11 Best Cities to Live in Mexico! – Reviews
11 Best Cities to Live in Mexico TL;DR
Top cities for digital nomads include Guadalajara, La Paz, Mexico City and Querétaro. Prime cities for typical expat retirees include Ajijic/Lake Chapala, La Paz, Querétaro and Mérida.
11 Best Cities to Live in Mexico Reviews
I’m basing the 11 Best Cities to Live in Mexico Reviews off of personal experience and/or research. As far as my experience is concerned:
- I’m a permanent resident in Mexico, currently living in Sanitago de Querétaro, Querétaro.
- I’ve bought and sold property in Mexico’s restricted zone in Mérida, Yucatán with a bank trust “fideicomiso”.
- I’ve shipped household belongings via cargo ship from Florida to Yucatán.
- I created an easy to use “menaje de casa” (household inventory) Excel sheet that auto calculates, which customs will require.
- I shipped my car via cargo ship and picked it up at the longest port in the world, Puerto de Progreso, Yucatán.
- I’ve crossed the land border by car and by foot numerous times at El Paso, Texas/Juarez Chihuahua and have had items shipped by courier.
- I’ve traveled to numerous cities throughout Mexico.
- I’m fluent in Spanish (I lived in Ecuador for 5 years) and I’m quite familiar with Mexican colloquial Spanish.
Best Cities to Live in Mexico is Based on Experience and Research
One can travel the world and get an idea of a particular country, however, if one is constantly traveling the world then they cannot become an expert at LIVING in any particular place. The day-to-day stuff is what most people want to know about living in another country. Spending a week in a foreign land is really cool but really only qualifies as a week’s experience; just another notch on the belt of some place traveled. Nobody can “live” in every city 24/7 unless they truly never leave! I’m far from being a “Mexico Guru” but I think I have a lot to offer anyone seeking some honest advice or opinions about moving to Mexico from the eyes of an American. I will be updating this list as time goes on. I hope to include thoughts on Aguascalientes and Oaxaca.
I Only Add My Opinion if I Think It Holds Value
I only add my two cents when it’s warranted. Otherwise, I research. I haven’t been to every single town and city in Mexico and probably never will. Heck, with the exception of San Diego, California (once) when I was 22, Chicago, Illinois (3 times), Denver (once), El Paso, Texas (2 years) and Ruidoso, New Mexico (twice), I spent my whole life before Mexico in the US on the East Coast, mainly in Massachusetts (where I was born) and Florida. I also lived in Ecuador for 5 years, where my daughter was born back in the Mid 90’s. I’ve been to several Latin American countries numerous times including Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras (Roatán), Mexico and Venezuela.
I Separated the Best Places to Live in Mexico by Digital Nomads and Retirees
I’ve broken up the best places to live in Mexico by digital nomads and retirees as their wants and needs are typically vastly different. I don’t really like the term digital nomads as anyone can move anywhere without necessarily being a digital nomad but for the sake of understanding I’m using the term, mainly to refer to non-retirees or people younger than retirement age.
Understanding My Rating System for Best Cities to Live in Mexico
A brief overview of how I established my ratings.
- A higher star rating doesn’t necessarily mean it’s “good” or “better”. For example, some people want to live with lots of expats while others don’t. Therefore “Expat Presence” rating simply means whether or not there is a considerable expat population.
- Climate is also subjective. Some people love hot and humid. Personally, I don’t, yet I lived in Mérida for 5 years; go figure!
- The reviews are simply listed in alphabetical order. Acapulco doesn’t make the cut unfortunately due to safety concerns. Los Cabos, being a rather expensive resort town also doesn’t make the list, although I’m sure it’s awesome to visit. Most people reading this type of content are concerned about cost of living. If you’re very wealthy, then Los Cabos, or the Polanco, Condesa/Hipódromo neighborhoods in CDMX or western Europe may be your cup of tea.
