Everyone fantasises about living by the beach - we all see ourselves taking work calls from a hammock, coconut in one hand and a pina colada in the other. It’s now easier than ever to make this dream a reality. We experts here at Plum Guide have searched the globe long and hard for the coastal towns and cities that provide enticing oceans, golden sands, and good infrastructure for remote working - these locations will give you laid-back living and good internet connectivity. So without further ado, dive into our guide to the best beach towns for digital nomads.
Holetown, Barbados
A large palm tree on a sandy beach at sunset near Holetown, Barbados
The beach doesn't have to just be for a holiday - making it your home is now easier than ever. In 2021, Barbados introduced the Welcome Stamp - this visa allows you to relocate and work in one of the world's most popular tourism destinations. As well as sun, sand, and sea, this sparkling island promises the fastest fibre internet and mobile services in the Caribbean. But we know the consistent signal isn't the biggest pull of this place - visit for the white sands and turquoise waters. While vibrant Bridgetown offers more activity, we recommend Holetown for slower, more luxurious living. This west coast town was the first British settlement in Barbados, and offers upmarket hotels, high-end boutiques, and a marine park. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants off the beach boardwalk, and you can even find nightclubs on 1st and 2nd street.
Lost In The Blue, Plum Guide home in Barbados
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
A sandy beach with clear blue water near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Locals use a phrase to sum up living in Costa Rica: Pura Vida (or 'pure life'). If you're looking for the laid-back, easy-going lifestyle that typically comes with tropical living, you'll find it in Puerto Viejo. This coastal town is located in southeast Costa Rica, and has everything you can expect from a Caribbean destination. There are crescent sand beaches fringed with palm trees, pristine jungles, and plentiful tiki bars. There's also a selection of co-working spaces, for those who don't want to work from a hammock. Patchy WiFi comes with the territory, but you could invest in a mobile data plan. The beauty of any beach location is there's not too much to do, and digital nomads here are in no rush - you'll find them cruising the village by bicycle. Look out for sloths, toucans, and monkeys as you ride. The more adventurous among you can pay a visit to Cahuita National Park, and see the animals close up.
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
A turtle swimming in the sea by a sandy beach at Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Playa del Carmen is fast rivalling Tulum as Mexico's most trendy spot. It's not just about cruise-goers, retirees, and vacationers - Playa del Carmen is drawing in digital nomads from far and wide. Going beyond the tourist traps, you'll find residential areas dotted with local restaurants and cafes. Due to its popularity, you'll find that much-needed reliable internet connection, as well as great co-working options. The discerning digital nomads know this is a great spot to get a project completed before taking some much-needed time off. Playa del Carmen's ideal location is an excellent springboard for weekends away. Join your new friends on trips to Tulum, and swim in one of the region's iconic cenotes.
Eat Your Heart Out, Plum Guide home in Mexico
Hermanus, South Africa
The tail of a whale sticking out the top of the sea in Hermanus, South Africa
Hermanus may not offer palm-fringed white-sand beaches, but it does offer a dramatic coastline and picturesque coves. This beach town is for digital nomads craving a "whale of a time" - yes, you will likely spot whales a couple of metres from the cliff path from June to December. For the adventurous among you, whale-watching can even be done from a kayak. These creatures of the ocean have drawn tourists and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The town's popularity means it has a vibrant centre - discover art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants, boutique stores, and even a co-working space. The town stretches across a long main road, but is easily covered on foot, so don't worry about needing a car to reach the great outdoors. Get your hiking boots on when you've closed your laptop, and explore the surrounding mountains or nature reserves.
Alicante, Spain
Playa de Fossa beach in Calpe, Alicante, Spain
Admittedly, Alicante is a city, not a town. But it's a surprisingly small one, with roughly 350,000 residents. If you want to live next to a beach in Spain, this tourist hotspot has the finest stretch of golden sand in the country. Alicante is a gateway to the sunshine shores of Costa Blanca, home to Spain's most beautiful beaches. However, as a digital nomad, it's not just about the sun, sea, and sand - you need reliable WiFi and a suitable spot to make video calls. Alicante has everything from co-working to co-living spaces, as well as hundreds of cafes. Compared to other cities in Spain, it's also relatively affordable, which may be surprising considering its prime location. Alicante isn't just about holiday-makers and resorts - it also houses an attractive old quarter and castle. However, the biggest draw is its nightlife - if you're looking for laidback beach living, afternoon siestas, and nighttime fiestas, this is the place for you.
