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One of the perks of being a digital nomad is that you can work from almost anywhere in the world – as long as you have reliable Wi-Fi and a few other essentials.
Many digital nomads and workationers seek out idyllic beach destinations. But while there are many beautiful beaches around the world, it can be hard to find spots that have everything you need as a digital nomad, aren’t overrun by tourists, and are affordable if you plan to stay a couple of weeks or even months.
With that in mind, we have come up with a list of 18 top beach destinations for digital nomads and other working travelers. We’ve assessed each based on the best things to do and the best time to visit, access to essentials like Wi-Fi and coworking spaces, and, of course, the cost of living. Hopefully, you will find some serious inspiration on this list!
Whenever you travel, but especially long-term, It is recommended you have an emergency fund for anything that may come up, as well as travel and medical insurance. There are some providers, like SafetyWing, who have nomad insurance packages that are easy to get at any point in your trip.
Canggu, Bali, Indonesia
Canggu is a medium-sized coastal village in Bali, Indonesia, which has an expansive 10km stretch of beach and a very relaxed atmosphere. Once a quiet and hidden secret, this little village is fast becoming a popular hotspot for digital nomads and expats.
It has an eclectic mix of surfers, entrepreneurs, locals, and tourists, but is much more relaxed than some of the islands’ more popular tourist and party towns.
It’s also a well-respected surf spot, particularly for longboarders, and offers a range of fun beach activities like horse riding and yoga.
Offering a wide variety of amazing coworking spaces (such as Tribal, BWork, and Outpost Coliving) it’s no wonder that this has become a booming digital nomad destination.
There is a good selection of shops, cafes, restaurants, spas, yoga studios, bars, and incredible villas to keep you entertained. Most cafes and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi with meals, which is great for digital nomads who enjoy working in social environments.
Monthly budget: $1,500-$2,000 / month
Best time of year: May – September (although all year is good)
Internet: Medium-Fast
Maximum stay without a visa: 60 days
Best Beaches: Pantai Batu Mejan Beach (Echo Beach), Batu Bolong Beach, Nelayan Beach, Berawa Beach
Ao Nang, Thailand
Of course, Thailand is full of beautiful beaches, but finding beach communities with great facilities for digital nomads and foreigners, which don’t feel overrun, can be challenging. If you love the beaches of Krabi province, try Ao Nang, one of the less busy beaches in the area.
The region is a combination of stunning beaches and dramatic cliffs. Hiking the interior and island hopping along the coast are favorite pastimes. Hiking to the Tiber Cave Temple is a popular activity, as is swimming in the inland Emerald Pool and Hot Springs.
The community is laidback but vibrant, there is always something to do on the streets with night markets and bars. Excellent and affordable local restaurants and street vendors also mean that you can get away with rarely cooking for yourself. There are few coworking spaces, but plenty of cafes where you will be welcome to set up for a few hours.
Monthly budget: $800-$1500 / month
Best time of year: November to April
Internet: Medium-Fast
Maximum stay without a visa: 60 days (digital nomad visa recently launched)
Best Beaches: Railey Beach, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta
Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Located just 90 miles from the Thai border, Sihanoukville, called Snooky by locals, is becoming a popular stop for nomads. It has some spectacular beaches with white sands and tranquil waters ideal for swimming. Most of the beaches are underdeveloped, but you can find nice beach bares in areas such as Serendipity Beach.
There are also plenty of cultural treasures to discover as well including the Wat Leu Temple, Wat Krom Temple, and the Golden Lions Roundabout. There are lots of organic farms in the area supplying local restaurants, and you can get incredible views of the coast from Koh Rong Light House.
Mostly built in the 1950s, there are also lots of restaurants, bars, and casinos to enjoy, which tend to attract wealthy Chinese tourists. There is no shortage of things to do after dark. There is also a more low-key side to the city, and some of the best places to work include Tropic Café and Monkey Republic.
Monthly budget: $1200 / month
Best time of year: November to February
Internet: Fast
Maximum stay without a visa: 30 days
Best Beaches: Serendipity Beach, Otres Beach, Lazy Beach
Zadar, Croatia
Lying along the Dalmatian coast, Zadar is a small city in Croatia, with lots of cultural heritage (after all, it’s about 3000 years old), that offers many enticing benefits for digital nomads. It has high-speed internet, the living costs are quite affordable when compared with other European cities like London, the weather is quite temperate, and it’s a lot quieter than some of the nearby towns that get inundated with summer tourists.
Surrounded by majestic mountains, it is in close proximity to nature parks and reserves (including Paklenica, Plitvice Lakes, and Krka), islands, forests, and a host of scenic beaches.