Ajijic/Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Review for Digital Nomads
The following is based on thorough research. I’ve never been to Ajijic/Lake Chapala. Ajijic is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Ajijic/Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico for Digital Nomads Summary
Ajijic (Lake Chapala area) is much more geared toward retirees than digital nomads. English is widely spoken and there is a huge retirement community over 60. A typical Digital Nomad would get bored real quick and would prefer the action of nearby Guadalajara. One user on Reddit called GlobeTrekking wrote:
“I recently checked out both Chapala and Guadalajara, and I liked Guadalajara more. Chapala/Ajijic is really small and I was going stir crazy after a week, even with longtime friends there. I definitely prefer the options in Guadalajara, more dining out, more people, more things to do, better transport options
The difference in star rating with retirees is due to lack of “cool” restaurants and nightlife for younger people which typically doesn’t affect those over 60. Although Ajijic is an excellent option for most retirees, it’s not one of the best cities to live in Mexico for digital nomads unless they’re down for doing it grandpa style and there’s nothing wrong with that. That is why “Expat Presence” is significantly lower for digital nomads. There are tons of expats, but they tend to be retirees, not 20, 30-something digital nomads.
Ajijic/Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Review for
Expat Retirees
The following is based on thorough research. I’ve never been to Ajijic/Lake Chapala. Ajijic is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Ajijic/Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico For Expat Retirees Summary
Ajijic (Lake Chapala area) is widely considered one of the best retirement spots in Mexico. The climate is mild. There’s a huge Expat retiree community from the US, Canada and the UK. There are numerous restaurants that cater to retirees that might want a burger instead of Mexican food every day. I think it’s a great option, especially for elders that are monolingual. I wish I knew about this place for my mom.
“Ajijic is definitely a retirement area. The majority of the expat population appears to be over 60… That said, there are numerous cultural activities plus exploratory trips around the area and other Mexico venues. Night life is somewhat subdued… but at 75 bedtime comes early for us.”, said a Expatexchange retiree in Ajijic.
The difference in star rating with digital nomads is due to lack of “cool” restaurants and nightlife. Ajijic is certainly one of the best cities to live in Mexico for most retirees. The Expat Presence rating is 2 stars higher than for digital nomads since most expats are indeed retirees making it easy for them to connect with their peers.
Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, in Quintana Roo, Review for Digital Nomads
The following is based on personal experience and thorough research. I lumped these 3 cities together due to their geographical proximity. Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum are mentioned in the Riviera Maya section of Cities in Mexico and Brief History (although technically Cancún isn’t part of the Riviera Maya).
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico for Digital Nomads summary
There’s a lot to do in Cancún, Playa del Carmen “PDC” and Tulum and the beaches are gorgeous. Although PDC tends to suffer from Sargassum. It really is all about tourism and partying in Cancún, PDC and Tulum if that’s your thing. Food tends to be overpriced and not the best Mexico has to offer.
Increased violent crime in the state of Quintana Roo is another thing to take into consideration. This includes Playa del Carmen and Tulum. This can be attributed to the party scene and the demand for drugs. The walkability in Cancún is terrible. It’s great in Playa Del Carmen along 5th Avenue and a set of wheels, be it bicycle, scooter etc. will help you get around in Tulum.
Climate rating is the only difference between digital nomads and retirees. I don’t consider any of these 3 cities as the best cities to live in Mexico. All 3 heavily rely on tourism, are extremely transient as in “nobody is from there” which makes it difficult socially to make real, long-lasting connections or feel like you’re part of a community. The hustle culture is over the top. No thanks. For a fun weekend? Absolutely, but to live and call home? Hell no.
Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, in Quintana Roo, Review for Expat Retirees
The following is based on personal experience and thorough research. I lumped these 3 cities together due to their geographical proximity. Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum are mentioned in the Riviera Maya section of Cities in Mexico and Brief History (although technically Cancún isn’t part of the Riviera Maya).
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico for Expat Retirees summary
There are much better places to retire than Cancún, Playa del Carmen “PDC” and Tulum. Increased violent crime throughout Quintana Roo is an issue. It’s not horrible but the nearby state of Yucatán is much safer than Quintana Roo. There’s more demand for drugs in the party spots of Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Tulum for sure is not a retirement spot unless you’re an old hippie, weed/drug person that is otherwise ecologically conscious. Food is OK, some good seafood, but generally pricey. Walkability sucks in Cancún and is excellent around 5th Avenue in PDC and a pair of wheels whether a bicycle, scooter etc. will help in Tulum.
