The top ways to make money online in Mexico are:
- Start a local lead generation agency
- Become a freelancer
- Write a travel blog
- Create YouTube videos
- Become a social media influencer
- Start a digital marketing agency
- Sell Ecommerce products
- Sell an online course
Mexico is becoming a popular destination for American expats and digital nomads. The US State Department estimates that approximately 1.6 million American citizens live in Mexico. There are several creative ways that Americans make money online while residing in this foreign country.
For example, in an interview with CNBC Make It, American expat Keith brown says he supports himself while living in Mexico City by day trading. He only works until the early afternoon and fills the rest of his days with fun activities like Spanish classes and chess.
A lower cost of living is one of the primary reasons people decide to live in Mexico while earning a living online. A liveable salary in Mexico is around $24,584 Mexican pesos per month, approximately $1,240 USD at today's exchange rate. That’s for a single person living in a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, according to data from Numbeo. One American expat living an hour north of Puerto Vallarta says he and his wife pay just $1,400/month in combined living expenses.
I've made money online from all over the world. In the following article, I discuss the top ways to make money online in Mexico that can provide you with a comfortable lifestyle. I also outline the unique opportunities available in this Spanish-speaking country. These include selling on Spanish-focused platforms Mercado Libre and Hotmart.
1. Start a local lead generation agency
A local lead generation agency generates and sells leads to local business owners. Specifically, home service businesses like plumbers, electricians, and roofers. Local lead generation agencies can generate these leads through a variety of methods. These methods include websites, Google My Business profiles, and paid ads.
Many prefer generating leads through organic website traffic with search engine optimization (SEO). This method involves setting up websites that generate organic traffic through Google. Also known as rank and rent, this method allows you to rent the marketing channel to a local business owner for between $500 - $3,000/month. As such, you only need to rank and rent a handful of websites to generate enough income to live comfortably in Mexico.
Many local lead generation business owners target businesses in the United States. That's because US society is typically more capitalist and open to the business arrangement than other countries. The business model requires some communication with local service business clients. As such, Mexico's similar time zone is a perfect choice for those who want to target the United States with this service.
However, Spanish speakers in Mexico can also try to generate leads for Mexican businesses. Although business owners outside of the United States are harder to sell, the competition can be much less.
2. Become a freelancer
Freelancing is a popular way to make money online while living in Mexico. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr make it easy to find work. Upwork is best for finding long-term clients who need ongoing work. Fiverr works better for selling specific, one-off services. Many successful freelancers start with freelance writing or content creation. These have a relatively low barrier to entry.
The economics of freelancing from Mexico are compelling. You can charge competitive US market rates while enjoying a lower cost of living. A freelance writer earning $0.10 per word can make $2,000 monthly with just a few regular clients.
Unlike many online business models, freelancing requires no upfront investment. You can start earning immediately with just your laptop and internet connection. Many digital nomads in Mexico start with freelancing to fund their lifestyle.
For example, Simon Wijers from the Netherlands worked online in Mexico, doing freelance web design work. He primarily performs work for Dutch clients. This enables him to earn a suitable rate for his services while enjoying the affordable cost of living and travel opportunities in Mexico.
3. Write a travel blog
Starting a travel blog focused on Mexico can be a great way to make money online. Mexico offers diverse destinations and experiences for travelers. As such, there's plenty of content to write about. A successful Mexico travel blog can attract readers looking for insider tips and recommendations.
Successful travel bloggers typically earn between $3,000 and $7,000/month, according to Domain Wheel. However, establishing a successful blog takes time. Achieving a full-time income through a blog takes 3 years and 11 months on average, according to Productive Blogging.
A prime example of a successful Mexico travel blog is Let's Travel To Mexico by Isabella. Isabella, who was born in Italy, has been living in Cancun, Mexico since 2010. Her blog covers travel destinations across Mexico. It provides her with a lucrative online income stream while residing in the country.
To get started, choose a niche within Mexico travel. This could be budget backpacking, luxury resorts, food tours, or off-the-beaten-path adventures. Pick a topic you're passionate and knowledgeable about.
