Island-hopping paradise | Connecting nomads | Travel advice gold | Issue #0029

Momentum, momentum, momentum.

There are only a finite number of countries in the world, but there are fewer and fewer who AREN’T introducing digital nomad visas. Another one - in a country always on the lips of nomads - is in the pipeline, that might just tip the balance for many not quite sure about it yet.

Also today…

🗣️ Talking about the thing we just don’t really talk about
🦻 Sage advice from a veteran traveller
📞 The best eSIMs out there right now
📆 Discounts on upcoming retreats and nomad events
🛠️ Tools and services from nomads like you, for nomads like you

Enjoy your week!

NEWS
How do you fancy a couple of years in paradise?

Last month the next digital nomad visa in Southeast Aisa was proposed by a senator in the Philippines. The plan would be to grant a one-year visa for nomads and the possibility to extend by a year.

While the Philippines splits opinion amongst nomads, there is no doubt that it has appeal to a wide range of us. The ones who love places like Siargao (we featured a thriving coworking space there a couple of weeks ago), El Nido, Cebu City and Boracay talk of the friendly people, lifestyle and climate - all things that on paper fit a digital nomad’s requirements.

This move might also signal some changes to some of the issues the nay-sayers have too. The introduction of Starlink and a growing nomad population is already putting it more prominently in most of your minds.

Watch this space for when more details land, but start practising your tagalog!

WHAT ELSE…

💸 The cost of digital nomadism Turns out we might not be popular with most of our home governments. Maybe that’s the point for most nomads.

🌇 Be part of a different conversation Arc are hosting a pop-up city in Austin this month to gather alternative thinkers, but have plans for more this year.

🇪🇸 Sharp about-face If you had sights on spending a year on the Bermuda beaches, sipping cocktails and soaking in paradise, think again.

☕️ Literally a life-saver We often call a coffee a life-saver, but have it in the morning and it’s scientifically true apparently.

GET CONNECTED

Find WhatsApp & FB groups in your current or next nomad destinations here:

If you are in a nomad hotspot then help another nomad out and share any communities you are in or know of with this quick form.

NOMAD LIFE
Are you running to - or from - something?

Seasoned nomads will have heard this for a while, but it isn’t all unicorns and infinity pools being a digital nomad. More conversations are happening around the isolating nature of the lifestyle, which is helping newbies go eyes-open into it.

However, that doesn’t always make it easier. Geleen operates Travel Not To Escape, a community dedicated to supporting those of you out there that might need a little help, an ear, or somewhere to just let it all out. She also drops some nuggets on making some quick connections where you are now…

What inspired you to start supporting digital nomads?
I’ve been on my nomad journey for five years now, and I have felt how lonely and isolating it can be sometimes. Many nomads unknowingly use travel to escape something in their lives, but you bring yourself wherever you go. I wanted a space to talk about experiences openly, process them, and build meaningful connections.

How do the support groups work?
We meet once a month, and each session has a different theme. They are co-hosted with a therapist from my vetted digital nomad therapist directory and we start with a guided exercise or meditation, then move into open discussions. We also provide resources to help nomads beyond the session.

Who should consider joining your support groups?
Anyone in the nomad or travel community looking for deeper, more meaningful conversations and support. We move beyond the usual small talk of “Where are you from?” and “What do you do?” to actually ask “How are you doing?”.

What do participants take away from these sessions?
They leave feeling seen, heard, and connected to similar people. They also gain practical tools to navigate challenges. If you struggle with isolation in a particular city, we provide tips and resources to help them build connections there.

What’s one thing someone can do right now for their mental health?
Reflect on what brought you joy as a child. What was your favorite childhood activity? I have a quiz that helps people reconnect with their “play personality,” whether that’s creativity, movement, or social engagement. Reintegrating that joy into your life can be powerful and help you connect to yourself and others.

What’s a good way to quickly find a community in a new city?
It’s actually my super-power! Within five days, I usually have a solid community, and yes, I have a system for it. First, check Facebook and WhatsApp groups, even going back years to find hidden gems. Also look for flyers in coffee shops, local events, language exchanges, and interest-based meet-ups like art or dance. 

Which city has been the easiest for building connections?
Buenos Aires is one of my favorites. It has both a strong digital nomad scene and a well-established expat community. Locals are incredibly welcoming and participate in events too. Also Ubud, and more recently Da Nang.

Find Geleen and Travel Not To Escape on Instagram - where you’ll find links to her podcast - or join her closed Facebook group.