I changed the climate rating for retirees because they tend to care more about staying away from hot and humid conditions than young people. I don’t believe any of these 3 cities are the best cities to live in Mexico. All 3 are heavily dependent on tourism, with a transient population making it difficult to establish genuine, enduring connections or feel part of a community. The prevailing hustle culture is excessive and annoying. Great beach vacay for sure, but to call home, a big no for most retirees.
Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Review for Digital Nomads
The following is based on personal experience and thorough research. Cozumel is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico for Digital Nomads Summary
I like Cozumel a lot, but I think young people would get bored real quick. I felt the food to be sub-par, especially for Mexico. Similar to Cancún the entire island is based on tourism. For me personally, it’s hell to have vendors constantly “Hey my friend” try and sell me. However, it doesn’t take away from the beauty of the island.
I dinged a star off of Bars, Food and Restaurants as compared to retirees for lack of a true nightlife that may be more important to a younger crowd. I took a jeep and drove it around the island. The other difference in star rating is due to climate which younger people tend to handle better. The final rating came out even with retirees. I don’t consider Cozumel as one of the best cities to live in Mexico for digital nomads, although I think it makes for a great vacation or cruise stop.
Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Review for
Expat Retirees
The following is based on personal experience and thorough research. Cozumel is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico For Expat Retirees Summary
There are better places to retire for most people. Cozumel is lovely but it’s more of a vacation spot than a permanent retirement location. I found the food to be mediocre at best, especially for Mexico. The entire island depends on tourism from cruise ships. I feel there would be a lack of community in Cozumel as compared to a place like Ajijic/Lake Chapala in Jalisco.
Still, Cozumel is very safe, and great to visit. Rent a jeep like I did and drive around the entire island and snorkel! Similar to Cancún, I dinged it one star for climate as many retirees tend to dislike hot and humid conditions when compared to digital nomads. The final rating came out even with digital nomads. I don’t think Cozumel is one of the best cities to live in Mexico for retirees, although it makes for a great getaway and port of call.
Ensenada, Baja California, Review for Digital Nomads
The following is based on thorough research. I’ve never been to Ensenada. Ensenada is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico for Digital Nomads Summary
I think there are much better cities than Ensenada for digital nomads and anyone for that matter in Mexico. My research indicated to me that Ensenada is dirty and plagued with vendors as it’s a cruise ship port. Vineyards and a blowhole called La Bufadora are the main attractions.:
It gets a 5-star rating for food as Ensenada was recognized by UNESCO in 2015 for its culinary creativity. Despite its culinary accolades from UNESCO, Ensenada is definitely not one of the best cities to live in Mexico. Ensenada gets identical scores for digital nomads and retirees.
Ensenada, Baja California, Review for
Expat Retirees
The following is based on thorough research. I’ve never been to Ensenada. Ensenada is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico For Expat Retirees Summary
The proximity of Ensenada to the United States may be a draw for some retirees. However, the US state department currently issues a “Reconsider travel to” warning for Baja California. This is the second worst after “Do not travel”. Why would you want to retire in a place like that?
Visit the natural geyser called La Bufadora or the vineyards. Despite its culinary recognition from UNESCO, Ensenada is certainly not one of the best cities to live in Mexico. There are much better options. Ensenada gets identical scores for retirees and digital nomads.
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Review for Digital Nomads
The following is based on thorough research. I’ve never been to Guadalajara. Guadalajara is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico for Digital Nomads Summary
I believe Guadalajara is one of the best places for digital nomads. It’s got a hip culture, great food (tortas ahogadas anyone?), fun nightlife, fast internet speeds, and the neighborhoods are walkable, though you’ll need transportation to check out other neighborhoods.
Colonia Americana was voted best neighborhood in the world by Timeout Group! I think this is a winner for digital nomads, at least for a while. Guadalajara is vibrant and full of life. The difference in star rating compared with retirees is the climate which can be a bit too hot for many retirees. 100% of digital nomads on Nomad List liked it. I think Guadalajara is one of the best cities to live in Mexico for digital nomads.
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Review for
Expat Retirees
The following is based on thorough research. I’ve never been to Guadalajara. Guadalajara is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico For Expat Retirees Summary
There are safety concerns in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Similar to other Mexican states the US state department has “Reconsider travel to” for Jalisco. Although, I’ve heard great things about Guadalajara, I think it’s more fit for digital nomads than retirees, but everyone is different.
