The digital nomad dream is the image of working on your laptop and heading to the beach. And with more jobs than ever offering flexible, hybrid or remote working, being able to follow your dream and work on the beach is no longer a pipe dream.
So long as you have your laptop and a stable internet connection, you can jump on Zoom calls, deliver those files and go get a cool drink on the beach.
With all that in mind, we’ve taken a look at the best workation destinations that allow you work from beach hotspots. From Europe to South America, via Asia, Africa and, well… Everywhere… Where should you be booking your apartment?
Bondi Beach, Australia
A suburb of Sydney, Australia’s largest city, Bondi Beach has a strong surfing culture and is home to several iconic surf breaks including the infamous “Bondi Pavilion” where the Australian Open of Surfing is held annually.
The beach itself is a popular Australian tourist destination and attracts thousands of visitors each year. It’s also known for its large waves which make it perfect for experienced surfers who want to ride some big ones.
As far as working remotely goes, Bondi Beach has some great cafes with free Wi-Fi and decent coffee too.
There are also some excellent restaurants nearby with good food and drinks that make for great work dates or just chilling out after a day working in your own office space.
The downside is that Australia is not the cheapest country for cost of living. But if you can get their visa, and you are clearing an easy $3000 per month (US) then you should be good to go.
Valencia, Spain
Valencia is a city that blends history and modernity into an exciting mix. It has been a major crossroads for centuries and is now known as the gateway to Spain’s Mediterranean coast. The city itself has plenty of sights to offer, including the famous “City of Arts and Sciences”, a complex of five museums designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. Not to mention that the beaches in Valencia are some of the best in Europe, with over seven kilometers of golden sand along Levante’s coastline.
In addition, Valencia enjoys warm temperatures all year round with its average temperature at 16 degrees Celsius (61 Fahrenheit). In the summer it can easily push the high 30s though, and the beach does get busy!
To add to this, average rainfall in Valencia is less than 100mm per year.
The city is also home to a buzzing social scene. There are plenty of places to go out on the weekends in Valencia from live music and underground clubs to al-fresco parties. The city also hosts several festivals every year including Feria de Fallas (March) when effigies burned in bonfires mark the end of Carnival week.
Read our guide to Valencia cafes for digital nomads.
Koh Lanta, Thailand
There are few places on earth that can compete with the beauty of Koh Lanta. This island off the southern coast of Thailand is a paradise on earth and an amazing place for a workation.
With its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and tropical climate, Koh Lanta is a top destination for anyone looking to escape the winter blues. The island is divided into two parts by a mountain range that runs down the middle – north and south. South Koh Lanta has been developed as a tourist hotspot but still retains a laid-back vibe and plenty of quiet corners for those who want to get away from it all.
Koh Lanta is known for its fantastic diving sites, snorkelling spots and water sports activities such as kayaking or surfing. There are also plenty of guided tours around the island where you can learn more about its history and culture. You can even take an overnight trip to nearby Phuket if you want something different from your usual beach holiday!
Thailand also features some of the world’s sexiest beaches, so anywhere here is great for work.
Tulum, Mexico
Tulum is a small city on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. It’s one of the most popular beach destinations in the world and it’s also one of the best places for a workation in North America.
With great weather year round – you can walk along the beach in shorts and a t-shirt in January or February and feel perfectly comfortable.
Tulum can get busy in peak season, but if you’re looking to work from the beach outside of peak season, this is a solid choice.
Oh, and the food is fantastic – fresh seafood every day! And lots of other options from incredible Mexican food to international favourites too.
Find long term and short team accommodation, including apartments, villas and hotels. Our favourite site for finding the best deals (and collecting rewards) is Booking. Browse deals on the best workation deals on our handy widget.
El Tunco, El Salvador
El Tunco is a small town in El Salvador, Central America. It’s known for being a backpacker hotspot and a great place to work remotely.
But what makes it so great?
It’s cheap! As of 2023, the average price for an Airbnb in El Tunco was around $30/night.
And yes, it’s safe! El Tunco has been named one of the most secure beach destinations in Latin America by Travel + Leisure magazine.
There are lots of coworking spaces too. Most coworking spaces don’t require you to sign a long-term contract or pay any setup fees. They’re also usually located centrally in town so that you can walk or take public transportation to get where you need to go (and save money on Uber).
In addition to free co-working spaces, many restaurants and cafes hold free events like yoga classes or art workshops every day or once a week.