We love to feature nomads and what you do that can help the rest of us. Fill out this form to show us your thing!

SPREAD THE WORD

Have you been forwarded The Digital Nomad by a friend? If so, don’t miss out on future issues by getting it every Tuesday.

Or do you have digital nomad friends, or ones planning to be? They could use a quick weekly fix of what’s happening in their world, so share this link or share on your socials with the links at the top of this newsletter.

TRAVEL HACKS
Is this the ultimate list for perrenial travelers?

If you’d been traveling for more than 50 years you might have a few tips and hacks that could be useful to share. Well, this guy didn’t stop at a few. We’re not sure how he managed to remember so many, but here’re are a few nuggets we hadn’t heard so often:

• Take a street food tour when you arrive somewhere new

• Get Apple AirTags for peace of mind you can’t buy

• Eat where healthy-looking locals eat

• Keep a journal. You’ll want to remember what somewhere felt like

• Use FlightAware to track your next flight status to avoid wasting time

• Go to a local McDonalds! Not for the Big Mac, but for their take on local food.

Some obvious to a lot of you, some less so. But the beauty of this list is that the obvious ones are probably ones you’d forgotten, or just taken for granted. If nothing else you get a real feel for the experiences Kevin Kelly has had through his travels.

Thanks to Michael Finn (michael-finn.com) for sending this through to us!

POLL

BRAIN FOOD

Books - 10 new books for 2025 to feed your mind.

App - We’re guessing you navigate time zones once in a while. Make it more fun.

Read - How long should you take a break from your phone to make it effective?

Watch - We love a good movie based on a book. Rarely do they live up to the written version, but the anticipation is palpable sometimes. These are coming in 2025.

If you have any recommendations we can share here, let us know.

MAKE DIGITAL NOMAD LIFE EASIER
Resources that are actually helpful

Check out our new resources page for the longer list and a range of discounts across useful digital nomad products, services and events. Here are a few notable deals for retreats or getaways coming up:

• Vietnam Nomadfest in Da Nang & Hoi An starts this week! Get tickets here, and use code TIM for 10% off last minute tickets.

• Bansko NomadFest is in June and tickets are now available. €25 off with code TDNBANSKO.

• Mastermind Event for Business Starters - Join Max’s retreat in a luxury pool villa in Hoi An next month - the perfect time of year for a visit. Focussed on learning, sharing and leveling up. Get 5% off using code TDN5.

• Kaya Connections’ April retreat in Siargao - for entrepreneurs and business owners - that we featured recently is filling up fast. Mention The Digital Nomad for $50 off!

• A coliving popup near Hoi An, is running from now until the end of May. Check it out here.

Other popular products or services right now:

• Create factually accurate, engaging web articles for less than a dollar each with ComposeQuickly. Get 50 free credits on sign up.

• Find a cafe or cowork near you with Nomadwise.

• Learn how to write effective converting copy for your business or product with Johnny Ross’s simple-to-follow persuasive methods.

• SafetyWing are now their own provider of digital nomad insurance, streamlining their claim processes.

• VPN - NordVPN have a birthday sale on. You’ll get up to 70% off and 6 months free on most plans using this link.

Check out the new resources page for an extensive list of useful tools and services.

THE LIST
Need to stay better connected on the road?

Whether just for data or making work calls, what you do for a SIM matters. ESIM’s have gotten better, physical SIMs can still be a hassle - and vary from country to country - so it’s no wonder the former are growing in popularity. Here’s the top 5 according to Cybernews:

1. Shaily - Best overall, and get 5% off with using code SPECIAL5

2. Airalo - Best for reliability globally; get 15% off with NEWTOAIRALO15 too

3. Jetpac - Best budget-friendly SIM

4. Holafly - Unlimited data

5. aloSIM - Good for short trips

BE SEEN AND HEARD

We would love to hear from you if you have some valuable knowledge, products or services, information, or just a fun or crazy digital nomad story. Get more eyes on your thing, or maybe you just like sharing with fellow nomads!

Fill in this form if you want to FEATURE FOR FREE in The Digital Nomad.

TRIVIA
How is your international lingo?

How do you say thank you in these languages…

Answers below.

COFFEE BREAK

🍕 History - The history of the greatest food ever invented.

🧪  Test - Is your intuition color or music-led? Let Yale University tell you.

📺 Watch - An epic stop motion film of Rio, in recognition of last week’s carnival.

WHAT DID YOU MISS?

If you are new to The Digital Nomad - or just want to go back and read a previous issue - then you can find them all here.

ANSWERS