Inspiring Places to Live, Work and Explore as a Digital Nomad.
From Guatemala to India, my favorite offbeat digital nomad destinations around the world. Updated 2020.
I often lament being born a few decades too late. Of missing out on a time when most places around the world were still pristine, the original hippie movement was still taking shape, overtourism wasn’t a thing, plastic wasn’t a menace and the impact of climate change wasn’t so evident. But then I have to remind myself that my digital nomad lifestyle, one that allows me to spend long stretches of time working online from different parts of the globe – probably wouldn’t have existed either.
Also read: Work from home tips from someone who’s been doing it for nearly a decade!
Over the past 5 years, since I gave up one place to call home, I’ve been lucky enough to spend a month or two slow travelling in quaint Himalayan hamlets, hip European cities, the stunning Caucasus region, Latin American villages steeped in the Mayan tradition and tropical Southeast Asian valleys with rice paddies.
Behold, my pick of somewhat unusual digital nomad destinations that should be on your radar in 2020:
Tbilisi, Georgia (one of my favorite digital nomad destinations)
Back in 2014, well before Georgia found its way to the tourist map, my partner landed an internship in its gorgeous capital city Tbilisi – and I was sold at the idea of basing myself there for a while. It was love at first sight, not only with the warmhearted locals, but also with the hills and canyons that surround the city, the delightful vegan-friendly Georgian cuisine, the local music scene and the shire-like way of life. The best part was the incredible Georgian countryside – the snow-capped Caucasus mountains, the rolling vineyards, the stark Black Sea coast – just a short and affordable mashrutka (mini bus) ride out of the city.
When I revisited in 2017, I was amazed to see that creative cafes, co-working spaces, and international restaurants have sprouted up across Tbilisi, without taking away from its unique heritage. Go while it’s still on the verge of being “discovered” by digital nomads, but beware of the Georgia e-visa for Indian citizens.
Also read: If You’re Looking for the Shire, Come to Georgia!
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Lake Atitlan appeared quite unexpectedly on my “digital nomad” radar during a solo trip across Guatemala. Immersing myself in its stellar beauty, I found a little paradise that has drawn me back every other year. Unlike the rest of the “modern” world, this is a place where you can still live away from the chaos of traffic and cars, go grocery shopping on a boat, wake up to a pristine lake in your backyard, immerse in what remains of the ancient Mayan culture and watch a volcano erupting in the far distance – yet have access to decent internet, vegan-friendly cafes, yoga classes, live music and a community of people who embrace mindful living.
Also read: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala: The Feeling That I’ve Found My Place on Earth
Hpa An, Myanmar (still finding its footing among digital nomad destinations)
Much like Lake Atitlan and Tbilisi, I fell instantly in love with Hpa An (pronouced pa aan), a small town typically used as a jumping point between Myanmar and northern Thailand – but really a perfect place for digital nomads seeking to get away from other digital nomads!
Hpa An charmed me with its rugged karst mountain scenery, spectacular sunrises, old Buddhist temples, ethnic traditions, riverside beauty and the ease of discovering it all on a scooter. It bust the myth that internet in Myanmar is bad; instead I found that data is very cheap and 4G works well in most places. Charging points in outdoor cafes are still a bit hard to come by, but now that I’m travelling with my newly acquired MSI PS42 laptop which has ultra-long battery life, I’m not restricted by that anymore. And unlike the rest of Southeast Asia, I found it easier to connect with locals, many of who speak English, having once been colonized by the British.
Also read: Confessions of an Indian Digital Nomad
Auroville, India
Now that I look back at my past travels, Auroville – a somewhat utopic township near Pondicherry in Southern India – was one of my earliest digital nomad discoveries in India. In the bubble of Auroville, I spent my days on a bike or bicycle, exploring the forested terrain, organic farms, healthy eateries, movie screenings and permaculture workshops. The Matri Mandir – the spaceship-like structure at the heart of the township and a most peaceful space for meditation – left me in complete awe.
What I loved most was crossing paths with many passionate people of all ages and nationalities who came to Auroville seeking an alternative way of life. Doctors turned organic farmers, policemen turned artists – for this is a place that allows you to rediscover your purpose in life, and perhaps subconsciously led to my embracing a digital nomad lifestyle. Circa 2013, wifi was only available in Auroville until 6 pm, which meant I had to fight the usual distractions and wrap up my work by the evening; I’ve heard internet is more readily available now – for better or for worse!
Also read: A Guide to Auroville: Things to Know Before You Go
Chiang Mai countryside, Thailand
I know, I know, a digital nomad in Chiang Mai sounds so 2014. Thereโs no doubt that Iโm many years late to the awesomeness that is Chiang Mai, but the good news is, the magic hasnโt faded away entirely yet – especially if you live away from the city and popular neighborhoods like Nimman.
