Side-by-side city decision # Port Louis vs Cartagena. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link Port LouisMauritius3/6 VS CartagenaColombia3/6 $1,205Port Louis monthly budget $1,435Cartagena monthly budget 55 MbpsPort Louis internet 150 MbpsCartagena internet Decision summary No universal winner The result is balanced. Your priorities should decide the better fit. Cost Best budget Port Louis Speed Fastest internet Cartagena Vibe Best nomad vibe Cartagena Safety Highest safety Port Louis Air Cleanest air Port Louis Walk Most walkable Cartagena Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Port Louis](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/mauritius/port-louis.md) Mauritius 3/6 Budget$1,205 Internet55 Mbps Vibe6/10 [Cartagena](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/colombia/cartagena.md) Colombia 3/6 Budget$1,435 Internet150 Mbps Vibe8/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricPort LouisCartagena Total estimated budget $1,205 $1,435 1-bed center rent $650 $850 Coworking desk $180 $180 Local meal $6.5 $6.5 Cappuccino $3.1 $2.4 Gym membership $45 $45 Transport budget $55 $65 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricPort LouisCartagena Internet speed 55 Mbps 150 Mbps Nomad vibe 6/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricPort LouisCartagena Safety index 62/100 48/100 Air quality 78/100 68/100 Walkability 5/10 7/10 Female safety 6/10 5/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 5/10 6/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricPort LouisCartagena Healthcare quality Good Good English proficiency Excellent Basic Climate type Tropical maritime Tropical savanna Best time to visit May - Nov Dec - Mar Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Port Louis](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/mauritius/port-louis.md) Mauritius → ### Strengths * English is widely used in business and daily services * Tropical island lifestyle with beaches within easy reach * Reliable fiber internet is available in many modern buildings * Safe by regional standards with good private healthcare * Mauritius Premium Visa supports longer remote-work stays * Multicultural food scene with Indian, Creole, Chinese, and French influences ### Trade-offs * Port Louis is congested and less scenic than coastal areas * Long-term furnished rentals can be expensive for the region * Public transport is limited outside major corridors * Cyclones and heavy rain can disrupt plans in summer * Nightlife and nomad coworking options are relatively limited * A car is useful for exploring most of the island ### Common visa routes * Mauritius Premium Visa * Visa-free visitor entry for eligible nationalities * Occupation Permit for entrepreneurs and professionals [Cartagena](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/colombia/cartagena.md) Colombia → ### Strengths * Beautiful colonial architecture and Caribbean beaches * Strong restaurant, nightlife, and cultural scene * Affordable local food and ride-hailing * Reliable fiber internet in central neighborhoods * International airport close to the city center * Growing remote-worker and expat community ### Trade-offs * Persistent heat and high humidity * Petty theft and tourist scams require vigilance * Short-term rents rise sharply in high season * Traffic, noise, and street vendors can be intense * English is limited outside tourist-facing businesses * Rainy-season flooding can disrupt local travel ### Common visa routes * Visa-free entry for eligible nationalities, typically 90 days * Tourist stay extension for up to an additional 90 days * Colombia Digital Nomad Visa for eligible remote workers Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.