All Expats Are Escaping Something – 21 Latam Cities
All Expats Are Escaping Something – 21 Latam Cities TL;DR
Expats are escaping expensive, stressful lives in developed countries for a simpler, more affordable lifestyle abroad. They’re looking for a better place to retire, better weather, better quality inexpensive healthcare, remote work freedom, a base for the FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) movement. Some just need a fresh start after divorce, burnout, or loss, like I did. Latin America offers all of that, with varied climates to choose from. Safety varies by location, but many find the tradeoffs well worth it.
Expats Are Escaping to New Countries for Various Reasons
Expats are escaping from Australia, Canada, Europe, the United States and more “first world” countries in exchange for a lower cost of living and typically less stressful lifestyle in less developed countries. Even “crime travel advisories” from developed nations doesn’t stop them. For one, they can be exaggerated and only refer to a particular area of a country. The allure of living abroad is strong for many and everyone has their own reasons.
US Expats Continue to Escape to Mexico
US citizens represent more foreigners in Mexico than citizens of any other nation by a huge margin. It’s not that surprising considering the geographical proximity of the two countries. Despite the US travel advisories, this number keeps growing year after year. Other popular destinations are Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Peru, although Ecuador has recently become quite dangerous. In fact, it had the second highest murder rate in 2023 behind Jamaica.
Money, Not Politics, is the Main Driver of Expatriation
During any given political campaign in the United States, you’ll hear of relatively famous people “threaten” to move to Canada if a particular candidate wins the election. Truth be told; however, they rarely do. Way more US citizens choose to expatriate to Mexico over Canada. Mexico itself, is filled with Canadian expats. Although Canada is considered a developed, safe, and modern country to live in, it shares many of the pitfalls with the United States, yet with worse weather. Sure, Canada is safer than the US and offers better healthcare services, but it’s colder, just as expensive, and only has 11.5% of the population of the United States. For this reason, expats are escaping to Mexico and other countries in Latin America.
Expats Are Escaping Traumatic Events
Some people have just “had it” with their lives in their own country and need a change. Death, divorce, drug and/or alcohol addiction, job loss, and physical impairment requiring ongoing medical care are all reasons one may pack up and leave. I left after divorce as I had no reason to stick around. I hated my own business and grew tired of living in Florida for twenty years. I gave up drinking in 2016 and realized I had no friends or family. My ex-wife and her son, who I raised for 8 years, was my family. I knew it was time to move on. So, I did. I already knew Spanish, having lived in Latin America previously and figured it was the right time for me to return. I still like the United States. I don’t bash it like some expats do but I just don’t feel “American”. I know some of you know how that feels. I’m not alone.
Digital Nomads Work from Anywhere
It was common before the Covid epidemic. People with an internet connection and certain skills can work from anywhere whether freelance or as an employee for a company. “Ganar dólares y gastar en pesos” is nothing new. Geo arbitrage has been around for a couple decades. Expats are escaping now more than ever. When I was young the only real “expat” place I heard of was Costa Rica. It’s been popular for decades. Back then people would never think of expatriating to Brazil, Colombia or Ecuador for example. I’m glad this has changed, and the world has opened up to new people and cultures. Because of this trend, previous monolingual Americans are picking up new languages.
Some Move to Learn Spanish or Portuguese (Brazil)
Believe it or not, there are Americans that speak Spanish. I’m not referring to Latinos that grew up with native Spanish speaking parents. I’m referring to people like me, with no connection to the Latin world beyond my desire to be a part of it. I was first exposed to Latin America many years ago. My daughter was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador in 1996 to give you an idea. I also chose to live and study Portuguese in Recife, Brazil through 3-month study abroad program provided by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I lived with a Brazilian family, and it was possibly the best 3 months of my life! I had so much fun and learned so much, not just Portuguese but about life in general.
Only Reason Most Americans Don’t Speak Another Language is Two-Fold
Firstly, most Americans earn enough money in the US compared to other countries and have no monetary need to move. They’re not destitute to go live in another country for a better life. Sure, they may be scraping by but they’re not in severe poverty in general. Secondly, North America is huge. It’s 3 big countries one on top of the other with the United States being the meat of the Canadian/Mexican sandwich. See what I did there? Only Mexico to the south speaks Spanish. Although some think Mexico is part of Central America, I agree with most geographers, just from the eye test alone, that Mexico is indeed part of North America. With the exception of Mexican border cities like El Paso, Texas, Mexico simply isn’t a short drive away for most Americans as it would be for many Europeans to go to a neighboring country.
