Discover the top destinations where online English teachers can teach, travel, and thrive
Teaching English online has unlocked a lifestyle that many only dream of: the ability to earn a steady income while exploring the world. No longer tied to a single classroom or office, online English teachers can turn cafes, co-working spaces, or even a quiet Airbnb balcony into their workplace. Obtaining my TEFL certification through International TEFL Academy’s online 11-week course in 2020 was a life-changing decision, as it has allowed me to blend my teaching career with my passion for travel.
Picture this: you finish your last online English lesson of the day, close your laptop, and step outside to the sound of tango music floating through the streets of Buenos Aires. Or maybe you log off in Kuala Lumpur and head straight for a street food market just around the corner. The beauty of being an online English teacher is that the world doesn’t just become your classroom… it becomes your home.
But with the world at your fingertips, how do you decide where to go? As an online English teacher who has been bouncing around the world for the past two years, I’ll share some tips and tricks for navigating the digital nomad lifestyle. From my personal research and experience, here are 10 of the best cities for online English teachers who want to live the digital nomad dream:
Top Digital Nomad Cities
1.Almaty, Kazakhstan
📌 OVERVIEW
💸 Avg. monthly cost of living expenses: $600 to $1,100 USD
🛂 Visa: Visa-free for up to 30 days
✅ Great for: Nature Lovers and Outdoor Adventurers
Almaty is a city where mornings start with the crisp air of snow-peaked mountains and end with relaxing walks through leafy parks. The pace is calm, the scenery is breathtaking, and the city’s growing café and coworking scene makes it surprisingly easy to find a comfortable spot for teaching online. Being based in Kazakhstan is ideal for teachers with students based in Asian countries, as the time zones better align if you prefer not to potentially have classes in the middle of the night. Monthly living costs range from $600 to $1,100 USD, covering a cozy apartment, groceries, and transportation.
U.S. citizens can enter Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 30 days, which is perfect for a short-term stay. Internet connection is reliable in modern apartments and coworking spaces, and even local cafés are often laptop-friendly. While the expat and nomad community may be smaller than in other regions, hiking groups and language exchanges help you plug into city life quickly. Almaty is ideal for teachers who want quiet workdays, with weekends spent exploring the surrounding mountains and lakes.
2. Buenos Aires, Argentina
📌 OVERVIEW
💸 Avg. monthly cost of living expenses: $900–$1,400 USD
🛂 Visa: Visa-free for up to 90 days
✅ Great for: Foodies & Nightlife Enthusiasts
Walking through Buenos Aires feels like stepping into a living museum, with its grand European-style architecture, vibrant street art, and the rhythm of tango in the air. If you’re a steak-lover like me, this city is the place for you. Three hours ahead of the East Coast in the U.S., having your base in Argentina can be ideal if you prefer to sleep in and have slow mornings, but don’t mind potentially working until evening. Luckily, Buenos Aires is the perfect city for night owls, as you can easily find people at cafes and restaurants well after midnight.
A monthly budget of $900–$1,400 USD will comfortably cover rent, food, and public transport. The internet is fast, fiber connections are widely available, and coworking spaces cater to remote workers. Buenos Aires has a robust expat community, making networking, socializing, and finding fellow nomads easy. U.S. citizens can enter Argentina visa-free for up to 90 days, which is ideal for establishing a productive routine without the immediate concern of visa requirements.
3.Bogotá, Colombia
📌 OVERVIEW
💸 Avg. monthly cost of living expenses: $800–$1,200 USD
🛂 Visa: Visa-free for up to 90 days
✅ Great for: Coffee Aficionados & Museum Lovers
Bogotá sits high in the Andes, with its cool climate and cultural richness providing a dynamic backdrop for online teaching. Neighborhoods like Chapinero and Usaquén are dotted with cafés and coworking spaces, perfect for logging in to your lessons. The average monthly cost of living ranges from $800–$1,200 USD, allowing you easy access to charming nearby towns or even short flights to other large Colombian cities on the weekends. Colombia’s time zone is also ideal for teachers with students based in the U.S.
U.S. citizens can enter visa-free for up to 90 days, and Colombia also offers a digital nomad visa for longer-term stays. Fiber internet is common in modern apartments, and the city’s expat scene provides ample opportunities to connect with fellow teachers and nomads.
4. Cusco, Peru
📌 OVERVIEW
💸 Avg. monthly cost of living expenses: $700 to $1,100 USD
🛂 Visa: Visa-free for up to 183 days
✅ Great for: Adventure Trekkers & Spiritual Seekers
Cusco offers the unique charm of ancient Incan architecture alongside modern amenities for remote work. Picture teaching lessons online with a view of cobblestone streets and vibrant markets, then heading out to the iconic Machu Picchu for the weekend. The average monthly cost of living ranges from $700 to $1,100 USD, making it possible to enjoy both cultural experiences and daily living without straining your budget.
U.S. citizens can stay in Peru visa-free for up to 183 days, so you have plenty of time to immerse yourself in the city’s culture. Make sure to research wifi and internet speeds through reviews for cafes you’ll be working in or Airbnbs you’ll be living out of. Cusco is ideal for teachers seeking a blend of history, mountains, and a slower-paced lifestyle.
