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If you’re planning a workcation trip to Latin America from next year, but you’re not exactly keen on done-and-dusted Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Medellin, and the like, you may be wondering where exactly to go that’s not oversaturated already with digital nomads.
You know how it goes: once the nomads start pouring in, prices start to increase significantly in response.
That’s been the case in Lisbon, Portugal, and (former) budget-friendly hotspot Tbilisi, Georgia, and as the number of nomads rises, the phenomenon is bound to arrive soon in all of your favorite Latin American destinations.
As it happens, there are a number of alternatives out there that are yet to be discovered yet have been rising in popularity lately, so you better get there quickly before everyone else does:
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
A chill coastal town in southwest Nicaragua fringed by stunning Pacific beaches and backed by lush jungles.
San Juan del Sur is a fast-rising destination on Nomad List, a popular thermometer for gauging the popularity of individual destinations among remote workers.
It is particularly popular for surfing and sunbathing, with Maderas Beach boasting tall waves, whereas Marsella Beach offers endless miles of soft, unruffled sands, and weather-wise, it’s always a pleasant average of 82.4°F out.
Nomads also love San Juan for the no-frills environment, ‘good’ fun, with plenty of beach bars and youth hostels contributing to a thriving social scene, and affordable prices: according to Nomad List, it costs only $1,505 per month to live.
Looking for the best digital nomad cafe in town? Try brunch at Ding Repair Cafe: their avocado toast and coffee is all the pick-me-up you need every morning, staff is friendly, and you’ll definitely meet likeminded individuals hanging about.
Cuenca, Ecuador
This one’s for the History buffs their minds at the slightest sight of storied buildings that have remained virtually unchanged through the centuries, vibrant city markets with unique flavors and aromas, and ancient ruins that even predate Columbus: welcome to Cuenca!
One of Ecuador’s most beautiful cities, it is located in the southern half of the country, at the foot of the Andes, and it’s best-known for its intact, colonial-era Old Town, littered with historical monuments and casual eateries serving traditional food.
Whether it’s basking in the gloriousness of a 16th-century Catedral Vieja, exploring a beautiful Parque Calderón, or sampling local variations of ceviche at Mercado 10 de Agosto, this one’s for the well-read nomads who love themselves a little cultural immersion.
With all this diverse tourist offer and endless list of attractions, you could easily spend an entire month exploring Cuenca in depth and still not see all it has to offer––lucky for you, it’s one of those affordable cultural getaways that set you back by only $1,722 per month on average.
La Paz, Bolivia
One of Bolivia’s two capitals, La Paz is the highest administrative center in the world, perched atop the Andean Altiplano plateau over 3,500 meters above sea level––it will get you some time acclimatizing, but once you do, you’ll never want to leave:
Other than the stunning nature within short driving distance of the city itself, it is a bustling metropolis of many miradores, flea markets, colonial masterpieces and colorful neighborhoods, and one we wouldn’t rush to be leaving as digital nomads.
Thanks to its big selection of coworking centers, with Cowork Sopocachi and Nexo Cowork to name a couple, amazing street food for under $2, and overall monthly expenses totaling an economical $1,353, it is a workcation hub waiting to happen.
Oh, and we know you probably have the Witches’ Market high on your list of places to visit, as you should, considering the variety of handicrafts and quirky souvenir stalls, but don’t forget to swing by Mercado Lanza as well, especially if you’re looking for cheap eats.
Curitiba, Brazil
Forget a jam-packed, increasingly-dangerous Rio! Curitiba is just as incredible an alternative where safety levels are higher (as is the quality of life), and you won’t be spending 15 Brazilian reais for some coconut water.
Granted, it doesn’t have the glitz and glam of Copacabana, but its elegant skyline features some of the most prominent architectural marvels of the Brazil of Old, including an ornate, Art Nouveau-inspired Paco da Liberdade and the iconic glass conservatory of the French-inspired Botanical Gardens.
Besides its gorgeous cityscape, Curitiba is one of the safest state capitals in Brazil, with lower-than-average crime rates for its own country, as verified by Numbeo: it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s ultra-safe, but by Brazilian standards, it’s as safe as it gets.
Perhaps most importantly for the budget-conscious nomad, life here is inexpensive even by Brazilian standards, with remote workers spending on average $1,251 per month––it’s no wonder it’s now the fifth-highest peaking destination on Nomad List‘s Latin America ranking.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.