Lake Chapala and Ajijic in Jalisco are much more popular for retirees than Guadalajara. However, if you wind up in Ajijic/Chapala, definitely check out Guadalajara! It’s a little too chaotic and there are security concerns. The difference in star rating compared with digital nomads is the climate which may be a bit too hot for some retirees. I don’t think Guadalajara is one of the best cities to live in Mexico for most retirees.
La Paz, Baja California Sur, Review for Digital Nomads
The following is based on thorough research. A trip to La Paz from Querétaro is on my radar! La Paz is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico for Digital Nomads Summary
La Paz, Baja California Sur appears to be a destination that could appeal to digital nomads and retirees alike. There was only 1 review or mention on Nomad List of La Paz, so it’s far from being a Chiang Mai, however from other sources I found, the internet seems to be quite good, and the bar, café and food scene gets a thumbs up. Seafood tacos for sure! That’s in addition to Balandra beach, whale shark and grey whale watching. Essentially, safety tends to increase the farther you are from the US border. Baja California to the north is issued a “Reconsider travel to” warning (one level worse).
If you need to be around lots of Digital Nomads, then La Paz isn’t for you. Walkability is excellent along the malecón but you can’t walk to the beaches like Balandra or El Tecolote. I think La Paz is one of the best cities to live in Mexico for digital nomads if you’re OK working without designated co-working spaces. La Paz, BCS gets identical scores for digital nomads and retirees.
La Paz, Baja California Sur, Review for
Expat Retirees
The following is based on thorough research. A trip to La Paz from Querétaro is on my radar! La Paz is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico For Expat Retirees Summary
La Paz, Baja California Sur could be a winner. It’s just slightly “less safe” than Mérida, Yucatán (that means it’s safe). The US state department lists BCS as “Exercise Increased Caution” which could really be said about any city. Basically, the further away you are from the US border the safer it gets. The state of Baja California to the north has a “Reconsider travel to” (one level worse). The weather is great, maybe can get a little hot for some, but it’s not humid like Mérida where I lived. It’s got that desert type climate called Subtropical Desert. The food and restaurants are highly rated.
I can imagine some great seafood tacos or ceviche in La Paz. Walking along the malecón is excellent but you’ll need to drive to the beaches like Balandra and El Tecolote. I consider La Paz to be one of the best cities to live in Mexico due to its relative safety, coastal location and dry heat as opposed to extreme humidity. La Paz, BCS gets identical scores for retirees and digital nomads.
Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Review for Digital Nomads
The following is based on thorough research. I’ve never been to Mazatlán. Mazatlán is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, For digital nomads Summary
The state of Sinaloa has a “Do not travel” advisory issued by the US State Department. However, there are quite a few expats that live in Mazatlán. They tend to live in the best area and don’t wander around the city as a whole. Regardless, it’s not a spot for digital nomads from what I’ve read. There’s no café culture. It doesn’t even exist on Nomad List. Your laptop and cell are at risk of petty theft.
I’d probably skip Mazatlán as a digital nomad considering there are so many better options available. I don’t consider Mazatlán as one of the best cities to live in Mexico for a digital nomad due to lack of café culture and other digital nomads as well as safety issues. The difference in rating with retirees is the sub-tropical climate which many retirees don’t like, while younger people don’t mind.
Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Review for
Expat Retirees
The following is based on thorough research. I’ve never been to Mazatlán. Mazatlán is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico For Expat Retirees Summary
Mazatlán has a “Do not travel” warning issued for the Mexican state of Sinaloa. It should go without saying that labeling a state unsafe doesn’t necessarily mean that a particular city or area of that state is unsafe. However, in this case, after reading quite a bit it appears that Mazatlán isn’t really all that safe. I met an American family in Mérida that moved from Mazatlán due to safety concerns.
“Ajijic is definitely a retirement area. The majority of the expat population appears to be over 60… That said, there are numerous cultural activities plus exploratory trips around the area and other Mexico venues. Night life is somewhat subdued… but at 75 bedtime comes early for us.”, said a Expatexchange retiree in Ajijic.
