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Become a digital nomad in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

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*Disclaimer – This post contains affiliate links, however the opinions are my own.

I have been wanting to write this post for a very long time. People rave about Chiang Mai being one of the destinations for digital nomads to base themselves. And to be honest, it is hard to argue with the quality of the infrastructure, as well as the prices for the cost of living.

If you are an entrepreneur and you need a base that will allow you to grow, the Chiang Mai is definitely one of the best options to consider.

In this post, we will share the benefits of living in Chiang Mai and how you can pursue a life as a digital nomad in the city.

Before I jump into the article, let me tell you why I find Chiang Mai so attractive.

The main reason is the quality of life that you can obtain. You have access to the cultural experience, which is great if you are someone that likes to travel. You can use currency arbitrage to have greater purchasing power in Chiang Mai. This means you can get more luxurious accommodation, food and experiences. And thirdly, the city has an infrastructure similar to other developed countries. The internet connection especially rivals the connectivity speeds of other European, American and Asian countries.

Accommodation

One of the most attractive things about staying in Chiang Mai is the quality of the accommodation and the cost. You can rent a room for as little as $200 a month or a studio apartment in a condominium for as little as $700 a month.

The popular areas where digital nomads like to stay include:

  • Nimmanhaemin Road (also referred to as Nimman area)
  • Old city

You will need to decide in advance what kind of lifestyle you want. You can get accommodation in a condominium, which will have a pool and a gym and can save you spending extra money. You will also want to be aware of the security that the accommodation offers. Ideally, the building will come with staffed security and that the location is known to be safe.

Note – Something that you will need to keep in mind is that Thai’s tend to sleep on hard mattresses. So if you don’t think you will be comfortable sleeping on a hard mattress, get in touch with the accommodation host in advance or visit the property before you commit to the booking. I would personally avoid booking accommodation for a long period of time without checking the accommodation in advance. 

Below are useful resources to help you find accommodation in Chiang Mai.

Hostels

There are numerous hostels in the Old City. Below are a few affordable ones that you can stay in.

Suneta Hostel Chiang Mai

Shared rooms of 4 people start from $15 a night. This place has really good reviews. It is modern and clean. There are Wi-Fi in the rooms and there is a complimentary breakfast.

Click here to make a booking. 

Green Sleep Hostel

This hostel has very good reviews and only costs $13 a night for a shared dormitory. Good breakfast, clean, wi-fi and free bike hire.

Click here to make a booking. 

Arch39 Art & Craft Hotel

Another popular hostel with mixed dormitories. Book a bed from $9 a night.

Click here to make a booking. 

Fun Wahn Hostel

Great value for money and many positive reviews. Shared dormitories start from $9 a night. Upgrade to $11 to get the free breakfast.

Click here to make a booking.

Bed In Town

Rated as “Exceptional”, it’s another great place to stay from only $9 a night.

Click here to make a booking. 

Good Day

If you want something cheap and cheerful, go with this place. Beds start from $4 a night.

Click here to make a booking. 

Cheap hotels for when you initially stay in Chiang Mai

Baan Din Ki

Prices start from $20 a night for a twin room booking. The hotel is also located inside a shopping centre.

Click here to make a booking. 

Long-Term accommodation options

Renthub (You can browse live rental options)

Huay Kaew Residence

Price – 5000 Baht/month with an onsite gym, pool, electricity and water.

Chiang Mai Lodge

Price – From 8,500 Baht/month for a studio with an ensuite. This doesn’t include electricity and water.

Useful links for finding accommodation in Chiang Mai.

Finding an apartment in Chiang Mai (by Chris the Freelancer)

Apartments for Digital Nomads (by Chris Grabinski)

Red Pill Rebellion

Internet

One of the things that makes Chiang Mai very attractive for digital nomads is the internet availability and connectivity.

Wi-Fi at your accommodation

Check the connectivity at your accommodation. If you use multiple devices, see if you can use multiple connections at the same time.

