As the colder months continue, searches for winter sun destinations have surged by an astounding 5000%, while interest in ‘countries with digital nomad visas’ has risen by over 4000% in the past 30 days. For remote workers dreaming of sunshine and productivity, a key question arises: Where is the perfect escape? Where are the best winter sun destinations for digital nomads?

Digital PR agency Reboot Online analyzed critical factors such as average nightly Airbnb costs, internet download speeds, safety, public transport availability, average temperature, and the cost of living to determine the best winter sun cities for digital nomads.

Key Findings:

• Rio de Janeiro is the top city for digital nomads searching for winter sun – scoring 7/10
• Bangkok has the hottest average temperatures—perfect for those looking to avoid the UK weather
• Buenos Aires is third, boasting the cheapest average beer and Airbnb costs

Please see the full dataset here

The top winter sun cities to live in as a digital nomad

Rio de Janeiro is the best city for Digital Nomads looking for winter sun

      1. Rio de Janeiro

Fed up of the gloomy UK weather and looking to take your career outside the UK? Well, digital PR agency Reboot Online can reveal that Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is the top city for digital nomads looking to soak up the winter sun with a total score of 7.06/10.

Rio de Janeiro boasts a delightful average temperature of 23.8 °C. Not only is Rio de Janeiro a city rich in culture, but the local government has been pushing to make it a suitable place for remote workers, including connectivity and citywide 5G coverage.

      2. Bangkok

In second place ranks Bangkok, Thailand, with an average temperature of 28°C and an overall score of 6.83/10. With stunning temples at every turn, contrasted with the infamous Khao San road, loved by backpackers and nomads alike, you’ll be spoilt for choice living in the Thai capital. Bangkok has the second-lowest average nightly Airbnb cost (£66.00), while also faring extremely well when it comes to WiFi performance (242.16 mbps+).

     3. Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, Argentina, ranks in third position with a nomad score of 6.69/10. with its European façade and Old-World charm. The city has the lowest average cost for a pint of domestic beer (£1.18) and very reasonable average meal costs (£6.29). Buenos Aires also boasts the lowest average nightly Airbnb costs (£55.14), and 68% of the population live close to public transport, making traveling around the city an absolute breeze.

     4. Madrid

Madrid follows in fourth position, scoring 6.03/10. As Spain’s digital nomad visa allows stays up to a year, this makes it ideal for working and enjoying Spanish sun, tapas, and sangria, with Barcelona also ranking closely behind in seventh position. Despite its current rainy spell, temperatures in March usually reach 16 degrees.

Other Noteworthy Mentions

5. Lisbon, Portugal – Known for its charming streets and strong nomad community, Lisbon offers excellent safety and connectivity.
6. Barcelona, Spain – A cultural hub with great public transport and fast internet, perfect for balancing work and play.
7. Tokyo, Japan – For those who enjoy colder weather, Tokyo’s digital infrastructure and safety make it ideal despite its higher costs.
8. Rome, Italy – History lovers will adore Rome, with its balance of affordable living and rich cultural experiences.
9. Taipei, Taiwan – Tropical weather and efficient public transport make Taipei an underrated gem for remote workers.
10. Porto, Portugal – Smaller than Lisbon but equally charming, Porto provides affordability and warmth.

Key Considerations for Digital Nomads

• Visa Accessibility: Cities like Madrid and Lisbon are particularly appealing due to their digital nomad visa programs, allowing extended stays with minimal bureaucracy.
• Cost of Living: Buenos Aires offers the best value, with low Airbnb costs and inexpensive dining options.
• Internet Speeds: Bangkok and Madrid shine with top-tier connectivity, critical for uninterrupted remote work.
• Community & Culture: Cities like Rio de Janeiro and Bangkok have thriving digital nomad communities, providing opportunities for networking and socializing.
• Safety: While all the top cities are generally safe, Tokyo and Lisbon score exceptionally high on safety indices.

Final Thoughts about Best Winter Sun Destinations for Digital Nomads

Whether you prefer the sunny beaches of Rio, the cultural vibrancy of Buenos Aires, or the dynamic energy of Bangkok, these destinations provide the perfect blend of work and leisure. As searches for winter sun destinations continue to skyrocket, now is the time to plan your escape and take advantage of the opportunities these cities offer for remote workers.

Methodology:

1. Digital PR agency Reboot Online wanted to assess which countries are the best to be a Nomad worker, looking at a multitude of different factors
2. The first variable assessed was average data on Airbnb in each country, sourced from inside Airbnb. This included data on the number of Airbnb, the average cost per night (in local currency, converted to pounds using the Google Finance tool), and the average rating
3. The next variable is the average broadband download speed (Mbps) as determined by the speed Ookla index
4. Next, the number of bookable offices available on office.co was used as an indicator of the number of working areas available in each country. Note this isn’t a definite value, only an indicator.
5. Next, the safety index of each city was obtained from the global residence index, which calculates its index score based on several factors such as homicide rate, global peace index, security/political risk, and natural disaster risk.
6. The percentage of the population within a reasonable distance of public transport was obtained from two sources. The first source (OECD) shows the percentage of the population within 10 minutes of a public transport stop. The second source (sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu) shows the percentage of the population within 0.5 kilometers of a low-capacity public transport point or 1 kilometer within a high-capacity point. Data from the first source was used first, and missing data was substituted with the second source
7. The yearly average temperature data was obtained from Wikipedia and wealth-and-climate.com
8. Finally, numbeo was used to get average data on the cost of a cappuccino, a pint of beer, a meal at an inexpensive restaurant (not a fast food restaurant), and the general cost of living index of that country
9. Each country was then ranked based on these variables. If a country was missing a variable, the average of the column was assigned to it, so as not to hinder or help it in the ranking.

10. 1. Countries with a temperature of less than 15 degrees were eliminated from the index.