• HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • COURSE
  • PODCAST
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • COURSE
  • PODCAST
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

Adventurous Slomad Travel

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Digital Nomad
  • Responsible Travel
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

Living in Oaxaca City as a Digital Nomad

Last Updated: March 14, 2023 · Digital Nomad, Oaxaca

Oaxaca City (Oaxaca de Juárez) is becoming one of the top places in Mexico for digital nomads. After spending nearly two months there as a nomad myself, I can wholeheartedly agree.

Not only is there so much to do in Oaxaca to keep you busy, but there is also a growing expat/nomad community. During our time there, we met many other remote workers and digital nomads.

Downtown Oaxaca City

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

Oaxacan street food

Of course, there is much more about the city that makes it attractive as a digital nomad in Mexico. For one, the internet in Oaxaca is fast. Actually, we had one of the best internet speeds in our little studio—and the cafes in the city center also have great Wi-Fi!

Once you factor in the low cost of living, incredible regional food, and sultry weather, it just makes sense that Oaxaca is rising on people’s radars.

In this guide, I’ll be sharing all my tips and experience after living in Oaxaca as a digital nomad this year. I’ll share more about Oaxaca’s lifestyle, internet speeds, how to find long-term accommodation, fun things to do, my favorite places to eat/drink, and more.

Keep reading to get the low-down on what digital nomad life is like in Oaxaca, Mexico! 🇲🇽

Table of Contents show
The Digital Nomad’s Guide to Oaxaca
Cost of Living in Oaxaca City as a Digital Nomad
Do You Need the Mexico Digital Nomad Visa for Oaxaca?
Best Time to Be a Nomad in Oaxaca
Transportation – Getting Around Oaxaca City
Best Neighborhoods & Accommodation Options in Oaxaca
Oaxaca City’s Internet Speed
Coworking Spaces in Oaxaca City
Best Cafés in Oaxaca with Wi-Fi for Working on Your Laptop
Healthcare in Oaxaca – Digital Nomad Insurance
Fun Activities to Do as a Nomad in Oaxaca
Other Destinations in Oaxaca & Mexico for Digital Nomads
Overall, Is Oaxaca Good for Digital Nomads?

The Digital Nomad’s Guide to Oaxaca

Blonde female traveler posing for photo in front of pink wall with a sign that reads, "Oaxaca Te Amo"
Oaxaca te amo!

Cost of Living in Oaxaca City as a Digital Nomad

Oaxaca is often referred to be affordable for digital nomads, but it really depends on your lifestyle—how much you eat out, your rent/housing and choice of activities, etc—will have the final say.

But we ended up spending roughly $1200/month as nomads in Oaxaca as a couple.

During the week, we cooked at home most days and ate out at least 3–4x either for lunch/dinner or to grab a coffee and work at a cafe for the afternoon.

There are things to do in Oaxaca in terms of tours and day trips (both free and paid), so we spent most of our weekends exploring around and checking off our Oaxaca bucket list.

Here’s the breakdown of our Oaxaca living costs:

  • Rent: $578/month (for a small local studio)
  • DiDi Transport/Delivery: $120/month
  • Organic market: $80/month
  • Supermarket: $150/month
  • Cafes: $100/month
  • Restaurants/Bars: $150–$200/month
  • Activities/tours: $40-80/month

In total, it’s not that bad for two people! We always try to be conscious of our impact—where we spend our dollars, our housing choices, etc.

As slow travelers, we have an opportunity (and responsibility) to leave a positive mark on the places we visit.

Do You Need the Mexico Digital Nomad Visa for Oaxaca?

Female digital nomad in Oaxaca City, Mexico
Missing our nomadic life in Oaxaca!

You don’t need Mexico’s Temporary Residence Visa to be a digital nomad in the country.

Most often—and this can change—Mexico will grant tourists up to 180 days. That’s six months that you could spend in Oaxaca as a nomad working online without having to extend.

Be careful, though! When Paul and I last entered Mexico, he was given 90 days and I was given 180. We’re not sure why.

If you wish to extend beyond 180 days, you’ll need to apply for a Temporary Residence Visa which grants visitors the opportunity to stay and live in Mexico for up to four years before deciding on whether or not they wish to apply for a Permanent Residence Visa.

Best Time to Be a Nomad in Oaxaca

The state of Oaxaca is very diverse. On the coast, you’ll experience a tropical, humid climate. But in the city, there is a drier, subtropical highland climate.

