Travelling on a budget does not have to mean that you’ll be missing out on all the best attractions and most beautiful places around the world. A lot of incredible countries are actually very budget-friendly and perfect for remote workers and digital nomads. This list of the cheapest countries to work from is guaranteed to have something for every type of traveller.
1. Thailand
Thailand is one of the most popular destinations in South East Asia for backpackers and digital nomads and one of the cheapest countries to work from. Come here to enjoy endless white-sand beaches, impressive temples, incredible nightlife as well as very affordable street food.
The best way to get around in Thailand is probably by scooter, which you can rent for about 100$ per month. Accommodation will set you back around 8$ per night in a hostel or even cheaper if you stay longer.
A meal can cost as little as 2$ with a soft drink included. Thai islands like Koh Phangan, Koh Samui or Koh Tao have incredible scenery and a unique underwater world that cannot be missed.
The wifi is mostly good in Thailand and averages at 150 Mbps, but the connection can vary from island to island.
2. India
On your first trip to India, the best places to travel to are probably Agra, New Delhi or Mumbai. India is well known for its incredible culture, delicious cuisine as well as its breath taking nature.
The most common and affordable way to travel long distances in India is definitely by bus, which costs less than 0.20$ per 10 kilometres in most cases. Hostels charge around 3-5$ per night, while prices for a basic long term rental can be as low as 100$ per month.
In rural areas of India, the internet can be unreliable, but in larger cities, the wifi has average speeds of 58 Mbps or more.
3. Indonesia
Indonesia, especially the island of Bali, is probably one of the most popular digital nomad destinations in the world. The unique culture, good surf spots, incredible nature, and supportive community draw thousands of remote workers and tourists here every month.
The most common way to get around in Indonesia is by scooter, which you can rent for around 40$ per month. Street food is equally affordable, and you won’t have trouble finding a meal for only 1 or 2$.
If you don’t mind sharing a room, you’ll be able to find a dorm for less than 5$ per night and even lower if you stay long term. Bali and its surrounding islands are a fantastic place to go diving. You can get your scuba diving licence (PADI) in 3 days for only 350$, which is a great price.
4. Morocco
Morocco is a beautiful and diverse country that appeals to many different types of travellers. There are coastal towns and sunny seaside places as well as mountain villages and desert landscapes.
The cities Rabat, Marrakesh and Casablanca are especially popular among remote workers and budget travellers because of their fast wifi speed, which is crucial because the average internet connection in Morocco is only 13 Mbps. The public transportation system is decently good, especially in cities, so you won’t have any problems getting around.
A night in a hostel can cost between $3 and $7 depending on the region, and a simple meal in a local restaurant will only set you back around 2$, making Morocco one of the cheapest countries to work from.
5. Vietnam
Vietnam is often deemed the cheapest country to work from in Southeast Asia and a great starting point for backpackers wanting to explore the area. Most people first travel to Ho Chi Minh City or the capital Hanoi where accommodation in a dorm room will only cost around 3$ per night.
To get around, you should rent a scooter for 4$ per day, although traffic in the larger cities can be a bit overwhelming. A meal in a local restaurant will cost as little as 1$, and local beer is only 0.80$.
With lots of beaches, rivers, mountains and Buddhist temples, the countryside of Vietnam is especially beautiful, although the wifi is much faster in larger cities.
6. Brazil
Brazil is a country of stark contrasts with giant cities like SĂŁo Paulo or Rio de Janeiro and lush rainforests in remote areas. In the cities, the public transport systems are easy to use and very affordable.
Taxis are also an excellent option for getting around and cost less than 0,80$ per kilometre. One night in a hostel in Rio de Janeiro costs around 7$ per night, and budget hotel rooms start at 20$, depending on the location.
The Internet connection is decent in bigger cities, but you will definitely have problems finding usable wifi in more remote parts of Brazil.
7. Sri Lanka
You should start your trip to Sri Lanka in the capital Colombo and then head to Galle or Matara, which are very popular among international travellers. The most common way to get around in Sri Lanka is probably by tuk-tuk, which only costs a few dollars per ride.
Hostels start at 8$ per night but can get more affordable, of course, depending on the location and how long you’ll be staying. A meal in a local restaurant costs around 4$, including a drink and prices for street food tend to be even lower.
With an average download speed of 30 Mbps, the internet in Sri Lanka is not the best, but coworking spaces in larger cities usually have faster connections.
8. Philippines
The most popular islands for backpackers and remote workers wanting to visit the Philippines are probably El Nido and Palawan. Taxis are a reliable and affordable way to get around, although you can also rent a scooter for a little bit more freedom.
