Latin America Digital Nomad…is that a thing now?!
Yes, it most definitely is!
But the real question is: Is it possible for digital nomads to work online (with stable wifi) and travel around in Latin America?
Matthew and I have spent more than a year as Latin America digital nomads and we’re living proof it’s possible but more than that – it’s so much fun! The cost of living is relatively low, the wifi can be pretty fast and these Latin American countries offer a pretty comfortable lifestyle.
Here are our top 5 cities to be a digital nomad in Latin America.
Latin America Is On The Rise For Digital Nomads
Where is Latin America anyway?! While it might seem like basic geography to some, it’s good to refresh our memories!
Latin America (aka LATAM) is the portion of the Americas that are connected through their Romance language like Spanish, Portuguese and French. This includes countries like Mexico, Colombia, Brazil and Argentina.
These countries are full of rich culture, great community and unforgettable experiences to be had. Not every country is the same. We have (tried) to speak Spanish in Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia and they are all very different! It might seem like they are pretty similar but they are so many differences you can only realize when you visit and honestly…that’s what makes it so fun to explore each Latin American country.
QUICK ANSWER: 5x Top Digital Nomad Cities In Latin America
We believe that this part of the world is attracting more digital nomads, remote workers and full-time travelers in recent years.
- Medellin, Colombia
- Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Antigua, Guatemala
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
As the infrastructure and safety improvements throughout these countries, people from all over the world are flocking to Latin America.
What Attracts Digital Nomads To Latin America?
After a year living in Latin America, we think it is one of the best places for digital nomads to travel, live and work online. Here’s why:
- Rich Culture: Love learning about other cultures? The countries in Latin America have amazing cultures you can immerse yourself in. See how other people live, work and even date!
- Delicious Food: Are you a foodie? You’re going to enjoy being a Latin America digital nomad. There are so many different cuisines and dishes like Mexican tacos, Argentinian steaks or the Colombian bandejo paisa. You can try all the different tastes and textures of food in Latin America!
- Cost of Living: Got a tight budget? You can have a relatively low cost of living across Latin America. The food, transport and tours are pretty cheap. However, we do believe the rental prices are on the rise (possibly because demand has increased) but it isn’t as close to US, AUS or European prices.
- Practice Your Spanish: Looking to learn a new language? Try Spanish! It’s spoken in so many different countries, it’s a worthwhile venture. I have taken a couple of classes and trust me – it’s worth it if you plan on being a Latin America digital nomad for more than 6 months.
- Time Zone: A lot of LATAM countries are in the same time zones as the United States. For example, Medellin is on Eastern Time while some parts of Mexico are on Pacific Time. We’ve met a lot of US citizens that travel through Latin America because they have to work specific hours.
- Diverse Landscapes: Beaches? Check! Mountains? Check! Deserts? Check! Jungles? Check! You’ve got every possible landscape you could want in Latin America. Honestly…it’s such a unique part of the world!
- Quality of Life: We know life as a digital nomad in Asia is great…but is the digital nomad life as good in Latin America? While it’s hard to compare, you can have a high standard of living in Latin America too.
- Amazing coffee: As bonafide coffee lovers, we have to include this! We love a good cup of coffee and there isn’t a shortage of good coffee in Latin America. A lot of the coffee beans are exported to countries all over the world – why not try the beans from where they were harvested?
I felt like that was a mouthful but we honestly believe that Latin America is one of the best places for digital nomads to work online, travel and meet people.
5x Best Cities To Be A Latin America Digital Nomad
I’m going to be honest with you…
Not every city in Latin America will work for digital nomads.
You have to be very picky where you go otherwise your work could suffer. I know there are so many countries you want to visit and explore but some of those countries just aren’t prepared to handle the digital nomad lifestyle.
What do I mean by this?
The wifi isn’t the best in certain cities. For example, we have heard great things about Costa Rica but we’ve also heard not-so-great things about their wifi speeds. If you’re serious about getting your work done, it’s best to stick to the vetted digital nomad hubs and just vacation to neighboring countries instead.
