Many aspiring digital nomads or remote workers struggle to find destinations that offer the right mix of affordability, infrastructure, culture, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Latin America has emerged as a prime region for digital nomads, with several cities offering an ideal balance of these factors. Also, the region is diverse in terms of culture, history, places to visit, various activities, terrains, and friendly people.
Over the years, we have traveled slow and and worked remotely from many cities or smaller towns of Latin America.
In this article, we explore our top 8 cities in Latin America for digital nomads that offer a blend of adventure and productivity for remote workers, location-independent professionals and slow travelers.
We have 3 broad sections in this blogpost as a guide to your next digital nomad destinations in Latin America:
- Factors that we considered to choose the cities
- Top essential items you need to plan your digital nomad travel in Latin America
- Details of the 8 best cities in Latin America for Digital Nomads
- Plus, some FAQs
Factors to Choose Best Cities in Latin America for Digital Nomads
Apart from the individual characters of each city, some common factors that cement the positions of the cities are:
- Fast and reliable internet connectivity
- Plenty of things to do: local attractions and activities
- Community, Co-working spaces and cozy cafes
- Transportation network
- Options to stay longer, travel slow or get a Digital Nomad Visa (or a variation of the same)
Top Essential Items for Digital Nomads
There are several essential things that you need to plan a long term travel and travel as a digital nomad in Latin America or anywhere else in the world.
Here are our top picks when we plan our travels:
Visa Requirements & Duration
The first and the most important thing is to plan your entry to and exit from a country or multiple countries, and the related documentation.
- Check the visa options and duration allowed for each country. Most of the countries below let you stay 90 to 180 days, depending on your country of origin.
- Check if you need an exit ticket. Some countries need you to show an exit ticket.
- Check if you are eligible for a digital nomad visa if you wish to stay longer than the normal duration.
Healthcare & Insurance
The most essential thing when you are a nomad is to obtain a comprehensive travel and health insurance.
We use Safety Wing when we are uncertain about the end date and we can pay the premium monthly as required. We stop the payment when the trip ends.
When we know that our travel plan extends beyond 3 months, we use Heymondo’s Long Stay Travel Insurance. We renew the insurance after 3 months as required.
Do not forget to purchase travel insurance for your trip. We recommend:
✈️ Heymondo for short trips or long term travel (no deductibles, 24/7 worldwide support for any kind of medical assistance)
💻 SafetyWing for digital nomads (add-on options: adventure sports, electronics theft)
Exclusive for Paradise Catchers Readers: Get 5% off on Heymondo (discount automatically applied, not applicable for US residents)
Other things to check about your destination –
- Research local healthcare quality and facilities. The cities mentioned in this article have decent healthcare facilities. But be aware of the ones near the locality where you plan to stay.
- Know the emergency numbers of the country you visit.
- Consider vaccinations or medications needed for specific regions. For example, yellow fever vaccine is required for Brazil and some other countries particularly if you are visiting the Amazon.
Remember, when traveling long term as digital nomads, one can have sick days.
Check the caption of this post for a little story of when we weren’t at the best of our health, when we were about to start exploring Patagonia, and back home, our folks were celebrating our biggest festival.
Internet Connectivity
The other important aspect of traveling as a remote worker is the internet connectivity.
If you plan to travel multiple countries, use a global or regional e-sim. We recommend Airalo which has country or Latin America region level plans.
An e-SIM is best suited in 2 situations:
- You are connected right away to internet in a new country, do not pay high roaming charges on your home country SIM.
- If you are visiting multiple countries, e-SIM will help you stay connected until you figure out the local SIM.
📶 Buy your eSIM for the Latin America region here >>. Use code NEWTOAIRALO15 for 15% discount on one purchase. Use AIRALOESIM10 for a one time 10% discount in following purchase. (Offer valid until end of the year)
If you are planning to stay in a country for a long time, eventually we recommend getting a local SIM. The companies vary by countries and also by their pricing and coverage. That is why, we try looking around a bit before finalizing a local SIM during long stays.
There are couple of suggestions that we normally follow before finalizing a destination and a stay:
- Check average internet speeds in your potential destinations and find if there are any internet issues at your place of stay from reviews or directly asking the host.
- Research co-working spaces and reliable cafes for backup.
