The world is your oyster – especially if you work remotely and aren’t tied to an office in a specific location. You’re free to work from anywhere. So where can you go?
Whether you’re new to the digital nomad scene or are a veteran looking for some inspiration on where to head next, keep reading. We’ll show you the best cities to set up your home away from home.
Asia
Asia is the continent for you if you’re living on a tight budget. You can find cheap yet comfortable accommodation, food costs a fraction of what it does in Western countries, and flights between countries are often under 100 USD. Add the fact that Asia offers intriguing cultures, gorgeous scenery, and fun adventures, we think that Asia should be on your list whether you’re strapped for cash or not.
These are our three favorite places to work remotely in Asia.
Bali, Canggu
We love to recommend Canggu to newbie remote workers looking for an easy, cheap place to start their digital nomad journey. For one, you can live comfortably on around 1,200 USD/month here, according to Nomad List, or even less if you’re okay with staying at hostels. Second, you’ll find coworking spaces galore, a ton of beautiful cafes and restaurants that all have good internet connections, surfing, yoga, and a hopping nightlife – many people come to Canggu for a month and end up staying permanently.
Because so many remote workers end up settling here long-term, it’s easy to find your way into the thriving digital nomad community. All you have to do is sign up at one of the coworking spaces like Dojo, and you’re “in”.
Thailand, Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has long been a fan favorite among freelancers and other remote workers. The laid-back city set in mountainous northern Thailand offers a myriad of beautiful coffee shops with free wifi, affordable coworking spaces, and easy access to fun adventures like hiking through jungly hills or experiencing elephants up close and personal. The cost of living comes down to about 1,170 USD/month.
Chiang Mai is a close second to Canggu when it comes to the digital nomad community. Because so many remote workers set up shop here, it’s easy to meet like-minded people working their remote jobs while also finding a great work-life balance.
Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City
Costing approximately 1,020 USD/month to live comfortably, Vietnam’s capital – formerly known as Saigon – is even cheaper than Canggu and Chiang Mai. Ho Chi Minh City is fast gaining popularity as a great option for people looking to escape their cubicle.
It’s the start-up capital of Southeast Asia and, as such, an emerging economic destination. Peppered with design-oriented cafes and co-working spaces, and linked up to Singaporean internet speeds, Ho Chi Minh City offers all the perks any remote worker could wish for.
Africa
Africa isn’t the most obvious choice for amazing digital nomad locations, but don’t discount this continent. There are a few African hotspots that remote workers like to base their African adventures out of.
South Africa, Cape Town
The most obvious and already very popular hotspot is gorgeous Cape Town in South Africa. One of WiFi Tribe’s favorite chapter locations, this city is tucked up between spectacular mountains and the Atlantic Coast, offering a myriad of adventures from hiking over kayaking to safaris – just to name a few.
With its distinct neighborhoods, it’s easy to find your favorite place to stay in Cape Town, whether you’re on a budget or have money to splurge. The cost of living comfortably comes down to an average of 1,850 USD/month.
Over the past few years, digital nomads have started flocking here, spending their workday at one of the many beautiful coworking spaces or cafes, and enjoying the city’s adventurous vibe in their free time, making it easy to meet other remote workers and become part of the community.
Kenya, Nairobi
If you’re looking for a base to experience the ultimate African adventure while having all the comforts and amenities a remote worker could ask for, Nairobi is the place to be. From here, head to the Masai Mara to watch the Great Migration of wildebeest from June to October, or fly to Uganda to watch wild gorillas in their natural habitats.
Westlands is the best area for digital nomads to stay in Nairobi. Here you’ll find the best coworking spaces, lots of shops, restaurants, coffee shops, gyms, and even a rock climbing gym. Kilimani is also a good and cheaper area to stay, though you’ll have to take Ubers to get around. The wifi in the city is generally surprisingly good, though the internet connection at cafes isn’t the greatest. But it’s good in most AirBnBs, making it easy to set up your home office there.
On average, you can stay comfortably in Nairobi for around 1,300 USD/month.
Europe
The most popular digital nomad destination in Europe is Portugal’s capital, Lisbon; but since it’s such an obvious one and there are many other awesome, not quite so well-known European digital nomad hotspots, we’re going to focus on a couple of those instead.
