Insider Tips for a Smooth Relocation to Latin America

You've picked your country. Now come the decisions that actually shape your daily life: the neighborhood, the lease, the banking setup, and the friendships. After years of living and working across Latin America, here is what we'd tell anyone making the move.

Pick the neighborhood, not just the country

Most regions in Latin America have expat hotspots, either clusters of neighborhoods in big cities or entire smaller towns. Some people want to land inside one of these communities; others prefer a more local area for deeper cultural immersion. In Mexico, expat communities are strong in most regions, so if you want distance from them, look outside the centers of smaller towns.

Different neighborhoods also attract different kinds of expats. In Buenos Aires, Palermo draws a large digital nomad crowd while Belgrano is home to many expat retirees. Know which kind of community you want before you commit.

Two more filters worth applying:

• Transportation. If you won't have a car, confirm that taxis, buses, or a subway run at the hours you'll actually use them. If you're drawn to a rural area, staying within an hour's drive of a city keeps you close to better shopping, banking, dining, medical care, and usually an immigration office. Living within an hour of an airport matters if you'll travel often.
• Culture fit. Smaller towns can carry an unofficial dress code, meaning more modest clothing for everyone. Cities and beach towns are far more relaxed. Depth of culture varies too: in Peru, daily life in Lima feels modern while Cusco feels historical. Decide which version of Latin America you want to wake up in.

Airbnb first, lease second

Locking in a long-term rental before you arrive sounds organized, but book an Airbnb for the first month or two instead. You'll test the neighborhood and preview long-term rentals in person before signing a lease that could run three months to three years.

Tenancy laws differ from the United States and vary by country, so read the contract before you sign. It will be in Spanish or Portuguese; bring a translator if you need one. In some regions you need residency to sign a long-term contract. If that applies to you, look for a furnished three or six-month tourist option. It costs a bit more but far less than staying in Airbnbs.

Accessing your money

Major credit cards are widely accepted, and ATM withdrawals with a debit card usually beat cash-exchange rates. Notify your bank before you travel, and confirm your ATM card works in your destination country. Get a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, and carry a backup card or second account: a replacement card can take days to reach you in Latin America. We travel with the Schwab Bank debit card, which charges no foreign exchange fees, rebates ATM fees, and includes travel benefits.

The Argentina exception

Argentina runs two exchange rates: the official dollar and the "blue dollar," the unofficial parallel rate. In 2023 the blue rate is a little more than double the official rate, so where you exchange matters enormously.

Avoid ATMs completely; they pay the official rate. Instead, send yourself money for cash pickup in pesos through Western Union, or bring US dollars in cash to exchange at the blue rate. Paying by Visa or Mastercard in shops and restaurants is a decent middle ground: you're charged the official rate, then partially refunded to land near the blue rate.

Language and friends

Spanish will open doors that English can't, from real conversations with locals to handling everyday errands. Get some basics down before you arrive; 1-on-1 tutoring is a good start, and daily practice takes over once you land.

Making friends is easier than most people expect. Expat meetups through Meetup.com or InterNations work well, and if you have a dog, the local park does the job on its own. Our favorite tactic: become a regular. Buy your coffee at the same cafe every morning, or join a weekly yoga, dance, or surf class, and friendships follow. Local friends are also your best safety net. In our own hard moments abroad, being able to ask a local where to buy a transport card, how to see a doctor, or where to exchange money has been priceless.

Get these pieces right early and the rest of the move tends to fall into place. If you'd like help planning yours, our team at Latam Plan B is happy to talk it through.