Digital Security
Another way to keep your data safe is to use a VPN. You will be connecting to various public WiFis, whether at the airport or the accommodation or the neighborhood cafe, which can expose your data.
Whether you are running a digital business or working as a freelancer, it is essential to safeguard your and your clients’ data. A VPN will help you safeguard your data.
Language & Culture
While you will find people speaking English in the tourist areas of Latin America, however, it is good to know the basic phrases of the local language.
Spanish is the primary official language for most Latin American countries, but not for all. Like, Portuguese is the official language of Brazil.
You can use language apps like Duolingo to get an idea of the basic phrases or download Google Translate to learn basic phrases and also for on-the-go translation purposes.
Our Top Digital Nomad Cities in South America and Central America
So, here is our list of 8 Best Digital Nomad Cities in Latin America 🏆 – Central and South America.
We have provided our highlights in each places based on what we have experienced from our stays.
A Note on the Cost Estimates: The cost estimates that we have provided are for accommodation, basic expenses like grocery, transportation and reasonable entertainment and tours. Of course, the costs can vary based on personal needs, choices of tours, type of accommodation, frequency of eating out and other lifestyle choices.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Europe meets South America
🛜 Internet Connectivity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👨🏻💻 Community & Nomad Infrastructure: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
☢️ General Safety: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🏝️ Things to do: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💵 Cost: 1000-1500 USD per month for accommodation, needs and basic entertainment and occasional eating out
** Note: Argentina has crazy inflation rates and they fluctuate rapidly. At times, the country becomes super affordable for foreign tourists, while at others, the prices may seem insane for visitors. So, read up on the economic conditions before you travel to Argentina.
The historic neighborhoods and streets of Buenos Aires, blend of architecture from the cosmopolitan demographics of the country, the culture of football, delectable food, fine wine, some of the world’s best ice-creams, the art scene, the nightlife, sum up the reasons why we had a great time in the city.
Often called the “Paris of South America“, this city blends Latin American flair with old-world charm, creating a unique and captivating atmosphere. With its thriving arts scene, vibrant nightlife, and growing digital ecosystem, Buenos Aires has become an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads.
Internet Connectivity & Digital Nomad Infrastructure
Buenos Aires has high speed internet connectivity to work, video calls, and streaming. We have not found it less than 40-50 mbps and were able to execute video calls with ease and stream on OTTs without any issue.
- Overall quality: Good, especially in prominent areas
- Average speeds: 30-100 Mbps, with faster options available
- Reliability: Generally stable
- Mobile data: 4G coverage is widespread, with 5G networks rolling out
Buenos Aires has an excellent network of co-working spaces in different neighborhoods across the city. Urban Station and WeWork, or the local chain La Maquinita, have multiple co-working spaces that provide excellent amenities for work.
Check out the other individual spaces in Palermo or Recoleta, which have ample options.
Selina Palermo is a place where you can co-live and co-work. Apart from that, Buenos Aires has vacation rentals which work perfectly for digital nomads. We prefer apartments for long term travels as they provide all the amenities required for living.
Although Argentina is known for their ‘mate’, Buenos Aires has an nice coffee culture.
Whether the coffee chains like Cafe Martinez or Cafe Registrado, or speciality coffee places like LAB cafe, the cafe with books Libros del Pasaje, you can have a coffee treat with different vibes and atmosphere.
The excellent public transport of bus and subway, helped us navigate the city. So even if you wish to work from a different location or explore different parts of the city, it is easy to reach. We have availed the public buses in Buenos Aires even at midnight, without any discomfort.
General Safety
We have found Buenos Aires to be a welcoming and safe city for tourists and digital nomads. Having said that, you need to follow the basic safety rules that you follow in other big cities around the world.
Also, be aware of the surroundings and certain neighborhoods. Areas like La Boca, although a must visit for football fans and tango lovers, and are popular among visitors, are best avoided at night. But do visit during the day.
Our Top Activities in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires charmed us so much that we did not feel like leaving the city.
If you are planning to spend few months as Digital Nomad in South America, Buenos Aires has to be on the list. We can go on and on, about the activities you can do there filling up the spaces in between work.