Bulgaria, Bansko
Are you looking for a digital nomad hotspot where you can go skiing and play in the snow instead of sweltering on a beach all year long? Then check out Bansko in Bulgaria. This ski resort caters to a fast-growing digital nomad community, thanks in most part to Coworking Bansko. This coworking space recognized the demand for an affordable winter location among remote workers several years ago, and their success proves them right.
Compared to western Europe, this Balkan nation provides cheap cost of living at approximately 1,350 USD/month. And even if you go in the summer, the surrounding mountains offer incredible scenery with forested ridges and striking glacial lakes, exciting adventures, and a laid-back city with Greek, Slavic, Ottoman, and Persian influences.
Hungary, Budapest
On the first chapter WiFi Tribe ever ran in Budapest, none of the members left the city during the entire four weeks – that’s how much we loved Budapest and everything it has to offer. And the word is getting out. At an approximate cost of living of 1,500 USD/month, more and more full-time remote workers are recognizing Budapest as one of the best places to work remotely in Europe.
The digital nomad community is growing fast. A handful of coworking spaces have shot out of the ground in just a few years, and most cafes offer good wifi. Markets and festivals beckon all over the city during the summer months, while beautiful government buildings, castles, bridges, and hills set all along the Danube wait to be explored at length.
Central America
If you’re obligated to stick to US-time-zones for work, Central America offers many beautiful, beachy destinations that have become favorites among remote workers.
Mexico, Playa del Carmen
If you love beaches, mountains, and big cities, Mexico should be on your list of places to work remotely. Playa del Carmen offers everything visitors love about Mexico, with the added advantage of fast wifi. This has lead to a steady influx of digital nomads, coworking spaces, and cafes with free wifi. If you like to party it up, Playa del Carmen also offers a thriving nightlife for you to dance the nights away.
Add an affordable 1,500 USD/month cost of comfortable living to the list, and Playa del Carmen is fast becoming a favorite digital nomad hotspot in Central America.
Also: tacos. ‘Nuff said.
Panama, Bocas del Toro
If you love white-sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and a lively surfer scene, then you should head to the beautiful Caribbean destination of Bocas del Toro in Panama. At approximately 2,100 USD/month cost of living comfortably, it’s slightly more expensive than the other cities mentioned so far – but if you’re a fan of any type of water sports as well as coworking spaces right on the beach, Bocas del Toro is right for you.
Wifi at accommodations isn’t the most reliable but there are enough coworking spaces and nomad-friendly cafes around that you can get your work done, and where you’ll meet many like-minded people.
South America
This large continent, with its varying landscapes from white-sandy beaches, over some of the highest mountains in the world, to deserts and rainforests, has brought forth quite a few digital nomad favorites that are worth checking out.
Columbia, Medellín
Medellín is the digital nomad mecca of South America. Just the fact that it offers decent wifi and amazing coffee speaks for it, but the city has many charms beyond these digital nomad basics. Over the last decade, countless cafes, restaurants, and bars have sprung into existence. If you’re looking for a location with a vibrant nightlife, where people love music and dance, while remaining relatively safe, this is the spot for you.
As there are lots of coworking spaces and even more cafes with decent wifi and fantastic coffee, it’s easy to become a part of the digital nomad community in Medellín. And at approximately 1,200 USD/month, the cost of living also allows people with lower budgets to enjoy their stay.
Ecuador, Quito
Sporting the best-preserved, least-altered historic center in Latin America, for which it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Quito is located at 2,800 meters above sea level among mountains and volcanos. This Quito the place to come for an abundance of nature and outdoor adventures like hiking, climbing, and cycling.
Don’t expect cheap thrills and endless party here, but Quito does offer a thriving food scene that caters to a wide variety of tastes, both local and international. At 1,100 USD/month for a comfortable stay, Quito is also wonderfully cheap while providing all comforts and amenities remote workers need to work from home, coworking spaces, or cafes while enjoying a good work-life-adventure balance.
Join WiFi Tribe at These Best Places to Work Remotely
WiFi Tribe hosts chapters at almost all of these locations every year – just check out our 2020 calendar here. Or apply here if one or more of these destinations appeal to you and you’d rather join a well-established community of intrepid travelers, freelancers, and business owners than head out solo. We can’t wait to meet you.
