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Latin America is the talk of the town in digital nomad circles right now: they all crave some of that laid-back-living, less bureaucracy—something every Europe-based expat would appreciate—and perhaps most importantly, the lower cost of living.
For anyone feeling let down by the American Dream, the neighboring continent offers a much-needed respite, a chance to step off the treadmill and escape the nonstop grind.
That being said, it’s not like picking out a new place to call home is exactly easy, especially abroad, where you might not speak the language, and your Elementary School Spanish won’t be of much help.
Nomads usually gravitate toward countries where they feel welcome, can settle in easily, and don’t have to stress about visa issues every few months. Thanks to KAYAK, we now know the top five spots in Latin America that check (most of) those boxes.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
The vibrant capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan is a culture-loaded port city on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, best known for its postcard-ready colonial center:
Picture beautiful facades dating back to the 16th century, romantic lamps casting a soft, golden glow on cobblestone-surfaced pavements, and a palm-lined waterfront sprinkled with family-owned eateries serving delicious Boricuanfood.
If you’re primarily here for the history and Old World charm, then you can’t miss Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a monumental coastal fortress guarding the entrance to San Juan Bay. Now, if it’s the beach you seek, Isla Verde has soft golden sands, calm waters, and plenty of bars to choose from.
San Juan is not exactly the cheapest workcation hub out there if you’re a nomad, with monthly expenses averaging from $2,748 to $4,176, but it does have a lead on other LatAm destinations: as Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, Americans do not need a visa (nor a passport) to move there.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Not Tulum, not Playa Del Carmen: the highest-ranking Mexican city on KAYAK right now is Puerto Vallarta, the much sought-after vacation hotspot on the Pacific Coast.
Vallarta may be famous worldwide as a resort and party destination, with its Zona Romántica (and accompanying Playa Los Muertos) drawing in weekend revelers and beach bums of all walks of life, but it’s seriously overlooked as a nomad base.
Home to a growing expat community, which makes it easier to assimilate and establish local connections, and boasting a plethora of coworking spaces, including our personal favorite for coffee The Green Place, it is way more nomad-friendly than you might think.
On top of that, Mexico allows Americans to stay for up to 6 months without requesting any sort of visa, provided they leave the country before the period is up.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The darling of South America-bound digital nomads, Buenos Aires could do no wrong:
Its elegant, Haussmann-inspired streets are evocative of Paris, its opulent palaces and picturesque plazas rival Spain’s own in beauty, and the undeniable Latin flair of tango shows. That’s Buenos Aires for tourists, but why would you stay long-term?
As volatile as Argentine politics may be, Buenos Aires is among the safest capitals in the Latin world, with far less pronounced rates of violence, not to mention it’s affordable—that is, if you’re smart about how you exchange your dollars and where you eat—and easy to relocate to.
You can qualify for a Digital Nomad Visa on earnings of around $1,400 monthly, allowing you to stay for a year (renewable).
São Paulo, Brazil
This one’s for those who love the hustle and bustle and feel their most productive in a big city with a lively social scene.
São Paulo is the largest metropolis not only in Brazil, but the whole of Latin America, and unappealing as it might look from above, with its endless clusters of skyscrapers and car-dominated boulevards as far as the eye can see, it has an understated coolness and edginess to it that’s often ignored.
It is Brazil’s most multicultural hub, home to thriving Italian, Japanese, Jewish, and Arab communities—and that’s often reflected in the diverse food offer, not to mention it is probably the only major city in the country other than Rio with a well-established café culture.
On top of that, it has urban parks, like Parque Ibirapuera, that will give you that much-needed respite from the concrete sprawl when city fatigue hits, museums and art districts that will quench the culture buff in you, and it costs only $1,897 on average to live in.
San José, Costa Rica
San José stands out among its Central American peers due to its advanced infrastructure, reliable public transportation, and lower levels of congestion (as well as crime).
Other than the higher living standards it offers compared to a majority of LatAm capitals, San José’s main appeal is the combination of modern city amenities and proximity to nature, with world-famous nature landmarks, like the Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfall, being a short 1–2 hour drive away.
Within city limits, nomads will find a well-maintained, palatial National Theater, in classic European fashion, with grand marble staircases and 19th-century frescos, colonial houses turned into museums, and bustling street markets.
The good news? If you earn over $3,000 a month, you may qualify for a Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa, and if your income is foreign-sourced, it is not taxed.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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