Oaxaca for Digital Nomads: The Complete Guide to Working Remotely from Oaxaca City
There's a moment in Oaxaca when it clicks.
Maybe you're sitting in a courtyard cafe, mezcal in hand, watching the afternoon light turn the colonial buildings gold. Maybe you're at the market, surrounded by chocolate, chapulines, and cheese you've never seen before, realizing your lunch will cost less than your morning coffee back home. Maybe you're at a pasta night with strangers who feel like old friends, or watching a brass band parade through the zócalo for no apparent reason.
And you think: this is what I was looking for.
Oaxaca isn't the flashiest digital nomad destination. It doesn't have beaches. It's not a mega-city. It won't show up in "top 10 nomad hotspots" listicles as often as Lisbon or Bali.
But the people who find it? They tend to stay. And stay. And keep coming back.
This guide covers everything you need to know about working remotely from Oaxaca City – the food, the costs, the vibe, the practicalities, and the honest truth about whether it's right for you.
Why Oaxaca Is Different
Oaxaca isn't trying to be anything other than what it is. And what it is, is extraordinary.
The food is the best in Mexico. That's not hyperbole. Oaxaca is considered the culinary capital of a country famous for food. Seven varieties of mole. Tlayudas the size of your torso. Chapulines (grasshoppers – trust us). Chocolate ground by hand. Cheese that stretches forever. Mezcal distilled in family palenques in the hills. The market alone – Mercado Benito Juárez and the surrounding streets – could occupy you for weeks.
The culture runs deep. This isn't a tourist town that happens to have some history. Oaxaca is the heart of Zapotec and Mixtec civilizations. Indigenous traditions are alive here – in the textiles, the festivals, the food, the language you hear on the streets. When you're here, you feel like you're somewhere real, not a sanitized version of somewhere.
The pace lets you breathe. Oaxaca isn't slow in a "nothing to do" way. It's slow in a "life isn't a race" way. You'll get your work done. You'll also take long lunches, wander without purpose, sit in plazas watching people. Your nervous system will thank you.
The creative energy is real. Writers, artists, photographers, designers – Oaxaca attracts people making things. The light is beautiful. The inspiration is everywhere. If you're working on a creative project, this is the place.
The community is tight. The nomad scene here is smaller than Mexico City or Playa del Carmen. That's a feature, not a bug. People actually know each other. You'll see the same faces at cafes, get invited to dinners, make real friends – not just "we grabbed coffee once" connections.
Cost of Living in Oaxaca
Oaxaca is one of the most affordable quality-of-life destinations in Mexico. Your money goes far here – and not because you're sacrificing comfort.
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Rent: €350-700/month
- Nice 1-bedroom in Centro or nearby: €450-650
- Room in shared apartment: €250-400
- Furnished apartment with rooftop: €600-800
- Budget option further out: €300-450
Housing in Oaxaca is significantly cheaper than Mexico City, Playa del Carmen, or most nomad hotspots. You can get a beautiful place here for what you'd pay for a mediocre one elsewhere.
Food: €200-350/month
- Market lunch (comida corrida): €2-4
- Tlayuda from a street stall: €2-3
- Nice dinner out: €10-20
- Fancy mezcal tasting dinner: €30-50
- Coffee: €1.50-3
- Groceries from markets: €100-150/month
Eating well in Oaxaca is almost comically cheap. The markets are overflowing with fresh produce, and even "nice" restaurants are affordable by any international standard.
Coworking / Cafes: €50-120/month
- Coworking day pass: €8-15
- Monthly coworking: €80-150
- Cafe working (with regular purchases): €50-80
Transport: €20-50/month
- Oaxaca Centro is very walkable
- Taxis within the city: €2-5
- Uber exists but is less common than CDMX
- Colectivos to nearby villages: €1-2
Fun, Mezcal & Experiences: €100-250/month
- Mezcal tasting at a palenque: €10-20
- Day trip to Monte Albán or Hierve el Agua: €15-30
- Cooking class: €40-60
- Weekend in Puerto Escondido: €100-150
Total: €750-1,400/month
For a comfortable lifestyle – nice apartment, eating out regularly, coworking access, weekend adventures – budget €1,000-1,200. You can do it for less if you're frugal, or spend more if you want premium everything. But the floor here is remarkably low for the quality of life you get.
