If you’ve ever searched online for your next digital nomad destination, I’m sure you’ve run into a similar rotation of crowd favorites. Places like Medellin, Bangkok, Mexico City, and London all usually have a place on the big lists and while these cities are great destinations for many remote workers, my friends and I have just one small issue: we’re outdoorsy people. Not only do we want to access some city conveniences, but we also want to easily be able to hike, swim, surf, dive, bike, or climb in our free time. 

If you’re a fellow nature lover, you don’t have to settle for a massive city far away from the outdoors anymore. Here are the best digital nomad destinations for travelers who love spending their free time outside. 

READ MORE: 5 Reasons Why Every Digital Nomad Should Try Surfing

Tbilisi, Georgia

Nestled in the Caucasus Mountains, the ancient capital city of Georgia is an ideal home base for adventurous digital nomads. You can take your pick from a variety of hiking trails in Tbilisi—favorites include hiking up around Mount Mtatsminda or exploring the trails of the Caucasus Mountains.

If you’re seeking a bigger adrenaline rush, try paragliding in Gudauri, a small mountain town outside of Tbilisi. However, the most popular outdoor activity in Tbilisi has got to be rafting. With an abundance of fast-flowing rivers cascading down from the mountains towards Tbilisi, you can usually book a tour on the spot any time between April and November.

READ MORE: The Best Digital Nomad Neighborhoods in Tbilisi

Kathmandu, Nepal

Seeing as Nepal is home to many of the world’s tallest mountains (including Everest, which sits on the border with Tibet), it’s no wonder Kathmandu is a haven for outdoorsy remote workers. Mountaineering is big here, especially for those willing to make the trip to the Annapurna region of the Himalayas. Here, you can choose from day hikes to challenging month-long treks amongst craggy peaks and massive glaciers.

There are also plenty of accessible weekend activities for digital nomads based in Kathmandu. Mountain biking is a popular choice, with the Nagarkot and Godavari areas offering both downhill and endurance trails for bikers of all levels. And outside of monsoon season, kayakers can revel in the variety of white water rivers surrounding the Kathmandu Valley. 

READ MORE: The Best Digital Nomad Neighborhoods in Kathmandu

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the entire world: home to lush jungles, tropical beaches, misty rainforests, and ancient volcanoes. There’s an overwhelming selection of adventurous activities when you head to this popular Central American destination. When based near Arenal, you can spend the day rock climbing, repelling, and cliff jumping at Gravity Falls. Or, hike around the Arenal Volcano, where you can traipse along dried lava flows.

Head to the Monteverde Cloud Forest for hiking, ziplining, and camping up in the clouds. If you’re really in search of a rugged adventure, grab a ride to Tortuguero National Park. It’s only accessible by canoes from the town of Tortuguero and is one of the best places in the world to see endangered turtles hatch.

READ MORE: The Best Digital Nomad Destinations in Costa Rica

Madeira, Portugal

This tiny cluster of Portuguese islands packs a real punch when it comes to the outdoors. Experienced surfers flock to Madeira; some even call it the “Hawaii of Europe” for its intense swells—the most legendary of which can be found at Ponta Pequena, Paul do Mar, and Fajã da Ovelha.

Climbers will love Madeira as well. There are both aid climbing and sport climbing routes located around the islands, with the most accessible near Baia D’Abra. For something a little different, you can try coasteering: a relatively new sport where participants hike, climb, scramble, and swim to traverse long stretches of coastal zones.

READ MORE: The Best Digital Nomad Destinations in Madeira

Bali, Indonesia

After you’ve enjoyed the coworking spaces in Canggu and the peace and quiet of Ubud, there are quite a few ways to get outdoors and enjoy all that Bali has to offer. For one, Bali is a world class surf destination. And unlike Madeira, there are waves for every skill level, as well as kite surfers! There’s also incredible scuba diving in Bali. If you want to try something new, consider free diving. As Bali is a meditation and mindfulness hotspot, there are loads of schools teaching the anxiety-reducing breathing techniques necessary for this niche sport. 

READ MORE: The Best Digital Nomad Destinations in Bali

Cape Town, South Africa

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the rocky edges of Table Mountain on the other, you can take your pick of adventurous activities in Cape Town. The South African capital is home to some of the best surfing on the continent, with waves for every skill level available. There’s also plenty of diving in Cape Town. If you’re up for it, shark cage diving is one of the most popular activities amongst visitors to Cape Town.

On the other side of the city, you can’t miss venturing up Table Mountain one way or another. Choose from five different hiking trails up to the viewpoint, or the hundreds more that traverse the national park. Once at the top, you might even want to try abseiling or paragliding back down! 

READ MORE: The Best Digital Nomad Neighborhoods in Cape Town

Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu sits on Oahu’s south shore, perfectly located as the gate to the rest of the Hawaiian islands. With its verdant jungle landscapes and massive ocean swells, adventure lovers can find all sorts of thrills year-round in this tropical city. Of course, ocean sports of all kinds are on order in Honolulu: surfing, swimming, snorkeling, diving, kitesurfing, and sailing are all popular options. Lanikai Beach and Hanauma Bay have calm waters suitable for snorkeling and swimming. Competent surfers might want to check out the bigger waves at Waimea Bay, Waikiki, and Diamond Beach. 

If you’d like to stay on land, you can choose from nearly 100 trails to hike, bike, or trail run amongst Honolulu’s tropical forests and up the Lēʻahi volcano. ATV tours are also available, as well as horseback rides.

READ MORE:

• 5 Best Hikes in Honolulu
• 6 Best Waterfalls in Costa Rica
• How to Plan a Backpacking Trip to India as a Digital Nomad