The Best Travel Destinations for Remote Workers

Discover the top places to live and work remotely based on cost, internet, safety, culture and climate

Did you know that remote work is the fastest-growing commute option in the U.S. and that remote workers tend to be more educated, engaged and productive than their on-site peers? If you are one of the millions of people who work remotely or aspire to do so, you might be wondering where to set up your home office. After all, one of the perks of working remotely is that you can work from anywhere, as long as you have a reliable internet connection and a comfortable workspace. But with so many options to choose from, how do you decide which destination is best for you?

We will present five of the best travel destinations for remote workers based on various criteria such as cost of living, internet speed, safety, quality of life, openness to foreigners, tolerance and visa requirements. These destinations are not only great places to live and work, but also offer amazing opportunities to explore new cultures, cuisines and landscapes. Whether you are looking for a city vibe or an island paradise, a European charm or a Latin flair, a winter wonderland or a sunny escape, you will find something that suits your taste and budget in this list.

Toronto, Canada: A Multicultural and Vibrant City

If you are looking for a city that offers diversity, culture and entertainment, Toronto might be the perfect destination for you. Toronto is the largest and most diverse city in Canada, with over 200 ethnic groups and 140 languages spoken. You can experience different cuisines, festivals and traditions from around the world without leaving the city. Toronto also ranks 13th in the Forbes list of the best destinations for remote workers, scoring high on quality of life, openness to foreigners and tolerance. You can easily find a welcoming and supportive community of remote workers and digital nomads in Toronto, as well as networking and learning opportunities.

Some of the benefits of working remotely in Toronto are:

Internet Speed. Fast and reliable internet service, with an average download speed of 133.1 Mbps and an average upload speed of 51.3 Mbps.

Cost of Living. Moderate cost of living compared to other major cities in North America, with an average monthly rent of $1,632 for a one-bedroom apartment and an average monthly cost of $2,270 for a single person.

Visa options. Several visa options for remote workers who want to stay longer than six months, such as the International Experience Canada program, the Global Skills Strategy program and the Start-up Visa program.

Attractions and activities. Toronto also offers a variety of attractions and activities for remote workers, such as museums, art galleries, theatres, festivals, sports events, parks and waterfronts. You can enjoy the urban lifestyle or escape to nature whenever you want. You can also explore other nearby destinations such as Niagara Falls, Ottawa and Montreal.

Madrid, Spain: An Affordable and Sunny Lifestyle

If you are looking for a destination that offers a low cost of living, a warm climate and a rich history and culture, Madrid might be the perfect destination for you. Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, with a population of over 6 million people. Madrid ranks 14th in the Forbes list of the best destinations for remote workers, scoring high on quality of life, openness to foreigners and tolerance. Madrid is also one of the safest cities in Europe, with a low crime rate and a high level of social cohesion.

Some of the benefits of working remotely in Madrid are:

Affordability. Affordable and sunny lifestyle, with an average monthly rent of $1,038 for a one-bedroom apartment and an average monthly cost of $1,722 for a single person. Madrid also enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year and has mild winters and hot summers.

History and culture. Rich history and culture, with a plethora of museums, monuments, palaces, churches and parks to explore. Madrid is also known for its vibrant nightlife, gastronomy and festivals.

Easy access to European destinations. Easy access to other European destinations, with a well-connected airport and train network. You can easily visit other cities in Spain such as Barcelona, Seville or Valencia, or travel to nearby countries such as Portugal, France or Italy.

Attractions and activities. Madrid also offers a variety of attractions and activities for remote workers, such as coworking spaces, cafes, libraries and parks where you can work comfortably and productively. You can also join the growing community of remote workers and digital nomads in Madrid and network with like-minded people.

Auckland, New Zealand: A Stunning Natural Scenery

If you are looking for a destination that offers breath-taking natural beauty, a friendly and laid-back culture and a COVID-19 free environment, Auckland might be the perfect destination for you. Auckland is the largest and most populous city in New Zealand, with over 1.6 million people.

Auckland ranks 15th in the Forbes list of the best destinations for remote workers, scoring high on quality of life, safety and tolerance. Auckland is also one of the safest cities in the world, with a low crime rate and a high level of social trust.

Some of the benefits of working remotely in Auckland are:

• Natural Scenery. Stunning natural scenery, with a variety of landscapes to explore such as volcanoes, islands, beaches, forests and parks. Auckland is also known as the City of Sails, with a vibrant harbour and water activities.
• Culture. Friendly and laid-back culture, with a diverse and welcoming population that includes the indigenous Māori people and many immigrants from different countries. Auckland is also known for its arts, music and food scene.
• COVID-free. COVID-19 free environment, with a successful elimination strategy that has kept the country free of community transmission since November 2020. New Zealand has also been praised for its effective leadership and communication during the pandemic.
• Attractions and Activities. Auckland also offers a variety of attractions and activities for remote workers, such as coworking spaces, cafes, libraries and parks where you can work comfortably and productively. You can also join the growing community of remote workers and digital nomads in Auckland and network with like-minded people.

