11 Affordable Summer Destinations for Digital Nomads [2024 Edition]

Traveling the world full-time means budgeting your travels and accommodations to ensure you prolong your digital nomad journey. With summer being the most expensive time of year to travel, these are some affordable summer destinations for digital nomads looking to stretch their dollars. 

Traditionally, people who do not live the digital nomad lifestyle tend to travel more during the summer months. In turn, this increased demand causes flights and accommodations to raise their prices. 

As a digital nomad who travels constantly, sometimes spending time in popular summer destinations means spending two to three times more than you would in any other season. 

To help you stay on track with your digital nomad itinerary and budget, we’ve compiled a list of the most affordable summer destinations for digital nomads who want to keep their cost of living low while still exploring incredible places. 

And remember to check out our article about the best cities for escaping the cold when planning your winter travels too! 

What Makes a Destination Ideal for Digital Nomads?

As long as there is reliable wifi available, any place is ideal for digital nomads, right? 

Wrong! 

While reliable wifi is one of the most important aspects of a digital nomad destination, there are so many more factors that are involved to be considered when choosing an ideal destination. 

Reliable Wifi and Connection

Choosing a country with reliable wifi and connection should be a top priority for digital nomads. 

When researching digital nomad destinations, check out the Ookla Global Speed Index to ensure you’ll be able to stay connected. 

Downloading an e-sim card can also help you access cellular data while traveling around the world without switching to a new sim card at every destination.

Affordable Cost of Living

Most digital nomads choose to travel around the world so they can take advantage of countries with a more affordable cost of living than their country of origin. 

When budgeting your travels, you’ll want to verify that the country you’re visiting is in line with your remote income and won’t break the bank during your stay there. 

You can use resources like Numbeo to get an idea of the average cost of living for cities worldwide. 

Access to Public Transportation

Digital nomads traveling globally often do not have access to a car, so they rely heavily on public transportation to explore the countries and cities where they decide to stay. 

Between buses, metros, and trains, choosing a destination with easy access to public transportation is a priority. 

Digital Nomad Community

Traveling as a digital nomad can get pretty lonely, especially if you are in vacation destinations where you see families and friends come and go. 

Choosing a destination with a digital nomad community can help you grow your network and friendships with people who can relate to your unique lifestyle. 

Join Nomads Embassy’s exclusive online community to see where our digital nomad members are in the world now! 

Affordable Summer Destinations for Digital Nomads

Taking the above-mentioned qualifies into consideration, and the low tourist seasons in the summer months, these are the most affordable summer destinations for digital nomads. 

1. Argentina

Most Affordable Time to Travel: June & August

Get ready for some excellent steak, red wine, and long nights of tango dancing while visiting Argentina during the summer. The best and most affordable times to visit Argentina as a digital nomad are June and August.

While it is winter in this part of the world, the weather is mild and rarely dips below 4 degrees Celsius. 

With median download speeds of 31 Mbps, Argentina offers fairly reliable wifi. 

Most digital nomads stay in the capital city of Buenos Aires, using its public transportation, lively nightlife, and large digital nomad community. 

If you fall in love with the country, then you’ll be excited to know that there are rumors that the Argentina digital nomad visa should be launching soon, allowing you to stay in the country for up to two years. 

2. Brazil

Most Affordable Time to Travel: June to August

With spring-like weather, Brazil is one of the most affordable summer destinations for digital nomads from June to August. Digital nomads often frequent cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Florianopolis, enjoying the vibrant culture, gorgeous beaches, and coworking spaces. 

Plus, with a median download speed of 63 Mbps in Brazil, it offers reliable wifi connection, ideal for digital nomads who have to hop on video calls often. 

It’s possible that after spending some time in Brazil, you’ll want to stay longer to fully enjoy the beauty of this country. With Brazil’s digital nomad visa, you can stay for up to two years with your immediate family members if you earn at least $1,500 per month. 

3. Mexico

Most Affordable Time to Travel: May & June

Whether you’re looking to stay in the enormous bustling Mexico City or lay out on beaches in Playa del Carmen or Puerto Vallarta, Mexico has a little bit of everything for digital nomads during the summer months. 

While the weather may be hotter and more humid than you may prefer, the accommodations are definitely more affordable during this time. Plus, you’ll get to experience great sites and attractions, like Chichen Itza, without swarms of tourists and crowds. 

Mexico’s median upload speed is around 38 Mbps, allowing digital nomads access to stable and reliable wifi throughout the country. 

From personal experience, we love staying in Playa del Carmen as digital nomads. With plenty of cafes with free wifi, a beautiful beach on the Caribbean Sea, and hundreds of cenotes to explore, this is a top affordable summer destination for digital nomads. 

Plus, with Mexico’s digital nomad visa, you can live in the country for up to four years before applying for permanent residency! 

4. Curaçao

Most Affordable Time to Travel: June to November

Already known as one of the most affordable islands in the Caribbean, Curaçao is also one of the most affordable summer destinations for digital nomads. This Dutch island offers the perfect combination of European culture and a laidback Caribbean lifestyle. 

This small island has stunning beaches, gorgeous architecture, and ideal weather year-round. Of course, you should be aware that hurricane season picks up from July to October in this region. 

If you fall in love with Curaçao, you can live on the island for up to one year tax-free with Curaçao’s digital nomad visa! 

