Best Digital Nomad Destinations In 2020, As Rated By 49 Digital Nomads

We recently put out the following query:

For digital nomads who have worked online abroad, what place(s) have you been and recommend? Looking to hear about some lesser known places other than just Chiang Mai etc. Comment what you liked about the place, its cost of living, internet access, suitability for spending 6-12+ months there working online and anything else.

We got dozens of great responses to that, and have listed them below. I really enjoyed reading these as there were a lot of places I’d never considered or even heard of for that matter. If you’re considering working remotely for a period of time as a digital nomad, I strongly recommend having a read through each of these and giving it some thought. You may just find a great place you’d never even heard of before. 🙂

Note we’ve only included interesting submissions recommending places that are relatively unknown – you won’t find Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Chiang Mai etc. in the list below, as there’s plenty of information on those already.

Below is a list of all the places people have recommended, along with link(s) to submissions recommending them:

  • Tbilisi, Georgia (link, link, link)
  • Goa, India (link)
  • Palawan, Philippines (link)
  • Malta (link)
  • Merida, Mexico (link, link)
  • Hiriketiya Bay, Sri Lanka (link)
  • Gran Canaria – Canaries (link)
  • Athens, Greece (link)
  • Kochi, India (link)
  • Kotor, Montenegro (link)
  • Marrakesh, Morocco (link)
  • Hoi An, Vietnam (link)
  • Belgrade, Serbia (link)
  • Kampo, Cambodia (link)
  • Valencia, Spain (link)
  • Gran Canaria, Spain (link)
  • Koh Phangan, Thailand (link)
  • Gdansk, Poland (link)
  • Batumi, Georgia (link)
  • Cape Town, South Africa (link, link, link, link)
  • San Juan, La Union, Philippines (link)
  • Tirana, Albania (link)
  • Naples, Italy (link)
  • Krakow, Poland (link)
  • Cairns, Australia (link)
  • Valencia, Spain (link)
  • Cabarete, Dominican Republic (link)
  • Antigua, Guatemala (link)
  • Atenas, Costa Rica (link)
  • Chapala, Mexico (link)
  • Mazatlan, Mexico (link)
  • Taiwan (link)
  • Granada, Spain (link)
  • Budapest, Hungary (link)
  • Kaohsiung, Taiwan (link)
  • Split, Croatia (link)
  • Canary Islands (link)
  • Medellin, Colombia (link, link)
  • Porto, Portugal (link)
  • Luang Prabang, Laos (link)
  • Kuching, Borneo, Malaysia (link)
  • Mexico City, Mexico (link)
  • Puerto Princesa City, Philippines (link)
  • Ukraine (link)

One of the best up and coming destinations for digital nomads is undoubtedly Tbilisi, Georgia. One of the main reasons for its increasing popularity is the fact that citizens of many countries receive a 360 day tourist visa on arrival that means you don't need to worry about visa runs as much! Wifi in Tbilisi is incredibly fast with free internet available in many cafes and restaurants as well as there being a number of co-working spaces in the city.

The cost of living in Tbilisi is very affordable compared to Western countries and Georgia in itself is a fantastic destination with many interesting places to visit including wine country, amazing mountains and beaches along the Black Sea.

Finally, Tbilisi is a very welcoming place for digital nomads with a small community of like-minded people and local initiatives such as WorkfromGeorgia where local companies allow digital nomads to co-work from their offices for free.

--Michael Rozenblit, The World Was Here First

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#michael

I've been a digital nomad since 2017 and one of my favourite places by far was Tbilisi, Georgia.

The WiFi was lightning fast and easy to find. There's still a lack of co-working spaces since it's not really a known digital nomad destination, but there are lots of social clubs, coffee shops and other spaces (e.g. a place called Fabrika) that function as co-working spaces.

Outside of work, Tbilisi is a really fun place to live! There's plenty to explore, Georgian cuisine is healthy and delicious, and it's one of the cheapest places I've ever lived. What's more, the locals are very hospitable despite the language barrier. If anything, the language barrier and lack of tourists/expats make it easy to immerse yourself in life there. There's also lots of great and unique places to visit on a day trip or overnight trip, including Batumi, Kutaisi and Ushguli. Georgia is such a unique country and I know lots of people who go back time and time again after visiting for the first time.

Spending time in Georgia is easy because many nationalities can get a free 12-month visa on arrival. It's one of the only year-long visas I know of and I can imagine it will become a very popular digital nomad spot in the next few years!

--Jodie Dewberry, Alajode

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#jodie

*Goa, India*

Specifically a place called Palolem in South Goa was absolute paradise. I've been traveling full time for 5 years and have visited 52 countries and this is my favourite place. It's a small and peaceful coastal village that is totally deserted in the off-season due to the monsoons. Between November and March it's a dream. Accommodation isn't that cheap considering the location, about $600 USD per month if you want something livable. All accommodation are beach shacks of varying quality within 100 yards of the sea. You can kayak amongst wild dolphins at sunset in a crescent bay. Internet is slow and unreliable, and there are regular power cuts. Our solution was to buy sim cards which were extremely cheap, and hotspot mobile data from them. Can't remember exactly but it was something like $10 for 20gb of data.

--Zach, Edumadic

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#zach

I'd like to throw the Philippines in the hat, due to its affordability, weather, countless beaches, and ever-improving internet. I've lived here for years on back-to-back tourist visas. I came on a lark and fell in love with the place.

(And fell in love with a local; we expect our first li'l sprout in September).

It's like Thailand circa 1994, but with internet.

It's raw, but still has all the conveniences of home. Its people are tough, but kind. It's one of the most welcoming places I've ever lived.

The visa situation is top drawer; they give you a national ID called an ACR Card so you can leave/return without an onward flight ticket, there's no visa runs required, and they've never turned down an extension.

The cost of living is between $600 - $1,200 per month, and that's living well.

Internet access has vastly improved over the years. It's almost as good as Bangkok in many areas.

What makes it more convenient is that English is ubiquitous anywhere you'd want to live.

I currently live in Palawan, and it's proved to be a great place to live during the coronavirus pandemic as well.

--Michael Hulleman, Hobo with a Laptop

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#michael2

One location we absolutely loved working remotely in was Malta. Located in the middle of the Meditteranean, Malta is very much a lesser known location for digital nomads, which is a massive shame! It's incredibly cheap and there are a bunch of companies offering long term lets in properties all across the island. Perhaps the biggest and best known is Short Lets Malta, which is also the company that we used.

Based on our experience living here, I would say that Sliema or St Julian's would be the best place to stay as these are the most lively areas with the biggest number of cafes and bars. We actually stayed a bit further out in St Paul's Bay. It's cheaper here and there are still a wide number of places to work and eat, but just not quite as many.

If you want to get around the island, then buses are a fixed price of either €1.50 or €3, depending on how far you are travelling.. They also have their own ride hailing service called Cool, which is very reasonable. WiFi is strong all across the island and we never had any issues. You can also pick up a cheap sim card which will cover your internet use if ever you decide to work somewhere even more remote, such as on the beach. As well as all this, what makes Malta such a great place to base yourself for 6 months or more is that there is an incredible amount to do here.

