Digital Nomad Blog Archives

Tropical destinations for digital nomads

April 30, 2021 by Rosanna Stevens Leave a Comment

Update your home office and pick a paradise from my list of tropical destinations with a digital nomad visa or offering. Live the dream digital nomad lifestyle and work remotely from one of the most beautiful places in the world.

If 2020 showed us anything, it’s that we can work from anywhere. And if we can work from anywhere, why not choose white sands and palm trees, sparkling seas, and Pina Coladas? After I went to Belize for two months to work remotely at Noma Collective, I am a total convert to the digital nomad lifestyle and am already thinking about which tropical destination I can go to next.

I thought I’d share all my research with you to do the same. Read on or navigate by destination below, but beware…it might result in a life-changing decision…you might end up working remotely from one of the most beautiful places in the world…

Tropical destinations with a digital nomad visa

These tropical destinations all have a digital nomad visa or offering for certain nationalities so that you can be there legally, but always check your own country’s laws to make sure you are compliant on things like tax.

Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua & Barbuda is now offering a new visa called the Nomad Digital Residence (NDR). Apply here

Aruba

Have a US passport? Lucky you. Aruba has launched the ‘One Happy Workation’ program that offers you the chance to live and work remotely there for up to 90 days, and you even get special discounts on certain resorts. Find out more here.

For those of us poor souls without US passports…read on…

A large body of water and a small island.

Barbados

Barbados jumped on the remote work wagon right at the start of the pandemic, with their Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley creating the ‘12 month Barbados welcome stamp‘ initiative back in July 2020. Nomads can come and base themselves at this famously beautiful destination. She says, “we have something very special to offer on this little rock we call Barbados”, and the cost is $2,000 for individuals or $3,000 for families.

Bermuda

Like Barbados, Bermuda reacted fast to the pandemic and created a one-year remote work visa. I love the quick thinking of these tropical destinations that suffered so much from the loss of tourism, and I hope it has helped the people there who rely on foreign visitors to stay afloat. Theirs is only $263, and you can find all the info you need here.

Belize

Ah, Belize. My home from home, my new favorite place in the world. I may seem biased to you, but that is because I am. But it is just a wonderful place that I think everyone should go to. Please read my blog post on how to be a digital nomad in Belize for more info, but many visitors from around the world, including US and UK citizens, can come to Belize for 30 days on a free tourist visa and work remotely, renewing it for further blocks of 30 days as many times as needed at the cost of $100 US each time. Find out all about Belize from their tourism website here.

Tropical destinations with a digital nomad visa

The Cayman Islands

As befitting its reputation as a fancy tax haven, you have to have a hefty salary to work remotely from the Cayman Islands. But, if you bring in over $100,000 a year, you are eligible for their (fancily named) Global Citizen Concierge Program, which allows digital nomads to live and work remotely in the Cayman Islands for up to two years. It also costs $1,469 with a 7% processing fee. I feel like they might be trying to avoid backpackers with laptops, don’t you?

Mauritius

After that heft price tag, here are a couple of free ones. Fancy flying the other way? The island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean has launched the premium visa which allows you to stay and work remotely for a year. It won’t cost you a penny, and I have been to Mauritius myself; it is stunning.

Mexico

Mexico is perhaps one of the original hot spots for nomads, and it isn’t hard to see why when it is so easily accessible from the US and other countries around the world and has so much to offer. It is also huge! I have heard tales of nomad communities all over the place, so you can take your pick of places to settle or travel around! The Mexico Visitors Permit allows visits for up to 180 days in the country for many nationalities, all listed here (but it includes the UK and USA).

Found inspiration? I hope so. Let me know where you plan to go and check out my other blog posts from my time in Belize.

Wherever you choose to go, make sure you take out travel/health insurance to cover you whilst you’re gone (some destinations require it) and top tip – make sure it covers dental. Also, check on tax situations to avoid nasty surprises, and remember, these are for people employed in their own countries or with their own businesses. You’ll need different visas if you plan to seek work within these countries themselves.

Don’t forget to pin this post to find it later!