5. Guangzhou, China
📌 OVERVIEW
💸 Avg. monthly cost of living expenses: $600–$800 USD
🛂 Visa: Visa-free for up to 10 days; standard tourist visa for up to 90 days
✅ Great for: Food Adventurers & Cultural Historians
Guangzhou is a sprawling metropolis where modern skyscrapers meet traditional markets. As an online teacher, the city offers solid infrastructure, including high-speed fiber internet and numerous coworking spaces. Living and eating costs in China are very affordable compared to other East Asian countries, ranging from $600–$800 USD per month, and apartments and amenities match the big-city feel.
Visa requirements, however, are stricter: U.S. citizens can either stay in the country for 10 days without a visa or you can apply for a standard tourist visa, which allows stays of 30 to 90 days and can be kept for up to 10 years with multiple entries. Guangzhou is ideal for teachers seeking a fast-paced urban environment with reliable connectivity and rich culinary experiences.
6. Santiago, Chile
📌 OVERVIEW
💸 Avg. monthly cost of living expenses: $1,000–$1,500 USD
🛂 Visa: Visa-free for up to 90 days
✅ Great for: Wine Lovers & Mountain Adventurers
Santiago combines modern city life with the stunning backdrop of the Andes. Weekdays are spent teaching from chic apartments or coworking spaces, while weekends can be dedicated to hiking, skiing, or wine tasting in nearby valleys. Monthly costs in Santiago range from $1,000 to $1,500 USD.
U.S. citizens can enter Chile visa-free for up to 90 days, with extensions available for longer stays. The Internet is strong, and coworking spaces are widely available, so you can have a variety of options for where you want to teach.
7. San Salvador, El Salvador
📌 OVERVIEW
💸 Avg. monthly cost of living expenses: $800–$1,200 USD
🛂 Visa: Visa-free for up to 90 days
✅ Great for: Volcano Hikers & Surfers
San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, offers a mix of modern urban life, historic charm, and easy access to nature. After a morning of teaching online, you can explore colorful markets, visit local museums, or take a short drive to volcanoes and black-sand beaches for a weekend escape. Monthly costs are affordable, typically $800–$1,200 USD for apartments, food, and transportation.
U.S. citizens can enter El Salvador visa-free for up to 90 days, and digital nomad visas are also an option for longer stays. Internet speeds are solid in modern apartments and coworking spaces, and cafés across the city provide reliable options for online classes. The expat community is growing, and there are meetups and networking opportunities for teaching nomads and remote workers. San Salvador is ideal for online English teachers who want a balance of city amenities, outdoor adventure, and a cost-effective lifestyle.
8. Warsaw, Poland
📌 OVERVIEW
💸 Avg. monthly cost of living expenses: $1,400–$2,000 USD
🛂 Visa: Visa-free for up to 90 days in the Schengen Zone
✅ Great for: History Buffs & Classical Music Lovers
Warsaw blends historic charm with modern convenience, and Polish cuisine is so underrated. Teaching online here means having cobblestone streets, café-lined avenues, and green parks as your backdrop. Monthly living costs range from $1,400–$2,000 USD, which covers apartments in central districts with reliable fiber internet. Coworking spaces and cafés are abundant in the city, creating ideal work environments.
U.S. citizens can enter Poland visa-free for up to 90 days under the Schengen Agreement, with the option to travel freely across much of Europe during that period (but note that you cannot exceed 90 days in the entire zone within a 180-day period). Warsaw is a great base for teachers whose students are primarily in Europe or who want a mix of history, culture, and dependable infrastructure.
9. Mexico City, Mexico
📌 OVERVIEW
💸 Avg. monthly cost of living expenses: $1,200–$1,800 USD
🛂 Visa: Visa-free for up to 180 days
✅ Great for: Foodies & Art Lovers
The largest city in North America, Mexico City, pulses with energy, from its street food vendors to museums and parks. If you don’t mind eating tacos on a daily basis like I do, this place is perfect for you! Living costs average $1,200–$1,800 USD per month, depending on the neighborhood and lifestyle. U.S. citizens enjoy visa-free entry for up to 180 days, giving plenty of time to settle into a routine. Neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa are particularly popular for nomads, offering cafés, coworking spaces, and social opportunities. The city is perfect for teachers seeking a vibrant cultural hub while maintaining easy access to North American time zones.
10. Kaş, Türkiye
📌 OVERVIEW
💸 Avg. monthly cost of living expenses: $700–$1,200 USD
🛂 Visa: Visa-free for up to 90 days
✅ Great for: Relaxation Seekers & Water Sports Lovers
Perched on Türkiye’s stunning Mediterranean coast, Kaş is a hidden gem for online English teachers seeking a slower-paced environment surrounded by natural beauty. Teaching lessons from a balcony overlooking turquoise waters, or from a local café, feels like a dream. Monthly living costs are very reasonable, ranging from $700–$1,200 USD, covering cozy apartments, groceries, and transportation.
U.S. citizens can enter Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days; if you plan to stay longer, extensions or residence permits are available. The internet is generally reliable in town, especially in modern apartments and cafés, though some smaller guesthouses may have slower connections. Just keep in mind that Kaş is not a large city like the others on this list! While the expat and nomad community is smaller than in major cities, it’s tight-knit and welcoming, with opportunities to meet fellow travelers and remote workers. Kaş is ideal for teachers seeking a blend of ocean views, outdoor activities such as diving or hiking, and a laid-back lifestyle.
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