Despite being so small, the island has been inhabited for close to 7000 years so it has a fascinating history that you can learn about. It also has wonderful beaches and crystal blue waters, with consistent warm weather all throughout the year. The neighbouring islands of Comino and Gozo are also well worth a visit.

If you're from the UK (like us) then it's even better as flights here are super cheap.

--Bradley Williams, Dream Big, Travel Far

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#bradley

Location: *Merida, Mexico*

Description: The town of MĂ©rida on the YucutĂĄn peninsula is a great location for digital nomad. It is a rather quiet town but still has enough of culture and activities to offer. It is rather cheap in terms of living and eating and has a decent choice of restaurants, bars and clubs. Internet access is good and the overall infrastructure is good. Beaches are not far, weather is tropic and other nice destinations (Cancun, Holbox, Isla Mujeres etc.) are not far away. We spent 2 months there and loved it.

--Julian Schonfelder, apenoni.com

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#julian

I've lived and worked as a DN in countless places around the globe on more than four continents, but one of the most awesome in four years of full-time travel has definitely been Sri Lanka. We stayed in a hidden little town called Hiriketiya Bay on the south coast, attracted by the promise of two surf breaks (one for beginners and one for experts, to satisfy my girlfriend and I). It didn't disappoint. We'd get up at 6am to surf with turtles at sunrise, before breakfasts at our laptops in a local co-working spot called Verse Collective, which had shared office space and super-fast WiFi. Living costs were uber-low, with huge dinners of dal and curry costing just $3 each. Our accommodation was a simple but clean beach cottage with a small deck area, costing less than $15/day. We're already looking to go back.

--Joseph Francis, TheSurfAtlas.com

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#joseph

*Gran Canaria - Canaries*

Gran Canaria is perfect for digital nomads looking to escape for some winter sun, not only is it fairly reasonably priced when the rest of Europe is expensive (Due to UK school holidays) but it also offers a great outdoors lifestyle. Luckily, for digital nomads that tend to work during the day, the sun is still shining well into the evening, so you can grab your sunscreen and sunglasses and head to the beach after work.

In and around Las Palmas you'll find some decent cafes to work from and Internet speeds tend to be pretty quick at 28Mbps on average. A one-bedroom Airbnb apartment within a short walk from Las Canteras beach in Las Palmas will cost you around ÂŁ600 - ÂŁ1000 a month.

If you're the outdoor type, Gran Canaria offers plenty of winding nature trails to hike or bike. On the beach, there are some great surfing conditions all-year-round, so if you're learning to surf or already a pro, you'll find a wave to fit your needs.

Overall, Gran Canaria is a superb place to be based. Its combination of all-year-round sunshine, natural beauty, outdoor lifestyle and the reasonable cost living make it one of our favourite places to spend the year.

--Paul Dow, Surf & Unwind

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#paul

I want to put Athens forward as a digital nomad haven. It is cultural, it is quirky, it is interesting and it is also the gateway to a multitude of amazing Greek islands. However, most people never spend enough time there to uncover its layers.

Athens is very affordable compared to most places in Europe but that is if you are making non-Greek people wages. For long term nomads (6 - 12 months) the cost of living is easily under 1,000 per month. Internet access is everywhere and free, but speeds might be lower than what Americans and Western Europeans are used to.

The most amazing thing about Athens is that it combines ancient beauty with a busy nightlife and hipster scene. It is a capital but so close to roadtrip destinations (whether you want the islands, the oracles of god Apollo in Delphi or the beaches of the Peloponnese and kalamata olives).

--Rania Kalogirou, Bachelor of Travel

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#rania

I have been traveling from over a year now and after staying in multiple countries, Kochi is India is my best pick due to the following reasons:

- *India specifically Kochi in South India - *

Kochi has a fascinating history. It was ruled by Portuguese for 150+ years, then by Dutch for 100+ followed by British. The architecture and culture of Kochi reflect its glorious past. The city is calm and old Kochi which is right by the beach is my preferred choice to rent a studio room and spend a few months.

- India is the second-largest market for internet consumers in the world. The monthly data plans here are as cheap as USD 10 per month. India led the Southeast Asian countries list in terms of internet speed. Almost all the cafes here provide internet and amazing coffee.

- Cost of living - India is a cheap country in terms of the cost of living. A decent studio room can be rented for USD 150 and food is cheap as well. The cost for 6-12 months can be substantially reduced if one chooses to stay in India.

- Whenever I feel like heading to mountains, a few hours' drive will take me to Munnar, which is known for its tea estates. People are helpful supportive and have a modern approach to life.

--Nishu Barolia, Tanned Travel Girl

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#nishu

Tbilisi is a new and exciting city on the digital nomad scene. Low cost of living, one year visa on arrival and friendly locals are some of the main reasons digital nomads are coming here. Tbilisi is a great place to spend the summer as the temperature is warm but not too hot. Winters can be cold though so it might not be a suitable destination all year round if you don’t like cold weather.

One of my favorite things about Georgia is the food. They make lots of wine and craft beer too. There is a nice mix of European and Asian food here and if you love bread and cheese, then this is the place for you. The locals are very friendly and our Airbnb host arrived with a big bag of Khinkali(Dumplings) for us. Airbnb’s cost around $400 a month and food and drink is very reasonable. The internet is very good and stable and we have had no problems here. There are also plenty of coworking spaces and the cafĂ©s are excellent too.

--Conor Monaghan, One Minute English

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#conor

My favorite place in the world to work as a digital nomad is Kotor, Montenegro. Not only is the cost of living affordable, but public transportation in this small city is so easy to use that you won't need to rent a car. The cherry on top is all of the accessible hiking trails right outside your front door. Take a break from your computer and hop up to the top Boka Bay for some epic views.

--Laura, mikeandlauratravel.com

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#laura

Close enough to the Medina to go for a walk yet far enough from the tourist crowds, the trendy French-era Gueliz district is an excellent place for digital nomads to live and work for a while. I tried it a couple of years ago and wasn't disappointed. With a proper coworking space with fast internet access, affordable yet upscale restaurants and cafes in the neighborhood, great availability of comfy apartments, and a unique cosmopolitan vibe; it is a city I would not mind to move back to again soon.

--Inma Gregorio, A World to Travel

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#inma

Hoi An is a great place for a digital nomad to stay for an extended amount of time.

The town is a perfect size about 120,000 people and has an established western expat community which comes with associated western food, bars and cafés that cater for this community. There is a population of digital nomads who live in the town and you can find quite a number of them at The Dingo Deli most days.

Hoi An has excellent cable internet and the wi-fi found in cafés is usually quite good. If you are going to have down time it is more likely to stem from power outages or issues due to floods.

The town has beautiful French colonial architecture (very Insta friendly), a great atmosphere and things feel very laid back. It allows you to fully relax and unwind from your city life.

