15 Tips for Digital Nomads Traveling and Working Remotely

Last Updated on October 17, 2023

It is getting far more common these days, in today’s digital age, to live a location-independent lifestyle and to work remotely from anywhere in the world.

To help you make their transition smoother, here are 25 digital nomad tips to keep in mind:

1. Make Sure You Have the Necessary Digital Equipment

Chances are that you will already be taking a laptop and a smartphone with you and that’s a great start.

I also recommend packing a/an:

• Ergonomic Travel Laptop Stand
• Foldable keyboard
• Wireless Jellycomb mouse
• Universal travel adapter
• Powerbank

A Powerbank can fit into your pocket and it can be incredibly useful if you need to recharge your phone (especially when you are draining your phone battery if using the phone as a mobile hotspot).

All of these extras are quite easy to pack, i.e. do not take up much space (see them on the gadgets page).

2. Have a Backup Plan for Digital Connectivity

Even when staying in coliving spaces that market themself as having high-speed Internet and WiFi access, it is surprising how many times you might need backup WiFi access as the Internet will at some point go down temporarily from my experience.

The number of people using the WiFi access for meetings can often render the WiFi slow and I have experienced this in several coliving spaces.

The easy solution (and this can also be more secure too) is to create your own WiFi hotspot using your own smartphone.

You will need to have the right data plan, but such plans are relatively cheap nowadays and easy to add or include on your smartphone’s network package.

3. Research Digital Nomad-Friendly Places to Stay That Are Within Your Budget

There are several accommodation options (as a digital nomad) and you will need to think carefully about what you are looking for and can afford.

There is no reason why you cannot use backpacker hostels as a digital nomad, saving lots and meeting many new people.

It can though be a tough existence if trying to get work done, as you will lack privacy and space in most hostels (unless using a nearby coworking space).

Coliving spaces can be the perfect option for many remote workers as you end up meeting lots of people, whilst having good WiFi access, and a good social network around you.

It really though depends on the location worldwide as to how affordable and practical coliving spaces will be for you.

Locations such as Costa Rica, Bansko, Bali, and other Asian locations can be relatively cheap locations to work from.

4. Join Online Groups for the Places You Will Visit

There are several options when it comes to joining online groups related to your planned destination as a remote worker.

• Follow Digital Nomad Groups that exist for your location (in Barcelona, for example, there is the Barcelona Digital Nomads Group).
• Join Ex-pats Groups – as these can still provide great local information, particularly for socializing. In Malaga, for example, there is the Malaga ex-pats group.
• Meetup groups can also be a great idea to join events locally, an example here being the Chiang Mai meetups listed here.

5. Consider the Costs in Advance

It can be surprisingly easy to spend more than you originally planned because you get stuck between living temporarily in a new place and being too easily tempted to socialize as though you are on holiday or a tourist.

The balance between living somewhere and being a tourist of sorts can easily become blurred.

There are numerous popular digital nomad locations that are quite inexpensive and that can help to solve this cost issue.

6. Take Advantage of Digital Nomad Visas

A number of countries have, in recent years, introduced digital nomad visas, to attract remote workers.

You can find a list of these visas on our dedicated page on nomad visas.

7. Avoid the Travel Insurance vs Long-term Stay Insurance Issue

Many digital nomads travel on normal travel insurance policies or on an annual travel insurance policy.

As some digital nomads have found out to huge expense though, these aforementioned policies will often be invalidated because you will not meet the small print.

Many annual policies, for example, state in the small print that you can only stay in one location for up to 30 days.

This is why it is essential to buy travel and medical cover that is designed for digital nomads and will stay valid if you stay in a location for a long period of time when remotely working abroad.

8. Seek Out Digital Coworking Spaces in the Areas You Plan to Visit

It is worth doing some research before heading to a destination to see and understand what coworking options exist in that destination.

Whilst working from your accommodation can be fine for a few days or even a few weeks, you can find that you will lack the social connections that you gain from using a coworking space.

