A good location for digital nomads is one that offers a combination of factors that are attractive to remote workers.

Here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a destination where to settle for a few weeks or months.

Cost of living

Digital nomads often have to stretch their budget in order to travel and work remotely. As a result, a location with a low cost of living is typically attractive to digital nomads. This can include lower prices for housing, food, and other essentials, as well as a lower overall cost of living compared to other popular destinations.

Vibrant culture and social scene

People who travel the world full-time often want to experience the local culture and social scene of the places they visit. As a result, a location with a vibrant culture and social scene is typically attractive to digital nomads. This can include a rich history, beautiful architecture, and a thriving arts and entertainment scene.

Good internet connectivity

As you’ll rely on internet to work remotely as a digital nomad, choosing a location with good internet connectivity is essential. This can include high-speed internet access in co-working spaces and cafes, as well as good internet connectivity in hotels and apartments.

Welcoming environment for remote workers

Travelers want to feel welcomed and supported in the places they visit and, trust me, it’s not always the case. Nobody wants to spend months in a place where local people see foreigners as a nuisance and, as such, destinations with a welcoming environment for remote workers is typically attractive to digital nomads. This can include a growing community of digital nomads, a large expat community, and a variety of co-working spaces and cafes that cater to remote workers.

9 destinations to consider for remote work

With the above criteria in mind, here is an obviously non-exhaustive list of destinations that are well-suited to the digital nomad lifestyle.

Some of them have been very popular for years and and have a well-established expat community, others are up-and-coming locations that offer everything you need to work remotely and enjoy your spare time, and are worth considering.

Bali, Indonesia

Bali is as popular with digital nomads as it is with tourists. The Indonesian island, home of the country’s largest Hindu population, is known for its beautiful beaches, lush forests, unique culture, and vibrant arts scene. It is also a popular destination for surfers, with a number of world-class waves to be found along its coast.

The island’s laid-back atmosphere and beautiful natural surroundings make it an ideal place to live and work, and the strong Wi-Fi connectivity makes it easy to stay connected. There are also a number of co-working spaces and cafes with good internet access, providing a great environment for productivity.

Add to all of that a relatively low cost of living, and it’s easy to understand why Bali is the favorite destination of many digital nomads.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Located in the mountains in northern Thailand and surrounded by forests and rice fields, Chiang Mai is known for its historic temples and vibrant culture and is home to a sizeable digital nomads community.

The city was once the capital of the Kingdom of Lanna and has a rich history that can be seen in its many temples and other historic buildings. Chiang Mai is a popular tourist destination for those interested in exploring the culture and natural beauty of Thailand, as well as enjoying delicious cuisine, and it offers a low cost of living.

Lisbon, Portugal

Located on the western coast of the Iberian Peninsula, the Portugalian capital city is known for its beautiful architecture, delicious food, and warm climate. The city is home to many co-working spaces and cafes, making it easy for digital nomads to find a place to work. Its beautiful beaches are popular with locals and tourists alike, and offer many outdoor activities.

It is also home a number of cultural attractions, including the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower, and the São Jorge Castle. The city also has a vibrant nightlife, with a variety of bars, clubs, and restaurants to choose from.
The city is well connected and it’s easy to find cheap flights to many destinations in Europe, which make it very convenient to visit the continent one city trip at a time.

Unfortunately, its popularity with tourists and remote workers make it a much more expensive city to live in than the others in this list.

Medellín, Colombia

Medellín is an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads, offering a vibrant and modern city with a low cost of living. The city has a growing number of co-working spaces and cafes with Wi-Fi, making it easy for digital nomad to work and connect with others.

The city is also known for its year-round spring-like weather, making it a pleasant place to live and work. It has a rich history and cultural heritage, with many museums, galleries, and other attractions to explore, and is also famous for its delicious cuisine, with a wide variety of local and international dishes available.

Medellín offers a great combination of amenities and affordability for digital nomads.

Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi is an emerging destination for digital nomads, offering a unique blend of old and new. Tbilisi is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, with many historic landmarks and museums to explore. The city has a vibrant arts and entertainment scene, with many live music venues, theaters, and galleries.

It is also famous for its delicious food and wine, with a wide variety of local and international cuisine available.

Overall, Tbilisi offers a fascinating, affordable, and atypical destination for digital nomads.

Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An is a city located in central Vietnam, on the coast of the South China Sea. It is known for its well-preserved old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The old town is a mix of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese architecture, with narrow streets lined with colorful buildings and shops. Hoi An is a popular tourist destination, with many visitors coming to explore the city’s history and culture, as well as its beautiful beaches.

While not as popular as other digital nomad hubs throughout South-East Asia, Hoi An offers many co-working spaces and cafes with fast internet access, and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Havana, Cuba

Havana is an interesting destination for digital nomads, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and modern amenities.

The Cubanese capital city has a growing number of co-working spaces and cafes with Wi-Fi, making it easy for digital nomads to work and connect with others. Havana also has a vibrant arts and entertainment scene, with many live music venues, museums, and galleries. The city is also known for its delicious food and drink, with a wide variety of local and international cuisine available.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina, known for its vibrant culture, delicious food, and beautiful architecture. The city is home to many co-working spaces and cafes, making it easy for digital nomads to find a place to work.

Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, located on the eastern coast of the country, along the Rio de la Plata. The city is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, with a mix of European and Latin American influences. It is also a major economic and financial center in South America and is home to a vibrant arts and entertainment scene, with many theaters, museums, galleries, and music venues. The city is also famous for its tango dancing and its delicious food, including its signature dish, the asado, a type of Argentine barbecue.

Additionally, the cost of living in Buenos Aires is relatively low compared to other major cities, making it an affordable option for digital nomads.

Reykjavik, Iceland

The capital city of Iceland is of course known for its beautiful natural landscapes, but also has a vibrant culture and unique architecture. Reykjavik is home to many co-working spaces and cafes, making it easy for digital nomads to find a place to work.

If you work in a creative field, you might find Reykjavik particularly appealing, as the country’s strong tradition of storytelling and rich literary heritage, in addition to its often unpredictable and harsh weather that force people to stay indoors, makes its population one of the most creative in the world. In such circumstances, it’s not very difficult to meet fellow artists in different fields.

While the cost of living in Reykjavik is high compared to other destinations, the city offers a unique and exciting experience for digital nomads.

The world is your oyster

There are many great locations for digital nomads, each with its own unique appeal, and the aforementioned destinations are just a few examples. Some of them are already very popular and packed with travelers, while others are only emerging as hubs for digital nomads and may offer better odds at experiencing the local traditional way of life before it changes irreversibly under the influence of hordes of foreign visitors.

Whether you’re looking for beautiful natural landscapes, rich history and culture, vibrant nightlife, or a low cost of living, there is a destination out there that is perfect for you.

Have you spent time in any of the cities I mentioned or have another destination to recommend? Please share you experience with us in the comments below.