The vibrant avenues of Mexico City are bustling with stunning architecture, abundant greenery, acclaimed culinary delights, and a deep-rooted history—and recently, they’ve seen a surge of digital nomads.
In addition to the local residents and the usual influx of tourists, remote workers have flocked to the city to capitalize on Mexico’s lenient immigration policies and an employment landscape that became location-independent following the COVID-19 pandemic. And it’s more than just Mexico City.
Since the pandemic, the movement of digital nomadism has surged dramatically. The shift to remote work has enabled many individuals to embrace a lifestyle that allows them to work from virtually anywhere. Numerous people have embraced this change in destination spots like Portugal and Costa Rica.
“I always envisioned that nomadism would eventually gain mainstream acceptance,” shares Mita Carriman, a digital nomad for six years and the founder and CEO of the digital nomad travel community Adventurely. “I simply didn’t expect the unfolding to occur as it has.”
The surge of digital nomadism
According to MBO Partners’ 2022 State of Independence in America report, the number of Americans identifying as digital nomads has more than doubled since 2019. As of last year, 16.9 million Americans were living a nomadic lifestyle, a significant rise from 7.3 million just four years earlier. Many are taking up residence for weeks or even months at different locales.
While the implications for the workplace have been widely debated, becoming a digital nomad impacts not only the individual and their employer but also the communities they enter. The rapid expansion of digital nomadism has prompted discussions about the need for accountability and sensitivity, recognizing the effects that visitors can have on local communities.
“Responsible nomadism arises from ethical travel practices, which have been promoted for years,” states Carriman. “Ultimately, responsible travel means being socially, economically, and environmentally conscious while traveling.”
So what does this entail? Here are six strategies that nomads can employ to maintain a responsible nomadic presence.
Becoming a responsible digital nomad
1. Inform yourself.
Tarek Kholoussy’s journey as a nomad has transitioned him from Wall Street finance to international philanthropy. Now based in Bali for a decade, Kholoussy founded Nomads Giving Back, a volunteer-matching initiative, along with Nomads Skillshare, which assists nomads in acquiring the skills needed for their desired lifestyles.
Kholoussy emphasizes that gathering information enables nomads to understand the social and economic context, a crucial step for blending into the local culture.
“The initial step is understanding the local social issues, traditions, culture, and values, along with the reasons we should care,” Kholoussy explains. “When someone invites you into their space, it’s essential to respect and appreciate it, even if you don’t agree on everything—we all have our differences. That’s what makes humanity fascinating: our shared essence despite our diversity.”
2. Spend wisely.
Rocío Vazquez Landeta, who owns the food tour Eat Like a Local in Mexico City, has written Cómo Viajar Sin Ser Un C*lero (translated as How to Travel Without Being an A**hole, offering 25 tips for becoming a better tourist) and is a local herself. She advocates for responsible tourism, a concept aimed at enhancing local economic sustainability by directing tourist spending towards local businesses. This is increasingly vital as living costs rise for local residents in popular travel destinations.
Landeta notes that nomadism has intensified housing competition in Mexico City, where rents in her neighborhood have tripled over the last 13 years.
“As an ordinary Mexican, we cannot simply leave if living here becomes unmanageable,” she says. “If costs soar or safety diminishes, we can’t just relocate to another city. Conversely, digital nomads have that option, which obligates them to recognize their privileges.”
The responsibility does not rest solely on the shoulders of digital nomads, but they can contribute to alleviating inflation, according to Landeta. She recommends that nomads keep a close eye on the housing market. Bidding higher than local residents for rental agreements can lead to an unsustainable housing environment. Carriman also advises nomads who are subleasing to keep local market rates in mind.
3. Build connections with other mindful digital nomads and locals.
Cassandra Carter, a social strategist and digital nomad, values interaction with local residents to fully immerse herself in the culture. Over the past year, she has traveled to London, Greece, and Mexico, spending significant time in La Peñita de Jaltemba in Nayarit.
Carter utilizes platforms like Bumble BFF and Facebook groups to connect with nomads and expats in her areas of exploration. She also attends local exhibitions and cultural events to meet like-minded individuals and residents. Her active participation in the La Peñita community has cultivated lasting friendships.
In February, she had the honor of joining a local couple in celebrating their 27-year marriage anniversary, during which the now-husband comically proposed to his partner every week until she finally accepted. Carter was there to witness their joyous celebration.
“Being invited to such occasions reflects how one can truly get to know both the locals and fellow expats who are committed to the community,” Carter remarks.
4. Engage in local traditions.
For Carriman, embracing local customs and practices has forged bonds she values deeply. In Playa del Carmen, she regularly frequented a family-run market where she engaged in discussions about life with the owner, his wife, and their son.
“It is in these simple exchanges that I felt profoundly connected to the community,” Carriman shares. “Moreover, these moments offered me direct insights into the daily experiences of locals.”
Ultimately, being present and participating in the local scene will both enrich your experience and help ensure you leave a positive imprint on the area, just as it will shape you.
“It’s vital for locals to feel seen and acknowledged, rather than feeling like second-class citizens in their own community,” Carriman emphasizes.
5. Acquire the local language.
To facilitate effective integration, the digital nomads collectively concur: making an effort to learn the local language is incredibly beneficial.
Landeta mentions that English has been overshadowing Spanish in Mexico City. On a recent outing to a dog park, all the pet owners communicated in English. Although she was proficient in English, she reflects on the implications for those who are not.
“For me, it’s advantageous as I speak English,” Landeta states. “However, what if you’re Mexican and you don’t speak English?”
Carter used Duolingo to learn Spanish. While Greek has presented greater challenges, she remains committed to her language learning journey. Knowing basic phrases for greetings, gratitude, directions, and food orders is crucial, and locals tend to appreciate these efforts, she notes.
6. Embrace new experiences.
Carriman encourages nomads to step outside their comfort zones, engage with their surroundings, smile, converse, and cultivate relationships with locals.
“It requires conscious effort to be aware of how and where we spend our time and money, and to create opportunities for meeting more locals,” Kholoussy points out.
After all, the essence of digital nomadism lies in the experiences it offers, right? If not, you might as well return to the office.
