To me, culture is the biggest draw when deciding to pack my passport and laptop and hit the open road.
Others seek sun and affordability, but you don’t have to dig too far to find the perfect formula of culture, sunshine, and wallet-friendly prices across Latin America.
With 44 countries under my belt, many of those are from just about every major destination in Mexico all the way to the Peruvian Amazon, so I’ve had the chance to experience the region from all angles.
I’ve sipped caipirinhas at Brazilian cafes, woken to the crow of roosters in jungle thickets, and explored Mayan ruins deep in Honduras — all while banging out articles for you folks.
With that in mind, Travel Off Path asked me to share my remote work experiences across Latin America and reveal my top 5 destinations for digital nomads.
And to help you choose, we’ve built an interactive quiz for you at the end of this article that will find your perfect match! Scroll to the end to check it out.
5) Copan Ruinas: Coffee, Ruins, & Cultural Immersion 🇭🇳
Honduras may seem like a no-go zone if you listen to mainstream news.
I gave locals every opportunity to live up to their unfortunate reputation by riding public transit, walking around town late at night, and even handing over my phone — with all my credit cards visible — so they could take my picture.
That may not be the best travel advice, but it sums up my experience: Honduras feels safe for tourists, especially the remote UNESCO-listed town of Copán Ruinas.
Home to astounding Mayan ruins that still blow my mind and a charming colonial streetscape, it turns out I wasn’t the only “gringo” tempted to call this timeless village home.
There is a surprising number of expats, including my Airbnb host, who owns a hostel and cafe.
Wifi was spotless throughout town, coffee was stupendous and nowhere near Starbucks’ prices, bars were buzzing on weekends, and there was something simply magical about having such well-preserved ruins within walking distance.
4) Antigua: A Storied Village With Homey Comforts 🇬🇹
Truth be told, I visited Antigua, Guatemala for one reason and one reason only — to grieve in private several years ago.
I wanted a quiet, yet walkable, place to spend a week for a hard reset after my mom passed. Ultimately, this vibrant haven for nomads and expats lifted my spirits more than I could imagine.
I won’t sugarcoat it — there are some aspects of Antigua that are overly touristy, but when you spend time anywhere long enough, you’re bound to cave to your cravings and end up eating Taco Bell, which I did — but hey, I was pretty down in the dumps.
More notably, Antigua is ground zero for my daily coffee devotion. I was a Red Bull fiend before Antigua, and have now switched to artisan jet fuel thanks to this town.
Home to scenic coffee farms, an abundance of natural wonders close by, plentiful cafes, and dirt-cheap Airbnbs to make a long-term base, Antigua is one of the few places I would not think twice about going back, except for much longer than a weeklong stay next time.
3) Belo Horizonte: You Don’t Need A Beach To Fall In Love With Brazil 🇧🇷
The thought of Brazil usually means one thing — Rio.
Followed by Sao Paulo, the country’s largest urban sprawl, not many travelers could point to Belo Horizonte, a city known for being the root of Brazil’s incredible cuisine.
Belo boasts splendid year-round weather in the lush greenery of the state of Minas Gerais. With trendy neighborhoods, a maze of markets to peruse, nocturnal nightlife, and $5 caipirinhas to “inspire” work tasks, I fell in love with this city for its under-radar appeal, and locals actually embracing outsiders rather than pushing them away.
It’s incredibly cheap, safe to explore, and overall, the perfect mix of city life and timeless treasures with UNESCO-protected Ouro Preto nearby to switch up vibes.
The only downside is you might want to brush up on your Portuguese…
2) Lima: Peru’s Capital Far Exceeded Expectations 🇵🇪
I didn’t know what to expect from visiting Lima last winter. Having heard there were recent security alerts and beaches were overhyped, I never once felt unsafe, and I don’t know who’s saying Lima is an overrated beach getaway…
It’s anything but sleepy or downtrodden. Much of the city felt alive as they celebrated the Changing of the Guard each day, and many vibrant neighborhoods were reminiscent of Miami.
Miraflores is largely what you hear about, and that’s the spot digital nomads would love most.
There’s almost something to do and an open-air bar or cozy cafe to bring your laptop and get to work.
For the record, despite numerous security alerts for Peru in recent years, I never felt unsafe having my electronics out in the open.
I always say “do as locals do”, and I wasn’t the only one typing away with one hand and sipping a Pisco Sour in the other.
Lima’s hospitality is unmatched. There’s no major city I’ve felt more welcome in, as many people spoke English and were genuinely curious why I was visiting.
1) Guanajuato: If I Move To Mexico, It’s This European Dreamscape 🇲🇽
Listening to any news station nowadays can have any sane person tempted to pack up and restart.
Well, if I ever build the courage to actually do that, there’s one city in the clear lead.
Guanajuato is one of Mexico’s most unique destinations. While most flock to nearby San Miguel, this cobblestoned charmer is just off-path enough not to feel touristy, as there’s only one Starbucks in town and a plethora of boutique hotels versus Hiltons and Marriotts.
No place, in my opinion, feels more authentic and stuck in time than Guanajuato.
No matter how many times you wander the same winding streets of colorful facades and pastime landmarks, it never gets old.
You can eat the same meal 5 days in a row, hit up the same rooftop bar every weekend, and it still feels like the first time.
There are cafes everywhere — and I mean everywhere — whether it’s wedged between a back-alley dead-end or perched high on a walkway connecting a pair of architectural marvels.
Locals are very friendly, the city is secured from the rest of the state’s criminal organizations, and it’s very affordable for such a dreamy destination.
Now take this quiz to find out which one is perfect for you!
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
