Editor’s note: This story was originally published here Live and invest abroad.
Watching the sun set over the ocean, listening to the roar of the waves (and maybe a wandering band, fireworks, or both), I pinch myself knowing that it’s only a short distance away.
Those Puerto Vallarta sunsets never get old, and that’s one of the many reasons my wife and I have come back here for the eighth time.
Flashback to 2017 and this thing called remote work was starting to become a trend. We left our English teaching jobs in China and took them on the road with us, and decided to spend a few years traveling in Latin America with our laptops, and thus our classrooms, on our backs.
Since we were starting the trip after a long visit with friends and family in the US, Mexico was the perfect fit for our first stop. I also needed a root canal and a crown, and these things are quite expensive in the North.
Puerto Vallarta came on my radar for its great English-speaking dentists, and I thought it would be nice to be right on the beach.
cheap fare
We found a cheap local apartment on Craigslist and spent about $350 to stay for the month. Plus, we spent a few hundred bucks to take a Level 1 Spanish course for a few weeks.
It’s no surprise that we fell in love with this place and wanted to stay here longer – a common habit here. Our host said it would only be $200 a month if we paid three months in advance.
We asked if we could buy some furniture and rent it out to make the place more comfortable. she said yes. And then we stayed for three more months after that.
We have been coming back to Puerto Vallarta (PV) ever since. We usually stay somewhere between three to six months.
Somehow, for some wandering digital nomads, this has been the closest thing to “home” we’ve had since leaving China in 2015.
why can’t we stay away
Why do we keep coming here again and again? First and foremost, it’s the people. We have many good friends here now, locals and gringos, and we love spending time with them.
People of Puerto Vallarta – Known as Pata Salada (Salty Feet) – A fun group in general. They never say no to a good celebration and there is always a joyous atmosphere here. It seems as if there is a parade or festival here almost every weekend, even during the low rainy season.
Speaking of weather, we were once “low season people,” taking advantage of much lower rental rates from May to October, when it’s very hot, humid, and rainy.
During the pandemic, we moved into a luxury condo in the hotel zone with a rooftop pool right next to the beach.
We only paid $1,000 per month because the owners were willing to take it instead of the $0 we were getting from Airbnb bookings at the time, and we stayed there for six months during high season, which was anything but as travel slowed in 2020.
It was good while it lasted, but that area wasn’t for us. In recent years, we’ve stopped renting space from friends in our old location 5th December And is currently in the trendy Versailles area.
happy despite big changes
Things have changed a lot in these areas in the last few years. There is construction going on everywhere and new high-rise condos are being built in every direction.
That being said, I’m still very happy to be here. I feel very fortunate to be able to rent this apartment from a friend who has a job in Thailand. Our rent is approximately $450 per month and includes high-speed internet.
The apartment was simple and sparsely furnished, so we spent a few hundred bucks buying a desk, nice chairs, and things for the kitchen. We brought our own party lights and our own hammock to hang on the balcony, which overlooks the palm trees in the common garden and pool area.
It’s the little things that make it feel like home.
Many friends live in the building and we often hang out in the evenings or on weekends. There’s a nice little community here – locals, retired gringos, digital nomads, families – sharing this beautiful place in Mexico.
Thanks to the development of the neighbourhood, we now have many cafes, restaurants, bars and shops in the area.
I can go out for coffee and pastries, get a haircut, get my teeth cleaned, grab some street tacos, meet friends for cocktails, have a nice dinner, and even get a massage, all within a few blocks of home.
That sunset on the beach that I started with? It takes us exactly 15 minutes to walk there and I do this almost every day.
Walking barefoot in the sand, dipping your toes in salty water, maybe drinking a cold Pacifico beer, and enjoying the stunning beach of Banderas Bay is something I am so grateful to experience all the time.
cost of living
Many things have changed in PV since we first started here, and our situation is not typical when it comes to short-term rentals. It’s hard to find a place in a desirable area for less than $1,000 to $1,500 a month, and many people pay significantly more than that for high season in romantic zones.
However, the bus still costs 10 pesos (50 cents). Sure it’s scary sometimes, but it’s part of the experience, amigo! You can also go up to Sayulita or down to Mismaloya for a few rupees. Ride share apps like Didi offer more convenience and can get us downtown for $5 to $7.
Taco carts still line the streets and can fill you up for a few dollars. You can get a cold drink at the store for a dollar. A cup of coffee or happy hour drink with a friend is so affordable that you don’t think twice when someone extends you an invitation.
Even going out for a nice group dinner with a variety of Spanish tapas and a shared jar of sangria only cost us $50 each, and that includes a generous tip.
We always look forward to Restaurant Week, which actually lasts a month and features very reasonable set menus from restaurants that are otherwise reserved for special occasions.
Endless fun and quick holidays
There are so many cultural events and live music venues that we never get bored and almost never pay any kind of cover charge. Of course, we keep cash on hand to tip the band, bartenders, and everyone else dancing and having fun.
When we need the energy of a big city, a quick, cheap flight on Mexican Airlines to Guadalajara or Mexico City is the way to go.
In short, Puerto Vallarta continues to be the place for us when we need to slow down, stop for a while, focus on work and enjoy some familiarity.
After 10 years of nomadic living, we have realized that these longer stays are necessary to maintain balance. And of course, we’re always planning the next adventure, knowing that Peevy will welcome us with open arms, a shot of tequila in one hand and a taco in the other.