11 Top Digital Nomad Cities in Latin America to Work In
Find the ride you need in
Explore the 11 best digital nomad cities in Latin America to live and work in. Read on to discover which one is best for you.
If you’re looking for the best digital nomad cities in Latin America? You’ve come to the right place.
Let me guess…
You want:
- Somewhere with a community of other nomads to work with and keep the motivation high.
- A city with good internet.
- Places to rent for more extended periods.
- Well-equipped co-working spaces.
- Good food.
- Affordable cost of living.
That’s a lot to ask for, and it’s why finding the perfect place is hard!
So, if you’re unsure where to set up your workspace, our guide will point you toward the best digital nomad cities in Latin America to start your quest.
Best digital nomad cities in Latin America
Medellin, Colombia
Once home to one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the world, Medellin has transformed itself into a city of innovation, vibrancy, and digital nomads.
Digital nomads and remote workers fall in love with the City of Eternal Spring — so called for its year-round perfect weather — and end up spending a while there. They are drawn here for the affordable cost of living and the endless options of cafes, restaurants, and co-working spaces, plus the out-of-this-world party scene. Work hard, play hard, right?
And when you’re not working, Medellin is full of amazing things to do, including a day trip to Guatape, exploring Comuna 13, and flying around the city in its cable cars.
When looking for a place to stay in Medellin, head to El Poblado or Laureles. These are considered two of the safest neighborhoods in the city and where you’ll find most tourists and digital nomads.
Cusco, Peru
Cusco is magical!
Nestled within the Andes at an impressive 3,399 meters, this historic city was once the capital of the Inca Empire.
The lack of oxygen at that altitude is well worth the sacrifice for everything that Cusco has to offer. It’s so remarkable that the city has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site to preserve its incredible archaeological remains and brilliant Spanish colonial architecture.
If you’re a digital nomad looking for adventure, Cusco is perfect. It’s the starting point of several hikes, including the world-renowned Machu Picchu.
When you’re resting your muscles after the hikes, you’ll find plenty of cute cafes to work in and new co-working spaces popping up all the time.
Lima, Peru
If you’re looking for a Peruvian city that’s bigger than Cusco and closer to sea level, Lima might be a better choice. The capital city of Peru is bursting with things to do.
Since you’re on the coast, you can surf, sunbathe, or simply go for a stroll along the neverending promenade. When you get tired of the sea views, the colonial squares and streets are overflowing with history.
You’ll never get bored, especially with the food scene. Some of Peru’s best restaurants are here.
The cost of living is very attractive, there are plenty of co-working spaces, and the digital nomad community is forever growing.
What more could you ask for?
San Cristóbal de la Casas, Mexico
San Cristobal de la Casas is often overshadowed by more popular digital nomad spots in Mexico, like Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Mexico City.
It’s a good thing you’re reading this guide so you don’t miss the opportunity to live in the mountains of Mexico.
The city is a brilliant blend of old and new. The colorful colonial streets take you back in time, while its futuristic thinking brings you smack dab in the present.
Amongst the younger residents, there’s a significant emphasis on community and communal spaces, meaning there’s plenty to get involved in.
Prices are incredibly affordable for both food and accommodation. Speaking of the food, there’s an incredible selection of restaurants from all around the world. You certainly won’t get bored eating in this place!
Stay in San Cristobal if you want to experience authentic Mexican culture, spectacular nature and a bit of adventure.
Puerto Escondido, Mexico
If you love being by the beach, surfing and spotting whales breaching on the horizon, consider working remotely in Puerto Escondido, Mexico.
This place hasn’t been on people’s radar for that long, so some streets are still dirt roads. The rustic hippie vibe is what makes Puerto Escondido so loveable. But it also means businesses are now trying to catch up to the huge jump in demand, and new co-working spaces, cafes, and spots with Starlink internet are popping up everywhere.
Prices here are increasing, so don’t delay your visit too long.
Playa del Carmen, México
Playa del Carmen is no hidden gem.
It’s been on the tourist map for a while now. So, if you prefer a more developed city as a base, check it out. It almost feels like you’re in America with its Walmart, long shopping streets and big hotels.
The advantage is that you won’t miss the amenities you’re used to, unlike in other locations.
Since it’s a coastal city, you can swim or dive daily in Mexico’s famous turquoise waters and dive spots.
Despite its popularity, Playa is still an affordable place to live. You can snag yourself a reasonable apartment and enjoy cheap tacos whenever you’re craving them.
It also puts you in the perfect jumping-off point for day trips to Cozumel, Tulum, Cancun and Chichen Itza.
Mexico City, Mexico
Forget about the work aspect of a digital nomad hub. You should pick Mexico City just to eat your body weight in tacos! Once you start, you’ll never be able to stop.
