Nomad Bases

These destinations provide the best quality of life I’ve found anywhere in the world.

I’ve traveled a lot… and I’ve noticed a few key ingredients in the places that feel the most special to me: They are affordable, with daily activities, communal dinners, and a workspace.

I’m sharing them here simply because I want to find more places like these. Take a look below —or better yet, go visit them yourself! — and then tell me what else I should add to the list.

*I don’t receive any commissions or kickbacks from this.

eXtreme Hotel

Cabarete, Dominican Republic (map)

  • I got in the best shape of my life here, on accident. The nutritious food, daily workouts, and hours of kiteboarding did the trick. Many of the guests were working remotely, staying for several weeks at a time which created a potent sense of community. It also had the most diverse group of guests, mainly from Europe and the U.S.

  • Located directly on Kite Beach, this place is in the mecca of kiteboarding. The hotel also has a skateboard half-pipe on property, and you can surf at Encuentro Beach nearby.

  • Breakfast and dinner are provided each day, and there's usually plenty of leftovers for lunch. The food is locally sourced with nutrition in mind; about 80% vegetarian. Dinners are communal. There's a bar/restaurant next door as well as plenty of options in town (a long walk on the beach or short moto-taxi away).

  • Morning workout classes are available every day as well as yoga classes in the evenings.

  • The hotel offers a compelling reason to stay on property, but if you need to get around you can hail a taxi just outside the front door, or walk the beach to Cabarete, or rent a bicycle.

  • This place is getting more expensive, but for what they offer I'd still call it affordable. There is no AC on property. Power and WiFi is mostly reliable, but it will go out from time to time.

Jugendherberge Hostel

Hospental, Switzerland (map)

  • I never expected Switzerland to be on my short list of affordable places, but this hostel makes it a heartwarming reality. Situated right next to Andermatt ski resort, Epic Pass holders can ski and ride all season long, making it a paradise for digital snowmads.

  • This hostel is a hub for adventurers of all types. Skiing is huge here (ski touring, on-piste, backcountry, sledding, etc.) Paragliding is a common sight too. In the summer you've got mountain biking and road cycling, and probably some other things. (I've only visited in the winter so far.)

  • There's nothing quite like a home-cooked meal after a long day playing outdoors. Fondue and raclette are staples on the menu. Dinner is optional here, but it's cheaper than any restaurant in town. There's also a guest kitchen if you want to cook your own food. Breakfast is included, and it's hearty enough to get you through a full morning of shredding the gnar.

  • There's no gym nor official workouts here, but the mountain sports provide ample opportunities to burn calories and build endurance.

  • The local bus is free and it stops just outside the front door of this hostel, connecting the town of Hospental to Andermatt. The latter is completely walkable, with bars, shops, and groceries. There's also a train station in both towns, so you can get here from just about anywhere. Closest airport is Zurich, but Milan is accessible also.

  • Most of the rooms are dorms with shared bathrooms. If you're a light sleeper, I'd suggest ear plugs and an eye mask. Power outlets are few and far between. [Not a disadvantage, but] guests of all ages come here. At 38 years old, I was definitely in the mid-range.

ChivorKite Guesthouse

Chivor Lake, Colombia (map)

  • There's something really special about this place! The owner's hospitality is the crown jewel on top of the beautiful scenery, moderate temperatures, delicious food, and inspiring atmosphere. My time here is a treasured memory.

  • Kiting is the main attraction here, but that's only part of the reason to stay. One of my favorite days here was spent wakeboarding past a waterfall. Long-distance swimming is popular here as well. There are hikes to do, but I wouldn't consider it a daily activity.

  • Of all the places on this list, this one has the best food, hands down. From fried fish, to omelettes, to burgers, and even hand-made ravioli night; ChivorKite is a dream for foodies. All meals are enjoyed around a large dining table with other guests.

  • They offer cross-fit classes every day in their small but mighty gym. Proper attention [and motivation] is given to each guest. If you love burpees, you won't ever leave here. Also they were building a yoga platform when I was there...

