DIGITAL NOMADS – 15 BEST PLACES TO LIVE [2024]
MOST POPULAR LOCATIONS FOR DIGITAL NOMADS? WHAT ARE THE TOP CITIES FOR DIGITAL NOMADS?
Digital nomads are the new rock stars of the professional world: whether we admire them or hate them, they make people dream with their beautiful photos of coconuts on the beach, with a computer by their side.
“DIGITAL NOMADS ARE THE NEW ROCK STARS OF THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD! “
Are you a digital nomad looking for your next destination? Do you work remotely and plan to travel abroad for a few months? In this case, this article is for you to find the city that suits you best!
If the nomadic life offers many advantages, it also requires thinking about several aspects. The cost of living, coworking spaces, security, and of course the quality of the Internet are important criteria to consider. And if you are looking for online jobs, check out Jooble!
WHERE ARE THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE AS DIGITAL NOMADS?
1. Canggu in Bali
Canggu is probably the mecca of digital nomads!
Balinese culture is full of spirituality: the smell of incense in the morning, the temples everywhere, the music of the ceremonies on the street.
Many digital nomads flock from the rest of the world to immerse themselves in the Balinese lifestyle.
Amongst all these traditions, you will also find great spots for surfing, yoga studios everywhere, sunshine pretty much all year round, co-working spaces at every corner, healthy food, and beautiful villas with private pools where to live with your friends and family.
That’s what Canggu is all about.
However, staying Long Term in Bali is not always very easy, and can be very costly. A tourist visa only allows you stay for 30 days (+ another 30 days extension). Then you have a B112 Visa which allows you to stay up to 6 months and finally a freelance visa which allows you to stay for a year, but quite expensive.
BEST CO-WORKING SPACES IN CANGGU:
READ: 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN CANGGU & BEST CO-WORKING SPACES IN CANGGU
2. Ubud in Bali
Second on the list, and still in Bali: UBUD.
Ubud is not only a hub for Digital Nomads, it is also the worldwide capital of Yoga and spirituality. No beach in Ubud, but amazing rice paddies, waterfalls, temples, and nature all around you.
For yoga classes, head to the Yoga Barn, one of the best yoga centres in Bali. If you are vegan, check out Alchemy Bali, for delicious and unique meals.
For many years Ubud attracted Digital Nomads from around the world.
Meeting new people in Ubud is very easy, which will make you feel part of a great community! The cost of living in Ubud is almost unbeatable. You will be able to live in amazing places at an affordable rate.
For all these reasons Ubud is one of the best places for Digital Nomads.
BEST CO-WORKING SPACES IN UBUD:
READ: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO LIVE IN BALI?
3. Lisbon in Portugal
Over the last few years, Lisbon has become one of the hotspots for digital nomads. Indeed, the good quality of life, low cost of living compared to other European capitals, the nice temperature all year round and the vibrant city attracts lots of young people!
Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Europe and has a lot to offer to Digital Nomads. The city was once known as “a center of knowledge” thanks to the many libraries that were present during its golden age, which lasted from the 15th to the 16th century.
Even today, it remains an important center of education and is home to many universities, including the world-renowned Technical University of Lisbon.
Lisbon has several cultural attractions that Digital Nomads will appreciate; it is also surrounded by beaches for those who want to take some rest and relax during their vacation! Lisbon is undeniably one of the best cities for Digital Nomads!
BEST CO-WORKING SPACES IN LISBON:
READ: 25 BEST THINGS TO SEE IN LISBON
4. Ericeira in Portugal
Ericeira is a beautiful town by the coast not far from Lisbon, which we completely fell in love with. We discovered Ericeira during our sabbatical year traveling around the world.
Ericeira is world famous for surfing. Indeed it was recognized in 2011, as a World Surfing Reserve. The only place in Europe with this title!
Over the years, Ericeira started to attract more and more Digital Nomads thanks to its great vibes mixing surfing culture with a very traditional Portuguese fishing town. However, don’t expect a huge crowd there, especially in the low season in winter.
The good thing though, is that in 1 hour you can reach Lisbon.
