Jobs in Cartagena: Tourism, Part-Time and Remote (2026)

Looking for a job in Cartagena has its own dynamic. Beyond the breeze and the sea, the city moves at a rhythm set by high tourism seasons, local commerce, and increasingly, remote work. If you're looking for job opportunities this year, or if you're a company that needs to hire staff, it's key to understand how salaries are, where the vacancies are, and most importantly, which offers you should be wary of.

The job market in Cartagena in 2026: What's moving?

Cartagena's economy remains strongly anchored to tourism, but the job market has been diversifying. Today, opportunities are divided into three major blocks:

• Tourism and hospitality: Demand for receptionists, waiters, guides, and cleaning staff skyrockets before mid-year and at the end of November. The hot zones are Bocagrande, the Historic Center, Getsemaní, and the island area (Barú and Tierra Bomba).
• Commerce and logistics: The Mamonal industrial zone and ports maintain constant demand for operational and technical profiles.
• Remote work and BPO: Bilingual customer service and remote sales are absorbing a large part of young professionals.

As exclusive data, according to active listings on Colombia Move (June 2026), job demand far exceeds current supply: our jobs section has a target of 52 active vacancies to balance the market, but currently only 2 are published (mainly in technology). This means that if you're an employer, posting your vacancy today guarantees you enormous visibility with local candidates looking for reliable options.

Current salaries in Colombia for 2026: What you should demand

Whether you're hired for office work or to cover the season at a hotel, your income must respect Colombian labor law. Never accept payments below what is stipulated if you work set hours and are subordinate.

Concept (Figures reported 2026)	Amount in COP
Legal Minimum Monthly Wage (SMMLV)	$1.750.905
Transportation Allowance	$249.095
Minimum Total Monthly Income	$2.000.000
Minimum Daily Wage (Day rate)	$58.363,50
* Verify the current salary decree at the Ministry of Labor (mintrabajo.gov.co) before processing payroll or negotiating benefits.

The transportation allowance applies to those earning up to two SMMLV and who must travel to their workplace (does not apply for 100% remote work from home).

Part-Time and Seasonal Work in Cartagena

Part-time work (or by the day) is the lifeline for many university students in the city. Payment for part-time work is calculated proportionally based on the day rate of $58.363,50 COP plus the corresponding transportation allowance.

Restaurants, bars, and retail stores in shopping centers like La Serrezuela, Mallplaza, or Caribe Plaza are the ones that rotate this type of staff the most. If you're exploring options along the entire coast, take a look at how jobs in Barranquilla (part-time and remote)are moving, since the industrial market there offers other types of vacancies and hiring dynamics.

Remote Work from Cartagena: Technology and BPO

If you have a B2 or higher English level, your best bet in Cartagena is the BPO sector (Call Centers) or remote work for technology and marketing companies. Base salaries for bilingual profiles usually start well above the minimum wage, depending on the company and English level.

For those working remotely, having good internet connection and a quiet environment is non-negotiable. If you just arrived in the city or plan to move to work from home, check out our guide on the best neighborhoods in Cartagena for nomads and remote workers, where we detail which areas suffer fewer power outages and have better fiber optic. If you're a foreigner working remotely from Cartagena, it's also recommended to keep your current Colombian documentation.

Watch out for scams! How to identify fake job offers

Unfortunately, the need to find work has caused labor scams to skyrocket in Cartagena. Just in what we've seen so far in 2026, multiple frauds have been reported that play on people's hopes.

• Fake District projects: The Cartagena Institute of Heritage and Culture (IPCC) had to deny illegal charges to participate in the fake project "Contigo en las Aulas".
• Impersonation of private brands: Companies like Quest have warned about unscrupulous individuals asking for money in exchange for speeding up hiring at their stores.

The golden rule: No serious company in Colombia will charge you money for occupational medical exams, training, uniforms, or to start a selection process. If in the interview they tell you that you must deposit money for "paperwork" or for the entrance medical exam, treat it as a serious warning sign and report the situation to the Public Employment Service (serviciodeempleo.gov.co), which does not charge for vacancies or selection processes.

Post your vacancies or services for free on Colombia Move

Tired of seeing Facebook groups filled with fake offers and agencies charging abusive commissions, we decided to do something about it. That's why we created a free job board in Colombia.

If you're a restaurant in Getsemaní looking for waiters, or a hotel in Bocagrande that needs receptionists, you can post your vacancies at no cost. And if you're looking for a job, you can upload your profile and services so they can contact you directly via WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

❓ What is the legal minimum wage in Colombia for 2026?

For 2026, the national Government provisionally set the minimum wage at $1.750.905 COP through Decree 0159 of 2026. This value is in effect provisionally while the nullity claim of the original decree is resolved, so employers and workers must verify the current provisions at mintrabajo.gov.co when processing payroll.

❓ How much do they pay for part-time work in Cartagena?

Payment for part-time work is calculated proportionally based on hours worked using the current legal minimum monthly salary as a reference. Taking the transitional minimum of 2026 as a reference, a part-time job amounts to approximately $875.452 COP monthly, not including legal benefits or proportional transportation assistance.

❓ Which tourism sectors hire the most seasonal staff in Cartagena?

The hotel, restaurant, travel agency, and maritime recreation service sectors are those that demand the most temporary staff in Cartagena. Hiring is concentrated mainly during high vacation seasons, such as year-end, Easter, and mid-year, in areas like Bocagrande, the Historic Center, and Getsemaní.

❓ How can I tell if a job offer in Cartagena is a scam?

A suspicious job offer usually requires advance payments for medical exams, training, or uniforms, which is a clear warning sign. Legitimate companies never charge for participating in their selection processes or request money through informal channels. You can report irregularities to the Public Employment Service (serviciodeempleo.gov.co).

❓ Where can I post job offers or search for work for free in Cartagena?

You can search for employment or post vacancies at no cost through the Public Employment Service (SPE), family compensation funds, or local digital classifieds. Platforms like Colombia Move allow you to connect directly with candidates in the region without intermediaries or hidden commissions.