To make the most of your time in Oaxaca, you should consider visiting (or moving) during the shoulder seasons. That is, spring and fall from September to November and March to May. Summers can be very hot in the city.

Also Read: When Is the Best Time to Visit Oaxaca?

Transportation – Getting Around Oaxaca City

Downtown Oaxaca City
Oaxaca City Centro

There is no Uber service in Oaxaca. Instead, locals use DiDi Rider, another (cheaper) ride-sharing app.

Since we lived about 15–20 minutes outside of Centro, we’d often take a DiDi into town or get one to go home late at night.

If you’re not familiar with Oaxaca yet, then getting around the city via DiDi is safe and cheap.

Taxis are always an option, as well, and we always felt safe in Oaxaca riding with local taxis.

However, unlike DiDi, you will have to pay in cash and you will need to haggle a little. For rides within the city center, you can expect to pay around $40–$60 pesos

Best Neighborhoods & Accommodation Options in Oaxaca

If you’re staying for just a couple of days or weeks in Oaxaca, then your best option for accommodation will be within walking distance of the city center.

If you’re staying for a couple of months, you can find cheaper rent on the outskirts of downtown.

We found a wonderful little Airbnb studio about a 15–20 minute walk from Centro. It was in a quiet, more local neighborhood (hence the better price). Jalatlaco is an up-and-coming artsy neighborhood to scout out housing as well.

For more options other than Airbnb (because that can quickly get expensive), check out the Facebook groups for Oaxaca.

That’s where we usually start our search for accommodation when moving to a new location.

Bookmark these guides for later:

  • What to See & Do with Only 48 Hours in Oaxaca
  • How to Spend 4–5 Days in Oaxaca City: The Ultimate Itinerary
The neighborhood of Jalatlaco in Oaxaca City, Mexico.
Jalatlaco neighborhood in Oaxaca

Oaxaca City’s Internet Speed

Much to our surprise, Oaxaca City had one of the best wifi speeds compared to other Mexican towns or cities we’ve lived in.

Our apartment included wifi at no extra charge and it tested around 40Mbps, which was plenty for working, Zoom calls, uploading photos, and streaming Netflix series.

Cafes also had great download speed, but the upload speed was a bit slower; still good enough for what we were using it for though. (More on that below.)

Coworking Spaces in Oaxaca City

There are just a few coworking spaces in Oaxaca City for the serious digital nomads among us.

  • Céntrico CoWork
  • Co404
  • enConjunto
  • Selina
  • Convivio

All of them offer daily, weekly, and monthly rates. The day rate is around $10 USD/day which is actually quite steep.

If you’re looking for a coliving space/hostel that doubles as a coworking space, our friends have a place called Co404 (they actually launched their first location for nomads in San Cristóbal de las Casas!)

Best Cafés in Oaxaca with Wi-Fi for Working on Your Laptop

Digital nomad working at a cafe in Oaxaca City, mexico
Marito and Moglie was one of our favorite places to work as nomads in Oaxaca

Oaxaca City has several cafes with wifi ideal for nomads and remote workers.

Working on your laptop for a few hours in any cafe is usually deemed disrespectful, so you don’t want to just plop down with your computer anywhere.

Many of the brunch spots in Oaxaca would be good places, but they get so busy that it’s not respectful to occupy a table for several hours.

Some of the cafes in Oaxaca that have welcomed us and others as nomadic workers are:

  • Muss Cafe
  • Marito & Moglie
  • Cafe Brujula
  • Cafebre

Read more about each in my dedicated post on the best coffee shops with wifi in Oaxaca.

Healthcare in Oaxaca – Digital Nomad Insurance

If you are coming to live in Oaxaca as a digital nomad for a couple of weeks up to six months, you need to get travel medical insurance.

If you don’t have insurance yet and are a digital nomad, check out SafetyWing – the travel medical insurance for nomads by nomads.

I never really took insurance seriously because it was always so complicated to find a company that offered packages that suited my nomad lifestyle.

I’ve been with SafetyWing now for a little over two years now and I’m so happy with it!

infographic safetywing travel medical insurance for digital nomads
Click to sign up today!

You can get covered for as little as $40 for 4 weeks and it really takes less than 5 minutes to sign up. So much cheaper than the airline insurance I used to always buy out of panic, lol!