BEST CO-WORKING SPACES IN ERICEIRA:
READ: 15 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN ERICEIRA
5. Madeira in Portugal
We are still in Portugal, but this time it’s an island called Madeira. In recent years Madeira has put itself on the map of the best places for Digital Nomads.
The island of Madeira is known for winning for many consecutive years, the title of “best island destination” in Europe and in the World, awarded by the World Travel Awards. The rewards make perfect sense, as the island is beautiful and surrounded by lots of nature.
Madeira recently announced a project specifically focused on Digital Nomads. “Digital Nomads Madeira” has the idea of hosting many digital nomads on the island, for free where they will have all the necessary structure to work.
They will also have the opportunity to meet other Digital Nomads to create a good network. To apply, check out this link.
We traveled to Madeira for a month and absolutely loved the island. You can discover the best things to do in Madeira here and its capital city Funchal, here.
BEST CO-WORKING SPACES IN MADEIRA:
READ: DISCOVER 30 INCREDIBLE THINGS TO SEE IN MADEIRA
6. Tenerife in Spain
Tenerife in the Canary Islands is a fantastic and emerging Digital Nomad hotspot.
During the pandemic, more and more people moved to the Canary Islands for remote work. Today the Spanish archipelago intends to become the “office with the best climate in the world”. Indeed the Canary islands are known to be the island of eternal spring, as the climate is mild and sunny all year round!
There are actually 7 islands in the Canary Archipelago, however, Tenerife is the biggest one with more facilities for Digital Nomads.
In the Canary Islands, you can expect to meet a great community of Digital Nomads. Besides it is one of the best places in Europe for surfing. The Canary Islands are even nicknamed the Hawaii of Europe, especially during the big swells in Europe. There are also lots of yoga centres and yoga retreats. We spent 3 months in the Canary Islands, and absolutely loved it. Check out our full guide here.
In Tenerife, there are 2 places for Digital Nomads, either North West of the island in Puerto de La Cruz and in the South East at Costa Adeje.
BEST CO-WORKING SPACES IN TENERIFE:
READ: 25 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN TENERIFE
7. Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, Spain
Las Palmas in Gran Canaria is another great city for Digital Nomads in the Canary Islands.
It is very easy here to find a co-living apartment as well as co-working spaces. The Facebook group “Gran Canaria Digital Nomads” allows you to get lots of practical advice and easily meet people. There is a real community of digital nomads in Las Palmas.
It is also a great place for surfing at one of the most beautiful urban beaches in Europe: Las Canteras. In the district of La Vegueta, you can even visit the old house of Christopher Columbus! How amazing is that? For the best yoga studio in town head to Om Yoga Las Palmas (website).
We spent a month in Las Palmas during our sabbatical year and absolutely love the vibe in the city but also in the entire island of Gran Canaria.
BEST CO-WORKING SPACES IN LAS PALMAS:
READ: DISCOVER LAS PALMAS IN GRAN CANARIA
8. Budapest in Hungary
The capital of Hungary has a lot to offer to Digital Nomads. Here, the atmosphere is young and dynamic. Budapest appeals to both culture lovers and partygoers looking for great nightlife! You will quickly fall in love with the stunning architecture of the city!
Budapest has many co-working spaces and cafes with super-fast Wi-Fi. This place is also very safe and life relatively cheap compared to other major European cities. Over the last few years, Budapest became one of the best cities for Digital Nomads in Europe.
BEST CO-WORKING SPACES IN HUNGARY:
9. Weligama in Sri Lanka
This one may sound surprising! But yes, Weligama in Sri Lanka has become one of the newest hotspots for Digital Nomads. Unfortunately, the economic crisis in 2022, took a huge toll on Sri Lanka. But we hope that Sri Lanka will come out of it even stronger.
When we traveled there for a month right before the crisis in 2022, Weligama was booming with many digital nomads flocking to the country which was one of the first places to fully reopen after the pandemic.
The Sri Lankan south coast is full of amazing beaches. Between Tangalle, Hikkaduwa, Mirissa, Hiriketiya, Unawatuna etc., the coastline is absolutely stunning! Sri Lanka is also known as a surfing paradise in Asia.
Weligama and Mirissa started to open trendy cafes, healthy restaurants, yoga retreats and surf camps. More and more tourists started to realize that actually Sri Lanka wouldn’t be a bad place to live.
