Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, has long played second fiddle to sprawling Mexico City — smaller in size, lighter on crowds, but every bit as culturally rich. This is the birthplace of mariachi music, wide-brimmed sombreros, tequila, and charrería, yet it’s also a city looking forward.
In 2025, that momentum is impossible to miss: fusion chefs are sharpening an already legendary food scene, street art and galleries are multiplying, and a booming tech industry is pulling in talent from around the globe. For remote workers, it’s a rare mix — a thriving professional ecosystem, deep cultural roots, and a lifestyle that moves at a more human pace. Add in the mild climate, lower cost of living, and "Pearl of the West" charm, and it’s easy to see why more digital nomads are swapping CDMX for Guadalajara.
Why nomads love Guadalajara
Wi-Fi that actually works
Guadalajara knows the remote-work drill. Fiber internet speeds of 50–200 Mbps mean your Zoom calls won’t freeze mid-sentence. Getting around is easy — Ubers are everywhere, and the expanding light rail and bus lines connect most neighborhoods you’ll want to explore. Coworking spaces are popping up across the city, and cafes don’t mind if you turn a latte into a three-hour work session (but please — tip generously!).
Your money goes further
Here, rent for a furnished one-bedroom can run as low as $500 a month, $700 if you’re in a trendier spot. Street tacos for under a dollar? Check. Sit-down meals under $10? Absolutely. Compared to Mexico City — or pretty much any big US city — Guadalajara makes it easy to work, live, and still have budget left for fun.
The 'Silicon Valley' of Mexico
Big tech has already moved in — think IBM, Oracle, Intel, HP, Google — and startups are multiplying fast. If you’re in the tech world, you’ll find plenty of meetups, hackathons, and like-minded folks to collaborate with (or grab a cerveza with after work).
Convenient location
Guadalajara sits in the Central Time Zone (CT), aligning with large chunks of the United States for most of the year. Reaching Guadalajara is also straightforward: direct flights from many U.S. cities land at Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport (GDL) daily.
Tradition meets trend
Guadalajara is as Mexican as it gets — mariachis in the plazas, colonial architecture, cantinas that feel like time capsules. But it’s also buzzing with craft beer bars, fusion restaurants, street art, and stylish speakeasies (start with Colonia Americana). When you need a screen break, there’s always a tequila distillery to tour or a Sunday Via RecreActiva bike ride to join.
Guadalajara at a glance
- Climate. Mild, highland climate. Days are warm (21–29°C / 70–85°F) and nights are cool. The hottest months are April–May, before the rainy season (June–September) brings afternoon thunderstorms.
- Getting there. Fly into Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport (GDL), about 30–40 minutes from popular areas like Americana and Chapalita.
- Living costs. Budget around $1,300 USD per month for rent, coworking, groceries, and entertainment.
- Language. Spanish is the official language, though English is spoken in some coworking spaces and tourist areas. Learning basic Spanish is helpful.
- Safety. Guadalajara is safe by big-city standards. Popular areas like Americana, Providencia, and Chapalita are walkable with low crime.
- Visa options. Mexico offers a 180-day tourist permit for US, Canadian, and EU visitors. For longer stays, the Temporary Resident Visa allows digital nomads to live in Mexico for up to four years with proof of income and remote work. Learn how to apply for Mexico’s temporary resident visa step-by-step.
Best Guadalajara neighborhoods for nomads
A sprawling metro of 5+ million, Guadalajara is a patchwork of distinct colonias (neighborhoods). Here are some of the best neighborhoods to live and work in Guadalajara based on convenience, safety, and amenities:
Colonia Americana
Named one of the world’s coolest neighborhoods, Colonia Americana is the unofficial hub for digital nomads. Centered around Avenida Chapultepec, it mixes elegant 19th-century mansions with colorful street art, music venues, and a thriving cafe scene. Coworking spaces, galleries, and third-wave coffee shops are all within walking distance.
Providencia
North of the city center, Providencia offers wide, tree-lined streets, green parks, and a calm, upscale vibe. It’s known for safety and cleanliness, with a mix of cafes, restaurants, and coworking options. Nightlife is minimal, making it ideal for those who prefer quiet evenings.
Chapalita
This residential colonia west of downtown features mid-century homes and a leafy central roundabout, Glorieta Chapalita. It’s safe, walkable, and full of restaurants and cafes, with a few coworking spots. Evenings are low-key — with more cantinas than clubs — but Americana’s nightlife is just a short ride away.
Santa Tere
Santa Teresita, or “Santa Tere,” is a traditional neighborhood known for its bustling public market and street food. It’s one of the most budget-friendly areas in the city, with a lived-in, slightly gritty charm and plenty of local character.
Zapopan / Andares
Best places to work for digital nomads in Guadalajara
Wi-Fi is reliable in most Guadalajara cafes and coworking establishments, and baristas are used to digital workers setting up shop. Whether you’re after a cold brew or a dedicated desk, here are the best places to work in Guadalajara:
Best coffee shops
- Café palReal (C. Lope de Vega 113, Arcos Vallarta). Arguably the city’s most celebrated café, palReal serves Mexican specialty coffee and inventive dishes (don’t miss their chilaquiles). Wi-Fi is strong and seating is ample, though weekend brunches get crowded.
- Matraz Café (Buenos Aires 2679, Providencia). Another laptop worker hub, this spacious, light-filled cafe features a semi-outdoor patio and plenty of outlets. Baristas brew with methods from Chemex to AeroPress and the iced mocha comes highly recommended.
- El Terrible Juan Café (C. Colonias 440, Americana). Don’t let the name fool you — El Terrible Juan is routinely listed among the world’s best coffee shops. The Americana location (one of several) features solid Wi-Fi and a communal table popular among laptop users. Weekends get crowded.
- Café Correcto (Morelos 1134, Colonia Americana). Tucked in a small arcade off Chapultepec, Café Correcto is cozy with a few indoor seats and some sidewalk tables. The cold brew and the signature correcto coffee with a splash of mezcal are not to be missed.
Best coworking spaces
- WeWork (Multiple Locations). The global coworking giant has a strong presence in Guadalajara. Pricy by local standards, WeWork offers all the perks remote professionals expect: blazing Wi-Fi, stylish common areas, and free flow of coffee and fruit water.
- IOS Offices (Multiple locations). IOS Offices offers ergonomic desks, meeting rooms, and lounges, plus nice freebies like artisanal coffee, tea, and complimentary draft beer in the afternoons.
- Metta Coworking (Calle Quito 1260). This locally-run cowork space offers a mix of hot desks and dedicated desks, meeting rooms, and a green outdoor terrace.
- Colabora (Av. Chapultepec Sur 480, Colonia Americana). Colabora is modern and comfortable, though smaller than some others – think open-plan desks with a backdrop of colorful murals. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in affordability and community: Colabora offers some of the most competitive rates in the city, along with workshops and events.