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The digital nomad scene in Mexico City is exploding in popularity, with the city quickly becoming one of the fastest growing remote work hubs in the world. The Mexican capital has long been a favorite vacation destination not just for Americans but for several other nationalities, and the county’s relaxed restrictions have made Mexico more popular than ever throughout the pandemic as travelers flocked to destinations more Ordinary that New Ordinary.
Yet, rather than just visiting for a vacation and leaving after a few weeks, more and more travelers are deciding to stay. That’s largely thanks to the growing popularity of remote working in the wake of the pandemic, with travelers much preferring to work in sunny, cheaper destinations than face harsh, soul-destroying commutes and a higher cost of living. Here’s a look at how the digital nomad scene in Mexico City has exploded in popularity over the year, why remote workers are choosing Mexico over other destinations, and the impact it’s having on the country.
Mexico City Sees Digital Nomad Boom – Information for Travelers
The Fastest Growing Destinations for Digital Nomads study was conducted by the NomadList website, an online community for remote workers with over 10,000 members. According to NomadList, Mexico City is now the fifth fastest growing established destination for remote workers over the past five years, behind other destinations such as Playa del Carmen, Tbilisi, Kyiv and Belgrade on the chart.
The website shows that Mexico City has seen a huge increase in travelers choosing the city to meet their remote work needs. The period between 2017 and 2011 saw the number of remote workers in the city increase by 192% – a significant total given the challenges posed by the pandemic. The city is currently seeing an influx of remote workers this year as well, with totals up 59% from the previous year.
Anyone who’s been to Mexico City will understand why it attracts so many new and existing remote workers to its apartments, cafes and quaint plazas to work. In addition to the warm welcome, sunny climate, almost unrivaled Mexican culture, best places to eat and drink, and extremely low cost of living compared to many western cities, Mexico’s attractive visa rules in make the perfect place to work – far better than the dreary office environment that many digital nomads leave behind.
Mexico’s visa rules give travelers from more than 70 countries – including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union – the chance to enter the country for up to six months. Compared to other digital nomad destinations, that’s a long time – more than enough time to settle in and work on a project or two. Add to that the fact that the country was among the first to completely remove its Covid-19 related entry requirements and restrictions, and it’s a no-brainer for new and existing remote workers.
Mexico City also has impressive internet speeds, essential for remote work, as well as an abundance of remote workspaces in the city. Transportation is cheap, groceries and street food are even cheaper, and nights out in town are likely far less than what the average traveler pays in other major remote work hotspots. Living options are plentiful, with decent hotels available from $650 per month, AirBnB for around $800 – or you can look for a private apartment and pay around half that.
However, the issue of accommodation has proven to be controversial lately. The influx of remote workers has seen the cost of private rentals rise dramatically, foreclosing premises from the market and leading to accusations of gentrification from city dwellers. Travelers can help offset these concerns by reinvesting in the local economy, supporting local businesses, and traveling domestically to ensure that all stakeholders involved in remote working – from restaurants to shops freelancers, from travel agents to taxi drivers – can thrive together.
Read more:
Top global destinations for remote work revealed
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This article originally appeared on Travel Off Path. For the latest breaking news that will affect your upcoming trip, please visit: Traveloffpath.com
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Disclaimer: Current Travel Rules and Restrictions may change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm entry of your nationality and/or any changes to travel conditions before travelling. Travel Off Path does not approve travel against government advice
