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The work-from-home craze has taken over the workforce worldwide, as more countries create digital nomad visas to cater to one of the latest travel trends.
But some places are quite surprising when it comes to such a wide range of destinations that digital nomads have at their fingertips.
Whether it’s the hidden gems of Latin America, remote hideaways in Europe or dirt-cheap but culturally rich hotspots in Asia, there are no limits to the new base of digital nomads.
That said, as popular as the Caribbean may be for American travelers, many places in the region don’t fit the mold of what digital nomads are looking for.
Startups just unveiled the next digital hotspot for 2025, and while it’s hugely popular among Americans, it’s worth asking whether the island’s well-documented safety issues and affordability are suitable for digital nomads.
Is Jamaica Too Boujee For digital nomads?
According to Startups, there has been a 250% increase in remote working in Jamaica. As someone who has visited Jamaica in the past year, I can imagine that such an immensely hospitable culture and an obviously breathtakingly beautiful island would be appealing to wake up to every day.
The truth is, not every digital nomad is bankrolling.
When I visited Kingston, I hung out in the posh side of town known as New Kingston, where Bob Marley’s mansion is located.
There are new developments spread across this neighborhood with some really nice apartments available for rent, but the problem digital nomads face is the price.
Many apartments, even in infamous Kingston, resemble American markets with rents in the $1,000s. total costs will be under $1000.
Then of course there’s Montego Bay, loaded with luxury resorts, followed by quaint but trendy Negril, and up-and-coming hotspot Port Antonio, the most authentic of the bunch.
According to NomadsKingston ranks 110th globally for digital nomads, with expected monthly costs of $3,000.
Jamaica’s security problems
Jamaica is no stranger to welcoming visitors with open arms. I found this island to be one of the friendliest places I have ever been.
Unfortunately, Jamaica is also no stranger to travel advisories, especially regarding the capital Kingston.
As I wander through downtown Kingston from the airport in my Uber, walking through dilapidated streets, it’s easy to understand why.
The latest advisory in July highlights high crime rates and mediocre health care, including slow response times to emergencies across the country.
Kingston also received low marks for safety on Nomads, but surprisingly high marks for overall satisfaction with glowing positive experiences.
If I ventured a guess, most nomads would live in New Kingston, where there are plenty of co-working spaces The Hub and trendy cafes serving delicious Blue Mountain coffee, sourced from about an hour’s drive away.
However, startup insists that Negril is Jamaica’s best beach spot for digital nomads, with numerous oceanfront cafes.
Kingston isn’t much of a beach town, although I did find a secret beach that tourists are largely unaware of, but it wouldn’t be the best place to work as the eateries on the coast are small shacks along unpaved dirt roads.
As for Montego Bay, Jamaica’s most popular holiday destination, you can find affordable apartments on the outskirts of town for under $800 on Airbnb, but a quick Google search shows that co-working spaces are lacking here.
Jamaicas Admission requirements
Jamaica does not offer ‘digital nomad visas’, but Americans can visit as standard tourists 90 days visa freethe perfect amount of time to enjoy the winter sun.
As mentioned, there are monthly listings on Airbnb, so this is probably your best bet. First, familiarize yourself with the neighborhoods of Jamaica.
There is a complete list of them Level 4 no-go zones listed by the US Department of State latest travel advicemany of which are located in and around Kingston.
When I booked an Airbnb here I found the WiFi reliable, but I preferred working from New Kingston cafes such as Cafe Blue.
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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.