Free or Low-Cost Activities in Buenos Aires:
🏛️ Many neighborhoods in Buenos Aires are walkable – Central, San Telmo, Recoleta, Palermo, La Boca (preferably with a tour). We explored the neighborhoods on our own and did a few guided walks as well.
🥟 Try the Empanadas and local food at the San Telmo Market. Check out this short video for our empanada experience.
🪦 Do not miss visiting the Recoleta Cemetery. Not an ordinary cemetery, we were amazed by the art. You can go on your own or take a guided walk of the Recoleta Cemetery.
Other Activities in Buenos Aires:
🥩 Experience the amazing food in Buenos Aires. We could not resist eating out on most days we were there. If you want to sample food and wine in Palermo, take a guided experience there.
💃🏻 Tango is another highlight of Buenos Aires living. You can go for a Tango Dance show, another experience that you should not miss.
Related Readings:
- Buenos Aires Itinerary
- Foods to try in Buenos Aires
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Beach, Samba & Caipirinha
🛜 Internet Connectivity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👨🏻💻 Community & Nomad Infrastructure: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
☢️ General Safety: ⭐️⭐️
🏝️ Things to do: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💵 Cost: 1200-1700 USD per month for accommodation, needs and basic entertainment / day tours
When you look at popular digital nomad photos on the internet, you will find someone working from the beach with a colorful drink on a beach chair under an umbrella.
Well, even if you do not literally wish to do it and struggle with brushing off the sand from the keyboard, Rio de Janeiro is your chance to be close to the beach, while having all the amenities for remote work.
Where rhythmic music and joyous revelry fill the air, Rio de Janeiro is a city pulsating with verve, warmth and charm. Visit the city’s monumental landmarks, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views, experience samba music and passion for football, drink refreshing caipirinhas, and feel the dance of life unfold against the backdrop of sun-kissed beaches and towering green mountains.
Internet Connectivity & Digital Nomad Infrastructure
The high speed internet activity is not a barrier in Rio. Whether you choose to stay closer to the beaches like Copacabana or Ipanema, or away, the connectivity is generally great to carry out your daily tasks including calls and streaming.
- Overall quality: Good in most areas
- Average speeds: 50-100 Mbps, with faster options available
- Reliability: Generally stable
- Mobile data: 4G coverage is widespread, with 5G networks rolling out
There are several co-working spaces in Rio de Janeiro near the beaches and other parts of the city as well. Other than WeWork locations, there are many options of coworking spaces in the Centro or the Copacabana areas like Coworking Town, Santander Work Cafe, or Como Coworking.
For co-living and co-working, Selina has multiple properties in Rio de Janeiro, including the Lapa neighborhood which we recommend for its vibes, nightlife, art and restaurants.
Book your stay at Selina Lapa >>
The Brazilian coffee is among the best in the world and that makes Rio, a great place to try coffee with Pao de Queijo (translates from Portuguese as Cheese Bread). If you are visiting the beach areas, you can check out the Aussie Cafe or LF Cafe & Bistro, or the Curto Cafe near the centro.
Rio is a busy city, that draws people from all over the world, not just because it is home to one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, Christ the Redeemer, but also because it is a city with tons of things to do and fun vibes, making it a place for a growing digital nomad community.
General Safety
Rio does not have the reputation of being the safest of the cities in South America.
So make sure you follow the standard safety measures while going around the city. Check if the stays are in safer neighborhoods of the city. Areas like Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon are generally considered safer for tourists and expats.
During our stay in Rio de Janeiro, we availed all kinds of public transport, including subways, local buses and taxis, even in the evenings and did not feel unsafe. However, we tried to follow the standard safety rules in any city.
The key is to keep in mind the basics – avoid walking on empty streets at night, do not flash expensive devices in public and know your surroundings.
Our Top Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro has beautiful beaches. If something else, you can just stroll on the beach.
Free or Low-Cost Activities in Rio de Janeiro:
🏖️ Chill at the beach and watch the sunset – Copacabana or Ipanema
🚋 Explore the Lapa neighborhood, Selaron Steps and take the Tram Ride to the hills
Other Activities in Rio de Janeiro
🏞️ Rio de Janeiro is home to the wonder Christ the Redeemer. Along with the Sugarloaf Mountain, these 2 places are the top highlights and the most popular places to visit in Rio de Janeiro. You can visit the Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain on the same day.
