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Digital nomad communities can make or break your experience as a digital nomad.
While the nomadic lifestyle has some great benefits, it can also be lonely, tiring, and confusing trying to navigate bureaucracy and build a life in a foreign country. Having a solid community of people to lean on can make a world of difference.
In this guide, I’m sharing the best ways to find nomad communities online and in person, upcoming digital nomad events and conferences, and the best destinations with established communities.
Digital nomad conferences and events
I’m a firm believer in attending conferences as a travel content creator. I have always gotten the value of my ticket back in dividends through the networking I’ve done at conferences. You never know who you’ll meet!
It’s also where I’ve met my now closest friends. Attending digital nomad conferences will connect you with like-minded individuals and give you the knowledge to succeed in the nomadic lifestyle.
Many conferences are also aimed at entrepreneurs with professional development sessions to help you scale your online business and learn new skills.
Plus, they are always hosted in unique destinations you get to explore! Here are some digital. nomad conferences and events to put on your radar.
1. Nomad Cruise
Looking for a tribe that gets the digital nomad lifestyle? Check out Nomad Cruise. It’s way more than just a travel adventure; it’s a floating conference filled with people who are just as into this nomad life as you are. I hopped on board for an epic trip to Antarctica and found an incredible community.
We dove into workshops, sparked conversations in networking events, and shared tons of ideas—all while surrounded by stunning views. What makes it so special is the diversity of folks you meet, from tech wizards to creative entrepreneurs, all ready to share their insights and experiences.
If you’re aiming to deepen your connections and find a community that sticks, the Nomad Cruise is a brilliant place to start. It’s not just about the places we see; it’s about the friendships we form and the journey we share. It’s an inspiring setting to meet your tribe and grow together.
Join me on Nomad Cruise 13 to Japan! Get €100 using promo code explorewithlorabcs
2. Nomad Base
Nomad Base is a vibrant travel club specifically tailored for digital nomads and nomadic entrepreneurs, created by the same minds behind the popular Nomad Cruise. As a member of Nomad Base, you’ll join a global community where you can connect with other digital nomads, participate in live events, and access a wealth of resources through the Nomad Academy.
The community focuses on creating meaningful connections through both online interactions and in-person events. Currently, Nomad Base is hosting an event in Tarifa, Spain, known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant atmosphere. These gatherings typically last a few weeks, giving members ample time to connect deeply with each other while enjoying a workation-like environment.
3. Nomad Island Fest
Nomad Island Fest 2024 is set to take place from December 5th to 11th on the beautiful island of Madeira, Portugal.
This festival isn’t just about enhancing your professional skills through master classes and expert talks; it’s also an immersive journey into personal development and networking.
Each day is packed with activities ranging from fitness sessions to help you get energized, to workshops and sessions focused on marketing, sales, investing, and more. And of course, there are plenty of opportunities to unwind and connect with fellow attendees in the stunning surroundings of Madeira.
Moreover, if you’re interested in contributing to the event, volunteering at Nomad Island Fest offers a unique way to save on costs while gaining valuable experience.
Get a ticket to Nomad Island Fest here
4. Bansko Nomad Fest
Attending Bansko Nomad Fest in 2022 was a great experience that went beyond just the workshops and networking. It’s not just the sessions that make this festival special—it’s the people you meet and the spontaneous adventures that ensue.
I made a ton of new friends, and one of the highlights was getting invited to a Mexican-Bulgarian wedding with someone I met there. The experiences forged in Bansko are the kind you reminisce about for a long time!
Bansko itself is incredibly charming, nestled in the mountains and perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors. Between sessions, I took the chance to explore the hiking trails, which were absolutely stunning and a great way to recharge. The town’s cozy vibe, combined with its scenic views, makes it an ideal spot for digital nomads looking to balance work and leisure.
I’m seriously considering heading back this year. If you’re thinking about it, I’d say go for it!
5. Camp Indie
Camp Indie, set for June 14-17, 2024 in Kent, CT, is a unique retreat designed for those looking to escape the traditional 9-5 and embrace a creative location independent lifestyle.
Nestled in a picturesque lakeside environment, the camp offers rustic chic accommodations, including air-conditioned cabins with memory foam mattresses and private bathrooms. With meals catering to all dietary needs and a number of activities ranging from wakeboarding to professional workshops, Camp Indie ensures a perfect blend of relaxation, personal growth, and networking.
This adult summer camp is an ideal getaway for digital nomads, creatives, and anyone aspiring to live an unconventional life. It not only provides a space to unwind and enjoy nature but also fosters valuable connections among like-minded individuals pursuing similar life paths. It’s definitely on my list to attend!
Do you have travel insurance?
