Mexico is a great place to be a digital nomad. With great year-round weather, a gorgeous landscape, and authentic culture, it’s a no-brainer.
There are lots of places in Mexico that would be great for digital nomads. With so many places to consider, from the Yucatan Peninsula to Baja California Sur to Mexico City, it can be hard to choose the best place to stay. Keep reading for some of the best cities in Mexico for digital nomads.
Mexico has long been a popular tourist destination. With its long line of resorts along the ocean, people all over the world come to Mexico to enjoy the beautiful country for themselves.
However, there is much more to Mexico than just the resort cities that line the ocean.
It deserves to be explored thoroughly, and it’s a great place to adventure and immerse yourself in a different culture.
Visa Requirements for Digital Nomads in Mexico
People from all over the world are allowed to stay in Mexico on a 6-month tourist visa with no income requirements.
You will receive the visa upon arrival, so you don’t need to apply for it in advance.
If you plan to stay for longer than six months you’ll need to apply for temporary residency, which allows visitors to stay in Mexico for six months to 4 years.
The process is easy to complete, and you can find a ton of information online to help you through the entire process.
You won’t be able to work for a Mexican company, but you will be able to continue working remotely. After the four years have passed, you can apply for permanent residency if you choose to do so.
Breathe easy, knowing that if Mexico is the country you dream of living in as a digital nomad, you can easily make that happen.
How Expensive is Living in Mexico?
The cost of living will differ depending on where you choose to stay, but there is a relatively low cost of living.
You can pay well under a thousand per month on rent and utilities. In fact, it’s possible to pay around $500 a month for rent. Often apartments come furnished, so you don’t have to worry about going out and purchasing things.
You can expect to pay around $300 to $500 for a one-bedroom, furnished apartment with utilities depending on where you’re staying.
Best Cities in Mexico for Digital Nomads
1. Tulum
Known for its Mayan ruins, perfect beaches, and tourist crowds, Tulum is a popular place among digital nomads.
Tulum is a relatively small beach city, so it’s great for getting to know people and also great if you enjoy getting comfortable with a city.
There are several coworking spaces, and the internet has continued to get better and faster. If you want a nice apartment in downtown Tulum, it will cost around $800 to $900 per month.
Something to consider is that Tulum is very much a party town that attracts a super young crowd. If this isn’t your scene, Tulum may not be the best place for you to stay.
As for activities in Tulum, if you love snorkeling or scuba diving, this is one of the best places in the country to do so.
2. Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a large city but has maintained its small-town beach feel very well. It has an international airport, resorts that millions of tourists visit yearly, and many attractions and accommodations.
It’s a great place for digital nomads because you’ll be near the ocean while still having all the infrastructure and amenities you could want and need.
An apartment in this city will cost somewhere between $700 to $800 a month.
Puerto Vallarta is home to the beach but also mountains. The hilly city is a great place to explore.
3. Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is arguably the most popular digital nomad destination. Most beach towns aren’t notable for top-notch WIFI, but this city on the coast is. Which is what you want when you work online.
It also has various coworking spaces for digital nomads. It’s located close to Cancun, which has an international airport if you plan to do some additional traveling.
Cancun is a very popular city that millions of people visit yearly. Playa del Carmen is a bit quieter than Cancun but is still a popular tourist destination.
It’s not going to be the most authentic place in Mexico, but it has managed to maintain its local charm even with a growing number of tourists in the city.
If you want to be on the Yucatan Peninsula in the hustle and bustle of everything, this is a great place to be.
Something else to keep in mind is the WIFI speed because the internet is vital for digital nomads. Playa del Carmen has very fast WIFI compared to other areas in the country.
A nice apartment near the water will most likely cost around $900 a month.
Playa del Carmen is full of amazing cenotes, so when you get tired of the beach you should hit these up, as they are an amazing experience and you can only find them in the Yucatan.
4. Mexico City
The capital of Mexico, Mexico City, is an excellent place for digital nomads. This international destination has all the amenities you could need, and it’s affordable.
There are many attractions and beautiful architecture, making it a great place to live and explore as a digital nomad.
When it comes to WIFI, Mexico City is going to have the fastest, if not one of the fastest, WIFI speeds in the entire country, which is something to consider.