🏚️ Another aspect of Rio de Janeiro, which you will notice in the city, is the Favelas. The neighborhoods in the hills of Rio de Janeiro have a history and stories that are worth knowing. You can take a guided walk of the Favela to know more.
Related Readings:
- Rio de Janeiro itinerary
Cusco, Peru: The Incas, the Andes & the Amazon
🛜 Internet Connectivity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
👨🏻💻 Community & Nomad Infrastructure: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
☢️ General Safety: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🏝️ Things to do: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💵 Cost: 900-1400 USD per month for accommodation, needs and basic entertainment / day tours
We loved Arequipa, the second largest city of Peru and Lima is an excellent base in Peru to work and explore parts of the country. However, we pick Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas.
Cusco does not figure among the largest cities of Peru, but has all the things to get your work done while exploring some of the top historical places and natural wonders of Peru, including the Machu Picchu, the Andes mountains, and parts of the Peruvian Amazon.
Internet Connectivity & Digital Nomad Infrastructure
Not being among the largest cities, does not mean that Cusco lacks in internet connectivity. It is THE top tourism base of Peru, thanks to Machu Picchu, and hence, has the access to connections adequate for heavy online tasks.
We experienced even 150 mbps or higher on multiple connections on the higher end during our long stay in the city.
- Overall quality: Moderate to good in the city center
- Average speeds: 15-40 Mbps, with higher speeds available in some areas
- Reliability: Generally stable, but can vary
- Mobile data: 4G coverage in urban areas, less reliable in rural surroundings
While there is no dearth of hostels and long term rentals in Cusco, the number of co-working spaces are limited. However, there are 2 Selina hostels, Selina Plaza de Armas and Selina Saphi which can work as co-working and co-living spaces.
Apart from that, check the Ayni center and Genba Coworking for work, but keep in mind, these are little away from Central Cusco.
However, there are several cafes spread across the city and many of those are excellent places to try the gourmet Peruvian coffee or chocolate drinks prepared from Amazonian cacao.
Cappuccino Cafe & Work provides the amenities to work remotely while having coffee, chocolate and food. Try the food and coffee at Organika Bakery & Coffee beside Plaza Regocijo in Central Cusco.
Cusco does not have a metro network, but taxis and app-based cabs are abundantly available and are not expensive. If you are staying slightly outside the Central area, you can take the buses as well. They are frequent and cost 1 sol to get from one point to another anywhere in the city.
General Safety
Cusco is generally safe and we felt safe in the tourist areas and beyond, in the residential areas as well as in the busy local markets. We explored the city beyond the obvious central areas and found tiny interesting cafes with excellent coffee and desserts and local markets that offer delicious food, drinks, vegetables, and fruits at unbeatable prices.
Tip: Cusco lies at an altitude of 3,400+ meters/11,000+ feet. There is a chance of facing altitude sickness in the initial days if you are arriving from a low altitude place. So do not get into physically demanding activities right away and take couple of days to acclimatize at that altitude. Keep yourself hydrated, rest well and drink tea with coca leaves, which are widely available in Cusco.
Our Top Activities in Cusco
Cusco is not just the gateway to Machu Picchu, but a base for some of the best treks in the Andes mountain range.
Free or Low-Cost Activities in Cusco
🏛️ Walk the different neighborhoods and plazas of Cusco – the Centro, San Blas, Plaza Regocijo, Avenida del Sol, Santa Ana
🍲 Try the local food at the San Blas Market or San Pedro Market.
🎟️ The historical city has a lot to explore and you can get the Boleto Turistico from the Cusco Municipality office and explore the sites on your own or take a guided overview trip of the city highlights.
Other Activities in Cusco
🌟 If you are in Cusco, you cannot miss the Machu Picchu hike. You can do a day trip to Machu Picchu or go for a 5 days Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu.
🌈 Hike to the Rainbow Mountain (locally called Vinicunca) and the Red Valley. This mountain has beautiful naturally formed colors, hence the name. The hike is popular and lots of visitors do this trip from Cusco. You can take this tour that takes you to the mountain before others arrive. Acclimatize in Cusco for at least 1 or 2 days before hiking this mountain 5000+ meters mountain.
