Colombia

Colombia offers the eternal spring of Medellín, business-minded Bogotá and a Caribbean coast around Cartagena — three different scripts in one country. Living costs less than in Mexico, rent in good neighbourhoods is affordable, and private healthcare is strong by regional standards. Temperature depends on altitude rather than the month: even and cool in the mountains, hot on the coast, with two rainy seasons. Spanish is needed almost immediately, everyday caution in the big cities becomes routine, and some regions remain off limits for travel.