The era of the temporary tourist is evolving. Drawn by friendly time zones, favorable exchange rates, and rich cultures, people are leveraging their foreign income and pensions to upgrade their quality of life. However, the experience of relocating to Latin America, and the peace of mind associated with it, is not experienced by all expats to the same degree.
We developed the Latin America Expat Index as a data-driven way to identify which cities offer the best overall environment for foreigners. To build this index, we analyzed 47 popular expat hubs across six crucial categories, including cost of living, healthcare, safety, climate, visas and residency, and expat community.
Key Takeaways:
- Mexico dominates the top tier. Its cities claimed the top spots, Merida and Oaxaca, ranking #1 and #2 respectively. The country’s blend of climate, culture, and strong sense of community continues to make it hard to beat.
- Roatan is the lowest-ranking city. Roatan, Honduras, placed last (#47) in the index. Despite its fame as a tropical paradise, severe local safety and health infrastructure challenges drastically reduced its livability score.
- San Miguel de Allende is a controversial outlier. Despite having one of the strongest and most established expat communities in the world, it ranks 46th overall. This is due to having the absolute lowest safety score in the index and poor affordability, highlighting a stark reality where many wealthy expats rely heavily on gated communities to offset local crime rates.
- Capital cities are losing ground. Aside from Buenos Aires and Lima, most major capital cities (like Bogota, Mexico City, and Santiago) fell out of the top 10, outshined by safer, more affordable secondary cities like Cuenca and Mendoza.
- The Andes offer the best value. If you’re looking for extreme safety and rock-bottom costs, the Andean regions of Peru and Ecuador are outperforming the famous beach towns.
The Top 5 Best Cities for Expats Overall
#1 Merida, Mexico
Taking the crown for 2026 is Merida, the capital of Mexico’s Yucatan state. Merida is the ultimate all-rounder. It boasts the second-highest safety score in the entire index, a homicide rate lower than most US cities. Coupled with a highly engaged expat community and excellent healthcare, Merida offers a peaceful, culturally rich lifestyle.
#2 Oaxaca, Mexico
Losing out to Merida by only a fraction of a decimal point, Oaxaca is a cultural powerhouse. It scored incredibly well in healthcare and climate, offering a temperate, mountain-valley climate that escapes the sweltering coastal humidity. Its thriving food scene and artistic community make it a magnet for slow-travelers and retirees alike
#3 Cuenca, Ecuador
A legendary hub for North American retirees, Cuenca remains among the top options in 2026. It offers an unbeatable combination of first-world amenities at third-world prices. Cuenca scored impressive in cost of living and safety. Add in Ecuador’s highly accessible retirement visa (requiring just $1,446/month in income) and it’s easy to see why Cuenca holds its top 3 status.
#4 Medellin, Colombia
The undeniable digital nomad capital of the Americas. Medellin took the #1 spot overall for community, meaning you will never struggle to find English speakers and networking events. It also scored incredible in healthcare, boasting some of the best JCI-accredited hospitals on the continent.
#5 Mendoza, Argentina
If you dream of sipping Malbec with the Andes as your backdrop, Mendoza is your winner. It offers a sophisticated lifestyle with phenomenal safety and a near-perfect climate score.
The Best and Worst Cities by Category
Here is how the cities stack up when we isolate the individual pillars.
Cost of Living
In these top-ranked cities, a comfortable 1-bedroom apartment and monthly groceries cost a fraction of what you’d pay in North America. Meanwhile, the cities at the bottom of our index have seen their prices surge to match (or even exceed) standard US and European pricing.
- Best: Cusco, Peru ranked #1 for affordability, followed closely by Santa Marta, Colombia and Arequipa, Peru.
- Worst: Tamarindo, Costa Rica ranks as the absolute most expensive city on our list, followed by Mexico’s premium tourist hubs, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.
Safety & Security
Safety is the number one concern for relocating expats. Our data evaluated comparative homicide rates to find the most peaceful havens.
- Safest: Cusco, Peru and Merida, Mexico boast crime rates lower than most major US cities. Surprisingly, Buenos Aires, Argentina proves you can live safely in a massive metropolis.
- Least Safe: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico scored the lowest in our safety metrics, indicating that while it is popular, its surrounding regional crime rates are the highest on the list. Roatan, Honduras and Cali, Colombia also rank at the absolute bottom for security.
Healthcare Quality & Access
For expats requiring regular medical care, the availability of JCI-accredited private hospitals and affordable out-of-pocket specialist visits is vital.
- Best: Guadalajara, Mexico, Medellin, Colombia, and Cordoba, Argentina took the top three spots, offering world-class specialists for a fraction of what they cost up north.
- Worst: Tamarindo, Costa Rica and Roatan, Honduras lack the advanced medical infrastructure of larger mainland cities. Santa Cruz, Bolivia also scored poorly for high-tier medical facility access.