Navigating the globe as a digital nomad for over five years, I’ve learned the importance of having dependable travel medical insurance. That’s precisely why SafetyWing Nomad Insurance has become my main choice.
This insurance is distinctively designed for nomads, offering comprehensive medical coverage across over 180 countries. The ease of obtaining coverage is incredible —you can sign up in about five minutes with no pre-approval necessary, ideal for spontaneous travel or unexpected changes in plans. Moreover, the subscription model is particularly appealing as it simplifies my life, allowing me to “set it and forget it.”
This was invaluable when I faced a severe health challenge—contracting dengue fever in Barbados. After meeting a reasonable deductible, SafetyWing handled the considerable medical expenses, including multiple doctor visits right at my accommodation. Their support team provided quick responses and exceptional service, managing all the details of my medical claims. This support was not only financially relieving but also emotionally comforting, knowing that I had a reliable backup far from home.
The benefits of SafetyWing extend beyond just emergency medical expenses. Their 24/7 customer support is always just a quick message away, and with their commitment to handling claims efficiently, I’ve always felt secure.
This insurance isn’t just a safety net; it’s one of my digital nomad essentials, ensuring that I can focus on my adventures without worrying about potential health issues.
Traveling digital nomad communities
Joining travel groups like Hacker Paradise, WiFi Tribe, or Remote Year can be beneficial for digital nomads with online jobs that demand significant time and focus. These programs offer a streamlined way to handle the logistics of finding coworking spaces and accommodation, which can be a major hassle if you’re managing it all on your own.
While opting for such groups is generally more expensive than planning your own travel—owing to membership fees and monthly charges for each chapter you join—the benefits can outweigh the costs for many. These benefits include not just logistical support but also the opportunity to become part of a close-knit community.
6. Remote Year
Remote Year offers a unique solution for digital nomads who want to travel and work without the hassle of planning all the details. This program arranges everything from accommodations and workspaces to social activities, allowing participants to focus on their jobs while exploring new cultures.
With options ranging from one month to a full year, Remote Year facilitates these adventures in various global destinations, providing flexibility to suit different schedules and preferences.
7. WiFi Tribe
WiFi Tribe might be an excellent option for you to consider for your digital nomad lifestyle, especially given its positive reception among some you’ve met from Nomad Cruise. It’s a community particularly known for its curated approach, accepting only a small number of applicants to maintain a high-quality experience. This exclusivity helps ensure that members share common values and are likely to form strong, supportive relationships.
WiFi Tribe organizes its travels into “Chapters,” each located in a different city around the world, where members live and work together for a month or more. This model allows for flexibility, as you can choose to join different Chapters based on your schedule and interests.
8. Hackers Paradise
Founded in 2014 by a coder and an entrepreneur, Hacker Paradise caters to remote workers looking to combine their professional life with adventure in different global destinations.
Their program is known for its community-centric approach, hand-picking participants to ensure a good fit and fostering a collaborative environment. Participants often describe forming close bonds that feel like family, adding a unique social dimension to the work-travel experience.
Hacker Paradise organizes trips to various locations worldwide, arranging all logistics including accommodation, coworking spaces, and local experiences, which allows you to focus on work and enjoy your surroundings without the hassle of planning.
Where to find in-person digital nomad communities
If you’re traveling on your own, here’s where you can look for in-person communities in destinations worldwide.
9. Coworking spaces
Many digital nomads work in coworking spaces, so this is one of the easiest ways to meet people. Many coworking spaces in places like Chiang Mai and Bali will put on networking events, talks and host after-work drinks to give you a chance to connect with the other people there.
That said, not all coworkings have social atmospheres. Some are just a workplace, so look for one with community events if you want to meet people.
The best way to find coworking spaces in your destination is to type in ‘coworking space’ into Google Maps and see what comes up. You can also look on websites like Coworker and Workfrom.
10. Coliving spaces
Coliving spaces are like a hotel for digital nomads. You all live in the same building or house but typically have your own bedroom. The kitchen/living room facilities are shared, and a dedicated coworking space should also be in the building.
More co-living spaces are popping up by the day, and unfortunately, not all of them are created equal. That said, there are some exceptional ones, like Nine Coliving in Tenerife.
I don’t typically stay at colivings anymore as I prefer to have my own apartment. I find it easy enough to meet people other ways, but they can be great if you’re starting with this lifestyle.
You can find local colivings by searching in Google Maps, reading blogs, and searching on Coliving.com.
Here are a few coliving chains with locations around the world:
Selina
Selina is a popular brand of colivings around the world. It started in Latin America but has expanded rapidly to other parts of the world in the last few years. Now, you can find Selina’s in Europe and Australia!
