Mexico vs. Colombia: Which Country Is Better for Expats?
The Latin American Face-Off
I am writing this article almost purely in the hope that Colombian-based writers will completely roast me, tell me how wrong I am, and write articles in combat.
But let’s go band for band…
Cost, Dating, Safety, Business Opportunities, etc
Ask any expat, nomad, or whoever lounges in a rooftop café in Medellín or drinks mezcal in a Mexico City cantina…. where the real Latin American expat capital is. I feel like you get a divided crowd.
Half will swear by the colors, chaos, and food of Mexico. The other hall… They tell you that nothing compares to the energy, femininity, and pace of Colombia. These two countries are the heavyweight contenders in the Nomad League. If we look past the cheap flights and Instagram reels, which country delivers?
Cost of living
Dating and relationship dynamics
Safety (the real picture, not just headlines)
Business and money-making potential
Long-term livability and lifestyle
Which country fits your goals?
Where Is Life Cheaper?
In my opinion..What do most people care about most? Their wallets
At first glance, Colombia looks like the clear winner. Rents are lower, Uber rides cost less than your morning Starbucks back home, and a full meal in a decent restaurant can be had for under $5. You can live like a king on a relatively modest income.
Mexico, on the other hand, definitely has a price creep, especially in tourist hotspots and major cities. In Mexico City, you're no longer just competing with locals, you're competing with Euros and other American expats with startup exit money who think $1,500 for a small one-bedroom is a steal. Mexico still offers great value, especially once you leave the trendy areas or head to smaller cities like Mérida, Querétaro, or Puebl, where you can still find charming apartments for $500 or less and street tacos for under a dollar. But Mexico City isn’t the place for the budget-friendly expat unless you’re willing to make a lot of logistical sacrifices.
Groceries seem to be slightly cheaper in Colombia, especially fruits and vegetables. But Mexico wins in sheer culinary range… It’s been my running joke that Colombian food is trash.
Transportation seems like a toss-up: Mexico seems to have better buses and affordable low-cost flights between cities. Colombia’s terrain and traffic seem to make things less fun. In general, I don’t think transportation costs are a factor for mostIt'sts all so cheap that it doesn’t matter.
Verdict? I’ll have to give it to Colombia on raw affordability…but I think Mexico has more diversity and convenience if you’re willing to pay for it.
There’s no Amazon Colombia.
The Dating Game / Gringo Premium
The reason half of you are reading this…
Colombia is famous…or infamous…for its women. Flirty, feminine, and forward. If you're a Western dude with decent social skills, you find yourself in high demand…. At least at some point in time. The dating culture seems to move fast: romantic gestures are the norm, and women expect attention, effort, and intensity. But behind the romances seem like a lot of realities people need to be prepared for. Online is seems like the gringo effect is wained off a bit…and people are less a fan..But on the ground.. I haven’t heard people say anything negative. But hey, maybe they just accept that most of them are leading with money, and it is what it is.
Every couple of weeks, it seems like you hear scopolamine stories, which makes the Colombian dating scene seem like a roulette game. It seems like if you’re new, you’re exciting. But..if you’ve got money, you’re an opportunity. There are genuine connections, but in my opinion, Colombian girls are 5x moretransaction-basedd than Mexican girls /.. especially in Medellín and Cartagena, where every dude seems to think he’s the Dan Bilzerian.
Mexico? Slower burn. More traditional. A Mexican woman won’t make the first move, and if she does, it’s probably a trap. But if you play the game, relationships are deeper. There is almost zero risk of getting drugged and robbed in Mexico in the dating world.
In Mexico cities.., you’re not as much of a novelty. The gringo hype has mostly died off dude to a lot more foreigners moving and visiting during the covid era. Mexican wages are generally much better than Colombian wages. That’s both good and bad, depending on how you look at it. You’ll have to bring more than your passport and a half-decent Spanish accent to get attention. But you’re also not risking getting scammed.
I say if you want raw excitement…Colombia wins for. Mexico wins for depth and long-term connections.
Safety
Which place is safer?
Short answer. Both countries are dangerous if you’re stupid. Both are safe if you know how to move. But the type of danger in each country is different.
Mexico has a reputation for cartel violence, and that rep well-earned, buthere'ses a nuance most media ignore: cartel violence isn’t aimed at tourists or expats. It’s business. Locals may get caught in the crossfire, but you're more likely to be struck by lightning than targeted in Playa del Carmen for being an American.
Where Mexico does get sketchy is in police interactions. Bribes are common. Shakedowns happen occasionally, but the majority of the time, it’s if you’re drunk, alone, or mouthy.
Colombia’s danger seems more personal. It’s your Tinder date drugging you with scopolamine. It’s your Uber driver texting someone your location. Petty theft is rampant, especially in Bogotá and Medellín. Generally I believe Colombians live in a much lower trust society. They seem to have much less problem scaming their neighbors or playing the long game scamming someone they know. Mexicans might add a gringo tax on stuff, but you’re not getting full on dishonest people.
In Mexico, the danger is external. In Colombian, it seems that danger can be a “friend”
Where Can You Build?
If you're not living off passive income or your OnlyFans foot pics, you probably care about making money.
Mexico has the clear edge here. It's got the second-largest economy in Latin America, strong trade ties with the U.S., and an increasingly startup-friendly culture. You can open a business with relative ease and buy property in many areas without jumping through too many hoops.
Colombia? Bureaucratic quicksand. Getting a bank account feels like applying for a security clearance. Setting up a business can take months(legally). The economy is smaller, less stable, and more volatile.
From a remote work perspective, Mexico easily wins. Faster internet. Better infrastructure. More direct flights. If you’re working U.S. hours, you’re better off here.
If you plan to hustle, build, or invest locally…I would say Mexico is your move.
Where Can You Actually Settle Down?
This might seem like an attack…but
Mexico feels more “complete.” You’ve got great food (not just tacos). You get Oaxacan mole, Baja seafood, and high-end dining in Polanco. You’ve got reliable internet, better roads, easier domestic travel, and in general, a more mature expat community
Colombia has its charm and adventure. The weather in Medellín seems nice year-round. Smaller cities have relaxed paces. The people are friendly…right before they scam you. The music and culture are good also. * I’ll give Colombia the win on music. Mexican music created drunk dancing. Mexicans are not good dancers compared to Colombians.
But Colombia feels exhausting. People constantly tell me things don’t work. Deliveries don’t show up. Appointments are suggestions. And unless your Spanish is excellent, you’ll hit constant friction. You’re always watching your back.
In Mexico, you can find pockets that feel like home. Want an all-gringo town? They exist. Want a beach town with digital nomads and yoga girls? Tulum (for better or worse). Want a cosmopolitan mega-city? CDMX is Latin America’s crown jewel, in my opinion. Buenos Aires fell off decades ago
Residency is also easier. Mexico lets you stay 180 days on a tourist visa and offers residency pathways that don’t require jumping through hoops. Colombia’s visa system? Constantly changing. Governments in general seem to never know what they are doing, .but Colombia seems worse… only beaten by Argentina
Bottom line. Mexico just makes it easier to live well.
Verdict
If you’re 25, single, and looking for drugs, nightlife, and chaos? Colombia probably is for you — at least for a year or two. But don’t expect it to be sustainable.
If you’re 25+, thinking about setting up a base, building income streams, while also enjoying nightlife and women. But you don’t want to look over your shoulder all day.. Mexico is the far better long-term bet.
If I tried to put it shortly
Mexico is for living.
Colombia is for escaping.