Do you ever find yourself daydreaming about packing your travel bag, leaving the 9 to 5 and visiting somewhere new? Especially after 2020, working remotely is the new “norm”. Companies (as well as employees) are finally realizing – it works! So the question becomes, where is the best location to make your dreams come true? Surprisingly, the answer is Mexico. Naturally, the follow-up question is – why are digital nomads traveling to Mexico?
Mexico is a vast country with everything from ancient ruins in the Mayan jungles to one of the largest and innovative cities in the world. Unsurprisingly, more than 45 million international visitors came to explore Mexico in 2019. Why? Mexico is rich in culture, cuisine, climate zones and each of their 31 states has uniquely different characteristics and charm to discover. Basically, there is something here for everyone. From the Caribbean Coast to Oaxaca to Jalisco and to the capital Mexico City… the endless opportunities and diversity of Mexico won´t let you down.
Still not convinced? Here’s a little food for thought about why you should make Mexico your destination of choice in 2021!
The Cost of Living
When deciding to start your work & travel adventure, there is sometimes the worry that the money you have saved will not last you long. In Mexico, you get a lot for your money and can enjoy an amazingly comfortable living standard. Especially if your income is earned in US Dollars or Euros.
To break it down: you can find a modern apartment in Playa del Carmen, everywhere between $300 USD and $1,000 USD. The cost of dinner is about $4 (with a tip) and a good cup of java will run you about $1.35.
Ok, maybe you´re not a beach person and searching for more culture (and entertainment). Let’s break down the infamous Mexico City: you can find a charming studio in the city center for only $400 USD or a high-rise service loft for $1,000 USD. The average cost of dinner in a restaurant is $4.50 but if you love Mexican street food tacos you can expect to pay $.50 per taco. The average cost of coffee in a hipster coffee shop is around $2 per cup.
Depending on your lifestyle and what your expectations are for your quality of life, you will have more than enough money to explore any Mexican city and indulge in the cultural cuisine as well as entertainment. Not a bad way to sustain during this pandemic if you ask us.
It’s Close to the USA
Mexico is neighbors to America, which is a huge plus if you are planning to live and work from Mexico. Unlike the popular digital nomad hotspots like Bali, Indonesia or Thailand, Mexico shares the same time zone as America. This makes life so much easier if your client is stationed in the states. Nothing is more of a buzz-kill when your client schedules a team meeting at 2 am (Bali time) and you have to spend more time adjusting your daily routine.
Another big bonus: you are not far from home. Mexico City international airport is the 17th busiest airport in the world. It takes you about 4-5 hours to get to LA or New York as well as accept direct flights from Europe (even during the pandemic). Having the flexibility to commute “home” without any issues is a huge benefit when visiting Mexico.
Easy Tourist Visa
In many countries, applying for a visa is costly and time-consuming. Here in Mexico, it’s extremely easy.
If you have a valid US passport or are a resident of another country, you are entitled to a 180-day tourist visa. That’s a whole six months! It’s not time-limited either. If you need more time, just leave Mexico and come back, and you can have another six months.
This visa stay is active even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the nature of the pandemic, we’d always recommend checking the latest rules before you plan your trip. They may be liable to change depending on the country you are coming from.
Great Entrepreneurial Community
What is better than connecting with like-minded people in your community? Here in Mexico, you can feel a great entrepreneurial vibe. We found that the younger generation of Mexicans is extremely creative, innovative and motivated to start new businesses. To our surprise, a lot of Mexicans living in CDMX are well-traveled, speak English and eager to network with international digital nomads.
In addition, numerous coworking spaces are spreading all across the nation. Unlike most Latin American countries, Mexico has pretty strong WiFi. If you work remotely, this is a vital element for choosing this exotic destination.
Lifestyle for Digital Nomads in Mexico
Mexico is the perfect destination for those that are craving a place to work and play. As mentioned before, you have a wide range of climate zones and therefore can find a lot of different activities to enjoy.
On the Caribbean Coast, the weather is beautiful all year round! Perfect for hitting the beach, scuba diving or taking a dip in one of the countless cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula.
In Mexico City, the climate is much cooler than you might imagine. The temperature typically varies from 43°F to 80°F. Perfect weather to enjoy the seasons – minus the winter.
Los Cabos is full of beautiful beaches and provides a desert climate. It only rains 10 days annually (perfect for those who want to flee from Seattle). Cabo is perfect for surfing during the day and enjoying a vegan vino with a cozy sweater in the evening.
Vegan Eats
Long gone are the days when vacationing or nomadic vegans had to resign themselves to ordering piles of iceberg lettuce and lukewarm cubes of tofu with the flavor of a dishwasher’s sponge.
Restaurants and markets all over Mexico now happily cater to herbivores with healthy, fresh and tasty meals. Most people don’t realize that Mexico City is ranked #7 with vegan cuisine restaurants worldwide. Not vegan options either – vegan restaurants!
Overall Safety
Some people are concerned about safety in South America, but Mexico is safe and friendly. Many ex-pats have told us that they have never felt unsafe or in danger in most of the popular destinations in Mexico.
Following the statistics, Mérida and the state of Yucatan are the safest places to live in Mexico. According to International Living, some of the safest cities for digital nomads, ex-pats and tourists are also Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, Lake Chapala and San Miguel de Allende.
With all this said, some common sense and awareness are vital to every city in every country you plan to explore. Mexico is no exception.
Open Borders during Pandemic
Yes. The Mexican border is still open and plans to remain open during this pandemic.
Due to the economy, tourism is essential in Mexico. Especially in locations like the Riviera Maya and Baja California. The government is assuring the safest practices to prevent an outbreak of the virus with extensive cleanliness and mandatory social distancing. We at Chew & Lush witness most Mexicans (and international tourists) are wearing their masks and sanitizing their hands on a regular basis.
If you’re planning your next travel destination, we hope that you will consider Mexico.
From wonderful beaches, delicious vegan food and an excellent standard of living; it’s a fantastic place to visit!
