City in Colorado, United States
Denver
Sunny, outdoorsy city at the foot of the Rockies for remote workers who ski, hike and drink craft beer. Rents are high, winters can be snowy and you need a car for mountains.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$3,500–5,000Comfortable, one person · $3,500–5,000Details
- Value for money11/100Better value than 10% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Jul, 33°CDetails
- Air quality6 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2022) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet307 MbpsFixed broadband, United States medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableSafe and good-tasting snowmelt from Rocky Mountain reservoirs.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$150–350Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless almost everywhere; carry a few dollars for tips, farmers markets and parking meters.Details
Where to stay in Denver
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| LoDo and Union Station | Walkable core with transit to the airport, bars and restaurants |
| RiNo (River North) | Breweries, street art, creative coworking and restaurants |
| Capitol Hill and Cheesman Park | Affordable apartments, nightlife, local bars and parks |
| Cherry Creek | Upscale shopping, calm streets and long-stay apartments |
| Highlands | Walkable cafés and bars with a younger crowd |
Apps that work in Denver
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: iMessage/SMS
- Transit: real-time public transport in most cities
- OpenTable: restaurant reservations
- Taxis: Taxis are expensive and hard to hail. Use apps or book Yellow Cab ahead; mountain rides are better by shuttle or car rental.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in United States.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless almost everywhere; carry a few dollars for tips, farmers markets and parking meters.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs charge foreign cards about US$3–5; standalone ATMs in shops often more. Decline the ATM's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Expected: 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, 15–20% for taxis and rideshare, US$1–2 per bar drink, US$2–5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. Venmo, Cash App and Zelle generally need a US bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Visa Waiver travellers need an approved ESTA (US$40) before departure; apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, ideally 72+ hours ahead.
- CBP has proposed making five years of social-media identifiers mandatory on ESTA; check the form's current questions and answer truthfully.
- Presidential proclamations since June 2025 restrict entry for nationals of a growing list of countries; check travel.state.gov before booking.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs at carrier stores, Walmart and Target, roughly US$25–50 for 30 days; no ID usually needed. A travel eSIM is easiest. eSIMs work for visitors.
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Going to Denver solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.