As a digital nomad, I have had the opportunity to work from some of the most beautiful spots around the globe. Over the years, I have learned how to balance work and travel to create a lifestyle that has allowed me to explore different cultures, meet new people, and immerse myself in unique experiences. One of the key benefits of being a digital nomad is that it offers you freedom and flexibility. You can choose to work from anywhere in the world with an internet connection, and that has allowed me to seek out the most scenic and picturesque places to call “my office.”
In this post, I’m excited to share some of my favorite spots where I’ve worked as a digital nomad. From tropical beaches to charming cafés, I have worked in a diverse range of locations with their unique advantages. Each place on this list offers me a serene, peaceful environment with strong internet connections, which is vital as a digital nomad to stay productive.
1) Bali, Indonesia
Bali is a popular hotspot for digital nomads, offering beautiful natural surroundings and a low cost of living. Bali has plenty of coworking spaces, cafes, and restaurants that are perfect for remote workers. My favorite spots in Bali include Ubud and Seminyak.
Ubud is a small town located in central Bali known for its beautiful rice paddies, temples, and wellness spots. While in Ubud, I spent a few months working from cafes like Bali Buddha Cafe and Kafe. Bali Buddha Cafe is a health-conscious cafe that serves fresh and tasty food, including delicious smoothies that helped to keep me energized throughout the day. On the other hand, Kafe is a similar restaurant with a laidback atmosphere that offered freshly prepared food and good coffee. Kafe was perfect for when I had to finish up some work or settle in for the afternoon.
Seminyak is a picturesque beach town with excellent cafes and coworking spaces that cater to digital nomads. I worked from two cafes – Revolver Espresso and KYND Community. Revolver Espresso provided excellent coffee and atmosphere with a laidback vibe, and the antique decor gave it a stylish ambiance. At KYND Community, I loved the vibrant and Instagram-able decor with good vegan food, which made it the perfect spot to create content and have quality conversations while working.
Apart from work, Bali offers a range of activities such as yoga, cooking classes, and scenic drives to explore the nature of the island. Bali was a perfect fit for me to be fulfilled both professionally and personally.
2) Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai is a Northern Thai city in mountainous terrain. In recent years it has emerged as the “digital nomad capital of the world.” Thanks to its low cost of living, excellent infrastructure, and vibrant culture. Many digital nomads flock to Chiang Mai to enjoy a relaxed lifestyle and a lower cost of living while staying connected because of the high-speed internet that the city boasts.
In Chiang Mai, I worked from Punspace, a coworking space famous for its diverse community, excellent facilities, and networking opportunities. It was a perfect place for me to meet other digital nomads who shared similar interests and passion in traveling. Punspace provides a professional environment while also accommodating various needs, like a comfortable couch area and a kitchen area with free drinks and snacks. The relaxed pace of life also gives me an opportunity to nourish my body and soul after long hours of work by enjoying the temples, mountains, and night markets the city offers.
3) Tulum, Mexico
Tulum is a magical town located on the Caribbean side of Mexico. With pristine beaches and warm weather, Tulum is one of the most scenic spots I’ve worked from as a digital nomad. I stayed at Amansala resort, on the beachfront, where I could enjoy the stunning ocean view while working. At Amansala, I could also have fresh seafood and healthy but tasty meals with fellow travelers. I was able to use the beautiful setting to find inspiration for my work, from the turquoise waters to walking around the small town with a bike or lazily lying on the hammock.
Off work, Tulum offered me yoga classes, good restaurants, and plenty of watersports activities. It was great to have everything I needed in one spot, which improved my productivity to focus on my work.
4) Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is an elegant European city, offering a relaxed lifestyle, great weather, and a scenic environment. Lisbon is one of the most enchanting European cities with a friendly, youthful, and lively atmosphere, which makes it perfect for digital nomads. In Lisbon, I worked from Second Home, a beautiful coworking space with a stylish interior that makes it one of the trendiest places for digital nomads in the city. Second Home provides a vibrant community of professionals, unlimited coffee and snacks, and accessible public transport to other parts of the city.
Apart from work, Lisbon offers numerous experiences to explore and delve into the Portuguese culture. The historic neighborhoods, architecture, and cuisine were some of the highlights for me. Lisbon’s offering of scenery and opportunities for exploration made me fall in love with the city.