🥘 One thing that we find difficult resisting, is Peru’s food and the local markets. The cuisine is one of the best in the world and the raw vegetables and fruits in the markets are worth exploring. You can take Peruvian cooking class and learn about the methods and the raw materials from the markets.
Related Readings:
- Things to do in Cusco
- Cusco Itinerary
Medellin, Colombia: The Eternal Spring Destination
🛜 Internet Connectivity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👨🏻💻 Community & Nomad Infrastructure: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
☢️ General Safety: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🏝️ Things to do: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💵 Cost: 1000-1500 USD per month for accommodation, needs and basic entertainment
Surrounded by lofty green mountains, Medellin is the city of eternal spring. Once tainted with disgraceful adjectives like ‘dangerous’, the city rose beyond its tumultuous past and is now a hub of innovation and urban development.
Wander through the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, see lively scenes of social dances, indulge in rich Colombian cuisine and coffee, and try to fathom how this city is an inspiring example of transformation and resilience.
Internet Connectivity & Digital Nomad Infrastructure
Medellin, over the time, has emerged the top destination for travelers and digital nomads, not just in Colombia but in entire Latin America. This has given rise a community of digital nomads in the city and the required infrastructure.
- Overall quality: Good to excellent in most areas
- Average speeds: 50-100 Mbps, with faster options available
- Reliability: Generally stable and improving
- Mobile data: 4G coverage is widespread, with 5G networks being introduced
There is a great network of co-working spaces, cafes and co-living spaces that can provide you with opportunities to connect with other fellow travelers and digital nomads.
El Poblado is the most popular place to live and work in Medellin.
WeWork, Selina have multiple co-working spaces in the neighborhood along with local establishments like Tinkko or NOI Coworking. You can also check out Los Patios Hostel that provides amenities for co-working along with rooms to stay.
Check availability and book your stay at Los Patios Hostel in El Poblado >>
For some work and coffee, try Pergamino Cafe, Cafe Zeppelin or the Rituales Cafe. The Colombian cafe is famous and if you wish to try beyond the usual chains like Starbucks and Juan Valdez, there are various options.
General Safety
While Medellin has come a long way from its dark past, the common crimes like petty thefts might still happen.
We tried not to flash expensive belongings in the crowded places, avoided walking at night in relatively empty streets and took app-based cabs for moving around the city at night.
During the day and early evening, we availed Medellin’s excellent public transport network, including metros and buses, extensively during our stay.
Our Top Activities in Medellin
Medellin’s is a story of resilience and revival. Learn about the city and its different neighborhoods along with day trips to surrounding places.
Free or Low-Cost Activities in Medellin
🏛️ Take a walking tour to learn about the stories of the city and the art and culture of today.
🎨 The Comuna 13 is a specific neighborhood that amazed us with its story of transformation and the graffiti art. You can take a guided walk of Comuna 13 that will help you relive that transformation
Other Activities in Medellin
🏡 Guatape is a day trip from Medellin which is an interesting small place with a oddly structured monolithic rock which you can climb and a small colonial town with colorful buildings. You can do the trip on your own or take a guided day tour.
☕️ Colombia is known for coffee, and the highlands around Medellin have coffee plantations that produce world class coffee. If you wish to do some coffee sampling and learn about the process, you can go for a coffee tour from Medellin.
Related Readings:
Santiago, Chile: The Hub of the South
🛜 Internet Connectivity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👨🏻💻 Community & Nomad Infrastructure: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
☢️ General Safety: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🏝️ Things to do: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💵 Cost: 1200-1800 USD per month for accommodation, needs and basic entertainment
Santiago is an enticing blend of modernity and tradition. The city has a history of art and is evident from the architecture, museums, the murals and art galleries.
The people of this city do not shy away from being articulate about making socio-political statements through art, but can turn fun and festive when the time comes.
Surrounded by the snow-capped Andes and beautiful views, the city parks are perfect places to hangout on a sunny day.
The infrastructure os Santiago de Chile, including the road networks and connectivity, is among the best in South America and can take you to interesting places ranging from the Atacama desert in the north to the Chilean Patagonia in the south.
Internet Connectivity & Digital Nomad Infrastructure
We found Santiago to have one of the best internet connectivity in South America, in some cases exceeding 400 mbps during our stay.
