Remote worker’s guide to Puerto Escondido, Mexico

If Mexico is on your radar, your mind probably goes straight to Mexico City. Maybe Tulum. Maybe Playa del Carmen.

But over the past few years, a quieter place on the Pacific coast has been stealing the spotlight: Puerto Escondido.

It's a relaxed surf town for epic waves, unreal sunsets, and a pace of life that makes you slow down without even trying.

When I visited, I had the exact same questions you probably do right now: Can you actually work from here? Is it safe? When's the best time to go?

This guide covers everything you need to know to live and work in Puerto Escondido as a digital nomad.

My Experience in Puerto Escondido as a Digital Nomad

What surprised me the most about Puerto Escondido was its community. The town is small, but you're never really alone. There are always other remote workers, travellers, or locals around who are open to chatting and helping out.

Life here is slow in a good way. Your days naturally start to revolve around the beach, sunsets, and simple routines.

If you care about nature, Puerto will spoil you. You get beaches, palm trees, and ridiculous sunsets every day. And then there’s everything around it too. Bioluminescent lagoons, mangroves full of birds, turtle releases, waterfalls inland. It doesn’t feel real sometimes.

At the same time, it’s not a polished destination. This is still a developing beach town. The rooster next door really can wake you up at 5am. Power cuts actually happen when storms roll in. It’s part of the deal.

The internet is way better than it used to be, but it’s not perfect. Some places are rock solid, others drop randomly. Choosing where you stay matters more here than in most cities.

If you arrive expecting perfection, you’ll be frustrated. If you arrive flexible and curious, Puerto Escondido can easily become one of those places you struggle to leave.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Puerto Escondido?

Puerto is still very affordable compared to most popular spots in Mexico. You can live well on $1,000–$2,000 USD per month, depending on how you live and where you stay.

For rent, a decent long-term place usually goes for $600–$800 USD per month, though you’ll find cheaper rooms if you’re flexible or staying a bit outside the hotspots. Hostels are much cheaper if you’re on a tight budget. Just keep in mind that prices jump during high season, so locking something in early really helps.

Food is another easy win. Street food and supermarket shopping keep costs low, and eating out at a restaurant is usually $10–$15 USD per meal. You don’t need to spend much to eat well here.

Working from cafés is totally normal, and as long as you’re ordering something, no one will rush you. That said, for reliable internet and fewer interruptions, there are some coworking spaces around, many of them running on Starlink, which is a huge plus in Puerto.

Internet and Connectivity in Puerto Escondido

I’m one of those people who runs a speed test the second I arrive somewhere. Puerto has honestly come a long way with internet, but it’s not flawless.

In most central areas you’ll find fiber now, usually somewhere between 50 and 200 Mbps. A few coworking spots also use Starlink, which helps a lot when everything else gets shaky.

From experience, these areas tend to be more reliable:

• La Punta
• Rinconada
• Carrizalillo

But let’s be real. This is still a small surf town. When it rains hard, the internet can slow down or disappear for a bit. Mobile data isn’t perfect either, so tethering won’t always save you.

If you can, come in with a few buffer days. Test the Wi-Fi, try working from your place, from a café, from a coworking. It’s the only way to know what you’re actually signing up for before committing long term.

Best Places to Work From in Puerto Escondido

Puerto isn’t packed with coworking spaces, but the ones that exist are solid and get the job done. If you need stable internet and a proper desk, Casa Losodeli is one of the most popular options. It’s a mix of hostel, coliving, and coworking, with good Wi-Fi and a built-in community of remote workers. Pauline Coworking (Pauline Creative Hub) is another favorite, especially if you like a more creative, social atmosphere. It feels less like an office and more like a shared studio. If you want something quieter and more low-key, Ñuu Cowork in Rinconada is a good option, with air conditioning, Starlink, and a calmer environment for focused work.

For café workdays, La Punta is where most nomads end up. Malagua Café is one of the most reliable spots, with Starlink, plenty of plugs, and a relaxed rooftop vibe where nobody rushes you. Sandala Café is another common choice for lighter work, though it’s better for emails and writing than heavy calls. El Petit Café Co-Work is small but has AC, decent internet, and a more “work-friendly” setup than most cafés.

Best Areas to Live in Puerto Escondido

Puerto is made up of a handful of small neighborhoods, and each one feels very different once you’re actually here. Most digital nomads end up choosing between La Punta, Zicatela, and Rinconada, depending on the kind of life they want day to day.

La Punta

La Punta is where most nomads naturally drift to. It has that relaxed surfer-meets-remote-worker energy. You’ll see people barefoot in cafés, surfboards under one arm, laptop under the other.
Most coworking spaces, laptop-friendly cafés, yoga studios, smoothie bowls, vegan spots, and chilled bars are all here, which makes life very easy.

