Start your digital nomad life with the right gear

People inbox me with this question all the time! What’s the best place to live and work from as a digital nomad? If you have been wondering which countries are best for digital nomads also, read on.

For quite a while people have been travelling the world and making money to fund their travels by working online. These people have become known as digital nomads. Now, thanks to the covid pandemic, the world has become a much more connected place and working and making a living while travelling the world has become a very realistic proposition for anyone. And now, you want it to be you, But, you aren’t sure where to start and which country to choose.

Before you grab your passport and hit the road you should take into account a few things of where you are heading to first. Frankly, I think you can be a digital nomad anywhere. If you have your heart set on swapping your current home office or quitting your 9-5 job for an office near a white sandy beach, in a bustling European city, or a villa in a jungle then here are my top 10 digital nomad destinations for where you could start your digital nomad journey.

Firstly, What is a Digital Nomad?

Just in case you want to know, a digital nomad is a people who travels to different locations and use technology to perform their job. A lot of people who love to travel become digital nomads and they are not limited to solo travelers, there are many digital nomad families out there too! They make money online to fund their travelling lifestyle. A lifestyle that sees them visiting many countries for an extended period of time.

The Pros and Cons of Being a Digital Nomad

While being a digital nomad sounds glamorous, believe me, it can be hard work. It all sounds so simple, travel to a destination, set up your equipment, work, make money and travel. I wish it was that simple. This is probably why, digital nomads spend at least 3 months in the one place so they don’t have to keep setting up their equipment all the time! But there are plenty of positives to digital nomad life and as you travel the world, making money on line, you will discover what these are for yourself.

What makes a great digital nomad destination?

Every digital nomad is different and your needs may vary, but there are some essential requirements needed when evaluating a place to live and work from. Here are the most important things you will want to consider:

The Internet and Wifi

As we work online, fast internet access is essential. Without it, we cannot work effectively online. Obviously there are more frustrating things in life, but not for us digital nomads. A little investigating of how fast the wifi is in your next destination will not go astray. There is nothing worse than arriving somewhere with the intent of staying only to find wifi speeds are slow. I have found facebook groups in the city I am heading to very helpful for finding out such information. You can also google the speeds.

Cost-effective daily living

When starting out as a digital nomad, the cheaper your expenses the better. This is why many digital nomads set themselves up in cities known for being cheaper to live in and thus, your cost of living is cheaper. In general, these cities seem to be in Asia, Eastern Europe and South America. But, you can be a digital nomad in any city. You just may need to budget more for living expenses. So while working in London or New York may be amazing, they are not as cheap to live in as say, Bangkok.

Connecting with other Digital Nomads

Traveling the world as a solo person is amazing, but it can also be lonely. So finding a community of other digital nomads is a must to connect with like-minded people. Some digital nomads enjoy working in co-working spaces and living in places where they will meet other digital nomads. It can often help with your productivity and also your state of mind as you can get inspiration from others doing what you are doing. You don’t have to though, many digital nomads set themselves up in their own apartment and enjoy what the city has to offer.

Ability to Immerse yourself in your new city

This is the best part of being a digital nomad – and makes up the nomad part. And this is why most of us are doing what we are doing which is travelling the world and working on-line. So don’t forget to take the time to immerse yourself in your local surroundings. Discover the culture, the food, meet the locals and enjoy what the city and the country you have chosen has to offer. It will help in creating the work / life balance so many of us crave for choosing the digital nomad lifestyle.

Top 10 Digital Nomad Destinations – Best Cities for Digital Nomads

The list of countries now with, or are introducing a digital nomad visa is growing. Countries have realised the financial importance digital nomads bring to their country when allowed to live and work long term. And within these countries, there are some city digital nomad hotspots because of things mentioned before that digital nomads need and want. Here are 10 of the best cities for digital nomads:

Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

work on or by the beach

Canggu in Bali is the digital nomad destination that really put the digital nomad lifestyle on the map. It is said it was visiting surfers to Bali who hit on the idea to work online between breaks. It wasn’t long that co-working and co-living spaces were introduced to ensure a cheap lifestyle. So if you are seeking one of the best places for digital nomads to enjoy warm weather, surf, enjoy great food, live cheaply in villa accommodation then Bali is for you. And if you want to meet like-minded remote workers, this is a great place to do that with the digital nomad communities in existence.

Visa: no digital nomad visa. Tourist visa for 90 days then you will need to do a visa run.
Fast Wifi: yes, but depends on where you are.
Co-working spaces: yes, check out Dojo Bali and Outpost Canggu.
Living: easy to rent a villa, check out the Facebook group Bali Canggu Housing & Accommodation.
Networking: check out Facebook groups Digital Nomads Bali.