I’d certainly visit but I wouldn’t recommend this as a retirement destination in 2026 when there are better options in Mexico. I don’t consider Mazatlán as one of the best cities to live in Mexico for retirees due to safety and sub-tropical climate. The difference in rating with digital nomads is the sub-tropical climate which many younger people don’t mind, while retirees may find it oppressive.
Mérida, Yucatán, Review for Digital Nomads
The ratings in Mérida are based on personal experience as opposed to research. I know this city better than any other in Mexico. I’ve purchased property in Mérida and resided in Mérida, Yucatán for 5 years. I secured permanent residency at the immigration office in Mérida.
I also walked the streets through various neighborhoods in northern Mérida twice a week for those 5 years as part of my exercise routine. Additionally, I drove my motorcycle throughout the city which offers a unique “open” perspective as opposed to when I drove in a car. Mérida is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico for Digital Nomads summary
Right off the bat, I gotta tell you how awful the climate is. It’s by far the most humid place I’ve ever been, along with Cartagena, Colombia. It’s worse than Florida, United States in my opinion. There’s almost no nightlife to speak of although one “dive” called El Negrito is quite popular. There are, however, lots of positives. Mérida is extremely safe. I’ve never once felt danger. There are zero US State Department Advisories for the state of Yucatán. Valladolid is a great little city that is about 2 hours away and is known for its numerous cenotes and “la jarana”.
There are, however, lots of positives. Mérida is extremely safe. I’ve never once felt danger. There are zero US State Department Advisories for the state of Yucatán. Valladolid is a great little city that is about 2 hours away and is known for its numerous cenotes and “la jarana”.
My only real complaint is the weather and perhaps lack of any hills of any type whatsoever. The highest point is only 19 meters (approximately 62 feet) in a tiny town called Muna. The internet speeds are great. It’s very Mexican with a heavy Maya influence while at the same time being very modern and “American” in a good way. If you don’t care too much about café culture and being with lots of other Digital Nomads and are fine with the hot and humid weather, then Mérida is a winner. There’s even a Costco!
I think the city streets in Mérida should be cleaner. You can’t judge Mérida by only looking at Paseo Montejo or the zócalo or El monumento de la patria. That Avenue is gorgeous but beyond that you’ll see trash and unkempt sidewalks, even in the more affluent northern part of the city. As previously stated, I walked the streets in the northern part of the city twice a week for 5 years and saw the garbage.
Progresso, a beach town, with the longest pier in the world, is only like 20-25 minutes from northern Mérida. It makes for a nice getaway. The final rating for both digital nomads and retirees is 3.3. However, the climate rating and restaurant rating are different because younger people tend to handle heat and humidity easier and I rated the Bars, Food & Restaurants much lower for digital nomads as there’s not much nightlife. Naturally, being biased, I consider Mérida one of the best cities to live in Mexico for digital nomads, not because of the “nomad scene” but for all the other reasons mentioned.
Mérida, Yucatán, Review for
Expat Retirees
The ratings in Mérida are based on personal experience as opposed to research. I know this city better than any other in Mexico. I’ve purchased property in Mérida and resided in Mérida, Yucatán for 5 years. I secured permanent residency at the immigration office in Mérida.
I also walked the streets through various neighborhoods in northern Mérida twice a week for those 5 years as part of my exercise routine. Additionally, I drove my motorcycle throughout the city which offers a unique “open” perspective as opposed to when I drove in a car. Mérida is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico For Expat Retirees Summary
In 2019 and again in 2024, CEO World Magazine ranked Mérida the second safest city in the Western Hemisphere behind Quebec, Canada. Although I sort of have an issue with that report for lacking the sources for such an important topic. I wholeheartedly agree that Mérida and the entire state of Yucatán is safe from physical violence. I walked the streets for exercise twice a week. I drove my motorcycle around town. There are no US State Department Advisories for the state of Yucatán. Valladolid is a smaller city about 2 hours away that is awesome.
Mérida is as flat as a pancake. The highest elevation is 19 meters (approximately 62 feet) in a small town called Muna. I simply despise the humid weather. It’s awful. If you can get past that or you happen to like extreme humidity, then Mérida should definitely be on your list. It has great food! I love cochinita pibil, panuchos, salbutes and sopa de lima. There’s great shopping including Altabrisa, Galerías and La Isla malls. Mérida has a Costco in the northern part of the city where I used to live.