Oaxaca vs. Other Mexico Destinations
CityRent (1BR)Monthly TotalVibeOaxaca City€450-650€900-1,300Cultural, foodie, creativeMexico City€700-1,000€1,400-2,000Big city, intense, endless optionsPlaya del Carmen€800-1,200€1,500-2,200Beach, touristy, partyMérida€500-750€1,000-1,500Colonial, safe, understatedPuerto Escondido€400-700€800-1,300Surf, rustic, beach life
Where to Work in Oaxaca
Oaxaca's coworking scene is smaller than Mexico City's, but it's growing – and what exists is quality.
Coworking Spaces
Impact Hub Oaxaca – The most established option. Good community, reliable wifi, events and workshops. In the centro histórico.
Conexión Oaxaca – Solid space, friendly atmosphere, reasonable prices.
Huerto Coworking – Garden setting, chill vibe, good for focused work.
Coliving spaces – Several colivings in Oaxaca include workspace. If you're staying somewhere designed for nomads, you may not need a separate coworking membership.
Laptop-Friendly Cafes
Oaxaca's cafe culture is strong. Some nomad favorites:
- Café Brújula – Multiple locations, excellent coffee, reliable wifi, nomad-friendly
- Cafebre – Great space, good drinks, work-appropriate atmosphere
- Nuevo Mundo – Legendary coffee roaster, beautiful courtyard, can get busy
- Boulenc – French bakery vibes, good for morning work sessions
- Archivo Maguey – Coffee and mezcal, nice space, slightly outside centro
Cafe etiquette: Oaxaca is smaller and less used to laptop nomads than CDMX. Be respectful – order regularly, don't hog tables during busy periods, and tip well. You're a guest in this community.
Internet Situation
Internet in Oaxaca is good, but not CDMX-level reliable. Here's the honest picture:
- Good apartments: 30-60 Mbps typical
- Coworking spaces: 50-100 Mbps with backups
- Cafes: Variable – always test before an important call
Pro tips:
- Check Airbnb reviews specifically for wifi mentions
- Get a local Telcel SIM as backup (data is cheap)
- If you have critical calls, do them from coworking or your apartment – don't risk cafe wifi
- Power outages happen occasionally, especially in rainy season. Have a charged laptop and phone hotspot ready.
If you're a developer or have very demanding internet needs, stay somewhere specifically designed for remote workers or ensure your accommodation has fiber and backup.
Best Areas to Stay in Oaxaca
Oaxaca City is compact and walkable. Most nomads stay in or near the centro histórico.
Centro Histórico
The heart of the city. Colonial buildings, the zócalo, markets, restaurants, everything within walking distance. This is where most short-term visitors stay, and for good reason.
Pros: Walkable to everything, beautiful architecture, best restaurant access, safest area
Cons: Can be noisy (street sounds, church bells, parades), more expensive, touristy in spots
Best for: First-timers, people who want to be in the middle of everything
Jalatlaco
A charming neighborhood just east of centro. Cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, slightly quieter but still walking distance to everything.
Pros: Beautiful, calmer than centro, good cafes and restaurants, very Instagram-able
Cons: Fewer options than centro, can feel small
Best for: People who want charm and walkability but slightly less chaos
Xochimilco
North of centro, another traditional neighborhood that's become popular with longer-term residents. More local feel, still accessible.
Pros: More residential, better value, feels less touristy
Cons: Slightly further from centro action, fewer immediate options
Best for: Longer stays, people wanting more authentic neighborhood life
Reforma
South of centro, along the main avenue. Mix of local and expat, some good cafes and restaurants, generally more affordable.
