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The world is wide open for digital nomads, and choosing the right country can make or break your experience. Some places offer dirt-cheap living, others have world-class WiFi, and a few give you that perfect mix of work-life balance. But the real question is—where can you actually thrive as a remote worker? Finding the best countries for digital nomads means looking beyond just cheap rent or fast internet; it’s about discovering places that support productivity, offer great communities, and provide an amazing quality of life.
It’s not just about picking a country with cheap rent or fast internet. You need a place where you can be productive, meet like-minded people, and still have an amazing quality of life. Some spots have massive nomad communities, making it easy to network and find work-friendly cafés. Others are hidden gems, where you can stretch your budget while enjoying incredible food, culture, and nature.
This list breaks down the best countries for digital nomads, focusing on cost of living, WiFi quality, and overall lifestyle. Whether you want a tropical island, a buzzing city, or a laid-back European town, there’s a spot that fits your needs.
Table of Contents
1. Thailand – The OG Digital Nomad Haven
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Thailand has been a hotspot for digital nomads for years, and it’s easy to see why. The cost of living is insanely low, the WiFi is solid, and the lifestyle? Unreal. You could be working from a cozy café in Chiang Mai for a few bucks a day, then hit up a night market for mouthwatering street food. Or, if beaches are more your vibe, Koh Samui and Phuket have co-working spaces with views that’ll make you question reality.
Apartments in Chiang Mai start at around $300 a month, while Bangkok is pricier but still manageable. Eating out is so cheap that cooking at home feels pointless. The only downside? Thailand’s visa situation can be tricky. Most people do visa runs or apply for an education visa.
The community is also a huge plus. Chiang Mai, especially, has a massive digital nomad scene, so it’s easy to network, make friends, and swap ideas. It’s the kind of place where you show up for the cheap living but stay for the people.
2. Indonesia (Bali) – The Ultimate Work-Life Balance
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Bali is one of those places that makes you rethink life. Wake up, grab a smoothie bowl, work from a beachfront café, then catch a sunset surf session. It’s not just hype—Bali really is that good.
The cost of living is reasonable, but it depends on your lifestyle. If you’re okay with a simple villa in Canggu or Ubud, you can get by on $1,000–$1,500 a month. Rent is around $400–$700 for a decent place, and food is cheap unless you’re eating at Western-style cafés every day.
WiFi can be hit-or-miss, but co-working spaces like Dojo and Outpost make up for it. They’re packed with entrepreneurs, remote workers, and creatives, so networking is effortless. The biggest issue? Visas. The 60-day tourist visa works for short stays, but if you want to stay long-term, you’ll need to navigate Indonesia’s complicated visa system.
Despite that, Bali has a magic to it. The mix of natural beauty, affordable living, and a thriving remote work scene makes it one of the best places to be if you want a stress-free, inspiring lifestyle.
3. Vietnam – Insanely Cheap and Underrated
Image by Xuan Duong from Pixabay
Vietnam doesn’t get talked about as much as Thailand or Bali, but it should. It’s one of the cheapest places to live, the food is unreal, and the internet is solid. Plus, it’s got that perfect mix of fast-paced city life and chill coastal towns.
Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are the main hubs for digital nomads. You can rent a modern apartment for $300–$500 a month, and street food meals cost $1–$2. Seriously, you could live like a king on $800–$1,200 a month here. Da Nang is another gem—beaches, mountains, and a growing nomad scene without the crazy hustle of HCMC.
The WiFi? Surprisingly good. Vietnam has some of the best internet speeds in Southeast Asia, with co-working spaces like CirCO and Dreamplex offering reliable connections. The biggest challenge is the visa situation. A 30-day e-visa is easy to get, but staying long-term requires some visa runs or business visa workarounds.
Vietnam is perfect for anyone who loves vibrant culture, amazing food, and low-cost living. It’s a place where you can work all day and still have enough cash to explore the country without thinking twice.
4. Portugal – Europe’s Digital Nomad Paradise
Portugal is hands down one of the best spots for digital nomads in Europe. It’s got that perfect mix of affordability, fast internet, and a lifestyle that feels like a dream. Plus, the visa options are way friendlier than most European countries.
Lisbon and Porto are the main digital nomad hubs. Lisbon, in particular, has a buzzing community, with co-working spaces, rooftop cafés, and stunning views everywhere. The WiFi is solid, and public transport is reliable. If you prefer something quieter, Madeira and the Algarve offer beachside living without the city rush.
Image by Walkerssk from Pixabay
Cost-wise, it’s cheaper than most of Western Europe but pricier than Southeast Asia. You’ll need around $1,500–$2,500 per month, depending on where you stay. Rent in Lisbon can be high ($800–$1,500 for a good place), but smaller towns are more affordable. Food and transportation are reasonably priced, and the quality of life is top-tier.
Portugal’s D7 visa and digital nomad visa make it easier for remote workers to stay long-term. With its mix of city life, beaches, and a thriving nomad community, Portugal is the perfect place for anyone who wants the European experience without breaking the bank.
5. Mexico – The Best of Latin America for Nomads
Photo by André Cook
Mexico is one of those places that just makes sense for digital nomads. It’s affordable, the WiFi is solid in major cities, and the lifestyle is unbeatable. Whether you want beach towns, colonial cities, or buzzing urban life, Mexico has something for you.
Mexico City is the main hub—huge, vibrant, and full of co-working spaces. If you prefer a slower pace, Playa del Carmen and Tulum offer beachside living with a big nomad community. Mérida is another hidden gem, with colonial charm and a super low cost of living.
