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More people than ever are ditching the office for the digital nomad life, and Mexico has quickly become one of the world’s top destinations for digital nomads. While Mexico does not offer a specific digital nomad visa, as many other countries do, Americans and Canadians can stay up to 180 days. Mexico’s welcoming culture, year-round sunny climate, and affordability are some of the reasons why it has become so popular.
But not every destination is ideal for remote work. In general, digital nomads look for amenities, including:
- Fast and reliable WiFi
- Co-working spaces or laptop-friendly cafes
- Vibrant and welcoming local and digital nomad communities
- Accommodation availability
- Affordability
- Access to activities – nature escapes, beaches, museums, nightlife, etc.
Mexico has plenty of options that tick all those boxes. Here is our list of the top 5 Mexican destinations for digital nomads.
Oaxaca
Digital nomads looking for an urban environment with a small-town vibe can’t go wrong with Oaxaca. This vibrant city is known for incredible food, mezcal, and coffee and has plenty of options for co-working spaces and laptop-friendly cafes. Accommodation in Oaxaca can go quickly, so make sure to book well in advance for the best options.
- Average cost of living for a digital nomad: $2,033/month
- WiFi speeds: 33.92mbps download, 13.59mbps upload
- Why people love it: great nightlife, lots of history and culture, incredible food
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Puerto Vallarta
Digital nomads looking for a work/life balance that is heavy on the “life” can’t go wrong with Puerto Vallarta. Because it is one of Mexico’s most popular vacation destinations, it has all the creature comforts one might want when living abroad. Additionally, there is a strong community of digital nomads who come for the lifestyle provided by the popular beachside city.
- Average cost of living for a digital nomad: $4,141/month
- WiFi speeds: 26.81mbps download, 9.51mbps upload
- Why people love it: great community of digital nomads, plenty of modern comforts, great mix of beach and city vibes
San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is a picturesque colonial town in the state of Guanajuato with a foreign population of nearly 20%. The charming historical center is home to beautiful architecture and rich history, as well as funky shops, galleries, and markets. Its recent rise in popularity means that accommodations have become more expensive, but if you book well in advance and plan to stay long-term, you can find more reasonable prices.
- Average cost of living for a digital nomad: $3,251/month
- WiFi speeds: 47.54mbps download, 15.64mbps upload
- Why people love it: perfect year-round weather, safe place to live, slow pace of life
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is another great choice for nomads who want to be by the beach and want to join an established digital nomad community. The town offers plenty of conveniences for remote workers – there are co-working spaces and cafes, and the town is very walkable if you stay near the center.
Perhaps one of the best reasons for choosing Playa del Carmen is its proximity to other fun spots, including Tulum, Cancun, and Cozumel, as well as the beautiful surrounding natural and historic sites.
- Average cost of living for a digital nomad: $2895/month
- WiFi speeds: 25.87mbps download, 15.28mbps upload
- Why people love it: beautiful beaches and nature nearby, fantastic nightlife, close to other fun destinations
Mexico City
Mexico City is one of the fastest-growing digital nomad destinations in the world, and it has a lot to offer anyone who chooses to work there. As one of the world’s largest cities, it is incredibly diverse and has plenty of social and cultural activities, as one would expect from a city that size. There are accommodation options for a range of budgets, and the general cost of living is inexpensive compared to other big cities.
- Average cost of living for a digital nomad: $1,969/month
- WiFi speeds: 27.39mbps download, 11.16mbps upload
- Why people love it: the plethora of cultural sites, it is easy to make friends, and very friendly to LGBTQ+ nomads
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Mike
Wednesday 22nd of February 2023
I am not entirely sure how you determined your COLA for each city, but I live in the Centro area of Puerto Vallarta one block from the Malecon/Ocean and get by on roughly $2200/month. I don't imbibe so that may have an influence. I eat out many times a month and cook many meals a week. I have a Spa across the street and get Pedis and a 90 minute therapeutic massage monthly. I take my clothes to a laundry once a week in Zona Romantica and wash towels in my apartment.
I have a year lease on my apartment which has 3 bedrooms and one bath. The living room and kitchen area are large enough and very nice. I have a terrace upstairs with the washer and dryer along with a table and chairs overlooking a portion of the ocean. Fireworks happen nightly and I can see them from the balcony outside of my living room.
This balcony was fantastic for the Day of the Dead parade which came right down calle Morelos. The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a couple of blocks away and the posadas go along calle Juarez a block away. I go to either LaComer or Costco about once a month for meat and some veggies. Other veggies and fruits I buy from a market a couple of blocks away. I am not sure how one would spend $4,000 plus in Puerto Vallarta unless you ate out every night at an expensive restaurant and drank loads of premium Whiskey nightly.