If you’re moving to Oaxaca, it’s a good idea to get acquainted with the medical and healthcare services offered here.

Luckily, we haven’t yet had any reason to go to the doctor or hospital here, but in case you need one, Hospital del Valle, Clínica Hospital Carmen, and Hospital Reforma are among the best.

Fun Activities to Do as a Nomad in Oaxaca

There are so many fun things to do in Oaxaca City, so you should never feel bored!

Woman standing overlooking the Zapotec archaeological ruins of Monte Albán near Oaxaca Mexico.
Monte Alban, Oaxaca

From day trips to mezcal bars, there is something new to discover both within the city and outside of it.

Some of my favorite activities have been:

  • 🥃 Tasting artisanal mezcal on a mezcal distillery/farm tour
  • 🌳 Biking to the Tule Tree — the widest in the world!
  • 🌮 Shopping and eating at the local markets
  • 🇲🇽 Trying the traditional drink of tejate (it’s weird but good!)
  • 🏔 Exploring the Zapotec ruins of Monte Albán

Other Destinations in Oaxaca & Mexico for Digital Nomads

Oaxaca as a state is awesome for digital nomads in general—it’s not just Oaxaca de Juárez, the city!

The coast of Oaxaca, in particular, is popular among backpackers, remote workers, and fellow digital nomads.

I’m sure you’ve heard of Puerto Escondido and maybe even Mazunte.

These small beach towns attract quite a crowd, which can be a downside of living there. Paul and I prefer to mingle with the locals as much as we can rather than stay with a group of English speakers.

After being in Oaxaca for two months, I’d go back in a heartbeat!

It’s become one of my favorite cities in Mexico—both to visit and to live in.

Here are the other cities in Mexico besides Oaxaca where we’ve lived for months or years:

  • Digital Nomads in San Cristóbal de las Casas (Chiapas)
  • San Pancho in the state of Nayarit
  • Digital Nomads in Tulum (Quintana Roo)
Blonde woman walking through garden of cacti in Oaxaca City, Mexico.
Female traveler standing in plaza in the heart of Oaxaca City, Mexico, looking at street lined with colorful buildings.

Overall, Is Oaxaca Good for Digital Nomads?

There are certain criteria Paul and I set when trying to find a good place to slow travel as nomads.

We look for that “DANG” factor (and yes, I totally just made that up!):

  1. Diversity and culture
  2. Amazing food, restaurants, and cafes
  3. Naturescapes and outdoor activities
  4. Good cost of living

Oaxaca ticks all those, and much, much more.

Honestly, there wasn’t much that we wanted while living in Oaxaca City. I think two months was a bit short, but I can easily see us going back one day!

So, has this guide convinced you that Oaxaca de Juárez should be your next temporary home base?

Feel free to contact me on Instagram @bucketlistbri or drop a comment below with your questions.

PIN IT FOR LATER

Gallery images of Oaxaca City with text overlay, "Oaxaca de Juárez digital nomad guide"
Gallery images of Oaxaca City with yellow and white text overlay, "Oaxaca City, Mexico Digital Nomad Guide"

By: Bri · In: Digital Nomad, Oaxaca

you’ll also love

Women wearing Allbirds Tree Runners while travelingAre Allbirds Good Shoes for Travel?
Desk with essential equipment for digital nomads like laptop, phone, reusable water bottle, etc.Essential Gear & Equipment for Digital Nomads (My Top 10 Must-Haves)
Woman on black sand beach on an international trip abroadHow to Plan an International Trip

Join the List

Stay up to date with the latest adventures and travel guides.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

19 Amazing Things to Do in Port Townsend — Washington’s Charming Victorian Seaport

Primary Sidebar

hello!

I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

About Me

Connect

join the list

Featured Posts

The French Apéritif: Recipes & More!

Lyon's Old Town with Renaissance architecture with arched breezeways and a lion statue.

30 Amazing Things to Do in Lyon, France (The Ultimate Bucket List!)

Female digital nomad in Oaxaca City, Mexico

Unmissable Tours & Day Trips From Oaxaca

QUICK LINKS

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • COURSE
  • PODCAST
  • DESTINATIONS

Search

Let’s Connect!

