As we breathe a collective sigh of relief in the wake of the pandemic, many of us are excited to not be returning to our normal office jobs. We have set our sights on a new career venture: digital nomad life! Or... remote work! But before you ditch your desk for a laptop to work from just anywhere, there are 4 things to consider when choosing where to work to ensure you maximize life as a digital nomad. As you could've guessed, this article will convince you that Nicaragua is the ultimate landing spot for digital nomads.
1. Cost of Living/Lifestyle
If you are still reading, you are likely in this category of people on the new frontier of remote work, congratulations! You have the ability to work from anywhere in the world! There are so many beautiful places on this planet… Where to begin to narrow it down? If you are looking for a place with tropical weather, lush nature, affordable cost of living and rich culture - you should absolutely consider Central America. Plus, countries in Central America are in the same time zone as Canada and the U.S. - a plus for those with a home base of North America. I can vouch from personal experience that Central America is ideal for remote work for all of these reasons and more. Specifically, Nicaragua is one of the safest countries on the continent(1). Plus, travelers are granted three months of travel here (most countries only grant 30 days). Because of this, Nicaragua has become a booming place for creatives, with more and more traveling to the country's major cities such as Leon and Granada. Three months in Nicaragua will fly by while you work and explore the many volcanoes, lakes, beaches, jungles and colorful cities the country has to offer - all while sticking to your budget!
2. Proximity to Nature with Wifi & Outlets
Now that you’ve picked a country, you can work on refining your location. As an adventurous spirit, you may want to work beachside or in the jungle. Studies show that being immersed in nature improves cellular health, decreases anxiety, and increases learning and performance(2). It is important to keep in mind that there are occasional power outages in the jungle, here on the Laguna de Apoyo they get resolved within a couple hours. If you need 24/7 uninterrupted connection, it is suggested to stay in a less remote location. Hotels like Selina offer outdoor co-working spaces with foliage to give the feeling of being in nature. They have locations in Granada and Maderas by the beach. No matter what your remote work is, from web-design, copywriting, freelance photography or influencing - working in close proximity to nature will feel the best AND give you the best results! Nicaragua has many hotels in close proximity to nature for you to explore.
3. Vibe
Nicaragua is a very laid back place where you are encouraged to do as you desire and go with your own flow. A chill environment with ample untouched nature, happy people, art, and tons of wildlife is sure to inspire your work. When choosing lodging, we suggest making sure there are healthy, nourishing activities offered. From hammock hangs and yoga instruction to fresh organic food, juices and vibe-y music, the details make the decision. Be careful you don’t end up in a party hostel or near a loud bar! Ultimately, reading reviews is super important when choosing a place to work remote from. Be sure that your hotel has great ratings and mentions services that suit your lifestyle like yoga or meditation, co-working spaces, a healthy on-site restaurant, and even massage for self care.
4. Adventure
Now that you don’t have to be stuck behind a desk all day, think about what kind of activities you’d like to have nearby. Are you a hiker, diver, surfer, yogi, or birder? The sky is no limit in Nicaragua! Since there is so much to do, choosing a place that is centrally located to these attractions will greatly improve your stay. And since you will be working diligently for many hours (most of the time), you’ll want to give yourself days off to explore other parts of the country. Reliable and cheap public transportation is a must since you likely will not have your car, but wish to venture out of your hotel. In Nicaragua, you can easily travel by bus or taxi for a fraction of the cost of transport in other countries. You can also opt for a moped or scooter, a common mode of transportation here which you can easily rent for months at a time. Some of the main attractions to visitors are Laguna de Apoyo, Ometepe, Masaya Volcano, Granada, Leon, Corn Island and San Juan del Sur.
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