- Overall quality: Excellent, among the best in South America
- Average speeds: 50-200 Mbps, with fiber optic connections widely available
- Reliability: Very stable, especially in central areas and business districts
- Mobile data: 4G coverage is extensive, with 5G networks rolling out
Santiago is another commercial hub in South America, that has HQs of many multi-national companies.
There are many options of co-working spaces and cafes in the city. WeWork has multiple locations along with local co-working spaces like iF Chile, CoWork Latam, Cowork del Centro.
When exploring the common grocery stores and supermarkets, we found tea to be more common in Santiago than the collection of coffee. However, there are many cafes that serve quality coffee, if you need a coffee to take a break or while planning your next project. Try Singular Coffee Roasters for the collection of coffee, or the Cafe Forestal for the beautiful atmosphere or the popular Cafe de la Candeleria.
The public transport system is excellent and we were able to travel across the city using buses, metro, taxis, without any issue.
General Safety
We observed similar caution as we had in most other cities in Latin America. We were asked to be cautious in the central part of Santiago and stay safe from petty crimes.
Our Top Activities in Santiago
Free or Low-Cost Activities in Santiago
🏛️ Santiago, as a city, has gone through different phases of revolution from the time of independence to the modern times. A walking tour was our way to learn about the different timepoints and the important corners of the city.
🎟️ Visit the museums of the city. We particularly recommend the Museum of Memory and Human Rights which was built to remind the generations about atrocities of a fascist Chilean regime from the 1970s.
Other Activities in Santiago
🌊 Valparaiso and Viña del Mar are 2 coastal towns close to Santiago which can be interesting as day visits or if possible, for couple of nights. The port city of Valparaiso is known for its murals and Viña del Mar for its colorful houses and vineyards.
🍷 Chile is known for its fine wine, and while you will probably be spoilt for choice from the collections at the supermarkets and liquor stores, you can also go for a tour of the vineyards.
Related Readings:
- Santiago de Chile Itinerary
Mexico City, Mexico: The Convenient Base
🛜 Internet Connectivity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👨🏻💻 Community & Nomad Infrastructure: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
☢️ General Safety: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🏝️ Things to do: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💵 Cost: 900-1600 USD per month for accommodation, needs and basic entertainment and eating out
From centuries-old archeological sites to swanky skyscrapers, Mexico City is a cocktail of ancient history and modern charm.
Stroll through the city’s bustling streets, visit state-of-the art museums and art galleries, gorge on street-side tacos and tortas, dine at gourmet restaurants, soak in the soul of mariachi and feel the undeniable zest for life.
Internet Connectivity & Digital Nomad Infrastructure
Mexico City is a huge tech hub and seat for businesses in Latin America. The internet connectivity is well established for remote workers and therefore, least of the issues, particularly in the prominent neighborhoods.
- Overall quality: Generally excellent in most areas
- Average speeds: 30-100 Mbps, with fiber optic connections available in many locations
- Reliability: Highly stable in most areas
- Mobile data: 4G widely available, with expanding 5G networks
Given it is a major hub, the co-working spaces, and working cafes are common across the city and you can easily find spaces to have your own workspace. As the city is geographically central, it is well connected to North / South America and Europe. Which is why, it attracts travelers from all over the world and is among the top visited cities in Latin America.
There are several WeWork co-working locations in Mexico City and apart from that you can check Impact Hub in Roma and the stylish spaces for Publico in multiple locations including Condesa and Roma.
Selina and Outsite offer co-working and co-living spaces in various locations including downtown Mexico and Roma.
The Blend Station and Chiquitito Cafe are spread across various locations that are great for blending coffee with work.
The city is huge but there is an excellent public transport network of the Metro system and the Metrobus, apart from the cab services.
General Safety
Mexico City, as with most other cities in Latin America, requires general caution from petty crimes. We have explored several parts of Mexico City, touristy places and residential, and have not faced any issue with safety.
Roma, Condesa, Polanco, Juarez, Coyoacan are among the popular neighborhoods among the digital nomads and are generally considered safe.
Having said that, we have followed the common rules of staying safe, taken cabs when in doubt, particularly at night, and have been aware of where we are.
Our Top Activities in Mexico City
Our Free or Low-Cost Activities in Mexico City
🏛️ Zocalo, the center of the city and home to the main plaza, has the Metropolitan Cathedral, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Palacio Postal, and multiple museums, all within short walking distances.
