Beside travel I was always wondering which cities in Central America would be best for digital nomads or freelancers andvwhy it’s still so unpopular. I met a lot of nomads on my journey which inspired me to write this article. Southeast Asia now experiences complete outbreak. Tons of expats, nomads, freelancers are coming to Thailand’s top city Chiang Mai, as I call it “Disneyland” of digital nomads. Others cities in similar situations, Bali, Ho Chi Min, Taipei and so on. But where Latin America have it’s own place among digital nomads? By time things are changing, rapidly, with advanced technology which is getting to every corner of the world, a lot of developing countries can benefit from it. It shapes their position worldwide, outside there are getting more visible due to share, spread information through social media and blogs. The fact that technology gives people feel safe as an ability to be connected anytime. South America is already experiencing some positive feedbacks from travelers and expats from all around the world the things are getting better. For example, city Medellin, located in Colombia, one of the most controversial and not long time ago, dangerous countries. Despite this fact Medellin has the privilege to be placed amongst the first popular expat/digital nomad cities in whole Latin America. This article is focusing more on Central America because I believe in the mainstream is still lack of information in this matter, of course South America will be mentioned in other posts, except Southeast Asia, it would be, as we have saying in Slovakia “brining wood into forest”. Central America’s cities definitely should get more attention, especially in positive way.
Here are main important attributes for digital nomads, for those who are wonderng what is this all about:
1. lowest expenses as possible, rent, food, grocery stores. 2. Reliable, good internet connection 3. Safety, just enough to walk around city with laptop or camera bag without further worries what could have happened if I am not careful enough. Of course there should always some basic precaution. 4.
Based on points mentioned above I have choose two cities. One is from Guatemala, old city Antigua Guatemala and second one from Mexico, city of Yucatan - Merida. Those countries are quite popular as tourist destinations especially in US but among digital nomads I believe are quite unknown, I couldn’t find proper information sources on internet what would say otherwise.
Let’s look closer what made me think that Merida and Antigua Guatemala are so unique in these terms.
Yucatan – State of United states of Mexico, no, I didn’t make it up, this is official name, is one of the safest areas but not only compare with Mexico but with whole America. Mexico similarly to USA is made from a 31 different sovereign states. Every state is its own ways unique which represent local customs and culture. I have been mostly in Yucatan only, so I don’t really have any experience with other states.
Yucatan is very interesting part of Mexico. It represents Mayan culture, the indigenous people who have been here way back before colonization by Spanish conquistadors. The Mayan ancient civilization. Thanks to previous occupation by Mayan Yucatan is full of ancient ruins of many big cities as Uxmal or Chichén Itzá which has very important roles way back in time when empire flourish. The civilization was spreading all way down to south and southeast area today’s territory of Belize and Guatemala where are located similar unique Mayan ruins as well. I always thought that are only few small residential areas of indigenous left from this, once long time ago, big empire. After I have come to Merida I realized I was completely wrong. Merida the biggest city of the Yucatan with population over almost one million. Merida is controlled by Mayans today, 60 % of local population are Mayans only. I was really surprised by this fact and honestly I like to see that today have their own voice and decision making regarding to state of Yucatan. Not only Yucatan but even Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Chiapas states included. The Mexican’ newspaper La Jornada in Merida has its own version, published in local Mayan language. Mayan language is taught in many schools around Yucatan, it’s spoken by almost all indigenous people. Merida is cultural center as well, regularly almost every day is schedule for some cultural historical event in Merida. Events are mostly focused on ancient customs of Mayans and historical events during Spanish colonization. My favorite event is ancient Mayan ball game named “Pok Ta Pok” which occurs every Friday on Main Plaza in Merida.
Another fact, Merida is very safe place. By statistic safer than Oslo or Prague, surprisingly at same level as Geneva. Yes, by statistic, I checked it out J …Just corruption can be here issue. Now, what about prices? Well, Merida by statistics is one of the top 50 cheapest cities in the world, surrounded mostly by Indian cities which are undoubtedly cheapest. Grocery stores, alcohol, rent are very cheap commodities here. Practically I would say slightly cheaper than Chiang Mai, but depends on details. Street food cost in average 3$, of course incomparable to Thai food by quality. Beer in bar costs average 2$, in grocery store, one can costs 0.6$ and it’s good, this price include even Corona J. Rent, depends to location, luxury, in my case apartment close to center, 165$ per month with A/C include electricity, water and so on. I can’t say it was luxurious but not worse what I had in Thailand in Chiang Mai, not Bangkok. Cheap electronics, rarely to find but it’s possible, especially because a lot of US sellers came to Mexico and made it more affordable. Still, if you want to buy something through EBay or Amazon from US, anything above 50$ is taxed by customs approximately by 21% tax.
