There are 2 things digital nomads always seem to be drawn to when planning a relocation, either temporarily or permanently: a higher quality of life than their former morose, Stateside suburban existence and great weather.
In other words, most nomads are flocking where the nearest beach is––just look at places like Playa Del Carmen or Puerto Vallarta, for instance.
With so many workcation hotspots to choose from in the Global South, however, you may be wondering which tropical locations offer the best infrastructure (and minimal bureaucracy) to aspiring nomads.
Well, thanks to the experts at Nomad Capitalist, a community helping entrepreneurs build a ‘freedom lifestyle’ anywhere in the globe, now we have the 4 best picks:
Dominica
Not to be mistaken for the Dominican Republic, the home of Punta Cana and La Romana, Dominica is a lesser-known island––still in the Caribbean––except it’s not somewhere you go primarily for all-inclusive resort stays and bachelor parties.
The main reason why the Nomad Capitalist has handpicked Dominica is the fact it’s a tax-free haven where foreigners making money from abroad are essentially exempt from paying contribution––not to mention they can get citizenship by buying state-approved property at over $200,000.
That’s good-enough an incentive already, but we’d argue Dominica’s greatest strength is the fact it’s a wonder of nature: picture a mountainous island dotted with hot springs, criss-crossed with hiking trails that lead to monumental waterfalls, and honey-colored sands lapped by teal-colored seas.
Additionally, rent in Roseau, the colorful capital with timber houses, can be as low as $916 a month, and the cost of living is probably the lowest among the destinations on this list: based on Numbeo estimates, you can live comfortably on the island on $927 (not including rent).
Saint Kitts and Nevis
A dual-island state nestled between the azure Atlantic and the turquoise Caribbean, Saint Kitts and Nevis is the perfect alternative to the jam-packed Jamaica and Dominican Republic, with its unruffled beaches lined by select few hotels, peaceful atmosphere, and lower crime rates.
It is also popular for hiking: in Saint Kitts, the most sought-after climb is a cloud-enveloped Mount Liamuiga, home to a crater lake, whereas in Nevis, the Nevis Peak Trail hike rises 1,200 feet above sea level, offering a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding greenery.
If you’re a culture buff like us, you can’t skip Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 17th-century St. Thomas Church, one of the oldest in the Caribbean, and Hamilton House, a plantation where Alexander Hamilton––yes, the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury––was born!
With so much to offer, Saint Kitts and Nevis is definitely not just another long weekend getaway, so we guess it’s a good thing Basseterre, its 17,000-people-strong capital boasting a high concentration of colonial landmarks and museums, has Airbnb stays for as cheap $1,052 monthly.
Antigua and Barbuda
This one’s for the crowd-adverse nomad who’s looking simply to unwind, bask in the balmy sun, and get themselves a cozy nook to work by the beach with ocean vistas: a Caribbean country comprising two namesake islands, Antigua and Barbuda is the answer to all your prayers!
It’s one of the westernmost sovereign states on the sea, right at the point where it meets the open Atlantic.
It’s best distinguished for its reef-fringed beaches, lush rainforests, and yachting clubs for the super-rich.
As a nomad who’s based here for longer than a week, your needs are likely to be met in the small capital of St. John’s, away from the resort zones, where there are fully-furnished Airbnb apartments starting from an acceptable $1,219 a month, and a seafood dish in a no-frills restaurant costs $9.25.
Other than the warm climate and abundant nature, one of the biggest appeals is the fact that U.S. citizens are granted a 6-month stay, with no requirement other than nationality, provided they can prove they have sufficient funds to cover expenses and will be leaving at the end of said period.
Cayman Islands
Elected best beach destination in the world by the Nomad Capitalist, the Cayman Islands are best known for their stunning swimming sites––the world-renowned Seven Mile Beach has powdery white sands and aquamarine waters––colorful reefs, and laid-back resort towns.
Beautiful Caribbean scenery aside, the Caymans have a charming, surprisingly well-equipped capital in George Town, a relic of the British colonial period, where nomads will find a lively social scene and laptop-friendly eateries with reliable WiFi (check out AROMA in Camana Bay).
Cayman Islands are the darling of millionaires who are looking to invest in real estate, and indeed, a USD$ 2.4 million investment in real estate offers an easy pathway to citizenship, but that doesn’t mean small business owners on a tighter budget aren’t welcome.
It’s definitely not the cheapest nomad hub in the Caribbean, but according to Numbeo, you can still eat affordably in local restaurants for around $30, and you don’t need to make millions of dollars to qualify for a long-term stay: all Americans get a six-month leave to enter traveling as tourists.
Credit: Source link
