This is a list of the best cities in South and Southeast Asia ideal for digital nomads. This list provides an idea of how a digital nomad can make the best of his/her time exploring these beautifully efficient, budget-friendly cities while being optimally productive!
Take a songthaew from Phuket's downtown market to reach Karon beach in 35 minutes...
As the name suggests, the market pops up on Fridays between 5 PM and 10 PM and is located near the Bangtao beach, a 35-minute drive away from Phuket town...
The Malin Plaza is located at the southern end of the Patong beach and a tuk-tuk will take you there in 10 minutes from Patong town...
Take a 30-minute tuk-tuk ride from Patong to reach this market right next to the Limelight Avenue Mall...
A tuk-tuk ride from Patong will get you to this market on Thalang Road in 30 minutes...
Take a tuk-tuk from Patong and reach the market in Phuket town within 25 minutes...
Music Matter is Phuket's only venue dedicated entirely to jazz and is located at a walking distance from the intersection of Surin and Chana Charoen roads...
The Soi Bangla Road in Patong is the nocturnal star of Phuket! The 400-meter stretch is lined with classy lounges, lavish pubs, jazzy go-go bars and cheap beer outlets...
From Patong, take a tuk-tuk to reach Fantasea on Kamala beach which is 10 KM away from Patong beach...
The real star of Phuket's nightlife, Timber Hut is situated at the northern end of the city, right between Dibuk and Mae Luan roads...
Take a Patong-bound local bus and once you are in Patong, take another 7-minute bus ride to reach the venue of the Simon Cabaret show...
Five flights of stairs lead to the Quip Sky Bar on the rooftop of Quip Bed & Breakfast which is a 45-minute drive away from Phuket's International Airport...
Two glasses of wine, one bottle of grape juice, and a tour of the vineyard on electric trams: all within USD 9! Missing such an opportunity is a sacrilege...
Located at the Pratumnak Hill, the Pattaya viewpoint is only 800 meters from the Big Buddha Hill...
Pattaya is an affordable option for digital nomads...
What could be a better way of relaxation than unwinding amidst nature! Situated In Bukit Bintang, Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve is easily accessible from KL Sentral via Kelana Jaya LRT Line...
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The market which stays open from Saturday night through Sunday is an ideal place to get the best deals for your daily supplies...
All work and no play makes a digital nomad dull! So for some cheap and conscientious entertainment (by that we mean an activity where you can be at par with nature), head to the Bird Park, (4...
In comparison to Chiang Mai or Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur hangs a bit low on the radar of digital nomads, and thus you won’t find many coworking spaces here...
Adhere The 13th is the best place to enjoy some blues in Bangkok...
Located on the Khao San Road, the Brick Bar is tucked away behind The Buddy Lodge Hotel and McDonald's...
The midnight tuk-tuk tour, offered by a number of travel companies, usually begins at the Sam Yan MRT Station from where you and your guide hop on to a tuk-tuk and embark on a 4-hour adventure across the city...
Take the Skytrain to the Asoke BTS station, the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel is nearby...
Take the metro till the Thailand Cultural Center Station, exit through Gate 1 and then walk for about 10-15 minutes to reach Siam Niramit...
Take the Skytrain to either Ratchathewi or Chitlom and then walk for a short while to reach the neon market...
Take the Skytrain to Udom Suk BTS station and then board a taxi to the Seacon Square...
Take a train from the Hualamphong station to the Bang Bamru station from where the market is a 10-minute walk away! The market focuses on recycled and reused articles and remains open all week (except Wednesday) from 11 AM to 11 PM...
This promenade in the middle of the city centre in District 1 is a great place to not just relax but also to take in the vibe and culture of a city that is always on the move...
The street food heaven of Co Giang Street is a 10-minute walk from the bustling Bui Vien Street in the heart of District 1...
This club is located only 500 metres away from the Ben Thanh night market and it will take you hardly 7-8 minutes on foot to reach it...
Take a moto-taxi from the city's tourist centre to reach Yoko Cafe within 10 minutes...
From Balibago take a 25 minutes-drive via Manuel A...
Get to know the city more! Find all artifacts related to the city’s overall development at this old municipal hall building standing in the heritage district, Santo Rosario St between 8 am to 5 pm (Monday-Friday)...
Located on Arayat Road, the cultural center that encourages about 40 aspiring talented street kids to learn about performing arts can be reached by a jeepney from Angeles (in 3-5 mins via Richthofen St...
The castle-like structured church standing at Santo Rosario St is one of the iconic places to go-to! Right in the middle of the traffic, the structural design of the oldest church here will definitely amaze you...
From the gate of Clark, take the Clark Main Road, turn right to PSPC before heading to Clark Expo, from Clark Speedway turn left towards Sacobia River (long bridge)- lookout of the signboard of the ranch to the left...
Just wander through the street & you’ll have a tough time choosing between an array of street food delicacies from local eateries & stalls! You get to tantalize your taste buds in even less than $2/plate...
Gather your friends and head to the Canggu Makers Market (1pm-9pm) at Berawa’s Kitchen either by car (Jl Pantai Batu Bolong < Jl Raya Semat) or on foot (1...
Who isn’t fond of treasure hunts? Want to find yourself in a hip speakeasy bar? Take the Canggu shortcut (connecting Batu Bolong to Berawa), look out for the sole mini-mart either at the end or beginning of the street; enter the mart, find the drink you’re looking for at the fridge that says “Broken”- that’s your doorway (Mon-Sun, 7 am to 1 am)...
Located between De Vong River and Tra Que Alga pond, a few kilometers north of Hoi An, away from the bustling city to the tranquil village of Tra Que (reachable by cycling), the farmers produce the freshest vegetables devoid of pesticides and fertilizers...
