It might seem strange to travel at this time, but if you can work remotely, then escaping wet and windy Britain for warmer or more scenic environments makes sense. All you need is reliable wifi, along with plenty of adventurous spirit, to declare yourself a digital nomad.
Tulum
If safety is a primary concern, then look to places like Tulum where hygiene measures are taken seriously. It’s also possible to get around this Mexican town using just a bicycle which minimises having to use cabs or forms of public transportation.
You can get an Airbnb fairly inexpensively in Tulum, with 2000 square foot apartments going for only $50 a night. You might find you make friends with lots of Americans fleeing their tiny NYC places for a spot in the sun at the moment too.
There’s plenty to do on your odd day off as well. Some of the typical tourist destinations might be closed, but there is still lots to do; you can visit the underwater caves, go hiking by the scenic cliffs, and of course enjoy the many beaches and water activities.
Barbados
With 432 square miles of tropical paradise, and it being the birthplace of rum, you might be forgiven for not thinking of Barbados as a suitable place for work. But on announcing its 12-month ‘Welcome Stamp’ program in July, Barbados was one of the first of many countries to create programs for remote workers, encouraging people to temporarily relocate.
Many of the other countries doing this, along with Barbados, rely on tourism, so you relocating there will help their economy cope with the drop in casual visitor numbers. When you’re not working, make sure to hit the glorious surf, watch out for flying fish and make friends with the mischievous green monkeys.
Bermuda
Another idyllic spot that offers a similar visa is Bermuda. Their ‘Residency Certificate Policy,’ unlike that of Barbados, does not require a minimum monthly income for extended stay remote workers, which could be a real advantage for those riding the gig economy.
Bermuda is famous for its pink sand beaches, which make perfect photo opportunities, particularly at sunset for when you’re kicking off your sandals at the end of the work-day. The country is actually made up of nearly 200 islands, some of which are large and some are mere puddles of land in the ocean — one of the best ways to see them properly is through hiring a boat, so you can adventure to your heart’s content.
Estonia
If you’d rather be a little closer to the UK, Estonia has also announced a new ‘Digital Nomad Visa’ for foreigners working remotely for companies that are registered abroad — and it’s also welcoming freelancers to legally live in the country for the period of a year.
Nestled between Scandinavia and Russia, Estonia is a beautiful country, perfect for nature lovers who want to explore the wilds, with over half of the country still covered in forests. It’s even ranked in the top 5 countries for the cleanest air in the world and is consistently considered one of the world’s best value destinations, so you’ll be able to stretch your freelance earnings further than in other places.
By Dr Sunny Kleo
KeiKei is a London-based award-winning journalist and videographer with a degree in Broadcast Media and Journalism from the University of the West of Scotland and an extensive reporting background in news, entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
KeiKei has travelled the globe interviewing, reporting and reviewing. Her work has been published in worldwide media outlets including, The New York Post, The Guardian, The Mirror, The Daily Mail, National Geographic and Conde Nast publications.
