Have you ever felt the urge to leave your 9 to 5 job and pursue a nomadic lifestyle? It might sound like a dramatic choice, but many people are now embracing the digital nomad trend, thanks to the freedom that comes with it. In addition, many countries are luring digital nomads by offering visas and other privileges that make the digital nomad lifestyle even more attractive.
Are you ready to become a digital nomad but unsure where to go? Refer to our list below for some of the unique travel destinations for nomads.
1. Thailand
Thailand has long been the digital nomad hub of Southeast Asia. With a vibrant culture and paradisical islands home to turquoise blue seas, it's easy to see why many nomads have chosen to live in the country. And given Thailand's affordable cost of living and abundance of relatively priced accommodations, Thailand will continue to attract digital nomads in the coming years.
One of Thailand's biggest draws is its beautiful islands, with Phuket being the most popular. If you live as a digital nomad in Phuket, you'll have plenty of things to do during your downtime. You can chill out at the beaches, hit up the night markets for delicious street food and a bottle of beer, or wander around Old Phuket Town, home to colourful Sino-Portuguese townhouses.
Most digital nomads in Thailand have chosen to live in Chiang Mai, considered the country's nomad hub. That's mainly due to the availability of affordable accommodations, a laidback atmosphere, and a growing community of digital nomads. In addition, Chiang Mai is home to many beautiful temples, such as the Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh, which you can explore when you're on a break from work.
Thailand has a 30-day visa waiver program and a 60-day tourist visa program, for more details Nomad Girl has written this excellent article on Thai Visas.
2. Tanzania
Tanzania may not be the first thing that comes to mind as a digital nomad destination, but it's worth considering if you're looking for a unique place to visit as a digital nomad. While on a break from work, you'll find yourself climbing mountains, going on safaris, or relaxing at the beach. Tanzania's cost of living is affordable, so you can live a comfortable life without breaking the bank.
The Internet in Tanzania is pretty decent, especially in tourist hotspots like Moshi, Arusha, and Zanzibar. So, these are the best places to base yourself while living as a digital nomad in Tanzania. Moshi is a small town in northern Tanzania and a starting point for most expeditions to Mount Kilimanjaro, while Arusha is the gateway to Tanzania's top safari destinations. But if you want to live in a place with easy access to the beach to chill and catch up on work, you should stay in Zanzibar.
Your life as a digital nomad in Tanzania will be full of adventures, so it's the perfect place for adventurous nomads. While living in Tanzania, don't miss the chance to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and witness the Great Migration in Serengeti.
Tanzania has an evisa system which allows citizens of most countries to stay 30 days. US citizens have the option to stay a total of 90 days per 180 days on a multiple entry visa.
3. Iceland
Iceland would be a fantastic choice for a unique place to live as a digital nomad in Europe. Its stunning natural beauty is nothing short of mystical. Between working, digital nomads in Iceland can explore giant fjords, splendid lava fields, magnificent glaciers, and dipping in thermal pools. Best of all, the country has excellent modern infrastructures and decent internet speed.
You will not run out of places to explore while living as a digital nomad in Iceland. There are scenic hiking trails that you can conquer while on a break from work. These trails will take you to astonishing waterfalls, passing through dramatic landscapes of volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs. Another reason you'll love living in Iceland is the warm and welcoming people. Most of them can speak good English, so it's easy to acquaint yourself with the locals.
One of the highlights of living as a digital nomad in Iceland is witnessing the Northern Lights. The magnificent phenomenon appears between September and April. You can see them anywhere in the country, but they are more scenic in some places, such as in Thingvellir National Park, Asbyrgi Canyon, and Kirkjufell mountain.
Iceland is part of the Schengen visa system and will allow for stays up to 90 days per 180. Iceland also has a digital Nomad visa which allows for stays up to 6 months you can read more about this in our ultimate list of digital nomad visas.
4. Mongolia
Choose Mongolia if you're looking for a truly unique place to visit as a digital nomad. It's one of the world's most sparsely populated countries and home to the last surviving nomadic tribe. There are many adventurous travel experiences in Mongolia that you won't find anywhere else, making it an ideal destination for thrill-seeking nomads.
Except for the country's capital city of Ulaanbaatar, which has well-developed infrastructures, the rest of Mongolia remains untouched. For instance, the vast Gobi Desert is generally unexplored. This massive barren region in Southern Mongolia is home to unique natural attractions like the Khongoryn Els dunes and the red flaming cliffs of Bayanzag. Take the time to explore the ruins of the Karakorum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that used to be one of the most significant cities along the Silk Road.
As a predominantly Buddhist country, Mongolia has countless monasteries and one of the best things to experience while in the country is to sleep in one. One such monastery is the Manjusri Monastery, which is only a short distance from Ulaanbaatar.
Mongolia has an evisa system that works for 180 countries and will depending on your citizenship give access to between 30 and 90-day stay. Here is the official site for evisa issuance.
5. Bermuda
Bermuda may not come to mind when looking for a destination to visit as a digital nomad. But this picturesque island is full of hidden surprises. In fact, it's one of those lesser-known destinations that lure digital nomads by offering a digital nomad visa. The island has many beautiful beaches and a distinctive mix of British and American cultures.
As it's home to many beautiful beaches, you'll spend most of your days in Bermuda swimming in its crystal clear waters and sunbathing in the fine, powdery white sands. The Horseshoe Bay is Bermuda's most famous beach, and rightfully so. It's gorgeous any time of the year and features distinct pink sand. Aside from swimming, Horseshoe Bay is also an ideal spot to enjoy a relaxing stroll when you feel like taking a break from work.
Bermuda's Front Street is a joy to explore. It's home to colourful colonial buildings and a picturesque harbour. Check out its boutiques and sit down for a sumptuous meal at one of the many restaurants.
Bermuda is a visa-free country and also has a digital nomad visa.