The local food is very cheap and many locals start their own restaurants in the front of their house, so there is nearly always a place where you can get a quick meal nearby.

Many local people in the town have a few homestay rooms that they let to tourists. Although the cost has increased in the past couple years a long stay does not decimate your budget.

Your main costs, food and accommodation remain in reach for the budget traveller.

Daily costs should be about $10 - $25 per day for food depending on where you eat. While I was living there my room cost US$500 per month but I would expect that to be a little higher now.

Local beaches are only 3-4km from the town and if you are like hot weather and beaches this is the place for you. During the wet season be prepared for some fantastic tropical rainstorms.

If you are need of things that you can’t get locally Da Nang is only 30km away which gives you access to an international airport, resorts and larger shopping centres.

--David Cronk, Travelodium Travel Magazine

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#david

I saw your query and thought I'd give this one a go as well to recommend a hidden gem for digital nomads: Belgrade, Serbia.

There are few places left in the world that you can book an Airbnb in a major European capital for $10 per night, and Belgrade is one of them. Not to mention the food in Serbia which is amazing since most of the produce, meat, and dairy are locally sourced and GMO-free as Serbia isn't part of the EU yet.

So technically it's not Europe and doesn't use the Euro, which is also why everything is so cheap and perfect for digital nomads. You can have a burger from the various grill-houses for a couple of bucks, which can feed at least one full-sized human. As someone who lived there as a digital nomad for almost a year, it's still one of my favorite places to work from in the summer.

Belgrade also serves as a launching point to visit Greece, Hungary, Croatia, and Bulgaria, which just a few hours away by bus. If you enjoy exploring off the beaten path, there are incredible natural lakes and mountains in neighboring Bosnia and Macedonia as well. When you need to get back to mainland Europe, 100 euros will get you to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Barcelona in a few hours.

In terms of living costs, many digital nomads choose to just Airbnb it since it's really cheap and you can save money by not renting. Airbnb's come fully equipped with wifi and all amenities for less than $10 per night, so you won't need to spend on internet if you WFH. If you stay longer, a small apartment in the downtown core shouldn't cost more than a few hundred bucks a month, including utilities and internet.

Internet speeds are excellent in Belgrade and Serbia in general, and that includes random mom and pop cafes that you can work from as well. If you are really stuck with no internet, pre-paid SIM cards with data are available for as little as 3 dollars from providers such as MTS and Telenor.

Belgrade has a large Couchsurfing community as well, so you can definitely meet friends and enjoy the local experience if you're living here as a foreigner. Serbian people are very welcoming, and their level of English is quite good as it's part of every high school curriculum, so communication is never an issue. You will make local friends in no-time, which is what I particularly like about Serbia.

Serbia itself has a fascinating history and a strategic location that was fought over for centuries by several major empires, including the Romans and Ottomans. It's interesting that you can see orthodox and catholic churches, mosques and synagogues in the same country. I'd definitely recommend Belgrade for digital nomads looking to try a new place to work from that hasn't been oversaturated with tourists.

--Philip Weiss, PhilipWeiss.org

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#philip

The little town of Kampot in Cambodia is a great place to be a digital nomad. Nowadays, the internet functions just fine (although it used to be unreliable) and the cost of living is very, very low. A monthly contract for your phone with plenty of data is $7, dinner is anywhere between $1.50 and $10 (with a good meal around $3.50) and rent is typically about $200 per month. It's a nice riverside town with good mountain views and friendly people. All in all, a great place to work remotely.

--David Wills, wanderbbq.com

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#david2

I would recommend Valencia, Spain and this is my contribution:

I have been a digital nomad for over 10 years now. And yes, I have been to many of the well-known digital nomad hotspots.

But, instead of recommending Chiang Mai or Medellin, I much prefer Valencia, Spain.

Maybe it is because I have been a digital nomad for longer, but I need some stability these days and Valencia is perfect for that.

The city is great in so many ways. From having a great climate, a gorgeous park and a beautiful beach, to offering countless coffee shops and a good number of coworking spaces to work from.

Valencia has a growing number of digital nomads. And where in many other digital nomad hotspots most people leave after a few months, or weeks, many in Valencia decide to stay for years.

It's just such a livable place. It's affordable (renting an apartment here costs a lot less than in most major cities in Europe), the international community is diverse and growing, food is cheap and socializing is easy.

If you love the outdoors you have anything from hiking and rock climbing to whatever water sport you can think of, within easy reach. And in winter you can even go skiing within two hours of the city!

--Sanne Wesselman, Spend Life Traveling

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#sanne

My hot tip for digital nomads looking to escape the obvious destinations is *Gran Canaria in Spain.*

This little island enjoys year-round sun and that sweet Spanish lifestyle. Perhaps this is the reason why it's developing an awesome digital nomad community.

The capital city, Las Palmas, has more than ten coworking space with great facilities and excellent internet access. It's a social city, with weekly meetups for nomads that'll see you doing karaoke, watching concerts or comedy or going on a bar crawl through the old town.

Short term lets are easy to come by, but there are also some great co-living opportunities. Nomads can expect to spend around €1000 a month, which is great value for a European city.

But the best thing about life in Las Palmas, is the weekend. The 3km-long city beach will satisfy all your sun or surf needs. Or, take a short drive into the mountains for hiking, paragliding or climbing. If that doesn't satisfy, you have 7 other islands within an hour by (cheap) plane where you'll find jungles, volcanoes, deserts and beaches.

--Sally Fox, Sally M Fox: Copywriter

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#sally

I'd like to suggest Koh Phangan in Thailand as an ideal digital nomad destination. While the island is known for its Full Moon parties, it's above all a great place to live for a while. The Internet is fast, power outages are scarce and there's plenty of beautiful cafés to work at. There's one main coworking called Beachhub right on a beach. Many cafés have embraced digital nomads and feature a section with power outlets, desks and proper chairs. The cost of living is low, however it's more expensive than e.g. Chiang Mai. I came back a month ago, having spent 6 months in Koh Phangan and absolutely loved it.

--Veronika Primm, Travel Geekery

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#veronika

1. Gdansk. It's a port city in Poland, which is insanely beautiful, affordable, and fun! You won't see a lot of tourists there. Nevertheless, everybody speaks English. The Internet is super fast all over the city, even at the beach. You can get an unlimited internet for about 10 Euro per month for up to 2 devices. I would often spend my time working at the beach. The Baltic sea has a reputation of being cold, but I enjoyed it even in the winter months. Imagine wide beaches, with white (Bali-like) sand, blue endless sea. Isn't it wonderful? And if you feel adventurous, you can take a car and go to Hel peninsula. It's an incredible experience because you have to take a road surrounded by the sea from both sides.

2. Batumi. It's a popular tourist city in Georgia. Hoverver, it's little known amond digital nomads. I love spending half a year in Batumi off season. You can get a studio apartment in a luxurious apart hotel at the front line, 50 m from the beach for about 150 USD per month! Batumi is cheaper than Thailand or Indonesia, and it offers beautiful nature and a unique cultural experience. In Batumi you can enjoy both the sea and the mountains.