Compare with South America where without some knowledge of Spanish, it can be really painful sometimes especially for lonely travelers, Central America is more English friendly and Merida is not exemption.
The internet! Standard speed is here 10 – 15 Mbps and very reliable, compare with South America definitely better. Unfortunately, if somebody wants to rely on Mobile internet that I would consider as downside with quality compare with other countries around.
This and many other things made Merida quite unique place. But as we know everything has it's upsides and downsides. What I can say that the architecture structural placement of buildings, it’s just ugly, unfortunately in Mexico this is not unique attribute. Lack of night life, here almost none during week. Bars are closing at 10PM, some places are open longer during weekend but generally it just sucks. Merida is more calm place, that’s why I believe a lot of older people from US came here to retire. For other hand this place is surrounded by ancient ruins, nice cave lakes and white sand beaches which are quite close.
Last thing definitely good to mention especially for nomads is that tourist visa is for 180 days in Mexico which is very rare as we all know compare with standard 90 days in most countries. This I would consider as big plus. What I have heard it shouldn’t be even problem revisit country for another 180 days but for every cross through borders of Mexico is fee 25$ which is nothing horrible, for example compare to 30 days’ visa extension in Thailand which cost 60$.
Antigua Guatemala, the ancient city from Guatemala mentioned above. Guatemala' visitors main concern was always safety but in general terms I can say this is issue of the capital. If you avoid Guatemala City most probably you shouldn't have any problems with traveling in rest of country. Guatemala is pleasant place by climate and landscape diversity, a lot of volcanos, ruins of ancient Mayan civilization and nature. Antigua Guatemala is located just 30km from capital. You can already suggest by the name that Antigua Guatemala is place with rich historical background with high importance. This city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Let’s get into it! I was surprised by Guatemala. Nature is there amazing and it somehow reminded me Bolivia, especially city Sucre, maybe by people, culture or maybe by appearance or maybe I just being sentimental. Climate was definitely same as in Sucre, through day comfortably warm and nights colder sometimes it can drop to 10 degrees Celsius. City by itself is very nice with many interesting historical areas. Even building of Macdonald’s has style!
In Guatemala is used currency named Quetzal. Approximately 7 Quetzals’ stands for 1$ which is again, very similar to Bolivia, I mean to strength of Bolivianos currency J What I really enjoyed there, was the view. Whole city was surrounded by main three volcanos. Volcán de Fuego (of fire), volcan de Agua (of water) and volcan Acatenango. One of the volcanos is worthy of the name, try guess which one. Is periodically active, and it’s not far from the city. I could see directly from the city huge clouds rising from the volcano covering big above city. Yes, it’s volcano of the Fire. The highest peaks of activity of the volcano were exactly at the time when I have been there. Places which you can visit from Antigua are a lot. Not far away is huge lake surrounded around by small town. By small ships on lake is possible to visit town by town which can be spectacular journey. Similar to Yucatan, Guatemala is mostly influenced by strong minority of Mayan culture. In the north region of Guatemala are huge ruins of Mayan civilization, of them is named Flores.
Now some comparison with Merida. Landscape surrounding the city is much better, I would consider Antigua as better option, especially for somebody who likes more adventures, definitely the active volcano worth to visit. With prices Merida will be on the top, differences are not very dramatic but Antigua is more touristic so food around cost approximately 3$ but if you want experiment, it can easily be over 5$. Grocery stores doesn’t have advantage of lower prices as Merida does. I have found rent option for 150$ per month but with share bathroom which is not for everybody, otherwise price can rise up to 200$ for private room with bathroom. The internet was quite good but not so perfect with reliability as I experience in Merida, usual speeds 5 - 10 Mbps which is I believe is still sufficient.
90 days for tourist visa is another disadvantage against Mexico.
I would like to add one more thing. Even other cities in whole Mexico worth to try to check out, not only Merida has these attributes, maybe not so good in safety or prices but with some other values can some city surprise. This article is not merely about to say Merida or Antigua is the best for nomads, it’s more about to bring some attention toward this whole sector which has been usually overlooked.
Well, I hope I brought some more light into this and maybe it inspires some people to visit these places.