Selina offers dorms and private rooms, so you may run into backpackers here, but it has the upside of having no minimum commitment.
Outsite
Outsite is another popular coliving with locations primarily in the United States, Europe, and Latin America. They have a minimum stay of two nights.
I’ve never stayed in an Outsite so I can’t say much about it, but they appear to be popular as they are usually booked up the times I’ve looked.
As a member, you also get access to Member Hub where you can chat with other digital nomads.
11. Meetup.com
Meetup.com is a website/app where you can find events happening in your area. It’s a great way to meet people, and in some cities like Lisbon, it’s where most digital nomad events are posted. Always check Meetup when you arrive at a new destination to see what’s happening!
12. Facebook and WhatsApp groups
When you’ve arrived in a new place, join the relevant Facebook groups to see if any events are posted. If not, you can make a post to ask people to hang out. I did this in Lisbon and was inundated with messages.
Most digital nomad hot spots have WhatsApp or Telegram groups where people plan meetups and events. The best way to find these is by asking in the Facebook groups or a digital nomad who’s been there for a while. Once you meet one, you meet them all!
Best digital nomad communities around the world
These locations already have established communities, making them an excellent choice if you’re looking for an easy place to integrate.
13. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is my favorite nomad hub in Europe. It’s got one of the most active communities, with over 43,000 members in the Lisbon Digital Nomads Facebook group!
It’s easy to find events hosted through the Meetup group. There’s a weekly meetup every Thursday hosted at a different venue each week, which is an excellent place to start. You can also find weekly runs, comedy nights, board game nights, salsa nights, and more.
Lisbon is a gorgeous city with endless picturesque cafes and coworking spaces to work from. It’s also got several coliving spaces, including a Selina and Outsite location.
Some people say Lisbon is where digital nomads go to die, and after living there, I completely understand why. It’s a fantastic city that you’ll find hard to leave!
14. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai is one of the OG digital nomad hubs, and I finally had the chance to live there at the end of 2022. I fell in love, fast and hard.
There are many reasons to love Chiang Mai – great weather, beautiful landscapes, super affordable, fantastic cuisine, friendly Thai people, and the digital nomad community.
It truly is one of the best communities in the world. I had a group of friends within two days of moving and met incredible people at every event I attended. Chiang Mai seems to attract inspiring nomads who are doing really creative and exciting projects.
A good place to start is the Chiang Mai digital nomad Facebook group. To find more nomad events happening once you’re there, join the WhatsApp groups (ask any nomad when you get there, and they can send you the link).
Every Friday, there’s a digital nomad meetup at the Moat House in Old City, which is always a great time. There are also groups for hiking, board game nights, dinners, brunches, drinks, entrepreneurs, and more. I advise putting the groups on silent, or you’ll go crazy with messages!
If you really wanted, you could do something every day of the week through these groups. There are also endless cafes to work from, as well as coworking spaces and colivings. Yellow Coworking in Nimman is my favorite!
Find more digital nomad destinations in Thailand
15. Bali, Indonesia
There’s no doubt that Bali has the biggest digital nomad community. But, unfortunately, it’s gotten so busy in recent years that overcrowding and traffic are becoming a major problem there.
Still, there’s no denying that Bali has an awesome digital nomad community with plenty of in-person events to meet people. You can find general information on the Facebook group, as well as the WhatsApp groups.
The best place to find events happening in Bali is on Nomeo. It’s a platform started by two digital nomads in Bali where you can host and find events to attend. I went on the Mount Batur trek during my first week, which is how I met my main group of friends there.
Most digital nomads living in Bali choose Canggu, Seminyak, or Ubud, which all have several cafes, events, coworking spaces, and colivings. If you’re looking to get away from the crowds or are on a budget, you may want to consider places like Uluwatu, Sanur, or Amed.
16. Canary Islands, Spain
As one of the warmest places in Europe during the winter, the Canary Islands have become a digital nomad hot spot in Spain.
Most remote workers base themselves in Gran Canaria or Tenerife, the largest of the islands. I spent two months living in Tenerife and found it relatively easy to meet people.
The Facebook group is a good resource, as well as the Telegram and Whatsapp Groups where events are posted. Since it’s an island, Catamaran boat trips are hosted regularly.
Tenerife has several colivings across the island. It lacks the cafe culture that other nomad-centric destinations have but makes up for it in natural beauty. It’s a great place to live if you love the outdoors, with plenty of active things to do, including Spain’s highest peak!
For more inspiration on new places to live, check out these cheap places in Spain on the beach.
17. Mexico
Thanks to the pandemic, many remote workers (including myself) realized how incredible Mexico is, and it is now one of the most popular countries for remote workers. It offers a low cost of living, diverse landscapes, rich local culture, and some of the best food in the world.
