These 12 Budget-Friendly Countries Welcome Digital Nomads With Open Arms

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The most affordable countries for digital nomads allow keen travelers to explore the world’s greatest treasures while making money and without breaking the bank. As the digital nomad space continues to grow, more and more countries strive to become more appealing to remote workers.

As such, there are now countless places for digital nomads to visit or live. You can opt for sunny beaches in Europe, affordable cities in South America, tropical islands in Asia, and much more.

To help you find the perfect destination, here are 12 of the world’s cheapest countries for digital nomads. These countries offer affordable living costs, excellent facilities, and many things to see and do.

Indonesia

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Indonesia, particularly Bali, is one of the world’s most popular affordable countries for digital nomads. This small island East of Java is a big hit with remote workers who seek affordable living, mesmerizing scenery, hot weather, and excellent facilities. When you’re not working, you’ll find yourself exploring rice terraces, snorkeling in turquoise waters, and visiting ancient temples.

Regarding living costs, a single person can get by in Bali for approximately $900 monthly. However, nomads can reduce this figure by eating out less and staying in cheaper accommodation.

Meanwhile, Bali also has many co-working spaces for digital nomads. Popular places to live on the island include Canggu, Ubud, Kuta, and Seminyak.

Peru

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Peru is one of South America’s most affordable countries for digital nomads, with an average cost of living of only $800. This fascinating country ticks many boxes regarding things to see and do, affordability, facilities, and amenities. For starters, the capital, Lima, is home to many co-working spaces and nomad-friendly hotels.

When I visited Peru, I often found accommodation for as little as $20 a night. Meanwhile, plenty of local restaurants and street food markets offer cheap eats. When it comes to exploring Peru, the opportunities are endless.

You can explore the capital, step back in time in Cusco, search for wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest, and visit the iconic Machu Picchu. What’s not to like?

Albania

Unfortunately, Europe is well known for its high cost of living, so finding somewhere affordable to live as a digital nomad is challenging. However, Albania shows that affordable European countries do exist. The average cost of living here is only $900.

That’s $1,444 less than England’s average living cost. Conveniently for keen travelers, Albania also offers digital nomads a one-year digital nomad visa. There are many beautiful places to live in Albania, like Tirana, but we recommend staying by the coast in destinations like Sarandë and Vlorë. These locations are home to sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and warm weather.

As a result, you can spend your time relaxing and sunbathing when you’re not working hard. Sounds perfect, right?

Greece

Digital nomads with a slightly bigger budget could live in Greece, Europe’s ultimate beach destination. Greece is well known worldwide for its breathtaking white sand beaches, charming towns and villages, authentic cuisine, and rich history. The average cost of living in the country is $1,185, including rent, utilities, and food.

In Greece, you’ll likely spend most of your free time exploring the islands, visiting iconic landmarks, and tucking into delicious Greek food and drink. Noteworthy places to visit or live in Greece include Rhodes, Athens, Kefalonia, and Crete.

In Athens, the Greek capital, you can access many facilities and amenities, including co-working spaces, work-friendly cafes, and affordable apartments.

Bulgaria

If you’re looking for somewhere even more affordable in Europe for digital nomads, look no further than Bulgaria, a country in the Balkans known for its affordability. A single person can live in Bulgaria for less than $850 monthly. Furthermore, the nation offers digital nomad-friendly visas.

Like the other countries on this list, Bulgaria provides nomads with everything they need to thrive. This includes high-speed WiFi, cheap eats, affordable accommodation options, working spaces, and many things to see and do.

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City-dwelling nomads will fall in love with Sofia, the capital city. Conversely, beach lovers and partygoers will appreciate Sunny Beach and Albena’s sunny skies, sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and lively nightlife.

Costa Rica

The average cost of living in Costa Rica is $1,195 per month. While this is more than most of the affordable countries for digital nomads on this list, Costa Rica is still one of the cheapest places to live if you work remotely. That’s because digital nomads enjoy full income tax exemption.

Better yet, you can easily reduce your living costs by cooking homemade meals, utilizing cheap eats, and choosing more affordable accommodation options. Costa Rica is an excellent place to live if you love the great outdoors.