It has some eccentric landmarks like the Monument to the Sun and the Sea Organ, various music festivals, and an array of great seafood restaurants, bars, and clubs – so you definitely won’t get bored or feel lonely living in this vibrant city.
Monthly budget: $1850 / month
Best time of year: April – October
Internet: Medium-Fast
Maximum stay without a visa: 90 days (they also have a 12-month digital nomad visa)
Best Beaches: Saharun Beach, Ninska laguna , Zaton Beach, Zrće Beach, Kolovare Beach
Alicante, Spain
Alicante has become known as the gateway to the Costa Blanca, but it deserves to be so much more than just an arrival spot. It has its own beautiful beaches, a fascinating old town, and a varied dining and nightlife scene. It is also a beautiful and highly walkable city, ideal for exploring.
There is a growing digital nomad community in the region, so more facilities are being established. For now, Ulab is the best coworking space in Alicante, and there is a strong café culture with destinations like Mandala Alicante happy to let you work for several hours.
As well as having an affordable cost of living, Alicante is well-connected if you want to explore the rest of Spain and Europe.
Monthly budget: $1500 / month
Best time of year: March – October
Internet: Fast
Maximum stay without a visa: 90 days (they also have a 12-month digital nomad visa)
Best Beaches: Playa de San Juan, Platja del Postiguet, Playa de Guardamar, Playa Flamenca
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Puerto Viejo is a small coastal town in Costa Rica, situated along the Caribbean coast and surrounded by wild jungle forests. It’s a popular surfing spot, thanks to its famous Salsa Brava waves. It’s also the heart of Afro-Caribbean culture in the country.
Puerto Viejo is the perfect place if you’re looking for a laid-back, peaceful living environment, surrounded by natural beauty and devoid of big tourist resorts and apartment blocks. Plus, it has plenty of gorgeous beaches.
Coworking spaces and coliving options are somewhat limited, and there’s not a huge cafe-working culture there – but they do make some of the finest coffee in the world.
A drawback is that it’s a little more expensive to live in compared with other places in Central and South America, and the Internet speed is not that great – but it makes up for that in terms of its uncrowded beaches, friendly atmosphere, and relaxed, rural vibe.
Monthly budget: $2500 / month
Best time of year: January – May (hurricane seasons is from June to November)
Internet Medium
Maximum stay without a visa: 90 days (they also have a one-year digital nomad visa)
Best Beaches: Punta Uva, Playa Grande, Playa Cocles
Bocas del Toro, Panama
Bocas del Toro is a stunning mainland city connected with an archipelago of nine islands on the Caribbean coast of Panama ideal for stunning sunny beaches and laid-back Caribbean vibes. Move between the islands effortlessly on the water taxis that hop between the Islas. This area is ideal for surfing and snorkeling, plus seafood and views.
The palm-lined streets of the city had everything you could need, with plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars, and decent Wi-Fi speeds. There are also a number of good places to work including a few Selina coworking spaces and cafes like Hotelito del Mar. There is also a nice expat community, which you can connect with via The Bocas Breeze, an English-language magazine run by an eccentric long-term resident.
Monthly budget: $1800 / month
Best time of year: February to May
Internet: Medium to Fast
Maximum stay without a visa: 90-180 days (depending on nationality)
Best Beaches: Red Frog Beach, Paunch Beach, Bluff Beach, Cayos Zapatilla, Starfish Beach, Boca del Drago
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
San Juan del Sur is a popular backpacker and surf destination in Nicaragua, and it is becoming increasingly popular with digital nomads. With beautiful beaches, great waves, and spectacular sunsets every day, it is an idyllic beach spot. The town is lined with beach bars and little restaurants, but expect long nights with conversation rather than a party atmosphere.
It is not hard to get a good internet connection set up for your accommodation, and there are several worker-friendly cafes that you can utilize to people-watch while being productive. There are also a few good coworking spaces including Art Warehouse, La Tostaderia, and Simon Says.
Monthly budget: $1500 / month
Best time of year: November to April
Internet: Medium
Maximum stay without a visa: 90-180 days
Best Beaches: Remanso, Maderas, Hermosa, Ometepe
Salinas, Ecuador
Salinas combines a low cost of living, beautiful beaches, and friendly locals to make it an attractive destination for digital nomads. Some call it a Miami lifestyle with an affordable price tag. While in the city, look for shopping, restaurants, and nightlife in the La Libertad area. On the beach, the watersports are top-notch in this corner of Ecuador. Think surfing and whale watching.
There is a fairly vibrant and well-established expat and digital nomad community in Salinas, which is less than a two-hour bus ride from the major city of Guayaquil. If you are looking for coworking spaces, check out The Black Whale Coworking and Art Gallery and the KIV Coworking Center.
