Why (and Why Not) to Choose Mongolia as a Digital Nomad Destination

When people think of traveling to Mongolia, mostly they envision extreme road trips, unspoiled nature, exotic adventures like eagle hunting, horse trekking, and witnessing authentic nomadic living. But have you ever considered living in Mongolia as a digital nomad? It’s a stark contrast to the typical beach-partying, surfing, and sun-kissed digital nomad lifestyle, instead, a liberating adventure filled with unpredictable challenges and experiences. If you’re intrigued, here’s what you need to know. 

As of now, Mongolia doesn’t offer a digital nomad visa yet. However, until the end of 2025, the Mongolian government is offering visa-free stays of up to 30 days to encourage tourism. To see if your country is on this exempt list, visit evisa.mn. Normally, digital nomads can apply for either a tourist or business visa. A tourist visa permits a single entry with a maximum stay of 30 days, while a business visa allows multiple entries and up to 90 days in the country.  Mongolia currently has no specific regulations for remote work. As a digital nomad, you can live in Mongolia on a valid visa or residence permit while working remotely for foreign clients or companies without legal restrictions. But, it’s recommended to consult with tax professionals. 

Image of Ulaanbaatar from Unsplash

Once you arrive in Mongolia, there are both advantages and challenges for digital nomads. Mongolia can offer some unique advantages for digital nomads: 

1. Affordability

Capital Ulaanbaatar is relatively affordable compared to other major cities. Rent for one-bedroom apartment in the city center ranges from $500-$750 per month, depending on the location, amenities, and the building's condition. Food is inexpensive, with meals at mid-range restaurants costing around $6 to $15. Of course there are more expensive or cheaper choices. If you prefer to cook at home, monthly groceries for one person would be around $250-$300 on average, including essentials like fruits, vegetables, rice, bread, dairy and meat. Local gym memberships start at $25 to $50 per month depending on the facilities and services provided. When it comes to coffee, Ulaanbaatar’s coffee culture has been steadily growing, with numerous cafes serving quality coffee. A regular cup of coffee typically costs around $2 to $4. There are plenty of cozy cafes to relax in, many of which offer free Wi-Fi and are great places to work or meet friends. So, with approximately $1,000 to $1,500 per month, you can comfortably cover rent, food, gym memberships, and other leisure activities in Ulaanbaatar.

2. Affordable and fast internet connection

While Mongolia is remote, it offers reliable and fast internet, making it easy to stay connected and work efficiently. You can stay connected at an affordable price of $10 to $30 per month. However, it’s a bit challenging to stay connected outside of Ulaanbaatar. If you’re travelling outside of Ulaanbaatar and need to stay connected, Unitel has the biggest mobile network coverage all over Mongolia. Don’t forget to get a 4G SIM card with a data package before heading into rural areas. While connectivity is improving in many parts of the country, there are still areas where signal strength can be weak or inconsistent. For those planning to stay in Mongolia for an extended period or travel to particularly remote spots, it’s worth looking into satellite internet services, such as Starlink, which can provide more reliable internet access, especially when traditional networks fall short. This will ensure you can continue working or stay in touch with friends and family while exploring Mongolia’s vast landscapes.

3. Full of cultural experience

Ulaanbaatar might be a small capital, but it offers plenty of fun activities and entertainment. Cultural enthusiasts can visit the National Museum of Mongolia, Chingis Khaan musuem and the National Art Gallery to dive into Mongolia’s history and traditional arts. There are a few fascinating Buddhist monastery musuems to get familiar with Buddhist heritage of Mongolia. For those looking for a unique experience, the bustling Naran Tuul Market is the perfect place to shop for traditional clothing, handicrafts, souvenirs and just to take a glance of everyday life of Mongolians who are shopping and working at the black market. Popular weekend plan for outdoorsy people are Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, ideal for hiking, horseback riding and Sky Resort for winter sports. Another recently popular weekend activity is watching the National Basketball League of Mongolia (NBLM) at Steppe Arena. The league has gained significant popularity, with regular-season games and playoffs culminating in a national champion since it’s established in 2015. 

Ulaanbaatar’s nightlife has quite vibrant scene with lively bars, clubs and restaurants. The most “mongolian” nightout would definitely include some karaoke session at the end of the night. In the summer time, Ulaanbaatar hosts Naadam festival and Playtime International music festival, along with a variety of concerts and cultural performances year round, making Ulaanbaatar a dynamic destination for everyone. 

4. Safety

Mongolia’s geographical location makes it one of the safer countries for digital nomads. It’s far from global conflicts, landlocked, and experiences fewer natural disasters. Positioned far from major global conflicts, Mongolians enjoy a level of geopolitical stability that many other regions can’t offer. Also, Mongolia is not as prone to coastal disasters like tsunamis or hurricanes for being landlocked. Yet it experiences occasional earthquake or severe weather as the main risks. Health and medical services in Mongolia are adequate in urban areas, with modern hospitals and clinics available in Ulaanbaatar. However, in more remote regions, medical facilities are limited, so it's advisable to have a travel insurance and carry any necessary medications. 

5. Freedom to have road trips 

One of the best things about being a digital nomad in Mongolia is the freedom to embark on epic road trips whenever you want. With its vast open landscapes, endless steppes, and stunning natural beauty, Mongolia offers the perfect backdrop for adventure. Whether it’s a weekend escape to Terelj National Park, a journey to the Gobi Desert, or a longer expedition to Khuvsgul Lake, you can unplug from city life and immerse yourself in nature. Renting a car or joining a tour allows you to explore remote areas, experience nomadic culture, and enjoy the true essence of Mongolia’s wilderness.

