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When it comes to living cheaply as a digital nomad, exposing yourself to different, unique cultures and enjoying a higher quality of life, South America is where it’s at:
From Medellin and Buenos Aires, the Lower Hemisphere is currently teeming with nomadic activity.
We all know where popular is and where remote workers are already flocking to, but what about the lesser-known destinations that are just now is starting to gain tractionare not yet as busy and are just as incredible as the tried and tested places?
For 2025 these are four of the fastest rising destinations for digital nomads in South Americaas reviewed by Nomad list in them latest rankings:
Arequipa, Peru
Peru is perhaps best known among nomads for its historic Cusco, seen by many as a gateway to the heart of the Incas, but little is said about the equally charming Arequipa, and how it ticks all the necessary boxes without the added mass tourism of latter.
Just like Cusco, Arequipa is modeled after European settlementscentered around the Spanish-built Plaza de Armas, home to a monumental 17th-century neoclassical basilica and criss-crossed by winding, pedestrian-friendly streets.
Aside from its obvious architectural value, Arequipa currently ranks at number 15 on Nomad List’s Latin list for its high concentration of cafes, with two of the top laptop-friendly choices being Kafi Wasi Coffee House and Puku Puku, and its overall affordability.
Peru is generally already pretty cheap to live in as a dollar earner, but Arequipa does even cheaper: we’re talking tortillas for under a dollar, homemade lomo saltado in family restaurants for as little as $4, and rental apartments for a month from $281. Airbnb.
Pipa, Brazil
Forget Rio! Brazil’s next job site is a laid-back coastal town in the country’s vast northeast, where white-sand beaches hug turquoise Atlantic waters for endless miles, the tallest structures nearby are palm trees and not skyscrapers, and crime levels are lower.
With a history similar to that of Tulum in Mexico, Pipa was just a quaint fishing village until the 1970s, when it was discovered by foreigners. a thriving surfing and backpacking scene; more recently nomads have also moved here.
Pipa hosts Brazil’s first and so far only one Nomad villagea tropical retreat where you can live with like-minded individuals and be closer to nature, as well as an abundance of beach clubs – epic evenings await at BarGunca De Vicente – and secluded coves and beaches.
This laid-back city is currently the 13th destination with the highest charts on Nomad List, the largest database for tracking digital nomad trends worldwide, and based on its overall affordability (it costs $1,078 per month to live in) and stunning nature, we suspect it could rise a few more slots.
Cordoba, Argentina
Buenos Aires may steal the spotlight, but it’s far from the only nomadic hub of the motherland worth keeping an eye on: it currently sits at number 21 on the Latin charts, after peaking at 15 last summer, Cordoba is currently BA’s strongest rival.
A city in central Argentina, dominated by a colonial core, full of buildings from the Belle Epoquebaroque churches and home to one of South America’s oldest universities, which still includes a perfectly preserved 17th-century monastery, it’s nothing short of an unsung cultural gem.
In the nomad space, it is pioneering a project called Digital Nomads Cordoba Capital, aimed at attracting remote workers from the US and long-term travelers from other key markets with a range of benefits including Tarjeta Assetsa discount card for restaurants and accommodations.
With the average cost of living with a maximum of $1,408As mentioned on the Nomads List, Cordoba is also great for budget-friendly nomads who are not yet wealthy enough to set up a base in the Mexican Caribbean and join the white-on-white Tuluminatti cult.
Asuncion, Paraguay
The highest charting ‘rising’ star on the Nomad List at the moment, peaking so far at number 2, Asunción is Paraguay’s vibrant capital, backed by the fast-flowing Paraguay River, and distinguished by its unique mix of European colonial architecture and post-20th century modernism.
It is home to the Paraguayan Pantheon of Heroes, a replica of the one in Paris, a Spanish-built cathedral and a bar-lined Paseo Carmelitas, a both tourists from the hippie area and nomads Love for the wide variety of bars and restaurants.
Although it doesn’t border the ocean, nor is it much of a metropolis – its population currently stands at just over half a million – Asunción steals the hearts of nomads, mainly because of its friendly locals and cheaper-than-average prices and higher safety levels for South American standards.
Alongside Argentina, Paraguay is one of only two eligible countries in this part of the Western Hemisphere ‘low risk’ by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the fact that the monthly cost is $1,286 is an even bigger incentive for nomads looking to settle there in 2025.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
