Mexico City is rapidly becoming one of the most popular large Latin American cities for digital nomads. Bursting with vibrant culture, world-class food, and a pumping nightlife scene, this city truly does have something for everyone.
Pair that with relatively affordable living costs, warm weather year-round, and an ever-growing community of remote workers and you have a pretty epic place to live. Here are seven top reasons why digital nomads like me are flocking to Mexico City!
7 Reasons Why Digital Nomads Flock to Mexico City
Earlier this year, I spent some time living in Mexico City and it was fantastic. I don’t often love massive cities, but Mexico City is different. It’s an amazing place and I’d recommend it to anyone, without hesitation.
1. Cost of Living
Mexico City has a lower cost of living than many other major capital cities in North America or Europe. You can typically rent a one-bedroom apartment in the city center for between $600–$700 USD per month.
This affordability also extends to daily expenses. When I lived in Mexico City, I would regularly eat out for under $10 for a substantial meal in a nice local restaurant. Of course, you can spend hundreds of dollars in fancy bars and restaurants too, but you don’t need to break the bank to live well.
Eating and drinking out doesn’t have to be a rare luxury, you can do it regularly without having lots of disposable money. It’s a shame the same can’t be said of London, where I spent most of my 20s!
2. Cultural Richness
Mexico City is a fascinating treasure trove of different cultures; from its ancient Mexica (/Aztec) ruins to its vibrant art, theater, and music scenes. It’s one of the most exciting cities in the Americas and somewhere you’re extremely unlikely to be bored!
Mexico City is home to more than 150 museums. The Museo Nacional de Antropología is my favorite – housing a staggering number of artifacts telling the story of Mexico’s rich history, from neolithic times all the way to the modern age, this place really is a must-visit.
In addition, there’s a dizzying number of local markets, street festivals, and live music events held throughout the year which add to the city’s dynamic atmosphere. Whatever you’re into, there’s always something new and exciting to discover here.
3. Pleasant Climate
Many digital nomads (myself included) tend to prefer to base themselves in countries with warm, pleasant weather, and this is another thing that’s great about Mexico City. No scorching summers, no freezing winters – for most of the year, you can enjoy very comfortable climates.
With average daytime temperatures of around 20°C (68 °F), the city enjoys a subtropical highland climate, with plenty of sunshine year-round. This makes it ideal for both work and leisure and means it’s easy to enjoy an active, outdoor lifestyle any time of year.
At 2,240 meters above sea level, Mexico City is one of the highest capital cities in the world. This means it never really gets too hot but, due to the southerly latitude, the sun is still strong and warming, and the shade is lovely and cool.
4. Strong Expat and Digital Nomad Community
Mexico City has a thriving community of digital nomads and other expats. By some estimations, more than 1 million Americans are currently living in Mexico City. I had to check that stat twice – 1 million! That’s huge!
The large number of foreigners living and working in the city helps to create a welcoming environment where it’s easy to surround yourself with like-minded people who share your passions and interests.
From regular meetups and networking events to hobby groups, there’s a huge potential for connecting with other digital nomads in Mexico City, both on a personal and a professional level. This sense of community also makes settling in easier and makes CDMX a friendly, supportive place to live.
5. High-Speed Internet and Co-Working Spaces
What are two things digital nomads simply can’t live without? High-speed internet and a good place to work, of course!
Internet speeds in Mexico City are generally pretty good, with an average broadband download speed of 77 Mbps. Decent WiFi is widely available in cafes and many public spaces, and it’s often free, allowing you to get online and be productive wherever you are in the city.
If you like to work from coworking spaces, you’ll find heaps of them here too, with a range of amenities, comfortable workstations, and regular events.
6. The Food!
Mexico City is a foodie’s paradise, and the culinary scene here is one of the best in the world. You’ll find everything from traditional Mexican taco vendors to high-end sushi bars and Michelin-starred fine-fining restaurants to Argentinian gaucho-style BBQ places.
The city caters to all tastes and budgets. One of the things I miss most about living in Mexico City is how easy it is to find amazing (and cheap) food in virtually every corner of the city, day or night.
There’s a great street food culture in CDMX too. During a long day of working remotely, I used to love taking a break to go out and explore the numerous food markets and stalls, where you’ll find everything from spicy tamales to fresh ceviche. Mercado La Merced is one of my favorites!
7. Accessibility and Opportunities for Travel
Located in the heart of the Americas, Mexico City’s strategic location is a major advantage for digital nomads who love to travel.
Its main international airport has flights to practically every corner of North, South, and Central America, as well as many places further afield, so it’s a great city to base yourself in and travel from.
If you’re from the US, it’s also not that far away, compared with the various digital nomad hotspots in Asia or Eastern Europe for example. Plus, if you work with people based in North America, you’ll be working from a similar time zone as them, which could be a significant advantage.
In Conclusion
Mexico City is one of the best, most lively, and fun cities I’ve ever lived in. It’s no surprise that it’s such a popular place with digital nomads and other travelers.
The city offers a wonderful combination of cost, climate, culture, and cuisine, plus an amazing ability to constantly surprise and inspire. If you’re a remote worker, I’d definitely recommend spending some time here!