--Viktoriia Pavlova, Wanda Maps

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#viktoriia

One of my favorite digital nomad destinations is Cape Town, South Africa.

Right off the bat, it is SO cheap. You can have an entire, luxury apartment in a central part of town for about $500 USD a month.

The internet speed is surprisingly fast. Even in cafes (which there are plenty of), you have great wifi and because Cape Town is such a great hub for digital nomads, it’s very welcoming of people spending entire days in coffee shops working.

Also, Cape Town as a city is a GREAT place to spend a couple of months because it has (literally) everything. Ocean, mountains, safari, city life, etc. You can easily spend 6 months in Cape Town and not have two days alike.

Also, it is a foodie heaven. There are so many great restaurants to try, plus the weekend market is a great way to spend the day.

On top of all this, you can’t discount the fact that English is the first language in Cape Town which makes life there infinitely easier.

--Claudia Torres, TheFab20s.com

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#claudia

I'm a digital nomad currently working out of San Juan, La Union, Philippines. I think this is a great place to work and spend some time because of the low cost of living, fast and reliable internet connection, friendly local people, and many activities available when you're not working.

The most popular area here is called Surf Town. It is an area with a nice selection of restaurants, different types of accommodation, and a beach that is great for surfing. You can rent decent studio-type accommodation with as low as 150 dollars per month. Of course, you have to pay a bit more if you want to have a more spacious place with a nice view and aircon.

When I visited here five years ago, internet connections used to be slow and very unreliable. However, a few years back fiber connections became widely available and changed this. Now you can get a fast and reliable connection with a decent price. If you don't want to pay for your own connection, or just prefer working somewhere else than home, there are plenty of cozy restaurants and coffee shops with a proper internet connection.

The local people around here are very friendly and welcoming, and there are also many foreigners living and visiting in the area. So even if you come here by yourself, you can easily find nice people to spend time with.

When it comes to activities, there are plenty. Surfing is my favorite past time, and it is an excellent counterbalance for sitting in front of the computer most of the day. There is also a nice selection of restaurants serving anything from local food to authentic Italian or Greek cuisine.

There are nice spots, like waterfalls and a Taoist temple, to visit nearby. If you want to go a bit further, you can take a bus up in the mountains, and visit the Mountain Province. My number one recommendation is to go to the village of Sagada and enjoy the breathtaking views of the rice terraces. You can also experience an adventure in the caves with an underground river, pay a visit to the hanging coffins, and go trekking around to see many wonderful places near the village.

--Joonas Jokiniemi, Grill Smoke Love

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#joonas

*Tirana, Albania*

What I like about Tirana: Beautiful nature and hills surrounding the city, there's a ton of great restaurants and and it's easy to move around in Tirana.

Cost of living: Rent 300-500eur per month, other costs 300-500eur per month Internet access: We rented an office space in the city center, which had a fast internet access on 100Mbytes/s

How long should you stay: The summer months are quite hot in Tirana, and there's other cities you can visit too within a 1-hour ride by car. I recommend staying 4-6 months.

*Naples, Italy*

What I like about Naples: Naples has quite a nice weather in the spring & summer time, and you can take a walk by the sea and go to a football match if you like. There's also mount Vesuvius nearby to do some hikes to! For me Italian food is a big plus, as having an authentic pizza is not possible in many places - in Naples, you can do that for 3-4eur!

Cost of living: Rent 400-600eur per month, other costs 500-700eur per month Internet access: In the office space and apartment I was working at in Naples, the internet was quite fast 50M-100Mbytes/s

How long should you stay: If you can speak a little bit Italian, it's fine to stay for 3-4 months

--Johannes Turunen, Beasts Of Poker

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#johannes

It's a privilege to work from many remote locations, one particular one which I had a pleasure to work from was Krakow, Poland. A beautiful historic city with friendly faces and cheap living...for some. I arrived in Poland in May, the weather was glorious, it's safe to say that Poland has great summers, some people think that it has a cold weather climate, this is certainly not the case. I rented an apartment in the center of the city, within walking distance of the Old Town. The bills added up to 2,000 zloty per month including internet access, rent and all facilities, around $400. There is so much to do around the city itself, but if visiting the city you must take a trip out to Auschwitz, a German concentration camp which was the biggest set up by the Nazis during WWII. Many Poles speak English so travel, food and everyday tasks are not a problem for those who do not understand the native language. When in Poland, try the local delicacies, its a different flavour palette from the known pizzas, burgers and pasta dishes we all know and love. There is so much to explore, so take your time and learn to love the country, I did.

--Will Hatton, The Broke Backpacker

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#will

Australia is an amazing place to travel around, I started my journey in Cairns, known mostly for its quick access to the Great Barrier Reef. Before I headed out there I was a part of a Facebook group aimed at people who were looking to travel around the country and needed transport and a place to sleep. I used an old camper van to travel and make this my home for the next 6 months. Hiring a vehicle isn't cheap out there, and if looking to undertake this yourself, be careful of scammers on social media who like to increase their prices on old bangers. As you can imagine, travelling from place to place takes time...a lot of it, and for long journeys you need a lot of gas. Although it's not too expensive, if you are travelling for 4-5 days a week, you might be looking at spending from $200-400 a week on gas alone, again depending on mileage. Internet access isn't too hard to come by, however you might want to look at using 4G data from a number of network providers. I went with Telstra, where I even managed to catch 4G in the Outback, never though I'd be able to do that! Travelling around the East Coast you can expect beautiful beaches, plenty of wildlife and making memories everyday! Highly recommend getting involved and travelling with others if you have the chance, that's how great relationships are made.

--Jeremy Scott Foster, TravelFreak

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#jeremy

Valencia, Spain is a really great option if you want to be a digital nomad in Europe. It’s Spain’s 3rd largest city, located on the Mediterranean coast so you will get that metropolitan feel, with the coziness of an old charming Spanish town and the addition of a beach. The history runs deep here, there are events (street fairs, fireworks, concerts) all the time, including the famous UNESCO Heritage Cultural event that takes place in March, Las Fallas.

In comparison to larger cities in Spain like Madrid or Barcelona, Valencia is far cheaper with rent being significantly less. According to Numbeo, the cost of living for a single person here is $583 euros without rent. My current expenses are less than 900 Euros (rent, food, utilities, gym, restaurants). A studio apartment can be as low as 400-600 euros per month, and shared apartments can run as low as 250-400 euros per month. Wifi is available in most cafes and restaurants, along with cheap Internet + phone plans that will cost you under 35 euros per month.

The city is very safe – you don’t need to worry about pickpocketing as you do in Barcelona. You can even feel safe walking home late at night by yourself.

Barcelona and Madrid are within reach. Public transport will get you there within 1-3 hours. There’s an airport here as well as 2 major train stations that give you access to travel cheap to other destinations within Spain, as well as within Europe and Northern African countries. In addition, there are ferries that will take you to Ibiza and Mallorca.