🌳 Explore the Chapultepec Park, the Chapultepec Castle and the Anthropology Museum.
🎨 Get to Coyoacan to try some Mexican food, visit the Frida Kahlo Museum, local markets, and the historical center.
Other Activities in Mexico City
☀️ The ancient city of Teotihuacan and the huge pyramids are definitely a must-visit place from Mexico City. You can visit Teotihuacan on your own or take a guided tour or even a ballon ride for an aerial view of the pyramids.
🗻 The towns of Puebla and Cholula are an interesting day visit from Mexico City. Apart from the colonial architecture, views of snow-capped volcanos, Cholula has the largest pyramid in the world, Pyramid Tepanepa, although most of it lies hidden underground.
Related Readings:
- Mexico City 4-Day Itinerary
- 30+ Things to Do in Mexico City
- Frida Kahlo Museum Visit Guide
- Teotihuacan Day Trip from Mexico City
Antigua Guatemala: Architecture, Volcanos & Restaurants
🛜 Internet Connectivity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
👨🏻💻 Community & Nomad Infrastructure: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
☢️ General Safety: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🏝️ Things to do: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💵 Cost: 1000-1600 USD per month for accommodation, needs and basic entertainment and eating out
Antigua Guatemala, often simply called Antigua, is a picturesque colonial city nestled in the central highlands of Guatemala. Antigua offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is renowned for its well-preserved Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture, colorful facades, and cobblestone streets.
All of these are set against the backdrop of three volcanoes, where the Volcano Agua towers above the city and you can see the fumes from Volcano Fuego at a distance.
Internet Connectivity & Digital Nomad Infrastructure
Antigua is not a commercial hub, but the city’s charm, coupled with its relaxed atmosphere and growing expat community, makes it an excellent destination for digital nomads.
The internet connectivity is not among the fastest but more than adequate for remote workers.
- Overall quality: Generally good and improving
- Average speeds: 20-50 Mbps, with some locations offering faster connections
- Reliability: Mostly stable
- Mobile data: 4G coverage is widely available in the city
Although the city is not large, it has co-working spaces that cater to the remote working community. Impact Hub Antigua and El Cubo Center are co-working options at reasonable rates, apart from Selina Antigua Hostel.
Try the coffee at Fernando’s Kaffee, feel the festive vibes at Y Tu Piña Tambien, or the centrally located Cafe Condesa, while getting some work done.
The city is largely walkable and we enjoyed exploring the archeological ruins, museums, and viewpoints on foot. You can take cabs including Uber within the city and to Guatemala City.
Also, there are shuttles and colectivos to other destinations of Guatemala. Lake Atitlan is the most popular destination close to Antigua.
General Safety
Antigua is generally considered a safe city and have lower crime rate compared to other parts of Guatemala. And we felt the same during the times we have stayed there.
We walked the streets during the night as well and were mostly comfortable doing it. But avoided isolated areas at night and mostly stuck to streets which are well-lit.
Our Top Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Our Free or Low-Cost Activities in Antigua Guatemala
🏛️ The entire city is walkable and you can visit the ruins, museums, and churches at your own pace. Otherwise go on a guided walk to learn about the history of Antigua, before you explore on your own.
⛰️ Walk to the top of Cerro de la Cruz during the sunset to get an aerial view of the city and Volcanos.
Other Activities in Antigua Guatemala
🌋 If you are up for some adventure, go for the 2-day hike to the top of Acatenango Volcano and watch the neighbor Fuego Volcano erupt with golden lava flows all night – a once in a lifetime experience!
💦 You can go for a day trip to Lake Atitlan, however, we recommend spending few days at one of the many wonderful towns around this beautiful caldera lake.
Related Readings:
Central Valley, Costa Rica: Into the Central American Highlands
🛜 Internet Connectivity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👨🏻💻 Community & Nomad Infrastructure: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
☢️ General Safety: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🏝️ Things to do: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💵 Cost: 1400-2000 USD per month for accommodation, needs and basic entertainment and eating out
The Central Valley and the surrounding highlands of Costa Rica consist of a cluster of cities and towns including the capital San Jose along with Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago and the hilly towns like Grecia, San Ramon, Sarchi, Atenas and more.
