1. Remote Work: New Report on the Workplace of the Future
An independent study by Condeco Software among 750 business leaders found that nearly half of US businesses now allow some type of remote work. Their report highlights the many benefits of remote work from a corporate perspective.
2. Travel: Women are Traveling More
Women’s adventure travel bookings have doubled from 2018 to 2019. Travel companies are rushing to create more products, services, and gear to meet demand. Advances in technology and the growing digital nomad movement are undoubtedly contributing to this trend.
3. Tech and Co-Working: Prague Looks to Attract Tech Workers
Prague has increased their amount of co-working spaces by 150% in a bid to attract more tech workers and digital nomads. There are now more than 30 co-working spaces spread across 65,000 square meters of construction in the Czech Republic’s picturesque capital, which boasts fast internet and a moderate cost-of-living.
Watch the full episode of Digital Nomad News below:
About: Digital Nomad News is a weekly news show covering trends in technology, remote work, and travel. It’s hosted by Kristin Wilson, a Nomad Summit speaker and digital nomad travel and relocation specialist.
If you have a news tip, send it over to hello [at] travelingwithkristin.com or e-mail the Nomad Summit team.
Digital nomad travel lifestyle brand and hotel chain, Selina, has opened their first location in the UK with a 37-bedroom, 132-bed property in Manchester. Amenities include a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, Irish pub, and basement club where they will host workshops and events.
Camilo Olarte, the Product Experience and Innovation Director at Selina, joined Digital Nomad News as a special guest this week, giving us insight into their long-term strategy and plans to open 500 Selinas in the next few years.
Selina is currently valued at $1B.
2. Tech and Remote Work: Y Combinator is Investing in Remote Work Startups
Tandem is one of three remote office management platforms currently backed by the VC group, Y Combinator. The company launched as an online crypto portfolio, but after struggling to operate as a distributed workforce, they ditched their crypto product and decided to go all-in on remote work instead.
3. Tech, Investing, and Finance: WeWork is Going Public
WeWork (now We Company) is gearing up for the hottest IPO since Uber, but not without controversy surrounding the company’s valuation and profitability, as well as ethical concerns about the CEO’s business practices.
Watch the full episode of Digital Nomad News below:
About: Digital Nomad News is a weekly news show covering trends in technology, remote work, and travel. It’s hosted by Kristin Wilson, a Nomad Summit speaker and digital nomad travel and relocation specialist.
If you have a news tip, send it over to hello [at] travelingwithkristin.com or e-mail the Nomad Summit team.
FlexJobs published its 8th annual “Super Survey” on flexible work and it’s filled with interesting data. In one example, 30% of respondents said they quit their jobs because employers didn’t offer flexible work options.
2. Tech: 5G launches in Europe
Long-awaited 5G networks are now live in Ireland, Berlin, and Austria’s Carinthia Smart Region, which aims to attract remote workers to live there. 5G will make life a lot easier for digital nomads as it’s 10x as fast as 4G.
3. Tech & Remote Work: Teleworking in Tokyo
Tokyo’s local government sponsored teleworking program to test a way of reducing traffic congestion during the 2020 Olympic Games, but it might have more permanent benefits. Tokyo is known for having a toxic work culture, but remote work could reduce the high expectations placed on corporate employees.
4. Travel: New Availability on Nomad Cruise X to Dubai
Nomad Cruise released more cabins for their 10th anniversary cruise from Athens to Dubai, slated for November-December of 2019.
5. Travel: Digital Nomads Invade Bansko, Bulgaria
There are now more than 100 active members at Coworking Bansko in Bansko, Bulgaria. The co-working space and community is preparing to open a third location this year.
Watch the full episode of Digital Nomad News below:
About: Digital Nomad News is a weekly news show covering trends in technology, remote work, and travel. It’s hosted by Kristin Wilson, a Nomad Summit speaker and digital nomad travel and relocation specialist.
If you have a news tip, send it over to hello [at] travelingwithkristin.com or e-mail the Nomad Summit team.
Digital Nomad News is a new weekly show about trending topics in technology, remote work, and travel. The show is hosted by Kristin Wilson, a Nomad Summit speaker and digital nomad travel and relocation specialist.
Selling on Amazon can be a great way to earn an income. Shopping online is continually growing in popularity and Amazon is the king of online market places. Starting out as a brand new Amazon seller can also be a little intimidating when you aren’t sure where to begin. There’s a lot you need to know and feeling overwhelmed by it all is completely normal.
Nobody wants to hear about mistakes, however, entrepreneurs love talking about ‘em. Why?
Entrepreneurs know how valuable the learning of a mistake can be.
I run a small SEO company in Ireland that does $25,000/month constantly and we have clients from all over the world.
