Working remotely with your partner sounds like a dream. Laptops on the beach. Sunset cocktails after meetings. Adventures on the weekends.
But here's the truth. It can also be challenging.
My partner and I have been living the digital nomad life in Puerto Vallarta for a while now. We've learned a lot about staying productive while keeping our relationship strong. And honestly? PV is one of the best places we've found to do both.
Let me share what's worked for us.
Why Puerto Vallarta Works for Remote Couples
Puerto Vallarta has this magic balance. It's got reliable infrastructure for work. Fast WiFi. Great cafes. But it also has that laid-back vibe that reminds you why you chose this lifestyle in the first place.
The Zona Romántica neighborhood is our home base. It's walkable. It's got everything you need within a few blocks. And the energy here is perfect for couples who want adventure without chaos.
Plus, the time zone works great if you have clients in the US or Canada. No more 3 AM calls.
Setting Up Your Workspace
This is where a lot of nomad couples struggle. You're sharing a small space. You're both on calls. Someone's always typing too loud.
Here's what we figured out.
Get a place with enough room to spread out. A studio might sound romantic, but trust me. You need separate corners. We've found that condo and apartment rentals puerto vallarta often have open floor plans that let you create distinct work zones without feeling cramped.
Invest in good headphones. This is non-negotiable. Noise-canceling headphones saved our relationship. No joke.
Create visual boundaries. Even a small plant or a lamp can signal "this is my work zone." It sounds silly, but it helps your brain switch into work mode.
Building a Routine That Works for Both of You
Routines are everything when you're working remotely. But here's the catch. Your routine and your partner's routine might look completely different.
My partner is a morning person. I'm not. So we don't force ourselves into the same schedule.
Instead, we sync up on a few key things:
- Morning coffee together. No phones. Just us. Even if it's just 15 minutes.
- Lunch break at the same time. We walk to a nearby taco spot or cook something simple.
- End-of-day check-in. We share wins, vent about frustrations, and plan our evening.
The rest of the day? We do our own thing. And that's okay.
Finding Time Apart
This sounds counterintuitive. You moved abroad with your partner to spend MORE time together, right?
But here's what we learned the hard way. Being together 24/7 is exhausting. Even when you love someone deeply.
Puerto Vallarta makes this easy. There's so much to do here on your own.
I started going to yoga classes on the beach a few mornings a week. It's my time. My partner hits the gym or goes for runs along the Malecón.
Having separate activities gives us something to talk about later. It keeps things interesting.
Some other solo activities we love here:
- Walking through the art galleries downtown
- Grabbing a coffee and people-watching at a cafe
- Exploring different neighborhoods on foot
- Taking a Spanish class
When we come back together, we actually have things to share. That matters more than you'd think.
Quality Time vs. Just Being in the Same Room
There's a big difference between sitting next to someone while you both scroll your phones and actually connecting.
We fell into that trap early on. We were "together" all day but never really present with each other.
Now we schedule real quality time. Not just hanging out. Actual dates.
Tuesday nights we try a new restaurant. Saturday mornings we explore a new beach or take a day trip. We treat these like appointments we can't cancel.
Communication is Everything
When you work and live together, small annoyances can snowball fast.
We've learned to communicate about the little stuff before it becomes big stuff.
"Hey, I have an important call at 2. Can you keep it quiet?"
"I'm feeling stressed today. I might need some extra space."
"Can we have a no-work dinner tonight? I miss just talking to you."
These conversations feel awkward at first. But they prevent so many arguments.
We also check in about our individual work lives. Just because we're both working from the same condo doesn't mean we know what's going on with each other's jobs. Asking "how's that project going?" shows you care.
Protecting Your Relationship from Burnout
Remote work burnout is real. And when both partners are burned out at the same time? That's rough.
Here's how we protect ourselves:
Set firm end times. When 6 PM hits, laptops close. Period.
Take real weekends. It's tempting to work seven days a week when you're your own boss. Don't. Your relationship needs those off days.
Get outside every day. Puerto Vallarta has incredible weather most of the year. Use it. A sunset walk on the beach costs nothing and does wonders for your mental health.
Say no to overcommitting. We've turned down projects that would've meant working nights and weekends. The money isn't worth it if we're too exhausted to enjoy our life here.
The Best Part of Doing This in Puerto Vallarta
I've worked remotely from a lot of places. Big cities. Beach towns. Mountain villages.
Puerto Vallarta hits different.
The people are warm. The food is incredible. The sunsets are unreal. And there's a growing community of remote workers here, so you never feel alone.
When we finish work, we're not stuck inside some gray apartment in a cold city. We're walking along the ocean. We're grabbing fresh ceviche. We're watching pelicans dive for fish while sipping mezcal.
That changes everything.
It reminds us why we chose this life. And it gives us energy to show up for our work AND each other.
Final Thoughts
Being a digital nomad couple isn't always easy. You have to be intentional about your work, your space, and your relationship.
But when you find a place like Puerto Vallarta that supports all of that? It feels like everything clicks into place.
If you're thinking about trying this lifestyle with your partner, I'd say go for it. Just remember: create routines, protect your alone time, and never stop dating each other.
The adventure is worth it.
Follow along with our Puerto Vallarta adventures:
About the Author