Mobile hotspot

You can buy and register for a mobile sim card while you are in Chiang Mai and use your phone as an internet hotspot device. The average internet speed in the city is 30mB per second, which is a sufficient speed for online businesses.

Note – It’s recommended that you also purchase a spare power bank pack in case the power runs low on the devices that you are using.

Below are a few power pack options that you can consider buying during your travels.

Visas

There are a few visa options when it comes to staying in Thailand as a digital nomad. I strongly advise that you visit the Thai Immigration website and follow the visa rules for staying in the Kingdom of Thailand.

  • 30-day tourist visa
  • 60-day visa
  • 6-month multiple-entry visa

You can see details on the Thai immigration website.

If you have any questions, you can also ask questions in this Facebook group about Thai immigration. Their members are well informed about the visa process and can give you the necessary guidance.

Also, check with the Thai immigration office or consulate in your country of residence.

You can also use visit this forum to see frequently asked questions in regards to Thai immigration. 

Food

Eating out in Thailand can be inexpensive if you stick to eating the local food. The price of food at restaurants are slightly cheaper than in Western countries. Use TripAdvisor’s restaurant app to get a good idea about recommended restaurants or places to eat in your area.

Below are a couple of videos that can give you a good idea about food in Chiang Mai.

 

Travel

Flights

One of the things that really appeals to me with Chiang Mai is the cost of travel within Thailand and also to neighbouring countries. Thailand sits on the border with Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia. The city also boasts an international airport, with several flights available to all parts of the world.

You can use flight comparison sites. Also check for deals with Air Asia.

Bus

However, a cheaper way to travel is by bus. So you can actually buy tickets and crossover the border and explore the different countries fairly inexpensively.

Taxi

You can actually download the car-sharing app Grab, which works similar to Uber but is meant to be cheaper.

Train

There’s also an intercity train service. You can get detailed information on  Seat 61.

Cost of living

You are at a huge advantage due to the currency strength against the Thai Baht. You will ideally want to earn in a strong currency such as the US dollar, British Pound or The Euro.

You can get by on $1000USD per month. However, you would be more comfortable earning $2000 USD a month or more.

Digital nomad communities

Chiang Mai Digital Nomads Group

Chiang Mai Buddy

Co-working spaces

There are a few co-working spaces you can use that are fairly inexpensive and that have a good internet speed.

CAMP (Creative and meeting place)

Website: http://www.ais.co.th/campais/en/

Address: 5th Floor, MAYA lifestyle shopping centre.

PunSpace

Website: http://www.punspace.com/

Nimman address: Punspace Nimman , 14 Sirimangkalajarn Lane 11, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Tha Pha Gate address: Punspace Tha Phae Gate, 7/2 Rachadamnoen Road, Soi 4, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Wiang Kaew address: Punspace Wiang Kaew, 10 Wiang Kaew Road, Sri Phum, Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

Code Working Space

Website: http://code-space.co/

Address: 164/9 Moo 6 Faham , Mueng, Chiang Mai, 50000, Thailand.

You can see more information on their Facebook page. 

Mana Co-working Space

Website: https://www.facebook.com/manacoworkingspace

Things to do in Chiang Mai.

There are many things that you can do to enjoy Chiang Mai. To be honest, we recommend the information using the links below since they are very exhaustive and will give you alot more insight into things to do in and around Chiang Mai.

Things to do in Chiang Mai by TripCanvas

Discover Thailand Lonely Planet Guide

This guide should help you get started as a digital nomad. If you have any thoughts or questions, please share them in the comments below.

Thanks for reading.

 

Lisbon – The unknown travel destination for digital nomads.

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There’s a certain charm about this city that has intrigued me. As a digital nomad, I want to fulfil my curiosity to travel to destinations and awaken my mind, whilst being able to accomplish my work in the digital space, whilst working from a remote location.

The things that I typically look for include living costs and lifestyle. Even though I’ve only been in the city for a short amount of time, I can say that I am experiencing both.

