Top Five Destinations for Digital Nomads
We can thank a global pandemic for one thing: the improved ease of remote working. Doing so has become common practice. While many businesses were hesitant to accept it at first, necessity begets change. Business cultural acceptance and infrastructure improvements followed. And now some years later, we have adapted - we are now much more adept at accomplishing anything, from anywhere.
Many people have seized this opportunity to marry work with travel. These digital nomads enjoy adventures all over the world while working remotely. One factor to keep in mind is that working in a foreign country may or may not be permitted, legally speaking, so planning ahead is always a good idea. As Tourist Visas usually expire after 30-90 days (and aren’t always easy to renew), a growing number of countries are beginning to offer work-friendly Digital Nomad visas to meet this growing trend. (Whatever the permitted duration of your stay, Chrono can help you keep track of your travel but more on that later).
In the endeavor to entice foreigners to come and contribute to their economies, many governments have begun to offer visas that allow visitors to spend time living there while doing some form of remote work. The hope is that wooing workers with “digital nomad visas,” “remote work visas,” or “freelancer visas” will help compensate for income losses in tourism and tax revenues due to the pandemic.
But before you pack up your swimsuit and your adapter kit (why are there so many different power plugs?), let’s take a look at the Top Destinations for Digital Nomads:
Portugal
Digital nomad utopia, with its 300 days of sunshine, beautiful beaches, world famous surfing, food, cafe culture, cosmopolitan cities, and its rating as the sixth safest country in the world (ref Global Peace Index at https://www.visionofhumanity.org/maps/#/)
Nomads Recommend: Lisbon
Digital nomad visa offered? Yes - Portugal D7 Visa/Digital Nomad Visa allows you to extend your stay for up to a year or more.
Internet accessibility + reliability: 5/5
Life balance factor: 5/5
Proximity to fun: 5/5
Cost of living: monthly av: $1500 USD per person (source: Portugal.com)
Downside: govt officials do business only in Portuguese, so be prepared; and shops close at lunch.
BTW: the first digital nomad village launched in the autonomous region of Madeira in 2021.
Bali
This province of Indonesia is a stunning patchwork of lush jungles, pristine beaches, strong internet, and luxury accommodations for an affordable sum.
Nomads Recommend: Canggu
Digital nomad visa offered? Yes - as of September 2022, remote workers in Bali can use a B211A visa to work online for up to six months, income tax-free. A longer-term digital nomad visa — possibly up to five years — is still under discussion.
Internet accessibility + reliability: 4/5
Life balance factor: 5/5
Proximity to fun: 5/5
Cost of living: $1200-1800 USD /month
Downside: Travelers recommend that you boil or purify tap water before drinking. As of Dec 2022, Indonesia's parliament passed a law(which does not go into effect for 3 years) that effectively bans sex before marriage. Per The Economist, these rules undermine the government's stated priority of attracting digital nomads and tourists. Bali / Indonesia may not make the list in 2025!!!
BTW: The island of Bali is home to more than 20,000 temples.
South Africa
Good luck getting much work done while surrounded by vineyards, mountains, savannah, world famous surfing, and the chance to swim with penguins. But if you’ve got willpower, this should be a top choice!
Nomads Recommend: Cape Town
Digital nomad visa offered? No, but in Feb 2022, President Cyril Ramophosa announced the intention to do so in the near future.
Internet accessibility + reliability: 4/5
Life balance factor: 5/5
Proximity to fun: 5/5
Cost of living: $1200-2500 USD/month, depending on location
Downside: Crime varies by city, so be vigilant.
BTW: There are 11 official languages in South Africa.
Columbia
The second most biodiverse country in the world is home to incredible coffee plantations, gorgeous beaches (Caribbean + Pacific coastlines), the Andes mountains, and warm people, all of which provide the backdrop to a surprising pairing of sophisticated living, world class food, and deep fondness for traditional culture + music.
Nomads Recommend: Medellín
Digital nomad visa offered? Yes - took effect on October 22, 2022. Allows nomads that work for a company outside of Colombia to stay in the country for up to two years. To qualify, applicants must have a minimum income of about $604 USD per month.
Internet accessibility + reliability: 3/5
Life balance factor: 5/5
Proximity to fun: 5/5
Cost of living: $1000-1500 USD /month
Downside: safety is great during the day, but avoid certain places at night to reduce risk of pickpocketing + mugging.
BTW: Must-eat: Bandeja Paisa, an enormous Colombia breakfast made famous by farmers needing a heavy meal before working in the fields: rice, beans, avocado, ground beef, fried egg, plantain, chorizo, and an arepa.
Mexico
Located just a few hours but a world away, Mexico is an easy first destination for many aspiring digital nomads from the United States. With world-renowned vacation destinations, the most populous city in North America, and 180 sites with ancient ruins that are open to the public, Mexico is a place to relax, work and learn.
Nomads Recommend: Mexico City
Digital nomad visa offered? No. Best workaround is a Temporary Resident visa if staying >180 days and up to four years. Allows foreigners to open a local bank account, rent and buy cars and travel in and out of Mexico without restrictions.
Internet accessibility + reliability: 3/5
Life balance factor: 5/5
Proximity to fun: 5/5
Cost of living: $1000-1500 USD /month
Downside: safety is great during the day, but avoid certain places at night to reduce risk of pickpocketing + mugging.
BTW: Chocolate originated in Mexico, where the Aztecs and Mayans first cultivated the cacao plant thousands of years ago.
Don’t forget that as a digital nomad living abroad, you are likely still required to file a tax return every year, so always seek advice from a tax professional as part of your planning. One easy way to effortlessly capture where you were, and how long you spent there, is to use Chrono. More on that here.