How Big is the US Compared to Europe?
Check this out. Each of the following European countries speaks a different language. See how many times each of them could fit INSIDE the United States. I’m not even including Canada and Mexico. This is why Europeans tend to speak more languages. They’re like “states” in the US. Heck, Portugal alone is less than half a state if you calculate how many times it could fit in the US.
How Many Times European Countries Could Fit Inside the Continental US
France: 17.7
Germany: 27.4
Italy: 32.6
Portugal: 114.9
Spain: 19.3
United Kingdom 40.2
Expats Are Escaping Crappy Weather
While cost of living is by far the number one driver of expatriation from developed nations to lesser developed nations, weather is another factor. Some people are tired of the cold weather in their own country and want to live in a better climate. Naturally, “good weather” is subjective. Some prefer hot and humid, while others seek a more temperate climate. However, the overwhelming majority of expats are not looking to move to cold weather. Fortunately, Latin America has a climate for everyone. From hot Caribbean coastlines to the cool Andes Mountains, expats are bound to find a climate that suits them.
Latin America Offers Numerous Climate Options
Contrary to popular belief, not all destinations in Latin America are “hot and humid”, though several are. The only places I’ve truly felt cold were in Cuenca and Quito, Ecuador but for brief periods or at night. I’m sure that Bogotá gets just as cold. I’ve been to Colombia a few times but only to the airport in Bogotá which doesn’t count. I visited Cali, Cartagena and Medellín (and Guatapé nearby). Otherwise, there are a lot of “just right” climates at higher elevations to choose from. My personal favorites are Antigua, Guatemala, Medellín, Colombia and Querétaro, Mexico (San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato are basically the same due to their proximity but I’d rather live in Querétaro). If you’re looking for something besides “hot and humid” climates found along the coasts of Central America, the Caribbean, northern South America and the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico you’ll find it. Expats are escaping to hilly mountainous regions in addition to the traditional “beach and umbrella” destinations. The abbreviation in parenthesis in the list below is the official Köppen Climate Classification.
Shot I took of Volcán de Agua in Antigua, Guatemala
Expats are Escaping to These 21 Cities and More
- Antigua, Guatemala: Mild and Cool (Cfb – Oceanic)
- Arequipa, Peru: Highland Desert (BWh)
- Asunción, Paraguay: Humid Subtropical (Cfa)
- Bogotá, Colombia: Mild and Cool (Cfb – Oceanic)
- Buenos Aires, Argentina: Humid Subtropical (Cfa)
- Cartagena, Colombia: Tropical Savanna (Aw)
- Cuenca, Ecuador: Mild and Cool (Cfb – Oceanic)
- Cusco, Peru: Highland Subtropical (Cfb)
- Lima, Peru: Desert (BWk)
- Mérida, Mexico: Tropical Savanna (Aw)
- Medellín, Colombia: Tropical Highland Climate (Cfb)
- Mexico City, (CDMX) Mexico: Subtropical Highlands (Cwb)
- Panama City, Panama: Tropical Rainforest (Af)
- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: Tropical Savanna (Aw)
- Querétaro, Mexico: Temperate Highland Climate with Dry Winters (Cwb)
- Quito, Ecuador: Mild and Cool (Cfb – Oceanic)
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Tropical Savanna (Aw)
- Roatan (Coxen Hole), Honduras: Tropical Rainforest (Af)
- Santiago, Chile: Mediterranean (Csb)
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Tropical Wet and Dry (Aw)
- São Paulo, Brazil: Subtropical (Cfa)
Word is Out About the Benefits of Living in Latam
First, Let’s Get “Danger” Out of the Way
I honestly dislike “danger” constantly being the topic of conversation whenever the words Latin America come up. I understand people want to be safe, but it gets a little old. I believe the United States is dangerous but I’m not afraid of living there, I just choose not to. There’s no denying that there are dangerous places in Latin America. There’s violence against women in Mexico. Drug cartels absolutely exist and not just in Mexico. Let’s be real. One needs to understand that cartels are a business. Their goal is to make money. Their goal isn’t to walk up to strangers and kill them for no reason. Leave them alone, don’t get involved and you shouldn’t find yourself a victim of cartel violence. Are you likely to have your phone stolen at some point? Yeah maybe, but honestly a phone isn’t the end of the world. Incidentally, my bicycle was stolen from a gated community in “safe” northern Mérida, Yucatán on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023. There’s a good chance you’ll be robbed at some point. Most people, however, are concerned with violent crime, not replaceable possessions.
