Asia Made Easy

Are you looking for the top digital nomad hotspots in Asia? Or for destinations off the beaten track? Maybe you're budget-sensitive and looking for affordable, cozy destinations.

Browse through this list of places in Asia, organized by interest. From chilled beach extensions to the top trending destinations, here is our selection for easy travel planning for Asia.

🌱 Travel health insurance for Asia

👩🏼‍💻 Top digital nomad hotspots

• Bali in Indonesia
• Chiang Mai in Thailand
• Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia
• Hoi An in Vietnam

Bali in Indonesia

The island is a magnet for travelers, nomads, and escapists, a vibrant place for artists, musicians, and creatives. Digital nomad hotspots are in Canggu, Ubud, and Seminyak.

You find hundreds of coworking and coliving spaces in Bali, laptop-friendly coffee shops, nomad events, retreats, festivals, and parties. One thing I've heard from friends is that traffic in Bali has increased significantly, and traffic jams are common. The best time to visit Bali is May, June, and September.

Chiang Mai in Thailand

Beautiful Chiang Mai is the perfect spot for digital nomads, thanks to its large nomad community, events, meetups, and parties. Avoid Chiang Mai's burning season, which typically starts around January and lasts until April.

A great coworking space in Chiang Mai is Punspace, which has 3 locations, community meals, and events. The best time to visit Chiang Mai is between September and December, and it's best to leave before the burning season.

Hoi An in Vietnam

The small beach town of Hoi An lies beautifully between rice fields and just 5 km off the coast. Although Hoi An feels like a small fishermen's town, it also comes with an international coworking space worth checking out. Hub Hoi An.

Although popular areas like An Bang Beach might be a bit more expensive, it should be possible to rent an apartment in one of the tiny villages between Hoi An and the beach for €600 a month. For this price, you might also get a 2-bedroom place. Many apartments have been newly built since 2019. The best time to visit Hoi An is between March and October.

Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia

For those digital nomads who prefer a modern city or just need a break between visiting remote Laos and quaint Thai islands, Kuala Lumpur is a good spot. Kuala Lumpur offers multi-cultural city life, a diverse food scene, affordable accommodation, modern facilities and services, and a big digital nomad community.

Favorite places to work from are VCR café, and Fikka café. Great neighborhoods to live in are the downtown area, Bangsar, and Desa Sri Hartamas. The best time to visit Kuala Lumpur is between May and July.

👙 Beach destinations for nomads

• Palawan in the Philippines
• Langkawi in Malaysia
• Koh Lanta & Koh Phangan in Thailand
• Hoi An & Phu Quoc in Vietnam
• Bali in Indonesia

Palawan in the Philippines

Between Mindoro island and Borneo, you find Palawan, one of the bigger islands of the 7,641 islands of the Philippines. Palawan has tropical, moist rainforests, the most beautiful beaches, underground rivers, spectacular caves, lime karst formations, exotic lagoons, and gorgeous viewpoints.

The Philippines is a good destination for a beach vacation. If you want to work, make sure you get a local SIM card to help yourself with a hotspot. The internet speed can be an issue. Additionally, the infrastructure can be pretty basic overall. It's better to keep work to a minimum. The best time to visit Palawan is between November and May.

Langkawi in Malaysia

Langkawi is a cluster of 99 islands located in northern Malaysia, close to the Thai border. With a median internet speed of 15 Mbps and an overall cost of living of around €2,000 per month, Langkawi is best suited for vacation purposes.

Langkawi is known for its white powder sand beaches, colorful marine life, lush UNESCO-listed geoparks, and exclusive resorts. The best time to visit Langkawi is between November and April.

Koh Lanta & Koh Phangan in Thailand

Koh Lanta "Lanta" is a small island located near Krabi and Phuket in southern Thailand, boasting a lively digital nomad community and vibrant beach life. Koh Lanta is the ideal spot to combine beach holidays with coworking and coliving at Kohub. The best time to visit Koh Lanta is between November and April.