Indeed, with the very affordable cost of living, great beaches, super friendly locals and so much to visit in Sri Lanka, many started to live there full-time and work remotely.
More in the center of the country, you can stay in Ella, which is the spiritual place of Sri Lanka higher up in the mountains and surrounded by tea plantations. If we were to compare Sri Lanka to Bali, Weligama would be like Canggu and Ella would be like Ubud.
BEST CO-WORKING SPACES IN WELIGAMA:
READ: 20 BEST THINGS TO SEE IN THE SOUTH OF SRI LANKA
10. Chiang Mai in Thailand
Chiang Mai is one of the best cities for Digital Nomads and has been ranked as one of the best places to live.
This place was once an ancient capital. The city is full of temples and will appeal to anyone who loves history and culture. It is also very easy to walk in Chiang Mai, as the city is surrounded by mountains and beautiful natural landscapes.
If you love nature, and history and want to explore different cultures, this might be the best city for you as a Digital Nomad.
BEST CO-WORKING SPACES IN CHANG MAI:
Get Insured
Traveling is amazing, but it can be unpredictable, which is why having medical travel insurance is a must. Imagine you’re exploring Thailand, and suddenly you twist an ankle or come down with a nasty bug. Without insurance, you could be facing hefty medical bills, which could put a real damper on your adventure.
That’s where SafetyWing comes in. They’re like a trusty sidekick for digital nomads and travelers. SafetyWing’s got your back with comprehensive medical coverage at affordable rates.
Their plans are flexible, so you can start and stop them whenever you need. And they even cover you in your home country between trips! The best part? SafetyWing is designed specifically with digital nomads and long-term travelers in mind, so you get coverage whether you’re hopping from country to country or setting up shop in one place for a while.
So, if you’re planning to hit the road, take a moment to get yourself some medical travel insurance. It’s a small investment for a lot of peace of mind, and SafetyWing is a top-notch choice. Happy travels, and stay safe out there!
>> Check out your options here
11. Bangkok in Thailand
Bangkok is one of the most exciting cities in Asia and has also become one of the main hotspots for Digital Nomads.
The food is amazing, the people are some of the nicest in the world, the culture is fascinating and accommodations are affordable, in a nutshell, it is a Digital Nomads paradise.
For the partygoers, Bangkok also offers one of the most exciting nightlife, perfect if you need to relax after work.
BEST CO-WORKING SPACES IN BANGKOK:
12. Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam is an increasingly popular city with Digital Nomads community. Its main draw? The very low cost of living, the amazing food, and its captivating culture.
Here, expatriates are particularly well received. You can quickly meet other digital nomads in Ho Chi Minh City and feel part of a community. You will have no trouble feeling at home here, while still enjoying the Asian culture.
Vietnam is also a great country to discover with Hanoi and Halong Bay in the north, Da Nang and Hoi An in the center, Ho Chi Minh, and the Mekong River in the south.
Many digital nomads say they like Ho Chi Minh City (previously called Saigon) for the warm welcome of its inhabitants, its delicious food, its low prices as well as its vibrant nightlife.
BEST CO-WORKING SPACES IN HO CHI MINH CITY:
READ: 25 BEST THINGS TO SEE IN HO CHI MINH CITY
13. Cape Town in South Africa
Cape Town is perhaps one of the most incredible destinations in the world. The landscape is just jaw-dropping! This mixed with the affordable cost of living, great food scene, and modern infrastructure, makes Cape Town one of the best cities for Digital Nomads.
The vast majority of Digital Nomads love their time in Cape Town. However, the main concern is often safety. Common sense is usually enough to stay safe though.
BEST CO-WORKING SPACES IN CAPE TOWN:
14. Tulum in Mexico
Tulum and the nearby city of Playa del Carmen are 2 of the best places for Digital Nomads. During Covid, there was a surge of Digital Nomads who moved to Mexico, to enjoy the beach, for the low cost of living compared to the US, and to take advantage of the great co-working and co-living facilities.
Along with being home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, Tulum is also an ancient Mayan port city full of preserved ruins. During your break from work, visit the Tulum Archaeological Zone, one of our favorite spots to admire the ancient Mayan buildings.