READ MORE: Bali Digital Nomad Guide

Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal is known for its beautiful beaches and football players, amongst other things. If you are looking for a nice sunny base in Europe then Lisbon in Portugal may be your chosen digital nomad base. Lisbon is also a vibrant city with plenty of places to play, eat and drink. There is a very good digital nomad infrastructure set up with co-living and co-working spaces and plenty of cafes for working. And the wifi speed is fast making it one of the best digital nomad destinations.

Visa: yes, there is a temporary residence for independent workers. One problem though, applications must demonstrate that their skills are needed in the country. You also have to register as a freelancer and the application process is lengthier than some of the others but it is worth it in the end. Read more about the Portugal Freelance Visa here.
Fast wifi: yes
Co-working spaces: yes, check out Heden (ww.heden.co) and Workhub Lisboa (www.workhub.pt).
Living: plenty of hotels, hostels and guesthouses but many opt to rent an apartment. Some co-working hubs have accommodation attached to them.
Networking: check out Facebook group Lisbon Digital Nomads.

READ MORE: Set yourself up with the right Tech Gear

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Get around like the locals

Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam is a hot digital nomad city. It is often one of the first cities, digital nomad’s ‘cut their teeth on’ on their digital nomad journey. Why? It has everything a digital nomad needs. Great facilities, fast wifi, cheap living, plenty of co-working spaces, networking opportunities and a fabulous and exotic culture to discover. Richard Branson once described Ho Chi Minh City as the next silicone valley due to the large tech workforce. And there are plenty of opportunities to explore this interesting country, thus making it one of the best locations for digital nomads.

Visa: eVisa available for a stay up to 3 months
Fast wifi: yes
Co-working spaces: yes, check out Dreamplex has a number of spaces in different districts. Also, Spieced CoWorking
Living: most digital nomads base themselves in Districts 1 – 3 and rent an apartment.
Networking: check out Facebook pages Expats in Ho Chi Minh City and Saigon Digital Nomads.

Medellin, Colombia, South America

If spending time in South America is on your radar, then consider this up and coming digital nomad hotspot of Medellin in Colombia. Medellin offers digital nomads many of the things they want and need to carry out their online work. The weather is rather good with very pleasant, sunny days. There are plenty of cool cafes, bars and restaurants to enjoy. And the cost of living is cheap compared to some of the other digital nomad destinations. Wifi is also very fast. All these things, as you know, create a very welcoming city for expats and digital nomads to set up. Medellin is a great base for travels in Colombia and further travels throughout South America.

Visa: Colombian Freelance Visa, Also you can work as a digital nomad on a visitor visa. Apply here.
Fast wifi: yes
Co-working and co-living spaces: for both co-working and co-living space check out Selina or Siembra Coworking/Ofizen or you could rent an apartment in areas such as Ciudad del Rio, Estadio or Laureles.
Networking: check out Facebook page Digital Nomads Medellin.

READ MORE: Best jobs for digital nomads

Tbilisi, Georgia

Discover old and new architecture

One of the best countries for digital nomads in Europe is Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, a country in the Caucasus region. This is an area in the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. And Tbilisi is a city increasingly being chosen by digital nomads from around the world to set up in and live, work and play. As well as Georgia offering vibrant cities, diverse culture and beautiful landscapes it is a great base to explore the rest of Europe from. Digital nomads love Tbilisi because it is safe, affordable, you only pay 1% tax if you are a business (up to USD150,000 annual turnover) and there is a digital nomad visa allowing you to stay for up to a year. Add plenty of co-working options and cafes and a good network of other digital nomads. No wonder, with all this on offer, many are choosing Tbilisi are a digital nomad destination.

Visa: yes, get the details on working remotely here.
Fast wifi: yes
Co-working: check out Impact Hub Tbilisi
Living: Just outside the centre of town in the districts of Vake and Avlabari you will find some inexpensive apartments. However, heating is minimal so ensure you have warm clothes for winter.
Networking: check out the Facebook groups Tbilisi Digital Nomads and Tbilisi Expats Community.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is found in the north of Thailand, some 700 km north of the capital of Bangkok. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a mix of nature, temples in a bustling city. It was the digital nomad capital of the world before the pandemic started. Chiang Mai is hugely attractive to digital nomads because of its low cost of living, great street food, 24-hour cafes, co-working spaces, great lifestyle and fast wifi. Sounds very conducive to working online and being able to immerse yourself in the local environment. What else could you want from one of the best digital nomad destinations you could live and work abroad in?

