Finding the cheapest digital nomad destinations is key to balancing an adventurous lifestyle with budget-conscious living. For remote workers, affordable cities make it possible to enjoy new experiences while keeping costs low and productivity high.

10 Cheapest Digital Nomad Destinations

As a full-time global explorer, I’ve spent the last 3 years visiting some of the best digital nomad destinations. Here are the best ones I’ve found so far and also a few that are still on my list to visit.

Are you ready to live a remote lifestyle?

Take the quiz and see if we can help.

Our Creator Kickstarter Coaching Program will be accepting a maximum of 10 people to start building their dream remote lifestyle. Learn more & see if we can help you achieve your goals!

1. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is one of the most popular digital nomad destinations in Southeast Asia, thanks to its affordability and excellent infrastructure. Situated in northern Thailand, you’ll find a relaxed pace of life mixed with plenty of modern conveniences.

Living costs are seriously low, with apartments starting at around $200 per month and street food meals costing under $2. There are numerous great coworking spaces, ideal for networking and remote work, including Punspace and Hub 53.

But Chiang Mai’s appeal extends way beyond its affordability. The stunning temples, breathtaking mountains, and thriving expat community make it the perfect place to balance work and leisure. Read here for the best things to do during your downtime in Chiang Mai.

2. Podgorica, Montenegro

After 3 years of full-time traveling, I’m often asked “Where is the best place you’ve visited?” It’s a tough question but Montenegro always ranks highly in my answer. I loved my time there and will rave about it to anyone who listens.

Aside from being a very affordable place to live, the tiny nation is accessible in its entirety within a few hours of the capital Podgorica. It’s perfectly located with excellent beaches a few hours one way, and the mountains and ski slopes a few hours the other.

The city itself is a modern and well-developed destination with plenty on offer for digital nomads to enjoy. Decent and reliable WiFi is available everywhere, even in public areas, and the cafe culture, wine scene, and nightlife are all fantastic.

3. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

I spent a month house sitting in Ho Chi Minh City, and it soon became one of my favorite, affordable digital nomad destinations. This city oozes a startling contrast where traditional Vietnamese culture meets business and ultra-modern amenities.

It’s one of the most affordable cities I’ve ever visited, where meals at local eateries cost just $1–$3 and are usually hearty and delicious. Transport is straightforward, with Grab rides costing a few bucks and the option of cheap buses to take you anywhere you need to go.

If you’re considering Ho Chi Minh City, check out these earlier posts for my tips on the best coworking spaces and making the most of your time with the top things to do in the city.

4. Bali, Indonesia

During my two-month stay in Bali, I booked an Airbnb apartment in Kuta Beach and used it as a base to explore the island on weekends. Bali’s stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, and overall low costs make it a dream destination for digital nomads.

My favorite trips were to Canggu and Ubud, where it’s easy to secure private accommodation on sites including Airbnb and Booking.com for as little as $300/month, or under $30 a weekend. Warungs (local eateries) serve meals for $2–$4.

Bali is more than just an affordable digital nomad destination – it’s a paradise for surfers, yogis, and cultural enthusiasts. Check out my Bali Travel Guide for more insights.

5. Budapest, Hungary

I write this just as I am about to board a flight to Budapest. I spent two months there in 2023, balancing digital nomad work with a Workaway teaching placement at a Montessori preschool, and can attest to it being one of Europe’s most affordable and beautiful capitals.

Aside from the abundance of teaching opportunities that can greatly support your accommodation and food budget, apartments cost $450–$650 per month. Public transport is efficient and cheap, while dining and drinking is very affordable.

Budapest is also incredibly accessible for visitors – My husband and I had three separate visits from friends and family from back home in the UK during our stay. I’m super excited to be returning for a long weekend!

6. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon offers digital nomads the best of Europe without the hefty price tag associated with many Western capitals. With its colorful neighborhoods, year-round sunny weather, and affordable cost of living, it’s no wonder Lisbon is on this list.

Furthermore, Portugal offers a passive income visa, officially called the D7 visa, allowing remote workers to live and work there. To qualify, applicants must prove a steady passive annual income of around $9,000. Click here for more information.

