Dietitian Abroad: Navigating Digital Nomad Life in Chile

It has been a lifelong dream—or at least a recent professional goal—to work both remotely and abroad. The trendy term for this is digital nomad, though I’m not sure I’ve quite reached that status yet.

My spouse has had a flexible position for some time, but given my background in healthcare—primarily in clinic and hospital settings—this dream always felt out of reach. I never thought it could become a reality for me, but I just spent five weeks living and working abroad in Viña del Mar, Chile!

Here are a few things I learned along the way—and what I might do differently next time.

Choose the Right Location for Work-Life Balance

While it might be tempting to choose a high-energy destination like downtown Paris or central Tokyo, the reality is that you’ll be living and working more than sightseeing. Instead, consider a location where you’d genuinely like to immerse yourself—whether for language, culture, food, or personal connections.

For example, while downtown Paris may be a hotspot for nightlife, it might not be ideal if you have to start work at 7 AM the next morning. Digital nomading works best in places that match your lifestyle and work schedule. Instead, look for a quieter, slower-paced location where you can wrap up your day with a coffee at a local café or a relaxing stroll through the park.

For us, Viña del Mar checked all the boxes:

- Summer weather, it is in the southern hemisphere after all!
- Spanish immersion for our kiddo
- Affordability
- Ocean access
- Family—lots and lots of extended family!

Choosing the right location can make all the difference in striking a balance between work, life, and adventure.

Consider the Time Difference—Make It Work for You

For those in client-facing roles or with frequent internal meetings, time zones matter! Unless you want to feel like you’re working night shifts—logging in at odd hours—it’s best to choose a location where the time difference works in your favor, not dictates your schedule.

In Chile, the time difference is currently 2 hours ahead of New York (Eastern Time) and 4 hours ahead of Denver (our home base). This setup allowed for leisurely mornings with our toddler before logging in around 11 AM or 12 PM, with work wrapping up around 7 PM. Since sunset wasn’t until 9 PM, we were able to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life—without feeling out of sync.

Reliable Internet—A Non-Negotiable for Remote Work

This one’s a bit of a grab bag, but we got lucky with reliable high-speed internet—enough to support two remote workers and an iPad-curious toddler streaming simultaneously.

To avoid surprises, research accommodations thoroughly before booking. Read reviews, check Wi-Fi speed details, and even call ahead to confirm, if necessary.

And always have a backup plan! If your Wi-Fi or internet connection isn’t up to speed, be prepared to work from a co-working space to stay productive.

Childcare Solutions—Finding What Works

This entire experience wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of my mother-in-law, who graciously took on the role of primary caregiver while we worked.

During the planning process, we considered local childcare facilities, extended family, and even a private in-home nanny, but given the shorter duration of our stay, a bring-your-own approach turned out to be the best solution. Good thing my MIL’s Spanish is excellent—and she enjoys the ocean! 😊

Other Considerations for Digital Nomading

There’s a lot to think about when planning a digital nomad experience, especially if you work in a client- or patient-facing role. Here are a few key factors I researched before making the leap:

- Licensure & Practice Location – If your work involves direct client or patient care, be sure to understand the regulations (or lack thereof) regarding practice location, insurance billing, and liability.
- Insurance – If you carry liability or malpractice insurance, confirm that it covers you while working abroad.
- Duration & Taxes – For short-term international travel, tax implications are usually minimal. However, once you exceed six months, tax rules change. Research the specific regulations based on your intended length of stay and work location.
- Managing Your Home – Have a plan in place for your home while you’re away. Who collects the mail? Who handles snow removal? What happens if a pipe bursts? A little planning goes a long way.
- Making Time to Travel – If possible, block out time—midway or at the end of your stay—to actually explore and take a vacation. It would be a shame to fly all the way to Tokyo and not visit the Skytree!