@bucketlistbri

Dear me, thank you 🥰 This is your sign to tak Dear me, thank you 🥰 

This is your sign to take yourself to your dream destination (even—or especially—if you have to go solo!) ✨✨✨

Follow along to see my adventures in Japan! 🇯🇵 

#japantrip #solotraveling #japanawaits #travelingsolo #mindfultravel
Memories from Morjim, Anjuna, & Panjim (Goa, India Memories from Morjim, Anjuna, & Panjim (Goa, India) 🇮🇳 

1. Waiting on India's first digital nomad conference to start! (CYF CON) 

2a. The funkiest hippie/night market in Anjuna

2b. Overlooking the beautiful and historic Panjim (the capital of Goa) 🌴

2c. One of the oldest + most popular Portuguese Baroque-style chapels in Goa (Lady of Immaculate Conception, Panjim)

3. I specifically requested a yellow scooter just so I could take a picture like this lol 🛵

4a. Kitty portrait inside a really cool speakeasy

4b. Feeling cute at the cutest little outdoor gin cocktail bar 

4c. Sunset over Chapora Bay + Arabian Sea

4d. Nightlife / beach shacks on Arpora 

5. Looking out at the sea from atop the ruined Chapora Fort

6. Bollywood dancing with the gals 💃🏼

7. Street shot in Panjim 📸

8. Wandering around the Fontainhas Latin Quarter (Panjim)

9a. Morjim Beach (shot from atop Chapora Fort)

9b. Local Goans + holy cow walking on Mandrem beach at sunset 🌅 

10. Enjoying our stay at the lovely  @anamivagoa 

PS. All of these memories and experiences wouldn’t have been possible without @nurall_co 💛 Nurall's next remote work retreat is in KHAO LAK, THAILAND 🇹🇭this July 2023 (cost: $900 USD only). Comment or DM me for an extra 5% off if you’re interested in signing up!

#goa #indiatraveldiaries #morjim #anjuna #panjim #slowtravel #remoteworklife #nomadiccreators #digitalnomadgirls
Whether its for adventure, community, or leveling Whether its for adventure, community, or leveling up your business, a digital nomad / remote work retreat is one of the best ways to work remotely and travel! 💻✈️

I’ve rounded up some of the best curated trips and retreats out there in my latest blog post (🔗 in bio to check it out!) 

Featured in my guide are:

@nurall_co 
@beunsettled 
@minoma.co 
@workwanderers
@the_nomad_escape
@remoteyear

Types of experiences you could discover with these guys range from training for 🥊 Muay Thai in Khao Lak, Thailand (@nurall_co co) to 🥾 hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain (@beunsettled) to ⛺️ camping out in the desert of Morocco (@minoma.co), and more!

WHY JOIN A NOMAD / REMOTE WORK RETREAT? 👇

Retreats offer curated itineraries/experiences designed to bring you epic adventures in bucket list destinations, plug you into the local scene, and collab with like-minded souls — all while leveling up your business/entrepreneurial skills and remote lifestyle and giving you creative space to cowork in beautiful places. 🤗

On a digital nomad retreat, you might...

💡Strike a new business idea
⚡️Spark a sweet romance with a stranger
👀 Get your project noticed by an investor
🥰 Form a life-long friendship (or a few!)
🌿 Build a new brand from scratch
💃 Change directions completely in your personal life
🧘‍♀️ Strengthen your sense of self, confidence, and spirituality

These are just examples of the very many outcomes you could gain from attending a digital nomad retreat.

In short, these programs have the power to evoke positive change in your life and, more often than not, your investment is rewarded handsomely (in more ways than one). ✌️

I’m long-time digital slomad, but after discovering Goa, India with @nurall_co I’m most definitely going to attend more retreats like this in the future! ✨✨

*Not spons, btw! Just sharing ways you can find a community of digital nomads, whether you want to be one or already are one! 👩🏼‍💻💛

My blog guide shares the deets about price, location, etc — go check it out and save this reel! ✨

#digitalnomads #remoteworkandtravel #grouptravel #grouptrip #remoteworklife #laptoplifestyle #digitalnomadgirls
< 1 week until we get to do this again! Adventur < 1 week until we get to do this again! 

Adventures await us in our beasty 1990 Roadtrek 🚐🌲🥾 — she’s been sitting out winter in Washington while we tanned our toes in Mexico 🇲🇽 

I’ve never been able to choose between the mountains ⛰️ and the sea 🌊 … you? 