Costa Calm, Plum Guide home in Alicante, Spain
Cairns, Australia
A row of palm trees on a sandy beach in Cairns, Australia
Cairns is Australia's most famous gateway to outdoor adventure - if you want to relocate to the beach, you could do a lot worse than making your way here. Enjoy scuba diving, coral reefs, jungles, and gorgeous beaches on your doorstep. Yes, you may find tourists, but that'll make finding friends easier. However, this laidback city has more than just reef boats, backpackers, and resorts - it's also a highly popular digital nomad destination. The Esplanade lagoon is perfect for people-watching, or simply splashing around at sunset. As soon as you drive out of the city into the Tropical North, you'll find picture-perfect white sand beaches, adorned with clear blue waters and swaying palm trees.
Chania, Crete
A white boat docked at the harbour in Agia Galini, Crete, Greece
Greece has occupied the popular imagination for centuries, and digital nomads are no exception to its charm - it greets remote workers with open arms (and a digital nomad visa). With so many dazzling towns to choose from, it's hard to pick one. But Crete, the largest of the Greek islands, has become a major hub for those looking to combine office life with island life. Chania's Venetian Harbour dazzles with its picturesque architecture, with the colourful facades looking best at sunset. Not only is Chania full of lively restaurants, cafes, and bars, but there's also decent connectivity, affordable living costs, and a choice of co-working spaces. This city is easily reachable by plane, bus, or boat, and is close to Instagrammable soft sand and coloured-pebble beaches.
Two Dolphins, Plum Guide home in Crete, Greece
Canggu, Bali
A group of nomads admiring the sunset at a beach in Canggu, Bali
We cannot write an article on the best beach towns for digital nomads without mentioning Canggu. This spot regularly tops the charts as the most famous location for remote workers, and as soon as you've googled it, you'll see why - it doesn't just offer palm-fringed beaches with the perfect surf waves. Canggu is full of new businesses, coffee shops, beachside restaurants, and co-working spaces, so you'll find everything you could ever need. This beach town has flourished due to a constant stream of remote workers, and as such, has them in mind. Canggu offers the perfect lifestyle for those wanting to quit the city for the ocean - you can enjoy time by the water without compromising on internet connectivity. It's a location where you can travel solo, with the guarantee of meeting countless other nomads.
Split, Croatia
An aerial view of a sandy beach in Split, Croatia
Croatia is a favourite destination amongst remote workers who want a taste of Europe, but are on a slightly tighter budget. Split offers laidback living, sunset swims, and bustling nightlife - what more could you want? If you don't fancy setting up at a co-working space, it's no problem - there are many cafes here perfect for laptop work (coffee drinking is somewhat of a rite of passage). Business deals, make-ups, break-ups, and job interviews take place over a cup of "Kava," and these sessions last at least an hour. Split is surrounded by so many beaches, that every neighbourhood has its own - you can spend a day walking from one to the next. These beaches are Instagram-perfect - think brilliant blue waters, pebbly shores, and sandy beaches. If you tire of these, head to the nearby islands. Hvar is particularly pleasant in the off-season, but Brac and Vis are worth a visit too. Croatia also offers a digital nomad visa, so you'll be welcomed with open arms.
Splendour By The Sea, Plum Guide home in Split, Croatia
Goa, India
An aerial view of people on the sand at a beach in Goa, India
Rounding off our list of the best beach towns for digital nomads, we have Goa. Goa is India's pocket-sized tropical paradise, and its laidback lifestyle has attracted many travellers for decades. This sun-soaked state is all about sand, sea, and spirituality. Many beach communities have been set up along the string of golden beaches - the main dilemma of moving here is where to go. Do you turn left (North) or right (South) from Goa's Dabolim airport? If you're looking for a more party-fuelled atmosphere, head North, but if you're seeking untouched beauty and limitless inspiration, venture South.
Digital nomads, however, will thrive best in Anjuna. Goa boasts a selection of co-working spaces, which means you can realise your dream of living by the beach and getting your work done. We'll forgive you for working in a hammock if it means getting that Instagram snap. The only downside to this friendly and multicultural state is the internet - WiFi isn't always reliable, so we recommend getting phone data. Fortunately, like most things here, cellular connectivity is cheap.
