Nepal is emerging as a surprisingly excellent destination for digital nomads. Affordable living costs, stunning mountain backdrops, a growing cafe culture, and reliable fiber internet make it perfect for remote workers who want adventure alongside their laptop.
Whether you're dreaming of writing code with Himalayan views or taking video calls from a lakeside cafe in Pokhara, this guide covers everything you need to work remotely from Nepal.
Why Nepal for Digital Nomads?
- Ultra-low cost of living: Live well on $800-1,200/month
- Stunning scenery: Work with mountain backdrops
- Growing infrastructure: Fiber internet in cities, improving mobile data
- Adventure access: Weekend treks, world-class climbing nearby
- Welcoming culture: Friendly locals, growing expat community
- Easy visa: On-arrival tourist visas for most nationalities
- Timezone: UTC+5:45 — bridges Asia, Europe, and Americas
Internet & Connectivity
Fiber Internet
Major cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Patan have widespread fiber optic internet with speeds of 25-100 Mbps. Monthly costs run $15-30 for home connections.
Mobile Data
Ncell and NTC offer 4G LTE coverage in cities and along major trekking routes. Data packs are affordable — approximately $5-10 for 10-20GB. Coverage drops in remote areas but is improving.
Always have a backup! Power cuts happen occasionally, and some areas experience outages. Carry a portable hotspot device or have both Ncell and NTC SIM cards for redundancy.
Speed Expectations
- Coworking spaces: 50-100 Mbps fiber (most reliable)
- Good cafes: 15-40 Mbps
- Budget guesthouses: 5-15 Mbps
- Mobile 4G: 10-30 Mbps in cities
Best Locations for Remote Work
Kathmandu Valley
The capital offers the best infrastructure, most coworking options, and largest expat community. Neighborhoods like Patan, Jhamsikhel, and Lazimpat are particularly popular with remote workers.
- Pros: Best internet, most coworking spaces, international restaurants, cultural richness
- Cons: Air pollution, traffic congestion, noise
- Best for: Those prioritizing connectivity and community
Top Coworking: KTM
- MooCollective (Patan): Stylish space, great coffee, reliable internet. $80-150/month
- WorkHub (Jhamsikhel): Modern facilities, meeting rooms. $70-120/month
- LabSpace (Lalitpur): Budget-friendly, good community. $50-80/month
Pokhara — The Relaxed Alternative
Pokhara offers a more laid-back vibe with lakeside cafes, spectacular Annapurna views, and quick access to trekking routes. Internet is slightly less reliable than Kathmandu but improving rapidly.
- Pros: Beautiful setting, relaxed pace, outdoor activities
- Cons: Fewer coworking options, slightly slower internet
- Best for: Adventure-focused nomads, creatives, those fleeing city stress
Top Coworking: Pokhara
- PokhWork (Lakeside): Community-focused, yoga classes included
- Himalayan Coworking: Views, reliable internet, outdoor terrace
- Many lakeside cafes: Work-friendly with decent WiFi
Patan — The Best of Both
Just across the river from central Kathmandu, Patan offers a mellower atmosphere with beautiful medieval streets, excellent cafes, and good connectivity. Many digital nomads consider it the sweet spot.
Visa Information
Tourist Visa (Most Common)
- 15 days: $30
- 30 days: $50
- 90 days: $125
- Extensions: Up to 150 days total in a calendar year
Tourist visas are available on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport and land borders. You can extend at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu.
Business Visa
For stays beyond 150 days or actual business activities (beyond remote work for non-Nepali clients), you'll need a business visa. This requires sponsorship from a registered Nepali company.
Nepal doesn't have a specific "digital nomad visa." Most remote workers use the tourist visa, which technically doesn't permit work. However, working remotely for clients outside Nepal is generally tolerated. Research current regulations before your trip via Nepal Immigration.
Cost of Living Breakdown
| Category | Budget | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (month) | $200-350 | $400-700 |
| Food (month) | $150-200 | $250-400 |
| Coworking (month) | $50-80 | $100-150 |
| Internet (home) | $15-25 | $25-40 |
| Transport | $30-50 | $60-100 |
| Entertainment | $50-100 | $100-200 |
| Total (month) | $495-805 | $935-1,590 |
Work-Friendly Cafes
Nepal has a growing cafe culture with many spaces welcoming laptop workers:
Kathmandu
- Himalayan Java: Multiple locations, reliable WiFi, great coffee
- Farmers Market Cafe (Jhamsikhel): Healthy food, good workspace
- OR2K (Thamel): Middle Eastern food, rooftop seating
- 1905 (Kantipath): Heritage building, peaceful courtyard
Pokhara
- AM/PM Organic Cafe: Healthy food, lake views
- Perky Beans: Best coffee in town, work-friendly
- French Creperie: Quiet atmosphere, good WiFi
Practical Tips
- Bring a power bank: Load shedding has improved but backup power is wise
- Get a local SIM: Ncell is generally preferred for data
- Use a VPN: Some services are blocked; works better for video calls
- Open a local account: Wise or a Nepali bank for local payments
- Learn basic Nepali: "Namaste," "dhanyabad" (thank you) go a long way
- Plan around timezone: Factor in meetings when choosing your work schedule
Combine your work trip with weekend adventures — check our guides on hidden gems and budget travel for inspiration.
Plan Your Nepal Work-cation
Need help finding the perfect base for remote work, or planning weekend adventures around your work schedule?
Get in TouchFAQ: Digital Nomad Nepal
Is Nepal safe for digital nomads?
Yes! Nepal is generally very safe. Petty crime exists as in most tourist destinations, but violent crime is rare. Exercise normal precautions with valuables and be careful on roads.
Can I work remotely on a tourist visa?
Working remotely for non-Nepali clients falls into a gray area. Most digital nomads do this without issues, but technically it's not permitted. You're responsible for understanding current regulations.
How's the coffee?
Excellent! Nepal grows its own coffee, and cities have thriving specialty coffee scenes. Expect quality comparable to major Asian cities at half the price.