The visa also provides a pathway to residency, making it ideal for digital nomads looking to base themselves in Lisbon, or Europe in general, on a more permanent basis. Lisbon’s cultural scene and stunning beaches make it a dream destination.

SEE ALSO: 15 Best Coworking Spaces in Lisbon

7. Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi might not be on the radar for many digital nomads, but I feel like it definitely should be! Combining Eastern European charm with an incredibly low cost of living, Georgia’s liberal visa policies make it a fantastic choice for long-term stays.

With fabulous summer weather and winters that rarely dip below freezing, a third of the country’s population (1.2 million) lives in Tbilisi. Accommodation is cheap in the Georgian capital, renting an apartment can cost as little as $400 per month.

The stunning architecture of Old Town blends perfectly with a growing tech scene, making Tbilisi an emerging location as a digital nomad hot spot.

8. Medellín, Colombia

Medellín is a great option for digital nomads with its inviting year-round climate and surprisingly low cost of living for such a dynamic city. The transformation from its troubled past to a thriving cultural and tech hub is nothing short of remarkable.

Apartments in popular neighborhoods like Laureles or El Poblado cost between $400–$600 monthly, while meals from local restaurants are usually around $5. For coworking spots, check out Selina or Tinkko for excellent but affordable hot desking facilities.

The city’s beautiful mountain views, efficient metro system, and lively social scene make it an exciting yet practical choice. Workaway placements teaching English are also popular in Medellín, so consider volunteering to secure free accommodation.

9. Mexico City, Mexico

I only spent a few weeks working remotely from Mexico City but I found it to be an electric and motivating place to be based as a digital nomad. The city is massive, and the many different boroughs provide a variety of culture, fun, and facilities for work.

Being a huge metropolis, certain areas can feel pretty posh, but the hefty bill you’re expecting never comes. I went out for lunch and dinner every day, enjoying everything from local street food to high-end restaurants – it was always delicious and affordable!

Traversing the city is the one downside I found during my stay; the traffic is amongst the craziest I have seen on my travels so far. But, if you were to base yourself centrally around La Condesa or Granada, most things are walkable or well-connected by the efficient metro.

10. Bansko, Bulgaria

A place that recently caught my attention is Bansko. Based only a few hours south of the Bulgarian capital Sofia, this city is a remote working hotspot and one of Europe’s cheapest digital nomad destinations. I recently applied for a 6-week house sit there.

Nestled beside the Pirin Mountains, Bansko blends outdoor adventure with productivity, making it an ideal spot for remote workers seeking balance. Monthly living costs are incredibly low, with accommodation, food, and hot desks often totaling under $600.

The relaxed pace of life, combined with reliable internet, great coworking spaces, and budget-friendly amenities, makes Bansko an appealing destination for digital nomads seeking affordability without sacrificing quality of life.

In Conclusion

Exploring this list of cheapest digital nomad destinations is sure to open doors to fulfilling and affordable adventures. Whether you’re drawn to the culture of Southeast Asia, the charm of Eastern Europe, or the vibrancy of Latin America, embrace exploration.

Choose one of these destinations and you’ll quickly discover how far your budget can take you. Adventure, lifelong memories, productivity, and inspiration await in the world’s most affordable nomad hubs!

When I finally decided to visit Peru, I knew one thing: I wanted to hike with the company that Mark Adams, my friend and fellow travel writer, used for his book Turn Right at Machu Picchu. The stories he shared about his treks and what he learned on them convinced me that those were the people I wanted to show me around the Sacred Valley, so I might have my own pretend Indiana Jones moment: me, the wilderness, and my local guide.

So I emailed Amazonas Explorer, which focuses on private tours as well as off-the beaten path hikes in the Sacred Valley, to see if it would be possible to book something. While a private tour was more expensive than a regular group trip, I liked the idea of going at my own pace and having my own guide. Plus, when the owner, Paul, said a few people from the Amazonas office would be joining, it made me feel like I would be hiking with locals rather than just on some tourist-focused group outing.

