When I left the US eight years ago to live the digital nomad life, there were some conveniences I knew I'd be giving up as I traveled the world. Having spent most of my adult life ordering and receiving products from Amazon, I assumed the glorious days of being able to get almost anything I wanted with two-day delivery and just a few clicks were over.
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Medellin, Colombia was one of the first countries I decided to stay in long term. I applied for a student visa to study Spanish so I could move and live as a foreigner. I signed a lease on a furnished apartment in my favorite part of the city (the poblado), got a Colombian national ID, registered with the National Health Insurance System, and decided to furnish my apartment to make it feel as homey as possible.
I was surprised to find out that Amazon delivers to Colombia. With AmazonGlobal, you can get your Amazon orders delivered to six continents. With the comfort of my home and certain tech needs fulfilled through Amazon, I felt a little more confident that I could live the digital nomad lifestyle.
I've traveled to 88 countries and lived in 12. Here's what it's like to receive an Amazon delivery abroad.
Get the gadgets you need
I've gotten a lot of great deals and gadgets through Amazon over the years. One of my favorite shopping events is Prime Day because I can get anything I want or need within my budget. I'm glad I shopped on Prime Day and got what I needed while I was abroad.
Through Prime Day, I was able to purchase Anker extension cords, bamboo sheets (which I now carry everywhere I go), an iPad Air, a laptop stand, AirPods, and a webcam. I had these items shipped to me when I lived in Colombia, Malaysia, and Japan. When I needed a specific tool like a microphone or webcam, and it was too expensive or locally country-specific (either language or configuration), I was able to order it through Amazon.
Amazon makes it easy to get gadgets to help me work and stay in touch with family abroad. I order through the app as I normally do, and Amazon delivers my products. I get notifications when my package is on its way, when it clears customs in my country, and when Amazon or its local partner is on its way to my location to deliver it.
Enjoy the comforts of home while working abroad
One thing no one tells you about the digital nomad lifestyle is that you'll feel lonely and miss the comforts of home. You'll miss your favorite restaurants, the coffee at your local coffee shop, and the little things that make your living space feel cozy. When I discovered that Amazon ships internationally, I ordered some items that would make me feel at home.
While in Japan, I ordered the bamboo sheets I always used in the U.S. In Malaysia, I bought an iPad so I could watch TV in bed (using a VPN) and FaceTime with my family more comfortably, and in Colombia, I ordered Christmas knickknacks to decorate my apartment for Christmas and recreate rituals I'd enjoyed for years.
Home means different things to different people. For me, home is a place to travel and live, as long as it's my home. Local finds are amazing and make each place special, but I also love being able to rely on Amazon for everyday supplies.
Saving money on Amazon can help you stretch your budget
Amazon has great prices, especially during their Prime Day sales. Shopping on Amazon saves you money, which you can then use for activities in the country you're visiting. Living a digital nomad lifestyle means learning to manage your expenses better, especially travel expenses. I keep my expenses low and buy products from Amazon whenever possible.
If you want to become a digital nomad, are already living that lifestyle, or just want the essentials while traveling, consider taking advantage of AmazonGlobal offers. You can get almost everything you need at affordable prices, with delivery to countries all over the world.
