One of the biggest misconceptions people have about digital nomads is that they can just take off and fly to the dreamiest, sunniest destinations on Earth at the drop of a hat.
If you’re even remotely familiar with the lifestyle, you know just how challenging deciding where to head off next can be.
Probably the No. 1 concern to keep in mind throughout the process is the cost – after all, gorgeous beachy hubs usually come with a price tag to match.
Luckily for all of you summer lovers out there, though, that’s not always the case.
I know for a fact that there’s not one, not two, but five amazing beach destinations waiting for you just south of the border.
How do I know that?
I’ve tracked down the top budget-friendly cities and towns by conducting a thorough analysis of living costs, safety ratings, average internet speeds, and things to do and see along Mexico’s incredible coastline, and believe me, you’ll want to keep these ones on your radar.
Puerto Morelos
Touted as the perfect tranquil alternative to busy Cancun, Puerto Morelos has made its way into millions of travelers’ bucket lists these past couple of years, but not many of them have gotten the chance to actually see what this dreamy beach town has to offer, and even fewer have noticed how much of an amazing digital nomad destination it really is.
Think about it.
Here, you’ll get to spend your days falling in love with some of the most untouched views in all of Mexico, all while taking advantage of the closeness to major North American hubs and the thriving expat community that’s being slowly but surely built day by day.
Not only does Puerto Morelos offer all that, plus an amazing food scene, plus plenty of coworking spaces like REMO and The Network Cafe, but it does it all at a pretty reasonable cost.
Here’s what the average digital nomad can expect to pay in Puerto Morelos:
- Rent: $350 – $700/month for a one-bedroom apartment
- Meal Out: $8 – $15 at a mid-range restaurant
- Grocery Run: $30 – $50/week for a single person
- Public Transport Ticket: $0.5 – $1 per trip
- Coffee: $2 – $3 per cup
- Monthly Internet Subscription: $30 – $50
La Paz
As it turns out, the Baja California Sur capital is as beautiful as it is reasonably priced, and if you want to spend this summer deciding whether to lounge around on Balandra Beach or get some work done at Elsa coworking (impossible, I know!), here’s a rough budget you can look ahead to:
- Rent: $380 – $790/month for a one-bedroom apartment
- Meal Out: $7 – $17 at a mid-range restaurant
- Grocery Run: $25 – $40/week for a single person
- Public Transport Ticket: $0.4 – $0.8 per trip
- Coffee: $1.5 – $2.5 per cup
- Monthly Internet Subscription: $21 – $38
Mazatlan
Don’t let Mazatlan’t humble size fool you – we’re talking about Mexico’s fastest-growing destination right now, so if you want to take advantage of the jaw-dropping sights and surprisingly abundant amenities while the prices are still low enough, you’ll have to move quickly.
This is how much digital nomads can expect to pay for necessities in Mazatlan:
- Rent: $400 – $700/month for a one-bedroom apartment
- Meal Out: $6 – $15 at a mid-range restaurant
- Grocery Run: $30 – $50/week for a single person
- Public Transport Ticket: $0.3 – $0.6 per trip
- Coffee: $1.5 – $2.5 per cup
- Monthly Internet Subscription: $22 – $35
Mahahual
I know that the idea of staying in a small fishing village for months on end might not be the most appealing to young remote workers able to live just about everywhere, but once you get to see the place I’m actually talking about, you might change your mind.
Not only is Mahahual home to some of Mexico’s best, most pristine beaches, but it’s also a peaceful hub that’ll welcome you with a warm community and unbelievably low prices.
Don’t believe me? Take a look at the average monthly costs for yourself:
- Rent: $300 – $600/month for a one-bedroom apartment
- Meal Out: $5 – $10 at a mid-range restaurant
- Grocery Run: $20 – $40/week for a single person
- Public Transport Ticket: $0.5 – $1 per trip
- Coffee: $1 – $2 per cup
- Monthly Internet Subscription: $20 – $35
Veracruz
If the idea of a secluded coastal village still freaks you out a bit, don’t worry; I’ve got just the place for you (yes, while still staying in the same price range!).
Veracruz is one of Mexico’s biggest port cities, promising a lively cultural scene and decent nightlife, too – talk about a great-value destination!
But how much can you, as a digital nomad, actually expect to pay here?
Here’s a breakdown:
- Rent: $250 – $500/month for a one-bedroom apartment
- Meal Out: $5 – $12 at a mid-range restaurant
- Grocery Run: $25 – $40/week for a single person
- Public Transport Ticket: $0.3 – $0.6 per trip
- Coffee: $1 – $2 per cup
- Monthly Internet Subscription: $24 – $26
Methodology: For this report, we used a multi-step process to find the cheapest beach destinations in Mexico for digital nomads. After gathering data on all the locations that fit the criteria, we ranked them by affordability to determine the most budget-friendly options. Then, we considered several additional factors like quality of living, safety, and average internet connection speed to award each destination a final score.
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