The Central American nation is known for its tropical rainforests, diverse wildlife, volcanic landscapes, and outdoor activities. Popular places to stay in Costa Rica include San José, Cartago, Manuel Antonio, and Monteverde.

Sri Lanka

The average cost of living in Sri Lanka is less than $600 monthly, including rent, utilities, food, and transport. As such, the South Asian country is one of the world’s cheapest digital nomad destinations. Sri Lanka is a breathtaking island famed for its rainforests, beach towns, and wildlife.

You’ll spend your free time relaxing on white sand beaches, snorkeling with sea turtles, spotting elephants on safari, and visiting famous tourist attractions. If you stay along the south coast, you can hop between charming seaside locations like Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unawatuna, and Mirissa.

Alternatively, you could stay in the rainforest and mountains. Must-visit attractions in Sri Lanka include Udawalawe National Park, Mirissa Beach, Sigiriya Rock, and Little Adam’s Peak.

Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the best affordable countries for digital nomads because it has a low cost of living, excellent facilities and amenities, and many things to see and do. The average cost of living for a single person in Vietnam is $624 monthly.

Whether you want to relax on a beach, explore bustling cities, or discover magnificent landscapes, Vietnam has something to offer you. In Phu Quoc, beachgoers can sunbathe on sandy beaches and swim in the sea. Explorers can sail along Ha Long Bay.

History buffs can visit museums and historical landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City, and hiking enthusiasts can walk in Cat Tien National Park. Vietnam has no digital nomad visa, but the visa policies are nomad-friendly.

Georgia

Georgia is one of the most underrated cheap countries for digital nomads. This beautiful nation has a low cost of living, a one-year digital nomad visa, and many exciting things to see and do. A single person can comfortably get by in Georgia for less than $950 monthly.

One of Georgia’s most popular places to stay is Tbilisi, the capital city. This historic city is famed for its fascinating Old Town, magnificent architecture, delicious traditional cuisine, and vibrant nightlife.

Better yet, it features many facilities and amenities for digital nomads, such as co-working spaces, grocery stores, and accommodation with high-speed WiFi. Meanwhile, must-see attractions in Tbilisi include Narikala, Bridge of Peace, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi.

Colombia

Generally speaking, Colombia isn’t the first country that comes to mind when digital nomads decide where they want to live. This is a shame because Colombia is one of the world’s most affordable countries for digital nomads. On top of that, it’s a beautiful country to explore.

Furthermore, the Colombian government made a digital nomad visa available to remote workers in 2023. The average cost of living in Colombia is $735, which leaves you with more money to spend exploring the country.

Notable places of interest in Colombia include Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and Santa Marta. Meanwhile, popular tourist attractions include Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, the Museum of Antioquia, Plaza de Bolívar, and San Felipe de Barajas Fort.

Mexico

One of North America’s cheapest places for digital nomads is Mexico, where the average cost of living is less than $900 monthly. Mexico is a stunning country known for its rich culture, pristine beaches, ancient ruins, and epic cuisine. To make moving to the country more accessible for remote workers, Mexico offers a digital nomad visa.

With many fantastic options, deciding where to live in Mexico is challenging. However, some places do stand out more than others. You don’t want to miss Cancún, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, and Playa del Carmen.

You’ll likely spend your free time in Mexico visiting iconic landmarks, sampling local cuisine, and relaxing on white-sand beaches. We don’t know about you, but that sounds like the perfect working environment.

Thailand

The average cost of living in Thailand is only $876, making it one of the world’s cheapest countries for digital nomads. Like Bali, Thailand is famed for its tropical landscapes, lively tourist destinations, and diverse range of things to do. Digital nomads will also be pleased to hear it offers a digital nomad visa that allows foreign nationals to live and work in the country.

Across Thailand, you’ll find affordable accommodation options, cheap eats, and co-working spaces with reliable WiFi. You’ll also come across many exciting things to see and do.

Perhaps the only downside to living in Thailand is the struggle to see everything the country offers. Having said that, we strongly recommend visiting Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Pai.