Don’t let some YouTube video showing Paseo Montejo fool you. That avenue is one of the nicest I’ve ever seen but that, nor the zócalo, nor the Catedral de San Ildefonso de Yucatán portray the entirety of the city. It could be cleaner for sure. As mentioned, I walked the streets in the northern part of the city twice a week for 5 years and saw the garbage.
The port of Progreso, a beach town, is about a 20–25-minute drive from northern Mérida. It has the longest pier in the world and makes for a nice little vacay or even just a day trip since it’s so close. There are nicer beaches like Celestún that are further away.
The difference in rating is a result of the Climate and Bars, Food & Restaurants score. The Climate rating for digital nomads is higher simply because younger people tend to have less issue with humidity. Meanwhile, I rated the Bars, Food & Restaurants lower for digital nomads for lack of a true nightlife. I consider Mérida one of the best cities to live in Mexico for retirees, despite the issue I have with the humidity, power outages and garbage. Overall, I was happy to live there. Mérida is safe from physical violence (not theft), family friendly, has interesting Maya culture and its own traditional cuisine. It’s great for all the other reasons mentioned which I feel are important to retirees.
Mexico City, (CDMX) Review for Digital Nomads
The following is based on personal experience and thorough research. I went to Mexico City with my daughter and stayed in the Hipódromo/Condesa neighborhood. We visited El Ángel de la Independencia, Bellas Artes, Museo Nacional de Antropología (Spanish), the zócalo and ate at the top of the Torre Latinoamericana building. We also visited Xochimilco nearby and took a ride in a trajinera. While traversing the canals we stopped to check out the creepy Isla de las muñecas (Island of the dolls). Mexico City is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Mexico City (CDMX), Mexico for Digital Nomads Summary
Mexico City in my opinion is the best city in Mexico if not the world for digital nomads. I have been a couple times, and I loved each time I visited. Mexico City has everything one could ask for including, amazing food of all types, blazing internet speeds, café culture, posh neighborhoods to walk and people watch, great parks, large community of digital nomads, museums and great nightlife.
The cleanliness rating is high based on the areas and parks that I visited. I’m guessing sketchy neighborhoods might not be as clean but I’m rating what I saw. The only downsides are air quality, crime in certain areas, relatively expensive compared to the rest of Mexico and the unfortunate hatred some locals have toward foreigners in neighborhoods like Condesa and Roma Norte due to gentrification. I write about the gentrification problem on the Mexico City section of the Cities in Mexico and Brief History page. If you have the cash and can handle a bit of “hate”, like “gringo you’re a fucking plague, go home” then Mexico City is definitely one of the best cities to live in Mexico for digital nomads. Mexico City gets identical scores for digital nomads and retirees.
Mexico City, (CDMX) Review for
Expat Retirees
The following is based on personal experience and thorough research. I went to Mexico City with my daughter and stayed in the Hipódromo/Condesa neighborhood. We visited El Ángel de la Independencia, Bellas Artes, Museo Nacional de Antropología (Spanish), the zócalo and ate at the top of the Torre Latinoamericana building. We also visited Xochimilco nearby and took a ride in a trajinera. While traversing the canals we stopped to check out the creepy Isla de las muñecas (Island of the dolls). Mexico City is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Mexico City (CDMX), Mexico for Expat Retirees Summary
Not all retirees are monolingual inactive people that only care about safety and the early bird. Some retirees are bilingual “city people” that would love the vibrant lifestyle of Mexico City. If you’re the city type, then you’ll love CDMX. It has an excellent variety of food, chic neighborhoods to walk, green parks, a large community of expats (although mostly younger), and world class museums.
The cleanliness rating is high based on the parks, sidewalks and areas I visited. I’m guessing sketchy neighborhoods might not be as clean but I only rate what I experienced. The only negatives would be air quality, crime in certain places, the cost of living, and the distaste many of the locals have toward gringos due to gentrification, especially in the Condesa and Roma Norte neighborhoods. I write about the gentrification problem on the Mexico City section of the Cities in Mexico and Brief History page. If you have the money, can handle a bit of “hate” from some locals that despise gringos, and like city life, then Mexico City is definitely one of the best cities to live in Mexico for city-minded retirees. Mexico City gets identical scores for retirees and digital nomads.