On the island, hostels cost around 10$ per night, which is not the most affordable, but you might be able to get a discount for long term stays. Around 10$ per day should cover food expenses if you stick to street food and small restaurants.
You can buy a sim card for as little as 5$ for 20GB of data per month with an average speed of 20 Mbps.
9. Malaysia
Malaysia might not be one of the cheapest countries to work from in South East Asia, but it can still be very budget-friendly if you know where to go. Most travellers will begin their trip in Kuala Lumpur, although the countryside is far more affordable.
If you need a fast internet connection, you should stay in the city, though, where you can find lots of coworking spaces with internet speeds as high as 100 Mbps. Kuala Lumpur also has free buses and lots of free tourist attractions such as the famous Batu Caves, so living here won’t break the bank.
Hostels can be as cheap as 7$ per night, depending on the location.
10. Ecuador
Ecuador is known for its incredible food, hospitable people and impressive landscapes. One of the main attractions are the Galapagos Islands which are an absolute dream destination for all nature and wildlife lovers.
Accommodation costs on the mainland are very affordable, with around 5$ for a hostel dorm and 10$-20$ for a private room per night where a complimentary breakfast is often included.
A street food meal costs around 1$ or 2$, and you’ll be able to find a great selection of traditional restaurants wherever you go. In cities like Guayaquil or Quito, you should seek out larger hotels for the best internet connection.
11. Mexico
Mexico is a hotspot for remote workers and one of the cheapest countries to work from. Towns like Tulum, Cancun or Playa del Carmen are especially popular and perfectly combine delicious street food, stunning beaches and impressive cenotes. A bed in a hostel costs around 7$ for a dorm or 20$ for a private room.
If you’ll be staying in Mexico for a while, you should consider renting a scooter, although local buses will be the most affordable form of transport. In Mexico, food and drinks are very reasonably priced, especially if you’re staying outside of the main tourist areas.
However, the wifi most likely won’t be very reliable if you stray too far from popular tourist places so keep that in mind when planning your trip.
12. Georgia
The diversity of Georgia attracts more and more full-time travellers each year. There are beautiful mountain villages in the Caucasus, beaches on the Black Sea as well as wine-growing regions in the east of the country. Another fantastic attraction in Georgia is the 12th-century cave monastery located in Vardizia. The best way to get from city to city is by bus since the train system is quite old.
You’ll be able to find a dorm room for around $8 per night in Georgia and a budget hotel for around $17. A meal in a local restaurant will cost you around 6$, and the internet is very reliable, with an average of 150 Mbps in most cities and larger towns.
13. Latvia
Latvia is often considered one of the cheapest countries to work from in northeastern Europe, so it is quickly gaining popularity among remote workers. Most travellers come to Riga, which is the capital and probably the most beautiful city in the region.
To travel within the city, you can rent a bike, and for longer distances, you can take a bus or train. The hostels in Riga start at 10$ per night but can be more affordable in other regions of the country. The internet connection is relatively reliable in Latvia and has an average speed of 120 Mbps in urban areas.
14. Romania
Romania’s capital Bucharest is a fantastic place for digital nomads and travellers on a budget. There is a lot to see and do, such as the impressive parliament building and the surrounding 15th-century architecture, as well as the diverse nightlife. For short distances, public buses or trains are great options, and for longer trips, you might want to consider booking a cheap flight to save time.
A night in a hostel in Romania costs around 10$ and a meal in a local restaurant around 6$, which includes a drink. The internet connection is very good in most cities, with an average of 160Mbps.
15. Ukraine
The most popular cities for remote workers visiting Ukraine are probably Lviv, Kiev and Odesa, where you can easily get around by public bus or metro for only a few cents per ride.
A night in a hostel will set you back around 6$ per night, which is very affordable if you don’t mind sharing a room. Traditional restaurants only charge around 5$ for a full meal of delicious food, which will definitely fill you up. The internet connection in Ukraine averages at 64Mbps, so it can be slow at times.
16. Turkey
Turkey has many facets and is popular among digital nomads but also traditional tourists. Ankara, Istanbul or Antalya are among the most popular destinations with lots of activities and things to do and see. The cost of a budget room can vary between 5$ and 15$ per night, depending on the location. Popular tourist areas will definitely be more expensive.
Turkey’s long-distance bus systems will help you get around, and taxis are also reasonably priced. Meals in local restaurants start at 3$, so you can eat out frequently without having to spend too much.
Turkey’s tourist areas have a lot of free wifi, but the connection only averages at 31 Mbps, so it might not be the best.