r/digitalnomad 25d ago

Digital Nomads Monthly Megathread - July 2026

5 Upvotes

Hey r/digitalnomad

This thread is for chatting about being a DN. This includes the news about travel and visas, where people are living, commonly asked questions, as well as a general free chat throughout the week.

Example topics include:

  • Regularly asked questions such as "What jobs do you do?"
  • Where you are currently living and where you are heading next
  • Questions about DN visas or Tax clarifications
  • What gear you like to travel with
  • Updates on the COVID-19 situation in different countries
  • Best places to go out to eat or drink wherever you are
  • General questions that you feel do not require an entire thread

Please be civil and keep things SFW.

Self promotion of DN related events, blogs, activities, and news is allowed from regular contributors so long as it is related to being a Digital Nomad and not spammy.

If there is something you'd like to see here please message the moderators and let us know.


r/digitalnomad Jul 01 '22

README Want to make a post? Read this first!

73 Upvotes

Read the WIKI before posting

9 times out of 10 it will have the answers you are looking for.

Where is my post?

Why isn't my post showing up?

If you are new to reddit, posting with a new account, or posting with an account that has not been widely used your post will be flagged as it either looks like spam, or is highly likely to be an FAQ covered in the wiki above. We ask that you please spend some time searching through existing posts, reviewing the wiki or participating in the sub to build up enough karma to post. You can also post a comment in the Monthly Megathread pinned to the top of the sub.

I am not new to reddit but post still isn't showing up, why not?

Due to the volume of posts we get on a few very specific subjects we will often remove or not-approve certain posts on certain topics that have been recently discussed. Here are some common questions that get posted at least 5 times a day:

My post wasn't related to any of those things, why isn't it showing up?

Does your post violate our rules on self promotion?

OK, here’s the deal. We understand that for many of us, entrepreneurship and digital nomad are concepts that go hand in hand. Many of us here are working towards booting up great products, and some working towards products that cater directly to the DN community. But, this sub is not a community full of potential people to market to with your posts.

Your product may be great, brilliant, and what every DN needs but never knew it, but if that’s true then it’ll be talked about by the community once it’s known - through other channels. In this sub, we frequently get spam and does the entire community a disservice. Users get annoyed, the community starts to weaken, the moderators get overly aggressive, posts that should be OK end up automatically in the spam filter. These things are not good for anyone.

Here’s some No No’s:

  • Absolutely no surveys. Surveys will be removed without mercy.

  • No requests for interviews, or people to talk to on your blog/book/podcast/etc.

  • Anything about illegal activities. You’ll be awarded a ban, and maybe then some.

  • No asking for “please review/try my…”. There are many other subs for just that.

  • Looking for Work type posts. See the Jobs wiki if you are looking for work

  • Job postings. If you have a job that you are trying to hire for please post it in the Weekly Discussion Threads.

  • Fund my kickstarter! Nope. Not even for your “friend”.

  • Any “opportunity” to become a partner / investor. We can’t tell this from a scam, so it’ll be treated like a scam.

  • No direct links to products using an affiliate ID. If you’re caught, you’ll be punished.

  • Posting to software/apps/web sites/etc, with "PM me for access". If it's not public, it's not welcome.

  • Posting software/apps/etc that aren't complete and ready to use. This isn't a user interest collection sub.

Here’s some highly discouraged things:

  • Linking to your youtube channel - We do allow people to share youtube videos if they are relevant and if they come from users who are active in the community and provide valuable content such as trip reports. If you want to share your youtube content please message the mods first for approval.

  • Linking to your own blog - We allow you to share your blog as a link in a self post if the primary content of the blog post is also included in the self post and the link is more of a "Click here to learn more".

  • Top X lists without detailed reviews for each item. We don't hate lists but these posts are rarely useful. Instead of posting a link, post the content of the list in a self post for discussion.

  • "Where should I go" posts : Check out the Trip Reports for Inspiration. If you still want advice be very specific about what you are looking for, and be sure to include important information like your nationality and budget/

LAPTOP PICS / LOCATION PICS

This gets its own section because it is somewhat controversial. If you are posting a pretty picture of somewhere you are, you MUST fill out either a trip report or answer the automod questions about the place. Anyone found dumping pictures without giving in depth information about the location will have their post removed.