The Easiest Visas & Residency
There is no point in falling in love with a city if you can’t legally live there. This category ranks cities by the lowest minimum monthly external income required to easily secure a residency visa.
- Most Accessible: Santa Cruz, Bolivia takes the absolute top spot, requiring a monthly income of just $300 to qualify for residency. Panama City and San Jose, Costa Rica follow closely, both requiring a highly accessible $1,000/month.
- Most Restrictive: The most restrictive residency requirements in the region belong entirely to Mexico. Due to strict nationwide financial solvency laws, every Mexican city on our list, from affordable Oaxaca to premium Cabo San Lucas, tied for the lowest score in this category , requiring $4,350/month in income, highest of all LATAM countries, to secure a temporary resident visa.
Climate & Weather
If you are chasing perpetual spring and endless sunshine, Mexico’s Pacific coast dominates. If you hate the cold, stay out of the deep southern Andes.
- Best: Ajijic, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico took the top spots, boasting over 2,600 hours of sunshine a year and highly comfortable average temperatures with minimal rain.
- Worst: Bariloche, Argentina scored the lowest due to its heavy precipitation and cold Patagonian winters. Tamarindo, Costa Rica and Bogota, Colombia also suffered in the rankings due to extreme humidity/rain and chilly, overcast climates, respectively.
Expat Community & English Proficiency
Looking to make friends fast and navigate daily life without total fluency in Spanish? Some cities have massive, built-in infrastructure for foreigners, while others require true cultural immersion.
- Strongest Communities: Medellin, Colombia and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico (9.00) tie for the most robust expat networks, featuring massive Facebook groups and widespread English proficiency. Merida, Mexico follows closely behind.
- Most Isolated: Santa Cruz, Bolivia ranks last. If you move here, you will be one of the few expats in town. Arequipa, Peru and Punta del Este, Uruguay also have significantly smaller year-round foreign footprints.
Complete 2026 Latin America Expat Index
| Rank | City | Country | Cost of Living | Healthcare | Safety | Climate | Visas | Community | Score (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merida | Mexico | 5.92 | 8.46 | 9.69 | 7.73 | 6.50 | 8.53 | 7.85 |
| 2 | Oaxaca | Mexico | 7.03 | 9.13 | 8.44 | 8.22 | 6.50 | 7.63 | 7.85 |
| 3 | Cuenca | Ecuador | 8.23 | 7.69 | 9.50 | 6.52 | 8.00 | 7.01 | 7.80 |
| 4 | Medellin | Colombia | 5.90 | 9.32 | 7.92 | 7.17 | 7.50 | 9.00 | 7.78 |
| 5 | Mendoza | Argentina | 7.23 | 6.99 | 9.37 | 8.35 | 7.00 | 7.28 | 7.72 |
| 6 | Cusco | Peru | 10.00 | 5.76 | 9.80 | 6.01 | 8.00 | 7.04 | 7.68 |
| 7 | Cordoba | Argentina | 6.43 | 9.18 | 9.52 | 7.66 | 7.00 | 6.27 | 7.57 |
| 8 | Quito | Ecuador | 7.58 | 8.36 | 8.42 | 5.80 | 8.00 | 7.26 | 7.54 |
| 9 | Lima | Peru | 6.17 | 7.34 | 8.66 | 7.85 | 8.00 | 7.58 | 7.54 |
| 10 | Buenos Aires | Argentina | 4.85 | 8.45 | 9.54 | 7.17 | 7.00 | 8.35 | 7.49 |
| 11 | Asuncion | Paraguay | 7.02 | 6.45 | 8.16 | 8.23 | 8.00 | 7.31 | 7.46 |
| 12 | Santiago | Chile | 5.91 | 7.68 | 8.78 | 7.52 | 7.50 | 7.51 | 7.45 |
| 13 | Arequipa | Peru | 9.58 | 5.95 | 9.49 | 7.97 | 8.00 | 5.16 | 7.40 |
| 14 | Queretaro | Mexico | 4.81 | 8.67 | 8.78 | 7.86 | 6.50 | 7.96 | 7.35 |
| 15 | Mazatlan | Mexico | 5.09 | 8.62 | 7.57 | 8.92 | 6.50 | 7.35 | 7.21 |