Cape Town, South Africa
Whether you’re a digital nomad or simply looking for a vacation, it’s hard not to appreciate the beautiful beaches of South Africa.
One of the world’s best beach workation destinations, Cape Town has plenty to offer when it comes to working remotely. With a large community of digital nomads, as well as plenty of cafes and coworking spaces, it’s easy to find some solitude no matter where you go.
What makes Cape Town so great for remote workers?
The weather is perfect year-round. It doesn’t get too cold in winter but it also doesn’t get unbearably hot during summer.
The average temperature ranges from 16°C/60°F to 26°C/78°F.
You can also rent an apartment with fast WiFi and use your own desk at one of the many co-working spaces around town like The Working Studio or The Collective Hub. Or if you prefer a more social environment, the Muizenberg Library has a dedicated section for remote workers that offers free WiFi and power points.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali has become a popular location for digital nomads who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of their home cities and countries.
It’s one of the worlds most popular tourist destinations, but it’s still relatively cheap compared to many other places in Southeast Asia. You can get by on less than $2,000 a month if you’re careful with your spending.
Here are some of the best things about working remotely in Bali:
- It’s a digital nomad hotspot, so you’ll find plenty of entrepreneurs to mix with
- You’re in the tropics + you’ve got great surf and beaches = perfect beach location
- Low cost of living means you might be able to stay indefinitely
Boracay, Philippines
Boracay is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It has beautiful beaches with amazing water and sand, but what makes it so special is that there are no cars on the island. This means that you can walk around freely without having to worry about getting hit by a car or bus! You can have fun at night too because there are lots of bars and clubs where you can go after dinner or before bedtime!
The island offers cheap accommodation, delicious food and a laid-back vibe that makes it easy to get work done. You can even find coworking spaces there if you need a change of scenery.
Kauai Island, Hawaii, USA
Kauai Island is one of the best beach workation destinations in the USA. The island is known for its beautiful scenery and amazing weather.
As part of the Hawaii archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, it has a warm climate year round. There are also many things to do on Kauai including snorkeling, diving and surfing.
You don’t have to be a remote worker to enjoy the best things about Kauai Island, Hawaii. But if you’re looking for a new adventure and a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, then this might be just the place for you.
Taghazout, Morocco
Taghazout is a small town on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. It’s known for its wide sandy beaches and excellent surf. The town has a laid back vibe and is popular with expats, especially surfers, but increasingly the laptop working set too.
The best things about working remotely in Taghazout:
- It’s easy to get around. You can rent a scooter and explore the surrounding area. There are plenty of other ways to get around too, including buses and taxis, or you could use public transport from Marrakech or Agadir airports.
- The weather is great! It’s hot during the day but it cools down at night time so you can work outside during the evening if you enjoy working in natural light like I do.
- Although it’s not as popular as Marrakech or Essaouira, it has a lot to offer for digital nomads and travelers looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of big cities.
Morroco also offers great food and plenty of opportunities to work from the beach for a very low cost. In fact one of the main benefits of choosing Morocco is the very low cost of living.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known for its natural beauty, and it has become a popular destination for digital nomads who want to escape the rat race and take advantage of the country’s year-round pleasant weather.
The country is also home to one of the world’s fastest internet connections. It was ranked third by Akamai’s State of the Internet Report in 2016, with an average speed of 17.5 Mbps — much faster than many other countries in Central America and South America.
Unlike many other countries in Latin America, Costa Rica has no restrictions on foreigners owning property or businesses there, although you’ll need to make sure that your assets are properly insured — especially if you want to rent out your place to other nomads or vacationers during the off season.
If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy tropical weather all year long while still having access to modern amenities like high-speed internet and reliable transportation options, then Costa Rica may be just what you’re looking for!
The best things about working remotely in costa rica:
- Low cost of living (cheaper than most European countries)
- High quality of life
- Beautiful weather (3 seasons – dry season, rainy season & green season)
Krabi, Thailand
Krabi is a popular tourist destination and a great place to work remotely!
Like most of Thailand, Krabi is cheap to live in. You can rent an apartment for $300-$400 a month that includes utilities. Food is cheap too, so you don’t need to spend much on food unless you want to eat out everyday.
Thai weather is predictably hot and humid during the day, but it cools off at night so you can sleep comfortably. It rains often, but it doesn’t last long and the rain is warm enough that it feels good on your skin!
