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The remote work culture has transformed the way people travel, live, and work. The dream of living in one of the world’s top digital nomad destinations allows us to make any exciting new city our personalized office.
Now that global recruiting has emerged as a transformative option for many companies worldwide, both businesses and professionals are increasingly tuned into new and exciting opportunities in the international market.
Choosing where to stay involves many considerations, including the local language, cost of living, internet access, safety, and other cultural contexts. In many cases, remote workers are looking for top digital nomad destinations that offers comfort and great experiences, while allowing their salaries to go further.
As remote work continues to expand globally, these destinations are no longer just attractive for digital nomads, they are also becoming key locations where international companies find remote talent.
Why is South America a great option?
The search for comfortable and affordable living has helped place South America firmly on the map among top digital nomad destinations.
While nomads enjoy the bang for their buck that living on the continents offers, for US and Canadian nomads, there is also the additional benefit of being able to work on similar timezones to back home, as well as the fact that the travel back to their country of origin is shorter and relatively inexpensive compared to the likes of Europe and Asia.
Another key benefit is the fact that once you have picked up a bit of Spanish in one country, you can use it in many of the others. While learning Portuguese in Brazil offers the opportunity of traveling to all of its culturally varied regions, given the massive expanse of the country.
The likes of Buenos Aires in Argentina, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and Medellin in Colombia are now firmly established destinations for location flexible workers. But where are the next hotspots for remote foreign workers likely to be found in the region?
Beyond lifestyle benefits, these factors have contributed to the rise of long-term remote professionals settling across South America, gradually turning popular nomad destinations into emerging talent hubs.
Below are five destinations that have major growth potential for digitial nomadery are considered.
5 top digital nomad destinations in South America
1) Bucaramanga, Colombia
Bucaramanga is an overlooked second-tier city in Colombia, nestled in a valley and surrounded by green areas and panoramic landscapes just a short bus ride away. The cost of living tends to be lower than in Bogotá or Medellín.
It is an underexplored region with a digital nomad community that is still developing. Bucaramanga is ideal for those looking to escape the hustle of larger cities while maintaining access to essential amenities, reliable internet, and a comfortable lifestyle.
The city offers a safe living environment and solid infrastructure. With good domestic flight connections, Bucaramanga provides easy access to other regions of Colombia.
Why this location matters for remote teams
In addition to its appeal for digital nomads, Bucaramanga is increasingly home to remote professionals working for international companies, supported by its affordability, improving digital infrastructure, and time zone alignment with North America.
2) Cuenca, Ecuador
Ecuador is a small country offering beaches, forests, jungles, and mountains within short distances. Coworking spaces are growing across the country, particularly in cities such as Cuenca and Quito.
Located in the Andes, Cuenca has become Ecuador’s primary digital nomad hub. It offers a high quality of life and operates using the US Dollar, which simplifies financial planning for professionals paid in USD.
Cuenca consistently ranks as one of the most affordable cities in the region for utilities, food, and daily expenses. Its growing international community and architectural charm continue to attract remote professionals seeking long-term stays.
Why this location matters for remote teams
Cuenca’s affordability, dollarized economy, and stable infrastructure make it an increasingly popular base for remote professionals working for global companies across various industries.
3) Cusco, Peru
Peru has taken steps to support its digital nomad ecosystem, with active online communities such as Digital Nomads Peru. In November 2023, the government amended its Migration Law to facilitate residency options for foreign digital nomads.
While Lima remains a primary choice for remote work, cities like Cusco offer more affordable alternatives, particularly outside peak tourist seasons. Cusco combines lower living costs with access to nature, culture, and international connectivity through its airport.
As a globally recognized tourist destination, Cusco is highly international-friendly. For professionals comfortable with high-altitude environments, it offers a quieter lifestyle and sufficient coworking options for focused remote work.
Why this location matters for remote teams
Cusco attracts long-term remote professionals who value stability and affordability, contributing to a growing pool of internationally experienced talent working remotely for foreign companies.
4) Florianópolis, Brazil
Florianópolis, the capital of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil, is an island city known for its beaches, outdoor lifestyle, and strong tech presence. It has become an alternative to larger Brazilian cities for international remote workers.
Although not the cheapest capital in Brazil, Florianópolis offers a high quality of life at reasonable costs. It stands out for its fast internet, modern coworking spaces, and growing international networking events.
According to Nomad List, Florianópolis has consistently ranked among the fastest-growing remote work hubs globally over the past five years.
Why this location matters for remote teams
Florianópolis combines strong digital infrastructure with a growing tech ecosystem, making it a strategic base for remote professionals working with international startups and technology-driven companies.
5) Salta, Argentina
Argentina’s favorable currency exchange environment continues to attract international remote workers. The government has introduced streamlined processes and online resources to support digital nomads relocating to the country.
Salta, located in northwestern Argentina, is known for its colonial architecture, cultural heritage, and welcoming environment for foreigners. While smaller than Buenos Aires, it offers significant advantages in safety, affordability, and lifestyle quality.
Although its remote work ecosystem is still developing, Salta is emerging as a strong alternative for professionals seeking quieter environments with lower costs.
Why this location matters for remote teams
As more remote professionals relocate to Argentina, cities like Salta are becoming alternative talent locations where international companies can engage skilled professionals at competitive costs.
From Digital Nomad Destinations to Emerging Talent Hubs
Digital nomads don’t just travel, many choose to stay long-term in cities that offer stability, affordability, and reliable infrastructure.
Over time, destinations known for nomad lifestyles often evolve into talent hubs, where international companies can find skilled professionals already working remotely across fields such as technology, marketing, finance, operations, and customer support.
For global businesses, understanding where remote professionals are choosing to live is becoming an important part of workforce planning. These cities are not only attractive places to work from, they are increasingly where distributed teams are built.
A Quick Legal Reality Check for Global Companies
While living in a country as a digital nomad is increasingly common, location alone does not define a compliant working relationship.
As remote work expands across Latin America, governments are paying closer attention to tax residency, worker classification, and labor compliance. For companies engaging professionals in the region, selecting the appropriate hiring model, whether independent contractor or employee, is essential to avoid misclassification risks and regulatory exposure.
Hiring Remote Talent in South America
Understanding where remote professionals are located is only the first step.
As international companies engage talent across South America, ensuring compliant hiring structures becomes critical — especially when operating without a local legal entity.
Serviap supports companies hiring in Latin America through compliant independent contractor management and Employer of Record (EOR) solutions, helping organizations build distributed teams while staying aligned with local labor regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes South America attractive for digital nomads?
South America offers affordable living costs, reliable internet, cultural diversity, and favorable time zones for North American and European companies.
Are digital nomad destinations also good places to hire remote talent?
Yes. Cities popular with digital nomads often attract skilled professionals who work remotely long-term, making them emerging talent hubs for international companies.
Can companies legally hire digital nomads in South America?
Companies must comply with local labor and tax regulations. Common models include independent contractor agreements or Employer of Record (EOR) solutions.
What is the difference between hiring a contractor and using an Employer of Record?
Independent contractors operate as self-employed professionals, while an Employer of Record hires talent as employees on behalf of a foreign company, managing payroll, benefits, and compliance.
Why is compliance important when hiring remotely in LATAM?
Non-compliance and misclassification can lead to penalties and legal risks. Compliant hiring structures allow companies to scale safely across the region.