I’ve personally been able to live in France and the UK. I’ve also travelled through the south of Spain. I can see elements of each city and Portugal’s own unique culture and lifestyle, which makes this city attractive.

Accommodation

The accommodation costs were quite surprising. In Australia, I pay $420 a week in rent, which works out $1680 per month. I generally aim to keep my accommodation costs at $1000-$1500 a month when I am travelling.

If you travel over the long-term, you will find deals on Airbnb that will allow you to receive discounts so that you will be able to stay in the city at rates that are similar to what the locals pay.

If you are travelling solo, you can opt to stay in a room on Airbnb or at a hostel. (I personally prefer the rooms since you gain extra privacy, comfort and security. Staying in a hostel generally means you will need to stay with 3 or more other people in the same room.)

I was able to find accommodation in Lisbon fairly easily. The city seems small in certain areas, but it can be spread out in others. That being said; there tends to be fairly good transportation links to different areas in the city.

Transportation

Getting to and from Lisbon itself seems to be quite straightforward. You can get to Lisbon easily by plane (the airport is approximately a 20 minute drive from the city), train and by the intercity bus.

Once you are in Lisbon, you have the following options with transportation.

Taxi

There are several taxis in service in and around the city. Taxis always tend to be the more expensive travel option, however they aren’t as expensive as in other cities.

Bus

The bus was fairly inexpensive and relatively frequent, but it was necessary to plan in advance. I would recommend installing the Citymapper app so you can plan your journey in advance. The app will also show how soon the bus will arrive and track your station progress, which is handy if you don’t understand Portuguese.

Tram

The tram is iconic to Portugal. It isn’t the cheapest form of transport, but it definitely makes it more convenient to get from one side of the city to the other, especially given the amount of hills that you need to navigate in the city. It can be one of the quickest travel options whilst you are in Lisbon.

Metro (Train)

There are 4 metro lines that you can use to get around the city. The green line and the yellow line.  The cost is 1.45 Euros one way.

Uber

We actually found it cheaper and more cost effective to hitch a ride with an Uber.

Language.

Even though you are in Portugal and the local language is Portuguese, you can get by using English. If you speak another language such as Spanish or French, it is possible to get around using those languages as well.

Food

I’d struggled to find authentic Portuguese food, but my sister actually put me onto the TripAdvisor app that suggested restaurants in the local area. I can say that after using the app, we were able to enjoy some really tasty and authentic Portuguese food.

I would definitely recommend trying authentic Peri Peri chicken whilst you are in Portugal.

You can also pick-up very affordable food such as pastries in the supermarket. We purchased pastries and breads from 0.20-1.00 each, depending on what they were. (Croissants were 27 cents, which was great for breakfast).

Things to see and do.

I was surprised at the amount things that I was able to do. However, my interests are mainly exploring aesthetically interesting environments. This is something that I felt Lisbon offered.

Additionally, there are a few options for nightlife such as going out in the Barrio District. There are several bars for wine, tapas, and dancing.

There are also free walking tours around the city (where you can offer guides a tip at the end). However, it is easy enough to walk around the city and find the local landmarks. We were able to see them over 2 days.

If you would like an extensive guide, purchase the Lonely Planet guide on Lisbon or Portugal (if you plan to travel around the country).

How was the internet connection?

This was the only thing that concerned me a bit. Even at the accommodation where I stayed, the internet connection wasn’t the best. But I could still do what I wanted to do while I was there. At some of the cafes, I had a similar experience and had to work offline. But if you can find those cafes with a good connection, you can easily spend less than 2 Euros on a coffee and enjoy your time working on your laptop whilst people watching or adoring some of the sights that Portugal has to offer.

Lisbon isn’t going to be as cheap as places such as South-east Asia, but it is affordable. The level of comfort varies as well. If you are in the position to spend $70-100/night, then you will be able to live fairly luxuriously in Lisbon. But I’d even go as far to say that the city can be done on a tight budget of $50-60 Australian dollars a day (Or less if you are travelling as a couple).