This site is right by the sea with turquoise water and golden sand beach. For nature lovers, the country has several “cenotes”, natural wells of fresh or salt water, in which you can bathe. It’s stunning!
In recent years, many started to invest in properties in Tulum, making it a permanent residence or a great second home outside the US. You should check it out, prices are still very affordable.
BEST CO-WORKING SPACES IN TULUM:
15. Santa Teresa in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of our favorite countries in the world! We love that Costa Rica is investing a major part of its revenues into sustainable development. The majority of the country are natural protected areas. And according to many surveys, Costa Ricans are the happiest people on earth!
With its great outdoors, the ocean, good vibes, and good people, Costa Rica will certainly seduce you. La PURA VIDA is a term that you will have to learn there. It’s a pure life. It’s about being happy and enjoying the moment.
Playa Teresa in Costa Rica on the Pacific coast, consistently ranks as one of the best places in Costa Rica to visit and to live. It is also a great spot for surfing and practicing yoga.
There are plenty of other outdoor sports in Playa Teresa such as Scuba diving, kayaking, kitesurfing, and some fantastic hikes nearby. The beach town is vibrant with a great community of Digital Nomads.
BEST CO-WORKING SPACES IN SANTA TERESA:
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A PLACE TO LIVE AS DIGITAL NOMADS
1. Internet Connectivity
The lifeblood of any digital nomad is a reliable internet connection.
Before settling in a new location, ensure that it offers high-speed, stable internet. You can check online forums, and coworking spaces, and even contact potential landlords to inquire about the quality of the internet service in the area. It’s also a good idea to have a backup plan, like a portable hotspot, in case of unexpected outages.
2. Cost of Living
Your budget plays a significant role in choosing where to live. Research the cost of living in your desired destination, considering rent, food, transportation, and other essentials. Popular digital nomad hubs like Bali, Chiang Mai, or Lisbon offer a relatively lower cost of living compared to major Western cities, but it’s essential to strike a balance between affordability and quality of life.
3. Visa Regulations
Understanding the visa requirements and regulations of your chosen destination is crucial. Some countries have digital nomad or freelancer-specific visas, making it easier for remote workers to stay for an extended period. Others may have strict visa restrictions that limit your stay. Make sure you comply with the local laws and have the necessary visas or permits in place.
4. Safety and Healthcare
Safety and access to healthcare are paramount. Research the safety levels of your chosen destination and check if your health insurance covers international travel. Familiarize yourself with local healthcare facilities, and consider getting a comprehensive health insurance plan that includes medical evacuation coverage if you plan to stay in more remote areas.
5. Time Zone and Work Compatibility
If your work requires real-time collaboration or video conferences, consider the time zone difference between your current location and your clients or team. Being in a similar time zone can make your work life more manageable and reduce the likelihood of burnout.
6. Community and Networking
One of the best things about the digital nomad lifestyle is the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. Research the local digital nomad community, find coworking spaces, and attend meetups or events. Building a network of friends and professional contacts can enhance your overall experience.
7. Climate and Lifestyle
Consider the climate and the lifestyle you prefer. Do you enjoy a tropical paradise, a bustling city, or a tranquil mountain retreat? Your surroundings can significantly impact your overall happiness and productivity. Think about the activities and environments that inspire you to do your best work.
8. Accessibility and Transportation
Ease of travel to and from your chosen location is vital. Check the availability of direct flights, the quality of local transportation, and proximity to major hubs. Efficient transportation can make your life as a digital nomad much more convenient.
IN CONCLUSION ABOUT THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE FOR DIGITAL NOMADS
In 2007, Tim Ferriss released his book The 4-Hour Workweek in which he already depicted this same way of life and work as Digital Nomads.
But even then, Ferriss could never have predicted the importance, evolution, and impact of social networks, applications, and on-demand services that have been exacerbated during Covid.
Today, whenever we go to a cafe, we are surrounded by people working on their laptops. Our generation is actually so lucky! We can now work from anywhere in the world. It has never been so easy to combine travel and work. How great is that!
We hope that you find this list useful. Feel free to send us your recommendation, as we are pretty sure more and more cities would have to be added to this list as there are more and more Digital Nomads around the world!
