$PlaybookChiang Mai
Thailand
80 Mbps
5/10
9/10
6/10
Oaxaca
Mexico
Mexico's creative and culinary capital — slow-paced, affordable, and increasingly wired
ModerateStart Playbook
Nomad Score
7.6/10
Cost Tier
Budget ($)
Internet
50 Mbps
Safety
7.0/10
Walkability
8/10
English-Friendly
6/10
About Oaxaca
Oaxaca City has undergone a quiet transformation into one of Mexico's most interesting nomad bases. The historic centre is compact, UNESCO-listed, and genuinely beautiful. The food scene — mole, tlayudas, mezcal — is the best in the country by many accounts. A steady influx of US and European creatives has built out coworking options and pushed fiber internet into the city centre. At 1,550m elevation, the temperature is spring-like year-round. It's not for people who need fast internet everywhere or the infrastructure of a capital, but for those who want quality of life and cultural richness at a fraction of Mexico City prices, it's hard to beat.
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs in USD for a single digital nomad.
Rent (Studio)$450
Coworking$80
Groceries$150
Eating Out$180
Transport$20
Phone/SIM$10
Gym$20
Total Monthly$910
Visa & Stay
Visa-Free for US Citizens
Yes
Max Stay (Visa-Free)
180 days
Digital Nomad Visa
Not Available
Climate
Climate Type
subtropical
Best Months
Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Avoid Months
Jun, Jul, Aug
Rainy season brings daily afternoon downpours; not severe enough to prevent work but street flooding is common and outdoor plans frequently disrupted.
Timezone
CST (UTC-6)
Currency
Mexican Peso (MXN)
Language
Spanish
Continent
North America
Topics & Vibes
foodculturebudgethistoryartmarketsmezcal
Is this information still accurate?
Related guides
Everything you need before and after landing in Oaxaca.
Ready to get settled in Oaxaca?
Follow our step-by-step acclimation playbook for your first two weeks.
Start the PlaybookSimilar cities
All cities →
Frequently Asked Questions — Oaxaca
Common questions from digital nomads researching Oaxaca.
Is Oaxaca good for digital nomads?
Yes — Oaxaca scores 7.6/10 on GetSettld's nomad index, making it an very good choice for remote workers. Mexico's creative and culinary capital — slow-paced, affordable, and increasingly wired. The city is rated "moderate" difficulty for new arrivals, with a 6/10 English-friendliness score and 7/10 for safety. Internet averages 50 Mbps. Overall, Oaxaca City has undergone a quiet transformation into one of Mexico's most interesting nomad bases.
How much does it cost to live in Oaxaca as a digital nomad?
A typical single digital nomad can expect to spend around $910/month in Oaxaca. The budget breaks down as: studio apartment rent ~$450, coworking space ~$80, groceries ~$150, eating out ~$180, local transport ~$20, phone/SIM ~$10, and gym ~$20. Overall, Oaxaca is a budget-friendly destination. Costs vary depending on neighbourhood, lifestyle, and whether you cook at home.
Do US citizens need a visa to work remotely in Oaxaca?
US citizens can enter Mexico visa-free for up to 180 days — no advance visa is required. There is currently no dedicated digital nomad visa for Mexico, so most nomads work within the 180-day tourist allowance and rotate to another country to reset.
What is the internet like in Oaxaca?
Internet speeds in Oaxaca average around 50 Mbps, which is solid — adequate for most remote work including video calls. Dedicated coworking spaces reliably deliver faster and more stable connections than cafes or short-term apartments. If you plan to work from home, confirm fibre availability before signing a lease — co-working memberships are a reliable fallback during slower periods.
Is Oaxaca safe for digital nomads?
Oaxaca has a safety rating of 7/10 on our scale — generally safe for nomads who stay informed and practice standard precautions — research neighbourhoods before booking and avoid displaying expensive equipment. As with any city, basic precautions apply: use ride-hailing apps rather than unmarked taxis, don't leave laptops unattended in cafes, and be aware of your surroundings in busy tourist areas.
What is the best time of year to visit Oaxaca?
The best months to base yourself in Oaxaca are October, November, December, January, February, March, April. The climate type is subtropical. We recommend avoiding June, July, August — rainy season brings daily afternoon downpours; not severe enough to prevent work but street flooding is common and outdoor plans frequently disrupted..
What currency is used in Oaxaca and how should I handle money?
Oaxaca uses the Mexican Peso (MXN). Cards are widely accepted in cities. For the best rates when converting USD, use Wise or Revolut rather than airport exchange kiosks. Keep some MXN cash on hand for markets, transport, and smaller establishments.
Plan your trip to Oaxaca
Partner links🏠
Find a place to stay
Monthly rentals, apartments & hotels in Oaxaca
Search Booking.com
✈️Find cheap flights
Search hundreds of airlines for flights to Oaxaca
Search Skyscanner
These are affiliate links. GetSettld earns a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Gear up for Oaxaca
Tools the GetSettld community relies on — vetted, nomad-tested.
🛡️Most popular
SafetyWing
Travel & medical insurance for nomads
Flexible monthly coverage starting at $42/mo. Cancel anytime, covers 180+ countries, and pays out in USD.
Get covered
📱
Airalo
eSIM for 190+ countries
Skip the airport SIM queue. Buy a local eSIM before you land and stay connected from day one.
Get an eSIM
💸
Wise
International banking without the fees
Hold 50+ currencies, get local bank details in 10 countries, and send money at the real exchange rate.
Open a free account
🔒
NordVPN
Stay secure on public Wi-Fi
Essential for coworking spaces and coffee shops. Access home streaming services and keep your data private.
Get NordVPN
🏨
Booking.com
Monthly stays & apartments worldwide
Filter by monthly price, kitchen, and workspace. Thousands of nomad-friendly apartments not on Airbnb.
Search stays
✈️
Skyscanner
Find the cheapest flights anywhere
Compare hundreds of airlines in seconds. Set price alerts and book when the fare drops.
Search flights
These are affiliate links. GetSettld earns a commission at no extra cost to you.
Stay in the loop
New city guides, visa changes, and nomad intel — monthly, no spam.