As digital nomads and/or remote workers, it’s important to have reliable wifi, affordable cost of living, decent digital nomad communities and good quality of life for a country to become a great digital nomad hub.
Here are the 5x best digital nomad hubs spread across Latin America.
1. Medellin, Colombia 🇨🇴
Colombia is a beautiful, diverse country located in South America. Medellin has been a popular city for digital nomads for years now. It has transformed since its dark past into a thriving metropolis filled with innovation, culture and natural beauty.
Medellin is also known as “The City of Eternal Spring” because of the stable weather and temperature throughout the year. It’s a steady 62°F to 78°F which means it isn’t too hot or too cold – we always talk about how great the weather was in Medellin!
As a Medellin digital nomad, there are plenty of things to do around the city which will keep you busy on the weekends. The airport is only 40 minutes away which also makes it easy to do weekend trips to Cartagena, Santa Marta or even San Andres Island!
💸 Cost of Living in Medellin
Medellin is a popular digital nomad destination because of its affordable cost of living. It’s probably the cheapest/most affordable city on this list.
As a digital nomad, you’re probably not on a shoestring budget and that’s why we like to give very ‘comfortable’ cost of living prices. This means you don’t have to sleep in the dorms at hostels and have plenty of room in the budget to do things and eat out!
The monthly cost of living in Medellin for a couple starts from $1,700 USD. If you’re traveling solo, the monthly cost of living in Medellin is more like $1,000 USD.
Here’s the truth:
Rent is pretty expensive in Medellin. A lot of your budget will go towards your rent especially if you go the Airbnb route. Depending on where you choose to live, a studio apartment can cost anywhere between $700 USD to $1,200+ USD.
The good news is that everything else is pretty cheap. We think it’s one of the cheapest cities to eat out and eat well (like healthy food doesn’t cost an arm and a leg). The activities are affordable too – we went paragliding for only $50 each!
👩🏻💻👨🏼💻 Coworking/Coliving in Medellin
There is a pretty big coworking culture in Medellin which means there are plenty of spaces already set up with much more being built as digital nomads continue to flock to Medellin.
The wifi is pretty stable and in our experience, the fastest out of all the Latin American countries we’ve visited. In our Airbnb apartment, we had internet speeds of 300 Mbps and the coworking space had around 80+ Mbps. The data on your phone can go up to LTE which is pretty fast as well in case wifi drops out for whatever reason.
Here are some of the popular coworking spaces in Medellin:
- Semilla Cafe & Coworking
- ZonaWork
- WeWork
Coliving is super popular in Medellin – so much so they are booked out months in advance! If you want an instant group of friends to hang out with, coliving might be for you. Here are the 3x best coliving spaces in Medellin:
- Balu Coliving
- Vecino Coliving
- Casa Santafe Coliving
The best thing about living in Medellin it has one of the biggest digital nomad communities in all of Latin America. As it’s a top digital nomad hotspot – it’s easy to make friends and meet other like-minded people. There are plenty of events happening throughout the week and Facebook groups to join.
✅ Visit Medellin if…you love being in the hustle and bustle of a city with a stable wifi connection, plenty of people to meet and things to do. It doesn’t feel like a huge city either because it’s filled with so much greenery – Medellin feels like the definition of an urban jungle!
❌ Don’t visit Medellin if…you need to live close to the beach. Medellin is pretty much in the center of Colombia so it is surrounded by mountains and forests. If you want to live by the beach, Cartagena or Santa Marta is a better option for you (although I can’t say the same for the wifi)!
2. Playa del Carmen, Mexico 🇲🇽
Playa del Carmen has a special place in my heart. It was the first Mexican city we lived in and we think it was a great place for us to start our Mexican adventures! While a lot of people say it’s super touristy (and it is), we think it offers a very high standard of living for digital nomads.