Monthly budget: $1400 / month
Best time of year: Anytime, it has 340 days of sunshine a year
Internet: Medium
Maximum stay without a visa: 90 days
Best Beaches: Playa las Salinas, Playa de Chipipe, Playa de Mar Bravo, Playa Anconcito, Banos de San Vicente
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
If you are heading to Mexico, then Playa del Carmen should be one of your top choices. This is a relatively tranquil beach area south of Cancun offering affordable living, beautiful beaches, and excellent facilities. But you can expect a vibrant but laid-back atmosphere, rather than an eternal spring break.
There are plenty of cafes and coworking spaces, and even coliving spaces if you fancy it. Check out Coco & Co and Anana for coliving. It is also easy to explore the beautiful city on foot, and you can also make trips to the Mayan ruins at Tulum and Coba. If you want forest instead of sea, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve of tropical forests, lagoons, and coral reefs is also in the area.
Monthly budget: $1700 / month
Best time of year: November to April
Internet: Medium to Fast
Maximum stay without a visa: 180 days
Best Beaches: Riviera Maya, Parque los Fundadores, Playa Punta Esmeralda, Playa Playacar
Taghazout, Morocco
This small fishing village boasts a renowned surf scene and several surf camps, together with some gorgeous, golden-sand beaches.
The village has a chilled atmosphere, it’s very affordable to live in, and it has some great accommodation and dining options. It’s also away from the hustle and bustle of busier cities nearby and is a good option for those seeking solace and a genuine small-town lifestyle.
Being a small village, there aren’t many coworking or coliving options, but if you are happy being quite independent then most accommodation options will offer reasonable Wi-Fi speeds to keep you connected.
Monthly budget: $1200 / month
Best time of year: All year (although July and August can get quite hot)
Internet: Medium
Maximum stay without a visa: 90 days
Best Beaches: Taghazout Beach
Valparaíso, Chile
Valparaíso is a bustling big port city on Chile’s South Pacific coast that has a bohemian charm and is steeped in culture and natural beauty. Looking at its colorful architecture, it’s no wonder it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Anyone who loves the outdoors, exciting nightlife, and a very sociable, urban environment will enjoy this city. It’s full of trendy cafes and street art – and has quite a few coworking spaces to choose from.
While there are myriad beautiful seascapes to choose from, the water isn’t that warm – so you might like to soak up the sun and take part in water sports like windsurfing and kiteboarding instead of swimming.
Monthly budget: $2000 / month
Best time of year: September – May
Internet: Medium to Fast
Maximum stay without a visa: 90 days
Best Beaches: Playa Torpederas, Playa San Mateo, Playa Canelo, Docas Beach
Goa, India
Goa is India’s smallest state and one of the least populated places in the country. It is famous for its long coastline along the Arabian Sea and its Portuguese colonial heritage.
Goa is often called “The Land of Beaches” and is home to some of the most gorgeous beaches on the planet. In many respects, it’s an idyllic paradise, with much to offer in the way of cultural experiences, outdoor activities, surfing, yoga, retreats, and spiritual awakening.
It has a growing coworking culture and is beginning to attract more and more digital nomads. There are also a couple of great work-friendly cafes that offer free Wi-Fi.
Unfortunately, the Internet in Goa is slow and intermittent and there are also ad hoc power cuts, so if you need to be online and connected 24/7 then Goa may not be the right destination for you. But if you can handle connecting now and then, and don’t have to do too many live Zoom sessions, then you could probably figure out a solution using a mobile hotspot or through some of the accommodation options that include better Wi-Fi speeds.
Monthly budget: $1600 / month
Best time of year: November – May
Internet: Slow
Maximum stay without a visa: 60 days (e-Tourist visa for 90 days)
Best Beaches: Querim Beach, Arambol Beach, Morjim Beach, Anjuna Beach, Sinquerim Beach, Dona Paula Beach, Vagator Beach, Agonda Beach, Butterfly Beach
Cairns, Australia
Cairns is a small city in northern Queensland, Australia, that is best known for its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and tropical rainforests – and for being one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. It has a relaxed and friendly vibe, where everyone seems to know everyone.
While it does cost more to live here than many other cities on this list, it comes with the benefits of first-world services like great medical care and a low crime rate. Its tropical climate won’t suit everyone, so be sure to consider this before booking your flight.
If you love wildlife and adventure, enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving, and are keen to do some exploring around the city, then Cairns has a lot to offer.
There’s a lot of support for startup enterprises here, with many coworking spaces and startup hubs in Cairns, as well as good Wi-Fi in cafes and restaurants.
