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Cancun is many things to many people. For most of the millions of travelers that visit the city each year, it’s the perfect vacation spot, with its soft, sandy beaches and some of the deepest blue seas you’ll find anywhere. For others, it’s a top cultural and culinary destination, where travelers are never more than just a stone’s throw from ancient Mayan temples or top-quality eateries. However, for a growing number of travelers, Cancun represents not just a great place to visit on vacation, but a place to live and work from. And who’d blame them?
For digital nomads, Cancun has emerged as a top destination to conduct business from, with more and more nomads descending upon the city armed with a laptop to work from some of the world’s most beautiful surroundings. But is Cancun really a good destination for digital nomads? Here’s a look at why so many nomads are choosing Cancun as their base, and what you should know if you’re considering making the move to the world’s most in-demand city.
Accommodation
One thing that sets Cancun apart from other rival digital nomad hangouts is its wealth of accommodation options. Whether a budget backpacker or a traveler with a taste for the finer things, the city has you covered. Whilst some sites list the average rental for a one-bedroomed apartment in the city center at around the $500 USD mark, considerably cheaper accommodations can also be found in the downtown or further reaches of the city for those with the patience to search. On the other side of the scale, there is a wealth of all-inclusive hotels in the Hotel Zone that will cater to your every need. Whilst other cities around the world may be cheaper, they’re simply not Cancun.
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Working
We know that working in your place can get a little claustrophobic at times – even if you have a stunning beach view – and it’s Cancun’s sheer variety of places to work from that make it a hit with so many. Day passes at popular co-working spaces such as Orbis or beNuk are less than $10, whilst a monthly membership will set you back just $130. There’s also a plethora of coffee shops and cafes to work in that are perfect for a more laid-back project or casual work, ensuring you can work and keep caffeinated at the same time.
Infrastructure
Cancun has the level of infrastructure one may expect of a city of its size. Roads are fine for the most part, and Cancun International Airport makes it easy to go anywhere. Public buses are cheap and reliable, though some newcomers can struggle with taxis at first. From a digital perspective, Cancun isn’t known for its internet speeds; sources online have WiFi download speeds averaging just 3mbps, though expect this to be higher in purpose-built locations such as co-working spaces. Whilst that’s fine for most simple laptop-based projects, be prepared for some stuttering if you’re planning a video conference.
Food and Drink
Cancun is a culinary mecca. For those lucky enough to stay in an all-inclusive hotel whilst here as a digital nomad, you can expect to find top-quality gourmet meals available around the clock. However, those who are more budget-conscious aren’t exactly going to struggle. Street food, markets and stalls provide delicious, authentic Mexican favorites at a fraction of the prices most pay at home, making it the perfect place to eat well for less. As far as drinking and nightlife are concerned, Cancun is known for its many bars and clubs catering to all styles and tastes – perfect for those who need to let their hair down once in a while.
Activities and Culture
Part of the charm of moving to Cancun is the variety of activities nomads can get up to whilst here. Of course, the beaches are great, but that’s just the start; from water sports to jungle hikes, kayaking to spa days, Cancun has more than enough to ensure you’ll never get bored. From a cultural perspective, Cancun is home to some of the best-preserved and most awe-inspiring examples of Mayan temple sites to live out all of your Tomb Raider-esque desires, whilst there are also local festivities and activities such as cooking classes to help you feel more like a local. Sure, travelers aren’t exactly going to get a truly immersive, authentic Mexican feel in a city like Cancun, but with the rest of the country easily accessible by road or air, it’s never too far away.
Health and Safety
With high-profile news stories making the Western news outlets every once in a while and popular shows highlighting the country’s drug problems, the idea of traveling to Mexico can set alarm bells ringing. However, Cancun is one of the safest places in the country, particularly if you’re planning to stay in the heart of the city. On top of that, there are several top-quality hospitals nearby in case an accident does happen – including a new state-of-the-art facility in the hotel zone – meaning travelers don’t have to worry about being taken care of.
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Thursday 5th of January 2023
Great article Kyle, I think you summed it all up. As a digital nomad in the area, I appreciated the tip about the co-work spaces too, I forgot about those. Two thumbs up...