Playa del Carmen is located along the coast of the Riviera Maya in the state of Quintana Roo. The beautiful beaches, warm weather and delicious Mexican food are what continues to draw tourists, digital nomads and remote workers to this beautiful beach town. While living in Playa del Carmen, we enjoyed the laid-back lifestyle and got to meet some pretty cool people.
The best time to visit Playa del Carmen is the shoulder months of May and August. You get fewer crowds of tourists, pretty warm weather (without too much rain) and even better deals for apartments!
As a Playa del Carmen digital nomad, you’ll enjoy going to the beach and watching the sunset after you finish a hard day’s work. There are plenty of digital nomads already in Playa del Carmen so there is no shortage of friends you can make! If you like to go to events or meetups, you can choose from Laura’s Trivia Night to a Saturday volleyball group and more!
💸 Cost of Living in Playa del Carmen
You’d think it costs an arm and a leg to live 10 minutes walking from the beach right?
Not in Playa del Carmen!
We were very lucky without Airbnb in Playa del Carmen and got a crazy deal for only $700 USD a month. Nowadays, that same apartment goes for $1,500 USD! This just shows the increase in demand in Playa del Carmen.
The monthly cost of living in Playa del Carmen for a couple is around $1,800 USD. That’s what we spent but again – the apartment prices have significantly increased. If you’re a solo digital nomad, you are looking at a monthly cost of living around $1,300 USD (if you get a good deal on your apartment).
While the apartment prices can be ridiculous…everything else is pretty affordable in Playa del Carmen. Groceries, eating at the best taco spots in Playa del Carmen and activities are all very reasonably priced!
👩🏻💻👨🏼💻 Coworking/Coliving in Playa del Carmen
We think Playa del Carmen is one of the biggest digital nomad hubs in Latin America and also across Mexico. The wifi in Playa del Carmen is pretty stable, although it isn’t super fast around 20-30 Mbps, it is reliable. Our apartment only had around 20 Mbps but our favorite cafe in Playa del Carmen to work from got wifi speeds of 200+ Mbps.
One of the original coworking spaces in Mexico opened up in PDC and it’s honestly helped it become a digital nomad destination. Here are the best coworking spaces in Playa del Carmen:
- NEST Coworking
- BUNKR Coworking
There aren’t proper coliving spaces in Playa del Carmen. We found a lot of people would just form groups and then rent a place together as opposed to an established coliving space. Simply join the events and meetups to make some new friends!
✅ Visit Playa del Carmen if…you love being close to the beach and having a laid-back lifestyle. We enjoyed the warm weather and casual digital nomad lifestyle you could have here just eating tacos, going to the beach and hanging out with our friends.
❌ Don’t visit Playa del Carmen if…you hate super touristy destinations! If you want to experience authentic Mexican culture, Playa del Carmen might not be the best place to do that. It’s s
3. Antigua, Guatemala 🇬🇹
Guatemala is a beautiful (and highly underrated) city in Central America. Antigua is a popular city located 2 hours from the international airport. The town itself is stunning and it’s even a UNESCO Heritage site (yes – the entire town).
When you walk through this beautiful city you’ll see why – the ruins scattered across and the cobblestone streets will take you back in time. Antigua is a gem in its own right and it has so much potential to become a top digital nomad hub.
Note: Please don’t get Antigua, Guatemala mixed up with the island of Antigua on the Caribbean coast – I know it seems silly to state this but we couldn’t believe the number of times it was mistaken…(and I don’t believe they are anything alike).
The best time to visit Antigua, Guatemala is from November to April. This is considered the dry season which means you’ll get less rain throughout your stay. A lot of the best activities in Guatemala are done outdoors like hiking the Acatenango Volcano.
We spent 2 months as Antigua Guatemala digital nomads and we think it’s one of the most under-rated digital nomad destinations in the world. The weather isn’t too humid but it’s still hot enough, there are plenty of outdoor activities to do and there’s a growing digital nomad community.