Have you stayed in Lisbon before? What do you think?

Let us know in the comments below.

Thank you for reading.

Useful links

Lisbon Digital Nomad meetup

Digital nomad cafe guide

Lisbon digital nomads Facebook group

*Note – This post contains affiliate links. However the opinions and experiences are my own. 

Japan as a digital nomad destination? Anything is possible.

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I’ve been looking into staying in Japan for a while now. The thing that has always put me off with Japan as a digital nomad destination is the cost. But when I actually looked into the way to live in Japan as a digital nomad, it is actually feasible if you adopt a different strategy.

Admittedly, it isn’t going to be as cheap as going to Thailand, Cambodia or Indonesia. However, if you want to enjoy Japanese culture without breaking the bank, it can be done if you are prepared to be a bit creative and consider some slightly different lifestyle choices to make the stay more affordable.

I’ve shared as much information as I can based on the research that I’ve conducted. You can also use the table of contents to navigate to a specific topic in the post.

Accommodation.

The most expensive thing that sticks out with Japan is accommodation. Rental prices for places in Tokyo is expensive even to the locals. So many opt to live in suburbs that are outside of the city.

Depending on your budget, you can adopt a similar approach as well.

The best deals will be outside of Tokyo. But it is important to remember that many of the attractions that you want to see can be accessed by train from many of the satellite cities.

Another thing is if you want to go for the cultural experience, much of the authentic Japanese culture is more prominent in cities and towns such as Kyoto (which is the old Japanese capital city) and Nara. You could opt to stay in either of those locations or Osaka, which is the second largest city in Japan.

How much should you budget for accommodation?

If I travel solo and want to stay in hostels, I will aim for accommodation at $30AUD a night or less. But to be productive and to also enjoy some of the luxuries such as a private shower and a private room, $50-80 a night is more optimistic.

It depends how you want to travel. I’ve found a few different accommodation options available across Japan.

  • Renting an entire place.
  • Renting a room.
  • Renting a tent.
  • Renting a capsule.
  • Renting a bed in a hostel.

I’ve found that the cost can vary depending on the type of accommodation and the location in which you stay. I’ve seen some places for as low as $800AUD a month, whereas some other accommodation options can be over $4000 a month.

I found some of the best deals on Airbnb. These were good if you wanted to travel around Japan more slowly and even stay with locals. I’ve shared a link to my wishlist of the places that I found in different cities in Japan.

Alternatively, if you want to go more with the ‘hostel’ or ‘hotel’ experience, you can do a search on Agoda to find and compare deals. For hostels, you should be able to find deals from around $20/night for a bed. Whereas hotels may cost around $50+ per night.

 

Note – There are quite a few love hotels listed on the site. Whilst they look nice, they are for one primary purpose and tend to have a smoky smell. So when making your comparisons, make sure you read the reviews of the hotel before making a booking.

Which place would I choose?

I actually wanted to choose locations based around Kyoto or in the Japanese suburban towns or countryside. It also depends on the time of the year that you want to visit Japan. I would personally visit Nara and Kyoto any time of the year, but preferably around April to catch Sakura, which is the cherry blossom season. (Use this link to see the forecast times of the Cherry blossom season).

I would make trips from Kyoto to the other cities and locations in Japan. When I went to Japan previously, I travelled from Tokyo. Tokyo is a great city, but if you want to experience more than just the ‘city life’, it’s better to base yourself in another location where it is easy to commute to many of the authentic ‘Japanese’ landmarks and attractions. I would personally recommend being based around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka or Nagoya. That way, if you have intercity bus passes or the JR rail pass, you will be able to see more and save on your travelling time.

What would be included in the accommodation?

I always look for accommodation that includes utilities and internet connection. I also hope to have cooking facilities so I can prepare my own meals in the accommodation. If the host can provide a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, that is an additional bonus as I can go outside of the accommodation and work remotely from a location of my choosing.

How much should I budget for food?

