f you could work remotely from anywhere in the world, which place would you choose? Which characteristics are essential for you? Portugal is quite well positioned in this matter, with Lisbon, the capital, being considered the city of choice for working remotely, according to the Nomad List (consulted in December 2021), a reference list for digital nomads. But this is not the only achievement: in the top 10 of this ranking there are five Portuguese places, two of which are part of the top 3.
From the cosmopolitan bustle of capital cities to the most paradisiac destinations, discover the top 10 of the best places in the world to work remotely. And you can start packing right away.
1. Lisbon, Portugal
The Portuguese capital is the city that shines the most on the Nomad List, especially for the good scores obtained in factors such as internet quality, cost of living and entertainment. In addition, Lisbon stands out for the walkability (ease of walking around the city), knowledge of English of a large part of the population and the quality of the places from which you can work, namely coworking spaces, a great option for those who want to work remotely but, at the same time, avoid a certain feeling of loneliness.
Thanks to Remote Portugal, you can search in a very simple way for coworking spaces from north to south of the country, islands included. This list contains more than 70 coworks on a single website, filtered by district and with information about each space.
2. Cape Town, South Africa
The second place on the podium belongs to Cape Town, in South Africa. With some similar benefits in comparison to Lisbon, such as cost of living and walkability, the city also stands out for its air quality, inclusive environment for foreigners and LGBTQ+ community, and also for being a nice destination for families.
The cons, however, are low security, car traffic, which can be dangerous, and lower-than-expected happiness levels.
3. Madeira, Portugal
Completing the top 3 is another Portuguese destination, the first island on the list: Madeira. Here you will find a pleasant and inclusive environment, with good internet access and even several places with free wifi. Safety, air quality and cost of living are other factors that make Madeira a good choice for remote workers. With lower scores are only two aspects: the walkability and the level of income, which the Nomad List assigns quite low ratings.
We cannot talk about Madeira and remote work without talking about Digital Nomads Madeira, the village, located in Ponta do Sol, aimed at digital nomads that is putting the island on these professionals' itinerary. Good weather, landscapes, gastronomy and activities in nature were just some of the reasons that led to the creation of this village, whose success dictated the expansion of the project, with communities being created in other parts of the island, and also in Porto Santo. "Madeira has everything a digital nomad is looking for. It's sunny, there's a beach, on weekends we have loads of activities, from diving to nature trails or “levadas” (small irrigation channels that redirect water from one area to another). I don't understand how come the digital nomads hadn't arrived here before", says Gonçalo Hall, digital nomad and responsible for the Digital Nomads Madeira project.
4. Ericeira, Portugal
We now head to a beach destination, known for its relaxed atmosphere and, of course, surfing. And the list of pros is long. Ericeira has nightlife and entertainment, good internet access and places with free wifi, and it is a safe place where foreigners, women and people from the LGBTQ+ community are welcome. Like Madeira, it has a downside: the low level of income.
In terms of recreational activities and entertainment, Ericeira offers several possibilities, something that usually attracts remote workers, who like to take the chance to explore and get to know this place better, in addition to working. Water sports, especially surfing, are the protagonists in the village of Ericeira. But, if you like other types of sports, you can also opt for cycling, hiking, beach sports or yoga, for example.
5. Tenerife, Canary Islands
From Portugal to Spain, the fifth best destination to work remotely is a famous tourist destination. With almost a million inhabitants, Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, attracts digital nomads for its beaches and natural parks, fast internet, healthcare, walkability and quality coworking spaces.
On the other hand, the level of income, safety in car traffic, knowledge of English and the environment for startups compromise Tenerife's performance in the ranking.
6. Puerto Escondido, Mexico
We fly to Mexico, more specifically to Puerto Escondido, where the internet, the cost of living, fun and nightlife thrill digital nomads. But not everything is wonderful. Puerto Escondido has the worst scores in terms of income, knowledge of English, security and freedom of expression.
Even so, known for being a small surfing town, like Ericeira, it is a destination that has gained prominence among digital nomads, with some who consider it a hotspot.
7. Porto, Portugal
We’re back to Portugal. Porto also deserves a prominent place in the list, with the low cost of living, hospitals, the quality of the internet and the spaces from which you can work remotely proving to be true assets of the “Invicta” city. Only climate and income level show lower scores, while education level, traffic safety and nightlife have room for improvement.
Not as big as Lisbon, but with all the activities and attractions of a capital, Porto still manages to retain a more local and welcoming atmosphere. If you see charm in that, then maybe you've found the right destination: walk through the medieval streets, visit the Port wine cellars, taste the famous “Francesinha”, chat with the people of Porto and testify how welcoming they are, and work from the several coworking spaces that the city offers.
8. Canggu (Bali), Indonesia
Breathtaking natural landscapes, unique culture and a bit of chaos. Briefly, these are the three ingredients that make Canggu a special destination, and able to directly enter the top 10 of the Nomad List. Walking along the main street, admiring the rice fields and ending the day with a yoga class on Canggu beach are some of the suggestions this coastal village has to offer.
Among digital nomads, and according to the scores of the Nomad List, the receptivity to foreigners, the spaces from which it is possible to work and the safety environment are the most attractive features of this place that only has traffic, which can be a bit chaotic, healthcare, low income and difficulty communicating in English as less good aspects.
9. São Paulo, Brazil
It is the only Brazilian destination present in the top 10, but it could not be missing. São Paulo breathes culture: from theatres to exhibitions or other cultural events, after work there will always be activities for those who want them, and many of them are free. The entertainment and nightlife – as expected – register high scores, accompanied by the quality of the coworking spaces, hospitals and the receptivity to foreigners and the LGBTQ+ community.
With the label "bad" is, however, security, the level of income, the network of spaces with free wifi and knowledge of English. Interestingly, despite the city being considered, in general, inclusive, in the "female friendly" indicator the score is not so high, being at a level that is considered medium.
10. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Cost of living, temperature, hospitals and nightlife are the factors in which Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, scores the most. Furthermore, it is considered an LGBTQ+ friendly city, great for walking around and with good spaces from which to work remotely. So what prevents Buenos Aires from climbing the rankings? Particularly low income, but also traffic, crime and low knowledge of the English language, a factor that remote workers often value as well.
Furthermore, the Argentinian capital has a peculiar argument for potential remote workers. A campaign in Buenos Aires aiming to attract people who are paid in euros, dollars, pounds and other currencies for extended stays highlights that Argentina has "the most competitive exchange rate in the region" and that prices in the city are "very affordable". This is part of a marketing message that includes a possible 12-month visa for remote workers, in addition to the benefits of Buenos Aires: warm weather, bucolic avenues, good food and relative safety, at least compared to other cities in Latin America.