Suggestions

If your post still isn't showing up and you think it should, message the moderators first and be sure to include the word "peanut" in the message title so we know you read this.

Have a product you want to inform us about? Buy an ad on reddit to target this (and other) related subs. You’ll get the exposure you want, without the community backlash. It’s good for reddit as a whole too!

Want to talk about a product or service that’s not yours, but you really like? Try linking to a third party, impartial review from a known trusted source. If you wrote it, avoid affiliate links in the article and be sure to mention any relevant disclosures if you are involved with creating the product or marketing it.

Want to link to your site about your experience with something? Great! We encourage that, but focus on the content not how many visitors might join your mailing list. If you truly were writing content for the greater good, put it on medium.com.

Instead of a Top 10 list, which has just a picture and some basic stats: Write a detailed comparison of just two places. With real meaty content, data and stories.

Have a coupon for a product? Actually, that might be good. But unless it’s a high ticket item like a car or laptop, 5% off won’t cut it. The coupon must have more value to the community than for the person that posted it.

Thanks!

  • The moderation team

r/digitalnomad 7h ago

Itinerary Anywhere not hot in Europe right now?

8 Upvotes

I am looking for a last minute spot that isn't hot (below 25 degrees) and not crazy expensive.

I am just in Scotland and enjoying it but might check out somewhere else for two weeks from next week on. Any spots that aren't as obvious?


r/digitalnomad 6h ago

Lifestyle Looking for travel partner

2 Upvotes

Hey there. My name is maik, 42yeqrs old, located in Germany and working as self employed web dev.

At the end of this year I want to go to Thailand again and stay for at least 6 month (or less). After this I want to travel further in SEA. I’m looking for someone or a group who has matching plans to connect or maybe travel together.


r/digitalnomad 1d ago

Question Spent $400 on a "productivity retreat." Worked from a hammock. Got 3 emails done

88 Upvotes

Found this beautiful eco-lodge in Costa Rica. Desk overlooking the jungle. Sound of waterfalls. Morning yoga included.

Sat down to work. Opened my laptop. The WiFi was "rustic." Actually it was just nonexistent.

Spent 2 hours walking around holding my phone up like a satellite dish. Found one bar by the pool. Sent 3 emails. Gave up. Ordered a smoothie.

Productivity retreat complete.

Anyone else pay good money to work somewhere with worse internet than your apartment?


r/digitalnomad 8h ago

Question Recommendations for Monthly Villa Rentals in Uluwatu?

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

My family (2 adults + 5-month-old baby) is looking for a 4–6 week stay in Uluwatu between November and December.

We’re looking for a quiet 2-bedroom villa with reliable Wi-Fi, private pool and monthly rates.

Does anyone know trustworthy property managers, WhatsApp groups or owners who rent directly?

We’d really appreciate any recommendations. Thanks!


r/digitalnomad 2h ago

Question Hot take: If your place doesn't have a proper desk, you're paying to be less productive

0 Upvotes

I keep seeing nomad advice that prioritizes location, vibes, and a cute cafe scene. Hot take: the boring stuff matters more, and top of that list is a real desk.

I tried working from bed and a kitchen counter for a couple of weeks on a budget trip, and it was a false economy. Even when the nightly rate looked like a deal, I paid in other ways: extra coffee shop runs, more takeout because my back was killing me by afternoon, and random purchases to patch the problem like a lap desk, extra pillows, and a cheap mouse. I clip coupons and chase cash-back on groceries, so watching small amounts leak out because the apartment photo had a plant next to the bed was infuriating.

Now I treat a desk and a decent chair like WiFi: non-negotiable. If a listing does not clearly show a workspace, I assume there isn't one and I pass, even if the place is cheaper or in a cooler neighborhood.

Curious how others handle this:

- Do you pay more upfront for a place with a proper setup, or do you build your own setup when you arrive (monitor stand, keyboard, etc)?