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Review for Digital Nomads
The following is based on thorough research. I’ve never been to Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico for Digital Nomads Summary
Puerto Vallarta is overall positive for digital nomads. It’s very scenic, has decent internet and is gay friendly. It’s generally hot and humid which may turn off some people. Puerto Vallarta has been described as very loud. Most agree the beaches are much better on the Yucatán Peninsula than the rocky beaches of Puerto Vallarta.
There are mixed reviews with how the locals treat expats. Of course, people promoting Puerto Vallarta will say how nice and friendly the locals are, but in my experience, traveling throughout Mexico, I find the friendliness to be a mixed bag. Sure, some are truly friendly, yet others secretly despise your pinche gringo ass, and some just don’t care either way and go about their day.
The US State Department has issued a “Reconsider travel to” warning for the state of Jalisco. Still, seasoned digital nomads know that you can’t judge one city based off the state’s rating from the US State Department. Otherwise, we’d never travel! It’d be like not going to Traverse City Michigan because of Detroit’s bad reputation. However, you must exercise caution when walking around at night.
I personally have no interest in Puerto Vallarta based on my research as I dislike humidity, noise and street vendors, all of which are present in Puerto Vallarta. However, I’m not a young digital nomad looking to live it up and party. Although I disagree, when I think of a typical digital nomad’s interests and not mine, I’d have to state that Puerto Vallarta is one of the best cities in Mexico for digital nomads.
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Review for
Expat Retirees
The following is based on thorough research. I’ve never been to Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico for Expat Retirees Summary
If you read my rating of Puerto Vallarta for digital nomads, you’ll see I’m not a big fan. I already lived in the hottest, most humid city of Mérida, Yucatán. I have no desire to go to yet another hot and humid climate. Puerto Vallarta is known to be noisy, something else I don’t care for. Most agree the beaches are nicer in Quintana Roo.
The locals aren’t especially nice to expats, although some sites and real estate agents promoting Puerto Vallarta will tell you otherwise. For sure I assume many are friendly just as people are friendly anywhere. People are people and most are concerned with their own life and what they need to get done for the day. Most couldn’t care less about some pinche gringo and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Puerto Vallarta has cobblestone streets which I can’t stand. They may look OK but they’re impractical, bad for vehicles, bad for women with heels etc. Music blaring is common in Puerto Vallarta and the beaches are more akin to whale watching than swimming. The best beaches in Mexico are on the Yucatán Peninsula. Although, Puerto Vallarta has lush hills, whereas the Yucatán is totally flat.
The US State Department has a “Reconsider travel to” warning for the state of Jalisco. Granted, savvy travelers know how to navigate those warnings, but still, safety is a concern, even in PV. Puerto Vallarta is not one of the best cities to live in Mexico for retirees. It’s basically Quintana Roo with darker, deeper water, rockier beaches and the same “Hey my friend” vendors. No thanks.
Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, Review for Digital Nomads
Better known as just Querétaro, the following is based on personal experience and thorough research. I know Querétaro the second most after Mérida. It’s where I live. I moved here in July 2024 and had previously stayed for 3 months in 2022 in the Alamos area. I currently reside in the Juriquilla neighborhood. Querétaro is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro for digital nomads Summary
Querétaro gets a bad rap throughout Mexico as not having good food or a signature dish with the exception of gorditas. I like lots of different kinds of food. Being “American” I eat Cheesecake Factory, Denny’s (very good in Juriquilla), P. F. Chang’s, Italian, Korean, the Mexican chain Toks (Spanish), Sushi, and lots more. I have no issue with the food here. Then again, I suppose I’m not as finicky as others may be. Truth be told I hardly go out to eat. I cook a lot or have food cooked for me.
I have very good internet speeds in Querétaro. 100% of visitors on Nomad List liked Querétaro. Walkability is a tough one to judge because certain neighborhoods like Alamos where I was staying are very walkable. They even have a beautiful path in the median which traverses through a park with benches and outdoor exercise equipment. El Centro is also very walkable, but to get to other parts of the city you’ll need a car or bus if you’re up for it. The suburbs of Juriquilla and Zibatá are also walkable and have parks.
