Best Places to Travel and Work as a Digital Nomad

In 1997, Tsugio Makimoto and David Manners wrote a book arguing that future technologies would allow people to work from anywhere. Coining the term “digital nomad,” the two predicted that human beings would be able to reinstate past patterns of living that involved extensive travel.

Fast forward to the present day, and we have millions of digital nomads around the world. Whether as a long-term career choice or just for a season, people are choosing to work online while traveling freely. Now that today’s devices and WIFI connections allow people to run businesses online, it is more than possible to make a living with nothing but a laptop. With shifting priorities and economies, digital nomadism allows many to see the world while achieving a better work-life balance. Boosting tourism and helping labor shortages feels good too.

While any location could technically be a digital nomad destination, some places have risen to the top of the digital nomad list. Bali, Indonesia; Lisbon, Portugal; and Chiang Mai, Thailand are all famed hotspots, while the United States is sometimes referred to as a place to avoid. What causes these distinctions?

Read on to uncover our answers for the best places to travel and work as a digital nomad.

Practical Factors

A major appeal of digital nomadism is the relative simplicity it offers. Imagine living without the stress of home ownership, car insurance, or daily commuting traffic! While life as a digital nomad may involve fewer possessions or responsibilities, there are a few essentials of vital importance, and these are often the key determiners of which locations are the “best.”

Quality WIFI and internet connection.

If you’re going to make remote work your livelihood, it goes without saying that you will need quick, reliable access to the internet. No matter how wonderful and safe a city may be, it will be tough to make life work there if the internet and infrastructure are not yet up to par. While Internet infrastructure may be less of a concern for jobs that don’t require a constant online presence, such jobs are few and far between.

Availability of laptop-friendly working spaces.

Another factor in finding a suitable location for digital nomadism is the number of accessible working locations. Some cities have an abundance of cafes that allow patrons to sit with a laptop. Others have co-working environments specifically designed for digital nomads. If the city of your choice does not have these options (or frowns upon nomads by placing time limits in cafes or not providing power outlets), you can still likely work from your hotel and Airbnb. Keep in mind that you’ll need to confirm that the venue’s business hours sync up with your remote job. The quiet café you enjoy working at in the afternoon may not appreciate you holding a business call during the dinner rush. Because even the best internet connection is useless if you don’t have a place to use it, you should think through this factor in advance of traveling.

Safety and digital nomad familiarity.

Regardless of whether you’re traveling for work or pleasure, it is important to consider the safety of your destination as of the time you plan to be there. Some locations are familiar with, and even specifically cater to, digital nomads, while others may not. Some countries offer tourist, working, or digital nomad Visas while others do not. Some destinations are safer than others. Some allow visitor, worker, or digital nomad visas, and some do not. If a location is unsafe or unsupportive to a degree that it will interrupt your ability to work, it may not be the best location to choose at that time.

Personal Factors

While the above-mentioned factors apply to every digital nomad, there are also personal factors that may come into play when choosing a working location.

Goals and interests.

When the world is your oyster, why not live in locations that will stimulate you and contribute to your life goals? After all, one of the best parts of digital nomadism is the exotic places where you get to spend your off hours. Digital nomads often choose their destinations based on what fun and interesting things there are to do in the region or on the skills the region has to offer (e.g., cooking, surfing, meditation, hiking, etc.).

Cost of living.

Budgeting and finance are some of the most pragmatic considerations for every person and business. Digital nomadism is beautiful in that the lifestyle can work with almost every financial situation. If your goal is to work the fewest possible hours, a country with a lower cost of living might allow you more freedom whereas more expensive destinations (including many places in the US) may require you to work so many hours that you have no time to explore the region. Thankfully, the very definition of “nomadism” involves moving from place to place; it’s possible for you to change destinations based on your financial needs at any given time.

Environment and comfortability.

If you hate cold weather, chances are you won’t enjoy living in Scandinavia during the winter months. If you prefer to work in silence, you may not want to live in a country where it is considered rude to keep to yourself in public cafes. Or maybe you do want to live in such a country so that you can break out of your comfort zone? Digital nomadism has its perks, but it, like all lifestyles, is not idealistic. In order to make sure that you will thrive and can maintain any routines that are essential to your health, take some time to get to know the idiosyncrasies, social landscape, and dietary/housing considerations of the area where you want to live.

Bottom Line

“Best” is often a subjective term, even when it comes to digital nomad locations. Internet searches can provide you with trending destinations, and the factors in this article certainly provide you with good rules of thumb. After considering practical and personal factors, the best place to travel and work ultimately depends on your unique personality and preferences. As long as you can make it work, the world is your oyster! Just be sure to write back and let the rest of us know how it goes so that we can celebrate your adventures with you.

WRITTEN BY: KATIE BARNETT