Pros: Good value, easy access to centro, growing food/cafe scene
Cons: Less charming architecture, busier streets
Best for: Budget-conscious nomads who don't need to be in the prettiest area
Visa & Logistics
Entry: Most nationalities get up to 180 days on arrival to Mexico. No visa application needed. Immigration has been inconsistent lately – some people get 180 automatically, others get fewer days. Having onward travel booked helps.
Getting there: Oaxaca has a small airport (OAX) with flights from Mexico City (1 hour), and some direct routes from US cities (Houston, Dallas, LA seasonally). Most people connect through CDMX. The bus from Mexico City is 6-7 hours and surprisingly comfortable (ADO first class is nice).
Getting around: Centro is very walkable. Taxis are cheap (€2-5 within the city). Uber exists but isn't as prevalent as CDMX. For day trips, colectivos and tours are easy to arrange.
Language: Spanish helps a lot here. Oaxaca is less English-friendly than Mexico City or tourist beaches. You can survive with basic Spanish, but you'll have a much better experience if you make an effort. Language schools here are excellent and affordable.
For detailed visa info, read our complete Mexico Digital Nomad Guide.
Things to Do in Oaxaca
Oaxaca isn't a "things to do" destination in the checklist sense. It's more of a "wander, eat, discover, repeat" place. But here's what's worth your time:
Food & Drink
- Market exploration: Mercado Benito Juárez, Mercado 20 de Noviembre (the meat smoke alley is legendary), Mercado de Abastos (huge, local, overwhelming in the best way)
- Mole tasting: Try all seven traditional moles. Negro and rojo are essential. Ask locals for their favorite spots.
- Mezcal palenque visits: Day trips to family distilleries in the surrounding valleys. Taste mezcal at the source. Life-changing.
- Cooking classes: Learn to make mole, tortillas, tlayudas. Several excellent options with market tours included.
- Chocolate: Oaxaca's chocolate tradition is ancient. Visit Mayordomo or smaller artisan producers. Buy some to bring home.
Culture & History
- Monte Albán: Ancient Zapotec ruins overlooking the valley. Incredible. Go early morning.
- Mitla & Hierve el Agua: Pre-Hispanic ruins plus petrified waterfalls/natural infinity pools. Usually combined as a day trip.
- Textile villages: Teotitlán del Valle for rugs, San Bartolo Coyotepec for black pottery. Watch artisans work.
- Museums: Museo de las Culturas, Museo Textil, IAGO (contemporary art). Small but excellent.
- Street art: Oaxaca has a strong street art scene. Just wander.
Day Trips
- Puerto Escondido: Oaxaca's beach. 6 hours by car/van, or 45 minutes by small plane. Surf, sunsets, ceviche.
- Sierra Norte: Mountain villages with community ecotourism. Hiking, biking, cabins in the clouds.
- Tule Tree: The widest tree in the world. Weird and wonderful. Easy half-day trip.
Annual Events
- Guelaguetza (July): Massive indigenous cultural festival. Book accommodation months ahead.
- Day of the Dead (late October/early November): Oaxaca is one of the best places in Mexico to experience this. Cemeteries come alive with marigolds, candles, and families. Incredible but very crowded.
- Noche de Rábanos (December 23): Radish carving competition. Weird, wonderful, very Oaxacan.
Weather & Best Time to Visit
Oaxaca sits in a highland valley at about 1,550m (5,100ft) elevation. The climate is mild year-round – think "eternal spring with variations."
Dry season (November-April):
- Sunny, clear skies, warm days (24-28°C / 75-82°F)
- Cool evenings (10-15°C / 50-59°F) – bring a jacket
- Peak tourist season, especially around Day of the Dead and Christmas
- Best overall weather for visiting
Rainy season (May-October):
- Afternoon/evening showers, mornings usually clear
- Lush and green, fewer tourists
- Still very workable – rain rarely lasts all day
- July is Guelaguetza, so busy despite rain
Sweet spot: February through April. Dry season, warm weather, post-holiday crowds have thinned, before the heat peaks. This is ideal nomad timing.