Querétaro is very clean which is why it gets the full 5 stars. Sure, there’s places that are not attended to compared to El Centro and Juriquilla but seriously, overall, you can’t complain. You constantly see workers picking up trash and sweeping, especially in El Centro. The Aqueduct is emblematic of the city. I visited Zibatá which is an area outside the city center that houses Anáhuac University (Spanish). It was also very clean and modern, and looked like a beautiful suburb in the United States, albeit perhaps a bit boring for some. Everyone’s different!
Querétaro is a perfect blend of historical, colonial in El Centro with sleek modernity in Juriquilla and Zibatá. Querétaro arguably has the nicest mall in all of Latin America or anywhere called Antea (Spanish). Even if you’re not a “mall person” you’ll enjoy this place. It’s got a great indoor/outdoor vibe.
Although not as safe as Yucatán (nothing really is on this side of the world), Querétaro is considered very safe. The US State Department issued an “Exercise increased caution” advisory for the state of Querétaro. I feel safe walking and driving around. It’s also quite close to San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato and about a 3-hour drive to Mexico City. It hardly rains and doesn’t really get too cold nor too hot. Just right!
I dinged 1 point off for Bars, Food & Restaurants for digital nomads as they may find it lacking nightlife. Nevertheless, I think that Querétaro is indeed one of the best cities to live in Mexico, not just for digital nomads but for anyone. I’m glad I made my move from Mérida to Querétaro in July of 2024. It fits my criteria for a good place to live perfectly.
Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, Review for Expat Retirees
Better known as just Querétaro, the following is based on personal experience and thorough research. I know Querétaro the second most after Mérida. It’s where I live. I moved here in July 2024 and had previously stayed for 3 months in 2022 in the Alamos area. I currently reside in the Juriquilla neighborhood. Querétaro is mentioned in Cities in Mexico and Brief History.
Bars, Food & Restaurants
Climate
Expat Presence
Overall Cleanliness
Safety
Walkability
Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro for Expat Retirees Summary
Querétaro is also the name of the state it’s part of. Querétaro doesn’t have a great reputation for some reason for its food but everything I’ve had has been just fine. Perhaps I’m not that picky. I also don’t stick to just Mexican food. While I do eat plenty of Mexican food, I also eat Cheesecake Factory, Denny’s (very good in Juriquilla), P. F. Chang’s, Italian, Korean, the Mexican chain Toks (Spanish), Sushi, etc. I don’t eat out that often. I usually prefer to cook or have it prepared for me.
Querétaro is somewhat walkable meaning that it’s walkable once you’re inside certain neighborhoods but to get from neighborhood to neighborhood you need transportation. Fortunately, I have my motorcycle and van with me. I can say from experience that El Centro and Alamos are two very walkable areas. Alamos even has a green “park walkway” go right through the center of the median with benches and outdoor exercise equipment. The residential areas of Juriquilla and Zibatá have parks and are also walkable.
You will see workers constantly sweeping and cleaning El Centro in Querétaro. The city overall is clean. For sure there are “bad parts” that aren’t as clean, but you won’t be going to or staying in those parts. The Aqueduct is the iconic symbol of Querétaro. Zibatá is home to Anáhuac University which strikingly resembles a university in the United States (Spanish). Even the font used in the university’s name and the “A” in the logo just looks very “American” to me as does the campus. Zibatá is a modern suburban residential area that keeps growing in Querétaro.
For those that like shopping and malls, Antea mall in Juriquilla (Spanish), which lies north of El Centro is perhaps the best mall in Latin America. Mexico still likes malls. I’m not a big shopper but I visit occasionally. It showcases a gorgeous indoor/outdoor layout and is nice to walk around.
I took 1 point off for Bars, Food & Restaurants for digital nomads as they may find it lacking nightlife. I firmly believe that Querétaro stands out as one of the best cities to live in Mexico, not just for retirees but for anyone. I officially made my move to Querétaro from Mérida in July of 2024. I’m happy to call it home. It just ticks all the boxes for me.