Thinking about starting your journey as a digital nomad in Mexico? Sounds like a great plan! Mexico is a very large and diverse country rich in culture, tasty food, amazing landscapes, friendly people, and good weather. In addition, it’s a very affordable destination that allows travellers to visit for 180 days (6 months) to experience all this and more.
In recent years, especially since the pandemic began, Mexico has been on the rise to become one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads all around the world. Due to this increasing popularity, Mexico is expected to start welcoming more and more travelers and digital nomads from all around the world, especially from the U.S, Canada, and other nearby countries. If you’re a digital nomad looking for the top Mexican cities to live in, keep reading to find your next remote workspace!
The 5 Best Digital Nomad Cities in Mexico
Mexico City
This massive metropolis in the center of the country is home to over 9 million inhabitants and is one of the most famous cities in the world. Mexico City is a contemporary destination where travelers can find all the amenities that other cities such as LA, New York City, or Austin offer but at a much lower price.
CDMX is probably the country’s major digital nomad city, and there’s no doubt why, the myriad of activities and places to go to make this a very fun and entertaining destination, plus it’s also one of the Mexican cities with the best internet. If you want to choose CDMX as your next destination feel free to check out our article about the best neighborhoods in Mexico City, where you’ll get to know all about them to choose the right one for you.
PROS
- Good wifi everywhere
- There are many English speakers
- There are multiple things to do and places to go
CONS
- Poor air quality
- Heavy traffic at all times and big city issues
- It’s a very crowded city
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is a great option for those who want to live near the beach without losing comfort and the things the city has to offer. This beautiful town is located in Quintana Roo about an hour away from Cancun, where there’s an international airport. PDC is a small location, so it is easy to get around in it.
Although it is not a destination that many people talk about, Playa del Carmen is a site quite visited by a variety of foreigners and digital nomads, this makes it a spot where many restaurants, shops, cafés, and bars have English-speaking staff.
Its privileged location between Cancun and Tulum makes it an excellent spot for those who want to have more than one popular destination within reach without spending a lot of money.
PROS
- Fast internet
- Its proximity to the beach
- There’s a large community of digital nomads and international travelers
CONS
- Hurricanes may hit the area
- American culture overshadows the Mexican culture
- The weather reaches very high temperatures
Oaxaca City
Oaxaca de Juárez, the capital of the state of Oaxaca located in the south of Mexico is famous for its textiles, mezcal, mole, chocolate, archaeological sites, natural diversity, and art scene. Oaxaca usually goes unnoticed by international tourism compared to other places such as Mexico City or Tulum, but it’s a must-visit location for everyone in search of a slower, more sustainable lifestyle surrounded by culture, unique meals, and rich traditions.
Oaxaca has a lot to offer, it’s truly a place like no other, and a paradise for digital nomads. You won’t need to worry about WiFi because accommodations, coffee shops, and coworking centers usually have good internet speed and signal to get anything and everything done.
PROS
- Stunning wildlife and culture
- Slow-paced lifestyle
- Not too touristy
CONS
- Not many digital nomads
- To fly somewhere else you’ll probably have to connect through Mexico City
Guanajuato City
Guanajuato City, is a town full of art, color, and outstanding views in the state of Guanajuato. This beautiful destination is probably one of the most picturesque cities you’ll ever visit. Its youthful and bohemian vibe makes it a great fit for art lovers.
Just like Oaxaca City, Guanajuato City is an under-the-radar location, and a hidden gem slowly growing into a city for digital nomads and remote workers. One awesome perk of Guanajuato is that you can walk to many places since most of the city’s traffic travels through subway tunnels. Because Guanajuato is a university town you’ll be able to enjoy an incredible nightlife and bar atmosphere.
PROS
- It’s a unique and colorful destination
- The cultural experience is unmatched
- You’ll find art everywhere
CONS
- Its hilly streets
- There aren’t many English speakers
Puerto Vallarta
Despite being a very touristy spot, Puerto Vallarta (also known as PV) is one of a kind among the beach cities of Mexico thanks to its amazing weather, stunning beaches, and wildlife. Being a tourist city aimed mainly at wealthy visitors, living here is a bit more expensive compared to other beach towns but still affordable for digital nomads on a budget.
Puerto Vallarta offers a fusion of local culture with resort amenities. Coworking spaces and cafes are not as numerous here, however WiFi at Airbnbs and other accommodations is usually good. Unlike PDC, the digital nomad community is not yet that large, many of the people here are retirees or tourists.
PROS
- It’s one of the best beaches in Mexico
- Genuine Mexican culture
- Great nightlife scene
CONS
- Very hot weather during the summer
- Limited number of cafes and coworking spaces
Why Are These Mexico Cities Excellent Options for Digital Nomads?
Affordable cost of living
These 5 cities (and Mexico in general) are very inexpensive, even for travelers who have a slightly tight budget. The wide variety of food, housing and activity options will allow you to choose what best suits your needs and preferences.
Weather
No matter which one you pick you’ll always have good weather. If you’re trying to escape the freezing winters or deadly hot temperatures, Mexico’s weather will welcome you with open arms.
Internet
Internet will always be available for you to work at your accommodation, a coworking space or a coffee shop.
Society and Culture
There’s nothing better than living in a new location to get to know its culture, lifestyle and traditions. After spending some time experiencing life in one or all of these Mexican cities you’ll be immersed in a new way of living and thinking. Mexico is a unique country.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an exceptional country to work from, stop your quest because as you’ve already read, Mexico cities are the perfect spots for digital nomads and remote workers. We’ve fallen in love with them and we are sure you will too.
Feel free to follow our journey across this gorgeous country on Instagram @brazilsontours Thanks for reading!