5) Siargao Island, Philippines
Siargao Island is a magical place off the coast of Mindanao. Known for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters makes it one of the most scenic places to work from as a digital nomad. Rural life and warm seas make it a laid-back destination that is perfect for the kind of digital nomads, who value nature and adventure while also balancing work.
I spent a few weeks working remotely from Lotus Shores which is located on the beachfront. Lotus Shores provided the perfect environment to stay productive while enjoying the natural beauty at my doorstep. I was also able to connect with the island’s unique culture and learn from the locals. On island days off, I spent time surfing, exploring the Island scenery, excursions to nearby beaches, and fresh seafood lunches that left me rejuvenated.
6) Canggu, Bali
Canggu is a hip beach town located on the west coast of Bali, where digital nomads cherish the laid-back lifestyle with plenty of cafes and sun-kissed beaches to explore. The town offers a relaxed vibe and the perfect place for digital nomads who are in search of the beach lifestyle. Dojo Bali is one of the popular co-working spaces located in the heart of Canggu, with air-conditioned private rooms, conference room facilities, and fast internet. Dojo Bali offers a professional environment, allowing me to stay inspired and creative throughout the day.
Canggu is also an excellent spot for relaxing, exploring water activities, yoga classes, and surfing. At the end of the day, Canggu is a destination that allows you to blend work with pleasure.
7) Medellin, Colombia
Medellin lies in the Aburra valley, surrounded by picturesque mountains, making it an excellent place to soak in the allure of the countryside while staying connected to your work. Selina Coworking in Medellin provided me an excellent environment by blending work with facilities and accommodation in one place. Selina provides a unique experience of living and working in a cultural space that inspires creativity and productive work. The beautiful interior design features eucalyptus wood floors, trendy furniture, cozy rooms, and lounge areas that provide inspiring breakaway spots.
Colombia’s colorful vibrant culture and friendly locals add-up to my cherished moment of working there. The food and music scene is top-notch, offering me the chance to learn new things and create remarkable memories. Medellin is a destination like no other.
8) Costa Rica
Costa Rica immerses you in a beautiful country rich in lush forests and pristine beaches, making it an ideal digital nomad hotspot because of its friendly locals and laidback culture. Santa Teresa is a small, surfer town located in the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. At Selina Resort, I was surrounded by nature and had access to amenities such as a pool and yoga classes that kept me active even though I spent long hours working. Selina Costa Rica also provides a better opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and connect with traveling entrepreneurs.
Costa Rica offers numerous activities for day-offs, with adventure activities such as surfing, hiking, and zip-lining, among other things offer me some of the best relaxation moments I’ve had.
9) Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca is a storied city located in southern Mexico, known for its colorful markets, exceptional cuisine, and natural beauty. I chose to work from La Casa del Tio Guero, a cozy and stylish Airbnb that felt like a home away from home. The Airbnb was equipped with strong internet, located near numerous cafes to work in during the day or take a break to enjoy some local food. I loved how friendly the locals were, which helped me blend in with the culture and speak better Spanish.
Oaxaca is a culturally rich city with excellent art and music events that helped ignite my creativity and revive my passion for work. With numerous artisanal markets, language classes, and indigenous communities, the place made me explore a deeper understanding of Mexican culture.
10) Koh Phangan, Thailand
Koh Phangan is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, famous for its beach parties, and tranquility when the moon parties are over. The place is a heaven on earth for those looking to work remotely and stay active with various activities like yoga classes, water sports, and nature trails. The Yoga Retreat nestled away on the island provided a quiet and breezy environment, ideal to work from, and it offered me the calm and chilled-out experience that I craved.
Koh Phangan has an aura like no other, with various experiences from spa treatments, night markets, and Thai culture lessons. The island is a perfect place to take a break from work by unwinding in nature.
Conclusion
As a digital nomad, I have had the privilege of working from some of the most beautiful places globally, and I have found that each location offers something unique. Working remotely, I get to immerse myself in different cultures, indulge in local cuisine, and enjoy picturesque surroundings while staying productive. Each destination has taught me to embrace diversity and Openness, and I would highly recommend them as a workplace for any digital nomad looking to find balance between travel and remote work. Regardless of your preferences, there are endless opportunities as a digital nomad to explore new destinations while getting work done. So, pack your bags, get your laptop and explore the world while working.