If you eat at home, your grocery bill should come to $50-100AUD per week. There are different ways you can eat for cheap. If you head to the supermarket and purchase items in bulk, you should be able to eat inexpensively. You can then add a budget for eating out.

I’ve shared a useful video and some links that can help you with food budgeting and planning, whilst travelling in Japan.

How to be a frugal foodie in Japan.

30 Cheap but delicious restaurants in Japan. 

Japan for cheapskates: Eat on the cheap. 

What about entertainment?

In my case, there are many things in Japan that I would enjoy for free. I enjoy photography and videography, as well as walking around and admiring landmarks. If I wanted, I could hire a bicycle and explore the country more, which would be relatively inexpensive. However, it is always good to treat yourself from time to time.

Eating out

If I want to have an inexpensive meal, Sukiya and Yoshinoya were hard to beat. Although they are the fast food equivalents of Japanese food, the cost of a meal will often be around $8AUD or less. You can also find suggestions using the site Tabelog. If you are vegetarian, vegan or have certain food requirements, you can use Happy Cow to find other restaurant options along with their reviews.

Things to do

The Japan National Tourism Organisation has also provided a list of free activities tourists can enjoy whilst visiting Japan.

You can also use the following apps to find activities on in Japan.

  1. Tokyo Insight – The mobile version of Japantoday.com, one of the leading English magazines
  2. Odigo Japan – User-generated tips and verified locations with a customizable drag and drop trip planner. 
  3. Best Living Japan – Great local events, such as flea markets and antique weekends that make up a truly authentic cultural experience
  4. Japan Travel Guide With Me – An offline travel guide (think e-travel book), which recommends places around the country in relation to your current location and includes articles on sights and attractions.
  5. Triposo – Japan Mini Guides, available for Android and iPhones
  6. Goodluck Trip Japan
  7. As a final tip, all the districts in Tokyo have a local cultural map guide that is free and available at the Ward Office. These are usually in Japanese, but some have English, and have great walking courses and introductions of local historical sites that are non-commercial.

(Note – These suggestions were originally published by Athena Lam on Cup on the Road)

Some other sites that are helpful include:

Timeout – Tokyo

Japan visitor

Japan times

Getting around.

Train (Shinkansen/Bullet Train)

If you do a quick trip to Japan over 3 weeks, you can actually purchase the Japan Rail Pass. This gives you very good value for money in terms of the savings, but it forces you to travel quickly throughout the country by travelling on the Shinkansen (The Bullet Train).

If you plan to see alot of the country and you want to hop from place to place, then this will be an ideal option. But it will be a more expensive option.

Train (Inter-regional)

Alternatively, you can opt for slower trains and buses that will travel between cities. This will give you more freedom to stay in a location for a longer period of time until you are ready to move on.

Seat 61 has an extensive guide on how to buy and use train tickets in Japan.

Bus (Highway buses)

A much cheaper way to to travel throughout Japan is to catch the inter-city buses. If you plan to explore Japan over a period of 2-3 months, you can purchase intercity bus passes that allow you to catch the highway buses from city to city.

The prices of the tickets are much cheaper than the railway options. Depending on which company you choose to travel with, you can purchase a ticket that will provide you with day-long or overnight bus trips. Plus you can use the tickets for 3, 5 or 7 days throughout a 2-month stay in Japan.

There are more details in the links below, which explain the companies and the pricing.

Japan highway buses

Japan bus pass

Air travel

There are surprisingly good domestic air travel deals if you know where to find them. Although the budget for air travel may not accommodate the budget traveller, it will be good for those who want to see the country extensively over a short period of time.

The Shinkansen is a very good network. However, if you need to go from Tokyo to Hiroshima or Sapporo, the quickest option by far will be flying.

There are a few domestic air travel providers that offer special deals to foreigners that want to explore Japan. Some of the deals work out to be $100-200AUD one-way. It isn’t too far out of the budget if time is scarce.

Below is a link that provides more extensive details and deals on domestic air travel.

