Top Summer Hotspots for Digital Nomads in 2024

When it comes to enjoying a work-life balance, digital nomads have it all!

If you're a keen explorer, choosing freedom and dropping the 9-to-5 for a laptop and a suitcase is a great option.

Whether it’s spending time in a city or soaking in the laid-back vibes of a beach town that appeals, there are now many spectacular summer destinations digital workers will enjoy.

So, to help you discover where to work and play remotely, here’s our rundown of this year's ten best summer destinations for digital nomads.

1. Lisbon, Portugal

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Average Monthly Spend: $1000 - $1500

Average Internet Speed: 109.99 Mbps Fixed / 35.01 Mbps Mobile

Nomadic Vibe: Lively and cosmopolitan

It’s easy to see why digital nomads fall in love with Lisbon, Portugal’s vibrant capital city.

Lisbon offers an exciting mix of old-world charm, contemporary living, and stunning coastal scenery. Here, you can immerse yourself in the city’s rich history and culture, take tram rides through its bustling streets, and explore its fascinating historic districts.

There are plenty of accommodation options to suit most budgets and food-wise, you can fill your belly with delicious local seafood or find excellent budget bites without breaking the bank.

Lisbon now has an established ex-pat community, excellent facilities, and a relatively low cost of living compared to many other European cities. As a remote worker, you can set yourself up quickly, and you don’t need to travel far to find a café with great company and connectivity or a friendly co-working space. Lisbon is one of the best global destinations for seasoned and newbie digital nomads, so it is the perfect first mention on our list.

On days off, visit one of Lisbon’s many famous sites, such as Belem Tower and St. George’s Castle. Come sundown, you can enjoy a wide range of bars, restaurants, and entertainment options.

2. Prague, Czech Republic

Currency: Czech Koruna (CZK)

Average Monthly Spend: $900 - $1200

Average Internet Speed: 63.35 Mbps Fixed / 20.00 Mbps Mobile

Nomadic Vibe: Charming and historic

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is another favored digital nomad haunt. This charming city is full of architectural gems, and its streets are home to a vibrant arts scene, lively cafes, bars, and an eclectic mix of local and international restaurants.

Prague is a great place to live and work. You can spend your days in one of many co-working spaces that line the city streets. You can spend your time off exploring the Old Town, visiting churches and castles, or taking a boat trip along the Vltava River. Evenings out are also a joy, and you can sample Prague’s incredible local cuisine or wind down with a cold Pilsner at the end of the day.

I have a friend who lives in Prague, I talked to him yesterday. Even though it was June, it was overcast and rainy and he wasn't happy about it, so I'm sure you shouldn't go in winter.

Prague is a stunning destination, especially during the summer months – but be warned, the temperature can fall below freezing during the winter!

3. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Currency: Thai Baht (THB)

Average Monthly Spend: $800 - $1000

Average Internet Speed: 149,95 Mbps Fixed / 29 Mbps Mobile

Nomadic Vibe: Ancient and spiritual

As one of the world’s most affordable places to live, Chiang Mai has become a go-to for remote workers and now boasts a thriving expat community and many fabulous co-working spaces.

The city, nestled into the mountains of northern Thailand, serves up an alluring blend of beauty and culture alongside a wealth of amenities to make life easy.

If you want to get out and about, you can visit one of over 300 temples, including Wat Phra That Do Suthep, where you can enjoy panoramic views over the city. Alternatively, staying closer to home, a stroll through the narrow streets of Chiang Mai Old Town is also a delight, as is a night out sampling the delicious street food at one of the city’s bustling nighttime markets.

It’s easy to succumb to Chiang Mai’s charm. Whether you’re setting off on your first remote working adventure or simply looking for another change of pace and scenery, it’s an affordable destination and a worthy addition to your travel list, as it offers something for everyone and is sure not to leave you disappointed.

4. Medellin, Colombia

Currency: Colombia Peso (COP)

Average Monthly Spend: $1200 - $1600

Average Internet Speed: 149,95 Mbps Fixed / 29 Mbps Mobile

Nomadic Vibe: Colorful and welcoming

Think of Medellin in Colombia, and you may focus on its turbulent past. But fears aside, the city has been revamped and now has plenty to offer digital nomads.

Medellin boasts incredible food and some of the friendliest locals on the planet. Its mild, Spring-like climate appeals to most who visit, making it the perfect location for long walks, paragliding, rock climbing, and outdoor adventures.

One of Medellin's main attractions is that you can work from a café with a reliable internet connection, then wind down with a trip to the iconic Plaza Botero or a stroll through the colorful streets of Guatape.

Modernity and tradition in Medellin go hand in hand, and life is easy-going and affordable for most. This makes it the perfect choice if you want to spend time in a city rapidly making its mark on the digital nomad map.

5. Budapest, Hungary

Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF)

Average Monthly Spend: $1,100 - $1,800

Average Internet Speed: 215,40 Mbps Fixed / 67 Mbps Mobile

Nomadic Vibe: Cultural and dynamic

With lightning-fast internet connections, a bustling café and bar culture, and affordable rental properties, Budapest is now attracting a new wave of expats and digital nomads.

Look past the visible remnants of its past to discover a new wave of energy, with fallen buildings now home to some of the city’s best bars and many like-minded nomads, all enjoying the fine local hospitality and affordability of living in this fascinating city.

From a day trip to Buda Castle or a tour of Budapest’s iconic Parliament Building to a well-needed time-out at Szechenyi Spa, you won’t get bored in Budapest. It also has fabulous coworking haunts where you can easily make friends and establish yourself in the expat community.

6. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Currency: Argentina Peso(ARS)

Average Monthly Spend: $850 - $1200

Average Internet Speed: 114,408 Mbps Fixed / 39 Mbps Mobile

Nomadic Vibe: Passionate, cosmopolitan, and lively

Buenos Aires has long been known for its café culture, vibrant nightlife, and passionate locals. It’s a city unlike any other, with a fascinating mix of European and Latin American influences that captures the hearts of all who visit.

From its exceptional Argentinian cuisine to the local's obsession with the tango, Buenos Aries should inspire the best work from any digital nomad. Its affordability also means even the budget-constrained can afford to stay and live there long-term.

Highlights of Buenos Aires include the colorful La Boca district, the famous Recoleta Cemetery, and, of course, the occasional visit to a tango show. For nomads, the fabulous cafes are undoubtedly a lure, providing a safe working space with interesting company and excellent internet speeds and connections.

7. Cape Town, South Africa

Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)

Average Monthly Spend: $1200 - $1700

Average Internet Speed: 55,93 Mbps Fixed / 30,02 Mbps Mobile

Nomadic Vibe: Modern, exciting, and diverse

Spending time in any country offers the chance to immerse yourself in the local life and culture, and a few weeks or months in Cape Town is no exception.

Cape Town, the capital of South Africa, is a bucket-list destination for many travelers. It also ticks all the right boxes for digital nomads.

Although the cost of living is slightly higher than some places we’ve mentioned, the opportunity to explore more than makes up for the extra cost, and the town is also fully equipped for remote workers.

Aside from the co-working spaces ensuring you meet your deadlines, Cape Town is also famed for its food and wine, so your belly won’t rumble, and you can toast the sundown in style. Road trips to deserts, mountains, forests, and beaches can all be easily arranged, as can getting up close and personal with lions on incredible safaris, so you’ll never be short of action.

Cape Town is a well-trodden destination firmly on the digital nomad radar and will suit most with a yen to travel and explore. If you’re looking for an excellent all-arounder, consider visiting Cape Town!

8. Istanbul, Turkiye

Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY)

Average Monthly Spend: $1800 - $2300

Average Internet Speed: 80.23 Mbps Fixed / 40 MBPS Mobile

Nomadic Vibe: Historic, dynamic and cultural

Istanbul is one of the world’s oldest and most culturally rich cities. Straddling two continents, it offers guests a unique blend of history, culture, modern amenities, and adventure.

For digital nomads, Istanbul's affordability used to be very attractive, especially if you were paying in dollars or euros, you got great value for money. But the recent deterioration of the economy and inflation has pushed up costs for locals, tourists and digital nomads alike. After 8 months of traveling, I came back to find that prices had doubled. Although this makes me sad, I need to inform you about this.

The city’s incredible food, from tasty street-side kebabs to olive-oil-based meze, is also a delight, as is its wide range of attractions, from underground cisterns and old Ottoman palaces to contemporary art galleries and the most incredible mosques.

If you want to live and work comfortably in a city full of life, Istanbul should be a consideration. It is also easily accessible, with an impressive airport that regularly serves most worldwide destinations.

9. Mexico City, Mexico

Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN)

Average Monthly Spend: $1500 - $2150

Average Internet Speed: 62.33 Mbps Fixed / 24 Mbps Mobile

Nomadic Vibe: Busy and vibrant

American digital nomads take note: You may not need to travel that far to enjoy affordable living, fabulous food, and culture—head over the border to Mexico!

Mexico City, the country’s sprawling capital, is now a hotspot for remote workers keen to embrace a new way of life. Although the country has many outstanding coastal resorts, many nomads have now set up base in Mexico City, as it offers the ideal mix of old-world charm alongside good internet speeds, transport links, and a wide range of modern amenities.

Accommodation, food, and access to local sites are all reasonably priced. The streets are also packed full of cafes and co-working spaces, making it easy to work between exploring all the city offers.

If living in a big city and immersing yourself in a rich and dynamic culture appeals, book a ticket and discover Mexico City's charm for yourself, safe in the knowledge that it's only a short flight back home.

10. Bali, Indonesia

Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (RUP)

Average Monthly Spend: $1000 - $1500

Average Internet Speed: 75.09 Mbps Fixed / 26.99 Mobile

Nomadic Vibe: Tropical, laid-back, and welcoming

No list of the best summer digital nomad destinations would be complete without mentioning Bali, the number one choice for many digital nomads.

You can check out how I felt during my 3 months in Bali here and our comprehensive guide here. Bali has a very special impact and place for me, I love it so much.

Bali’s stunning tropical landscape, phenomenal beaches, unique culture, and affordability have rightly earned it its reputation as the world's favorite nomadic hotspot – just take a look at NomadVibe to see for yourself!

If you want to spend time on the island, you can quickly immerse yourself in the local expat life with a simple visit to one of the many coworking haunts or cafés.

Canggu has the best surf beaches in the south of the island, so it is understandably a popular location. The seaside town of Sanur, on the southeast of the island, is a good option if you’re traveling with the kids, and Ubud, Bali’s cultural capital, provides the ideal inland retreat if you want to be surrounded by art, nature, paddy fields, and holistic retreats.

Bali is the perfect choice if you fancy spending your downtime surfing, sunbathing, relaxing, or exploring temples. It’s also one of the most affordable destinations on our list, with many cheap accommodation options and delicious food offered at a great price. Ultimately, if you haven’t been to Bali yet, get going and book that ticket!

Still haven't seen a destination that suits you? No problem. Stay tuned to the Instagram page for more inspiration!

And as I always say, until the next post arrivederci folks :)