Top 5 Digital Nomad Destinations to Avoid Summer Tourists

Now more than ever being a Digital Nomad is a completely normal lifestyle. With many cities growing as a hotspot for the nomadic community with the rise of new coworking spaces, coffee places with good internet connection and good working-leisure balance there are many great Digital Nomad destinations to choose from.

What makes a good Digital Nomad Destination?

There are many factors that influence what can be considered a good Digital Nomad Destination, being some of them more crucial than others. Having a great internet connection should be one of the top priorities on your list when choosing your next destination.

Secondly, you should definitely consider safety. Living and working in a safe environment is something you should always be looking for. It can massively influence your lifestyle while you’re staying in a specific destination. 

In third place, you need to consider the Visa requirements of the country you’re planning to move to. Depending on the country and your own nationality it may be easier or harder to get a Visa, or to extend one if needed. So all these factors are things that should be pondered while thinking about your next Digital Nomad destination.

Besides these factors, there are other important things like if the destinations are Digital Nomad friendly. So, it’s easier to meet more people who are experiencing the same situation as you are. Also, it is a plus if the place has a nice climate for your own needs, and a nice atmosphere where you feel comfortable.

Top 5 Digital Nomad Destinations to Avoid Summer Tourists

Some of the greatest Digital Nomad destinations are also some of the most famous touristic destinations. This can turn nice cities into overcrowded destinations specially during the summer months. That’s why in this article you’ll find out which are the best Digital Nomad destinations that are still amazing summer destinations, but not as busy as the most known places. Perfect for digital nomads to spend their summer in!

1. Instead of Barcelona go to Fuerteventura

Barcelona is one of the most famous Spanish destination due to its vibrant culture, amazing beaches and exciting summer nightlife. However, for a Digital Nomad it can be get too touristic and noisy especially during summer. That’s why Fuerteventura is a great alternative.

Fuerteventura is the second largest of the Canary Islands, and offers a great environment for Digital Nomads to work and live in. Fuerteventura is safe and has a great nomadic community, low taxes, a great healthcare system and fiber optic coverage which is crucial if you’re working from your laptop.

If you are part of one of the Schengen countries, you can spend up to 90 days in Fuerteventura without a Visa. If you’re not, you can still apply for a short-stay Schengen Visa (which is usually very easy to get) that will allow to stay there for 90 days as well.

Besides all of that, Fuerteventura is a great Nomad Destination because you get the real experience of island life, in a destination that offers 320 sunny days a year with average temperatures of 21ºC.

2. Instead of Seminyak try Canguu

Bali is one of the most famous surf destinations in Indonesia. Its grown popularity and affordability has made that some of its cities, as the capital Denpasar, faced a boom in tourism during the last years. Canguu, located in the south cost of Bali, is a great Digital Nomad destination and a good alternative for Denpasar. It’s not as touristic as Denpasar and offers a chilled atmosphere and great life-work balance.

Canguu has some of the best coworking spaces in the world, with offices that feel more like a home located a couple of meters from the beach. It is also home to the DOJO community which has more than 4000 Digital Nomads members!

The Visa requirements to enter Bali are also not too strict. For most countries you don’t even need a Visa if you’re staying for less than 30 days. You can also opt to buy your Visa on arrival (at the airport) which enables you stay for 30 days, and then renew it for another month if you wish to (it costs approximately 35$ USD). However, the requirements change depending on your country, so it is important that you check that in advance!

So, Canguu does not only have a great nomadic community, but it is also a safe place, with great cafés and restaurants, good internet connection, a hipster lifestyle, sun and plenty of beaches. All of this at an affordable living cost. 

3. Instead of Lisbon try Porto

Lisbon is the Portuguese hotspot for Digital Nomads, but it is also the top touristic destination in Portugal, which can feel too touristic at times. So, if you’re looking for a destination with the same qualities as Lisbon but less crowded, then you should try Porto.

Porto is located in the north of Portugal, and it’s smaller that Lisbon, making it more welcoming and relaxing than Lisbon. Porto has been adapting to the rise of Digital Nomads that have moved to the city recently. The city has now plenty of coffee shops with good internet connection, and many coworking spaces which offer different types of memberships that can suit any of your needs. 

Due to being a small city, it is also easier to find and connect with other Digital Nomads. Something which is important if you want to meet people with the same mindset as you and share some ideas and experiences.

To enter Portugal, you don’t need a Visa if you’re staying for less than 90 days, as long as your passport (in case you’re not from one of the Schengen countries) is valid for at least 3 months after your departing date. 

4. Instead of Mexico City try Playa del Carmen

Mexico is one of the most famous summer destinations. Due to that reason, some cities in Mexico do feel a bit busy at some points, especially when talking about cities as Mexico City or Cancún. That’s why Playa del Carmen is the perfect summer 2022 destination if you’re a Digital Nomad.

Playa del Carmen has seen a rise in its popularity among the nomadic culture during the last few years. This coastal resort city not only offers exotic vibes and great food, but it’s also full of coffee places and coworking offices where you can connect with people with the same mentality as you.

Regarding the Visa requirements to enter Mexico, if you’re from the USA, European Union or EFTA, it’s easy to get a Visa. The Mexico Tourist Visa enables you to stay in Mexico up to 180 days. 

Playa del Carmen is also known for having a great healthcare system, amazing beaches and plenty of activities to do in your free time. It is considered to be a safe place, so make sure you give it a try.

5. Instead of Bangkok try Chiang Mai

Thailand has been considered the best Digital Nomad destination. Its perfect balance of culture, vibrant atmosphere and great food, makes it a perfect touristic destination but not only. Bangkok is the most touristic city of Thailand, mainly because if its unique nightlife. However, there are other cities in Thailand which still offer the best of the country, but with a more chilled atmosphere. 

Chiang Mai is a great example. Situated in northern Thailand, this city provides you with a slow lifestyle. It is a great place to meet other Digital Nomads, and it’s located in a beautiful area of Thailand.

The internet connection in Chiang Mai is good enough and there are plenty of coworking spaces available. Chiang Mai is the perfect place if you’re looking for a good balance in your work-leisure time, and it’s also pretty safe!

If you’re staying in Thailand for less than 30 days, you don’t need a Visa, but a valid passport and other travel documents are required. So, you should make sure you check everything you may need before moving to Chiang Mai.