Have you ever stared at your laptop during work hours and started daydreaming about working from a cozy mountain town in Europe or from a white sand beach in the Caribbean?
If your answer is yes, then you are certainly not alone. This kind of desire is exactly what the digital nomad lifestyle is all about.
Now, if you are a travel blogger, then you are actually already halfway there. In that you can work from anywhere (all you need is a laptop and an internet connection!)
And the best part is that blogging income is often passive or semi-passive. You have many ways to make money as a blogger, including sponsored posts, affiliate links, selling digital products, and, of course, displaying ads on your site. In other words, you can generate an income stream that lets you keep earning, even when you are not actively working.
As a travel blogger earning a decent monthly income, I’m here to tell you that there are a few things you must plan for before packing your bags and becoming a digital nomad.
To find those out – keep reading…
Choose Where You Want to Work From
Let us start with the fun part. What country are you going to work from?
And this step is more important than you may realize! The reason that some destinations are ideal for travel bloggers is that they provide affordable accommodation, reliable Wi-Fi, and lots of interesting things to write about.
Some of the best and most popular destinations for digital nomads include Bali, Thailand, and Portugal. Even Colombia is great! Cape Town and Budapest also get honorable mentions. Nonetheless, when selecting a spot, always consider your safety, time zone, and budget first. Also, analyze whether the destination will give you enough content opportunities.
You will also need to keep in mind any work visa requirements for working in these countries remotely – and luckily, many countries now offer Digital Nomad Visas. See below!
✅ As of 2026, several countries offer digital nomad visas to attract remote workers looking to live and work abroad. These visas cater to individuals who can work remotely and wish to experience different cultures while maintaining their employment. Some countries offering digital nomad visas include:
- Estonia
- Portugal
- Croatia
- Germany
- Czech Republic
- Spain
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- Costa Rica
- Mexico
- Iceland
- United Arab Emirates
- Malta
- Thailand
- Georgia
Each country has its own specific requirements and application processes, often involving proof of employment, income, and health insurance. It’s important to check the latest details directly from the respective country’s official government or immigration websites, as regulations can change over time.
Having a Decent Laptop
As a digital nomad, your laptop is your office and your editing studio. And you don’t need the most expensive laptop on the market, but you do need something reliable. And for travel bloggers, some of the best laptop options include the Apple MacBook Air, Apple MacBook Pro, and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon.
When choosing a laptop, choose something that is tough and long-lasting, such as the Lenovo ThinkPad. If you prefer Windows over Mac, then the Dell XPS 13 is a great option. Nonetheless, the best part about the MacBook is that it is fast, lightweight, and has amazing battery life.
You Need a Strong Internet Connection
Of course, you will need a strong internet connection as a digital nomad. This kind of lifestyle is only easy (ish) so long as you have a reliable internet connection. You need a strong internet connection for editing, uploading posts, responding to emails, managing accounts, and backing up content. There’s nothing more frustrating when you’re trying to get stuff done, and your internet is super-slow, am I right?
With that said, your best bet is to stay in accommodations with reliable Wi-Fi (look up reviews on booking sites before booking). Also, if you can, email your hotel/Airbnb hosts about the internet speed before you arrive. Working from cafes is also a great call.
No matter what, never compromise on security because public Wi-Fi in airports, hotels, and cafes can be risky. This is exactly why using a VPN is a smart move, especially when you are accessing PayPal, bank accounts, or client contracts.
A great option is CyberGhost VPN for Windows, as it can help you browse safely while protecting your personal information. This VPN is also effective when working with shared networks.
Plan for at Least Six Months’ Worth of Savings
Your finances are where reality kicks in as a digital nomad. Now, your blog might already be earning money, but as you may already know, income from blogging can be unpredictable. Some months, you might earn more than expected, and other months your earnings might drop. This is exactly why we recommend having at least six months of savings before you start traveling full-time. Ideally, your savings should cover specific things like food, transportation, visa expenses, rent, accommodation, and emergency expenses.
With enough savings behind you, you won’t panic every time your payment is delayed or your work slows down.
Arrange Work & Digital Nomad Visas
Many people assume that you can keep traveling on tourist visas as a digital nomad. However, in reality, tourist visas do have time limitations, and working while on them can be legally confusing. This is why digital nomad visas are becoming incredibly popular (see my list above).
And as I explained earlier, these visas are exclusively designed for freelancers and remote workers who earn online income. With that said, some countries that offer digital nomad visas include Estonia, Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Thailand.
But, it is important to mention here that every country has different rules. Also, these rules include proof of income, a clean background, and health insurance.
Arrange Health Insurance
Of course, health insurance is not exciting, but you should never skip it, as it can be a big mistake. Even if you are healthy and young, accidents can happen. For instance, you might get food poisoning, require emergency treatment, or break a bone. Believe us when we tell you that medical bills abroad can get expensive very fast. Your best bet is to opt for travel-friendly health insurance so you can cover doctor appointments, prescriptions, emergency hospital trips, emergency evacuation, and even lost luggage, depending on your selected plan.
Also, before choosing a policy, double-check and ensure that it covers the countries you will be visiting and also includes the type of activities that you will be doing, like riding, hiking, and adventure sports.
FYI, this is how we find the best travel insurance for our trip, it helps us find the best travel insurance for our trip. On their site, you can compare the plans side by side so you can get the best insurance for your particular trip! As I always say, no trip is the same so your travel insurance shouldn’t be either!
Set Up a Travel-Friendly Bank Account
As you can imagine, financial management is a huge part of living as a digital nomad, and it can get stressful if you are not prepared. And, if your current bank system charges international withdrawal fees, currency conversion fees, and other random charges, then you will be losing money constantly.
The best approach is to switch to a travel-friendly bank account that ideally offers zero foreign transaction fees, mobile app access, and easy international ATM withdrawals.
We like Revolut for multi-currency, Charles Schwab for unlimited ATM fee rebates, and Capital One 360 for no-fee spending.
How I Make Money as a Digital Nomad:
Affiliate links:
My top earner as a travel blogger is through affiliate links (I recommend tours and hotels in my blog posts and make a small commission when someone books via my recommendations).
For hotels, I use the Stay22 affiliate program. This AI-powered travel affiliate platform, when installed, changes most of my hotel and tour links to affiliate links so that I can earn commission when a reader books via these links. You can sign up for Let Me Allez here, and by using this link, it means you’ll get an extra $100 when you get 100 confirmed bookings (which doesn’t take long, believe me).
And for tours, I use Viator, and when people book a tour through me, I get 8% commission.
Ads on my website:
I run ads on my website – I’m with Raptive, and they are amazing (they’re known as the best ad network right now). You do need 25,000 monthly visits to apply. You can apply here on the Raptive website, and please use my referral code: RAPTIVE-51568C2CB4 if you do.
Thanks for Reading!
Becoming a travel blogger or a digital nomad really is possible, provided you plan it the right way. Adopting this lifestyle means that you get to explore the world, create content from lived experiences, and live a lifestyle that does not require sitting in the same office every day! The dream!
However, this freedom comes with responsibility. For instance, you must pick the right destinations, get a reliable laptop, and a secure internet connection. Once you have handled these basics, your lifestyle becomes a lot less stressful.
You might also like to read –
My experience using Pocket WiFi when traveling
Is Black Friday the Best Time to Book Your Vacation?
Why we book package holidays (The benefits of a package holiday)
**This was a collaboration with CyberGhost. All opinions remain my own.
Last Updated on May 7, 2026 by snaphappytravel