Digital Nomads

Living in Mexico as a Digital Nomad

The practical side of living in Mexico as a remote worker: renting, phones and internet, getting around, healthcare, community, Mexican customs, safety and earthquakes.

Mexico is an easy country to settle into: people are warm, services are good in the cities, and everything from groceries to doctors can be arranged on WhatsApp. This page covers the practical details.

Renting a Place#

  • Where to look. Airbnb for the first weeks; then Facebook groups, local agents, Inmuebles24 and Lamudi, or walking the neighbourhood looking for “se renta” signs.
  • Monthly furnished rentals are easy to find in nomad neighbourhoods; long leases are cheaper but may need a Mexican guarantor (aval) or a deposit of one or two months.
  • Check water pressure, building water tanks, noise and the internet connection before you sign.

Phones and Internet#

  • SIM cards: Telcel has the best coverage, with AT&T cheaper. Mexico now requires mobile numbers to be linked to an ID, so bring your passport.
  • Home internet: Telmex, Totalplay and Izzi fibre in cities; Starlink on parts of the coast.
  • Apps worth having: Uber and DiDi (rides and food), Rappi (delivery), WhatsApp (used by everyone, including landlords and doctors), and Google Translate.

Getting Around#

Uber and DiDi work in most cities and are cheap. Mexico City has an extensive metro, Metrobús and Ecobici bike share. First-class buses (ADO, ETN, Primera Plus) are comfortable and safe for long distances. Domestic flights are cheap. The Tren Maya links the Yucatán. Driving is possible with a foreign licence, but avoid driving at night outside cities.

Healthcare#

Private healthcare is good and affordable. Big cities have excellent hospitals; beach towns have clinics and smaller hospitals. Pharmacies sell many medicines without a prescription, and many have doctors on site for cheap consultations. Get health insurance. For emergencies, call 911.

Community and Meeting People#

Mexico City, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Oaxaca have large nomad communities, with coworking events, language exchanges, run clubs and WhatsApp groups. Mexicans are sociable and welcoming, and some Spanish opens many doors.

Customs and Etiquette#

  • Greet people with “buenos días” or “buenas tardes” when entering shops and lifts.
  • Tipping is expected: 10% to 15% in restaurants, and small tips for baggers and delivery drivers.
  • Time is flexible socially; business is more punctual.
  • Holidays: Day of the Dead (early November), Independence Day (16 September), Christmas and Semana Santa are big.

Safety#

Most nomad bases are safe with common sense. Use Uber or DiDi at night, avoid showing expensive phones and jewellery, and never buy drugs. Check your government’s advice by state. Earthquakes happen, especially in Mexico City and on the Pacific coast; learn what to do when the seismic alarm sounds. On the coasts, follow hurricane warnings from June to November.

Emergency number: 911.

Everyday Life FAQs#

How do I find an apartment in Mexico as a digital nomad?

Start with Airbnb, then use Facebook groups, agents and “se renta” signs for cheaper monthly rentals.

Is Mexico safe for digital nomads?

The main nomad bases are generally safe with common sense, but check advice by state and use app taxis at night.

Do I need to speak Spanish in Mexico?

Not in Mexico City’s nomad neighbourhoods or the Riviera Maya, but Spanish helps a lot elsewhere and with landlords and services.

Do I need to tip in Mexico?

Yes. Tip 10% to 15% in restaurants, and small amounts for delivery drivers and baggers.