issue 003 – 2024 Wrapped

I blinked & 2024 is over

December 27, 2024

hongik university station exit 4 – Seoul, Korea

READ THIS TO CLOSE OUT 2024

I don’t know if this is some type of fever dream or somehow, just like that, 2024 is over (almost).

I swear, years go by even faster as a digital nomad.

Maybe it’s because we are constantly on the go, chasing that next hit of dopamine, never sitting still long enough to feel time passing.

A curse and a blessing.

Okay, let’s be real with each other. Was it a good year? Did you get some wins?

Or was it a year of taking L’s? Or as they say in therapy, a year of growth.

For me, it was a mixed hand.

But complaining about the shitty times won’t take me out of them.

If you’re in a situation you’re not happy with, the only one who can truly take you out of it is yourself. I say with a motivational tone, not an asshole one.

Make some drastic changes, be calculated, but pursue the risks.

As my good pal Sir Isaac Newton once said, an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will continue moving at a constant velocity.

The only constant is change.

But truthfully, if you’re healthy, have a roof over your head, food in your stomach, and loving friends or family, you are winning.

2024 Digital Nomad Wrapped:

Frosted Tips of the Week:

  •  Taiwan Joins The DN Party: Taking effect January 2025, Taiwan will be opening its doors to digital nomads with their new visa allowing you to stay for up to 6 months 🤯 Also - did you know bubble tea is from Taiwan? 🧋

  • Forbes With A Not So Hot-Take: Forbes recently announced their top 5 destinations for DNs in 2025 and it’s as basic as you expect. I’ll spoil it here; Lisbon, Barcelona, Greece, Panama, and St.Lucia (nice final touch). What’s your top 5?

  • We Might Have A Problem: Addressing the elephant in the room: digital nomadism is gentrifying lower-income countries. With a 147% increase in DN’s year-over-year, it’s not sustainable. I don’t have the answer, but be a good human wherever you go. Tip the workers where appropriate, be kind, and have understanding.

is Taiwan on your 2025 list?

remote roles of the week:

devs & marketers, this one is for you.

I have zero affiliation with these roles & companies, I simply want to see you win and if the opportunity fits, great.

Spotlight Job Posts This Week: 3️⃣

Reddit - Growth Builder (Contract): Basically a dream role for any growth marketer who is a frequent user of Reddit. This is remote anywhere in Germany. Bitteschön!

Deel - Senior Copywriter: Deel thrives off remote talent and is now looking for a word-nerd to help spread that message. Fully-remote in North America or the UK!

Deel - Senior Paid Search Manager: Deel with another exciting role in their growth dept. If you know how to scale Paid Search on google with a testing philosophy and don’t mind being in the weeds. Check this out.

Nomad Diaries: Nico

Digital Nomad Profile
home city/country: Valencia, Spain
current base: Tamarindo, Costa Rica
role/profession: Product Marketing Manager
# of years as a digital nomad: 2.5

“Nico here! I’m not really good at talking about myself but thought I would try to be more outgoing going into 2025. So here goes nothing. I’m a product marketing manager from Spain living in Costa Rica.

what has been the biggest challenge as a digital nomad? Putting myself out there to meet new people. Sometimes at co-livings and co-workings, I’ll just be in my own little world with my headphones on.

what’s your biggest digital nomad hack? Hunting down promo codes for my e-sims haha

biggest digital nomad f*ck up? Losing my debit card nearly every trip I go on

what’s your non-negotiable item when travelling? window seat always on planes and buses.

favourite & least favourite destination? I haven’t been to many places yet but my favorite so far is probably Costa Rica since I can communicate easily and the beaches are beautiful. My least favorite would probably be Florida because it was way too expensive to enjoy. Lesson learned.

okay last one, one piece of advice for a new nomad? Pack an old spare phone. I had my phone taken from me in San José and wish I gave them an old iphone instead of my new one.

📍Pin It: Florianópolis 🇧🇷

Florianópolis viewpoint

I want Brazil, I want gorgeous beaches, nightlife, and sun, but I don’t want Rio or Sao Paulo…meet Florianópolis. Or as the locals call it, Floripa.

Let’s run it down:

  • average monthly cost of living for 1 person: ~$1300 USD

  • best time to visit is the summer (December - March) for hot sunny days

  • literally a Brazilian island

  • an open and engaging digital nomad community with no shortages of co-working spaces like Impact Hub, Favo, and Sandbox scattered around the island

  • a sweet co-living, Coworksurf combining remote working, surfing, and nature. Live in paradise, shred some waves, get some work done, and meet some other cool nomads - see you there

  • 42 beaches to choose from 🤯

  • all the info & more on Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa

  • one of the safest cities in Brazil

As this is a bullshit-free newsletter, word on the street is that expenses are climbing drastically in Floripa. If you got bread like that, hell ya. If you’re keeping it tight, I recommend the co-living.

If co-living isn’t your vibe, here is the Airbnb find of the week for Floripa.

Look at me straight in the face and tell me this place isn’t both an immaculate vibe and a great deal for the island. A bit rustic but lots of character. Plus, a dog to hang with? Too easy.

a simple life

Closing out the year the only way we know how with this banger in the jam of the week

Lastly, if you’re feeling frosty–reply to this email with either one big win you had in 2024 (or lesson), and what’s your goal for 2025. I’m compiling a list for the next issue and want to include yours.

Appreciate you, stay frosty.

See you next year