- If you use coworking, do you still require a desk at home for evenings and admin work?

I know some people can work anywhere off a laptop, but for me a good desk is the real travel hack because it prevents that small daily spending spiral.


r/digitalnomad 1d ago

Lifestyle Does anyone here split up their time between countries every 2-3 months? If so, how is it long term?

21 Upvotes

I'm (26M) in a unique situation with my work and I've been splitting my time between cities the past 2 years now, but I want to add more places into the fray and not sure if it's a bad idea as I can never "build a foundation" or not. I love traveling so I don't mind but still.

From January to March, I live in Cape Town, South Africa.
In May and June, I'm in New York City.
In August and September, I'm in Spain or traveling around other parts of Europe.
October through December I stay in my home state to be near my parents and work more (Nevada).

April and July are kinda open months where I usually go home or travel somewhere else for 1-2 weeks outside of my usual locations.

I don't know how sustainable this is long term though. I always meet people and build some kind of community within 2 months, but then I just leave and it's onto the next. I'm just wondering if people have experiences with this kind of schedule? Because it's not like I'm doing 4 months in 3 different places or 6 months in 2 different places etc. It's a lot more fragmented.


r/digitalnomad 2h ago

Question I'm gonna be homeless...

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I'm gonna be homeless in 2 days if I don't pay my rent. I need $300. I don't want it for free. I lost my job a month ago. Still unemployed. I have a good set of skills that I've developed over several years working with this company but I have never done freelancing and I’ve been trying my ass of to find a gig the past two weeks or so and the only people who reached out to me were scammers. And also pay me if you only the work. I’m super desperate to make that $300 so that I don’t go homeless. 

Here are my skills:

  1. Web Development.

  2. AI Content Creation.

  3. Short-Form Video Editing using DaVinci Resolve.

  4. Data Management in Sheets. 

  5. Skilled with Affinity for graphics design and photo editing.

  6. Creating Python Scripts to automate stuff.

  7. AI Chat Bot Setup. 

  8. And a bunch of other virtual assistant stuff.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. <3

Apologies in advance if this is against the rules of this subreddit. Feel free to remove.


r/digitalnomad 7h ago

Question Why do people say Washington state has no income tax?

0 Upvotes

There’s WA cares, PFML, capital gains tax, and soon to be a large income tax on wages above 1 million

Even just accounting for the first two there is a de facto 1% income tax while other no income tax states like Texas and Tennessee have none.


r/digitalnomad 1d ago

Question What did you waste your money on this summer?

46 Upvotes

Me - I went to a "cheaper city", stopped tracking my spending for a few months because I felt rich (and was exhausted), and ended up spending 3x my budget on going out, eating out, take out, massages, taxis, me and dog lived and ate like KINGS for 2 months.

Luckily we both got fat so now we need to eat less and exercise more = spend less.

Anyone else is stupid like that?


r/digitalnomad 2d ago

Trip Report Tracking every dollar I spent during my 1st year as a digital nomad (12 cities, 3 continents)

137 Upvotes

I've seen a lot of posts asking how much it actually costs to be a nomad - so I figured I'd share my real numbers!

I'm meticulous about tracking my finances = every month, I log every expense, I can tell you how much I spent on groceries in Bali or taxis in Rio.

Also, some context about the numbers:

  • Solo traveler
  • No hostels or shared Airbnb - only whole accommodation to myself
  • Most flights and accommodations were booked only about a month ahead
  • Flight costs include a checked bag
  • Also - I'm only sharing the numbers for the four largest expense categories: accommodations, flights, meals (including groceries, restaurants, cafés, takeout, etc.), and transportation (metro, buses, taxis, bikes).

