7 Best Beach Cities for Digital Nomads in 2022
While most people only dream of living and working from beach locations, enjoying those colliding waves with mellow cocktails & fresh juices. It can be a part of a typical workday routine for a digital nomad, as long as there is a fast Wi-Fi connection and a few more essentials.
Once you choose to break free of the boundaries of the 9–5 office schedule, you have probably dreamt of spending your time in the most beautiful and mind-blowing countries on this globe. Right?
So if your bucket list is full of the attractive beach cities to live in, then I have got here, is a list of irresistible beach destinations for expats and nomads to fulfill your dream of working from a paradise island.
Without further ado, let’s take a look down at the seven best beach cities for digital nomads:
Zadar (Croatia)
One of the most unique and old towns in Croatia, Zadar’s history dates from the 9th century BC. (Almost several thousand years old), A vibrant city with certain exceptional benefits for digital nomads. It is an ideal destination surrounded by majestic islands, forests, and scenic beaches.
The magnetism of this place is irresistible because it has a relaxing atmosphere, great seafood, and reasonably cheap accommodations. A few tourists and a less hassle make this city a quieter place than some other towns that become overcrowded in peak times.
Not so long ago, as an innovation for digital nomads, Croatia curated the first Digital Nomad Village in Zadar, just 30 minutes walk away from Zadar’s downtown area.
It’s a nice place to stay that offers free high-speed internet, premium mobile houses, private co-working spaces, spa and gym, discord community channels, musical events, and much more. The cost of living here varies from $150 a week to $550 per month, which is inexpensive as compared to other European towns.
Budget for a month: $1200 — $1500
Meals per person: $5 -$8
Best time to stay: April to September
Internet: Good (18 Mbps)
Visa & Stay: 90 days visa-free stay (12 months digital nomad visa)
Best Beaches: Kolovare Beach, Zrce Beach, Ninska Laguna Beach, Queen’s Beach, Zaton Beach
El Nido (Philippines)
Situated on the northern side of Palawan island in the Philippines, El Nido has ranked among the top island spots in the world. A very famous tourist destination, a perfect place for those looking for astonishing beaches. It has become chart-topping for its white-sand beaches, waterfalls, coral reefs, amazing dive spots, and a portal to the Bacuit archipelago.
Best known for their culture and hospitality, Filipinos give extra importance to digital nomads and remote workers. They offer a range of co-working spaces with free coffees and a stable internet connection.
Dining at local seafood restaurants is a great way to enjoy and explore traditional Filipino cuisines. When it comes to living here, there are options from five-star royal resorts ranging from $700 — $1500 to cost-effective apartments starting from $300 a month for penny-pinching backpackers.
Budget for a month: $1200
Meals per person: $2.5 — $6
Best time to stay: December to May
Internet: Fast (30Mbps)
Visa & Stay: 30 days visa-free stay (A tourist visa for a maximum of up to 2 years.)
Best Beaches: Lio Beach, Hidden Beach, Nacpan Beach, Secret Lagoon, Las Cabanas Beach
Canggu, Bali (Indonesia)
It’s famously said by the digital nomad communities, “quit your job, start your digital business, pack your bags and land yourself in Bali.” Canggu in Bali has become an unbelievably popular hotspot in Southeast Asia for tourism and an absolute home for backpackers and expats.
This paradise island has the uttermost surprising traditions and ways of living on earth. It offers a variety of hidden gems, a range of magical beaches to visit, a breathtaking walk through mystical rice terraces, etc.
There is a collection of cafes, shops, bars, restaurants, spas, and yoga studios for your convenience. Some restaurants and cafes give free Wi-Fi with the meal, a prominent deal for digital nomads who enjoy working in communal surroundings.
For digital nomads, the co-working spaces selection range from cozy cafes to poolside parties & events. Accommodation here is very affordable, with approximately $400 for a month. Depending upon the needs, there are also co-living options for all.
Budget for a month: $1000 to $1200
Meals per person: $2 to $3
Best time to stay: April to October
Internet: Fast (25 Mbps)
Visa & Stay: 30 days visa-free stay (Digital nomad visa for up to 5 years)
Best Beaches: Canggu Beach, Echo Beach, Nelayan Beach, Berawa Beach, Batu Bolong Beach, Pererenan Beach
Phuket (Thailand)
A study by Club Med shows Phuket ranked top among the best place for digital nomads in the world, with a score of 290 out of 320.