Mexico City shocks nearly everyone. It’s such a diverse city, and each neighborhood looks completely different from the next. One minute, you feel like you’re walking through Italy, and the next, London.
People fall deeply in love with the capital, which means they stick around for a while. Before long, you’ll have a great community to eat tacos with, explore its 173 museums, and party the night away. There is a lot to do in Mexico City!
It’s a massive city, so you won’t struggle to find a co-working space. There are numerous spread across the city, plus plenty of nice cafes with internet.
Antigua, Guatemala
Ever had the urge to live surrounded by volcanoes?
For most people, it’s probably a no. But once you see how spectacular every view in Antigua is, you won’t even consider living elsewhere.
How many other cities offer a daily performance from an erupting volcano? Don’t worry. It’s from a safe distance.
Guatemala is home to some of the best coffee in the world, so there’s no shortage of fabulous coffee shops that provide a great place to work.
Impact Hub, in particular, is a great co-working space with a social impact mission and the ideal place to meet other digital nomads with similar passions.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
As capital cities go, Buenos Aires has to be up there among the best. So, it’s no wonder that tons of digital nomads have made it their temporary home.
It’s a cultural powerhouse offering a mix of European and Latin American influences. Wandering some of its streets makes you feel like you’ve been transported to Europe.
It’s also renowned for its tango music and dance, theaters, art galleries, and a thriving culinary scene. Although, if you’re a vegetarian, you might struggle a bit. Argentinian cuisine is very meat heavy!
Spend your time here meeting people from all over the world, hopping between co-working spaces and checking out cafes with great internet.
Barra Grande, Brazil
You won’t see much online about Barra Grande in Piaui as a digital nomad city. But watch this space.
We promise it will be just as popular as all the other places on this list in the next couple of years. The Brazilian government is investing both time and money to make it ideal for remote workers — making sure there’s good internet everywhere, as well as co-working spaces and other nice spots to work.
Barra Grande is directly on the beach and perfect if you want to laze about on the sand during your lunch break or try your hand at kitesurfing.
Venture outside the small beach town, and you’ll stumble across some of Brazil’s best nature, like Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.
Cuenca, Ecuador
The capital city of Ecuador, Quito, can be a bit too much for some people. With its lingering dangerous reputation, many people are setting up shop in Cuenca instead.
Nestled within the Andes Mountains, Cuenca is a smaller and slower-paced colonial city that’s been home to expats and retirees for years. Now, a younger crowd of digital nomads is moving in.
If you’re after a good co-working space, then check out Selina or ImpaQto.
Weather in Latin America
Generally, the best time to visit Latin America is between November and April.
Of course, it’s massive, so there will be variations by country and even within different regions.
It’s essential to check the weather specifically for the country you’re visiting to make sure your time there isn’t going to be drowned out by rain.
Packing list essentials for Latin America
Since Latin America is so vast, you’ll need to be prepared for all climates and adventures, which means your clothing will run the gamut.
Here are some packing essentials for digital nomads in Latin America:
- A comfortable backpack for your laptop
- A universal travel adaptor
- A packable down jacket — several popular cities are at altitude and can get cold at night. There are also plenty of hiking opportunities.
- Hiking shoes
- Sunscreen — even if it’s cold at altitude, the sun is still burning
- A lock — if you’re staying in hostels, you’ll want your laptop and valuables to be safe.
Map of Latin America
Latin America covers 19.2 million km². It’s the entire continent of South America, Mexico, Central America and several Caribbean islands.
That’s 21 countries and territories, to be exact. Digital nomad hubs can be found in almost all of these.
How to get around Latin America
First, you’ll probably need to fly into your starting country. But once you’re in Latin America, you can fly, bus, train and boat your way to your next digital nomad hotspot. It’s a pretty well-traveled region of the world, which means that transport is relatively efficient, reliable and affordable.
Wait till you see the buses in Peru… they’re a dream.
Which digital nomad city in Latin America sounds just right for you?
The great thing about working remotely is that you aren’t limited to one digital nomad city in Latin America or the world. You can move around whenever and wherever you want.
Spend a few weeks in Medellin before hopping over to Peru and moving between Cusco and Lima. The saying, “The world is your oyster,” could never be more accurate when you’re a nomad.
All you need is a laptop and an internet connection. And everywhere and anywhere can be your new home.
Finding a routine can be hard, so here are our 6 work rules for digital nomads.
FAQ
The US is said to have the highest number of digital nomads.
Costa Rica is a popular destination for digital nomads due to its amenities and already large expat communities. However, it’s one of the more expensive countries in Latin America.
As digital nomad life is becoming increasingly popular, countries are introducing digital nomad visas, which allow longer stays. Argentina introduced its visa in May 2022.
