Top 9 Destinations for Nomads

As nomads that have been traveling full-time for 6 years, we’ve prioritized exploring many of the popular nomad destinations. When selecting a destination, nomads have different criteria from vacationers who may only visit for 1 weeks. Nomads need a comfortable, affordable and interesting destination that they can happily be based in for often more than 1 month. For digital nomads that work online, factors like internet speed and quality co-working spaces are important. In this guide, we cover the top 9 destinations for nomads around the world that we would recommend staying for longer periods of time and that we would happily return to. We explain the reasons for why these destinations are so great as well as some cons.

What makes a great nomad destination?

Before we get into the top destinations for nomads, let’s define what makes a great nomad destination. Every nomad and long-term traveler has different criteria in what they are looking for so you can use this criteria as a starting point. In general, this is the criteria that we use to select destinations and what we believe makes a great destination:

Affordability: Cost of living in a location is important to make it sustainable to enjoy longer term. Your budget will go a lot further in Thailand versus Sweden for example.

Visa Options: Most countries will allow you to stay 30 days visa exempt or on a tourist visa. For nomads that want to move more slowly, it helps if a country offers 60-90 day options or even a digital nomad visa option.

Internet speed: Whether you are working or not, everyone relies on the internet nowadays and it has become an important factor.

Good Food: Food is really important to us, so being in a country where we enjoy the cuisine and where there are good restaurant options is a must. Having good grocery and market options is equally important in order to cook our own meals.

Community: Being a nomad can often be isolating even if you are traveling with a partner. Making connections with other nomads and joining local activities makes the experience much more enjoyable.

Interest: The reason we love to travel in the first place is to visit interesting places and immerse ourselves in the local culture.

With this criteria in mind, below are our top destinations for nomads that we could easily stay for multiple months at a time and many of them we have returned to again and again.

Top Destinations for Nomads

1. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai, Thailand is one of our favorite nomad destinations in the world. It ranks really high in all of the criteria we look for in a great nomad destination. We have been to Chiang Mai 3 out of the 6 years of our nomad life so far and have plans to keep going back. It is simply a lovely and easy place to be based for a while in Asia. Food is amazing, accommodations are comfortable, the community is extremely active and the visa options are getting better.

Cons: The main reason we don’t stay longer is because of the burning season that happens between February to April each year. The air quality can get really bad to the point that it is detrimental to your health.

See our detailed destination report on what to do, see, eat and avoid in Chiang Mai as well as the cost of nomad living report.

2. Ubud Bali, Indonesia

Ubud Bali is a paradise of healthy food, beautiful scenery and really kind people. It is Mrs. NN’s favorite place in the world for food because of the abundance of healthy restaurants. The massage places everywhere make it a great place to relax and practice self-care. It’s gotten more expensive recently but it is still relatively affordable. There are many digital nomads here year round so there is no shortage of community events and activities. This a place that we could easily return to more regularly, it just takes a bit more effort distance-wise.

Cons: Most visa options are only 30 days to start and it’s not straightforward to get it extended. We are also very aware that a lot of the things we enjoy in Ubud are catered for tourists and we are quite disconnected from the local culture.

See our detailed destination report on what to do, see, eat and avoid in Ubud Bali as well as the cost of nomad living report.

3. Danang, Vietnam

Danang is an up and coming nomad destination that has just enough infrastructure to be very comfortable but without the crowds and dominance of touristic sites. The apartments are really well designed, modern and affordable. It’s a beach and city destination in one so you are never too far away from nature. In contrast to the chaos and noise of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Danang is a more relaxed and less crowded city. It’s still a Vietnamese city though, so you won’t be able to avoid the crazy motorbike traffic!

Cons: You still have to be more on your guard in Vietnam than in most other places on this list. Scammers and pickpockets are something you have to watch for.

4. Penang, Malaysia

Penang is a foodie’s paradise with amazing Indian, Chinese, Malay and international cuisine. Almost everyone speaks English and it is quite developed for a South East Asian destination. It is a much more relaxed city than the capital, Kuala Lumpur but it has all of the conveniences and entertainment that you would want. Healthcare is not a huge priority for nomads unless it becomes your home base but it’s a bonus to be in a country known for its high quality and affordable healthcare. You can use your visit to get your annual checkup and dental cleaning taken care of.

Cons: The weather is really hot and humid all year round. The community aspect is lacking but you could participate in local events.

See our detailed destination report on what to do, see, eat and avoid in Penang as well as the cost of nomad living report.