Visa: 90 day visitor visa. Thailand government has approved a 10-year program for remote workers and investors. Read this info on being a digital nomad in Thailand first.
Fast wifi: yes
Co-working: check out Punspace and C.A.M.P.Ais
Living: Hostels and hotels are cheap and many digital nomads stay in them. However, if you want some space there are serviced apartments and rooms for rent.
Networking: check out the Facebook groups Chiang Kai Digital Nomads and Digital Nomad Coffee Club.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Enjoy the watersports while in Mexico as a digital nomad

Playa del Carmen is found on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexica. Facing the Caribbean Sea it offers digital nomads a fabulous tropical vibe with lively cafes, fast internet connection and co-working spaces. Throw in Mexican food and culture, fabulous vibrant cities of Mexico City and Cancun along with Mayan ruins and you will know why this has become a popular, if not one of the most popular digital nomad and remote worker hotspots. And if you choose Mexico to live and work in, you will discover why it is on this best places for digital nomad list.

Visa: It is possible to stay in Mexico for up to six months on a tourist visa but The Mexico temporary resident visa is the way to go if you want to stay for a full year in the country. And it can be extended for up to three times. Read more about the Mexico Temporary Resident Visa here.
Fast wifi: yes
Co-working: check out Nest Coworking and Work Zone Coworking .
Living: There are plenty of cheap hostels and hotels to get your bearings in as well as Airbnb accommodation. There are loads of letting agencies to find an apartment through.
Networking: check out the Facebook pages of Digital Nomads Play Del Carmen Cancun Tulum and Expats in Playa del Carmen.

READ MORE: Mexicio Digital Nomad Visa: Requirements & How to Apply

Tallinn, Estonia

If you are weighing up digital nomad countries in Europe, you will find Estonia in Northern European bordered by Latvia in the south and Russia to the East. And there is plenty of north and western coastline that borders the Baltic Sea. So it may not be the Caribbean but there is plenty of ocean to enjoy. There are also many towns such as the Baroque inspired capital Tallinn. How inspiring would that be? Throw in a cheap cost of living and fast wifi and you have a popular digital nomad city.

Visa: Since 2014 Estonia has been running an e-residency program to attract entrepreneurs. And has so far attracted around 70,000 foreigners to the program. From 1 August 2020 Estonia launched a digital nomad visa that allows a stay to live and work for up to 12 months. Read more about The Republic of Estonia Digital Nomad Visa here.
Fast wifi: yes
Co-working: check out Lift 99 and Spring Hub
Living: Most digital nomads start out in a hostel of which there are a number targeted at remote workers. Most find an apartment outside the city centre in neighbourhoods of Telliskivi and Noblessner.
Networking: check out the Facebook groups Digital Nomads Tallin and Expats in Tallinn, Estonia.

READ MORE: Best travel insurance for digital nomads

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

Enjoy the local foods on your digital nomad journey – Mojo Picon Sauce in the Canary Islands

Wanting a place with year-round warm weather, great wifi, cheap living and plenty of culture to run your online business? Well Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain might have to be top of your list. People love this place because it is big enough to have all the ‘big city’ things you want, plus is small enough to discover by foot. Add great beaches and plenty of water sports there are plenty of activities to keep you busy when not working online.

Visa: check out the self-employment work visa allowing you to live and work in Spain for up to a year. Read more about the Spain Self-employment Work Visa here.
Fast wifi: yes
Co-working: check out CoworkingC and The House
Living: The House as well as offering co-working spaces offers co-living with kitchens, a roof top deck plus other homely offerings.
Networking: check out the Facebook pages Gran Canaria Digital Nomad and Las Palmas Info.

READ MORE: Living and Working in Spain – an Expats Guide

Budapest, Hungary, Eastern Europe

The Hungarian capital of Budapest has beautiful grand historic buildings that are very inspiring to digital nomads. Add cheap living and great food then you will know why this is becoming a hot digital nomad destination. If you don’t want the constant year-round heat of some destinations, Hungary offers warm summers and freezing cold winters with snow. There is also great wi-fi and co-working spaces.

Visa: holiday visa up to 90 days
Fast wifi: yes
Co-working: co-working is very strong at Kaptar and Kubik Coworking
Living: Digital nomads are preferring the suburbs of District X1 in Buda and then play in the centre of town.
Networking: check out Facebook pages Digital Nomads Budapest and Digital Nomad Hungary

More Top Destinations for Digital Nomads

As said previously, any where could be your next digital nomad or remote worker destination. Here are a few more popular digital nomad cities that meet the digital nomad requirements.

Seoul, South Korea
Cape Town, South Africa
Split, Croatia
Tirana, Albania
Belgrade, Serbia
Bocas del Toro, Panama
Quito, Ecuador
Tarifa, Spain
Bangkok, Thailand
Berlin, Germany

Final Words on Top Digital Nomad Destinations

As you have read, there are many cities that are very attractive to digital nomads and remote workers for a number of reasons. When your work is portable and you can take your work equipment with you, the world is your oyster. Are you currently a digital nomad or remote online worker? Or starting your journey? I’d love to hear where you have set up home for a while.