Create engaging content by sharing personal stories, practical advice, and high-quality photos. Write detailed guides on popular destinations like Puebla, Mexico City, and Cozumel. Include useful information on transportation, accommodations, and activities.
Monetize the blog through various methods:
- Affiliate marketing for hotels, tours, and travel gear
- Sponsored posts featuring Mexican tourism boards or travel companies
- Display advertising once traffic grows
- Selling digital products like ebooks or travel itineraries
Living in Mexico provides an advantage for travel bloggers. It allows for firsthand experiences and up-to-date information. Regular exploration of new places keeps content fresh and authentic.
4. Create YouTube videos
YouTube offers a way to earn money online in Mexico. Content creators can make videos on topics they enjoy or know well. Popular subjects include Mexican culture, travel, food, and language lessons.
For example, Hillary and Greg of the Kinetic Kennons YouTube channel create content about living in Mexico. Much of their content revolves around their life in Puerto Vallarta, a popular beach town in the Mexican state of Jalisco.
YouTubers generate income through a variety of methods. These primarily include Adsense revenue from the YouTube Partnership Program, sponsorship deals, affiliate marketing, and merchandise sales. Adsense pays $18 per 1,000 views on average, according to Influencer Marketing Hub. Most YouTubers are eligible for Adsense earnings after between 6 to 24 months of consistent content production.
To start, you need basic equipment like a smartphone or camera. Good lighting and audio quality are also important. Upload videos regularly to build an audience.
5. Become a social media influencer
Living in Mexico provides unique content opportunities for aspiring social media influencers. Mexico's vibrant culture, beautiful locations, and lower cost of living are perfect for attracting a social media following.
Most successful Mexico-based influencers focus on specific content niches. Popular angles include Mexico travel guides, expat lifestyle content, and cost-of-living comparisons. The key is choosing content themes that attract both travelers and potential expats interested in Mexico.
Chingu Amiga is one of the most popular foreign social media influencers in Mexico. She provides the unique perspective of being a Korean living in Mexico. Chingu Amiga has amassed over 12 million followers on Instagram and 27 million on TikTok.
You can monetize your following through brand partnerships, sponsored posts, and digital products. For reference, a social media influencer with over 1 million followers can charge upwards of $10,000 per post, according to the Business of Apps. Many brands are specifically looking for English-speaking influencers with audiences interested in Mexico. You can reach out to tourism companies, hotels, and international brands for sponsorships.
The barrier to entry is low. You only need a smartphone and basic editing skills to start. However, building a profitable following can take between 6-12 months of consistent posting. Most successful influencers diversify across multiple platforms to maximize reach and income potential. The most popular include Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
6. Start a digital marketing agency
Starting a digital marketing agency in Mexico lets you tap into both US and Mexican markets. US clients often pay higher rates, while Mexican businesses face less competition in digital marketing. This creates opportunities to serve both markets effectively.
Most successful agencies start by focusing on one service. Popular options include SEO, PPC ads management (i.e. Google Ads, FB Ads) and social media management. Starting with a single service lets you build expertise and case studies faster. You can expand your service offerings as your agency grows.
Digital marketing agencies typically charge between $500 to $10,000/month per client. Digital agency profit margins usually fall between 10% to 30%, according to Digital Agency Network.
One of the biggest advantage of running an agency from Mexico is the ability to hire local talent at competitive rates. This lets you scale your agency while maintaining healthy profit margins. As your client base grows, you can build a team of Mexican marketers and designers to handle client work.
7. Sell Ecommerce products
Selling Ecommerce products is a location-independent opportunity you can do from Mexico. There are many business models to choose from, such as Amazon FBA private label or Shopify dropshipping. These business models can allow you to sell products to the lucrative US market while enjoying a more affordable cost of living in Mexico.
Ecommerce products typically generate profit margins between 10% to 40%. Most Amazon sellers earn between $1,000 to $25,000 in revenue, according to FBA Masterclass. The average Shopify store generates $67,000 in revenue per year, according to Oyova.
