Building a remote nearshore sales or marketing team in Latin America offers U.S. companies a strategic advantage—combining cost efficiency, cultural alignment, and real-time collaboration. As remote work surges globally, Latin America stands out as a hub for skilled professionals who work your hours and understand your market.
Why Nearshoring to Latin America Makes Sense for Remote Teams
Remote hiring from Latin America has skyrocketed—growing by 286% in late 2021 and continuing at 161% in early 2022, outpacing other regions like EMEA and Asia Pacific by over 30%. This growth reflects more than just cost savings. LATAM professionals offer:
- Time zone alignment: Most countries share or closely match U.S. business hours, enabling live communication and quick decision-making.
- English proficiency: Over 80% of remote workers in Colombia and Mexico in customer-facing roles speak fluent English.
- Cultural compatibility: Shared work ethics and communication styles reduce friction and boost teamwork.
- Cost savings: Hiring a skilled LATAM developer or sales rep costs 30–50% less than U.S. equivalents, often saving $30,000+ annually per hire.
- Lower turnover: Remote teams in LATAM report higher engagement and retention than domestic hires.
Nearshoring to LATAM is not just a budget play—it’s a smart business move to access motivated, well-educated talent who thrive in remote environments.
Government Support for Remote Work in Latin America: A Growing Advantage
Latin American governments have recognized remote work as a key driver of economic growth and workforce formalization. Since the pandemic, countries across the region have enacted progressive legislation to regulate and promote teleworking, creating a more secure and supportive environment for remote employees and employers alike.
Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Peru have introduced laws that go beyond basic labor protections. These regulations establish clear frameworks for teleworking agreements, mandate employer provision of necessary equipment, and require reimbursement of remote work expenses such as internet, electricity, and phone costs.
Importantly, many also enshrine the right to disconnect, protecting employees from work-related contact outside agreed hours—a crucial factor in maintaining work-life balance in remote setups.
For example:
- Colombia’s Law 2121 of 2021 requires employers to respond promptly to telework requests and allows employees to work remotely even from abroad with employer approval. It also mandates medical exams and ergonomic assessments to ensure remote work health standards.
- Brazil’s Law No. 14,442/22 formalizes telework contracts and introduces food allowance provisions, extending protections to interns and apprentices.
- Mexico’s updated labor laws require employers to maintain telework policies, protect employee health and safety, and cover telework-related costs. New regulations also emphasize mental health and safety in remote environments.
- Costa Rica’s amendments include extraterritorial labor risk insurance for employees working abroad, reflecting the growing trend of cross-border remote work.
These laws reflect a regional commitment to formalizing remote work, improving job security, and fostering a professional ecosystem conducive to remote collaboration. They reduce legal uncertainty and compliance risk for U.S. companies hiring nearshore talent, making Latin America a more attractive and stable destination for remote teams.
Working Remotely with Latin American Talent: What to Expect
Cultural differences exist but are strengths, not barriers. Scale Army’s own LATAM team members live and work within these cultures daily. They understand how to balance respect for hierarchy with the U.S. preference for direct communication. For example:
- Latin American professionals often emphasize relationship-building before business, which fosters trust and long-term loyalty.
- Communication tends to be polite and indirect, but with coaching, LATAM hires adapt quickly to American directness without losing warmth.
- Flexibility with time and deadlines reflects a people-first mindset, which can enhance creativity and problem-solving when managed well.
These differences create a complementary dynamic. U.S. teams gain patience and relational skills; LATAM teams gain clarity and efficiency. Scale Army’s bilingual, bicultural staff guide clients and candidates through this blend, smoothing onboarding and ongoing collaboration.
Scale Army’s Unique Edge: Internal LATAM Expertise
Unlike many staffing firms, Scale Army employs team members across Latin America who bring lived experience of local markets, languages, and business customs. This internal presence means:
- We vet candidates with a deep understanding of cultural fit and language fluency.
- We provide clients with realistic expectations and tailored onboarding strategies.
- We act as cultural translators, helping U.S. managers lead remote teams effectively.
- We support candidates with training on U.S. sales and marketing tools, ensuring faster ramp-up.
This insider knowledge reduces miscommunication and accelerates productivity. It also reassures clients that the “gap” between LATAM and U.S. talent is manageable—and often an asset.
Practical Benefits of Nearshore Remote Teams
- Faster hiring cycles: LATAM candidates accept offers within 1–2 weeks on average, speeding your time to market.
- High digital skills: 84% of LATAM employers invest in digital upskilling, producing a workforce ready for SaaS, tech sales, and digital marketing roles.
- Growing remote work preference: Nearly half of LATAM workers prefer fully remote or hybrid models, increasing talent availability.
- Robust collaboration tools: LATAM teams are proficient with Slack, Zoom, HubSpot, Salesforce, and other platforms essential for remote success.
Nearshoring as a Business Venture
Expanding your workforce into Latin America is a strategic extension of your business. The region’s growing tech hubs—Mexico City, Bogotá, São Paulo, Buenos Aires—offer access to innovation and new market insights. Nearshoring positions your company to tap into emerging economies, diversify risk, and build resilience.
With rising venture capital and government support for digital infrastructure and remote work, LATAM is rapidly closing the digital skills gap. This momentum makes nearshoring a sustainable, long-term solution rather than a short-term cost-cutting measure.
Don’t Be the Last to Move: Why LATAM Nearshoring Can’t Wait
Remote nearshore hiring in Latin America blends cost savings, cultural affinity, and operational efficiency. Scale Army’s internal LATAM team ensures you don’t just hire talent—you build partnerships that thrive across borders. Differences become strengths, time zones become collaboration windows, and distance becomes a bridge.
Explore how Scale Army can help you build a nearshore sales or marketing team that fits your culture, works your hours, and drives growth from day one.
Sources
1. Seyfarth Shaw LLP. (2022, March 15). *Remote Work Update in Latin America: Latest Developments*. Retrieved from https://www.seyfarth.com/news-insights/remote-work-update-in-latin-america-latest-developments.html
2. Europortage. (2024, October 2). *Hiring Remote Workers in Latin America: Compliance Essentials*. Retrieved from https://europortage.com/hiring-remote-workers-in-latin-america-compliance-essentials/
3. CMS Law. (2024, May 7). *Remote Working Legislation, Laws & Regulations in Colombia*. Retrieved from https://cms.law/en/int/expert-guides/cms-expert-guide-to-remote-working/colombia
4. L&E Global. (2025). *Mexico: 2025, Looking Ahead*. Retrieved from https://leglobal.law/countries/mexico/looking-ahead-2025-mexico/
5. World Economic Forum. (2025, April 22). *The Future of Jobs in Latin America and the Caribbean: Digital Skills Gap Must Close Quickly to Satisfy Evolving Employer Demands*. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/04/the-future-of-jobs-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean-digital-skills-gap-must-close-quickly-to-satisfy-evolving-employer-demands/
6. RemoFirst. *Hidden Gems: Hiring Remote Workers in Colombia*. Retrieved from https://www.remofirst.com/post/remote-hiring-colombia
7. Wow Remote Teams. (2025). *Latin America Minimum Wages Guide for 2025*. Retrieved from https://wowremoteteams.com/blog/latin-america-minimum-wages/
8. Deel. (2025). *Digital Nomad Visas for Remote Work: The Complete 2025 List*. Retrieved from https://www.deel.com/blog/remote-work-visas/