Domestic air travel options in Japan

Please note that a few of these providers require tourists to purchase their air tickets whilst outside of Japan. So you may need to plan your trip in advance.

Visas.

You will need to check the visa details for your country on the Japanese website. Japan has agreements with many countries allowing their citizens to stay in Japan on a tourist visa for up to 3 months. It is important that you read the specifics about the visa that you enter Japan on.

You can find more detailed information on the Japan National Tourism Organisation website.

Handy apps

If you want to make the Japanese experience more manageable, then you can download these apps to help you with your travels.

Translations – Google Translate

You can get the app to translate when you speak or even hold the camera to writing so you can understand things in your language.

Getting around – Google Maps and Maps.me

Very handy for getting around, especially when you need a GPS tracker to help you get around.

Currency conversion – XE.com or Google Currency Converter

Ideal to keep track of what you are spending in your local currency.

Helpful links

I’ve provided some links to some forum threads and blogs that also discuss the experience as a digital nomad in Japan.

Digital nomad in Japan – Reddit

The cup and the road – Digital nomad in Japan

Japan for digital nomads and bootstrappers

Nomad rides – Working & travelling in Japan

Have you travelled through Japan as a digital nomad? Share your experience in the comments below.

Thanks for reading.

*Disclaimer – There are some affiliate links within this post. However, my opinions and recommendations are my own. 

Should you consider Sri Lanka as a digital nomad destination?

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I visited Sri Lanka a couple of years ago and thought it was one of the most amazing countries that I ever visited. There was something about the island culture, the food and the locals that really attracted me to the lifestyle there. I’ve personally been able to make local friends who reside in Sri Lanka and always tell me to come back. If only?

Rather than sit and think about it, I decided to look into a way of making it happen.

If you’ve wanted to visit Sri Lanka, but you’ve never been sure how to travel to and stay there, then this is the post for you.

Visa

There are a couple of tourist visa options for visiting Sri Lanka. The first is opting for an electronic visa, which will allow you to stay in Sri Lanka for up to 30 days. (However, check the details on the immigration website). The fee will cost $40USD.

If you want to stay in Sri Lanka for longer, you can actually apply for a 60-day extension that will allow you to stay in the country for up to 3 months. To do this, you will need to visit the Sri Lankan immigration office and apply for the visa in person. The fee to stay an extra two months will cost $30 USD. You can use the map below to find your way to the immigration centre.

Getting to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is an island south of India’s Tamil Nadu. The best way to get there is by flying.

At the time, we were able to book an inexpensive ticket from Bangkok to Sri Lanka. Depending on the route that you want to take (i.e. direct or through India or Malaysia); as well as your budget, prices will vary. At the time, we opted for a direct ticket to Colombo.

When landing, you will actually be outside of the city in Negombo, which is slightly north of Colombo. From there, you can catch a bus into the city or opt to stay in Negombo and start your trip from there.

Accommodation

Accommodation prices in Sri Lanka can vary. I usually recommend to budget up to $2000 a month maximum, however that is to get accommodation that is more high-end.

A search for monthly rentals on Airbnb can help you find accommodation for as little as $400AUD a month, although the prices seem to average between $850-1200/month.

You can use the following sites to find long-term accommodation deals. While you are there, you can also ask locals to recommend places to stay as the prices tend to be cheaper for walk-ins compared to online bookings.

Budget accommodation in Sri Lanka Facebook Group

Airbnb homes in Sri Lanka

Getting around

Private chauffeur

At the time we were there, we only had a tight timeframe of two weeks to see the country. Plus, we’d gone to a friend’s wedding, so I decided to hire a car with a chauffeur to take us to destinations in Sri Lanka. There were a couple of reasons why I opted for a private driver.

  1. The cost to hire the driver with the car was beneficial since we were in a rush and he knew the roads really well.
  2. Driving in Sri Lanka requires different driving skills. I wasn’t confident enough to drive on the roads, which are more chaotic than driving on Western roads.
  3. I was prepared to spend extra due to our time constraints.