Even if you are only using a coworking space for one or two days a week, it can give you a useful lifeline to the local digital nomads’ community and be great for networking.

9. Have a Digital Security Plan in Place

Safeguarding your data, devices, and digital accounts while traveling and working remotely is essential.

I recommend ensuring you have signed up for a VPN (Virtual Private Network) and that you use it.

VPNs are very cheap to use, i.e. just a few dollars a month. I use ExpressVpn and it is extremely easy to use.

You should always use antivirus software on your machine (even when not traveling) and also keep any passwords in a password-protected folder.

10. Learn a Little Bit about the Local customs and Language

It is amazing how knowing even just 5 or 10 words of the local language can help to ingratiate you with the locals.

At least try and learn how to say please, thank you, hello, and a few other words in the local language.

Likewise, learn the basics of the local traditions and customs.

11. Research Digital Nomad Conventions in Your Destination

I recommend seeking out conventions and workshops designed for digital nomads in the place you are heading to.

These events can be a great resource and a wonderful opportunity to meet some interesting people.

Or you might wish to choose your remote working location to specifically match the timing of one of these major events.

Conferences worth attending include the following:

• Bansko Nomad Fest (is an excellent event that attracts nomads from around the world and is a great social and networking event. My favorite)
• Nomad Summit (annual)

12. Have a Clear Work Plan

The idea that you can get to your destination and then work out how you will make ends meet is not a great idea.

If you want to backpack around the world and find casual work as you go, then that is fine and it can certainly work.

If, on the other hand, you see yourself as a digital nomad, then you will find that you are far more likely to succeed with some pre-planning.

You might start by asking yourself:

• What clients do I already have where I can do all the work online?
• What clients could I change to dealing with online only?
• What new services/opportunities could I add to make my business more geographically independent?
• Can I include offering training in my niche online such as via MS Teams or Zoom?

Try and have the workload ready before going to your desired nomad destination.

You can then focus when you get there on other issues, such as settling into the local culture and developing a social network there.

13. Have a Health and Fitness Strategy in Place

One of the most difficult things about being a digital nomad I have found is trying to keep some sense of routine.

This is especially so when it comes to exercise, keeping fit, and food. As someone now in my 50s, I find that exercise is an ever-important consideration.

If you choose to stay in a coliving space, you will be likely sharing a kitchen, and then there are numerous opportunities to go out for a ‘menu of the day’ with others such as when working in a coworking space.

I recommend the following:

• Set an alarm to do press-ups and squats such as for 3 pm every day. Even if you can only do one or two press-ups, you can build up by an extra one or two a day once your muscle memory develops. Press-ups are a fantastic overall exercise. Likewise, squats are an excellent exercise to do daily. I do 50 press-ups in a go and 50 squats and you can too, if I can do it at aged 50+.
• If you prefer HIT, then use the 7 Minutes A day app
• Travel with a collapsible water bottle and try and drink at least one or two bottles a day
• Try at least to have a consistent and healthy breakfast each morning as this is normally the easiest meal to create healthily. Cereals (no-added-sugar ones), fruit, kefir, etc. are readily available in most countries and locations.
• Consider doing a 5 km run once a week to at least get the heart rate going. Is there a nice local park you can run around? This can also be a great way to connect with other digital nomads, i.e. through exercise.

14. Travel Slowly

The concept of Slow Travel has been around for a good few years now and it is especially relevant as a digital nomad.

You will likely be looking to stay several weeks or months in one location and this indeed is a great way to get some sense and understanding of the location you are visiting.

I recommend staying a minimum of one month in each location.

15. Be Patient and Expect the Unexpected

It can take time to get used to being a digital nomad and this way of life.

Likewise, getting to know people and building a good social life in a new location can take time.

If you are nervous to start off on your remote working journey, maybe consider a location with a thriving digital nomads community, such as Bansko or Bali.