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Let me say out the gate that Mexico City, also known as CDMX (Ciudad de Mexico), is a must for digital nomads and remote workers. And for longer than a few days, as most seem to book.

While not without its issues, CDMX is a lot more than the negative image of danger and pollution that the media has continually painted over the years. Especially as more tourists and long term travellers begin to discover it as a hotspot of history, culture, fashion and community.

Before I go any further, I do want to stress that caution should still be exercised as you would in most big cities. Pay attention to local advice on safety, kidnappings are still a thing in CDMX for example, learn some Spanish and overall respect the destination you are travelling to.

Making sure you’re properly insured with a company like SafetyWing is super beneficial as well. For peace of mind alone it’s important to feel that your ‘remote office’, ie your laptop and other electronics needed for every day work and communication are covered. And having insurance that includes coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged equipment can prevent significant disruptions. Beyond health and personal safety, having insurance may be important for legal requirements if you choose to extend your stay and support in navigating local regulations. In general, having *decent* insurance is good for peace of mind, allowing you to get back to your work and enjoy Mexico City without the worry of unforeseen challenges and expenses.

CDMX attracts many digital nomads and remote workers, and navigating its healthcare system can potentially be complex and costly for those unfamiliar with it. Having insurance ensures easier access to quality medical care without the financial burden of out-of-pocket expenses, which can be substantial in the event of serious illness or injury. And as I mentioned before, CDMX like any big city in general has its share of potential risks, including street crime, accidents, and natural disasters such as earthquakes. So having insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation, theft, and other travel-related incidents is crucial for maintaining personal safety and security.

And before we get into the post, I just want to share this thought before you arrive

Landing into CDMX airport, I posted my first TikTok joking about the fact that I had so many places to visit saved on my Google Maps. And it was the first time I really got properly thrown into the gentrification conversation - or rather attracted a lot of comments about it.

Gentrification: the process whereby the character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in, improving housing, and attracting new businesses, often displacing current inhabitants in the process.

Gentrification is a whole other topic that I could cover - and have briefly covered on The Remote Life Podcast when investing in real estate - in relation to digital nomads and remote lifers. For those of us who come from Western countries and have generally more freedom to move between borders - and earn more overall - we forget the impact it can have.

There are still sadly too many Westerners who do the whole ‘move to the cheapest country possible’, work their jobs remotely back home and give no thought to the local community they are displacing. And in CDMX, locals are very unafraid to call people out on it - whether fairly or not.

Please don’t be that person! Head to CDMX - and to be honest, anywhere - for reasons that go beyond ‘cheaper’ cost of living. CDMX is packed with culture, history, fashion and of course food! Do some research before heading there. Whether for the best mom and pop restaurants to support, or places to buy cute accessories, or the lesser visited museums around the centre of the city.

Five weeks was enough to feel like I had experienced the central neighbourhoods of the city, but I still felt like I had SO much to see. Plan well and make the most of this vibrant city! Learn some Spanish, tip properly and respect where you’re at.

So where should I set up my laptop?

CDMX actually has a public wifi network for the more central parts of town, so there’s no need to invest in a big data package when you get here. And most central restaurants and cafes have wifi also, so you’re pretty much covered as a visitor, no matter where you go.

As you might imagine, after five weeks, we’d checked out several places to work in, grab a coffee and generally hang out. So where I might include nearly every place I’ve worked in, this post will be about the highlights - and any extras will have been on TikTok or Instagram.

Cafebrería

There’s something about being around books, that just helps inspire me! This small chain of cafes/restaurants within book shops was where I often found myself drawn back to when I was in their respective neighbourhoods.

Food was pretty reasonably priced, although not always the tastiest, and wifi was always decent. Think like most Insta cafes: pay for the location and aesthetic, not the quality of the refreshments, and you’ll enjoy these locations as much as we did.

Vegísima

La Condesa neighbourhood was pretty good for vegan and vegetarian anything, but being just a three minute walk from my Airbnb, Vegísima was where I found myself most for a last minute meal and laptop sesh. Sit under the little pergola, order a kombucha and you can hang for the afternoon.

Decent wifi and a yummy selection of bowls and meals, it’s a must if you’re in the neighbourhood.

Co-Madre

A lovely cowork space set up with working parents in mind, if you’re looking for more of an office vibe with a twist, then I would definitely give this space a go. And not only because we did a collaboration together, but because they are revolutionising the way cowork space is used with flexible membership options. Find my interview with Caro Saracho from Co-Madre on The Remote Life Podcast here.

Other places worthy of noting:

• Fontán Reforma Hotel

• WeWork

• Restuante Miralto

• Clara Y Ema

Mexico City has a lot to offer remote workers and digital nomads, and while it’s important to be wary while out and about, I would happily go back to explore more of the art, culture and cuisine.

Have you visited Mexico City yet?

Han x