💸 Cost of Living in Antigua
Thinking about living in Antigua, Guatemala…but unsure if the cost of living will suit your budget? Here’s what we spent and think is the right budget to have!
The monthly cost of living in Antigua, Guatemala for a couple is around $1,820 USD. For a solo digital nomad, the monthly cost of living is more like $1,400 USD.
We got a pretty decent deal on our Airbnb so it wasn’t as high as it could be, however, the place was also pretty small so there’s that! The reality is you just don’t get value for money when you’re renting an Airbnb in Latin America.
Here’s the thing – as Latin America digital nomads we have noticed a trend in our cost of living guides. The rental prices are pretty expensive throughout Latin America BUT everything else can be pretty cheap.
It’s the same with Antigua, Guatemala. If you like to eat out, do groceries or go on tours, it’s relatively cheap! The quetzal is a pretty strong currency which is something to keep in mind while you’re there because it can be easy to overspend.
👩🏻💻👨🏼💻 Coworking & Coliving in Antigua
Antigua, Guatemala is a growing digital nomad hub in Latin America. The wifi is a little more stable than in Mexico and it can get pretty fast too. For a city that’s only just getting on the radar for digital nomads in Latin America, the coworking scene is growing rapidly.
We worked from the 2 best coworking spaces in Antigua, Guatemala. They both had stable wifi and speeds of 80+ Mbps. They cost around $80-$150 USD for a monthly membership. The community at both coworking spaces is vibrant and we made some pretty good friends while working from there.
Here are the best coworking spaces in Antigua, Guatemala:
- El Cubo Center
- Impact Hub
Coliving isn’t a thing yet in Antigua. We couldn’t find any coliving spaces in the area which shows the city has potential for digital nomads but it isn’t quite there yet (but it could be).
✅ Visit Antigua if…you love living in a city dripping in culture and history as you step through the cobblestone streets and pass the church ruins. It’s not too humid but the weather is still warm, there is a growing community and the culture is amazing!
❌ Don’t visit Antigua if…you don’t like being land-locked in the city. Unfortunately, the coast of Guatemala with beaches like El Paredon isn’t prepared to handle digital nomads (hello wifi issues) but you can also try becoming a Lake Atitlan digital nomad if the city life gets too much for you!
4. Mexico City, Mexico 🇲🇽
Mexico City is quickly becoming a top digital nomad hotspot. The internet is pretty reliable, there are lots of activities to do on weekends and if you love food – you’ll love living in Mexico City as a digital nomad. You get the modern amenities and creature comforts of a big city without the high cost of living in other big cities like London or New York.
Mexico City is a major international city which means it’s easy to get flights in and out of the country and if you’re from the US, it’s pretty easy to work out the time zones. Digital nomads in Latin America will enjoy Mexico City because of the vibrant culture and history, the delicious Mexican food, cafe culture and modern amenities.
💸 Cost of Living in Mexico City
For such a big, modern and metropolis city – the cost of living is much lower than what you would expect. Again with most cities as a Latin America digital nomad, the rental prices are what drive the cost up.
The monthly cost of living in Mexico City for a couple is around $1,900 USD. For a solo digital nomad, the monthly cost of living is around $1450 USD.
Eating out, drinking coffee at cafes and your general costs will remain pretty low while living in Mexico City. Airbnb on the other hand might be where the majority of your budget will go. The 2 most popular areas are Roma Norte and La Condesa. An average 1 bedroom apartment can cost anywhere between $750 USD to $1,200 USD in these neighborhoods.
If you get a good deal on an apartment, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about your budget because everything else can be very cheap in Mexico City!
👩🏻💻👨🏼💻 Coworking & Coliving in Mexico City
There are plenty of Mexico coworking spaces all across the country. The coworking spaces in Mexico City offer great events, workshops and a comfortable setup to get work done. Most of them are located nearby the 2 popular neighborhoods – Roma Norte and La Condesa.