It will take you about 40 minutes to reach the market from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport by taxi...
Cycle through the dusty roads for an hour and you will reach the Duy Vinh village that’s a famous tourist attraction for its traditional sedge mat weaving...
A solid 62-km motorbike ride from the Hoi An Old Town to the Thu Bon river bank early in the morning will offer you a wonderful chance to meet the locals and witness the century-old culture and trade of the people along the river bank...
Ride a taxi for 20 minutes to reach the vibrant night market from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport...
Walk the city with an experienced journalist, brush up your photography skills, meet a wide range of people and discover the easily missed secrets of the city in free weekend get-togethers organized by the Overseas Press Club...
Every year in the month of February near the Toul Sleng Museum, the Khmer food and handicrafts festival is a great chance to witness the rich Cambodian culture and heritage through its delicious, original cuisines, beautiful artworks and workshops...
At a 30 min distance from Phnom Penh city centre, only on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 PM, witness the mesmerizing shadow puppet theatre, traditional Apsara dancing, folk music and the customary mask dance at Sovanna Association...
Just beside the Viharamadehi Park and close to the back entrance of Colombo National Museum, the Kala Pola Art Market is a gamut of talented artists selling beautiful paintings, decorative items, photographs and also inspire wonderful conversations...
When staying in Colombo, a 5-hour bus journey would take you to Kalpitiya Beach that could be a perfect weekend getaway with plenty of activities among which diving at Sri Lanka’s largest reef (300 km) tops our list...
Open only on Saturdays from 9 AM-5 PM, and situated at the Nuga Tree Car Park, next to Colombo Racecourse, Colombo Good Market is a gamut of about 100 local and not-for-profit social enterprises selling organic foods, snacks, veg supplies, non-toxic body and home supplies, etc...
Just 4 minutes from Colombo City Centre and near to National Museum of Colombo, the Viharamahadevi Park is one of the largest parks amid the hustle of the capital city with lush greenery, remarkable temples and varied history...
A mere 6-min drive from Colombo City Centre will take you to another uncrowded and peaceful destination, the Beira Lake that’s also near the Prime Minister’s residence...
Begin your day with some good yoga exercise! Have access to some of the cheapest yoga classes here, in the entire of Bali; per-day lessons (basic) start with a few cents...
At a 7 mins driving distance from Ubud, at 7 PM every Monday there is a spectacular fire dance at the temple on Jalan Tirta Tawar in Junjungan village which you can witness after a busy working day...
Every Wednesday after work take an 8 min scooter ride from Canggu beach to Echo beach & groove to the beats at the beachfront party of Sand Bar, Echo Beach...
Just 6 mins outside of Ubud, the Campuhan Ridge Walk is another perfect way to spend a laid-back weekend with gorgeous views of the Campuhan valley...
Just 15 mins outside of Ubud, near the picturesque Pakerisan river, is the gateway to the famous 11th century monument of Gunung Kawi...
On your way back from Tanah Lot temple, take a 20-minute detour via Jl Raya Tanah Lot to enjoy the sunset at Pig Stone Beach! It is remote, without any eateries or shops and thus, a great way to end your day-trip...
Leave the Echo Beach to the pros; head to Berawa beach (via Jl Pantai Berawa)! The less crowded beach offers moderate waves...
Weekends in Canggu calls for some beach vibe and shopping! Between 9 am to 5 pm, every weekend, the Love Anchor market and the Old Mans Canggu Market (Last Saturday of every month; 8 am to 3 pm) welcomes you to shop your heart out, at one of the three main beach areas, Pantai Batu Bolong...
Hire a Trishaw, and go around Georgetown (Lebuh Acheh Lebuh Cannon and Armenian Streets) exploring the iconic street art of the UNESCO World Heritage Zone...
As you reach Tanjung Tokong, this newly constructed attraction (giving the feel of the blockbuster film Avatar) is in the beach area, right next to the Thai Pak Koong temple! Avoid USD 1...
Up for some quirky & fun after work? Great for a one-time visit on any day, the entry fee to both Upside Down Museum (9:00 AM - 6:30 PM) and 3D Trick Art Museum (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM) range between UDS 6 - 7...
Looking for a sweet spot for a morning jog or a casual walk amidst nature with friends? Catch a Rapid Penang bus from George Town for a cheap and convenient ride to the Air Itam Dam town center (Jalan Balik Pulau, west of George Town); walk up from the foothills & nature walk around the dam takes about 30-45 mins...
Walk 5-10 minutes from the Old Market; to the east of Siem Reap River, right behind the Art Center Night Market the aroma of skewered beef, a Wat Damnak St specialty is sure to draw you towards it...
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If you’re in Siem Reap in Mid-April, be sure to participate in the Khmer New Year festivities! Keep an eye on Phnom Penh Post newspaper for event schedules & locations...
Start your day with a fitness regime alongside locals! Choose between morning (6 am - 7 am) or evening (5 pm - 6:30 pm) sessions of aerobics at the grounds of Cambodian People’s Party community center for just USD 0...
Had a hard day at work? Come out of your co-working space & reach Pub Street, near the Angkor Night Market, which is dotted with outrageous nightclubs & pubs; join the crowd around 6 pm (motorists/ vehicles not allowed after 7 pm) and stay till sunrise! Grab imported beers & cocktails for as low as USD 0...
The Hang Dong area is famous for the Baan Tawai market, a bustling hub of small shops selling all kinds of regional handicrafts including carved furniture, textiles and trinkets...
A cheap, convenient and fast way of getting around in Chiang Mai are color-coded trucks, known as Songthaews...