Meeting other people here, especially other digital nomads, is very easy. There are many ex-pat meetups and digital nomad groups that co-work at different coffee shops every week. There are awesome coworking spaces like WayCo as well.

--Lauren Cirkot, Always Find Adventure

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#lauren

There are so many reasons why Cape Town has been named the world's most beautiful city and tourists become residents or keep on going back to this stunning place. The Mother City's mountain scenery leaves you in awe, its beaches and beach roads seem to be straight out of a movie, its food lets your mouth water, and its vibe draws you in.

Summer is the best time because everyone is outside and the city never sleeps. There's always so much going on that you'll always miss out on one thing if you go to the other: Markets, outdoor concerts, art walks, yoga at the beach, swimming with seals, paragliding, or just socializing - this city offers whatever you desire. People are open and friendly and you're guaranteed to meet strangers who will invite you to parties and events, so you'll end up as friends.

Also, Cape Town is the perfect mix of Europe and Africa and a great introduction to the continent if you've never been.

For these reasons and fast internet, digital nomads are flocking to the city. A room will cost you about $500 and up if you want to be close to or in the city, groceries are around the same as in a Western European city, but when going out to eat, you can splurge because their high quality food is extremely affordable. Ubers and Uber Eats are super cheap!

Within the last two years however, there has been some load shedding (planned power outtages), which you have to account for.

--Jennifer Schlueter, Mind Your Subconscious

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#jennifer

For an amazing and more obscure place to spend a longer period of time, I loved Cabarete, Dominican Republic. Located on the North shore of DR, it's a gorgeous, super inexpensive, easily accessible and fun place to hang out.

It has, of course, amazing beaches, surfing, snorkeling and hiking. It's the kite surfing capital of the Caribbean.

Also a vibrant expat population ensures many American luxuries, like excellent cuisine, fast internet connections and easy shipping of mail and packages from the US.

Cost of living is super cheap, with a 2-bedroom, fully furnished apartment renting for $350-400/month and local lunch specials for $3/plate.

--Austin Tuwiner, ScubaOtter

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#austin

*The place I recommend:* Antigua, Guatemala

*Why Antigua?* Antigua is the perfect location for a digital nomad. First, the cost of living is low. You can live comfortably for less than $1000 a month. You can find an apartment for $300-$500. Antigua is full of delicious restaurants, with a variety of different cuisines. If you are staying for six months, you will not get bored with the dining options. Another reason why Antigua is excellent for a digital nomad is because of the cafe culture. It's common to spend a full day in a cafe and use the WiFi. There is no rush to kick people working on laptops out. WiFi is fast and efficient throughout the city, and there are a couple of co-working spaces. Lastly, Antigua is a comfortable place to live in. It's a small city with a lot of expats, so it's easy to make friends.

P.S - If you want to learn Spanish, Antigua is the perfect place to take classes. The city attracts many Spanish students, and private lessons are very affordable.

--Kesi Irvin, Kesi To and Fro

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#kesi

Two places I’d recommend are Atenas, Costa Rica and Chapala, Mexico. We lived in Costa Rica for 6 months and in Chapala for 13 months.

Atenas is a smaller town about 45 minutes from the capital of San Jose. It is very walkable and not touristy, but has a nice population of expats to tap into. The weather is nice, overall, but the rainy season can get dreary around October. It’s fairly easy to get along with limited English. The cost of living there is very low if you stick to non-imported products. Because of the number of call centers in Costa Rica, their internet is very good. Costa Rica has a 90 day visa which is easily renewed by going to Panama or Nicaragua for a few days.

Our family loved how friendly the locals are and how easy it was to get around in Atenas. We also enjoyed putting our kids into dance lessons for a fraction of the cost that it would have been in our home state of Florida.

Chapala is located about an hour from Guadalajara in central Mexico. There is a large number of expats living the area, although many are retirees. The weather is ideal because it sits at about 3000 ft above sea level, making the temperatures fairly mild all year long with very brief hot and cold times. There’s also no mosquitos, which is a huge plus.

The internet in Chapala is fairly good and the cost of living is lower than in Costa Rica, especially for things like imported goods and meats. Because Mexico has a generous 6 month tourist visa, it is easy to live there long-term. To renew the visa, just plan a flight to Tijuana or Juarez, cross the border into San Diego or El Paso, spend a few days getting things that you can’t get in Mexico and return.

The weather and the low cost of living are what we enjoyed most about Chapala. Since it is not very far from Guadalajara, it’s easy to go there for anything that Chapala doesn’t have. We loved going horseback riding, visiting the local water park, Tobolandia, walking on the malecon (boardwalk on the lake) and getting to watch first run movies in English at the movie theater for less than half of US prices.

--Susan Whitehead, Wanderlust Families

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#susan

Mazatlan, Mexico

Everyone knows about Tulum, Cancun and Los Cabos
 but many people, especially digital nomads, have overlooked Mazatlán. And I can’t understand why.

The weather is perfection, the cost of living is the lowest you’ll find on the coast throughout the entire country, the internet is super fast fibre optic and affordable, plus the city is drop dead gorgeous.

We just spent 7 months living in Mazatlán, living and working online. Mazatlán has a jaw-dropping downtown called ‘Centro historic’ lined with colourful colonial buildings and more European-vibe coffee shops that you could hope to patron in a year. Honestly, as you sit on cobble-stone streets sipping a flat white and working on your laptop, it’s almost impossible to tell you’re not actually IN Europe, that is until you get the bill. Even the nicest place in town won’t run you over $2 for a fancy coffee.

Most places have great wifi connections and we personally had fibre optic at our rental apartment, but if you want a SIM card back-up, mobile plans start around $6 for 3GB and unlimited social media.

As for cost of living, we were able to get a brand new 2-bedroom ocean-view condo with rooftop pool for only $989/m. All digital nomads can agree that there is nothing quite like having an ocean view as the backdrop to your workday.

We loved MazatlĂĄn so much that the moment we can return (post covid) we will. MazatlĂĄn stole our heart and made us want to stop traveling and settle down for a while.

--Kashlee Kucheran, Travel Off Path

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#kashlee

Taiwan. With some of the finest internet connectivity anywhere in the world, affordable prices of everything despite them being top quality, it's very safe, has the nicest people in the world (yup, that's my opinion..and that of others), great food and lot's to see and do despite the island nation not being big it it difficult to beat. I'd recommend heading south to the area around Kenting if you like the beaches and ocean (Hualien will work too, but is much larger), and consider Jiufen or Daxi.

--Federico Arrizabalaga, MaiTravelSite

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#federico

Personally, my favorite place to be a digital nomad out of many was in Granada, Spain. Not only has it been labeled as one of the best places to retire abroad by CNN, but it is also extremely affordable. For our one-bedroom apartment in the city center, my husband and I paid $600 USD. For culture lovers, you always have something new to experience, including the beautiful churches, amazing food, and cultural events going on in the city. The Sierra Nevada mountain range is nearby for nature lovers, and you have easy access to beaches through Spain's comprehensive bus system (the charming town of Motril is only forty minutes away).