Living here is cheap compared to the US or Europe. You can rent a nice apartment for $500–$1,000, and local food is ridiculously affordable. Street tacos for a dollar? Yes, please. WiFi is good in most places, but beach towns can be spotty, so co-working spaces are your best bet.
One of Mexico’s biggest perks is the visa situation. Many nationalities get a 6-month tourist visa on arrival, making it one of the easiest countries to stay in long-term. With its mix of affordability, great food, and diverse locations, Mexico is an easy choice for remote workers.
6. Georgia – The Hidden Gem for Remote Workers
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Georgia (the country, not the U.S. state) is one of the most underrated digital nomad spots. It’s cheap, safe, and has a special visa just for remote workers. Plus, Tbilisi, the capital, has a growing nomad scene with cool cafés, co-working spaces, and a mix of old-world charm and modern city vibes.
The best part? The cost of living is crazy low. You can rent a solid apartment in Tbilisi for $300–$600, and eating out barely makes a dent in your wallet. Traditional Georgian food is hearty, delicious, and cheap—think khinkali (dumplings) and khachapuri (cheese bread) for just a few bucks.
WiFi is surprisingly good, and Georgia’s “Remotely from Georgia” visa allows remote workers to stay for a year, tax-free if you earn under $155,000 per year. Even without that, most nationalities get a one-year visa-free stay—basically unheard of elsewhere.
The only downside? Winters can be cold, but that’s a small trade-off for the insane affordability and easy visa situation. If you want a unique, budget-friendly place with a solid digital nomad community, Georgia is a no-brainer.
7. Spain – Big Cities, Beach Towns, and Nomad Visas
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Spain has something for every digital nomad. Whether you love city life, beach vibes, or quiet countryside escapes, Spain delivers—all with great food, a relaxed lifestyle, and solid WiFi.
Barcelona and Madrid are the main nomad hubs, packed with co-working spaces and international communities. But smaller spots like Valencia, Seville, and the Canary Islands are gaining traction. The Canary Islands, in particular, are a hidden gem—warm weather year-round, affordable living, and co-working spaces by the beach.
Cost-wise, Spain isn’t the cheapest, but it’s doable. In smaller cities, you can live on $1,500–$2,000 a month. Rent in Madrid or Barcelona can be steep ($1,000+), but outside those, you can find places for $600–$800. Eating out is affordable if you stick to local tapas spots instead of touristy areas.
Spain also has a digital nomad visa, letting you stay for up to five years with tax breaks. That alone makes it one of the best European options for remote workers who want a mix of affordability, culture, and great weather.
8. Colombia – The Budget-Friendly Latin America Hotspot
Image by Manolo Franco from Pixabay
Colombia is one of the most exciting and affordable digital nomad destinations right now. It’s got a mix of vibrant cities, stunning nature, and a growing remote work scene—all without breaking the bank.
Medellín is the top choice for most nomads. It’s called the “City of Eternal Spring” because the weather is perfect all year. The cost of living is shockingly low—you can rent a modern apartment for $400–$800, and eating out is ridiculously cheap. Bogotá and Cartagena are also popular, but Medellín’s mix of affordability, fast WiFi, and co-working spaces makes it stand out.
The WiFi is solid, and the metro system is one of the best in Latin America. Safety is a concern in some areas, but stick to well-known neighborhoods like El Poblado or Laureles, and you’ll be fine. Plus, Colombia recently launched a digital nomad visa, making it easier to stay long-term.
If you’re looking for an affordable, beautiful place with a thriving community and great food, Colombia should be high on your list.
9. Turkey – The Perfect Mix of East and West
Image by Salih Altuntaş from Pixabay
Turkey is one of the most overlooked digital nomad spots, but it has everything—low living costs, strong WiFi, amazing food, and a culture that blends Europe and Asia.
Istanbul is the main hub, with co-working spaces, fast internet, and a buzzing international community. But if you prefer a slower pace, Antalya and Izmir offer beachside living with a lower cost of living. Cappadocia is also an option if you want to work from a place that looks straight out of a fantasy movie.
Living here is affordable—you can rent a decent apartment for $400–$800, and food is super cheap if you eat local. A full meal of kebabs, rice, and salad can cost as little as $3–$5. WiFi is reliable, and mobile data is cheap, making it easy to work from anywhere.
Turkey has a 90-day visa for most nationalities, and while long-term stays require some effort, the low cost of living makes it worth it. If you want an affordable, culture-rich destination with a unique vibe, Turkey is a fantastic choice.
10. Hungary – The Affordable European Capital for Nomads
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Hungary, especially Budapest, is one of the best places in Europe for digital nomads. It’s got a stunning cityscape, fast WiFi, affordable living costs (for Europe), and a growing community of remote workers. Plus, it’s centrally located, making weekend trips to other European countries super easy.
Budapest has a mix of trendy cafés, co-working spaces, and lively nightlife. You can rent a decent apartment for $600–$1,000, which is way cheaper than cities like Paris or London. Food is also affordable—local spots serve hearty Hungarian meals for just a few bucks, and even international food isn’t too expensive.
WiFi is reliable and fast, and the city has a great public transport system. Hungary also has a digital nomad visa (White Card), allowing remote workers to stay for up to two years. It’s one of the easiest European visas to get, making it a great long-term base.
If you want a mix of affordability, history, and a buzzing nomad scene, Budapest is one of the best places to be.
No matter where you go, choosing the right country depends on your budget, lifestyle, and visa options. For a complete guide on digital nomad life, check out The Ultimate Guide to Digital Nomad & Remote Work Travel.
