When comparing the cost of living between a beach town like Huanchaco, Peru, and a beach city like Playa Blanca, Colombia, both destinations offer affordable lifestyles but with some key differences in pricing and residency requirements. In Huanchaco, a small surf town near Trujillo on Peru’s northern coast, monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment near the beach typically ranges between $250 and $400. Groceries and local meals are quite budget-friendly, with fresh produce and seafood readily available at markets for a fraction of what you’d pay in the U.S. A simple meal at a local restaurant may cost $3 to $5. At the same time, monthly expenses for a single person can comfortably remain under $900, including utilities and entertainment.
Research on Airbnb revealed condos along the coast ranging from $700 to $900 a month. Of course, these rates include all utilities, but they are available for long stays.
The cost of living in Playa Blanca, Colombia, located near the bustling tourist hub of Cartagena, is slightly higher due to the town’s popularity and proximity to major attractions. Rent for a modest one-bedroom near the beach may range from $400 to $700, depending on season and amenities. While food is still inexpensive compared to Western standards, costs are a bit steeper than in Peru. A meal at a mid-range restaurant might run $6 to $10, and monthly living expenses typically average around $1,000 to $1,200 for a single person in beach areas, mainly if you rely on occasional tourist-priced services.
Our Airbnb research revealed rents to be closer to $1500 a month, including all utilities. Yet, our research for renting directly from property owners proved to be much less.
Financial Requirements to Live in Peru / Colombia
As for financial requirements to live or retire in these countries, Peru makes it relatively simple. For retirement residency in Peru, known as the “Rentista Visa,” applicants must show proof of a permanent income of at least $1,000 per month from a stable source such as a pension or Social Security. There’s no need to purchase property or make large financial investments. Meanwhile, Colombia requires retirees to show proof of a monthly income of roughly three times the national minimum wage—about $1,000 to $1,200 USD as of 2025—to qualify for the “M” Retirement Visa. Both countries allow long-term stays and offer paths to permanent residency, but Peru is slightly more lenient and cheaper in its ongoing visa maintenance.
Affordable Oceanfront Lifestyle
The bottom line is, affordable oceanfront living in small towns like Huanchaco, Peru, or Playa Blanca, Colombia, offers a kind of beachfront lifestyle that’s nearly impossible to find in the United States or even in some of the trendier expat hotspots of Mexico. In these charming coastal communities, renting a furnished apartment or small house just steps from the sand for $300 to $800 per month is still possible. These towns offer a laid-back, authentic vibe with access to fresh seafood, local markets, and warm, welcoming communities, without the inflated prices seen in more commercialized destinations.
In contrast, the idea of oceanfront living in the U.S. often comes with sky-high property taxes, restrictive zoning, and rental costs that can easily exceed $3,000 to $10,000 a month, even for modest accommodations. Even in Mexico, where affordability has long been a draw, areas like Cabo, Tulum, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta are experiencing surging real estate prices, gentrification, and increasing tourist congestion. While these places still offer relative value, true beachfront bargains are becoming harder to find. Beachfront rentals on sites like Airbnb have skyrocketed in recent years.
Huanchaco and Playa Blanca remain rare gems where you can wake up to the sound of waves, walk the boardwalk with locals, and enjoy seafood caught that same morning—all on a modest budget. These towns blend simplicity, culture, and natural beauty in a way that more developed beach destinations simply can’t replicate anymore.
Travel Back to the U.S.
Traveling back to the U.S. from Colombia or Peru is relatively easy and affordable, especially from major cities with international airports. From Colombia, flights from Cartagena (near Playa Blanca) or Bogotá to U.S. cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Houston typically take between 3 and 5 hours. One-way airfare can range from $120 to $300, depending on the season, how early you book, and whether you’re flying a budget or full-service airline. Low-cost carriers like Spirit Airlines and JetBlue often offer nonstop flights from Cartagena or Bogotá to Florida hubs, making quick returns to the U.S. accessible for expats or retirees.
From Peru, if you’re living in Huanchaco, the nearest major airport is in Trujillo, but most international flights will route through Lima. The travel time from Lima to U.S. cities like Miami or Los Angeles ranges from 6 to 9 hours, with nonstop options available to both coasts. Average one-way airfare ranges between $250 and $500, with lower rates sometimes available on discount airlines such as Avianca, LATAM, or American Airlines during sales or off-peak travel times. The trip remains efficient and manageable even with a short domestic connection from Trujillo to Lima (about 1 hour).
In both countries, international travel infrastructure is well-established, and airport access is straightforward, especially compared to more remote areas in Southeast Asia or Central America. This ease of return makes Peru and Colombia attractive options not only for affordable oceanfront living but also for staying connected to family, healthcare, or responsibilities back in the United States.
Conclusion, Including Healthcare
Travel medical insurance is essential for anyone living part-time or full-time abroad in countries like Peru or Colombia, especially retirees. It provides financial protection in case of unexpected medical emergencies, including accidents, illnesses, and even medical evacuation back to the U.S. if necessary. Unlike standard travel insurance, which focuses more on trip cancellations and luggage loss, travel medical insurance specifically covers doctor visits, hospitalization, prescriptions, and sometimes routine care, depending on the plan.
For retirees living in beach towns like Huanchaco or Playa Blanca, where local healthcare is generally affordable but may not always meet international standards, having a reliable insurance plan gives peace of mind. Providers like Travel Insurance dot com allow you to compare travel/medical plans tailored explicitly for expats, digital nomads, and long-term travelers. You can secure this insurance with a medivac option for your exploration travels to Peru and Colombia.
In countries like Colombia and Peru, some expats opt for a combination approach—using local out-of-pocket payments for minor issues (often under $50 per visit) and relying on international insurance for larger medical needs or emergencies. Travel medical plans can also include translation services, 24/7 global hotlines, and access to vetted hospitals.
Retirees must secure independent coverage because U.S. Medicare doesn’t cover medical expenses abroad. Without it, a serious medical incident overseas could lead to tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. The good news is that Colombia and Peru have modern private hospitals in major cities and can often provide quality care at much lower costs than in the U.S., especially when backed by a solid travel insurance policy.
Peru’s beach towns like Huanchaco offer a quieter, more budget-friendly lifestyle, while Colombia’s Playa Blanca offers more tourist amenities at a moderately higher cost. Both are excellent choices, but your ideal pick depends on whether you prioritize low costs or proximity to vibrant international communities.