Spanish speakers living in Mexico can consider the unique opportunity of selling on Mercado Libre. Mercado Libre is Latin America's largest ecommerce platform. The Mexican ecommerce market is less saturated than Amazon US, with fewer sophisticated sellers. Living in Mexico gives you direct access to local suppliers. It also equips you with a better understanding of Mexican consumer preferences. A potential strategy is to test products on Mercado Libre with lower initial investment and less competition.
8. Sell an online course
Creating and selling online courses is a popular online business model that works well from Mexico. Platforms like Udemy let you turn your skills into a digital product. Common course topics include programming, digital marketing, or business skills. Once created, courses can often generate passive income with minimal ongoing work.
A unique opportunity exists for people living in Mexico. Many aspiring digital nomads want to move to Mexico but lack practical knowledge. You can offer courses about visa processes, finding apartments, managing finances, and navigating daily life in Mexico. Your real experience living in Mexico becomes valuable teaching content.
American travel YouTuber Where's Wes? created a course like this for Colombia. He created and published YouTube content about his life in Colombia for over 3 years. Once he had a solid audience base on YouTube, he created and began promoting his Thinkific course teaching expats how to move to Colombia for $387.
Course prices vary by platform and topic. Udemy courses often sell for just $15-50. However, specialized courses about living in Mexico can command $200-500 if you have your own marketing channel. The key is building authority in your niche through social media or a blog.
Spanish speakers have additional opportunities through Latin American course platforms. Hotmart and Educatina serve the Spanish-speaking market with less competition than English platforms.
Why do American digital nomads choose Mexico?
How can you earn money online for free in Mexico?
You can earn money online for free in Mexico by taking paid surveys. Platforms like PrizeRebel, OfferNation, and Surveoo will pay you for completing simple surveys. You can make between $0.41 and $2.03 per hour by participating in paid surveys, according to a study by Nerd Wallet.
How do you access your online earnings in Mexico?
You can access your online earnings in Mexico through a variety of methods. You can usually pay with the debit card or credit card of your American bank. Most Mexican merchants accept major credit card brands like Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. One popular option for Americans is to open a Charles Schwab checking account. This bank account doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee when withdrawing cash from the ATM. You can get paid through your Paypal account, transfer the money to the Charles Schwab account, and withdraw your money in Mexico as pesos.
Another option is to open a bank account with one of Mexico’s major financial institutions, such as Banco Santander or BBVA Bancomer. You can then use a money transfer service, like Remitly or Wise. Money transfer services let you send dollars from your American bank account and receive pesos in your Mexican bank account. Some money transfer providers even allow for cash pickup as an alternative option. Mobile wallet options, like Google Wallet, are also growing in popularity in Mexico. Although Google Pay isn't common for in-person transactions, many Mexicans use Google Pay for online payments.
What are the best online courses for digital nomads in Mexico?
Nomad Mentoring: Leverage remote jobs while building an online business
Nomad Mentoring is a course by Manuel Krapf and Samuel Peiffer. It teaches aspiring digital nomads to be location independent. The program aims to help students reach $10K/month while living as a digital nomad within a year of starting.
Digital Global Nomads: Ecommerce automation
Digital Global Nomads is a program by Serioja Glorie. It helps students set up an automated Ecommerce business through Amazon or Walmart. The program leverages dropshipping and Ecommerce automation strategies to achieve this.
Conclusion: What is the most profitable thing to do online?
The most profitable thing to do online is freelancing. That’s because freelancers just exchange their time and skills for money, so profit margins can often reach 100%. However, freelancing isn’t scalable. Your profit potential is capped at how many hours you work. As such, many people prefer to start an online business to maximize their profit potential. The most profitable online business model is local lead generation. The local lead generation business model boasts relatively low overhead costs. This allows agency owners to enjoy profit margins of upwards of 90%.
The local lead generation business model is also highly scalable. Once you get a lead gen site to rank on Google and partner with a local service business owner, these assets often generate passive income. They require minimal ongoing work, so you can focus on scaling. That's how I've been able to scale my own local lead generation business to over $50K/month. You can check out the same online lead gen program that I took to learn the business model.
