If you’re a digital nomad, you’re probably always on the lookout for new destinations to do what digital nomads do best: see the world, have new experiences, get to know other cultures, work, do business, and connect with people from all over the world.
But choosing the right destination is not always easy, and you might feel a bit unsure. That’s why we’ve put together all the factors you need to consider as a digital nomad when choosing your next destination.
Find Out Whether You Need a Visa
Most countries will allow you to stay as a tourist for about three months. However, depending on your nationality, the country’s laws, and whether you’d like to stay a bit longer, you might need to check whether you’ll need something other than a tourist visa.
The list of countries offering digital nomad visas is quickly growing. To learn more about which countries offer these visas to remote workers, or if you qualify for one, check out Citizen Remote. They have an extensive list of resources on digital nomad visas, as well as how to get one.
Think about What Would Make a Destination Perfect for You
What is “a good destination?” The answer to this question is extremely personal. Getting to see Europe within the space of a year is very different from traveling around the world, and you can’t compare settling down in a small village with living in a mega-city like Bangkok.
So the important thing is to spend some time reflecting on what type of destination would be ideal for you – after all, the same place might be great for some people and far from ideal for others.
Choose a Destination with a Reasonable Cost of Living
The next step is to find out more about the cost of living in your potential destination. Think about what you’ve budgeted for; does it fit your expectations?
For example, if you’re considering Spain, you can find more information about the cost of living here and then compare the prices of certain services with those of your home country.
But remember that prices may also vary greatly within the same country. In Spain, for example, you have Gran Canaria (Repeople’s headquarters), where the cost of living is much lower than in big cities such as Madrid or Barcelona.
Find a Place Where You Can Communicate
Being able to communicate with others is an important consideration and, in many cases, it will influence your decision when choosing a destination. Ideally, you’d find a place where people speak English, at least in your accommodation, at the coworking space, and in those main tourist areas you’d like to see.
Otherwise, it will be difficult to shake that feeling of being lost, to communicate with others and make friends, and to really enjoy your free time.
Find a Safe Destination
It’s important to strike a balance between an affordable destination and a place with a reasonable level of safety, so you’re less likely to be the victim of theft, aggression, or violence. These are the immediate concerns, of course, but you should also consider other factors, such as:
- Good access to hospitals and health centers;
- Qqual treatment of women, minorities, and LGTBIQ+ communities;
- Freedom of speech; and
- Democratic government.
You need to feel protected and safe in case something goes wrong.
Find a Destination with Good, Readily Available Internet
If you’re a digital nomad, you work remotely, so you’ll definitely need a high-quality Internet connection.
For example, in Spain (including the Canary Islands), fiber optic is the standard in most areas, and the speeds available can vary from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. This is generally more than enough to join a Zoom call, download documents from the cloud, or use most common streaming services.
In any case, depending on the destination, it might be worth having a SIM card with mobile data as a plan B in case the Internet connection at your accommodation or coworking space isn’t sufficient. You need to be able to work (and it’s better to be safe than sorry).
Other Things to Take into Account: Landscape, Climate, and Cuisine
An ideal destination would allow you to enjoy a myriad of new experiences. You should be looking for somewhere with a rich variety of landscapes (beaches, mountains, cities) and plenty of activities on offer, such as surfing, hiking, or museums and cultural events.
Another aspect to consider is the average temperature at your potential destination. If you’re the outdoorsy type and enjoy some of those activities we just mentioned, you’ll depend on having good weather.
Last but not least, choosing somewhere with good food is always a safe bet. Find out more about traditional cuisines and the general opinion regarding what’s on offer at your chosen destination.
Is There a Place That Meets All These Requirements?
Indeed there is – Gran Canaria. 🙂 Hundreds of digital nomads who stay in Repeople’s coliving spaces tell us the same every year: working in and enjoying Gran Canaria is an unparalleled experience:
- Summer weather all year round
- Reasonable cost of living
- Wide variety of landscapes: beaches, mountains, villages, cities …
- Good transport connections: international airport, easy travel between the islands, good-quality roads
- Hundreds of activities on offer: culture, sport, work-related events
- 100% safe and European-level institutions and infrastructure
- Authentic, delicious cuisine
- Good ecosystem for digital nomads: coworking and coliving spaces, conferences
What are you waiting for? Join us! Get in touch with we@repeople.co and we’ll be delighted to help you organize your stay.