It can get hot in the summer, but other than that, we loved Granada for its unparalleled history and gorgeous views. For digital nomads looking for a spot in Europe, this is a great option.

--Alex Schnee, alexonthemap.com

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#alex

My wife and I are full time digital nomads. We've lived on five different continents and in 42 countries. Our favourite digital nomad spot so far is Cape Town, South Africa. We love it as it is relatively cheap, but the infrastructure for things like wifi, accommodation and co-working is very good. There are literally 1000s of awesome Airbnbs to choose from and the nightlife and restaurants are world class. The weather in Summer, which runs from November to March, is sublime, and there are beautiful pearly white beaches that are just a 10 minute drive from the City centre. For outdoor enthusiasts, Cape Town is a Mecca. The trail running on Table Mountain and Lions Head is amazing, and if you into water-sports like surfing, kayaking and kite-surfing there are endless choices. The only downside is that crime is quite rife in the city so one needs to be vigilant and not do stupid things like walking alone at night etc. All told though, Cape Town is a really easy and cheap place to setup base as a digital nomad. Most passport holders get a 90-day visa on arrival, which can be extended once in-country.

--Mark Whitman, Mountain IQ

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#mark

One of the most underrated places I’ve worked from is Taipei in Taiwan. I was initially meant to stay for a week but ended up staying for 6 months. Not only does Taipei have super fast wifi, but apartments are easy to rent out, coffee shops are abundant, the food is incredible and the culture will keep you fixated! The costs of living in Taipei are generally higher than other typical digital nomad destinations such as Bali or Chiang Mai, but the quality of life is also considerably higher. Most cafes have great internet access but there are a range of coworking spaces too. Or if you would prefer to work from home then fast broadband is standard. Despite technically being part of China, Western websites aren’t blocked so you can have the same online experience as back home.

--Tom Crowe, Definitely Digital

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#tom

With over 44 countries under my belt as a digital nomad, my No. 1 place to live on the road is Budapest.

There's a lot to love about the city. I loved the dynamic between urban metropolis and the range of green spaces within the city. History teems around every corner and authentic culinary delights such as roasted pig and schnitzel can be found throughout the city.

Stay in Buda, and look down on the Danube River and the beautiful Parliament building, or take an evening stroll with your favorite person through Fisherman's Bastion, built in 1895. Stay in Pest and explore quaint cafes, bustling streets and hidden nooks and crannies while falling in love with the charm of the city, including speakeasy bars and restaurants, one of the oldest metro lines in Europe and Margaret Island.

The nightlife in Budapest is unrivaled in the region and there are enough hidden gems to keep you on the search for a year or more.

Looking somewhere cheap to hunker down? Budapest fits the bill as a ground floor one-bedroom flat near the city center can be had for $600 USD or less per month. Kick it in a hostel and save even more. Food is average for Eastern Europe, and going to the market won't break the bank The expat scene in Budapest is growing, the area is safe for all types of travelers and the internet speeds are some of the highest in Eastern Europe. Coworking spaces can be found in abundance and the city experiences all four seasons.

Oh, and did I mention the beautiful Danube River cutting the city in half?

--David Heiling, Jubel

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#david3

I'd love to recommend MĂ©rida, Mexico, as an excellent digital nomad hotspot. I spent two months living there earlier this year. MĂ©rida is a wonderful, colorful, friendly city with a low cost of living and a friendly, vibrant community of expats.

You can get a two-bedroom house with a small pool for around $500 per month if you're lucky. You can have a casual meal out for less than $5, and a meal at a high-end restaurant for under $15.

While lots of people erroneously think Mexico is a dangerous country, MĂ©rida is an exceptionally safe city and part of YucatĂĄn State, which is frequently cited as the safest state in Mexico.

But what makes MĂ©rida outstanding is its day trip potential! I'm convinced that it's one of the best bases in the world for day trips. The city is surrounded by beach towns, cenotes (underground sinkholes you can swim in), Mayan ruins, and interesting cities. You can see so many diverse aspects of Mexico within a few hours' drive of MĂ©rida!

The one problem? It gets incredibly hot for most of the year, peaking in April and May. Currently temperatures are over 100 F. That's why it's a good idea to get a place with a pool if you're staying long-term!

--Kate McCulley, Adventurous Kate

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#kate

I was a digital nomad for three years and for two of those years, I lived in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. I’ll tell you about this city.

Kaohsiung is the second largest city in Taiwan after the capital, Taipei. It’s a coastal city in the southern part of the country. It’s very modern and very clean. If you want to experience life in a totally different culture, but don’t want to get completely shell-shocked, Kaohsiung is the perfect place for you. The food is completely different, the culture is so unique, but you experience all these differences in a first world country setting, feeling safe. There are amazing restaurants, bars, libraries, virtual reality game parlors, unique cafes such as cat cafes, maid cafes etc. There are also amazing night markets where you can find so many delicious snacks from all around the world. You can have Cuban sandwiches, Japanese noodles, dumplings and kebabs at stalls next to one another. There are also all kinds of wacky food like dragon breath, an ice cream that makes you exhale smoke, or stinky tofu (it really stinks).

Taiwanese people are extremely kind and polite. Once I was walking in the rain and I didn’t have an umbrella. A woman approached me and wanted to give me her umbrella because her house was very near. Almost everyday, I would be approached by Taiwanese people, offering me little gestures of kindness without expecting anything back. There aren’t many foreigners in Kaohsiung, so locals are curious about foreigners and they like talking to them, but they are very respectful and understanding.

Kaohsiung experiences winter for about a week, and after that, it is usually hot. It can be rainy from June to September, this is also the typhoon season. But Taiwan is well prepared for it and life goes back to normal after a day of removing debris.

The cost of living in Kaohsiung is lower than Taipei, but a bit more expensive than Southeast Asia. You can rent a very decent and modern apartment for one person for about $400 a month, but you can also share an apartment with other expats to lower that cost. Almost everyone eats out in Taiwan and cooking at home is not very common. If you eat like a local, you can easily have a filling meal for $4-$6. Beer costs a little over $2 in the supermarket and about $4 in bars and restaurants. Price goes up if you like to eat in western restaurants. In total, you’d live very comfortably for about $1500 by yourself.

Taiwan has great internet. I’ve never had a problem with my work while I was there. Internet is usually included in the cost of rent, so you might not even have to deal with it. Same goes for the other utilities.

For staying there, most foreigners can stay for three months without a visa, but after that you need a visa to stay longer. The easiest and the most common way to get it is to take Chinese courses. Going to one of these courses for 15 hours a week grants you a visa to stay as long as you keep taking lessons. Whenever I go somewhere as a digital nomad, I always plan to learn the local language, but then get lazy about it and it never happens beyond basic sentences. These semi-mandatory Chinese lessons were great to keep me motivated about it and helped me a huge deal. Also, after 6-months of being a language student, you are given a permit to work part time. If you’d like to take up some extra teaching job, or to work at a counter to improve your Chinese, this can be a good opportunity.

