Best Digital Nomad Destinations

Why stay in one place if you can go anywhere in the world? This is the exact reasoning many remote workers have here in Switzerland. Many of them decide to go on what they call "Workations" to tourist destinations, however, not all of them can be ideal due to high costs of living, bad infrastructure, underdeveloped economy etc.

In the end, going to a place as a remote worker can be a very much different experience than just spending a week there as a tourist. In this artice we will look at different locations for remote workers around the world and list their pros and cons.

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#6. Canary Islands - Spain

According to Nomadlist Canary Islands are ranked as number 6 and are one of the best destinations for a digital nomad at the moment. It is a great destination for Swiss nomads in particular, as there is a direct flight from Zurich which takes around 4h 25m. The cost of living is fairly low and you get the benefits of living in an European country (e.g. fast internet speeds, stable power grid, great infrastructure). The climate is also close to ideal with the temperature almost never going below 15C.

As downsides you may find that locals do not speak English as much as in other places and there are not that many networking opportunities out there.

#5. Bengaluru - India

Surprise! Placed at number 5 we have Bengaluru. An affordable location to stay with fast internet speeds and warm weather all year round, it is a perfect location for "Slowmads" on a budget. You will find that getting there usually takes 1 or 2 changes and the shortest flight times are around 12 hours from Zurich. As a downside you would probably face problems with the power grid and the food safety is quite low, so you should pay attention to the places you choose when eating out.

#4. Zagreb - Croatia

A place with a good quality of life, well-developed infrastructure, good level of English and fairly affordable - a rising star in digital nomad rankings. The location is safe for families and the air quality is good all year round. Many remote workers choose Zagreb for longer stays. Cons are the cold weather in the winter, relatively slow internet speeds and a limited range of entertainment options.

#3. Lisbon - Portugal

A fun city to stay with multiple thigns to do outside of work, Lisbon is a go to location for single Nomads as well as those with families. As pros you get high levels of safety, stable power grid, fast internet speeds, great air quality all year round and many more! 💥 The government is really aiming to attract talent and you will find it is quite easy to do business. Networking opportunities are abundant as well.
A flight of only 2h 55m from Zurich will take you directly to Lisbon.

#2. Canggu - Bali, Indonesia

Image by Cassie Gallegos @Unsplash

Of course we will have Bali on this list! A heavyweight in any nomad list, Canggu is a perfect destination for the younger part. The reasons become apparent once you visit the place. There is unlimited options of things to do in your free time. No shortage of events, vibrant nightlife and unlimited opportunities for networking - Bali attracts all sorts of people from all over the world.

Situated on the ocean coast, many nomads choose this destination for perfect Surfing spots! A trip to Bali will take you at least 18h with 1 or 2 stops on your way there, so be sure to prepare well for the long trip. As cons, you would find that internet speeds are quite bad on the island, so you should consider renting a co-working space with guaranteed good internet.

#1. Bangkok - Thailand 🎉

Image by Waranont @Unsplash

A rising star and is considered best of the best by many nomaders. Where can you find more fun than in Bangkok? The affordable lifestyle, stable temperature all year round, fast internet, incredibly friendly people - it all adds up to the great experience many Swiss digital nomads get from visiting this place. You can think of Bangkok as a place where every point is checked on the list, which is why you see so many remote workers there. Being very affordable, you can plan for longer "workations". But there are ofcourse downsides in everything.

You will most likely find Bangkok overcrowded, which is why some nomads see this only as an interim destination. Additionally, the temperature can get too high and combined with high humidity this can be too much for those who enjoy moderate temperature zones.

All in all a great destination for many and relatively easy to reach from Switzerland. A direct flight will take you 11h from Zurich.

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