Summary
- The Caribbean islands offer a mix of travel, technology, and minimalism for digital nomads to work and relax in a tropical paradise.
- Some of the best places in the Caribbean for digital nomads offer specific digital nomad visas, allowing travelers to stay for extended periods and bring their families along.
- While internet connectivity may vary, there are several Caribbean islands with stable internet speeds and co-working spaces for digital nomads.
Made up of over 700 small islands, the Caribbean is a strong mix of different European, South American, and indigenous cultures. All this, along with its diverse and stunning topography, made the Caribbean a major destination for tourism over the years. Whether for a solo traveler to the Caribbean or someone with a family, there is always something special to look forward to in the Caribbean islands.
A digital nomad’s life is typically defined by travel, technology, and minimalism. The Caribbean islands in the Pacific Ocean offer a great mix of these parameters for digital nomads to immerse themselves in the most relaxing of environments. The tropical climate, beautiful beaches, mountains, rainforests, and a delectable choice of cuisines make the Caribbean an ideal place to work, relax, and rejuvenate.
Some of the Caribbean destinations also offer digital nomad visas to attract visitors and remote workers. Here are some of the best Caribbean islands for digital nomads looking to call this tropical region home.
10 Dominica
Called the Nature Island, Dominica is studded with mountains, woods, rivers, and waterfalls, making it truly nature’s paradise. It is a fun option for adventure seekers and digital nomads that are seeking an outdoor life.
The downside of Dominica as a hotspot for digital nomads is that there are only a few places that are well-connected, and the typical internet connection isn’t very strong. Still, Dominica offers an excellent digital nomad visa for up to 18 months that allows digital nomads to bring their families along as well.
- Average monthly cost of living: $1,000
- Most popular destination: Roseau
9 Bahamas
With its islands positioned just off the Florida coast, the Bahamas are probably the easiest to access for US citizens. With a relatively low crime rate and the typically Caribbean balmy tropical weather, it’s easy to fall in love with the Bahamas.
The digital nomad visa offered by the Bahamas is called the “Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay” and allows nomads to stay up to a period of one year without paying income tax or capital gain tax. Sadly, Internet connectivity can be best described as poor to medium in the Bahamas in many spots, which is something for digital nomads to keep in mind.
- Average monthly cost of living: $1,800
- Most popular destination: Grand Bahama
8 Jamaica
Jamaica is the land of Bob Marley and Reggae music. It is also a popular hotspot for digital nomads who prefer cheap living and wish to enjoy a mix of English and Spanish cultures with great food options.
Outside of the tourist lifestyle and Jamaica's excellent all-inclusive resorts, digital nomads can find relatively stable internet connectivity speeds and enough co-working spaces with even faster Wi-Fi.
One of the main drawbacks here is the comparatively higher crime rate. Also, the country does not offer a digital nomad visa, but Jamaica does allow creative professionals to stay for a period of 30 days without a work permit - professionals such as writers, painters, photographers, etc.
- Average monthly cost of living: $900
- Most popular destination: Montego Bay
7 Antigua & Barbuda
A twin-island nation, Antigua & Barbuda is fast becoming a popular hotspot for digital nomads because of the 2-year digital nomad visa that it offers. Even families are allowed to come along.
Known as a tropical getaway with a pink and white sandy coastline, relaxing beaches, and popular jungle zip-lining activities, Antigua & Barbuda is perfect for those nomads who are looking for a laid-back stay while surrounded by pristine nature all around. Internet connectivity and speeds are, unfortunately, disappointing on the islands.
- Average monthly cost of living: $1,500
- Most popular destination: English Harbour
6 Anguilla
Beautiful sunsets, white sandy beaches, and ultra-friendly locals are what attract people to the tiny island of Anguilla. Whether it's water sports like diving and snorkeling or more relaxing pursuits, Anguilla offers lots of awesome activities for tourists and the many digital nomads that have set up base here.
Anguilla did offer a digital nomad visa for one year, but the official website for this visa does not exist anymore, and all current applications are being routed through the regular visa process, which is for a maximum of 90 days. Without the possibility of any extension of the visa, a fresh application needs to be made for any extension of stay.
The island boasts very fast internet speeds, and this makes it a super popular hotspot among the digital nomad community.
- Average monthly cost of living: $4,500
- Most popular destination: Meads Bay
5 Curaçao
Beautiful Dutch architecture and historical museums give a very European feel to anyone visiting Curaçao. But a Europe with hidden beaches and mystical caves, making it an incredible place to stay or visit. Despite the very warm climate, Curacao is a popular summer destination for everyone, including digital nomads.
Curacao also offers a digital nomad visa for six months, extendable for another six months. Under this visa, there is no need to pay income tax. Internet speeds and connectivity in Curacao are above average, at least in comparison to many other Caribbean destinations.
- Average monthly cost of living: $1,100
- Most popular destination: Willemstad
4 Aruba
With a low crime rate and higher standard of living compared to many other Caribbean islands, Aruba attracts the more well-settled digital nomad who enjoys the finer things in life.
Aruba is also a popular tourist destination, so finding quiet, secluded places to work or travel might be a challenge. The digital nomad visa for Aruba allows an additional 60 days over the tourist visa. US nationals, in particular, can enjoy Aruba's "One Happy Workation" program.
Internet connectivity and speeds are comparable and are not an issue for digital nomads looking at Aruba as a place to visit.
- Average monthly cost of living: $1,200
- Most popular destination: Oranjestad
3 US Virgin Islands
With no fixed rainy season, a warm tropical climate, white sandy beaches, and flourishing marine life, the US Virgin Islands are a great choice for the digital nomad. Although the islands can be expensive for some, the US Virgin Islands also have great, affordable, all-inclusive resorts for the budget-conscious traveler.
Internet connectivity and speed are excellent all over the US Virgin Islands. However, there is no formal digital nomad visa for the US Virgin Islands, but being a part of the US, American citizens can travel and live freely. Non-US citizens can apply for regular US visas.
- Average monthly cost of living: $2,500
- Most popular destination: St. Thomas
2 Bermuda
With photographic landscapes, a vibrant nightlife, a relatively low crime rate, and a new-found focus on technology, Bermuda now finds itself on the preferred list for digital nomads.
Bermuda offers a digital nomad visa called the “Work from Bermuda Certificate” for a period of 12 months, and nomads are not required to pay income tax or any other taxes. Despite being one of the most remote Caribbean islands, Bermuda has one of the fastest Internet speeds in the region.
- Average monthly cost of living: $2,000
- Most popular destination: Hamilton
1 Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands offer a 2-year digital nomad visa. Even families can come along to this absolutely spectacular destination. With a well-established infrastructure that includes offices, schools, and hospitals, the Cayman Islands are the top choice for today’s digital nomad.
However, the digital nomad visa comes with stricter requirements, such as a higher income bracket (starting at $100,000 annually) and medical coverage for at least a month on arrival.
Internet connectivity and speeds are better and higher than most islands in the Caribbean, and this is another prime factor for digital nomads to opt for the Cayman Islands.
- Average monthly cost of living: $2,900
- Most popular destination: Grand Cayman