We’ve been traveling the world full-time since 2018, given that, we must admit that finding community and creating connections while always on the move is one of the greatest challenges as a digital entrepreneur or digital nomad. If you’re a digital nomad and looking for your next destination, it’s important to not only research what places to visit, restaurants, and accommodation for your next destination but also research if you can find like-minded people and other nomads in the destination your planning to go. Make sure also to check out this extensive list of coworking spaces from SafetyWing and read below our top 2 recommended places for digital nomads.
These are 2 of our favorites destinations where we felt we were able to meet like-minded people:
- Bali, Indonesia.
- Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Bali is great for those who like more the island vibes while Buenos Aires is more for those who like more the city and cultural vibes.
In both destinations, the moment we set foot we started meeting other fellow digital nomads either because we attended meet-ups or events we saw advertised on social media or because we happened to cross paths with other nomads we met through social media and we happened to be in the exact same city at the exact same time.
Let’s talk first about Bali.
Back in 2019 and 2020, we spent 4 months living in Bali. To be more exact, we spent 4 months house-sitting in the neighborhood of Sanur taking care of 2 cats and their house which allowed us to explore the whole island from Ubud, Canggu, to Seminiak, and Uluwuatu, among others; and also try different co-working spaces until we found the one we liked the most.
The 2 main neighborhoods where most co-working spaces and digital nomads are are Ubud and Canggu. But Sanur doesn’t disappoint. Sometimes Ubud and Canggu can get a bit over-crowded, making Sanur a great option for those looking for more local and layback vibes and still offers a few co-working spaces.
Our favorite co-working space in Sanur is Genius Cafe because it’s beachfront!
“If I’m in Bali at least I want to feel the ocean breeze on my face while working, right?”
Two of the main things we enjoyed from Genius Café were:
- Great selection of vegetarian food (a bit pricey though)
- Community events. We participated in some salsa lessons as well as in some talks, and we loved it! It really motivated us to be focused and finish our work before 4 PM so we can attend the afternoon events.
In those 4 months in Bali, we made friends with many digital nomads from all over the world (Italy, Dubai, England, Argentina, Australia, Germany, USA, Spain, Canada, Spain, etc.) and from all kinds of jobs (content creators, graphic designers, marketing experts, photographers, etc) and we are still in contact with all of them.
In summary, Bali for us was a great community hub, full of all kinds of activities, the cost of living was very affordable, the food was delicious, and the local culture was simply beautiful, the only downside for us was how crazy the traffic can get and how tricky it could be to ride the motorbike.
Now… let’s talk about Buenos Aires!
Mi Buenos Aires querido…!
The very first nomad I met before I even became a nomad was in Buenos Aires.
I lived in Buenos Aires for more than 7 years in different neighborhoods: downtown or also known as “Microcentro”, Palermo, and Nuñez. And, after we became nomads we went back a few times for a couple of months.
Buenos Aires never sleeps. There is always some type of event going on.
It’s a city like no other in South America. The mix of European and South American vibes makes it so unique. The city government is always organizing different kinds of cultural events. And, getting around is so easy, efficient, and cheap!!
Since 2020, the amount of digital nomads that decide to spend a few months in Buenos Aires has significantly increased, either because the economic situation of Argentina makes it so cheap to travel or live there if you earn in USD or EU, or because since Argentina won the World Cup last December 2022, visiting Argentina has become a trend.
A few important points for those visiting Buenos Aires:
- The main neighborhood with co-working spaces and where most digital nomads or ex-pats are is: Palermo.
- NomadsBA is an organization that’s always organizing different kinds of events for nomads which makes it so easy to meet other fellow digital nomads while in Buenos Aires.
- Getting yourself a “SUBE” which is the name of the public transportation card is a game changer! You can get it in any kiosk and re-loaded in any subway station or kiosk. This will allow you to explore the city like a local and be able to take buses, subways, or trains.
As for food, if you’re a meat lover… you’ll have a blast! If you’re vegan or vegetarian, the options might be more limited but (as a vegetarian myself) there are still plenty of options.
The only downside of Buenos Aires would be safety, mainly petty thefts. While I’m sure you’ll have a great time in Buenos Aires, it’s always a good idea to not leave your belongings unattended when you’re working in a coffee shop or co-working space, or in a restaurant. If you’re taking videos with your phone, hold it tight with two hands. Like in any other part of the world, follow your gut and be aware of your surroundings.
And… last but not least… BIG NEWS!!
Nowadays the Argentinian government is offering to pay 500 USD to those digital nomads who want to live in Argentina for a few months! (and 100 USD to those who are regular tourists) in pursuit of positioning Argentina as one of the best destinations for Digital Nomads. More info about it here: https://www.argentina.travel/landing/digital-nomads/#benefits
We enjoyed so much these 2 Digital Nomad Destinations, you def can’t miss them this 2023!! And, don’t forget to check out this coworking collection list before your plan your next destination.
Happy travels!
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