6. Coworking spaces

There are a few coworking spaces and startup hubs offering collaborative and productive environment for digital nomads. For example, Startup Terminal have quiet rooms for focused work to open spaces for networking and collaboration. These coworking spaces offer flexible membership plans, meeting rooms, and event spaces for workshops or networking gatherings. Additionally, almost all the coffee shops are laptop friendly and allows you to work without any restrictions.

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Some challenges to live as a digital nomad in Mongolia

1. Infamous harsh weather

Mongolia is known for its extreme and unpredictable weather due to its vast open landscapes and continental climate. Winters are notoriously brutal, lasting from November to March, with temperatures plunging below -40°C (-40°F), accompanied by fierce winds and heavy snowstorms. The infamous dzud, a severe winter that threatens livestock and livelihoods, is a recurring challenge in rural Mongolia. Summers, from June to August, bring the opposite extreme, with scorching temperatures that can soar above 40°C (104°F), especially in the Gobi Desert. The rapid temperature fluctuations between day and night can be shocking, making it essential to dress in layers.Spring and autumn may seem milder, but they come with unpredictable weather shifts, strong winds, and sudden temperature drops. Sandstorms are common in the Gobi, while dust storms can sweep across the steppes. Additionally, Mongolia’s air is very dry, so you’ll need to moisturize and stay hydrated.

2. Bad air quality

Ulaanbaatar faces significant challenges with its air quality, especially during the harsh winter months. The city experiences some of the worst air pollution levels in the world, mainly due to burning of coal for heating, and some other factors such as vehicle emission and industrial activities. During the winter, temperatures can drop drastically, causing many residents in the ger districts (traditional yurt districts) to burn coal and other materials to stay warm, which significantly contributes to the smog. So, If you visit Ulaanbaatar during the winter months, consider wearing a high-quality mask designed to filter out harmful particles, such as an N95 or KN95 mask, especially if you plan to spend extended time outdoors. Make sure to check the air quality index (AQI) regularly to assess the pollution levels. It's also wise to limit outdoor activities when air quality is particularly bad and spend more time indoors where air is less polluted. 

3. Limited Vegetarian & Vegan Food Options

While Mongolia has food culture centered around meat, particularly beef, mutton, and dairy products, it may cause challenges for vegetarians and vegans. The famous traditional dishes are khuushuur (fried meat dumplings), bansh (dumplings filled with meat), and mutton stews forming the core of most meals. For meat eaters, Mongolian food is nutricious, hearthy and delicious. Especially, the taste and the quality of meat is excellent. However, for vegans and vegetarians, finding plant-based options can be difficult, especially in more rural areas where plant-based foods like fresh vegetables are less accessible and often expensive. It’s not a common expectation to have the detailed ingredients of the dishes in the regular cafes and local places, some dishes might appear vegetarian might still have dairy and meat contents. Mongolian diet is based on meat and dairy protein, it lacks plant-based protein sources, so it’s necessary to plan ahead by bringing your own supplements, snacks, and protein powder to meet your nutritional needs. In Ulaanbaatar, options and availability of vegan, vegetarian places are increasing. The most well know are Foody, Loving Hut chain and Agnista. Moreover, the majority of coffee shops in Mongolia only offer regular milk, and the country lacks a seafood culture.

4. Getting around Mongolia

In Ulaanbaatar, buses, taxis, and cars are the main modes of transportation. The city was originally designed for 500,000 people, yet today, it accommodates 1.5 million, leading to infamous traffic jams that waste time and force people to plan their lives around avoiding congestion. With no metro or tram system, public buses are often overcrowded and inconvenient. As a result, walking and cycling are often the best alternatives. Walking is a healthy and enjoyable way to explore the city, except in winter. However, if you dress in enough layers, it’s still manageable. Cycling, on the other hand, can be risky due to the lack of proper bike lanes, though the experience varies depending on the district. For the taxi service, download UBcab application which is reliable and safe. 

To travel outside UB, you can take trains, domestic airlines and intercity buses. A section of Trans-Siberian railway passes through Mongolia, connecting Ulaanbaatar to China and Russia’s borders. The trains are old Soviet-style, so while they may not offer high comfort levels, they are reliable and provide a great opportunity to enjoy Mongolia’s scenic landscapes. You can book your train ticket online here https://eticket.ubtz.mn/ and on site. 

For faster travel, domestic airlines such as Hunnu Air, AeroMongolia, and MIAT operate flights to nine destinations, including the most popular tourist destinations such as Bayan-Ulgii, Khuvsgul and Umnugovi. 

Alternatively, buses are the most common and budget-friendly way to travel between cities and towns in Mongolia. However, many routes involve dirt roads, so expect some bumpy ride in certain areas. But, that’s the part of Mongolia’s adventurous charm! You can book your bus ticket here https://eticket.transdep.mn/ and also at the bus terminal. 

For more convenient travel, you can rent a car to travel around Mongolia. To rent a car, you need to connect with travel agencies and tour guides. The most well-known are Nomadic Expeditions, Amicus, Follow the Track, and Meanwhile in Mongolia

Living as a digital nomad in Mongolia offers a unique and adventurous experience, with affordable living costs, reliable internet, and a rich cultural scene. However, challenges like harsh weather, air pollution, and limited food options require preparation and adaptability to make the most of this extraordinary destination.