Be a digital nomad in Belize

March 17, 2021 by Rosanna Stevens 8 Comments

Now that my two months living as a digital nomad in Belize is almost up (sob) I thought I’d put together all the information you will need to create this lifestyle for yourself. So here is my ‘how to be a digital nomad in Belize’ post! My main piece of advice is JUST SAY YES you will never regret taking the steps to free yourself from the career treadmill that traps you in one place for no reason. Even if becoming a digital nomad in Belize is a temporary move, you will gain so much from it both personally and professionally and I can never overestimate how life-changing my time here in Belize has been. I spent two wonderful months working on my food blog from Belize and I loved every second.

Where is Belize?

Belize is on the east coast of mainland Central America with 240 miles of Caribbean coastline as well as over 400 islands in the Belize Barrier reef (which is the second biggest in the world). English is the first language and as well as white sandy beaches it also has lush tropical jungle.

How do I get there?

You can fly to Belize via Mexico or several transit points in the United States. All air traffic into Belize goes via Belize City airport and from there you can either drive or catch a shuttle flight to other parts of the country. Tropic Air and Maya Air run regular flights each day to a variety of places including San Pedro and Placencia. Land and ocean borders are now open too so you can also arrive via car, bus or boat.

Do I need a visa to work remotely in Belize?

Many nationalities including UK and USA can come and work remotely in Belize on a tourist visa as long as you aren’t seeking employment here in the country itself. Your tourist visa lasts 30 days and you can extend it as many times as you plan to stay, costing $100 US dollars per extension. You extend by taking your passport to the local immigration office, they will ask you questions like where you are staying and how you are making money (they are checking you are not illegally working in Belize) but it is very quick and easy process. Here is a handy post on other tropical destinations offering a digital nomad visa.

What is the currency in Belize?

Belize has its own currency, the Belizean dollar but also accepts US dollars. The rough exchange rate is $1 US = $2 BZE

What Time Zone is Belize in?

Belize is in Central Standard Time and does not observe daylight saving so it stays consistent all year round. It is good for working with both the USA and UK as you aren’t too far ahead or behind of either, there is plenty of crossovers. I found it easiest to do my UK based work in the morning, and then the afternoons I would spend doing more US orientated things.

A woman sitting at a table with a laptop.

Is the internet connection good enough?

Definitely check the WIFI speed where you are staying in advance, as it can be temperamental and not always reliable in some places. It is wise to get a Belize SIM for your phone so that you can hotspot if needed. International roaming in Belize is expensive for most people so definitely use the option of a Belie pay as you SIM rather than turning on roaming.

What are the Covid protocols in Belize?

Everyone entering Belize has to have a negative covid test taken within 3 days of arrival. They observe social distancing and there is a curfew at night. Masks are required everywhere unless you are sitting down eg to eat at a restaurant or lying on a sun lounger. The police are very diligent and will stop next to you on the street if you are not wearing one! All hotels and restaurants have to abide by strict cleaning protocols too. Their covid rates have been very low, they actually closed their borders for almost all of 2020 and only opened once they had put all of these protocols in place. You can find out more from the tourism website here.

Where to stay in Belize as a digital nomad?

Your options are an Air BnB or a resort, and for me personally, I wanted to feel like I was a part of a community with reliable internet so I am staying at Umaya Village. Umaya is a resort that now runs as a digital nomad community down in Placencia which is a stunning part of Belize on a peninsular between the Caribbean and a huge lagoon. They host guests in self-contained apartments that have incredible views of either the lagoon or the ocean and run workshops that help in professional development and regular excursions to see the country too. And our volleyball game became super strong! You can see a bit more of Umaya, my journey and my experiences on my YouTube channel or on my Instagram.

A group of people playing a game of volleyball.

What is the food like?

Food in Belize is a mixture of all the different cultures you will find, so there is a lot of Caribbean and creole food, Mexican food, Mayan food and more! The restaurants are great and the staff are always so friendly. A typical breakfast would be refried beans and dinner could be Belizean Stewed Chicken. Veganism is a relatively new concept here but there are still lots of options.

What are the people like?

Simply put, the friendliest and warmest people I have ever met.

What else can I do there?