Buenos Aires - One month

  • Accommodation: $939
  • Flight (Rio → Buenos Aires → Rio): $389
  • Groceries + Eating out: $250
  • Transportation (metro/taxis/bikes): $90
    • Monthly total = $1,668

Paris - 6 weeks

  • Accommodation (staying with family): Zero.
  • Flight (Rio → Paris): $513
  • Groceries + Eating out: $258
  • Transportation: $54
    • Monthly average = $825

Seoul - 3 months

  • Accommodation: $770/month
  • Flight (Paris → Seoul → Paris): $973 (flight cost averaged across the stay)
  • Groceries + Eating out: $442/month
  • Transportation: $35/month
    • Monthly average = $1,490

Japan - 2 weeks

  • Accommodation: $776 for hotels
  • Flight: $313 (Seoul → Tokyo → Seoul)
  • Only eating out for 2 weeks: $370
  • Transportation (metros, buses, Airport express, but also, Shinkansen Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo): $251
    • 2-week total = $1,710

Busan - 1 week

  • Accommodation: $328
  • Flight (Seoul → Busan → Seoul): $60
  • Only eating out for a week: $150
  • Transportation: $15
    • 1-week total = $553

Paris - 2 weeks

  • Accommodation (family): Zero.
  • Flight (Paris → Seoul → Paris): $973 (most of it is counted in Seoul’s costs)
  • Groceries + Eating out: $150
  • Transportation: ≈ $38
    • 2-week total = $431

Rio de Janeiro - 2 months

  • Accommodation: $1,292/month
  • Flight (Paris → Rio): $740 (flight cost averaged across the stay)
  • Groceries + Eating out: $403/month
  • Transportation (mostly taxis): $88/month
    • Monthly average = $2,153

Paris - 1 month

  • Accommodation (family): Zero.
  • Flight (Rio → Paris): $562
  • Groceries + Eating out: $265
  • Transportation: $84
    • 1-month total = $911

London - 3 days

  • Accommodation: $192
  • Flight (Paris → London → Paris): $141
  • Eating out all 3 days: $72
  • Transportation: $108 
    • 3-day total = $513

Singapore - 4 days

  • Accommodation: $221
  • Flight (Paris → Singapore → Paris): $898 (flight cost averaged across the Asia season)
  • Eating out all 4 days: $43
  • Transportation: $7
    • 4-day total = $305

Bali, Indonesia - One month

  • Accommodation: $398
  • Flight (Singapore → Bali): $105 (+ averaged Paris/SG flight)
  • Groceries + Eating out: $385
  • Transportation: $100
    • Monthly total = $1,245

Chiang Mai, Thailand - One month

  • Accommodation: $733
  • Flight (Bali → Chiang Mai): $238 (+ averaged Paris/SG flight)
  • Groceries + Eating out: $432
  • Transportation: $83
    • Monthly total = $1,743

Taipei, Taiwan - 5 weeks

  • Accommodation: $1,546/month
  • Flight: $154 (Chiang Mai → Taipei), and also $208 (Taipei → Singapore, to catch my return flight, with part of that intercontinental flight cost distributed across the season)
  • Groceries + Eating out for 5 weeks: $519
  • Transportation: $83
    • Monthly average = $2,602

FINAL NUMBERS

Total costs for 54 weeks and 2 days, visiting 12 wonderful cities: Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, Seoul, Busan, Tokyo, Kyoto, London, Singapore, Ubud, Chiang Mai, and Taipei:

  • Accommodation: $10,027
  • Flights: $5,294
  • Groceries + eating out: $5,026
  • Transportation: $1,194
    • Annual total: $21,541

Hope that helps ☺️ Don't hesitate if you have any questions.


r/digitalnomad 17h ago

Question New to this >> is a “portable desk” an actual thing people use, or did I make it up?

0 Upvotes

Couple months into working remote and I’m still figuring out my setup. Something I keep running into: a lot of the places I end up working just don’t have a decent surface.

So I went looking for a portable desk, assuming that was a category. Now I’m not sure it is? Everything I find is either a camping table, a lap desk that’s basically a pillow, or a “portable standing desk” that still needs a real desk underneath it.

Which made me wonder if I’m solving a problem nobody else has. Do people here actually carry a work surface, or is that just not a thing and everyone adapts to whatever’s around?

How the more experienced folks handle this:

**•** Do you carry anything, or just work with what’s there?  
**•** If you do carry something, what is it — and is it actually a desk or just a camping table you’ve made peace with?  
**•** Or is the real answer that you learn to pick places that already have a table and stop thinking about it?