For those working virtually, the idea of swapping the chair with Phuket’s sandy beaches is an all-time favorite. One of the best things about this town is that it shows off some phenomenal mountainous rainforests to beautiful scenic beaches with amazing lively nightlife, delicious Thai foods, and adventure activities.
The rich culture and historical sites of this island are the centers of attraction for tourists.
Phuket offers some of the best co-working spaces, and an apartment can be affordable for about $250 — $500 a month. The country introduced a smart visa (especially for digital nomads) which allows its holder to live and work for up to four years.
Budget for a month: $1200
Meals per person: $2 to $3.5
Best time to stay: November to March
Internet: Fast (24Mbps)
Visa & Stay: 60 days tourist visa (Smart visa for digital nomads for up to 4 years)
Best Beaches: Karon Noi Beach, Freedom Beach, Banana Beach, Kata Noi Beach, Bang Tao Beach
Hoi An (Vietnam)
The name Hoi An itself translates to “peaceful meeting place,” and located on the central Vietnamese coast, this ancient town is known as the ‘Venice of Vietnam’ and was announced as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.
With relaxing sunny beaches and mountains, it offers peace and quietness, which is why it is well-chosen by a growing community of digital nomads and backpackers.
Many other cities of Vietnam are hasty and restless, but Hoi An features a mind-blowing central night market, a peaceful walk on the streets, some of the best delicious and spicy cuisines, and trouble-free bike rides to the beaches that are almost only a 10-min ride away from the town.
The cost of living here is cheap — there’s a wide array of renting apartments as low as $300 — $400 for a month. Cafes can be a perfect work spot with a happy internet connection for digital nomads.
Budget for a month: $800 — $1000
Meals per person: $2 — $3
Best time to stay: May to September
Internet: Good & Stable (15Mbps)
Visa & Stay: 1 to 12 months tourist visa stay
Best Beaches: Bin Minh Beach, An Bang Beach, Cua Dai Beach, Hidden Beach, Ha My Beach
Goa (India)
On the south western coast of India, Goa is a small sunshine state mainly known for its several beaches and almost hundreds of years old Portuguese architectural heritage.
It’s an island of a variegated mixture of Indian and Portuguese cultures freshened with sunny beaches, sea, surfing, outdoor activities, magical sunsets, seafood, yoga, and spirituality.
Vanishing all the worries with the warm weather, hippie culture, and a low-cost living, Goa has become one of the popular destinations for digital nomads and expat hippies. And it is also growing with the co-working tradition. There are a couple of work-friendly cafes that offer free Wi-Fi.
Living as a digital nomad in Goa is reasonably affordable accommodation with around $300 — $400 per month. Chilling-out in a peaceful area of Goa to spend a better day while working is the best option.
Budget for a month: $1000 — $1100
Meals per person: $2 -$4
Best time to stay: November to March
Internet: Fast (25Mbps) but a little flaky
Visa & Stay: 180 days E-Tourist visa
Best Beaches: Morjim Beach, Anjuna Beach, Sinquerim Beach, Candolim Beach, Baga Beach
Taghazout (Morocco)
Taghazout is a small fishing town yet an exotic destination that receives much less publicity. Yet allows you to lie under a thousand billion stars at the gorgeous golden beaches and lets you enjoy surfing as many come here for it, especially.
The town has a bunch of cafes that make a good productive work atmosphere for digital nomads. Though with a not-so-good Wi-Fi speed, as nomads make the expedition, businesses and cafes in Taghazout are responding quickly by arranging better internet connections.
With a very affordable housing option of less than $400 a month, nomads hook themselves here to keep away from the hustle and bustle of occupied towns, and the food here makes an unforgettable experience on its own.
Budget for a month: $1000
Meals per person: $2 — $3
Best time to stay: Almost the whole year (January to March ideally for surfing.)
Internet: Overall good (15 Mbps)
Visa & Stay: 90 days tourist visa
Best Beach: Taghazout Beach, Ait Savall Beach, Devil’s Stone Beach, Doulhmi Beach, Sable d’Or Beach
Wrapping Up
As a digital nomad, the massive challenge is to find the right place to move. So, these are the best beach cities for digital nomads based on different factors from nature & lifestyle benefits to nomad-friendly workplaces.
Still and all, no matter how enchanting a dream location looks, remember there are many more important things to consider before finalizing the destination, such as;
· Health & Safety regarding nomads
· The overall cost of living
· Money handling
· Airport access & Visa arrangements
· Quality of living that matches your personality
I hope this article helps you choose your best beach destination, and don’t forget to show your love & support by buying me a chai.