  • Getting to the property is kind of an ordeal --five hours from the Bogota airport on a bumpy, winding mountain road. However, once you arrive, there's no need to go anywhere else. You can take a bus to a boat here, but my Spanish isn't confident enough to navigate that way.

  • Cash is the only accepted form of payment, so make sure you bring what you need. The drive to/from here is long and painful, especially if you get carsick. It's kind of a hike to the kite spot, and it can be difficult to launch and land. My experience would have been richer if I spoke Spanish, although the hosts are fully fluent in English.

Brees Colombia

Santa Veronica, Colombia (map)

  • This is the sister property of ChivorKite (same owners), and this one was built from the ground up with digital nomads in mind. Thoughtful design, tasty meals, challenging workouts, and access to great wind makes it an obvious destination for active nomads like me.

  • Once again, kite/wind sports is the main attraction here. Surfing is an option when the waves cooperate. They do have a large pool for swimming laps as well.

  • Similar to ChivorKite, their meal plan is fantastic. Most meals include meat, but they can cater to just about any diet. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all shared around a big, beautiful dining table.

  • The gym is well stocked and ready to kick your butt. Cross-fit classes every morning before breakfast.

  • It's an easy 90 minute drive from Cartagena. The town itself doesn't have much going on, but it seems to be growing up fairly quickly. There's a pharmacy and mini-market nearby, otherwise you'll need to take a tuk-tuk into a nearby town for things like an ATM.

  • Availability is becoming trickier as they host a lot of retreats. There's not much to do if it's not windy. It's not as welcoming as the other places on this list.

Kitesurfing Lanka

Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka (map)

  • It ticks all the boxes, and it seems to be the biggest name for kitesurfing in the area. They are a well-oiled machine at this point. I met some truly wonderful people, and laughed my face off day after day because of a shared dinner table and a shared hobby.

  • Kiting is in the name, and there’s not much to do otherwise, at least in the summer. There are two seasons here with different offerings. The locals say the overall vibe is better in the winter (thermal wind), but you can kite all day in the summer (trade wind). Scuba diving and dolphin/whale watching happens here in the winter too.

  • The food is not remarkable, but it is abundant! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all-you-can-eat, offering a mix of Sri Lankan dishes and Western fare alike. The giant communal table is where all of my best memories of this place trace back to.

  • They have a tiny but functional staff gym on-site; free to use if you ask nicely. However, there is a large, pay-to-use gym next door with a beautiful view of the ocean and enough free-weights to train an army. Ask for the cold plunge if you’re feeling adventurous!

  • It’s a 3.5 hour taxi ride from the airport, and it’s expensive ($85) any way you slice it. In the summer season the kite spot is, unfortunately, not walkable from here. They provide free jeep transport for morning and afternoon sessions though. In the winter, the kite spot is a 4 minute walk from your bedroom.

    • Personally, I did not vibe well with the owners. One of them treated me like an ATM, and the other felt two-faced.

    • If it’s not windy, there’s not much to do.

    • Wifi is only available in the common/dining area. There is no designated coworking space, and only the premium rooms have a desk.

    • Taking the jeep to the kite lagoon means you’re kind of stuck there until the session is over.

    • The beach has lots of spiky shells, and virtually everyone I met punctured their foot at some point.

On my radar…

The following places have been recommended (for kitesurfing), but I haven’t visited and/or don’t have enough details yet...

  • Dahab, Egypt

    Blue Lagoon

  • Dakhla, Morocco

    Lagon Energy + a few others

  • Sulawesi, Indonesia

    Jeneponto Kitesurfing

  • Mindoro, Philippines

    Kitesurf Mindoro

  • Zanzibar

    (details pending)

  • Punta Chame, Panama

    Panama Kite House

I want your help…

I’m constantly looking for more places like these — a place with a shared dinner table, active adventures, and like-minded travelers. In other words, I’m looking for a place that feels like home.

If you have similar suggestions, please let me know!

Suggest a Place!