6 Overrated Digital Nomad Hotspots! Here’s Where You Should Really Be Going Instead!

The Harsh Truth About Popular Remote Work Destinations & the Underrated Cities That Actually Deliver!

I once met a fellow traveler in Bangkok, Thailand who had been lured in by the Instagram fantasy of digital nomad life in Chiang Mai: cheap rent, endless coconuts, and a laptop lifestyle that looked effortless.

Three months later, he was practically begging to leave. 

His apartment WiFi was slower than dial-up, the cafés were packed with more influencers than actual workers, and the visa situation?

Let’s just say he became very familiar with the nearest border crossing.

Sound familiar? It should. Because half the so-called “best places” for digital nomads are nothing more than overhyped tourist traps dressed up as remote work paradises.

Sure, they might be great for a two-week vacation, but try staying long-term and you’ll quickly realize that the reality doesn’t match the dream.

Between skyrocketing rent, overcrowded coworking spaces, and the never-ending battle for decent internet, many of these destinations just don’t hold up for serious remote workers.

I’ve spent years living and working in places like Georgia, Albania, Ukraine, Poland, and Bulgaria, places that never make the typical “Best Digital Nomad Destinations” lists but should.

And I’ve met more than a few expats and nomads who made the mistake of following influencer advice straight into an overpriced, WiFi-deprived nightmare.

So before you book that one-way ticket to the latest nomad hotspot, let’s talk about the six most overrated places, and where you should really be going instead.

1. Bali, Indonesia: The Digital Nomad Cliché That’s No Longer a Secret

Bali is the place that started it all. The OG digital nomad fantasy of beachside work sessions, infinity pools, and laptop lifestyle freedom.

But if you show up expecting paradise, prepare for a reality check.

First, Bali is no longer the “cheap” destination people love to hype up.

Rent prices in Canggu have exploded, cafes have turned into co-working battle zones, and you’ll pay premium tourist rates for everything from motorbike rentals to your daily smoothie and poki bowl.

And then there’s the traffic… oh, the traffic. 

Trying to get from one part of the island to another can feel like a Mad Max survival mission, complete with questionable road rules and motorbike-clogged streets.

Where You Should Go Instead:
Da Nang, Vietnam. It’s got the coastal vibes, reliable WiFi, and a growing remote work scene, without the influencer-driven price inflation. 

Plus, you won’t spend half your day stuck behind a tourist learning how to drive a scooter for the first time.

2. Chiang Mai, Thailand: Once Great, Now Overrun

Chiang Mai was once the gold standard for digital nomads, cheap, beautiful, and filled with some of the best street food on the planet.

But those days are fading fast.

Now, the city feels more like a remote work assembly line. Cafés are packed shoulder to shoulder with laptop zombies, and every “nomad-friendly” spot has been monetized to the max.

Add in the increasingly strict visa policies (Thailand’s making sure you don’t get too comfortable), and suddenly that “easy living” doesn’t seem so easy anymore.

Oh, and if you come during burning season (February to April), you might as well be inhaling a bonfire 24/7.

Where You Should Go Instead:
Tbilisi, Georgia. It’s got the same affordability, a way better nightlife scene, and best of all a visa-free one-year stay for most travelers.

No more visa runs, no more border games, just a thriving digital nomad community that isn’t packed to the brim.

3. Mexico City, Mexico: Not as Cheap as You Think

CDMX gets hyped up as the “perfect mix” of affordability, culture, and great food.

And it’s true, it’s an incredible city.

But it’s no longer the budget paradise that remote workers expect.

First, the rent.

Thanks to an influx of nomads and expats, neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa have seen rental prices skyrocket.

Locals aren’t thrilled, and you’ll start noticing the tensions pretty quickly. 

Internet reliability is also hit or miss, depending on your area.

And while the city is amazing, let’s be real, not every part of CDMX is ideal for remote workers, especially those who prefer a sense of security when walking around at night.

Where You Should Go Instead:
Montevideo, Uruguay. This city, practically hiding in plain sight, offers a fantastic alternative for those seeking a quieter, safer, and more relaxed vibe compared to larger Latin American cities.

Known for its walkable neighborhoods, the city boasts a steady and reliable internet infrastructure, with co-working spaces and cafes dotted throughout.

It’s an affordable alternative, with rental prices that are still very reasonable compared to other popular destinations like Buenos Aires (whose prices are fast on the rise) or Rio.

The weather is also pleasant year-round and the city is small enough to feel cozy yet still has a lot going on.

But most importantly, it’s a much safer Latin American option for digital nomads who prefer to work without worrying about personal security.

4. Lisbon, Portugal: Beautiful, But Becoming a Tourist Trap

Lisbon used to be one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.

Now, it’s an influencer magnet, flooded with tourists and, ironically, digital nomads complaining about too many digital nomads.

The biggest issue? 

Housing prices have gone through the roof. 

Many locals blame remote workers for driving up costs, and they’re not exactly wrong.

The city is also swamped with tourists for most of the year, which means higher prices, overcrowded streets, and an overall atmosphere that’s starting to feel more Disneyland than local European charm.

Where You Should Go Instead:
Bucharest, Romania. It’s affordable, has some of the fastest internet in Europe, and, bonus, it’s still under the radar, so you won’t be competing with hordes of expats for a decent apartment.

5. Medellín, Colombia: Not the ‘Budget Paradise’ It Used to Be

For years, Medellín was the go-to spot for nomads in Latin America. And while it still has its perks, it’s not the untapped haven it once was.

The cost of living has shot up, especially in Poblado and Laureles, the two main expat areas.

Safety concerns haven’t disappeared either, while many parts of the city feel perfectly fine, you still need to be aware of your surroundings, especially when using your phone in public.

And then there are the occasional power outages, which can be a nightmare when you’re on a Zoom call with clients.

Where You Should Go Instead:
Plovdiv, Bulgaria. This small European city has a ridiculously low cost of living, fast internet, and a growing digital nomad community.

Plus, Bulgaria has a long-stay visa option (TYPE “D” VISA), which makes it an easier place to settle in than many other Schengen Zone, EU countries.

6. Dubai, UAE: The ‘Luxury’ Nomad Mirage

Dubai looks flashy on Instagram, but for most remote workers, it’s just not practical.

Unless you’re pulling in six figures, Dubai will drain your bank account fast.

Rent, food, transport, it’s all designed for high-income earners, not budget-conscious nomads.

Then there’s the visa issue: unless you’re working for a Dubai-based company or investing serious cash into the country, you won’t find many options for long-term stays.

And culturally?

It’s not exactly a hub for casual, laid-back remote workers looking for a co-working café to settle into.

Where You Should Go Instead:
Tirana, Albania. It’s shockingly affordable, has solid WiFi, and is one of the easiest places in Europe for digital nomads to stay long-term.

Bonus: If you’re a U.S citizen, you can stay in Albania up to one year visa free.

Plus, you get access to the beautiful Albanian Riviera when you need a break from work.

Durres is about a 30–40 minute bus ride away.

Why You Should Rethink Your Next Digital Nomad Destination

The digital nomad world changes fast.

What was a hidden gem five years ago is now overrun with overpriced co-working spaces, boutique hostels, and way too many influencers filming their “morning routines” in the middle of a café.

If you want to actually enjoy life as a remote worker, without dealing with overpriced rent, unreliable internet, or visa headaches, you need to look beyond the usual suspects.

The best nomad destinations aren’t always the ones getting hyped up on YouTube or Instagram.

Sometimes, they’re the places quietly thriving while everyone else is stuck in a Bali traffic jam.

Have you been to an underrated digital nomad city that more people should know about?