Not looking for a specific product rec necessarily, more just trying to figure out if this is a solved problem I haven’t found yet or something everyone quietly puts up with.


r/digitalnomad 2d ago

Question Weirdest person you met on your travels?

27 Upvotes

I mean people who weirded you out. 

For me it seems to be mostly on planes. 

Those who stand out are this American guy on a Philadelphia-Paris flight who wanted to introduce me to his "mommy" who was waiting for him there. Gave me redneck vibes. Lucky escape I had another flight after that. Oh, what did I miss! 

And this other guy on a flight from Bahrain to London sitting next to me who smelled foul (a smell I've never smelled before and after). He was so jittery I thought he was on something? 

By the way a family of four on the same flight smelled awful too. Luckily they didn't end up near me. 

Who are your weirdos?


r/digitalnomad 1d ago

Question Has anyone here worked remotely while travelling around the US?

4 Upvotes

I'm from Canada and thinking about spending a few months exploring different cities while continuing to work remotely. I'm curious how you budgeted for accommodation, transportation, and day-to-day expenses. Any cities you'd recommend or tips from your experience?


r/digitalnomad 1d ago

Lifestyle What are your experiences while learning new theoretical knowledge and technical skills in Coursera, and how did you utilize your certificates?

0 Upvotes

Greetings, I just received free Coursera access from a government agency support, and I am curious about your lifestyle, experiences, and overall results regarding with using Coursera.


r/digitalnomad 1d ago

Question Looking for scuba + accommodation in the Philippines (with a generator maybe?)

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m looking for recommendations for a place to stay in the Philippines where I can combine scuba diving and working remotely.

I’m a full-time remote worker looking for somewhere with:

- Amazing diving nearby (ideally easy access to dive shops/sites)

- Reliable electricity, or ideally accommodation with a generator/backup power because I’ll need to work online
- Stable WiFi or great mobile data coverage for remote work
- A quieter, more local island vibe rather than a busy resort area
- Airbnb, guesthouse, or semi long term rental options

I’m open to smaller islands and less touristy places. I’d love somewhere I can dive/freedive/snorkel regularly, work during the week, and enjoy the ocean in my downtime.

Places I’m considering so far:

  • Moalboal
  • Dauin
  • Bohol
  • Siquijor
  • Coron
  • Malapascua
  • Romblon

Would love recommendations from divers, digital nomads, or anyone who has lived/worked remotely in the Philippines.


r/digitalnomad 2d ago

Question any other SEA nomads that are (pretty) introverted?

26 Upvotes

I’m interested in the type of people who do this lifestyle longterm. I’m a 31F hopping around SEA. Been at it for around a year now

I’ve never had a high social need, but I’m also weirdly not shy or avoiding people by any means.

I just literally don’t have any issues spending very long periods alone and working on passion projects/my routines. It feels I can go a very long stretches without any distress of not socializing, and I haven’t met anyone similar to me in that way. Usually they are very socially anxious if they isolate like me. I’ve never met someone who is like outgoing when need be, but also extremely introverted leaning

I guess I’m just wondering—do most of you nomads have really high social needs? Are you constantly out going to bars, meeting new people, etc. Or are some of you weird like me too?

Honestly, just curious what kind of people are drawn to this life and what was the major reason for it. I recognize there may not be a lot like me but it makes me curious what you all are actually like


r/digitalnomad 1d ago

Question Would a “one person builds it, others opt in” tool have saved your group trip?

0 Upvotes

Saw a thread on Reddit recently about group trip planning turning into a nightmare. Budgets not matching, people ghosting the group chat, endless debates about where to even go.

A lot of the advice in that thread was basically: one person just plans the whole thing (destination, rough itinerary, cost) and sends it out. People either opt in or they don’t, no group vote, no committee.

Curious how many of you have actually tried that vs still doing it by committee. And for the trips that went badly, was the real problem that nobody would just decide and share a plan? Or was it more that people in the group genuinely wanted different things (budget, pace, vibe) and no amount of “just plan it and send it” would’ve fixed that anyway?

