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 to a rhythm marked by high tourist seasons, local commerce, and, increasingly, remote work. If you are looking for job opportunities this year, or if you are a company that needs to hire staff, it is key to understand what salaries are like, where the vacancies are, and, above all, 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 labor market has been diversifying. Nowadays, opportunities are divided into three main sectors:

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

As an exclusive insight, 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 there are only 2 posted (mainly in technology). This means that if you are an employer, posting your vacancy today guarantees you enormous visibility among local candidates looking for reliable options.

Current salaries in Colombia for 2026: What you should demand

Whether you are hired for an office job or to cover the season at a hotel, your income must comply with Colombian labor law. Never accept payments below the stipulated amount if you are subject to a schedule and subordination.

Concept (Figures reported 2026)	Amount in COP
Legal Monthly Minimum Wage (SMMLV)	$1,750,905
Transportation Allowance	$249,095
Total Monthly Minimum Income	$2,000,000
Daily Minimum Wage (Daytime base)	$58,363.50
Check the current salary decree at the Ministry of Labor (mintrabajo.gov.co) before processing payroll or negotiating benefits.

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

Part-Time and Seasonal Work in Cartagena

Part-time (or day-to-day) work is a lifesaver for many university students in the city. Payment for part-time work is calculated proportionally based on the daily 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 are exploring options throughout the coast, take a look at how things move in jobs in Barranquilla (part-time and remote), as the industrial market there offers a different type of vacancies and hiring dynamics.

Remote Work from Cartagena: Technology and BPO

If you have a B2 level of English or higher, 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 the level of English.

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

Watch out for scams! How to identify fake job offers

Unfortunately, the need to find work has caused job scams to skyrocket in Cartagena. Just so far in 2026, multiple frauds have been reported that play with people's hopes.

• Fake District projects: The Cartagena Institute of Heritage and Culture (IPCC) had to deny illegal charges for participating in the fake "Contigo en las Aulas" project.
• Private label impersonation: Companies like Quest have issued warnings about unscrupulous individuals asking for money in exchange for speeding up the hiring process 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 they tell you during the interview that you must deposit money for "paperwork" or for the entrance medical exam, treat it as a serious red flag 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 are 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 are looking for a job, you can upload your profile and services so that you can be contacted directly via WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

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

For 2026, the national government has set the minimum wage on a temporary basis at $1,750,905 COP through Decree 0159 of 2026. This value applies provisionally while the nullity lawsuit against the original decree is resolved, so employers and employees should verify the current provisions at mintrabajo.gov.co when processing payroll.

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

Payment for a part-time job is calculated proportionally to the hours worked based on the current legal monthly minimum wage. Taking the 2026 transitional minimum wage as a reference, a part-time job is equivalent to approximately $875,452 COP per month, excluding statutory benefits and the proportional transportation allowance.

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

The hotel, restaurant, travel agency, and maritime recreation service sectors are the ones that demand the most temporary staff in Cartagena. Hiring is mainly concentrated during high vacation seasons, such as the end of the year, Holy Week, 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 red flag. Legitimate companies never charge to participate in their selection processes nor do they request money through informal channels. You can report irregularities to the Public Employment Service (serviciodeempleo.gov.co).

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

You can look for a job 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.