Now, I am no Jeff Bezos, however, I have made plenty of solid mistakes in my entrepreneurial career. Some of those were very costly. Let’s talk about 5 of the biggest mistakes I made and what I think about those now.
Well, you’re in for a treat: it’s location in Cancun, Mexico drops you right in the middle of one of the best destinations for digital nomads on the planet!
Why do I say that?
While I could probably give you 100 reasons why the Yucatan is perfect for nomads, here are the 11 top reasons that will have you booking your tickets to Mexico today:
1. The Yucatan is Packed with Nomad-Friendly Destinations
Explore caves near Playa del Carmen
If you’re a digital nomad looking for your next base, you’ll be spoiled for options in the Yucatan!
First up, you might be surprised to find that Cancun’s town is actually a surprisingly livable destination once you get out of the hotel zone (getting out of the tourist zones is one of my top tips for traveling Mexico).
But if Cancun isn’t your style, head an hour south to the peninsula’s undisputed king of nomad life: Playa del Carmen.
“Playa,” as you’ll soon call it, offers everything you could want as a nomad: several thriving co-working spaces (Nest is my personal favorite), affordable housing options galore, tons of things to do, pleasant weather, fast WiFi, dining and nightlife for every taste … and it’s all just steps away from the beach!
Alternatively, you could base yourself in Tulum, one of the hottest little beach towns in the world at the moment, but a place that’s still friendly to long-term travelers looking for that Canggu-style living. Even if you don’t base yourself here, Tulum’s beaches are well worth a visit.
What if you’re the type of nomad who prefers city life? Well, fear not because, although the peninsula only has one “true” city, it’s a really good one: in Merida you’ll find colonial architecture, unique gastronomy, fun activities, and ridiculously affordable housing.
Whatever your style of nomad life, the Yucatan has a place for you!
2. You’ll Find Endless Opportunities for Day Trips and Weekend Getaways
The stunning blue lagoon of Bacalar
One of the things that makes the Yucatan such a great digital nomad destination is the plethora of incredible places that can be visited as excursions from your base.
From small colonial towns to quiet fishing villages to Caribbean islands, there is so much to explore that you’re likely to be adding places to your list faster than you can cross them off.
There are too many to name here, but a few favorites weekend destinations of mine include:
Valladolid – the colorful walls of this small Mexican colonial town in the center of the peninsula have somehow avoided the eyes of Instagrammers thus far. Plus, it’s not far from the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza – one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Isla Holbox – one of the trendiest spots in Mexico at the moment, cars aren’t allowed at this unpolished island, and their absence infuses the island with that classic “no shoes, no shirt, no problems” vibe. Oh, and come in early summer and you can swim with whale sharks!
Bacalar – Mexico’s “Lake of Seven Colors” is where the locals go to vacation, and once you visit you’ll understand why. The tranquil blue, turquoise, and teal waters of this lake are simply mesmerizing.
3. And There Are So Many Activities to Keep You Busy
Boats in the mangroves of Celestun
Ok, by now you probably know that the Yucatan offers the opportunity for some prime beach time.
But there’s so much more to do in the Yucatan than simply lounging at the beach!
Explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, Coba, Ek Balam, or Uxmal.
Watch thousands of pink flamingos gather in the mangroves of Rio Lagartos or Celestun.
Dance the night away in Merida or Playa’s many throbbing nightclubs.
Or go diving in a cenote.
What’s a cenote you ask? Great question …
4. Cenotes Are Possibly the Greatest Thing on the Planet
One of the thousands of cenotes in the Yucatan
The best activity in the Yucatan deserves a slot all to itself, however, because it’s just that awesome.
So what’s a cenote?
Well, I like to call them “dinosaur swimming holes” because many of them were made by the same asteroid that killed the dinosaurs.
Cenotes are natural holes in the limestone bedrock filled with spring water that you can swim or even dive in. There are thousands of them scattered throughout the Yucatan (I’ve seen them in all sorts of crazy places – like Costco parking lots and the basement of a school), so you’ll never be far from one.
5. Your Money Goes Far Here
The Yucatan is one of the most affordable digital nomad destinations in North America.
Especially if you’re willing to live just outside the main tourist zones, it’s not unreasonable to get a decent studio apartment for as little as $300 USD per month.
In fact, I have a friend who managed to score a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment with a private pool (yes, a private pool) for just $500 USD per month in Merida.
Even if you’re just visiting for a short while, you’ll find lots of affordable guesthouses and hostels (hey, hostels aren’t just for backpackers anymore!) to host your stay.
And it’s not just housing: from food to transportation to activities, everything is affordable in the Yucatan.