I’d definitely recommend this beautiful, fun city to fellow digital nomads. It’s a perfect, happy little bubble to enjoy yourself.

--Ozge Erdem, Turbo Domain Search

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#ozge

Why Split, Croatia? (Actually we were just 20 minutes north of Split, but Spilt Town proper is just as good.)

* The kuna, their currency, is very cheap by First World standards and one of my benchmarks to compare prices from country to country is a cappuccino, which in Split is about $1.80. We had a condo overlooking the water and for six weeks paid about $1100. A bus ride into town was about $1.50 and Split airport is easily accessible for jumping to other countries.

* Internet access was as good as anyplace we lived. Croatia is IMHO probably the MOST advanced and contemporized of all the former Yugoslavian countries, though Romania is close.

* Water access-always a plus!- is right at your doorstep in Split and the beaches are awesome, though made of pebbles, not sand. PLUS from Split you have access to many of the almost 1500 (yep) islands which are very close. The biggies are within and hour, maybe two.

* Beauty: probably comparable to Greece and Italy. We traveled via bike from Rijeka in the north all the way to Dubrovnik to the south and into Montenegro. What's cool is that the main coast road stays very close to the water and offers fantastic vista.

* Weather? Well, it's Mediterranean, which is as good as it gets in my world! Warm but not excessive and not tropical humidity like Thailand.

With that said, Split gets my vote as a digital nomad refuge and you could easily stay for a year BUT their visa is only 90 days, so you'd have to bounce out and let it reset.

--Norm Bour, Travel Younger

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#norm

My favorite place for remote work is the Canary Islands, which is islands off the northwest coast of Africa, owned and controlled by Spain. I love the Canary Islands because it combines the benefits of Europe and the Caribbean. For example, in major cities you have access to fast, reliable internet, electricity, water and other utilities. You also have the weather and climate of a beautiful tropical island; it is warm and sunny most days. The Canary Islands are quiet, safe, clean and an excellent place to work from.

For expat community, there aren’t many nomads or remote workers here, and instead most people come from the U.K, Sweden and other places for travel and to play golf. The level of English is high, and Google Translate is enough to understand labels and packaging. The healthcare system seems to be accessible and reliable.

Finally, in terms of costs, the Canary Islands are also an excellent balance. An apartment is cheaper than an equivalent space would be in many places in continental Europe. For food, many staples like bread, cheese and meats are only €1 or €2, where the North American equivalents would be at least 2x or 3x those prices. The quality of food is also generally excellent, and the labelling standards in Europe are better than the US and other places.

For example, if you have food allergies then symbols and notices for these are more consistent than in other places, which gives you access to a greater variety of food options.

--Michael Alexis, Team Building

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#michael3

Medellin, Colombia

Medellin, situated in a lush valley in central Colombia, has become a South American digital nomad hotspot. To me, it reminds me of a chic, South American version of Hong Kong. Walking through the streets, you can find incredibly fashionable boutiques and restaurants, with a jungle in between.

The cost of living is some of the lowest we’ve seen in the country. We secured a monthly rental apartment in El Poblado, the hippest and most chic neighborhood in the city, for $500 a month. On top of that, the fresh vegetables and fruits, from local organic farmers, are inexpensive and delicious.

There are many coworking spaces available in Medellin, with at least three in the El Poblado neighborhood. The most popular is Selina, whose busy office offers hot desks, designated desks, private offices, unlimited coffee, access to soundproof rooms and phone booths, and free yoga class passes, all for $75 a month. On top of that, the wifi was reliable both at the coworking space and at the many coffee shops around town with ~20 Mbps in most, but with the option to upgrade at your apartment. Plus, do we even need to talk about coffee in Colombia? Phenomenal. There are many coffee shops to choose from, all over the city. It’s common to see half a dozen digital nomads working in each.

Medellin has some of the kindest people we’ve ever met, and that’s no exaggeration. There’s a general feeling that the city wants to rise above its infamous past, and we found the city to be safe, lively, and orderly. Colombia also boasts some of the best healthcare in South America, with top-ranked hospitals that are affordable out-of-pocket. I went to the dentist and saw a Harvard-graduated doctor, all for $25.

The ex-pat community is growing in Colombia, particularly in Medellin. Within our first week, we had met up with other ex-pat digital nomads and were able to join soccer teams and volunteer groups. There are also a growing number of foreign retirees settled in Medellin, but the overall feeling of the city is young and fresh.

Finally, the travel opportunities out of Medellin are phenomenal. With a comfortable bus ride, you can get into the verdant “Coffee Triangle” and spend time hiking in their mountains. The coast, towards Santa Marta and Cartagena, are just a short flight away, and a new highway now links Medellin to its international airport within 25 minutes.

All digital nomads should consider Medellin as a home-base if you enjoy a robust and lively culture, incredibly kind people, and hip and inexpensive restaurants and shops.

Here was our $1,200 monthly budget from MedellĂ­n, Colombia for the two of us:

$500 in rent, including utilities

$150 to join a coworking space, including their yoga classes

$160 on restaurants and coffee shops

$150 in fresh produce and groceries

$20 on buses and taxis

$220 on weekend trips and miscellaneous expenses

--Alexandra Davis, Ryan and Alex Duo Life

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#alexandra

I've lived in a number of places around the world as a digital nomad, but my favorite has definitely been Porto, Portugal.

It's a gorgeous medium-sized city, so it's walkable to shops and cafes and has public transport for getting to the beach or other fun areas, and it's quite safe - particularly for solo female travelers like myself. The weather is amazing year-round (no extremes, pretty temperate), Porto has wonderful street art and tons of beautiful side streets to wander and explore, and there are lots of fun little areas where you can find a coffee shop and set up a laptop for a couple hours.

I rented a small house about a five-minute walk from the Metro, for about $1,000 per month. The rest of my expenses came out to about $200 or so per month (or $350 if I was eating out somewhat often). I had excellent internet access in my house, and it was very easy to find wifi if I wanted to work from somewhere else for a bit, like from a coffee shop. I also took short trips occasionally, like spending New Year in Paris, because it was easy and cheap to get to!

--Sarah Vandenberg, Vandenberg DC

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#sarah

*Luang Prabang, Laos*

Luang Prabang in Laos in a lesser-known destination for digital nomads. Its affordability is attractive amongst digital nomads, and the lack of overtourism makes for a more authentic, local experience. The daily night market in the heart of the town is the best place to eat authentic Lao food, and at affordable prices.

There's plenty to keep you busy in Luang Prabang for months on end. The whole town itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander around the town to come across various temples, stunning landscapes, and sunset spots along the Mekong River. The cafes scattered around the town have great internet connections - much better than most accommodations in Luang Prabang. If you prefer to work from cafes, you'll have no problem setting up shop here.

The nearest tourist town, Vang Vieng, is only four hours away, which makes for the perfect weekend escape.