I wasn’t going to do the full Inca Trail, as I didn’t have enough time, didn’t feel fit enough, and absolutely hate camping. Instead, I opted for the famed KM104 hike, which starts at the marker by that name (104km from Cusco, an exit point on the train line from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu) and takes you through the Sacred Valley and a few Incan sites before linking up with the main Inca Trail that leads into Machu Picchu.*

“We’ll be there to pick you up at your hotel in Cusco at 4:30am, so we can catch the train,” wrote Paul over email.

A 4:30am pickup meant a 3:30am wake-up, and there was absolutely no way I wanted to do that.

“Can we go later?” I asked. “It’s just me after all.”

“Nope, we have to get the 6:45am train from Ollantaytambo, which is two hours from Cusco. And we can’t be late. We’ve got a strict timetable. Sorry!”

But there was an option B!

Rather than wake up in the middle of the night, I decided to head to Ollantaytambo the day before so I could sleep in until just before the train….because while Indiana Jones might be able to find artifacts on little sleep, I can’t.

Once a major Incan city, Ollantaytambo is located on the Urubamba River against high mountains, on which extensive ruins offer beautiful views of the valley. Seeing them seemed like a better option than waking up early. So I arrived in the midafternoon to explore the ruins, pack my day bags, and relax before the hike.

(Tip: Don’t go when I did! Arrive early to avoid the afternoon crowds coming from Cusco. And bring a lot of sunscreen as there is no shade! The ruins are really beautiful though and give you a taste of what is to come.)

That evening, I unwound at El Albergue, a boutique hotel located right next to the train station. There was no more convenient place to stay — you literally walk out the door onto the train! I loaded up on carbs from food that came straight from the garden, packed my bags, and went to bed early in the comfiest bed I had all trip.

After waking up at the more reasonable hour of 5:45am, I met my guide, Efrain, and we boarded the train toward Machu Picchu so we could get off at KM104 and link up with the two others from the Amazonas office who were joining us.**

As the train snaked through the valley, the staff served us coca tea to help with the altitude. It’s a traditional indigenous remedy for altitude sickness in the region (it’s also the plant from which cocaine is derived). Not only does it really work but it has a very earthy, herbal taste that I had grown to love.

As I sipped my tea, Efrain and I went over the logistics of the next two days together while we got to know each other. A native to the area, he’d been a guide for over twenty years. Funny and really knowledgeable about the region’s flora, fauna, and Incan history, he used to lead a lot of group tours but now mostly does private ones with Amazonas.

When we got off the train, we met up with Katy and Lourdes, our hiking companions. Katy had hiked this route many times, having been a guide before, but it was Lourdes’s first time, and she was as nervous about being physically able to do it as I was. We bonded about it in my broken Spanish.

After checking in with the ticket control, we started our 12km (7.5-mile) hike up to Machu Picchu. The first leg followed the Urubamba River, which snakes through the entirety of the Sacred Valley, eventually flowing around Machu Picchu and north before combining with a few other rivers. Decades ago, its powerful waters were diverted near the ancient city to create a hydroelectric power plant that provides most of the electricity to the region.

The sun beat down on us as we hiked up the exposed side of the mountain, the only sounds our conversation and the river below. The climb was a continual path upward, punctuated by even steeper ascents and stairs, with various Incan trails and ruins along the way. Between the sun and altitude, it was a lot harder than I thought. Though I work out and consider myself in shape, I found myself resting a lot, so I was glad we could hike at my pace. The route was also filled with tour groups with whom we would trade passing each other, as everyone stopped for breaks at various points.

“Anyone who wants to do the hike into Machu Picchu but doesn’t want to do the full trek has to hike this path,” Efrain explained.

“So these tour groups will be with us the entire way?” I asked as I watched one pass us on one of our breaks.

“Yup! And likely tomorrow if they are visiting the ruins too!”

As we got closer to the cloud forest (a moist rainforest with a constant layer of clouds or mist) and the ruins that would mark our halfway point, the trail began to narrow as it cut across the side of the mountain and the gentle earth to our side gave way to sheer drops.