Safety in Oaxaca
Oaxaca City is generally considered safe for tourists and nomads. The centro histórico and surrounding neighborhoods are well-traveled and have low crime affecting visitors.
The reality:
- Petty theft (pickpockets, bag snatching) is the main concern – same as any tourist town
- Violent crime affecting foreigners is rare in the areas nomads frequent
- The state of Oaxaca has some rough areas, but Oaxaca City itself is calm
- Protests and road blockades happen occasionally (Oaxaca has a history of political activism) – usually more inconvenient than dangerous
Common sense applies:
- Don't flash expensive gear
- Be aware in markets and crowded areas
- Take taxis at night rather than walking dark streets
- Ask locals about areas to avoid
Most nomads and expats describe feeling very safe here. The community is welcoming, the streets are busy with families and tourists, and the vibe is relaxed.
The Honest Downsides
Oaxaca isn't perfect. Here's what might not work for you:
Internet isn't bulletproof. It's good enough for most remote work, but if you need 100% reliable fiber for video production or gaming, you'll need to be strategic about where you stay.
It's not a beach. The coast (Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, Huatulco) is 6+ hours away. If you need ocean in your daily life, Oaxaca City isn't it.
Spanish matters more here. Unlike CDMX or tourist beaches, you can't coast on English. Basic Spanish will make your life significantly better.
It's smaller. If you need big-city options – endless restaurants, nightclubs, constant novelty – you might feel limited after a while.
Getting there takes effort. No direct international flights from most places. You're connecting through Mexico City or taking a bus.
Altitude adjustment. At 1,550m, some people feel a bit tired or headachy for the first day or two. Drink water, take it easy.
Is Oaxaca Right for You?
Oaxaca is perfect if you:
- Care deeply about food and want to eat extraordinarily well
- Want a slower pace that still has plenty to do
- Are working on something creative and need inspiration
- Value depth over breadth – knowing one place well rather than seeing everything
- Want a tighter, warmer community rather than a massive nomad scene
- Appreciate indigenous culture, art, and traditions
- Can handle not being at the beach
Consider somewhere else if you:
- Need 100% reliable high-speed internet for demanding work
- Want big-city options and nightlife
- Don't want to learn any Spanish
- Need a beach in your daily routine
- Get restless in smaller cities
Oaxaca vs. Mexico City
These are the two most popular nomad bases in Mexico, and they're almost opposites:
OaxacaMexico CitySize~270,000 people~22 million peoplePaceSlow, relaxedFast, intenseCost€900-1,300/month€1,400-2,000/monthFoodTraditional, regional, exceptionalEverything, global, also exceptionalNomad sceneSmall, tight-knitHuge, diverseInternetGood with caveatsExcellentGetting thereConnection requiredDirect flights everywhereVibeCultural immersionUrban adventure
Neither is better. They serve different needs. Many nomads do both – a month in CDMX for the energy, a month in Oaxaca for the depth.
Experience Oaxaca with Casa Basilico
Here's the thing about Oaxaca: you can absolutely do it solo. Book an Airbnb, find a cafe, figure out the markets, try to meet people organically.
Or you can show up with a community already waiting.
We're Juls and Fabio, and we run Casa Basilico – a foodie coliving pop-up for digital nomads. Every few months, we pick a destination, find an amazing space, and bring together a small group of remote workers who actually want to connect.
We cook dinner together every night. We work during the week. Weekends are for mezcal tastings, market explorations, and trips to Monte Albán at sunrise. Sometimes there are surprise adventures involving hot air balloons and very little advance notice.
Spring 2026, we're heading to Oaxaca.
If everything you've read in this guide sounds like your kind of place – the food, the pace, the culture, the community – we'd love to have you at the table.
No subscription fees. No forced networking. No fake community vibes. Just good people, incredible food, and a month you won't shut up about for years.
Nos vemos en Oaxaca. 🫶