Scopolamine Drugging in Colombia is Real
One danger I wish more foreign men would pay attention to is the scopolamine drugging and theft in Medellín, Colombia. I’m quite sure if it’s happening in Medellín then it’s happening elsewhere in Colombia. It’s become a real problem. These guys actually believe these hot “Tinder” girls want to spend the night with them and they wind up being drugged and robbed in their own apartment or hotel room. Scopolamine acts like “roofies”. Reportedly a few men have died of overdose or during the robbery in one way or another. Ask yourself, are you really that much of a catch to be with these hotties? I mean, does it all add up?
Sadly, Most Gringos are Seen as Losers Looking for Sex and Drugs in Colombia
As of 2025 and continuing into 2026, gringos are generally seen as “losers” in Medellín that only seek drugs and sex with Colombian hotties. Colombians know that the majority of gringos in Colombia are “US poor” and are not high value men (HVM). They know that most gringos choose Colombia because it’s cheap and the girls are hot. Regardless, if you go, ALWAYS watch your drink, ALWAYS.
Dangerous Areas Are Limited to Certain Regions Just Like Any Country
Similar to the United States, most dangerous areas are limited to specific regions of a country. Heck, some countries are even safer than the US with regards to gun violence. Chile, El Salvador and Uruguay come to mind. Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico also comes to mind on a city/state level. It doesn’t get much safer than Mérida, although property crime is still an issue. Of course, things are constantly changing so you gotta keep up to date with the latest news in Latin America. El Salvador was, in recent times, one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Meanwhile, once peaceful Ecuador, is now dangerous. Ecuador is special to me. I lived there for years, and my daughter was born there. I wouldn’t recommend it to expats in 2026. Regardless, the cultural and economic benefits of living in Latin America are hard to overlook. Expats are escaping to Latin America in record numbers.
Expatriation Trend is Going to Increase for 3 Reasons
Healthcare in the United States Sucks
- High Costs: Medical services, procedures, and prescription drugs are often considerably more expensive in the U.S. than in other countries.
- Lack of Universal Coverage: Unlike many other developed countries, the U.S. does not have a universal healthcare system. Millions of Americans are uninsured or underinsured, leading to limited access to necessary healthcare services.
- Administrative Complexity: The U.S. healthcare system is complex, with various private and public insurance programs. Navigating this complexity can be challenging for both patients and healthcare providers.
Digital Nomads Like Latin America
Change in How Companies Recruit Talent
- Digital nomads are no longer a trend. Personally, I don’t even like the term “digital nomads” as it’s not really accurate. Many people literally just “move” and are not nomadic. Others “slow travel”, but I use the term since it’s widely used. Working where there is an internet connection is just part of everyday life no matter where you live. The internet isn’t going anywhere. Business owners have seen first-hand, how much money they can save by not running traditional offices. Today, employee productivity can be measured in numerous ways via all kinds of apps. Calls can be recorded, talk time measured, number of dials, screen time, screen monitoring and more. However, there seems to be a growing trust between employer and employee where these tools aren’t always necessary or used. Expats are escaping to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle.
- Workers will continue to push the “work from anywhere” narrative and employers needing qualified labor will abide by hiring digital nomads regardless of where they reside as long as they can perform. In fact, the need for a college degree has diminished greatly, as the internet is educating people faster, more efficiently than outdated books and courses with underpaid professors. The world simply moves too fast for universities to stay relevant with the exception of the legal and medical fields. Skills over paper. You either have it or you don’t.
Latin America is a Sound Choice for FIRE Practitioners
- The FIRE movement stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. It’s a lifestyle movement focused on achieving financial independence and retiring early. It’s not just single young digital nomads in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It’s families. It’s different. Followers of the FIRE movement emphasize aggressive saving, investing, and frugal living to accumulate a substantial nest egg. The goal is to have enough savings and investments to sustain their desired lifestyle without needing to work until a typical retirement age.
- Expats are escaping to Latin America to achieve their FIRE dream. The American dream has turned itself on its head. FIRE adopters realize they can drastically reduce their expenses by living overseas and Latin America is perfect because it generally lines up time zone wise with North America, allowing Expats to easily work with clients in the United States and Canada.
