Costa Rica vs. Mexico for Remote Workers
When I began working remotely, I quickly realized that one of the best parts of this lifestyle is the flexibility it gives you to live your life on your own terms. You are no longer bound to the confines of an office, city, or even country. With so much freedom, why not start traveling the world?
I have been traveling for over 7 years, and I can safely say that there are so many amazing destinations around the world that are perfect for remote workers. That being said, it can be a bit daunting to have so many options. I’ve narrowed down the list to two of my favorite countries for remote workers, which are perfect whether you are a seasoned traveler or it is your first trip abroad.
Here is why Costa Rica and Mexico are two of the best destinations for remote workers.
Great Food
Both Mexico and Costa Rica have an outstanding food culture. Mexican gastronomy, of course, is famous on an international level, and for good reason.
In Costa Rica, you can visit “Sodas”, which are small local restaurants that offer lunch options and are very budget-friendly. While it is easy to want to stay in your comfort zone and eat with other tourists, I highly recommend visiting Sodas and Cantinas in Costa Rica and Mexico. You will get the most authentic experience and enjoy home-cooked meals made with local ingredients (and save $).
You can also visit open-air markets to bring home fresh fruits and vegetables.
Great weather and beaches
As a remote worker, you can be in control of where you live and when. If you're like me and love the beach and sunny weather, you will love both Costa Rica and Mexico. No matter the time of year the weather will always be nice, and there are many beautiful beaches to explore.
Great Infrastructure
In both Costa Rica and Mexico it is easy to find well-equipped apartments or Airbnbs. Transportation around these countries is also easily accessible and simple to navigate. I traveled all around the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico using the bus and local transportation with no issues.
Low Cost of Living
Another notable benefit of working remotely is that you keep your salary no matter where you go in the world. So many places around the world have a much lower cost of living compared to the USA, which means you could actually save money by traveling. And even if you don’t save money, your income will be going towards traveling and new experiences - which is always worth it.
All things considered, I would say that Mexico is more affordable than Costa Rica, but with a salary that you can live on in the US, you can live very comfortably in both countries.
Great Community
Many people worry about how they will be able to make new friends and form a community while traveling. What I’ve discovered is that by doing the things you love, the right people will cross your path and end up in your life. Traveling is one of those things, and there are so many amazing people inside this community!
Since Costa Rica and Mexico are very popular with ex-pats, remote workers, and digital nomads there is a great chance that wherever you go you will find like-minded individuals and make new friends. Most, if not all, cities in both of these countries will have ex-pat groups you can find on Facebook to connect with other travelers.
For more tips on making friends while traveling check out this blog post!
Time Zone Convenience
Many remote workers love Central and South America because the time difference with the US is almost non-existent. You don’t have to worry about jet lag or waking up at 4 am for a meeting. In fact, you might not need to change your daily routine at all.
Costa Rica (San José) is on Central Time, and in Mexico most of the country is also on Central Time. The exception is the Quintana Roo state (Cancún, Playa del Carmen), which is on Eastern Time.
So Many Travel Opportunities
There are so many diverse places you can travel to in both of these countries. You can take countless weekend trips and day trips that will really make your stay exciting.
Where to Visit
My two favorite destinations to work remotely in Mexico are Mexico City and Playa del Carmen. These two cities are very different, but offer something for everyone. In Costa Rica, I loved Puerto Viejo, which has a great Expat community, and Manuel Antonio.
Check out this blog post for my Yucatan Peninsula recommendations!
Language
One thing to keep in mind is that the local language in Mexico and Costa Rica is Spanish. I would definitely recommend speaking at least a basic or conversational level of Spanish before you travel there, or if you don’t speak any Spanish make an effort to learn while you are living there. When I went to Costa Rica for the first time I took 2 months of Spanish immersion courses where I had class for 4 hours a day Monday-Thursday, this was how I learned basic Spanish. You can find many options for Spanish classes in both countries.
While you can get by in many areas just by speaking English, I do think that as a traveler it is so important to make an effort to embrace the culture of whatever country you are traveling to. This is one of the major differences between being a traveler and a tourist in my opinion. Not only will you have a much more authentic experience, but you will also create deeper connections with locals and learn a new skill too. Locals appreciate it immensely when you at least try to speak to them in their native language, as it shows that you respect that you are in their home.
Conclusion
I really can’t emphasize enough how much flexibility being a remote worker gives you to travel and enjoy your life outside of work. If you’ve never traveled abroad before, both Costa Rica and Mexico are amazing places to take the leap and start traveling. Before long you’ll be a seasoned traveler and ready to overcome any obstacle that comes your way!
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about these locations or traveling in general. My goal is to inspire others to travel by showing them that it doesn’t need to be difficult and that it really is an experience that will change your life for the better.