The Best Digital Nomad Hubs Around the World

Whether you are a traveller looking for authenticity off the typical tourist route, or a digital nomad after an idyllic spot with great WiFi that hasn’t adopted an over-inflated cost of living yet, everyone wants to know where the next best place to be is. If you are weighing up the whole lifestyle, my guide to working from anywhere is a good place to begin.

You’ve heard of Chiang Mai. But what comes next? Is it Taiwan, Mexico, Indonesia or Colombia?

Here are the digital nomad hubs I rate most, broken down by region.

• Medellin, Colombia
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Santiago, Chile
• Playa del Carmen, Mexico
• Austin, USA
• Portland, USA
• San Diego, USA
• Krakow, Poland
• Sofia, Bulgaria
• Porto, Portugal
• Taipei, Taiwan
• Ko Lanta, Thailand

Digital Nomad Hubs in Latin America

Let’s start here.

Medellin, Colombia

You might have heard of Medellin thanks to Pablo Escobar, or the Netflix series Narcos. But Medellin is far from what you would imagine. The city is a glowing example of how Colombia is changing, and fast. Digital nomads have swarmed here to experience the latin “vibe” in a progressive and entrepreneurial city.

Aptly named the “City of Eternal Spring” thanks to temperatures that stay relatively stable year-round at an average of 22°C (72°F), it has a reasonable cost of living, plenty of small towns to discover and new, quirky restaurants and cafes popping up on every corner. Medellin has since grown into one of the most popular nomad bases in the world, and it is easy to see why.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Although Asia has always been popular amongst digital nomads, South America has firmly risen to join it. Buenos Aires is another strong destination for online entrepreneurs looking to work as they travel. It is recognised all over the world for its vibrant digital nomad community, inviting residents and culture that bursts out of every neighbourhood. Its many working cafes and good internet keep attracting more and more entrepreneurs. It is not uncommon to see locals hit the streets with some tango or other fun activities. A great place to work hard and play harder.

Santiago, Chile

Santiago has a booming economy and is a rapidly growing city. Local amenities are easy to come by in most areas and accommodation is simple to find. It has an expanding working-cafe culture, a buzzing nightlife and plenty of cultural attractions to see. The cost of living is not as cheap as much of Asia, or even some neighbouring countries, but it is not hard to find cheap eats and drinks. The city keeps attracting more digital nomads, and you will not struggle to find like-minded expats here.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Playa del Carmen, Mexico (or just Playa to most residents) sits on the Caribbean coast with a hot climate, a decent cost of living and good WiFi in the built-up areas. On your doorstep you can swim with whale sharks and sea turtles or explore ancient Mayan ruins. It used to be an under-the-radar pick, but it has grown into a genuine nomad hub, with a sizeable expat community and plenty of cafes and co-working spaces to work from.

Digital Nomad Hubs in North America

Austin, USA

Austin is home to a lot of internet marketing entrepreneurs who are inclined to look for a base to work from. It is a city jam-packed with co-working spaces and events like South by Southwest. With long, warm summers and short winters, it is an ideal place for digital nomads looking to escape the cold. Although still popular with other Americans, it is steadily attracting a more international crowd.

Portland, USA

Portland is a little more expensive than Austin, but it still has huge entrepreneurial appeal, with a very liveable landscape and four distinct seasons. It made its name as a magnet for unconventional thinkers, having hosted the long-running World Domination Summit until its final edition in 2022, and that independent, creative streak still runs right through the city.

San Diego, USA

If you want to escape the steep prices of San Francisco, but you still want incredible weather and the Californian lifestyle, then look no further than San Diego. With its sunny climate all year round, buzzing creative energy and hip cafes and bars, it feels like a digital nomad paradise. It is definitely high up there on the list for the States.

Digital Nomad Hubs in Europe

Krakow, Poland

In southern Poland, near the border with the Czech Republic, Krakow is increasingly recognised as a great place in Europe to start a business. It does not have the most appealing climate for sun-chasers, but it is extremely cheap. That affordability attracts bootstrapping entrepreneurs looking to grow. Food is delicious and cheap everywhere, and affordable accommodation is easy to find. WiFi speeds are decent, and being in Europe there is some familiarity in the language and cafe culture.

Sofia, Bulgaria

Sofia is evolving every day, with cafes, restaurants and bars popping up regularly. You can enjoy a great summer here with a hot, sunny climate and very mild winters. One of the most notable things about Sofia, though, is that it has some of the fastest internet speeds in Europe, often for around €10 to 15 per month. If you want a city where you can be at your most productive with excellent internet in almost every cafe, this might be the place for you.

Porto, Portugal

You are probably aware of Lisbon, one of the best European bases for online entrepreneurs, but have you considered Porto? This Portuguese city has firmly established itself as digital-nomad friendly, and it is noticeably cheaper than its bigger sister. The city itself is stunning. You can watch the sun go down by the Dom Luis bridge, wander the winding cobbled streets and admire the traditional hand-painted tiles.

Digital Nomad Hubs in Asia

Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei has huge potential as a digital nomad hub. It is a fast-paced, 24-hour city that is always on the move. The climate can be humid, with high temperatures in summer and rainy winters. Taiwanese culture is pretty open-minded, and the city has long attracted overseas workers, many of them English teachers. One of the best things about Taiwan for online entrepreneurs is the visa situation: most European passport holders and US citizens get 90 days visa-free on arrival, with no application needed. Extensions beyond that are only granted in exceptional cases, so for a longer stay you would look at a proper visa. I spent six months travelling around Taiwan and loved it.

A note on Canggu, Indonesia

Canggu used to sit on this list. I have taken it off. What were once quiet lanes and laid-back cafes are now gridlocked with traffic and wall-to-wall construction. It is still worth seeing, but it is no longer the peaceful up-and-coming base it once was, and there are far calmer places to actually get work done.

Ko Lanta, Thailand

If Chiang Mai is a little crowded for your liking, you might want to consider Ko Lanta. With one large co-working space (KoHub), it has a considerably smaller nomad scene than Chiang Mai. The general atmosphere is a lot less “co-working”, with fewer conversations about business and entrepreneurship, and more time spent drinking coffee and living the poster digital nomad lifestyle. It is laid back, approachable, humble and still very cheap. Business in a peaceful and beautiful environment.

Wherever you end up basing yourself, my seven ways to stay productive when you travel will help you get real work done once you arrive.

Still figuring out how to fund the lifestyle in the first place? My guide on how I make money while I travel breaks down exactly how I do it.