Madeira, Portugal: An Island Paradise

If you are looking for a destination that offers a tropical island setting, a digital nomad community and a visa and tax incentives for remote workers, Madeira might be the perfect destination for you. Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal, located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,000 km from the mainland.

Madeira ranks 16th in the Forbes list of the best destinations for remote workers, scoring high on quality of life, safety and tolerance. Madeira is also one of the most beautiful islands in the world, with a UNESCO World Heritage Site natural park, stunning beaches and mountains, and a mild climate all year round.

Some of the benefits of working remotely in Madeira are:

Island Setting. Island paradise setting, with a variety of landscapes and activities to enjoy such as hiking, surfing, sailing, whale watching and wine tasting. Madeira is also known for its exotic flowers and fruits, its traditional cuisine and its famous carnival.

Community. Digital nomad community, with a dedicated project called Digital Nomads Madeira that hosts up to 100 remote workers at a time in the town of Ponta do Sol. The project offers free workspace, free internet access, free accommodation (subject to availability) and free events and workshops for remote workers.

Visa options. Visa and tax incentives for remote workers, with several options for non-EU nationals who want to stay longer than 90 days, such as the Startup Visa program, the D7 Passive Income Visa program and the Non-Habitual Resident program. These programs offer benefits such as reduced bureaucracy, lower income tax rates and access to public services4.

Attractions and Activities. Madeira also offers a variety of attractions and activities for remote workers, such as coworking spaces, cafes, libraries and parks where you can work comfortably and productively. You can also join the growing community of remote workers and digital nomads in Madeira and network with like-minded people.

Valparaiso, Chile: A Colourful and Artistic Atmosphere

If you are looking for a destination that offers a vibrant and creative vibe, a diverse and delicious cuisine and a proximity to other attractions, Valparaiso might be the perfect destination for you. Valparaiso is a port city on the Pacific coast of Chile, with a population of about 300,000 people.

Valparaiso ranks 17th in the Forbes list of the best destinations for remote workers, scoring high on quality of life, openness to foreigners and tolerance. Valparaiso is also one of the most colourful and artistic cities in the world, with a UNESCO World Heritage Site historic quarter, graffiti-covered hills and bohemian culture.

Some of the benefits of working remotely in Valparaiso are:

Artistic Setting. Colourful and artistic atmosphere, with a plethora of museums, galleries, cafes, bars and cultural events to enjoy. Valparaiso is also home to many artists, writers and musicians, such as the Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda.

Cuisine. Diverse and delicious cuisine, with a variety of dishes influenced by the indigenous, Spanish, European and Asian cultures. Valparaiso is also known for its seafood, wine and pisco sour.

Proximity to nearby destinations. Proximity to other attractions, with a short drive or bus ride to Santiago, the capital and largest city of Chile, or to other nearby destinations such as Viña del Mar, San Antonio or Isla Negra.

Attractions and Activities. Valparaiso also offers a variety of attractions and activities for remote workers, such as coworking spaces, cafes, libraries and parks where you can work comfortably and productively. You can also join the growing community of remote workers and digital nomads in Valparaiso and network with like-minded people.

Choose Your Next Remote Work Adventure

We have presented five of the best travel destinations for remote workers based on various criteria such as cost of living, internet speed, safety, quality of life, openness to foreigners, tolerance and visa requirements. These destinations are not only great places to live and work remotely, but also offer amazing opportunities to explore new cultures, cuisines and landscapes.

Whether you are looking for a city vibe or an island paradise, a European charm or a Latin flair, a winter wonderland or a sunny escape, you will find something that suits your taste and budget in this list. Of course, these are not the only destinations that matter for remote workers, and everyone has their own preferences and needs. You can use this list as a starting point or a source of inspiration for your next remote work adventure.

If you are ready to pack your bags and laptop and embark on a new journey, here are some tips and resources to help you find and book accommodation, flights and coworking spaces:

Rental platforms. Airbnb, Booking.com or Flatio are great platforms to find short-term or mid-term rentals that are suitable for remote work. You can filter by amenities such as Wi-Fi, workspace, kitchen and laundry facilities.

Flight platforms. Use platforms such as Skyscanner, Kayak or Google Flights to compare and book flights to your destination. You can also set up alerts to get notified of price changes or deals.

Remote work venues. Use platforms such as Coworker.com, Nomad List or Workfrom to find and book coworking spaces or cafes that are suitable for remote work. You can filter by amenities such as Wi-Fi, power outlets, coffee and snacks.

We hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful and interesting. If you did, please share it with your friends and colleagues who might also be interested in working remotely from these amazing destinations. And if you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you. Happy travels and happy working!

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