In addition, there are numerous coworking spaces you can use to get your work done; from a large, We Work office to coffee shops with dedicated working space.
Here you will have the opportunity to work wherever you’d like.
Unfortunately, Mexico City is a bit more expensive, and you may be paying $1,000 a month for a nice one-bedroom apartment. But it is worth it, trust me there are plenty of things to do in CDMX.
5. Oaxaca City
This city oozes culture and authenticity. If you’re hoping to truly immerse yourself, this is a great place to be.
The state of Oaxaca is one of the most culturally rich in the country, and Oaxaca City is the capital of this state.
It has many attractions and some of the best food in the country. Oaxaca will provide digital nomads with a slower and more meaningful lifestyle. An apartment in a nice neighborhood will cost around $600 to $800.
| Pro Tip: Be sure to do a Food Tour while you are in Oaxaca |
6. Merida
Considered to be one of the safest cities, Merida is a great place for digital nomads. This city is the cultural capital of the Yucatan, so it has lots of pretty monuments, architecture, and cultural experiences to enjoy.
If you want to immerse yourself in the culture over partying or going out, this is the place to be.
There are several coworking spaces and an apartment will cost around $800 per month. Keep in mind that Merida is not right on the beach and is about 30 minutes from the closest beach, so if this coast is a non-negotiable for you, Merida might not be the best place.
7. Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital city of the state of Jalisco. The city has a fun vibe, and there are always exciting things going on.
It’s a great place for a day trip to nearby places like Tequila or Laka Chapala, and there are also plenty of hiking opportunities.
The historic downtown is a beautiful place to walk around with incredible architecture and a cathedral with gold spires.
This western Mexican city is a great place for digital nomads, only if you don’t mind not being near the ocean.
8. Puerto Escondido
Located on the Pacific Coast, Puerto Escondido is in the state of Oaxaca and is located on the ocean. It was one of the best surf spots in Mexico, on top of being a great spot for digital nomads.
It has tons of beautiful beaches and is known for its booming nightlife scene. If you enjoy surfing, this is a great place to hang ten.
Puerto Escondido is a safe beach town with gorgeous views and many activities. This beachside city is cheaper than the likes of Cancun, Tulum, and Puerto Vallarta, which also makes it more attractive.
There are several coworking spaces you can use to get work done. It’s a great place to consider as a digital nomad.
Reasons to be a Digital Nomad in Mexico
Keep reading for some of the reasons that Mexico is a great place to live as a digital nomad:
Landscape
You’ll never run out of places to explore in Mexico. Mexico has everything you could dream of, from mountains to the ocean to cenotes, rivers, and jungles.
While the coast is arguably the most popular thing about the country, it’s predominantly a mountainous landscape.
Deserts and tropical forests are also super popular. In other words, there is a lot to see and explore in Mexico.
Another cool feature is the cenotes which are only located on the Yucatan Peninsula and no other place in the world. They are formed by sunken limestone that forms to make a freshwater pool in the ground.
Some are entirely underground, while others are more like natural swimming pools. These beautiful holes in the ground are one of the most attractive natural features of the country.
Weather
Another appealing quality is the constant warm weather with an average temperature in the 70s year-round. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Of course, the temperature can vary depending on where you are in the country, and there is the risk of hurricanes, but generally, the weather is warm and agreeable.
Culture
The culture in Mexico is rich and vibrant, providing an authentic experience. The country is home to over 30 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Aztec and Mayan historical sites. There are Mayan ruins all over the country worth exploring.
Food
People all over the adore Mexican food. Be sure to eat tacos, mole sauce, guacamole, and tamales, among other authentic Mexican food while visiting.
As for drinks, tequila and mezcal are the two most famous alcoholic drinks that originate from Mexico.
Conclusions
Mexico is a wonderful place for digital nomads. For those from America, it’s a relatively short trip to some fantastic, warm weather.
The tropical country has amazing weather, an emphasis on culture, a diverse landscape, and some of the best food in the world.
No wonder it’s a popular tourist destination and a great place to live as a digital nomad. With its generous tourist visa and even more generous temporary resident visa, it’s super easy to spend time in this heaven-on-Earth location.
There it is we hope you enjoyed this article on the best cities in Mexico for Digital Nomads, do you have a favorite spot that wasn’t mentioned on this list? Say so in the comments below
Related Content