“By the way,” I said as I noticed this, “I hate heights and sheer drops. Will the trail widen soon?”

“You’ll be fine,” he assured me.

“Hmmm, that’s a non-answer,” I replied.

As we made our way, I hugged the mountain, trying not to look to the side, grateful we were once again going at my own pace.

Slowly we made our way farther and farther up the narrow, winding trail. In the blink of an eye, the arid and exposed trail was instead shaded by trees as the air cooled, and the sound of waterfalls began to be heard. Efrain pointed out native orchids as we ascended higher (we were always going up, up, up!) to the Incan site of Wiñay Wayna.

Not much is known about it except that it was an experimental agricultural location. Soil samples have shown remnants of fruits and plants not native to the region and that don’t grow at this altitude, so it could be assumed that this was an area of agricultural experimentation (the Incas did a lot of that). The temples and houses in the upper part all had stunning balconies that provided great views of the valley that I am sure anyone would kill for today. I thought about how, centuries ago, some Inca, after a hard day of work, stared at the same view, and I wondered if he enjoyed it as much as I did. Likely, since love of nature transcends time and culture.

From there, it was a quick lunch before we continued on to Machu Picchu. As the clouds rolled in, I picked up the pace, wondering if the weather might clear. Along the way, Efrain pointed out all the orchid species, but my focus was on getting to the infamous Sun Gate before the clouds obscured my view.

The Sun Gate is the main entrance that overlooks Machu Picchu. It was believed that the steps were a control gate for those who entered and exited the city, likely protected by the Incan military. And because of its location on a ridge on the southeast, the rising sun passes through the gate each year on the summer solstice (hence the name).

“We might need to sacrifice to the gods,” joked Katy as she noticed my nervousness. “Maybe that will help!”

Efrain, turning to Lourdes, said, “It might need to be you, since we can’t sacrifice Matt!” causing us to all laugh.

“Okay, well, I’m gonna run, as I can’t miss this. You’ve all seen it before,” I shouted to him as I ran the final part of the trail to the Sun Gate.

I got there just in time to behold Machu Picchu before the clouds rolled in. It was a magical view. There it was, the goal of a lifetime, a sight I had dreamed about for so long! It was as wondrous as I thought it would be. And even though the clouds hid the mountains and some of the structures, there was still an ethereal feeling.

Efrain and the others eventually arrived as well. We made friends with a family from California as we all waited for glimpses of Machu Picchu through the clouds, setting up our cameras for those fleeting seconds before the mist hid it again.

Though I could have stayed longer, Efrain told us it was time to keep going, so we continued down the trail to the ruins, where I got a close-up view of Machu Picchu through the clouds from a viewpoint overlooking the city.

“Tomorrow, we’ll explore those areas,” Efrain said, pointing to areas around the historic site. “But right now it’s time to check into the hotel.”

Early the next day, Efrain and I headed back to the ancient site itself, Katy and Lourdes having returned to Cusco. (These days, in order to control the crowds, there are now three routes to choose from, but each requires a separate ticket. We took the one that included the most buildings.)

Machu Picchu, known as “the Lost City of the Incas,” is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It was constructed around 1450 CE during the reign of Emperor Pachacuti as his royal estate and served multiple purposes, including religious, agricultural, and administrative functions. It was built here because the Incas could mine the stone locally, so they didn’t have to move any building materials across the mountains.

It was inhabited for 50 years and still under construction when it was finally abandoned due to the Spanish conquest of the area. Machu Picchu remained largely unknown until its rediscovery in 1911 by American historian Hiram Bingham III, who was searching for the famed “Lost City of the Incas,” supposedly their last hideout and filled with gold (though that is actually believed to be Vilcabamba).

Efrain gave me such a detailed history that it felt like I had a professor with me. He pointed out how the Incas used various building techniques to ensure there was sufficient drainage from all the rain, and expounded on theories about which buildings were used for what. He also gave me the lowdown on modern politics, revealing that there’s still a lot of the historic area that has not been excavated or restored yet, due to funding issues and corruption. I was lost in his descriptions and awed about just how innovative Inca engineering was. They had mastered the mountains and did it with style and beauty too. I would love to have seen Machu Picchu at its peak. What a sight it must have been!