Tuk Tuk

You will find Tuk Tuks everywhere in Sri Lanka. If you want to get around in Colombo, it is very easy to hail a Tuk Tuk, which can take you to your location quickly and easily. It is also relatively inexpensive. Just make sure to have them use their meter.

Scooter rental

If you are happy to navigate on the road at your own pace, then renting a local scooter is a good option. This is a particularly attractive option when you visit the quieter areas of Sri Lanka like Mirissa. Filling up the tank in a scooter can be quite inexpensive, thus making scooter travel an economic way to travel.

Taxi

If you need to get around, contact Kangaroo Cabs. They also have an app that you can download.

Buses

There are cheap bus travel options in Colombo. You can view the timetable here.

Train

Taking the train in Sri Lanka is a great way to see the country at a steady pace. You can actually go from city to city and just jump off at a station as and when you feel like it. The trains aren’t super fast, so you can actually take in the experience of the country at a nice pace. The one-way fare is relatively inexpensive. Expect to pay around $16AUD for a 1-way fare from Colombo to Kandy for a first class berth. You can use this service to find train options in Sri Lanka.

You can also read a more extensive travel guide on Seat 61.

Wi-Fi connectivity

This is probably the aspect that deters most digital nomads from visiting Sri Lanka. There is internet connection across the island, but the connectivity varies from place to place. Obviously, the best connections will be in the more developed areas of Sri Lanka, such as Colombo or Galle.

You can opt for a USB router and load it up with data. This will give you more freedom for accessing the internet whilst you are travelling. Alternatively, you can take advantage of the tourist pack, which provides up to 40GB for 1999Rs (approx. $17AUD).

Things to do in Sri Lanka.

If you want a new sense of adventure, you can’t really go past what Sri Lanka has to offer. Whether it is living the city life in Colombo or chilling out by the beach in Mirissa or heading to the tea farm area in Kandy, there will be something for you.

Photography & videography.

One thing that I can promise you about Sri Lanka is that you will get the opportunity to take several photogenic pictures during your travels. The nature and the vast and vivid colours will jump out in the shots that you will take. If you are active with your DSLR Camera or if you enjoy posting on Instagram, you will get several opportunities to take beautiful snaps during your travels.

Get some inspiration with the video below.

Enjoy being outdoors.

If you go to the right areas in Sri Lanka, you can get up close and personal with monkeys and even elephants. (Although you should exercise caution)

Food

Food in Sri Lanka
Food in Sri Lanka

There is an abundance of food that you must try while you stay in Sri Lanka. There are several delicacies that are infused with coconut, local spices and intrinsic aromas that you will only find on the island. Sweet, salty, mains, entrees, desserts, you name it.

The best bet is to follow the recommendations of others. You can’t really go wrong by following the recommendations from Yamu. Expect to pay 300 Rupees for an inexpensive meal and upwards.

Useful links

I’ve provided some other useful links that can help you with planning your stay in Sri Lanka.

2 months in Sri Lanka

The hidden tropical hub for digital nomads

Live life to the full as a digital nomad in Vietnam.

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Vietnam is an amazing country to explore. There are several digital nomads such as Jodi Ettenberg from Legal Nomads, who has expressed her admiration for life in Vietnam on her blog. Others have successfully based themselves in the country and enjoyed the experience. Vietnam is a convenient place to be based for several reasons. The weather, the food, the infrastructure and the proximity to travel.

You can fly into the north of the country and head towards the Chinese border. Or you can head west and enter Laos. Or even go South-west and enter the Kingdom of Cambodia. On top of that, there are flights to nearby countries including South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and more.

If travelling through Asia appeals to you, then you do need to consider Vietnam as a base.

Visa.

If you want to travel in Vietnam, you will need to check the visa requirements for your country. Some countries do receive a Visa Exemption, however the stay is usually limited to 15, 21 or 30 days.

An electronic visa (also known as an e-visa) can be obtained online and presented at the immigration checkpoint when you reach Vietnam. This visa will allow you to stay in the country for up to 30 days.