6. The Food in the Yucatan is Unbelievable
If there is one downside to living in the Yucatan as a digital nomad, it may be that it’s not easy to keep the pounds off.
Why?
Well, the local cuisine is just so fresh and delicious that you’ll want to eat it all!
My personal favorite are panuchos, a deep fried tortilla stuffed with black beans and a variety of other ingredients.
7. It’s Easy to Access the US from the Yucatan
If you’re an American who needs to get back to the US for a meeting, conference, wedding, or just to catch up with family for the holidays, the Yucatan is the perfect base.
Flights from Cancun to Miami take just 1 hour and 45 minutes! And with lots of routes on budget airlines like Southwest, it’s easy to score a cheap international flight.
8. The Time Zone is Remote Worker-Friendly
Speaking of the US, if your work is connected to the states, then you’ll love the time zone of the Yucatan.
In most of the peninsula you’ll be on the same time zone as either New York or Chicago, making it super easy to align your nomad schedule with your boss or clients.
9. The Weather is Really Pleasant (Especially Right After Nomad Summit!)
Xpu Ha Beach near Playa del Carmen
If you love that tropical beach vibe, then you’ll love the Yucatan’s perpetual warm summer night climate.
And the best time to visit the Yucatan from a climate perspective happens to align with the Nomad Summit, which occurs right after the rainy season – meaning the weather will be mostly dry, but not yet too hot!
10. Mexico is a Lot Safer Than You Think
Beautiful Valladolid Mexico
Look, let’s address the elephant in the room: I know Mexico has a bad reputation from a safety perspective.
And while not entirely unfair, and there have been a few high profile incidents, the truth is that millions of tourists travel without incident to the Yucatan every year.
Keep your wits about you, make sure you have insurance covering Mexico, and exercise some common sense and you’ll find that the Yucatan is a generally safe and welcoming destination.
11. You’ll Find Nomad Communities Around Every Corner
The best thing about living in the Yucatan as a digital nomad?
The peninsula is filled with some of the best nomad communities on the planet.
From Playa del Carmen to Tulum to Merida, wherever you are you’re bound to connect with so many other like-minded digital nomads that you’re likely to find yourself having to turn down social invitations because there are just too many of them to accept them all!
***
As you can tell, I think the Yucatan is one of the top destinations for digital nomads on the planet!
So if you’re coming to 2019’s Nomad Summit in Cancun, be sure to stick around and explore all that this awesome peninsula has to offer!
Mobile internet is nearly indispensable in this day and age.
We are all connected to the world at large through our phone thanks to the Internet, and to enjoy these features, we need mobile data which costs money.
Mobile data cost is not the same everywhere. It does not matter if it is for work or pleasure if you are among the many people who work remotely, pursuing a digital nomad career, internet speed, and cheapest internet service is the primary factor that drives your decision.
In this article, we will present to you the top seven countries with the cheapest internet in the world based on research done by Cable, a renowned Internet comparison site. But first, we look at the four patterns that determine this ranking.
Chris has strong passions for entrepreneurship and adventure travel. When he’s done staring at spreadsheets, he enjoys going on weekend motorbike trips in the mountains or heading to the islands for scuba diving.
Q: Why did you join the Nomad Summit Team?
A: I’m friends with the organizers and I enjoy being a part of the community
Q: How long have you been working remotely? Where have you lived since then?
A: I’ve been working remotely for the past 5 years. I’ve spent most of that time split up between S. America, SE Asia and Europe.
Q: What does the location independent lifestyle mean to you?
A: The ability to do slow, long term travel and enjoy new experiences.
Q: Books every digital nomad should read
A: - Adventure Capitalist by Jim Rogers – He retired from wall st. (rich) at 37 and travelled around the world twice. Once by motorcycle and once by car, setting a Guinness World Record. Nice.- Zero to One by Peter Thiel – I like his definition of capitalism and building valuable businesses based on secrets.- The Everything Store by Brad Stone – Amazon/FBA is a popular business model for a lot of nomads. The book gives insight into what makes Bezos the GOAT.
Q: How do you start your day?
A: Straight to coffee, then straight to laptop.
Q: What’s your productivity hack?
A: The fear of being dead broke.
Q: Are you working on any personal projects or businesses?
A: 2 ecommerce sites and some other side hustles
Q: Have Question for Chris?
Is there anything else you’d like to know about Chris? Leave a comment below this post!
Alexandra started traveling the world at the age of 6 and visited over 20 countries before she turned 18. Thanks to these experiences, she developed a level of curiosity and passion for growth that made it clear: she needs to continue exploring.
Ever since, she has worked in many different areas, from teaching English to selling journals, but they all had one thing in common: helping people grow and explore, whether it's the world or themselves.