After a half-day exploring (and wishing I had more time to do the other routes), it was time to take the train back to Ollantaytambo and Cusco. I had finally seen one of the most iconic sites in the history of humanity. It really felt surreal to have been there. And the hike, though hard, was also incredible. As I closed my eyes to rest on the way back, I was thrilled I finally got to see something I’ve been wanting to see ever since I was a kid.

About the Tour Company

Amazonas Explorer mostly runs private tours, but it does have some larger group offerings. So whether you’re with a group or just want to go alone, check out the company. (It is featured in the book Turn Right at Machu Picchu, which is why I chose it.) It also runs trips to other ruins in the region and will take you places most tourists don’t go.

* Note 1: Really, everything is an Inca trail. The Incas made over 40,000 km of roads, so you can consider any of those an “Inca trail.” However, for the purposes of this post, when I refer to the Inca Trail, it’s the popular multiday hike that leads into Machu Picchu that everyone talks about.

** Note 2: Efrain was Mark’s guide in the book too.

With historic architecture, the world-class Cleveland Museum of Art, and proximity to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Cleveland has long been an underrated Midwest vacation destination. But one new hotel just put Forest City back on the hospitality map.

Fidelity Hotel, in downtown Cleveland’s 103-year-old Fidelity Mortgage Building (aka the Baker Building), opened its doors today. It’s the first new hotel to debut in the city in over a decade, with 97 rooms and suites spread over 11 stories. The new hotel is also home to the posh Club Room, which has a lounge, bar, and a full-service restaurant. There’s also a 2,300-square-foot meeting space for those visiting the city on business as well as ample space for weddings and other events.

Though Cleveland is home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, this Great Lakes city is not exactly known for its raucous atmosphere. But that wasn’t always the case; from the 1920s to the 1960s, the block in front of the Fidelity Hotel was the city’s go-to spot for whiskey drinking and general debauchery. The block-long nightlife hub, known affectionately as Short Vincent, has been a shadow of its former self for decades. But Fidelity, with the help of Austin-based hotel management company New Waterloo, is now breathing fresh life into the once bustling neighborhood.

“Everything about the location of The Fidelity spoke to me,” said Bart Knagg, New Waterloo CEO, in a statement sent to Travel + Leisure. “[It’s] a half step off the main avenue, tucked away. I loved the intimate scale and how understated the building was. The opportunity to be in that location, allowed us to put forth something fresh and current, but timeless.”

New Waterloo is no stranger to the independent hospitality game, and other notable properties in its portfolio include the stylish, midcentury modern–inspired South Congress Hotel in Austin, the 1970s-esque Hotel Revival in Baltimore, and the newly opened, cowboy-chic Hotel Albert in Fredericksburg, Texas. The company also manages restaurants, and two of its eateries, La Condesa (specializing in contemporary Mexican cuisine) and steakhouse Maie Day, both earned Michelin-recommended nods in 2024. Renovations at the Fidelity began three years ago in 2021, and thanks to design by Curioso and Looney & Associates, the atmosphere at the hotel feels warm, inviting, and nostalgic with unlacquered brass, antique mirrors, wood accents, and hardwood floors.

Accommodation options at the Fidelity range from the 210-square-foot Queen Room to the 695-square-foot pied-à-terre-style Fidelity Suite, which is tricked out with a large wet bar as well as a separate dining and sitting area. All guests at the Fidelity can enjoy twice-a-day housekeeping, locally sourced pour-over coffee, Bellino Italian linens, plush robes, and Allegrini soaps and bathroom products.

“I want guests to step into Fidelity Hotel and feel transported,” Knagg said. “The guest rooms’ colors are rich, and it’s evident throughout the property how much attention to detail and thoughtfulness there was to the design … I hope everyone that visits gets a little rush of style nostalgia and finds inspiration in ways that I do when I venture throughout the cozy nooks of the hotel.”