Klook offers International eSIM options for flexible mobile data before or during travel.

Localrent helps decide on car rental options for wineries, mountain areas, and trips outside Mendoza.

BikesBooking used for comparing bike rental options for parks, trails, and short-distance movement in Mendoza.

Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links, meaning Structured Nomad may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

The second week of South American living allowed me to further settle into the work routine and everyday living within Argentina. One of my first experiences with walking to the corner store to grab toiletries and everyday needs began here. In the United States, it’s customary to make a visit to the local supermarket via vehicle. Even walking miles away felt more natural, and the barrio setup encouraged by-foot mobility.

The living cost when having to make visits across town was surprisingly more affordable, and service when visiting shops and ordering food was above satisfactory.

The language barrier during this time of my travels also had no negative impact, even though there were clear barriers to overcome. Being resourceful and open minded during these moments made all the tasks and items to complete doable.

The days started around regular business hours in the morning and ended once the sun came down. In the month of April, you can expect Mendoza sunrise to occur around 7:50 AM and sunset around 8 PM.

About an hour a day was allocated towards running through the park. Public parks are plentiful throughout this region if that’s something of interest during your travels.

You can expect a morning order at your local café or bakery to range from $2 to $5 USD for a coffee, which sometimes comes with a medialuna or pastry of choice. The location visited almost every day was Kava Café de Especialidad. It is located right outside of the Mendoza Shopping Center. Staff were friendly and patient with non-Spanish speaking individuals.

Another early meal option in Mendoza that was visited often was Havanna. These are super popular café locations distributed all across Argentina. This being my first visit to one, I was not let down. Depending on the location you go to, they offer a comprehensive breakfast menu along with customizable coffee selections. Their drink sizes are very generous, as well as the food portions.

It’s slightly more costly than your local bakery, but worth the treat. Waffle con frutos rojos with a café con leche became a repeat order.

Regarding transportation costs, a 20-minute ride using Uber across the city ranges from $5 to $8 USD, sometimes less depending on demand. This was a nice benefit of residing in Mendoza. Compared to other Latin American cities visited, this was by far the most affordable for rideshare transportation.

For travelers seeking an alternative to rideshare and public transportation, LocalRent operates rental services across Mendoza and the surrounding Andean region.

One thing to note if you’re not familiar with the terrain are the deeply built gutters that run alongside many streets. If you aren’t careful, an incident can occur, as there aren't always warnings of when the ground falls into one. Just be cognizant of them while walking.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Argentina has more national holidays and nonworking days when compared to a country such as the United States. There were a total of four during my four-week stay, so alternative plans were made for grabbing food and essentials on those specific days.

The myriad of parks and walking and running trails made walking more favorable for anything within a short distance. Another distinction that stood out having arrived previously from North America. For ones interested in active transportation options, BikesBookings has options for you.

During the second week in Mendoza, internet reception became one of the more frustrating parts of the remote work setup. This could have been related to the positioning of my lodging unit or simply how reception was distributed throughout Guaymallén. Either way, the previous setup using a Solis portable router was no longer giving the consistency needed for client work.

This pushed me toward a more comprehensive option through an eSIM provider, with Klook being one platform worth considering before traveling.

An eSIM is essentially a digital version of the physical SIM card traditionally inserted into a phone. Instead of purchasing and swapping a small chip when entering a new country, an eSIM plan can usually be installed directly onto a compatible phone by scanning a QR code. Once activated, the phone connects to a supported local cellular network.

For remote workers, there are a few advantages to this setup:

This becomes especially useful when moving around Latin America. Reliable internet access keeps you agile and connected with clients, team members, email, messaging platforms, and work systems even when you’re away from your lodging Wi-Fi.

Coverage will still depend on the local network and the specific eSIM plan, and cellular service generally won’t work while airborne unless the flight offers its own connectivity.

The main tradeoff is battery usage. Since the phone is handling both cellular data and potentially providing a hotspot to other devices, carrying a power bank becomes important.

For someone working remotely while frequently changing countries, the simplicity is what makes the eSIM setup attractive. Instead of managing another physical device, the connection travels directly with the phone already in your pocket.

For international eSIM options before your next trip, you can compare available plans through Klook.

As of August 2026, Argentina continues offering a dedicated immigration pathway for digital nomads who want to remain in the country longer while working remotely. The Digital Nomad residence is available to nationals of countries that do not require a tourist visa to enter Argentina and is designed for individuals providing remote services to companies or clients located outside the country.

The residence can be granted for up to 180 days and may be extended for another similar period. Applicants should be prepared to provide a valid passport, information on their professional background, and documentation proving their remote work activity, such as contracts, company letters, invoices, or income records. Those requesting an extension must also provide proof of income earned during the original residence period.

Global Country Reforms & Updates

U.S. citizens no longer require a tourist visa after the United States and seven other countries were moved into Bolivia’s visa-exempt Group I. The change took effect in December 2025, removing the previous $160 USD tourist visa requirement for Americans. Tourist stays remain limited to a maximum of 90 days per year.

Source: Bolivia Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

New immigration fees took effect on July 1, 2026 following a 5% increase in the national minimum wage. The country also updated financial-solvency requirements for permanent residency beginning July 6. Paraguay received 33,243 residency applications during the first half of 2026, a 62% increase from the same period in 2025.

Source: Paraguay Dirección Nacional de Migraciones.

Beginning July 2026, Moroccan passport holders with a valid U.S. or Schengen visa became exempt from obtaining a separate Peruvian tourist visa. Eligible travelers may stay for up to 183 days within one year.

Source: Peru Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Stay connected with the brand using the links below. Walking videos, city snapshots, article updates, and behind-the-scenes moments from life abroad.

If you enjoy this read your highly likely to find the recommended reads enjoyable as well. See below.

Mendoza continued to feel more familiar during the second week, with everyday routines, local cafés, and the city’s walkability making daily life easier to navigate. Next week, we’ll spill more and go into experiences beyond typical day-to-day life.

Until next dispatch,
Structured Nomad