip: Align your base with your weekly routines.