This is the most urban part of the country with offices, malls, multiplexes, cafes, and restaurants. However, it has good green cover and parks, with the views of the surrounding mountains. Also due to the zone’s central location, you can plan your visit to any corner of the country – beaches, rainforests, cloud forests, volcanoes, waterfalls.
Above all, it has amazing weather all year round with dry season between December and April and wet season rest of the year.
Internet Connectivity & Digital Nomad Infrastructure
Being the most urban part of the city, we have experienced the best internet connections in this zone, even in the remote hills. As Costa Rica is becoming an emerging tech hub in Latin America, there is a growing community of remote workers.
We have found stable internet connection in most places of Central Valley in Costa Rica:
- Overall quality: Generally good and improving
- Average speeds: 50 – 200 Mbps, with some locations offering faster connections
- Reliability: Mostly stable
- Mobile data: 4G coverage is widely available and 5G coverage is expanding
San Jose and the surrounding cities have multiple co-working spaces catering to digital nomads and remote workers. Gracias Escalante, Republic Workspace have reasonable rates for daily and monthly workspaces in San Jose and so does Esencialmente CoWork in Heredia.
Costa Rican coffee is unmissable and you can try coffee and brunch at cafes like Cafe Otoya or Cafe a la Moda in San Jose, or Kawah Cafe and Sula Cafeteria in Heredia.
Public transport is not the best in Costa Rica and can be challenging but app-based and offline taxis are widely available. San Jose and around make for a convenient base as you can find public transport connections to other touristic places in Costa Rica.
Having said that, to truly experience the charm of Costa Rica, we recommend renting a car.
✅ Recommended: Adobe Rent A Car, a 100% Costa Rican company with transparent pricing. Reserve here and get 10% discount and other freebies
🚗 Other options: Compare deals on Rentalcars.com by Booking.com
Read this: Should you rent a car in Costa Rica?
General Safety
Costa Rica is generally considered as one of the safest countries in Latin America. However, the central part of San Jose, the downtown area, is best avoided at night.
The Escazu area is a great place stay in San Jose. We like Heredia as well for the infrastructure, location and amenities.
Our Top Activities in the Central Valley, Costa Rica
Free or Low-Cost Activities in the Central Valley, Costa Rica
🍉 This was our way to get to know the downtown San Jose and an overview of the Central Market and Costa Rican food: a guided walking food tour in the central part of San Jose.
🎟️ Explore some of the popular museums of San Jose – Jade Museum, National Museum, Pre-Columbian Gold Museum.
🌳 Hang out at the huge La Sabana Park beside the National Stadium and watch the Costa Rican life.
🐒 Costa Rica is known for its biodiversity and wildlife, and the Central Valley, although urban has its green pockets that are home to animals and birds. You can take a guided walk in the University of Costa Rica and watch sloths, monkeys and birds in action.
Other Activities in Central Valley, Costa Rica
💦 The Poas Volcano is an active volcano that can be accessed on a day trip from San Jose, and you can add La Paz Waterfall Gardens that homes multiple tall waterfalls, and then sneak in a Costa Rican coffee tour as well. You can book this day trip with all 3 activities here.
Related Readings:
- 2 weeks in Costa Rica itinerary from San Jose
- Things to Do in Costa Rica
- Day Trips from San Jose
FAQs
Here are some common questions that we get on slow traveling as digital nomads in Latin America.
Is Latin America safe for Digital Nomads?
There are many regions and cities in Latin America that are considered safe and have the amenities necessary for digital nomads. You can follow the basic rules of safety that you need to observe in any part of the world, and you will be fine.
Is Latin America good for first time Digital Nomads?
Latin America is a great zone to start your digital nomad journey.
The friendly and welcoming people of the Latin American countries, affordability, ease of travel between prominent cities and countries, internet connectivity and amenities make the region perfect for the first time digital nomads.
Which are the Top Countries in Latin America for Digital Nomads?
Mexico‘s vibrant urban centers, Colombia‘s innovative hubs, and Brazil‘s diverse metropolises may dominate the conversation, but do not overlook the hidden gems scattered throughout the continent. Countries like Guatemala, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Argentina are rapidly emerging as enticing alternatives, each carving out its niche in the digital nomad landscape.
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