Guest Author

We all often dream of sipping margaritas on a beach, traveling the world, and exploring all that it has to offer. In the past, this was merely a dream for the ultra-wealthy. The rest of us normal folk had to remain chained to our desks to get paid barely enough to cover the bills. Although what if I told you that you can make this dream a reality with high speed internet abroad and the correct skillset? 

Enter the life of a digital nomad. 

What is a Digital Nomad? 

According to Investopedia, “Digital nomads are people who are location-independent and use technology to perform their job, living a nomadic lifestyle.” This usually includes traveling to different parts of the world, living their dream life, all while using the greatest invention of the century: the internet. This way of remote living is often credited to Tim Ferriss and his book, “The 4-Hour-Work-Week.”  

What if you already are living this lifestyle? Where is the next place you should tick off your bucket list? 

Here are the Top 10 places for Digital Nomads: 

10. Bali, Indonesia 

This is the first destination on the list for a great reason. It might be the exception to the rule, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”  

This destination has almost become a synonym for digital nomads. Living on a tropical island with friendly people, fast Wi-Fi, and an array of memories waiting to be experienced! It almost has everything a Digital Nomad dreams of. Getting a visa is also super easy, as one can even get one on arrival.

9. Thailand

This is usually one of the first places a budding digital nomad should explore. With a currency exchange rate that allows almost anyone to live like royalty and scenery that comes straight out of a movie, Thailand is not a place to be missed. There is something for almost every type of traveler. 

8. Vietnam

When thinking of Vietnam, our first thoughts often take us to a place of destruction and violence. Oh, how we can be mistaken! With its almost perfect and warm weather, combined with fantastic Wi-Fi, Vietnam is a great place to call home for a month or two, and with their new Visa schemes, possibly even a year! Whether you love tanning on a beach or experiencing nature, Vietnam has the best of both worlds. 

7. Georgia 

Georgia, the country, has put in a lot of effort to make it onto this list. Over the years, they have been optimizing their towns to create space that welcomes digital nomads. With their free, one-year visa, cheap food, and beautiful landscape they have certainly accomplished this. With events occurring every other night of the week, being bored is the least of your problems when you take a trip to this beautiful country.

6. Croatia

Pick your lifestyle. Do you want to relax on a sunny beach, rubbing shoulders with all the locals, and immerse yourself in the Croatian culture? Are rugged mountains more your speed? What about exploring the latest world of digital start-ups? Visiting Croatia has just gotten easier with their new digital-nomad-visa. Side note: The Croatian parties are out of this world. 

5. Portugal 

Portugal might be the first to create a whole town for digital nomads to call home. This isn’t without good reason. Currently, in Lisbon, their capital, almost everyone seems to be dipping into the digital nomad lifestyle. With great weather almost all year round and a low cost of living. Portugal might even become the Bali of Europe! 

4. Mexico

There are not many places where you can comfortably enjoy tacos for 3 meals a day, but in Mexico, anything is possible. The only downside to Mexico is it might require a bit more planning. Choosing the wrong place in Mexico may unlock the worst experience ever for digital nomads, with things such as petty crime and spotty Wi-Fi. It is a fine balance between getting a strong enough connection to continue to generate revenue, and living in an authentic, overly popular destination. 

3. Colombia 

Colombia possibly has it all, fantastic weather, beautiful people, and great bang for your buck! Not many people consider South America, though not many people consider being a digital nomad. The language is also a huge plus, English is widely spoken, but if you do want to learn Spanish, this is the way to do it. 

2. Bulgaria 

Unfortunately, many people fail to discover this hidden gem. Everyone sees Budapest and Prague, but do people see Bulgaria? No. That is what makes it such a perfect location! Escape out to the mountain ranges; there are a lot greater things to do than remain behind your desk in some stuffy co-working space. 

1. Malaysia 

What if you don’t want to live disconnected from the fast pace of the city but want to maximize the other benefits of being a digital nomad? Malaysia might be perfect, with everything from cheap plane tickets to Krispy Kreme’s that are more affordable than normal, this mostly English-speaking country might be the best of both worlds. 

Final thoughts

Where do you want to go first? The world is your oyster; go explore it while making memories. Living in one place is so 1990s.