The downside is obvious once you stay a bit longer: it’s the most expensive area in town. And in high season, it gets noisy and crowded, especially at night.

Zicatela

Zicatela runs along the main beach with the famous powerful waves. The vibe here is louder, faster, and more social. You have hostels, surf schools, bars, clubs, beach restaurants, and a constant flow of travelers.

It’s more chaotic than La Punta, but usually cheaper. For the same budget, you often get a bigger place or something closer to the beach. If you like being in the middle of the action, Zicatela makes sense. If you need quiet to work, it can be a bit much.

Rinconada

Rinconada is on the calmer side of town and feels much more local. It sits slightly uphill and centers around one main street with cafés, restaurants, and small shops, surrounded by quiet residential blocks.

It’s the go-to area if you want peace, better sleep, and fewer parties around you, while still having everything you need within walking distance.

Is Puerto Escondido Safe?

Short answer: yes, Puerto is generally safe, especially for a beach town with this many travelers. It feels relaxed rather than sketchy.

Most problems you hear about are small, opportunistic stuff like a bike getting taken because it was left unlocked. It’s not violent crime you need to stress about.

Just use basic common sense. Don’t leave your laptop unattended on the beach while you swim. Lock your door. Chain your scooter. The same kind of habits you’d have in most places.

If you’re not reckless, you’re very unlikely to run into trouble here.

Must-Do Things in Puerto Escondido

When you’re not working, Puerto makes it very easy to forget about your laptop.

Surf the iconic beaches

Surfing is everything here. Puerto is a world-class surf destination, so whether you already surf or want to try for the first time, you’re in the right place. Zicatela is known for its huge, powerful waves and attracts pro surfers during big swell season. If you’re a beginner or intermediate, La Punta is much more forgiving and fun.

Turtle releases at Playa Bacocho

From May to November, you can release baby turtles at sunset with a local conservation group. It’s one of those simple experiences that hits you right in the heart. Cute, emotional, and you’re actually helping wildlife at the same time.

Bioluminescence at Laguna Manialtepec

About 20 minutes from town, you hop on a night boat and watch the water light up with every movement. It honestly feels fake. The best time to see it is from July to January. Avoid full moon nights or the glow won’t stand out as much.

Dolphin and whale watching

Dolphins are spotted here almost year-round, and humpback whales pass by from December to March. Tours usually leave at sunrise and, if you get lucky with sightings, it becomes one of those memories you don’t forget.

Lagunas de Chacahua

If you want to escape even further, head to Lagunas de Chacahua, a national park west of Puerto. Mangroves, wild beaches, exotic birds, and more glowing water at night. You can go for the day, or stay overnight in very simple cabins and fully disconnect.

Is There a Digital Nomad Visa in Mexico?

Mexico doesn’t have a specific digital nomad visa at the moment. Instead, most nomads live here under the regular tourist permit (FMM).

If you hold a passport from the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, and many other Western countries, you can enter Mexico without applying in advance and you may be granted up to 180 days on arrival. The important word here is may. It’s not automatic. The exact number of days is decided by the immigration officer at the airport or land border.

If you’re thinking longer-term, Mexico also offers Temporary Resident visas, which can be valid for one year and renewed for up to four. These require proof of income or savings and must usually be applied for at a Mexican consulate outside the country before you arrive. It’s a more serious setup, but it gives you real stability if you plan to stay long-term.

My Top Tips for Digital Nomads in Puerto Escondido

Pick your season carefully

High season runs from November to April. The weather is gorgeous, but prices go up, and the town fills up fast. December and January are especially busy, so if you’re coming then, book your place early. Low season is May to October. It’s hotter, there’s more rain, but you’ll pay less, see fewer crowds, and everything turns bright green. Different vibe, still nice if you don’t mind the rain.

Getting around is easy

The best way to move is by scooter or bike. It’s cheap, flexible, and gets you everywhere fast. You’ll also see lots of colectivos (shared pickup trucks) running around. Locals use them daily and they’re very affordable.

Always have some cash on you

Even though Puerto keeps growing, it’s still very cash-based. You’ll need pesos for markets, street food, colectivos, small shops, and beach vendors. Cards work in some places, but don’t rely on them.

Pack light and pack smart

Puerto is hot all year. Bring breathable clothes, swimwear, sandals, a solid mosquito repellent, and reef-safe sunscreen. You’ll use these every single day.

Don’t forget your adapter

Mexico uses Type A/B plugs like the US. If you’re coming from Europe, you’ll need a power adapter for your electronics.

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Written by Angelina Bertoni

After trying the conventional life, I packed everything into a backpack and started walking the world. I feel the energy of the spaces I explore — and that’s what I write about.

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