Monthly budget: $3000 / month
Best time of year: April – October
Internet: Fast
Maximum stay without a visa: 90 days
Best Beaches Nearby: Trinity Beach, Palm Cove, Ellis Beach, Clifton Beach, Nudey Beach (Fitzroy Island), Four Mile Beach (Port Douglas), Green Island
Perth, Australia
Perth is one of Australia’s many idyllic beach cities with roughly two million people, making it vibrant and exciting, without the chaos and high cost of living you expect in Syndey. You can find affordable accommodation and parking won’t leave you bankrupt. The only major city on Australia’s west coast, it is a gateway to a long coastline of stunning beaches and a fascinating outback. You can start with Yanchep National Park, John Forrest, and Walyunga National Park. You are also surrounded by the Margaret Valley and Swan Valley wine regions.
Like many Australian cities, Perth is more of a day city than a night city, as people tend to wake early and sleep early, but there is still a restaurant and nightlife to discover. In terms of workspaces, there are lots of public and university libraries that you can access, and some pretty good coworking spaces including Level Nine, Cleaver St, fSpace, and Tank Stream Labs.
Monthly budget: $1500 / month
Best time of year: September to April
Internet: Fast
Maximum stay without a visa: 90 days
Best Beaches Nearby: Cottesloe Beach, Leighton Beach, Mettams Pool, Bathers Beach, Scarborogh Beach, The Basin, Mullaloo Beach
Florianópolis, Brazil
Florianópolis is a truly dynamic city in Brazil, comprising mainland and islands, littered with over 60 white, sandy beaches and surrounded by lush rainforests. The city has something for everyone – from being a party destination to being a surfing and nature-lovers hotspot. This friendly, lively city has so much charm and is well set up for remote workers and digital nomads with loads of cozy coffee shops and coworking offices.
That’s probably why it’s managed to attract many freelancers, entrepreneurs, and business startups and is fast becoming one of the top digital nomad destinations.
It’s also really affordable to live in Florianópolis and the Internet speed is fast and reliable (although you will need to do your research about where to find this, as it can be a bit hit and miss).
Monthly budget: $1000 / month
Best time of year: March – November
Internet: Medium to Fast
Maximum stay without a visa: 90 days (Brazil also has a one-year digital nomad visa)
Best Beaches: Barra da Lagoa, Jurerê, Praia Moçambique, Galheta, Praia do Santinho, Campeche Island, Prainha da Barra, Gravata
Praia do Forte, Brazil
Praia do Forte is one of the many beach towns of the Linha Verde traveling north up from Salvador in Bahia. It is the biggest of these towns with the best facilities for travelers in terms of accommodation, shopping, dining, and nightlife. The beaches are idyllic for spending the day, and the streets are alive until dawn.
Praia do Forte has a very affordable cost of living and a vibrant community of expats who have decided that they just can’t leave this paradise. To cater to that community, there is now a coworking space called Way Coworking, though coworking spaces are still pretty rare in Bahia. What isn’t rare are beautiful beaches, friendly people, and music and dancing everywhere you turn.
Monthly budget: $1000 / month
Best time of year: All Year
Internet: Medium to Fast
Maximum stay without a visa: 90 days (Brazil also has a one-year digital nomad visa)
Best Beaches: Praia doo Porto de Cima, Praia do Tivoli Ecoresort, Praia do Lorde, Praia Papa Gente, Praia do Iberostar
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is a sprawling, vivacious city in South Africa on the tip of the African continent. Surrounded by the Indian and Atlantic oceans, the “mother city” as it’s called by locals, oozes with diversity – from cultures, religions, and landscapes, to being an LGBTQ world hotspot.
It also has an eclectic mix of nightlife spots, bars, cafes, and some of the most picturesque, sandy-white beaches you’ll ever see. It’s a popular tourist destination and has all the amenities you’d expect from a first-world country, although the high crime rate is a drawback.
While most cafes, coworking venues, and guest houses have fast internet speeds, the country experiences regular power cuts (which the locals call load-shedding) that can be quite disruptive especially if you need to be connected throughout the day.
Cape Town has a well-established co-working culture with many coworking, coliving, and digital-nomad-friendly cafes to work from, where you’ll get to meet other travelers, locals, and entrepreneurs.
Monthly budget: $1800
Best time of year: November – March
Internet: Medium
Maximum stay without a visa: 90 days (a new digital nomad visa is being launched soon)
Best Beaches: Llandudno, Clifton Beach (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th beach), Scarborough Beach, Noordhoek Beach, Muizenberg Beach, Sunset Beach, Bakoven Beach, Boulders Beach