There are many different beaches in Krabi and each one has its own unique beauty. There are also many different waterfalls nearby which make for great day trips if you want to leave the city for a while or escape the heat of Bangkok or Phuket during their summer months.
Krabi has tons of great restaurants with delicious food at reasonable prices (compared to other places in Thailand). You can find everything from Japanese ramen noodles to pizza, sushi rolls, Indian curry dishes and more at restaurants throughout town!
Koh Rong, Cambodia
Koh Rong is one of the most beautiful places in Cambodia. The island is surrounded by white sandy beaches, jungle and crystal clear water.
Koh Rong has become a popular destination for people who want to work remotely, but also enjoy the beach life.
With a tropical climate, temperatures ranging between 23°C and 35°C all year around. You can work outside most of the time and enjoy nature at its best.
There are many different restaurants that serve delicious local food at very reasonable prices. You can also find many other international restaurants where you can try some western food if you want to change it up a bit!
There are several cafes on the island where you can get free WIFI as well as many spots where you can enjoy free WIFI when out and about (e.g. resorts). Most of them have good speeds too!
Cartegena, Colombia
Cartagena is one of the top-notch travel destinations in the South America and it’s no wonder why. From its beautiful beaches to its colorful culture, there is no shortage of reasons to visit this Colombian city.
If you are looking for a place where you can take a break from your daily routine and enjoy some sun without having to leave your job behind, then Cartagena might just be the place for you!
No matter what time of day it is or what part of town you are in, you will always find something yummy to eat or drink in Cartagena. From empanadas to ceviche (yes it has its own festival), there are so many different types of street food that you will never get bored with what’s on offer here.
And don’t worry if you miss out on any local delicacies while working; there are plenty of restaurants and cafes around where you can try some too!
The Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve in Portugal is one of the most beautiful places in Europe to work from the beach. The beaches are spectacular and there are plenty of local bars to enjoy a beer. This makes it an ideal place for a workation, whether thats for a few weeks or longer.
There’s no shortage of things to do in The Algarve, but the area will be especially attractive to those looking for a surfer lifestyle and for a climate that is hot and sunny in the summer, and mild and pleasant in the winter.
Head to towns such as Albufeira, Lagos, Sagres or Portimão for excellent work from beach vibes. In addition to this, many of these cities have affordable short to mid term property, and you can even get a great deal on a self-catering apartment, especially out of season.
You can find amazing fresh seafood here which makes eating out really cheap! I tend to eat at restaurants every night because they’re so cheap and tasty! My favourite restaurant is Largo da Barca, which is located right on the main beach strip in Albufeira town centre. They serve traditional Portuguese food that’s absolutely delicious and has a really nice atmosphere too!
As for the weather – It doesn’t rain much here so there’s plenty of sun all year round!
Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel Aviv is one of the world’s best beach workation destinations. With its beautiful beaches and Mediterranean lifestyle, it’s easy to see why so many people love working remotely in Tel Aviv.
The city offers a unique blend of culture and entrepreneurship that makes it an ideal place for freelancers and remote workers. And with Israel known as startup nation, there are plenty of companies looking to hire talent, whatever your specialism.
In addition to this
- The weather is great year-round
- Plenty of coworking spaces and cafes with WiFi
- Great food scene with plenty of vegan options (and lots of Israeli food!)
- A contender for one of the best nightlife cities in the world
However it’s worth bearing in mind that the cost of living in Tel Aviv and Israel is one of the highest in the world. So if you’re looking for a cheap place to live, this isn’t it.
Dubai, UAE
Dubai is one of the world’s most exciting cities. It’s a hub for business, finance, tourism and culture. It’s also a great place to work remotely and it’s rapidly becoming one of the main startup hubs in the middle eastern region.
With most of the populataion being non-native, it’s an easy place to meet fellow remote workers and expats. And of course there is great cuisine, from around the world, a buzzing nightlife pretty much every day of the week and great connections to the rest of the world courtesy of Emirates (and Abu Dhabi down the road also has great connections thanks to their airline Etihad).
And with its year-round warm climate (it’s never cold here), there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors during your time off. Of course there are tons of beaches, some great bars and restaurants and so much stuff to do during your free time.
A true global playboy city!
Find the best deals on short term and mid-term accommodation at the best digital nomad beach destinations with our fave tool, Booking.com.
