After working remotely in more than 20 countries around the world, these are my top 3 favorite digital nomad destinations.
As a self-employed business owner and freelancer, I’ve traveled and worked remotely throughout Europe, Central America, and South America. Although there are plenty of digital nomad hotspots in Asia and Africa, I haven’t (yet) experienced any of them.
For the purpose of this list, I’m also only considering countries where I stayed for at least two weeks (although, in some cases, I’ve spent much longer) and where I spent a significant amount of time working.
1. Guatemala
Guatemala is one of my favorite countries for working remotely and living the digital nomad lifestyle. I spent several months traveling and working in Guatemala.
Antigua is one of the most popular hubs for digital nomads in the country. This colorful and charming colonial city is filled with great hostels, coworking spaces, cafes, and coffee shops where you can work remotely.
There are several great excursions you can take from Antigua on the weekends, such as hiking Acatenango Volcano or relaxing in the surf town of El Paredon.
Another one of the best places for digital nomads in Guatemala is Lake Atitlan. Located about two hours from Antigua, there’s no shortage of stunning scenery at this gorgeous lake. The bustling town of Panajachel makes a great base for digital nomads.
Americans can spend up to 90 days in Guatemala without a visa, and this can easily be extended for an additional 90 days.
2. Ecuador
Another country I really enjoyed working remotely from was Ecuador. I’ve traveled extensively in South America, and I found Ecuador to be one of the most affordable countries.
You can enjoy a great quality of life in Ecuador for very little money. As a bonus for American travelers, the official currency is USD, which makes things extra simple.
Quito is an underrated capital city that is a great place to live and work. There are also tons of things to do nearby, like visiting the cloud forest in Mindo or hiking at Quilotoa Lagoon.
Another great spot for digital nomads is Cuenca. Located in the south of Ecuador, this beautiful city has a bohemian, European atmosphere. It’s a popular location for North American retirees and expats, so there are plenty of creature comforts catering to foreigners that will make you feel right at home.
Americans can stay in Ecuador for up to 90 days (extendable for an additional 90 days.) Ecuador also offers a digital nomad visa that’s good for up to 2 years.
3. Portugal
Finally, my favorite European country to work remotely from is Portugal. Portugal is one of those destinations that truly has it all.
Beautiful cities, outstanding beaches, tons of things to do, and an affordable cost of living. I was shocked by how affordable Portugal was, even in the summer of 2023. This country has been growing in popularity as a digital nomad hotspot for years now, and it’s not hard to see why.
Lisbon and Porto make excellent bases for digital nomads as the largest and second-largest cities in Portugal, respectively.
For beach lovers, Lagos is rising in popularity as one of the best digital nomad hotspots in the country. There’s no better place to work during the day, enjoy an afternoon beach break, and then head to the lively old town at night.
Americans can stay for up to 90 days in the Schengen Zone, which includes Portugal. For a longer-term stay, it’s best to apply for Portugal’s digital nomad visa, which is good for up to one year.