5. Thailand

Most Affordable Time to Travel: May to September

As one of the most popular digital nomad destinations, Thailand also makes it on to the list of the most affordable summer destinations for digital nomads. 

The best time to visit is from May to September if you want low accommodation and flight rates. However, there is a price to pay for visiting this beautiful country during the low tourist season. 

May and June tend to be some of the hottest months, with daily temperatures often reaching 35 degrees Celsius. Then from July to September comes monsoon season; the wettest time of year. 

If you’re willing to endure uncomfortable weather during your stay in Thailand in exchange for more affordable accommodations, this is a great option for your digital nomad itinerary. 

Some of the most popular places in Thailand for digital nomads include Bangkok, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Pai, and Phuket. 

With a median download speed of 230 Mbps, Thailand has one of the strongest wifi connections for digital nomads in the region. 

If you wish to extend your stay in Thailand for up to 180 days per year, you’ll want to consider applying for the Destination Thailand Visa so you can enjoy more than just hot and rainy weather. 

6. Vietnam

Most Affordable Time to Travel: April to November

If you’re up for a little bit (or a lot) of rainfall during your stay in Vietnam to save a few bucks, then you’ll want to add it to your affordable summer destinations for digital nomads list. 

Due to the high temperatures, humidity, and increased rainfall, the most affordable time to travel to Vietnam is between April and November. 

Vietnam is also home to some of the most popular cities in Asia for digital nomads, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. They offer great access to public transport, coworking spaces, and large digital nomad communities. 

With a median download speed of 136 Mbps, Vietnam is definitely a reliable location for remote workers. 

7. Sri Lanka

Most Affordable Time to Travel: May to August

Sri Lanka is an up-and-coming digital nomad destination thanks to its affordable cost of living, tropical weather, and stunning natural sites. Even with low prices, the most affordable time to visit is from May to August, making it one of the best affordable summer destinations for digital nomads. 

You can expect to enjoy some warm tropical weather during these months, allowing you to relax on sandy beaches and explore the jungles of Sri Lanka. 

While the internet speed is on the lower side at 22 Mbps download speed, it doesn’t scare digital nomads away from spending time here. 

Plans to launch the Sri Lanka digital nomad visa were announced late last year, but we are still waiting for the country to start accepting applications.  

8. Australia

Most Affordable Time to Visit: June to August

Spend some time down under experiencing the winter months from June to August in Australia. As the country is in the southern hemisphere, you’ll get a quick switch up from the normal summer weather you’re probably used to. 

But for digital nomads who want to explore on a budget, this isn’t such a bad trade off. 

Even with the coldest month of July, daily temperatures are still around 12 degrees Celsius, a comfortable setting for many digital nomads. 

Travel between cities like Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney, discovering the culture, beauty, and coworking spaces Australia has to offer. And with a median download speed of 94 Mbps, it’s a reliable place to work remotely. 

While the country doesn’t have a digital nomad visa, there are other Australia visa options for digital nomads to visit this country for an extended period of time. 

9. New Zealand

Most Affordable Time to Visit: June to August

While you’re in the Oceania region, why not hop on over to New Zealand and take advantage of this affordable summer destination as a digital nomad? From June to August, New Zealand experiences its winter, which means the tourist season is low and accommodations are cheap. 

Digital nomads can choose to stay in the north of the country and experience colder winter days or in the south with temperatures hovering around 15 degrees Celsius. From hiking to skiing, New Zealand is an excellent escape from the heat while traveling on a budget. 

The country has also announced plans to launch the New Zealand digital nomad visa allowing remote workers to live there for up to two years, but we’re still waiting for the release. 

10. Hungary

Most Affordable Time to Visit: June & July

You may be surprised to see a European country on our list of affordable summer destinations for digital nomads, but Hungary has made it here! 

Budapest has been one of the top cities for digital nomads in Europe thanks to its low cost of living, connectivity, and coworking spaces with reliable wifi with a median download speed of 180 Mbps. With a flowing river through the city, gorgeous architecture, and a thriving digital nomad community, Hungary in the summer is a great affordable destination in the summer. 

If you fall in love with the country, you can live there for up to two years with Hungary’s digital nomad visa too! 

11. South Africa

Most Affordable Time to Visit: June to August

Spend the summer exploring one of the most desirable affordable summer destinations for digital nomads – South Africa. From adventuring on safari or calling cities like Cape Town or Johannesburg home, South Africa is a favorite destination for many digital nomads. 

The low tourist season is from June to August and offers comfortable, mild weather. You’ll rarely see rainfall during this period and enjoy afternoon temperatures of around 26 degrees Celsius. 

While the wifi can be a bit tricky, with a median download speed of 47 Mbps, it doesn’t stop digital nomads from exploring this beautiful country. 

It’s also a great chance to visit and get ready for the long-awaited launch of the South Africa digital nomad visa, which will allow remote workers to live in the country for up to two years. 

Call Your Next Digital Nomad Destination Home with Nomads Embassy

Traveling the world full-time is exhausting. It’s sad to leave a country you fell in love with; leaving a piece of your heart there. 

With the introduction of over 40 digital nomad visas over the last few years, digital nomads can call their favorite countries home for a year or more.

And Nomads Embassy: The World’s First Embassy for Digital Nomads makes it easier than ever to apply for them with our Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Services and hand-selected local immigration lawyer partners. 

Want to see which digital nomad visas you’re eligible to apply for today?

Request our free digital nomad visa eligibility assessment and see which country you can call home for the next year!