A 3-month DL visa can be obtained, however you will need to fill out the form and apply at the nearest Vietnamese embassy. In some cases, the visa can be extended to 12 months.

How much is a Vietnamese tourist visa?

Expect to pay $25-50 USD, depending on the type (single or multiple entry) and length (30 days or 3 months) that you opt for.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Vietnam is much cheaper than when you compare prices to Western standards. It is possible to secure properties for less than $600USD a month.

I personally prefer to travel and see as much of a country as possible. So I would look at accommodation rates that’s less than $40 a day. However, if you are travelling and decide that you want to base yourself in one location for a few months, then you can cut down the living cost to less than $20 a day with long-term accommodation deals.

I’ve shared a couple of accomodation options in Hanoi (The capital city of Vietnam), Hoi An (which sits by the beach) and Ho Chi Min (which is the major city in the south of the country.

Accommodation in Hanoi

There are quite a few accommodation options in Hanoi. You can use the links below to find accommodation deals in the area.

Facebook group

Hanoi comrades

Hanoi massive housing

Hanoi massive housing 2

Website

Hanoi accommodation

You can see a video tour of one of the apartments you can rent below.

Accommodation in Hoi An

Handy Facebook groups to join.

This will make it easier for you to find and get recommendations for accommodation.

Hoi An Accommodation

Da Nang Hoi An Expats

Accommodation websites for Hoi An

Hoi An Lotus apartments

Nha Toi real estate

You can also see the video below to get an idea about the type of accommodation that you can expect to rent in Hoi An.

Ho Chi Minh

Accommodation rental websites

BestReal.net

Phangialand

VN Rental

Easy Saigon

You can see an example of a 2 bedroom apartment hired by an expat in the video below.

Useful link

The Digital Nomad’s Guide to Finding Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

If you want to be based close to the beach, then you need to consider basing yourself in the city of Hoi An.

Getting around

If you want to get around using public transportation, intercity buses, trains and planes, I’d recommend checking out the detailed travel guides on Seat 61.

Bus

There are local and intercity bus options that you can take to get from place to place in Vietnam. The prices are pretty inexpensive, although the comfort isn’t at the same level as western standards. Especially when it comes to the overnight buses. That being said, if you want to travel inexpensively, the bus network is your best bet.

Train

The train prices cost a bit more and there are different classes that you can opt for. If you can afford it, I’d recommend travelling long distances in first class as the extra comfort and leg room is definitely worth it. We travelled in second class, which was ok, but still not that comfortable.

Plane

You can actually find some great travel deals to internal destinations as well as external countries. VietJet and Air Asia offer some great low-cost flying options. You can use the website Kiwi, which includes price comparisons with these airline carriers.

Scooter

You will discover in Vietnam the abundance of scooters in the country. They are used to get everywhere and in the more dense cities, it can be tricky trying to navigate the streets on your scooter.

You can find inexpensive monthly rentals for less than $100 a month. Or you can opt to purchase a scooter for your stay in Vietnam.

Food

The food in Vietnam is inexpensive, yet delicious. There’s an abundance of freshness when you go for a meal. Whether it is getting a pho from a street vendor or munching on some nems (spring rolls), there will be something to suit your appetite.


It is possible to spend less than $2 on a meal. You will find that many people in Vietnam opt to eat out due to the low cost of street food. However, the price will be more if you decide to eat in a restaurant.

Your best bet is to see what local food is available in the area and then decide on the amount of times you would like to eat out vs eating at home.

Useful posts

If you would like to learn more about living as a digital nomad in Vietnam, you can check out the following posts.

Never Ending Voyage – Life as a digital Nomad in Hoi An

Useful links

The Hoch Coach – Digital nomad community in Saigon

Things to do in Hanoi

Also get your hands on the Vietnam Lonely Planet Guide so you can maximise the experience during your stay.

I hope that this has helped.

Disclaimer – This post does contain affiliate links, but the opinions are my own.