If you’re looking for cheap places to live on the beach in Mexico, there are plenty of great options. My favorite is Puerto Vallarta, a medium-sized city on the Pacific Coast. It’s not the largest digital nomad community in Mexico, but it’s special. Other popular areas to live in are Sayulita, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, and Puerto Escondido.
The capital, Mexico City, is one of the best cities to live in, with most digital nomads based in the Roma and Condesa neighborhoods. If you’re looking for a smaller city, Oaxaca City and Merida are two great choices.
18. Medellin, Colombia
Medellín is definitely a top choice for digital nomads in South America, featuring a vibrant and growing community. The “Digital Nomads Medellin” Facebook group has thousands of active members, making it easy to tap into local events, networking opportunities, and more.
Living in Medellín last winter, I immersed myself in the local culture, taking advantage of daily language exchanges and salsa classes, which are perfect for anyone looking to improve their Spanish while having fun. The city also hosts various meetups for coworking and entrepreneurs, not to mention the lively parties that are a staple of Medellín’s social scene.
I stayed in El Poblado, which is great, but if I were to go back, I’d choose Laureles. Most of the digital nomads I met were living there, and it has a fantastic, welcoming vibe that’s hard to beat.
Medellín is more than just a nomad hub—it’s a place where you can easily settle into a rhythm that combines work and play in the best ways possible. It’s a city that you’ll find hard to leave, much like Lisbon for many nomads in Europe!
These are just a few of my favorite places for digital nomads. For more inspiration on different places, check out this comprehensive guide on the best places for remote workers with suggestions for South America and the United States.
19. Digital nomad villages
Did you know there are digital nomad villages? In a nutshell, this is an organized community with amenities that cover the needs of the digital nomad lifestyle, like cafes, coworking, and colivings.
Here are some places where you can find these villages:
Online communities for digital nomads
20. Facebook groups
Facebook digital nomad groups are a fantastic place to start building your nomad community. These groups can help connect you with others and get advice.
There are some general nomad groups you can join on Facebook:
- Digital Nomads Hub
- Female Digital Nomads
- Digital Nomads Around The World
- Nomadbase
- Solo Female Digital Nomad Traveler Network
Once you’ve decided where to go on your nomadic journey, you can do a quick search for a Facebook group in that specific region. Ex. Thailand digital nomads.
This is also a great way to gauge how active the nomad community is in that area. For example, the Lisbon digital nomad Facebook group has over 42,000 members!
21. Reddit
Reddi also has a Digital Nomad Community where you can ask questions or browse through existing forums.
22. Nomadlist
NomadList is a great place to find location-specific recommendations on the place you’re currently in or plan to visit. They charge a membership fee for access to the groups, but you can browse some information for free.
23. Nomads Talk Slack Group
Nomads Talk is a Slack community where you can connect with other nomads, look for jobs, and learn about the digital nomad lifestyle.
24. Nomad Soulmates
Nomad Soulmates is a dating site exclusively for digital nomads. Unfortunately, long-term dating is not the easiest for a digital nomad, so this website brings together people who understand the lifestyle.
25. The Nomadic Network
The Nomadic Network is a platform started by Nomadic Matt, where you can connect with like-minded travelers & learn how to travel better. They host online events as well as in-person events in local chapters.
Benefits of Joining a Digital Nomad Community
There are many benefits to joining a community of digital nomads.
Make friends and find support
If you’re new to the lifestyle, making friends can take a while. This can be accelerated by joining a community where you can connect with like-minded people.
It’s so much fun meeting new people from all over the world and making life-long memories together.
Now, my closest friends are all people I’ve met in the last few years through nomad communities. It’s beautiful because I’ve seen many of them in 4+ countries, which has only strengthened our friendships.
Having friends who understand the challenges of the lifestyle is so important because you will have hard days. I’m so grateful to have friends to lean on during these times!
Networking and job opportunities
Not only will this lead to new friendships, but it can also help you to network and find job opportunities. Meeting other entrepreneurs and innovators is a great way to find new partnership opportunities and get ideas for your business.
Get local advice & suggestions
It can be challenging navigating a new country, and other nomads are a wealth of information to jump-start you. They can help you find apartments, social events, get visa information, give local tips, and keep you sane while navigating a new city.
Final thoughts: Digital Nomad Communities
The importance of community in this lifestyle can’t be overstated. Without it, I don’t know where I would be. I’m incredibly grateful for my nomad community, which grows larger every year.
The best part is that you’ll likely see friends in more than one place, which only strengthens your bond over time. It’s so much fun to reunite, and my nomadic community has become like a second family to me.
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