Koh Phangan is a small island located close to Koh Samui and Koh Tao, two world-class diving spots. The island of Koh Phangan has a strong hippie vibe, a coworking space, and all the tropical island atmosphere you're looking for. The best time to visit Koh Phangan is between December and June.

Hoi An & Phu Quoc in Vietnam

Hoi An can be reached via Da Nang Airport (30 km) and offers beautiful beach time between March and October. Different from Thailand, the best season is during the summer months. You'll find many beach bars here, for example, Soul Kitchen, as well as beach restaurants and cafes like Sound of Silence. Hoi An has one coworking space that focuses on international digital nomads - Hub Hoi An.

Phu Quoc is a small island located in southern Vietnam. You find serene beach life here, a fantastic beach club called Sailing Club, a handful of bars and restaurants, remote beaches in the south (Sao Beach) and in the north (Starfish Beach), and a lush jungle in between. You can live comfortably in Phu Quoc for less than €1,200 a month. The best time to visit Phu Quoc is between December and March.

Bali in Indonesia

Canggu and Seminyak are two popular destinations for digital nomads in Bali. The beach towns offer all the facilities digital nomads are looking for, including co-living and co-working spaces, cafes, artsy markets, meetups, and events.

Located on the beach, Canggu and Seminyak are ideal places to combine a digital nomad life with a beach vacation. Other lovely beaches in Bali are Kuta (surfing), Nusa Dua, and Karangasem.

🤿 Best for water sports

• Snorkeling in the Gili islands in Indonesia
• Diving in Derawan islands in Indonesia
• Diving in the Myeik Archipelago in Myanmar
• Surfing in Hongkong
• Surfing in Sri Lanka
• Kitesurfing in Mui Ne in Vietnam

Snorkeling & diving in the Gili islands in Indonesia

The Gili islands are located just off the northwest coast of Lombok, an island just next to Bali. You have access to the 3 Gili islands, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air, by ferry from Bali and/or Lombok.

The car-free Gili Meno is home to the famous Gili island wreck (Meno Bounty), which is a world-class snorkeling area. The waters around Gili Meno are home to rays, turtles, sharks, and more than 950 different species of fish.

Diving in Derawan islands in Indonesia

With a plane from Singapore, Denpasar in Bali, or Jakarta in Java, you reach Balikpapan on East Kalimantan Island. From Balikpapan, take a small plane to Tanjung Redeb in Berau (East Kalimantan) and then a boat to the Derawan islands.

Although the journey sounds exhausting, the Derawan Islands are one of the most remote and untouched dive spots. You find manta rays and giant tortoises here, as well as whale sharks and almost 900 different species of fish.

Diving in the Myeik Archipelago between Thailand & Myanmar

The Myeik Archipelago (also known as the Mergui Archipelago) in Myanmar is one of the best-kept secrets among divers. Access to the archipelago from the Burmese side is limited, also due to the inner-political conflicts Myanmar has experienced since February 2021, when the military junta took over.

Easier access gives Ranong in Thailand. However, you need to organize visas and permits in advance. The best time to dive in the Myeik Archipelago is between October and May.

Surfing in Hong Kong

When thinking of Hong Kong, you might think about the gigantic amount of people that live on such small land. You think about one million delicious eateries, art galleries, exhibitions, technology hubs, and modern public transport. But you might not think about surfing in Hong Kong.

However, Hong Kong has two popular surf spots: Big Wave Bay and Shek O. Big Wave is the focal point of Hong Kong's surfing community and can get crowded in the summer months. You can rent a surfboard directly at the beach and enjoy a few hours away from the busy city life.

Surfing in Sri Lanka

A more obvious surf spot in Asia is Sri Lanka. The small island state offers numerous beaches that are famous among the surfers' community, for example, Hikkaduwa and Weligama.

Once a small fishermen's village, Hikkaduwa has grown into a party town that attracts backpackers, surfers, and budget travelers. It's the ideal surf spot for those traveling on a budget. Weligama has consistent waves all year round, suitable for both beginners and intermediate surfers. The best time to visit Sri Lanka is between December and April.

