Remote workers are flocking to South America in droves, but many overlook some of the continent’s most promising digital nomad destinations. Beyond the well-trodden paths of Medellín and Buenos Aires lie vibrant communities, fast internet, and affordable living costs that rival their more famous counterparts.
From coastal havens to mountain retreats, these 20 hidden gems offer unique opportunities for location-independent professionals seeking their next home base.
Arequipa, Peru
Nestled beneath three towering volcanoes, Arequipa combines colonial charm with modern amenities. The ‘White City’ boasts reliable fiber-optic internet reaching speeds of up to 100 Mbps, while its elevation of 7,661 feet provides a comfortable year-round climate.
The growing coworking scene and relatively low cost of living make it an attractive alternative to Lima or Cusco.
Florianópolis, Brazil
This island paradise along Brazil’s southern coast offers an ideal blend of beach life and urban convenience. Tech startups have begun establishing themselves here, creating a burgeoning digital ecosystem with numerous coworking spaces.
The city provides fast internet speeds averaging 50 Mbps and features over 42 pristine beaches within easy reach.
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Valparaíso, Chile
Known for its bohemian atmosphere and colorful hillside homes, this coastal city has become a creative hub for digital workers. Street art adorns the UNESCO-protected historic quarter, while modern fiber-optic infrastructure ensures steady connectivity.
The proximity to Santiago (just 74 miles away) provides big-city amenities without the capital’s higher costs.
Cuenca, Ecuador
This UNESCO World Heritage site combines historic architecture with modern digital infrastructure. The city’s 8,399-foot elevation offers spring-like weather year-round, while its growing expat community has spawned numerous coworking spaces and cafes.
Internet speeds consistently reach 40-50 Mbps, supporting remote work needs.
Sucre, Bolivia
Bolivia’s constitutional capital offers a perfect blend of history and affordability. The city’s colonial architecture and quiet streets provide a peaceful working environment, while recent infrastructure improvements have brought reliable internet to most areas.
Living costs here are among the lowest in South America, with monthly expenses typically running under $800.
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Santa Marta, Colombia
This Caribbean coastal city provides a laid-back alternative to more popular Colombian destinations. Recent tech investments have brought fiber-optic internet to most neighborhoods while living costs remain significantly lower than in Medellín or Bogotá.
The proximity to both beaches and mountains offers diverse weekend adventure options.
Arica, Chile
Chile’s northernmost city combines year-round sunshine with modern infrastructure. Its position as a free trade zone has attracted significant investment in digital infrastructure, and its 310 days of annual sunshine make it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
The surrounding desert and coastal landscapes provide unique weekend exploration opportunities.
Manta, Ecuador
This coastal city has emerged as Ecuador’s premier beach destination for digital workers. Recent infrastructure investments have brought reliable internet throughout the city, while new coworking spaces cater specifically to international remote workers.
The cost of living remains surprisingly affordable for a coastal city with modern amenities.
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Tacna, Peru
This city is near the Chilean border and offers a unique blend of Peruvian and Chilean influences. Modern shopping centers and reliable internet infrastructure support digital nomad life, while nearby hot springs and desert landscapes provide weekend escape options.
The city’s free trade zone status keeps costs notably lower than those of other major Peruvian cities.
São José dos Campos, Brazil
Located in São Paulo state’s technology corridor, this city offers first-world infrastructure at Brazilian prices. Numerous tech companies have resulted in excellent internet connectivity and a growing coworking scene.
The city’s location between São Paulo and Rio provides easy access to both metros while maintaining a more relaxed pace of life.
Cochabamba, Bolivia
Known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring,’ Cochabamba offers ideal weather and a growing digital infrastructure. Its central location in Bolivia makes it perfect for exploring the country, and its elevation of 8,392 feet provides comfortable temperatures year-round.
Significant improvements have been made in internet reliability and speed in recent years.
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Iquique, Chile
This coastal desert city combines excellent infrastructure with unique natural surroundings. Its duty-free zone has attracted significant investment in digital infrastructure, and the combination of beach life and desert adventures provides an extraordinary living experience.
Modern apartment buildings offer ocean views at a fraction of Santiago’s prices.
Villarrica, Chile
Nestled beside a lake and active volcano, this city offers a unique mix of natural beauty and modern amenities. Recent years have seen an influx of remote workers drawn to its outdoor lifestyle and growing digital infrastructure.
The proximity to numerous national parks and ski resorts makes it perfect for adventure-seeking nomads.
Piura, Peru
This northern Peruvian city offers year-round sunshine and emerging digital infrastructure. Its position as a regional hub has led to significant investment in internet connectivity, and nearby beaches provide perfect weekend getaway options.
The cost of living remains notably lower than in Lima or Cusco.
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Londrina, Brazil
Known as ‘Little London,’ this city offers excellent infrastructure and a high quality of life. The presence of multiple universities has created a young, dynamic atmosphere and robust digital ecosystem.
The city’s planned layout and numerous parks make it particularly attractive for those seeking an organized urban environment.
Antofagasta, Chile
This coastal mining hub has transformed into a modern city with excellent digital infrastructure. The city’s economic prosperity has led to investment in fiber-optic networks and modern amenities, while the surrounding Atacama Desert provides unique exploration opportunities.
Despite the city’s wealth, the cost of living remains reasonable.
Cajamarca, Peru
This historic city in northern Peru combines colonial charm with growing digital infrastructure. The surrounding region’s mining wealth has led to investment in modern amenities, and the city’s elevation of 8,900 feet provides comfortable year-round temperatures.
The city’s size makes it manageable while offering all the necessary amenities for remote work.
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Manizales, Colombia
This university city in Colombia’s coffee region offers perfect weather and modern infrastructure. Its commitment to innovation has resulted in reliable internet throughout most areas, and its location in the Andes provides breathtaking views and outdoor activities.
The cost of living remains significantly lower than in Colombia’s major cities.
Natal, Brazil
This coastal city offers year-round summer and improving digital infrastructure. In recent years, significant investment has been made in fiber-optic networks, while the city’s famous dunes and beaches provide perfect work-life balance opportunities.
The cost of living remains reasonable despite its growing popularity among digital nomads.
Puerto Varas, Chile
This German-influenced city beside Lake Llanquihue offers unique cultural fusion and modern amenities. The city’s tourism industry has brought excellent internet infrastructure, while the surrounding volcanoes and lakes provide endless exploration opportunities.
The growing expat community has created numerous coworking spaces and digital nomad meetups.
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Embracing South America’s Hidden Digital Havens
These lesser-known digital nomad destinations offer unique opportunities to experience South America beyond the usual hotspots. Each location provides its blend of culture, infrastructure, and lifestyle possibilities while maintaining the authenticity many seek in their nomadic journey.
Whether you’re drawn to coastal cities, mountain towns, or urban centers, these emerging hubs demonstrate that sometimes the road less traveled leads to the most rewarding remote work experience.
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