Like many Southeast Asian countries, the cost of living in Laos is incredibly affordable. A private room at a guesthouse, hostel or apartment will cost you $17 USD per day. Many places to stay will include breakfast, meaning you will only have to cover the cost for lunch, dinner, and drinks. This should only set you back $15 USD per day.

--Delilah Hart, Our Travel Mix

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#delilah

I’ve been traveling (ie, nomading) for almost 3 years and my favorite place, by far, is Cape Town.

The apartments are modern, transportation is really cheap (it’s rare to take an Uber that costs more than $2), there’s hiking, ocean, amazing wildlife, a proper city, good shopping and gorgeous wineries. The food is amazing and appeals to most any diet, you can drink the tap water, the people are warm and friendly and there’s something new to do every day. Wifi is excellent. A really nice apartment in a great location is probably around $1200, a typical meal out is about $10 or less, and Ubers are everywhere and very cheap. Things to look out for are load shedding – scheduled times when electricity is out for 2 hours – and safety. You cannot walk around at night in some areas and you should take an Uber even 2 blocks.

--Melissa Tracht, tech4trek.com

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#melissa

Kuching, Borneo, Malaysia

Kuching is one of the most interesting and underrated places I have been on my journey as a digital nomad. If you’re an adventurous, nature-loving nomad, it would be a great place to spend three to six months.

The city is located on the North-Western tip of Borneo, which makes it quite different from peninsular Malaysia. People here are mostly Borneo natives or of Chinese ancestry. Before they joined the Malaysian federation in 1963, it was an independent country under a British raj. This means that English is widely spoken.

The atmosphere in Kuching is unique. It’s laid-back and friendly in a way I haven’t encountered elsewhere in South East Asia. There’s no frenetic traffic or street vendors. This is probably due to the sheer size of Sarawak combined with the centuries of relative isolation on Borneo.

The culinary scene in Kuching is another draw, with many local and Chinese dishes that you won’t encounter anywhere else. There’s an ancient China-town worth exploring, and a beautiful riverfront great for hanging out.

Apartments are cheap and abundant and the internet is good. It was easy to find a good deal on Airbnb for my stay there.

Kuching is a brilliant place to be productive; the infrastructure is in place, and you have everything you’d want from a city like shopping options and coffee shops to work from. At the same time, there aren’t too many events competing for your attention like there would be in, say, Chiang Mai or Ho Chi Minh City.

Overall, you can have a great time in Kuching for around $1200 per month, and probably less if you're frugal. Food and accommodation is great value for money.

On the weekends, you can explore the nearby nature, which is the main attraction of Borneo. You have beaches, caves, national parks, rain forests, and exotic animals all within a short drive from the city.

The main downside of Kuching is that the nomad community there is tiny at the moment, but I have a feeling that’s going to change.

--Asser Christensen, The Coffee Chronicler

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#asser

I think Mexico City is an incredible place for Digital Nomads. Visitors from all North American and most European countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand, can stay for 6 months (180 days stamped on arrival) without paying any visa fees or needing to apply for anything in advance.

The city is growing as a hub for digital nomads and there are quite literally dozens of coworking spaces around neighborhoods like Roma, Condesa, and Paseo de la Reforma.

While the cost of living in the city is rising, it’s still incredibly affordable for those that are earning in strong currencies like US Dollars, Pounds or Euros.

Most digital nomads get apartments by negotiating through Airbnb or by posting comments on expat and digital nomad Facebook groups, of which there are many (happy to share the links if you need them).

You can pay as little as $300 USD per month for your own studio apartment in a decent central neighborhood. If you want something modern and furnished with and all bills included, you can expect to pay about $500-600 per month if you don’t want to have roommates.

If you’re willing to stay a year, you can get places unfurnished for much less. Renewing the six month visa waiver is very simple, you just need to leave the country for 72 hours.

Rent would be a digital nomad’s biggest expense. Otherwise, food, both at the local markets and eating out, are incredibly cheap.

Internet is rapid if you pay for the right one. Fiber Optic is still relatively new to Mexico City, but if you have it, the internet is very fast. You can expect to pay about $25 a month if you have to pay extra for it outside of your rent. Alternatively, there are tons of pay-as-you-go coworking spaces and cafes with really great internet that will also allow you to have meetings or cowork with new friends in the city.

Overall, Mexico City is such a great hub for digital nomads. You get all of the amazing culture, food and nightlife of a major world city at a fraction of the price (especially right now with the dollar being so strong against the Peso).

--Laura Bronner, Eternal Expat

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#laurab

Get Thee to Medellin, Digital Nomads: Thanks to the shenanigans of a certain drug cartel in the last quarter of the 20th century, Medellin used to be known as the most dangerous city in the world. The times have changed considerably. Recent years have seen an 82% decline in violent crime and now the city is statistically safer than New Orleans. For the digital nomad looking to step out of the flow towards predictable global destinations, there’s a lot to like about Medellin. With the bad, old days of machine gun battles in the streets mostly a thing of the past, the city is in the process of becoming the next startup boomtown. For now, prices are still relatively inexpensive, by American standards anyway. You’ll be able to find a great apartment for around $800 monthly and an overall cost of living of around $1,600. Situated in the mountains but possessing a temperate climate, Medellin is ready to prove to the world that it is deserving of its current status (awarded by the Urban Land Institute) as the "most innovative city in the world."

--Carla Diaz, Broadband Search

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#carla

I recommend staying at Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, in the Philippines where I stayed for about 8 months. Aside from being a tourist hub, the cost of living is unbelievably cheap. You can live comfortably by spending less than $1000 per month— airconditioned accommodation, cocktail nights, and weekly island-hopping tours included. There is a decent internet connection within the city, but I recommend searching online or asking locals about the signal strength if you want to work in particular distant destinations.

Places near the Sabang beach area have little or nonexistent internet connection, so you should go there without any tight deadlines. There are, however, tourist tropical destinations with stable internet connection like El Nido.

--Jeremy Owens, Seriously Smoked

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#jeremy

Ukraine - cheap cost of life with amazing Internet:

Ukraine is one of the digital nomad friendliest place With the world's second cheapest Internet according to some sources, the lowest cost of life in Europe, and also lowest wages, while having one of the highest level of security, Ukraine is one of the world's best place for digital nomads.

With a very cheap and English friendly labor, it is even very simple to expand your business - for example, a full time copywriter costs around $300 a month with a standard local contract.

It isn't so easy to open up your own business, therefore it is better to invoice from another country than to open a local company, but then all costs are very low, whether you want to work from an hostel or to open your private office.

As the local average salary is close to $400, depending in which city you're staying, you can basically plan to live very comfortable with a $1000 per month budget, all included - and you cannot get bored.

Just to give you an example, an high speed SIM card including one month unlimited 4G mobile Internet costs as little as... US$3. Rent a (nice) two rooms flat for about $200 a month, and you still have plenty of money left for any other expense.

--Yoann, Where Can I FLY?

PERMALINK: https://outwittrade.com/best-digital-nomad-destinations#yoann