Not to sound braggadocious, but some of us have the ultimate freedom to choose our home base at any given time.
Of course, there are some bureaucratic hurdles to clear first, but pointing at a map, packing your bags with your laptop in tow and passport in hand is the ultimate dream.
I’ve graciously had the privilege of venturing to far corners of the world, banging out articles from cozy cafes, some great (and not-so-great) Airbnbs, and very, very questionable hostels (talking to you Istanbul!).
I want to be clear here: I’ve never obtained a digital nomad visa anywhere, but what I have done is work remotely extensively, whether it be a no-name city south of the border to almost unheard-of cities in Europe like Chisinau.
With that said, our team at Travel Off Path thought it would be a fun and insightful idea to reveal the 5 places I would never return to as a digital nomad, beginning with slight disappointment to pure disdain.
PLUS: We’ve put together an interactive quiz for you at the end of this article to find your perfect match from our list of alternatives. Scroll to the bottom to check it out!
5) Chetumal, Mexico: Too Hot To Call Home
I love Chetumal. I think it’s a textbook “hidden gem” that still doesn’t get the credit it deserves despite brief bursts of trendiness over the years.
With paradisal beaches like Bacalar nearby that boast the most vibrant otherworldly blue hues of water I’ve ever seen, that’s still not enough of a selling point to plant roots for a lengthy time.
Why?
When travel memories flash back in my mind, the one place I felt like I might melt into the pavement is Chetumal.
This authentic town lying on the Mexico-Belize border may be cheap and feel truly authentic, but the constant — and I mean constant — taxi honking simply due to the color of my skin made me realize how women must feel being cat-called.
All the more reason to stay inside your air-conditioned room instead of the unbearable sun and overzealous locals…
The alternative:
Mahahual: A sleepy beach town close-by more well-equipped for nomads
4) Kingston, Jamaica: More Chaos Than Culture
My first trip to Jamaica was okay — not great, just okay.
I think the kids call that “mid”…
Even seasoned travelers like me make mistakes. I was expecting Kingston to be a cultural hotspot with reggae blasting and jerk chicken stands everywhere.
What I found was a dismantled cityscape full of chaos with very few attractions within the city limits.
Upon arrival, I thought I was going to be robbed, which I must admit, could’ve been my own pre-conceived notions about Kingston. Thankfully, I wasn’t.
Even after a successful trip safety-wise, I would not feel comfortable having my laptop out in public, even on the upscale side of New Kingston, where the top attractions include sampling delicious Blue Mountain coffee and visiting Bob Marley’s house.
Like Chetumal, it’s another city where you’ll be begging for A/C after walking a few blocks weaving through beggars and overpriced restaurants.
Plus, the only worthwhile beach is Hellshire, which I actually loved due to its off-radar appeal and fresh seafood shacks — and I mean shacks — but getting an Uber ride back was next to possible.
Overall, Kingston needs a lot of work and lacks an identity. Even locals begged me not to visit what seemed like half the city due to safety concerns (this was in 2023).
It’s just not a place to call home for more than a weekend.
The alternative:
Punta Cana never disappoints as it’s affordable, provides a great work-life balance, and is home to amazing beaches to visit as you wish.
3) Abu Dhabi, UAE: Dubai Is Simply Better
By Day 2 in Abu Dhabi, I had the same thought I have every time I go to Vegas — “what am I missing?”.
By the time it was time to board my bus to Abu Dhabi, my answer was “nothing’”.
Sometimes I forget I visited Abu Dhabi — that’s how much I disliked it.
This popular city was my first Middle Eastern destination, and it was a big disappointment.
Like Kingston, I expected to feel immersed in Arab culture. I didn’t at all.
I felt immersed in a perpetual Middle Eastern “Times Square”, where chains of retail stores never seemed to end and finding an actual street kabob was about as easy as finding a parking spot in Manhattan.
On the bright side, Abu Dhabi couldn’t have felt any safer, but also unbearable in the heat. Safety goes out the window when you want to spend your whole trip front and center by the A/C indoors.
Not only was the heat hard to tackle, but so were prices, especially since you’re charged to go to the best beaches.
The alternative:
Dubai lives up to the hype as a never-dull-moment megacity that has everything for everyone
2) Copenhagen, Denmark: I‘d Never Go Back For Any Reason
God forbid, if I came down with a horrible disease and the only cure was in Copenhagen, I’d say my time has come.
Despite having the coolest food truck park I’ve ever visited, that’s not enough of a selling point — especially in brutal winters — to keep me happy.
From a nomad perspective, I can’t imagine paying $8 for basic coffee drinks each day, nor navigating an entire city by bike (which is strongly encouraged by their society).
Transit is expensive, coffee is expensive, rent is expensive, and much of the city lacks European charm, work-life balance would be off the charts to keep up with bills, all while feeling you’re in no place special.
To my own surprise, Copenhagen surpassed Marseille in my book as the sketchiest European city I’ve been to since I couldn’t walk from my hotel 2 blocks without being physically grabbed by ‘ladies of the night’ at 7am each morning.
My trip here was off the rails, which you can read more about here.
The alternative:
Helsinki is more affordable, friendlier, feels much safer, and locals don’t judge you for riding in a car.
1) Iquitos, Peru: It’s Just Not Built For Remote Workers
Iquitos is meant for adventures, which digital nomads obviously are, but they’re also workers who need reliable wi-fi, cafes to “work”, and a feeling of safety.
None apply here.
As cool as it was to go deep into the Amazon from Iquitos, the town itself is not for first-time travelers, or even first-time digital nomads.
Wi-fi goes out constantly, not only causing a headache for tight deadlines as I have, but also simply paying restaurant tabs with your credit card, and if that fails, you have to hope the ATM works (if you can find one).
It got so bad my girlfriend had to send me money via Western Union.
While there’s no denying its unique aspect as a “floating city”, this town feels anything but homey.
I’d visit again in a heartbeat to explore the rainforest, but not as a nomad. I’d leave space in my bag for some extra patience and keep hidden pockets full of cash just in case.
The alternative:
Just stay in Lima as it’s perfectly suited for nomads, with cafes galore, easy navigation, and underrated beaches
Now take this quiz to find your perfect match!