There are so many fun things to do in Belize, my weekends were full of snorkelling, caving, jungle hikes and exploring Mayan ruins! Here is my blog post on all my favourite activities in Belize so you know what to arrange for yourself.

IF YOU HAVE ANY HESITATION please get in touch with me. I’d love to share my experiences with you and answer any questions. Find me on Instagram here or comment below and I’ll get back to you!

Digital Nomad packing list

January 27, 2021 by Rosanna Stevens Leave a Comment

I get asked all the time about my travels and recommendations on what to pack, so finally, here is my digital nomad packing list! At the end of 2020, I quit my job and embarked on a new life. I left the UK to spend 6 months travelling, and come January 2021 was working remotely in Belize in Central America. You can read more about how to become a digital nomad in Belize here but one thing I had to think carefully about was my digital nomad packing list!

As remote work becomes the norm, more and more people are adopting the digital nomad lifestyle and if you’re considering it yourself here is a breakdown of tropical destinations with digital nomad visas. But in this post, I thought that I’d share my digital nomad essentials and what was on my packing list for a hot country on the Caribbean coast.

I stayed at Umaya Village in Placencia, Belize which is right on the beach, and to get there I had to take a teeny tiny plane from Belize City which means a teeny tiny luggage allowance. 15kg! Which for 2 months is not a lot. However, as Belize is a hot country I thankfully didn’t need heavy or bulky items and I could keep it quite lightweight. Valuable items like my laptop were in hand luggage for safety, and I like to carry my chargers in hand luggage too plus a spare pair of underwear! I always fly wearing trainers, as they are bulky and take up a lot of packing space. I am obsessed with Aspinal of London’s travel range which is SO chic and will keep your documents safely together. It’s all made to last, so will go on all your journeys with you. My hand luggage bag then doubles up as a day bag for when I go to work remotely somewhere, a shopping bag at the local supermarket or a beach bag for the weekends!

Digital Nomad Packing List

Work items

Laptop

Laptop cover

Laptop stand (I use this one and it’s so useful)

Adapter plugs x 3 (this is a great round-up of the best ones)

Chargers for laptop, iPhone and any other tech

Portable phone charger/power bank (another good review article here)

Tep wireless internet (although check which regions it works in first)

Noise-cancelling headphones for busy co-working spaces

Clothes

Denim shorts x 1

Workout/hiking shorts x 1

Sundress x 2 (casual and smart)

Long-sleeved beach shirt/cover-up x1

Sarong (can double up as top or skirt)

T-Shirts/vests x 4

Sweater x 1

Leggings x 1 (can be used for both travel and workouts)

Underwear x 7

Bra x 2

Sports bra x1

Socks x 4

Bikini x 2

Swimsuit x1

Face mask x 2

Sun hat x 1

Sunglasses x1

A small handbag that can be worn crossbody

Shoes

Flip flops x1

Smarter sandals x 1

Trainers x1

Toiletries

Hand sanitiser gel – a small size to carry with you everywhere

Antibacterial wipes – good for wiping down tables or items

Shampoo and conditioner

Face wash

Face cream

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Tampons or a Mooncup (better for the environment)

Insect repellent (ESSENTIAL)

Medication

Antiseptic wipes for any scrapes or wounds

Sunscreen (at least factor 15 and check the star rating is 4* or higher)

Limited makeup (mascara, CC cream, lip balm)

Hairbrush

Hairstyling gel (I use Aveda Conflixor)

Hair ties

Wallet and paperwork

Passport

Drivers Licence

Travel insurance documents

Covid documentation (tests, vaccine certificates etc)

Country specific documentation

Limited cash – I prefer to bring my Revolut card which can hold several wallets of exchanged currency which you can then spend or draw out easily.

Extras

Travel hairdryer

A small bottle of detergent for handwashing clothes

Reusable water bottle

Face, shower or beach towel (depending on what is provided at your accommodation)

Resistance workout bands – very light and portable – good for gym bunnies!

The Digital Nomad lifestyle

January 9, 2021 by Rosanna Stevens Leave a Comment

An unexpected new chapter has just been added to my adventure. I am embracing the digital nomad lifestyle.