Kitesurfing in Mui Ne in Vietnam

Mũi Né is a smaller town located near Phan Thiet in southern Vietnam. It is famous for its dunes, beaches, and kitesurfing community. The best time to visit Mui Ne is between October and April.

💎 Off the beaten track

• Southern Laos
• Mondulkiri in Cambodia
• Isan in Thailand
• Sumatra in Indonesia
• Inle Lake in Myanmar

Southern Laos

Located in southern Laos, close to the Cambodian border, you'll find Pakse and the Bolaven Plateau, home to its tea and coffee plantations. When visiting Pakse, which can be accessed by plane from Vientiane or Luang Prabang, consider staying around the central market. Taxis and tuk-tuks are affordable. If you want to visit Tad Lo in the Bolaven Plateau or the 4000 Islands (Si Phan Don) area, book a private driver to take you around.

Southern Laos is ideal for everyone looking for a peaceful nature and wildlife experience, for weekend hikes to waterfalls, serene river island life, and remote excursions. The best time to visit southern Laos is between October and April.

Mondulkiri in Cambodia

Most foreigners limit their experience of Cambodia to the temples of Angkor near Siem Reap and the capital, Phnom Penh. If you have more time, visit Bokor National Park, the small town of Takeo, and the tiny backpacker village of Kep. But if you have even more time and you are looking for a remote area with lush nature and wildlife, consider Mondulkiri.

The jungle is home to wild elephants, and with some luck, the majestic giants might emerge from the thicket.

Only 75 elephants are left in Cambodia. A group of 50 Asian Elephants lives in the Elephant Sanctuary in the jungle of Mondulkiri, which you can visit to help keep the group alive and safe from illegal poaching. There is no elephant riding. The best time to visit Mondulkiri is between October and February.

Isan in Thailand

With a size comparable to that of Germany or a combination of England and Wales, the Isan is one of the most remote areas in Thailand. You find first-class Khmer temples in this region, as the Khmer (Cambodian) kingdom once counted this area as its territory.

Sights to visit are Phimai, Phnom Rung, and Khao Yai National Park. Khao Yai National Park is home to 200 wild elephants and a few wild tigers. The best time to visit Isan is between November and May.

Sumatra in Indonesia

Sumatra is one of the less-visited Indonesian islands, but it is also one of the most mesmerizing. Visit Lake Toba, a volcanic lake surrounded by hills, cliffs, and jungle, or hang out with orangutans, elephants, and rhinoceroses in the Gunung Leuser National Park and the Bukit Lawang Orangutan Sanctuary.

Sumatra attracts not just nature and wildlife lovers, but also surfers, such as those who visit Mentawai Island, divers, and snorkelers. You can reach West Sumatra (Bintan island) by ferry from Singapore (1.5 hours), or from Java. The best times to visit Sumatra are between May and June and September and October.

Inle Lake in Myanmar

Inle Lake in Myanmar's Shan State is the second-largest freshwater lake in the country, and home to iconic ethnic minorities, such as the Intha, Pa-O, and Shan. The Inle Lake can be best discovered in one of the long wooden boats that bring you to workshops, markets, and swimming gardens. The best time to visit Inle Lake is between November and May. Please note that the sunny winter months are the coldest, and temperatures can drop to 10 -15 degrees Celsius at night.

Although Myanmar is open to tourism, be aware that the military junta took over the regime in February 2021 after a coup d'etat. Since then, Myanmar has faced times of "domestic unrest" (or war). The conflict is not solved; former president Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi got sentenced to more than 30 years of prison, and diplomatic relationships with the rest of the world are on hold. Traveling to Myanmar might be better to be postponed to a later time. If you are interested in Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese Nobel Prize winner and former president, watch "The Lady" and "Beyond Rangoon."

💶 Affordable destinations

• Penang in Malaysia
• Phnom Penh in Cambodia
• Luang Prabang in Laos
• Hoi An in Vietnam

We dedicated an entire article to affordable destinations in Asia. You find a handy overview of the monthly cost of living. Additionally, check out nomadlio to calculate the cost of living for your next trip.

