Since its inception, the Internet has changed practically every single profession on earth somehow. It has not only allowed people to collaborate, manage projects, research, and attend meetings virtually, but in many cases, its tools do not require a permanent physical employment location to execute these tasks.
This has allowed a great variety of professions to dispense with the need to commute to a shared office every day, allowing them more freedom of movement and even the opportunity to work from a second home located in an exotic location. Whether they are remote IT technicians or digital marketing analysts, more and more people are choosing job options that allow them to work remotely.
According to studies, 43% of Americans spent at least some time working remotely in 2016, expected to grow even higher in the next few years.
While many working remotely choose to stay at home, a growing number of people, particularly millennials, have chosen to travel throughout the world and become what has been coined a “digital nomad.”
If you are a remote worker tired of working in grey cubicles at a remote office, sitting all day at your principal residence, or have had enough of being a digital nomad, we’ve put a list together of the best exotic locations on earth that offer you not only a stunning change of scenery, but also solid internet speeds and infrastructure necessary for remote work. From pristine beaches to tropical rainforests and paradise islands, there’s something in this list that will make you want to book your ticket now and even consider these locations for a second home.
Galápagos Islands
West of continental Ecuador lies the isles made famous by Darwin’s studies of the natural world that would result in the Theory of Evolution. A natural paradise filled with stunning vistas, virginal beaches and some of the most exotic wildlife in the world, the Galapagos Islands are a true paradise on earth. Filled with giant tortoises, iguanas, exotic lizards and even albatrosses, exploring the islands is bound to be a great adventure for casual explorers and divers alike.
Galapagos has a population of only 25,000 people, setting the standard for the word remote. Nevertheless, they offer a solid infrastructure for remote workers, with most hotels offering free WiFi and most housing areas including a good connection as well. While the Galapagos is by far not the cheapest option on our list, you can expect prices similar to or slightly cheaper than living in the continental USA.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica, the country with the biggest biodiversity on the entire planet, has long been espoused as a true paradise for expats. Not only does Central America offer dense tropical rainforests, volcanoes, and tropical climate, but it also has some of the best beaches in the world – featuring crystal clear water and pristine endless beaches.
Santa Teresa is one such beach and one of the most visited by tourists for many reasons. Not only does Santa Teresa have some of the best surf you will find in the world, but it also features a large town and tight-knit community that offers plenty of yoga retreats, delicious food, thriving nightlife and amazing weather you could possibly expect.
You will come for the surf and natural beauty, but you will stay for the people – a collection of expats from around the world and locals that live the “Pura Vida” (Pure life) lifestyle and always boast a smile on their face.
Morocco
Morocco might not be too far off the coast of its northern neighbors in Spain, but it might as well be a galaxy apart. This diverse land containing four different mountain ranges, deserts, and Mediterranean beaches has been the setting for many iconic movies throughout the years, including Lawrence of Arabia, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Gladiator, and even Star Wars.
But what truly makes Morocco unique and attracts millions of tourists each year is its perfectly preserved culture and traditional architecture. The market town-turned-city of Marrakesh has been a crossroads for culture and trade for close to ten centuries. Featuring gorgeous oriental architecture and thousands of captivating smells and colours, the streets through the bazaar hold plenty of secrets within them – from delicious honey-drizzled pastries to sensual belly dancers.
A very low-cost-of-living country, Morocco has been evolving technologically at a very fast pace in the last few years. It has plenty of co-working spaces available for digital nomads, as well as surprisingly fast internet connections, villas up for rent, and homes you may consider.
Bali, Indonesia
Another location famous for its beaches and surf, the Island of Bali is often touted as true heaven on earth. Boasting mind-blowing beaches, volcanoes, mountains, coral reefs and overall nature, Bali can easily compete with any location on this list and come out ahead in most aspects.
In Ubud, the cultural center of the Island and home of the expat community, you will find spiritual hippies and yogis, while in the southern Bukit Peninsula, you will find the perfect location to surf in legendary breaks like Padang Padang, Dreamland, and Uluwatu.
What few people know about Bali, however, is that it has been building a burgeoning startup ecosystem with all kinds of entrepreneurs, initiatives, tech talent, and startups springing up all over the island. To satisfy this demand, Bali has seen a large number of coworking spaces pop up across the island, each one providing more than adequate commodities for digital nomads, who are not only attracted to the island’s legendary beauty but also its low cost of living and housing.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Touted as one of the best cities for remote workers worldwide, Ho Chi Minh City is a colourful, vibrant, and creative metropolis in southwestern Vietnam with plenty to offer digital nomads, tourists, and expats alike.
A highly developed city bursting with cafés that offer fantastic coffee and an even better internet connection, former Saigon is filled with culture, commerce, art and plenty of beautiful natural and manmade sites to behold.
It also has a low cost of living, making it a great place to enjoy a high-quality life on a limited budget.
Ho Chi Minh City is popular for its excellent fashion standards and familiarity with the conveniences of the West and other cultures. Thus, many foreigners find it easier to live in a city they can call home.
Vietnam is also filled with various clothing outlets, supermarkets, and other shops selling everything reasonably. If you desire a luxurious lifestyle, do not worry; this city also offers this kind of living.
Visit the Ben Thanh Market and its iconic clock tower to buy all sorts of goods, ranging from clothes to electronics to groceries, for amazing prices, provided you are willing to haggle a little. The food is absolutely delicious and incredibly cheap, with Vietnam having one of the lowest costs of living on this entire list.
Also, the city is believed to have the best restaurants and the most mouthwatering cuisines. Vietnamese cuisine is well-loved worldwide and is one reason why many tourists love the city. For people who aren’t so adventurous about food, there’s no need to worry because many restaurants offer international cuisines, so you can enjoy the foods you miss while you’re staying in this beautiful place.
One of the things that people look for when moving to a new place is safety. Foreigners who have moved to the city with their families can testify about its safe environment. It is family-friendly and aims to keep everyone safe, both locals and foreigners. More importantly, Ho Chi Minh City has a lower crime rate compared to other big cities in Vietnam.
For those who prefer to work in office environments, Ho Chi Minh City has plenty to offer, including the fantastic Dreamplex coworking space, which features the fastest and most reliable internet in the city, as well as fantastic ergonomic chairs.
Reykjavík, Iceland
If you are looking for a completely different experience than the tropical paradise and warm weather mainly espoused on this list, Reykjavik, Iceland is definitely the way to go. A city bursting with art, culture, and history, Reykjavik offers plenty for digital nomads to do, even if the city’s population is only just over 200,000 people.
The city’s surroundings feature an embarrassment of natural riches, including snow-topped mountains, grey seas, and some of the purest air you’ll ever breathe. Reykjavik’s natural beauty is so impressive that it has been the site of many filming locations used by the fantasy mega-hit TV show Game Of Thrones. For those who want to live off the beaten path but still have all the modern high-tech lifestyle trappings with comfortable living, this winter wonderland is as exotic as it gets.