I have been in San Francisco where my boyfriend lives since November 2020, spending Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays with him. I was originally meant to be here last summer…but we all know what happened last year and how all plans were off. You can read my previous diary blog posts to get caught up on the history but the long and the short of it is that after months of separation and uncertainty I ended up flying to Turkey to spend 2 weeks working remotely in Istanbul to get around the travel ban before leaving my job and coming here. We have spent the last 3 months revelling in being together for longer than 2 weeks (long-distance relationship problems) and I have been writing, blogging and documenting my trip on Instagram.

When I hatched this plan last September, I hoped that in those months the Covid situation would improve and that I’d return to an England that was in a better place than before I left. I was wrong.

And so, with a few weeks left until my flight home, I was left feeling pretty disheartened and worried about what I was flying back to. Then I opened my eyes to an opportunity that had always been in front of me but that I had never given serious consideration. Fully embracing the Digital Nomad Lifestyle.

What is the digital nomad lifestyle?

Being a digital nomad means you are not tethered to a particular place for your work. Your work is wherever you are, it is portable and you use that to your advantage by travelling the world. You take your laptop, your charger and your passport, and go where the mood takes you.

What do you need to live the digital nomad lifestyle?

All you need is your laptop and your passport! Well, no you do need a bit more than that. But the idea is to be mobile, free of the things that weigh you down. Packing light is ideal if you plan to move around a lot, and then robust health and travel insurance are a must. Here is my digital nomad packing list I put together that might help you decide what to take.

Is being a digital nomad expensive?

This completely depends on where you go, and what sort of lifestyle you want to lead. Some destinations are very low cost, and others are a bit pricier. Mexico has long been a favourite due to the low cost of living and fabulous weather. Anywhere in Europe will generally be more expensive, but if you dig deep enough you can find somewhere to suit you.

Do I need a visa?

I do not need a visa to go and work remotely from Belize but in some countries, you will. Here is my breakdown of tropical destinations with a digital nomad visa. In the wake of the pandemic, a lot of beautiful places are cottoning onto the fact people want to work remotely somewhere more exciting than their living room, so it’s a lot easier than it once was.

When I decided that writing, blogging and content creation was going to be my career moving forward, one huge bonus was that I could do it anywhere that had WIFI. I am British, and my boyfriend is American and so for me to be with him but also still see my friends and family as much as I’d like to I needed freedom to travel. I wanted to have roots, but also flexibility. The best of both worlds.

Yet after being an employee for well over a decade, my mindset was a tough one to break! To truly achieve the lifestyle I wanted I had to shake off the old and embrace the new. It took a global pandemic and mutant strand of covid to finally get me to do that, but consider it done!

The opportunity I speak of is, by most peoples standards (including mine), a bit of a dream come true. A friend of mine has a hotel in Belize, situated on a peninsula with the Caribbean on one side and a stunning lagoon on the other. His offer was, why not come and work remotely from here for a little while? Become a true Digital Nomad? At first, I told myself I couldn’t possibly, I have to get back! And yes, there are things in the UK for me to get back to – namely my family, friends and cat. But my parents are (very kindly) caring for my cat who is happy as larry with crackling fires to curl up next to and as much lap time as she could ever want. And I couldn’t see any of my other friends and family even if I was there because the whole country is in lockdown. So what exactly was stopping me? When will I ever have this opportunity again??? It’s a no brainer right?

Eventually, after a few days of saying constantly on repeat ‘maybe I should go to Belize’ and Luc going ‘duh, of course you should go to Belize’ I broke down all my objections and went for it.

So. I am going to Belize!

I fly to Miami, and then down to Belize City and then I get on a teeny tiny propeller plane down to Placencia. I will be there for 5 whole weeks. And I cannot wait. The content I can create is going to be insane, and being able to work from a place like this will be a once in a lifetime thing.

I’ll be documenting everything and am even considering starting a YouTube channel as I don’t think Instagram can contain all the content I plan to create. What do you reckon? I’m so excited I could burst! And the best thing is that once my 5 weeks are up I get to come back here to San Francisco for 10 days to see Luc again before then flying home to my family. If that isn’t a win-win I don’t know what is.