Mexico is teeming with attractive destinations suiting digital nomads’ freeing lifestyle.
Whether it be colonial gems, gargantuan metropolises, or, of course, stunning paradise beaches, digital nomads can quite literally “eeny, meeny, miny, moe” a map of Mexico and be completely satisfied with where they land.
According to a new insightful guide, there’s one unsuspecting resort town still considered a hidden gem, even for Americans craving new vacation experiences beyond the likes of Cancun and Cabo, and even more so for digital nomads who might be deterred by luxe resorts lining beautiful shores, thinking it’s going to crack their tight budget.
The good news is that’s not the case.
The “Santorini of Mexico” is truly a diamond in the rough, providing an affordable lifestyle for those willing to give it go in perhaps one of the country’s best kept secrets for foreigners seeking a new home base.
Discover Mexico’s Secret Whitewashed Beach Haven
Put digital nomad hotspots like Puerto Escondido on the back burner for a moment and embrace the lesser known.
Its not just everyday vacationers getting tired of the same-o, same-o vacations, it’s digital nomads too —hence lesser-visited countries such as Moldova embracing the remote work craze by issuing a digital nomad visa.
As popular as Mexico may be for said ‘nomads’, there’s far more to discover than simply following like-minded crowds to already established communities.
Manzanillo, considered the country’s ‘Santorini’ due to its picturesque townscape of whitewashed buildings lining the coast, has become a surprising base for expats with more digital nomads trickling in.
While ritzy resorts may not appeal to most digital nomads who may be ballin’ on a budget with a freelance workload, that’s long been the lone claim to fame until now.
Why Digital Nomads Will Fall In Love With Manzanillo
Let’s unpack why Manzanillo boasts far more than being the ultimate Pacific hideaway for a luxurious beach getaway.
Manzanillo is ready to embrace a new type of the crowd — ones who happily live out of their suitcase with their laptop in tow.
According to Mexperience, digital nomads would be a seamless fit into what’s become a growing community of expats largely from the U.S. and Canada.
Given the following highlights, digital nomads will quickly realize what they’ve been missing out on:
- Peaceful, authentic coastal town without an abundance of tourist crowds
- Low cost of living — housing and groceries far cheaper than major beach hubs
- Everyday essentials: beachside cafés serving as “offices”, markets, and affordable healthcare
- Well-connected modern highways and an international airport (ZLO) serving U.S. and Canada
- In close reach to Colima (1.5 hours) and Guadalajara (4 hours) for city breaks (though Colima is a ‘Level 4′ destination, according to the U.S. State Department)
- Modern co-working spaces like LOCAL Workspace Solutions (with unlimited coffee!)
Most notably, housing prices are not nearly as high as what you’d expect in a gleaming resort oasis.
According to our pals at ExpatExchange, “The average cost for housing in Manzanillo is usually between $200 and $800 USD per month“.
On the higher end, expect unmatched ocean views for a fraction of more popular locales that are way more crowded.
The bottom line is Manzanillo is a sleeper pick to enjoy authentic Mexican culture, top notch eats, astounding scenery, pristine shores, and very affordable housing — you may never want to leave!
If that’s the case, prepare to stay a maximum of 6 months as a standard tourist with possibility for extension.
Addressing Manzanillo’s Safety Concerns
No matter your profession or what type of traveler you are, everyone wants to feel safe when they rest their head at night.
Manzanillo is a tricky one as it’s a ‘diamond in the rough’ as stated previously.
You see, Colima is a city and state in Mexico — Manzanillo lying in the latter.
The U.S. State Department basically says the entirety of Colima is a no-go zone due to kidnapping, crime, and terrorism concerns with the exception of Manzanillo.
In their own words, “Travel only to the central tourist and port areas of Manzanillo. Primary tourist areas include the historic city center and Malecon, the hotel zone, the Peninsula Santiago or Las Hadas area, and the Club Santiago Peninsula area”.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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