Tell me what kind of summer you’re manifesting in the comments! 🧡

#vanlife #summeriscoming #granolagirl #roadtrek #pnwadventures #outdoorsy #homeiswhereyouparkit
And... WE’RE LIVE!! 🚀 I’m stoked (read 90 And... WE’RE LIVE!! 🚀 

I’m stoked (read 90% nervous, 10% excited), to share that @slomadstories is officially OUT THERE! 

I actually had the first episode published on April 4th, but was too shy to share about it until now. 

But, as you’ll hear when you tune in... (🥳) this podcast isn’t just about highlighting raw, meaningful stories of adventure by ordinary people who seek an extraordinary life — YES, it’s mostly about that — but the very heart of this podcast is about DOING things despite how much they SCARE you or thrust you into the UNKNOWN.

I’ve always *tried* to live my one very short life by seeking to know, chasing curiosity, and jumping headfirst into the journey. 

— This podcast is simply a new endeavor, a new project that WILL NOT stop whispering at my heart. I’ve been trying to deny this urge, this tug, for so long! The whispers started in 2020 when a person who I thought would become a close friend bailed on the idea to start one together. So I let the idea go, for a while. But then it came back twice as strong in 2022, when I was living as a temporary nomad in Portugal for two months. It was there that I had my podcast cover art designed. That was already 1.5 years ago! 

Life passes us by...

We hear the whispers, we see the project coming to life in our heads, we feel the pull...

But we say no over and over again, and we make very legitimate excuses, until ultimately, the idea, the spark, the magic, fades; it chooses someone else to birth the idea and manifest itself into creation (something I learned reading “Big Magic” by Liz Gilbert, it’s amazing, go read it!). 

I have no idea why I felt the need to start a podcast, it’s not like I am already juggling enough.

But I wanted to, for me.

For you ✨ 

For everyone who ever chased that feeling, that tug. 

Because that?? 

That’s been my life for the last decade. I moved abroad countless times — and stayed — from Nepal to Mexico and beyond, and I would’ve never done ANY of it if I had not listened to the whispers.

This podcast is about continuing in the pursuit of the unknown, seeking more, and taking decisive action.

Welcome to Slomad Stories, & thank you for being here. 🧡

Xx,
Bri
MINI GUIDE TO JIUFEN 🏮🇹🇼👇 🍡 Explor MINI GUIDE TO JIUFEN 🏮🇹🇼👇

🍡 Explore Jiufen Old Street and try local street food (The taro balls came highly recommended! We ate giant pork buns, xiao long bao dumplings, and a vegan pork noodle dish!) 

🍵 Visit the iconic A-Mei Tea House for traditional tea ceremony and sweets (a bit touristy, but worth it for the views imo)

🐉 Pick up some of the magic of “Spirited Away” in the shops (there are so many souvenirs and Studio Ghibli themed goods)

⛰️ Hike to the top of Keelung Mountain for a fun and sweaty adventure (go before sunset and go prepared for thousands of steps, lol)

🏮Wander through the narrow alleyways — explore away from Old Street!! 

⛏️ Learn about the town’s history at the Jiufen Gold Mine Museum — you can take night tours for a small fee or organize them through your hotel

🎭 Visit the two-story historic Shengping Theater, an abandoned cinema that provides a glimpse into Jiufen’s past

💦 Explore the nearby Golden Waterfall (10 minute drive)

Most people only come to Jiufen for a couple of hours to stroll through Old Street and take a photo of the teahouse since it evokes the bathhouse in Spirited Away🏮🐉 with its architecture and lanterns. But DON’T make the mistake of coming only for a day!! 

There is so much to do in Jiufen, even though we stayed 2 nights in the town (highly recommend), we wished we had stayed longer. 🥹

Oh yeah, and BRING AN UMBRELLA!! ☔️ Or don’t, the locals will give you one out of the goodness of their hearts (our hosts were the sweetest!!) ❤️

Save this to your Taiwan bucket list, pass this reel along to a friend, anddd check out my blog @bucketlistbri .com for more adventures abroad! 💃

#discovertaiwan #jiufen #spiritedaway #northtaiwan #asiatravel #travelbucketlist #jiufenoldstreet
Follow My Adventures

Footer

On the Blog

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Digital Nomad
  • Responsible Travel
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

Info

  • Work With Me
  • My Blog Course
  • Slomad Stories Podcast
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

adventures await x

Copyright © 2023 · Bucketlist Bri | All Rights Reserved

11 shares