Here are the best coworking spaces in Mexico City:
- 3er El Espacio
- MIA Co-growing
- LAX Cowork
As Mexico City is a pretty established digital nomad hub in Latin America, there are several coliving spaces available. Here are some of the best coliving spaces in Mexico City:
You’ll usually get a couple of accommodation options – shared rooms, private rooms with shared bathrooms and/or private bathroom ensuite. If you’re looking for an instant community, a coliving space might be a great option for you!
✅ Visit Mexico City if…you love a vibrant culture, foodie heaven and a buzzing metropolis city.
❌ Don’t visit Mexico City if…you hate big crowds of people and a bustling city. If you want a more low-key and laid-back lifestyle, other Mexican cities can offer that.
5. Buenos Aires, Argentina 🇦🇷
Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina. I think it’s one of the most unique cities because you get to see European and Argentinian influences all around. The architecture is stunning and if you’re a meat-lover – you’ll enjoy the food scene in Buenos Aires.
If it’s your first time as a Latin America digital nomad, Buenos Aires is a great country to start your LATAM adventures! Why?
A good amount of the population speaks some English which helps if you’re just starting to learn Spanish. It’s a cosmopolitan city with all the modern comforts like stable wifi, transportation options and infrastructure. It’s very different than other Latin American cities because of the huge European influences which are why it’s a great city to ease yourself into Latin America.
💸 Cost of Living in Buenos Aires
As a city that makes you feel like you’re in Europe, the cost of living in Buenos Aires is nowhere as expensive as the popular European cities. This is what also makes Buenos Aires a great city for digital nomads to start traveling through Latin America.
The monthly cost of living in Buenos Aires for a couple is around $1600 USD. For solo digital nomads, the monthly cost of living is more like $1,300 USD. It’s one of the cheapest costs of living on this list!
You can still get very beautiful and modern apartments for less than $700 USD. Eating out is relatively cheap and if you’re a meat-lover – you will enjoy eating the famous Argentinian steaks for less than $15 USD.
Finally! A city whose rental prices aren’t insane. The popular area for digital nomads to live in is called Palermo. You can easily book a modern 1 bedroom apartment in this neighborhood for less than $700 USD and the value for money is incomparable!
👩🏻💻👨🏼💻 Coworking & Coliving in Buenos Aires
You know it’s a growing digital nomad hub if more coworking spaces open up. With more than 50+ coworking spaces all across Buenos Aires, you can easily find places to get your work done wherever you are in the city.
Here are the best coworking spaces in Buenos Aires:
- Huerta Coworking
- Cafe Flor
While there are many coliving options in Buenos Aires, it’s definitely a growing market. Here’s one of the coliving spaces you can check out:
✅ Visit Buenos Aires if…you love an underrated city with a low cost of living. As Buenos Aires is still rising the ranks of the digital nomad hubs in Latin America, you can enjoy the low prices, high standard of living and growing digital nomad community.
❌ Don’t Visit Buenos Aires if…you want easy access to travel around the world. Buenos Aires is far…like really far! Flights to and from Argentina are very expensive and the flight durations are very long even from a nearby country like Colombia.
Is It Worth It To Become a Digital Nomad In Latin America?
Quick Answer: YES!
We loved our time as Latin America digital nomads. The culture is so rich wherever you go in Latin America – you will learn so much about how others live. If you want to learn Spanish, you can practice speaking in so many different countries. The diverse landscapes mean you can have any experience whether it’s beaches, lakes, mountains, deserts and even jungles!
There are so many cities to be discovered in Latin America for digital nomads but these are the top 5 cities that can handle the needs of a digital nomad’s lifestyle. If you choose to become a digital nomad in any of these cities, you’ll have easy access to fast wifi, coworking spaces and you’ll get a high standard of living.
Which is your favorite Latin American digital nomad city you’ve lived in? Comment below and let us know.