📅 Ideal cities to stay for 1-month

• Osaka in Japan
• Bali in Indonesia
• Hoi An in Vietnam
• Koh Lanta in Thailand
• Chiang Mai in Thailand
• Penang in Malaysia

Osaka in Japan

Osaka is one of the coolest cities in Japan, thanks to its lively music scene, art, student culture, and intercultural mix of expats, digital nomads, and local Japanese. The best times to visit Osaka are in spring, from March to May, and in autumn, from September to November.

Bali in Indonesia

Bali is an ideal 1-month or longer destination as the digital nomad scene is established, and you can choose to either hibernate in one of the lesser frequented areas of the north or join the buzz in Canggu and Co.

As traffic has increased drastically in the last two years, it might be worth considering staying in one area. The ideal times to visit Bali are May, June, and September.

Hoi An in Vietnam

The small beach town of Hoi An lies beautifully between rice fields and just 5 km off the coast. Although popular areas like An Bang Beach might be a bit more expensive, it should be possible to rent an apartment in one of the tiny villages between Hoi An and the beach for €600 a month. For this price, you might also get a 2-bedroom place. Many apartments have been newly built since 2019.

When visiting Hoi An, make sure to sign up for the Hub Hoi An coworking space.

Koh Lanta in Thailand

You can find 1-month accommodation in Lanta, either on Airbnb or at Kohub. This coworking and coliving space offers bungalows, workspaces, and a loyal digital nomad community. Regular events, meetups, celebrations, and excursions make it easy to stay on the island for a month or more.

Chiang Mai in Thailand

A nomads' favorite in the northern mountains of Thailand. Chiang Mai is a wonderful place to spend a month, especially from October to January, just before the burning season. You can find 1-bedroom apartments for around € 500 a month, and the price may go down during the low season.

Penang in Malaysia

Historical Georgetown has grown into a larger digital nomad community during the last few years. The good news, though, is that you can afford to live here for less than €1,190 a month. Due to the island’s small size, transportation is easy with local buses, scooters, or bicycle rentals. The dry season in Penang typically lasts from November to February. During the wet season, from May to October, the island counts fewer tourists.

📸 Best stop-overs in Asia

• Singapore
• Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia
• Bangkok in Thailand
• Seoul in South Korea

Singapore

Today, Singapore celebrates its rich cultural heritage in Little India, Chinatown, and Kampong Glam, as well as at the many artistic festivals held in the city. Multicultural influences are represented by the food scene, which is one of the best in the world, featuring famous street food vendors and fine Michelin-starred diners.

Areas to stay in Singapore are, for example, Little India or the Marina Bay area (more expensive). The best time to visit Singapore is between December and June.

Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia

Within this bustling area, the center of Kuala Lumpur is a hub for shopping, commerce, and entertainment all in one. You'll find many business centers, coworking spaces, shopping malls, boutiques, and sites within walking distance. This district is for everyone who wants to stay central, busy, and with quick access to things. A fully furnished 1-bedroom apartment is around 700 Euro per month.

Great places to work from are VCR café and Fikka café. Good neighborhoods to live in are the downtown area, Bangsar, and Desa Sri Hartamas.

Bangkok in Thailand

The cost of living for expats is around €900 to €1,500 a month. Bangkok is a vast city, and it depends on where you stay and what you find, obviously. The cost of living for ex-pats is a lot more than for locals, and the shorter you stay, the more you will pay. One of the most expensive ways to rent a place is by booking through Airbnb.

Seoul in South Korea

Seoul is the world's leading smart city, integrating innovative technologies for its citizens, businesses, and the environment, aligning with urban and regional planning policies. Arty districts in Seoul, such as the student areas of Hongdae or Itaewon and Gangnam, are the perfect bases in the city.

Describing South Korea in only three words would include service, soju, and smartness. The technology-driven state in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula is delivering a superb quality of service and innovation directly extracted from Seoul's Digital Media City, a former landfill. The best times to visit Seoul are in the spring, from April to June, and in the autumn, between September and November.

💡 Summary