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Mexico is the number one destination for digital nomads in Latin America, particularly those coming from the United States.
Not only is it geographically close to their homeland, Mexico offers Americans warmer weather, that slow-paced living they wouldn’t find had they stayed in their birth cities, and a higher quality of life, making it ideal for a temporary wintertime relocation.
Still, where exactly are remote workers moving south of the border to beat those intrusive winter blues? We have 3 major picks:
Puerto Escondido
Straddling Mexico’s gorgeous Pacific Coast, Puerto Escondido is a lesser-known gem in the state of Oaxaca that’s achieved notoriety due to its fast-growing tourism sector, up-and-coming resort zone, and miles on miles of unruffled, spotless sandy beaches.
Though it was founded only in the 1930s, it rapidly grew in relevance as the downscale response to a high-end Huatulco, hosting young surfers and backpackers, as well as Mexican families going on low-cost vacations – and in recent months, also digital nomads.
Affordability is one of the main drives behind the surge in remote workers in this sleepy, once-forgotten beach town, as average monthly expenses total only $2,231, and nomads get to enjoy the same beautiful nature and coastline as they would elsewhere in the Mexican Pacific for far cheaper rates.
According to NomadList, the largest database for digital nomad trends, Puerto Escondido is the category’s third most-loved beach hotspot South of the border.
Members describe it as ‘great fun’, listing the nightlife, the friendliness to foreigners, the high concentration of ‘places to work from’, and the lively social scene as big attractions for potential medium to long-term residents.
Tulum
According to NomadList, the incredibly popular Tulum, a resort town in the heart of the Mayan Riviera, is the second most popular coastal destination for digital nomads in Mexico right now, highly sought-after for its pristine beaches and nomad-friendly infrastructure.
An extremely rare feat, 100% of the digital nomad platform’s respondents approve of Tulum, deeming Quality of Life and Safety there ‘okay‘, highlighting the weather conditions as a positive aspect (a pleasant 84.2 degrees on average), and praising the internet speed (19 Mbps).
In sum, Tulum is perfect for ‘beginners’ as the local hospitality industry is almost exclusively catered to foreigners, making it extremely easy for them to integrate and access services hassle-free, as they normally would at home.
From numerous coworking spots to digital nomad cafes to fast public WiFi on beaches, it’s no wonder Tulum is such a strong contender for the favorite.
The only downside? Renting long-term and consumer prices can be quite expensive, and nomads are advised to budget at least $3,393 per month.
Playa Del Carmen
The unofficial expat capital of Mexico, Playa Del Carmen is listed as the leading beach destination in the country by NomadList, as well as the fourth most popular overall, barred from the top three by the mighty Mexico City, its cultural competitor Guadalajara, and off-path Oaxaca City.
Carmen is liked by over 90% of NomadList members, a lower percentage than Tulum’s universal acclaim, but it does fare better in more subcategories, such as affordability – nomads can live here on $2,640 per month – average internet speed (47 Mbps), and walkability (Great).
Safety perception is yet another determining factor in Carmen’s success, as the beach town is heavily policed day and night by local security enforcers, whose sole aim is to keep visitors safe – in fact, time and again, it’s featured among Mexico’s safest coastal destinations.
Additionally, the fact that American nomads are eligible for a six-month stay in Mexico visa-free makes Carmen incredibly popular, more so than its Caribbean counterparts, especially now that Cancun International Airport allows U.S. passport holders to simply scan their way into the country.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com