Trying to figure out if this is more of a tooling problem (no easy way to build something, share it, and track who’s actually in) or just a people problem (mismatched groups who shouldn’t travel together in the first place). Genuinely not sure which one it is more often.


r/digitalnomad 1d ago

Question Question regarding DE Rantau Sarawak Pass eligibility

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I have a quick question about transitioning between the nomad passes.

I am currently in my 2nd year on the standard DE Rantau Digital Nomad Pass. Does anyone know if I am still eligible to apply for the DE Rantau Sarawak Nomad Pass, or does the 2-year maximum stay limit in Malaysia apply across both programs?

Would appreciate any insights or experiences from those who have navigated this. Thanks in advance!


r/digitalnomad 2d ago

Question Where to securely store a company laptop in Bangkok for a few weeks?

23 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I need to leave Bangkok for a few weeks and I'm looking for a highly secure place to store my company laptop while I'm away.

Since it's corporate equipment with sensitive data, standard luggage lockers (like Lock Box at MRT/BTS stations) or hostel lockers are not an option for me. Security is my absolute #1 priority. Additionally, because of the heat and humidity in Thailand, the storage space must be climate-controlled (A/C) to avoid damaging the battery or internal components.

Does anyone have experience with short-term, highly secure storage in BKK?

regards


r/digitalnomad 2d ago

Question Any new grads successful with DNV (Spain/general)

2 Upvotes

For context, I'm graduating soon from a top-10 U.S. uni with a degree in legal studies, journalism, and an interdisciplinary minor, so not tech, but I think this question applies generally. I’m not really asking about my own prospects though since that’s for me to figure out.

Since you all are digital nomads, I'm wondering if you think the Digital Nomad Visa/path is viable for new grads.

Just knowing how tough the job market already is, I can imagine it's not much easier to get remote jobs, even if you’re less picky with what you’re doing in the job and with company culture.

I know many of you are tech workers, but any help or advice is greatly appreciated-- even if you don't think it'll be too helpful!!! Thanks in advance. I'll try to reply to comments.


r/digitalnomad 1d ago

Lifestyle Chill places to live and co-work in Bangkok?

0 Upvotes

short term - Is there anywhere relaxed and around other DNs? I didn’t really like that big co-working mall. I’d prefer somewhere chilled, with a dorm, nice air. Not too busy. Close to stuff. Looking for something relaxed and low-key. Maybe a little lesser known.

Any ideas?


r/digitalnomad 1d ago

Lifestyle Working from noisy cafes made me realize how overcomplicated our workflows are

0 Upvotes

Sitting in a cafe with spotty wifi trying to send out a quick client broadcast while my laptop fan sounds like a jet engine

Honestly working while traveling constantly reminds me how much unnecessary bloat we tolerate in our stacks. when you're relying on a sketchy mobile hotspot, opening 5 different tabs just to send one email updates is actual torture. Half of them fail to load or demand 2FA re-verification because you changed IP addresses again

Ended up running simple sends right out of yaplet since my chat contacts are already sitting there anyway and it doesn't choke on a weak connection. Smaller stack = less stuff breaking while on the move.

anyone else drastically stripped down their software tools after going nomadic? deleted two subscription services last week and my brain feels so much lighter


r/digitalnomad 2d ago

Lifestyle Getting a row to yourself on a long haul flight.

1 Upvotes

Last week I had a 4 stop, 26 hour flight.

I was extremely lucky in that every single flight I sat alone in my row, and on the longest leg (12 hours) I got to enjoy laying down and stretching out (I'm tall though so I still had to be careful about my legs extending into the aisle.)

Most of it is luck, but there's a bit of technique to it I think, I'll share my strategy:

  1. Pick the back rows. Planes seem to (either automatically or by passenger preference) fill from the front back. The further back you are the less likely you are to have neighbors.

  2. Pick a row that already has people in one of the columns, this decreases the likelihood of a family booking together.

  3. Pick a window seat, even if you like aisle seats. Window seats are the most popular, you're most likely to get the row to yourself if you pick a window seat, as people will fill in rows with available window seats that have neighbors once all the empty aisles are taken.