Over 2017 and 2018, we spent 2.5 months in Chiang Mai, living in a beautiful self-catering abode next to hills and rice paddies. Thereโs superfast wifi, of course, but also evening runs under the pink sunset sky, bike drives under the stars, hikes up to peaceful monasteries, incredible vegan food, hipster cafes, local organic farmer markets, foreign language movie screenings, cultural events, co-working spaces and some totally under the radar escapes deep in the mountains and forests of northern Thailand. All this without having to break the bank!
Also read: Where to Find Droolworthy Vegan Food in Chiang Mai
In 2019, I finally expanded my digital nomad comfort zone by spending a month in Yerevan (Armenia) and three months in Cape Town (South Africa)! I can’t wait to see what 2020 has in store for me, and you.
Also read: How I Fit All My Possessions in Two Bags as I Travel the World
What are your favorite digital nomad destinations? Where do you hope to make it in 2020?
*Note: I wrote this post as part of a campaign with MSI. Opinions on this blog, as you can tell, are always mine.
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Welcome to my blog, The Shooting Star. Iโve been called a storyteller, writer, photographer, digital nomad, “sustainability influencer,” social entrepreneur, solo traveller, vegan, sustainable tourism consultant and environmentalist. But in my heart, Iโm just a girl who believes that travel – if done right – has the power to change us and the world we live in.
You are such an inspiration as a blogger and I feel I am so fortunate that I came across you and your blog. Good to go girl! I wish the best for you. ๐
hi there,
thanks for sharing this article and keep doing well.
Hi Shivya, I am super excited now. You are coming to my country, even though not to my province and city (sad) South Africa rocks. Looking forward to having you here. Maybe I should invite you to my Wild Coast town called Gonubie. Love toni
Hi Shivya ! Love the post. I too want to live the digital nomad lifestyle one day and travel blog. I’m still a student in India and you know how difficult it is for us to travel on our own or even with our family especially if you have working parents .However I’m playing the tourist in my own town and exploring my own hometown of Darjeeling .
Hi Shivya, what fabulous choices youโve made so far!! Continue safely on your incredible โjourneyโ. Itโs great to be able to โdigitallyโ join you! Thank you for sharing. ๐คx
Lovely write up. And Pudicherry is high on my list for a future trip to India!
So many ideas come hitting the mind everytime I read a new post.
Auroville looks to be the place for me now๐
Where in chaing mai is the place you stayed at? Could you share the details?
Wow Wow Wow!!!!
Loved the title “Digital Nomad”….I am not sure I can be digital nomad like you…but will definitely try to become an inch like you.
Thanks Shivya for all the blogs that you made me read which inspired me like how!!
Simply loved the blog. Its actually exciting to know about your experiences at different places. I would definitely second you on Auroville, Puducherry though I have just visited once that too for a short while. Hope that your blogs keep me motivated to travel around and discover myself.
Such an amazing post! Thanks for sharing!
Love the list. I think I am in the same apartment right now at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala as you were. Such an amazing place to stay. I have been coming here for years and never get tired of that view.
All these places are great. I have been to only “Auroville” so far. I prefer any peaceful calm place near to the Ocean or Forest. Thanks for the list, will check it out. If you could revisit any one of these places again for work which one will it be?
Terrific post! We’ve had different but similarly fulfilling experiences: on lake Atitlan we stayed in San Pedro and loved the town feel as opposed to the solitude. Same in Chiang Mai where we favored the bustle of the city. The beauty of those places is that you can get either…or both! Georgia and Bulgaria are on our short list for this spring, so thank you for the inspiration.
nice blog, really interesting. I really enjoyed all of your story, keep it up. Surely, will come back again to here
Hello Shivya, I like your choices of countries for 2019. Can you suggest a budget friendly accomodation in Tbilisi, Georgia?
Great, Loved the post.
Hi ,
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala seems the bet for the digital nomad. Thank you sharing this article. I am student and would love to explore like you do. I was great joining you digitally.
Enjoyed reading. Planning to visit the mentioned places soon.
Hey, your blog post is amazing, I love your content and website. Keep up the good work. Looking forward for more such amazing work from your side.
nice work keep it up
Lovely post! Youโre inspiring! ๐
love from Nepal๐๐๐ u r such a great blogger ๐๐
๐๐๐ Awesome post
Hi Shivya, Do you recommend any airbnb/guesthouse in Auroville to spend a few working remotely? A place with good WiFi connection?
Hello! Thank you for this really helpful blog post! Would you share where you stayed in the country side of Chang Mai? Thank you!