5. Lisbon, Portugal

For a long time, Lisbon has been known as one of the top digital nomad and expat-friendly destinations in Europe. It is still very popular amongst nomads but it has changed in recent years with its popularity. Nonetheless, nomads still enjoy it for the great climate, big community and overall laidback European lifestyle.

Cons: It has gotten more expensive over the years so initial affordability that attracted a lot of nomads isn’t the same. With the rise in popularity amongst foreigners, the Portuguese government has limited visa options so it’s now harder to qualify and there are less tax benefits than previously.

See our detailed destination report on what to do, see, eat and avoid in Lisbon as well as the cost of nomad living report.

6. Montreal, Canada

Montreal is not a common highlighted destination for nomads but it is a real gem! Mrs. NN started off our nomadic journey working remotely full-time for a US based company so staying within the US time zone was very important. For digital nomads in a similar situation, Montreal Canada is an excellent choice over the summer. Accommodation is very affordable and the city will have all of the comforts of a fully developed city. The city is full of festivals and events in the summer and fully comes alive.

Cons: Outside of the summer, the weather is very cold so you’ll have to limit your time there. Because it’s not a common destination for long-term travelers and nomads, the community aspect is limited but you can join in on the local events.

See our detailed destination report on what to do, see, eat and avoid in Montreal as well as the cost of nomad living.

7. Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City is a very popular digital nomad destination for those that are working remotely for North American based companies. Even if you are not working, it’s a vibrant and interesting city to be based for a while. There’s all the culture, food and entertainment that you would expect from a metropolitan city. In terms of cuisine, you have everything from delicious street tacos to high-end Michelen star restaurants.

Cons: You do have to be more on your guard in Mexico City in terms of safety. It’s better to take taxis at night and to avoid wandering in neighborhoods that you are not familiar with. We enjoyed the smaller Mexican cities more but recognize why Mexico City is a favorite for many.

See our detailed destination report on what to do, see, eat and avoid in Mexico City as well as the cost of nomad living.

8. Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca is the more relaxed and smaller town alternative to Mexico City. It is considered the foodie capital of Mexico and you will never be bored exploring Mexican cuisine here. For a smaller town, there are good coworking space options for digital nomads. The accommodations are also more affordable than Mexico City. Oaxaca is rich in culture and you will be able to witness lots of festivals, parades and celebrations on the street.

Cons: We didn’t have the best internet speed at our AirBnb so that is something you still have to double check if that is important to you. 

See our detailed destination report on what to do, see, eat and avoid in Oaxaca as well as the cost of nomad living.

9. San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is probably the most beautiful town in Mexico – it’s so picturesque and idyllic that we often describe it as the Disneyland of Mexico. The city is full of artists so it has a very special vibe and close community. A lot of the community are traditional retirees from Canada and the US versus a nomad community but they are all great people. It’s on the pricier side for Mexico but still affordable. It is a really safe city to wander the streets and admire all of the wonderful architecture.

Cons: Some might consider it a less authentic part of Mexico because of the large expat community so it might not be the place for you if you are looking for more authenticity.

See our detailed destination report on what to do, see, eat and avoid in San Miguel de Allende as well as the cost of nomad living.

Notable destination for nomads: Taipei, Taiwan

If you’ve been following us for a while. You’ll know that Taiwan has a special place in our hearts as it is where we had an unplanned base during the pandemic. We think it’s a wonderful place and it has a lot going for it: amazing healthcare, safety, developed city comforts, nature and a nice community. Our only hesitation in fully recommending it as a top destination for other nomads is that the housing options aren’t great and it’s a place that requires more time to integrate into the community. We highly recommend all travelers and nomads to at least visit Taiwan and discover this gem!

Final Thoughts on the Top Destinations for Nomads

Living the nomadic lifestyle is a great adventure and we are fortunate that the world is full of so many wonderful places to visit. These top 9 destinations for nomads really stood out to us as places that were great to stay longer term and that we would want to return to. There is no perfect place but there are certainly many incredible places that each have their own unique character. Embrace each destination and country for what they have to offer, keep an open mind and you will have an unforgettable nomadic journey.

Some other articles that you may find helpful for your nomadic lifestyle: men’s carry-on packing list, women’s carry-on packing list and how to get mail while you travel.

Did we miss any of your favorite destinations for nomads? Do you agree with many of the destinations for nomads on this list? Please leave a comment to share your thoughts.