| 16 | Sao Paulo | Brazil | 5.73 | 6.58 | 9.10 | 7.35 | 7.00 | 7.11 | 7.12 |
| 17 | Guadalajara | Mexico | 4.78 | 9.54 | 6.79 | 8.31 | 6.50 | 7.81 | 7.11 |
| 18 | Bogota | Colombia | 6.75 | 8.34 | 7.20 | 5.51 | 7.50 | 7.19 | 7.05 |
| 19 | Puerto Vallarta | Mexico | 3.72 | 8.82 | 8.51 | 7.91 | 6.50 | 8.17 | 7.04 |
| 20 | Curitiba | Brazil | 7.64 | 7.33 | 8.10 | 6.39 | 7.00 | 5.81 | 6.99 |
| 21 | Florianopolis | Brazil | 6.32 | 6.24 | 8.69 | 7.07 | 7.00 | 6.58 | 6.96 |
| 22 | Mexico City | Mexico | 4.11 | 7.42 | 8.24 | 7.65 | 6.50 | 8.25 | 6.91 |
| 23 | Vina del Mar | Chile | 6.70 | 5.76 | 8.78 | 7.06 | 7.50 | 5.86 | 6.83 |
| 24 | Playa del Carmen | Mexico | 4.38 | 8.66 | 6.39 | 7.36 | 6.50 | 8.52 | 6.82 |
| 25 | Santo Domingo | Dominican Republic | 5.42 | 7.08 | 8.37 | 7.94 | 7.50 | 5.70 | 6.80 |
| 26 | Valparaiso | Chile | 6.53 | 5.76 | 8.78 | 7.06 | 7.50 | 5.86 | 6.80 |
| 27 | Cancun | Mexico | 5.30 | 8.54 | 6.39 | 7.67 | 6.50 | 7.01 | 6.79 |
| 28 | Punta Cana | Dominican Republic | 4.94 | 5.43 | 7.90 | 8.63 | 7.50 | 7.39 | 6.79 |
| 29 | Boquete | Panama | 5.34 | 4.79 | 9.15 | 5.97 | 8.00 | 7.92 | 6.74 |
| 30 | Ajijic | Mexico | 5.00 | 7.29 | 6.19 | 8.92 | 6.50 | 7.35 | 6.72 |
| 31 | Santa Marta | Colombia | 9.89 | 6.70 | 3.65 | 7.80 | 7.50 | 7.38 | 6.72 |
| 32 | Antigua | Guatemala | 5.11 | 6.54 | 8.13 | 7.27 | 8.00 | 6.31 | 6.71 |
| 33 | Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | 6.08 | 5.70 | 6.78 | 7.87 | 7.00 | 7.11 | 6.69 |
| 34 | Puerto Escondido | Mexico | 6.72 | 6.55 | 5.62 | 7.81 | 6.50 | 7.23 | 6.68 |
| 35 | Bariloche | Argentina | 5.64 | 6.91 | 9.17 | 4.45 | 7.00 | 6.08 | 6.45 |
| 36 | Panama City | Panama | 3.84 | 7.31 | 6.72 | 6.02 | 8.00 | 7.67 | 6.35 |
| 37 | Cabo San Lucas | Mexico | 3.81 | 5.44 | 8.97 | 8.91 | 6.50 | 6.12 | 6.31 |
| 38 | Tulum | Mexico | 5.52 | 6.55 | 3.85 | 7.74 | 6.50 | 8.39 | 6.17 |
| 39 | Cali | Colombia | 8.60 | 8.59 | 2.37 | 7.84 | 7.50 | 6.71 | 6.13 |
| 40 | Santa Cruz | Bolivia | 9.43 | 4.56 | 9.20 | 8.19 | 9.00 | 2.50 | 6.09 |
| 41 | Montevideo | Uruguay | 4.91 | 5.24 | 6.93 | 6.95 | 7.50 | 5.97 | 6.08 |
| 42 | Punta del Este | Uruguay | 3.99 | 5.12 | 7.94 | 6.97 | 7.50 | 5.45 | 5.88 |
| 43 | Cartagena | Colombia | 5.01 | 6.70 | 3.41 | 7.22 | 7.50 | 7.31 | 5.78 |
| 44 | San Jose | Costa Rica | 4.30 | 5.25 | 4.88 | 7.20 | 8.00 | 6.37 | 5.68 |
| 45 | Tamarindo | Costa Rica | 3.05 | 3.79 | 6.68 | 5.11 | 8.00 | 7.48 | 5.33 |
| 46 | San Miguel de Allende | Mexico | 3.88 | 6.62 | 1.00 | 7.92 | 6.50 | 9.00 | 4.51 |
| 47 | Roatan | Honduras | 5.12 | 3.80 | 1.73 | 5.90 | 7.50 | 6.06 | 4.32 |
Methodology
The 2026 Latin America Expat Index evaluated 47 popular hubs using regional data, government statistics, and global indices. To accurately reflect daily expat realities, each city received a normalized score (1-10) to calculate a weighted “Overall Score.” The six categories and their underlying metrics include: Expat Community (22%; Facebook group sizes, EF English scores), Safety (20%; homicide rates), Cost of Living (18%; rent, groceries, transport, dining), Healthcare (16%; regional index, GP costs, JCI hospitals), Climate (14%; sunshine, temp, precipitation), and Visas (10%; minimum income for residency).
Fair Use Policy
You are welcome to share this research and its findings. If you choose to use the data or graphics from this study, we ask that you provide a link back to this original report to credit the researchers and allow your readers to view the full dataset and methodology.