Many people became digital nomads during the coronavirus pandemic — a term that once described mainly Gen Z and Millennials itching to escape the confines of their cubicles for a work-on-the-road lifestyle and is now more normalized in the workplace. It has become a way of life for employees wanting to explore the world while maintaining their 9 to 5’s by plugging in remotely wherever their travels take them.
In fact, The MBO Partners 2024 State of Independence revealed on their website that 18.1 million American workers identify as digital nomads — a 147 percent growth since 2019. While these numbers have fluctuated over the last few years, with more employers demanding that workers return to the office, traveling while keeping up with job duties is still preferred by many.
Another recent statistic that raised eyebrows: TikTok searches for “digital nomad destinations” skyrocketed by 3,067 percent year-over-year, making it clear this isn’t a fad going away anytime soon. Experts at Away Holidays, which offers luxury travel packages and deals (and revealed the above TikTok finding), were also intrigued by the heightened interest. In response, they shared their top destinations for digital nomads to work remotely, and their selections are all over the globe.
Away Holidays analyzed Internet speeds, cost of living, availability of weekend events, and the ideal weather to narrow down the best spots for aspiring digital nomads. Below are their findings of the best locations around the world.
Los Angeles (United States)
It turns out the ultimate remote work environment is right here in the United States, and that’s Los Angeles, California. It’s not surprising, considering its bustling entertainment scene and the fact that it’s the second largest city in the country (via Brittanica), that it’s a hotspot for remote workers. There are plenty of people to engage with and things to do outside of working hours that are attractive, whether you’re just passing through or staying long-term.
The area is also ideal for Internet connection, citing fast broadband speeds of 269 Mbps (Megabits per second) and a year-round mild to hot weather pattern. Additionally, the city has a thriving remote work community with 148,320 searches for digital nomad opportunities, as per the study.
Popular co-working spaces that Away Holidays suggests checking out include Maru Coffee, Kodo Café, or Verve in the Arts District for focused sessions, or Dinosaur Coffee, LAMILL, Bravo Toast, and Café Nido for a more relaxed vibe.
Barcelona (Spain)
We recently published a story about the best bleisure locations (mixing business trips with leisure getaways) that enhance work-life balance. But imagine if Barcelona, Spain, was your home away from home. For digital nomads, that could be a reality as the Spanish city provides the perfect environment for remote workers, combining its appealing temperatures—which typically don’t go above 88 degrees Fahrenheit (via Weather Spark) — fast broadband speeds of 251 Mbps, and affordable monthly transportation. (Away Holidays notes that the average travel costs around the city are 28 U.S. dollars.)
They also shared their selections for public workspaces, which include Betahaus, Cahoot, and Aticco for when you’re zeroing in on a project and have a tight deadline, or Federal Café for more laid-back but productive sessions.
Montevideo (Uruguay)
Located on the north shore of Río de la Plata in Uruguay is Montevideo, the third best location for remote work, as per Away Holidays. Although it’s an overall breathtaking vacation destination (Inside Hook called it “South America’s Hidden Gem” in a January 2023 article), digital nomads, in particular, would flourish there with the area’s quick broadband speeds of 177 Mbps, mild winters (via Climates to Travel), and manageable transport costs (around 53 U.S. dollars).
There are also a lot of chances to network with other digital nomads, as there were 593,180 searches for remote work opportunities, according to the study. Some work-friendly spots recommended by the travel experts are Sinergia Cowork, Escaramuza, and La Farmacia Café, which offers reliable Wi-Fi and a comfortable space to work, and Café Nómade, The Lab Coffee Roasters, and Philomène Café for a more casual, coffee-fueled workday.
Madrid (Spain)
If you’ve always dreamed of venturing to Madrid, Spain, but couldn’t take the time off, perhaps making it your workspace would be a good compromise. The city ranked high on the list for attracting remote workers, with its impressive broadband speeds of 259 Mbps and 32,830 searches for remote work. It’s also widely affordable, costing just 43 U.S. dollars to get around.
Away Holidays named Café del Art on Plaza Cascorro as a prime spot for a work setup, providing coffee and an inviting atmosphere to turn on your creativity.
Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
Number five on the list is Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. It’s known for being the largest city in the country (via World Atlas) and a massive economic hub, as well as a hotspot for digital nomads. For one, Ho Chi Minh City boasts dependable broadband speeds of 175 Mbps and drew in a whopping 950,820 remote working searches. It also has an incredibly low monthly transport cost (the lowest on the list thus far) at 15 U.S. dollars.
It’s suggested that remote workers spend their days at The Workshop Coffee or SHIN Heritage, both offering quiet and concentrated environments. OKKIO Caffe is also the ideal spot for working and socializing.
Other Cities Best for Digital Nomads
The list continued with a slew of other top destinations for remote workers, including Chiang Mai, Thailand; Dubai, UAE; Bali, Indonesia; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Hanoi, Vietnam; Singapore, Asia; and Tokyo, Japan.
Gianni Leone, Senior Product Director at Away Holidays, shared why these locations are alluring for the digital nomad lifestyle, noting they provide a sense of home and offer adventure and exploration.
“Asia’s appeal to digital nomads lies in its perfect balance of affordability, vibrant culture, and reliable connectivity,” Leone began. “From bustling cities like Singapore to serene coastal hubs like Bali, remote workers can enjoy a high quality of life without stretching their budget.
“The rich culinary scene, warm climate, and thriving expat communities make it easy to feel at home while exploring new horizons.”
