Colombia has moved mountains to shake off its narco reputation, and Medellín is at the forefront, picking up awards for its innovative civic projects and commitment to sustainable development.

Colombia’s second city is also blessed with a temperate climate and a valley location that prevents the city from becoming too large and unmanageable.

But what makes it such a good destination for remote workers and digital nomads?

Many of Medellín’s growing population of digital nomads were lured south from North America by the city’s low cost of living, good weather and solid infrastructure for remote working.

Medellín also has a good network for new arrivals, with digital nomad groups arranging regular social events. The scene started small, but it's becoming one of the top nomad stops in the Americas.

On top of this, you get culture, hospitable locals and great food and nightlife. Being in a similar time zone to the United States also doesn’t hurt, particularly for nomads with stateside clients.

However, to get the best out of living in Medellín, you’ll need to speak good Spanish, something that will also open doors when networking with other entrepreneurs.

For accommodation, co-working space, food, brews and everything else you need under one roof, Selina is a good starting point, with a handy El Poblado location.

Nomads with a strong business focus rate Tinkko, set on the 15th floor of a high-rise in the business district; it’s a great place to work with a view, and has proper meeting rooms for start-ups.

The average download speed via wi-fi is 10 Mbps - slower than some nomad hubs - but faster connections are easy to find. Colombia's been rolling out 4G coverage, with decent access in urban areas.