As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, workers are globally struggling with being locked up in their homes, work fatigue, mental health issues, and a lack of motivation. In such a situation, the concept of taking a ‘workation’ (‘work’ + ‘vacation’) has gained significant popularity. Workations are the perfect getaway for people who are exhausted working from home, as they give you a chance to experience a change in setting and the taste of a vacation, all while being productive! Workations have an incredibly positive effect on people’s mental health and give them a great traveling opportunity as they work. Keeping all of this in mind, here is a list of some of the best workation destinations where you are guaranteed to have a spectacular time:
Lisbon, Portugal
The bright and inviting Portuguese capital of Lisbon is an idyllic destination for a workation. The city experiences a relatively warm climate with over 300 days of sunshine a year and average maximum temperatures of 15°C (59°F) in January, its coldest month. Here, you will be welcomed by very friendly locals amid colorful buildings and cobbled streets. There is no shortage of coworking spaces and coffee houses–Lisbon is well-known for its “coffee culture”–all equipped with fast WiFi to give you a seamless working environment.
Lisbon is a compact, walkable city, making it very easy to get around on foot for most of your errands, but it also boasts of an excellent public transportation system, which includes the metro, the tram network, buses, and trains. When not working, you can enjoy a multitude of activities in the city, such as attending Lisbon’s iconic musical performances known as fado. At night, you can be a part of the city’s bedazzling nightlife and enjoy its delicious local cuisine. Portugal shares its time zone with the UK, which is very convenient if you are arriving from there, or if your workplace is based in the UK.
Monthly living expenses in Lisbon for 1 person: $611, without rent.
Bangkok, Thailand
Thai capital Bangkok is a cult favorite location for digital nomads owing to its affordability, attractions, amenities for remote workers, and how much of a vacation destination it is in general. It is a thriving business hub and therefore is very well connected. Local transport chiefly consists of an efficient metro rail system, and if you wish to travel by road, the city has an extensive bus network and cheap taxis. Free WiFi spots are widely available in Bangkok, so you will never run out of options when deciding where to work from on any given day.
Bangkok has a glamorous nightlife for post-work enjoyment, and if you’d like a day away from the city, you can travel to nearby cities like Pattaya, which have impressive coastlines where you can enjoy the beach and take part in water sports, as well as get a taste of jaw-dropping cabaret events such as the famous Tiffany’s Show.
Monthly living expenses in Bangkok for 1 person: $635, without rent.
Goa, India
Goa is one of India’s most beloved destinations, attracting millions of domestic and international tourists every year–and for good reason. Dotted with beautiful beaches and an overall sense of serenity, Goa is a vacationer’s paradise. Despite being such a hot spot for tourist influx, this Indian state has a perpetual feel of tranquillity, making it the perfect hideout for digital nomads. You can choose to stay in luxury beach hotels or more intimate, cheaper BnBs and hostels. Local cuisine-wise, Goa offers a remarkable selection of seafood and Indian street food, making for an incredible gastronomical experience while you work.
Goa’s spectacular nightlife is renowned across the globe, and you can party day and night at the limitless beach clubs, shacks, and nightclubs here. You can enjoy adventure sports and water sports at many beaches when you wish to take a break from work, or go beach-hopping along the 105 km (65 mi) coastline and visit some of Goa’s most famous shacks.
Monthly living expenses in Goa for 1 person: $229, without rent.
Mexico City, Mexico
If you are someone with a knack for a culture-intensive workation experience, Mexico City is the place for you. Known for its rich history and world-famous museums, the city also has a myriad of tourist attractions and shopping opportunities, including small markets and street vendors, as well as huge shopping malls. Public transport here will be the least of your worries as this city is equipped with a metro system, light rail, suburban rail, bus rapid transit, mini-buses, and bike share.
Mexico City has a good number of coworking spaces, and while internet speeds are not the fastest, WiFi is widely available and good enough to get most work done. To make the most of your workation, be sure to indulge in Mexico’s delectable local cuisine, and be part of Mexico City’s vibrant and thriving nightlife, where there is something for everyone!
Monthly living expenses in Mexico City for 1 person: $530, without rent.
Bali, Indonesia
The breathtaking island of Bali is a sight to behold. Famous for its beautiful landscapes and lush jungle, adorned with temples and traditional architecture, Bali is the perfect place to be productive and relax in the lap of nature. Here, you can rent a decent villa with good amenities for about $400-500 per month, or pay a little more to unwind and work from luxury resorts. Bali also has several coworking spaces with very fast internet speeds and is home to many trendy cafes where you can enjoy the delicious local cuisine.
Bali is also big on yoga retreats, veganism, vegetarianism, and an overall organic, healthy lifestyle, so if that’s your thing, Bali is your place! For post-work relaxation, you can rent a board and surf at most beaches, or enjoy a drink at Bali’s many beachfront bars.
Monthly living expenses in Bali for 1 person: $552, without rent.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam is the quintessential destination for a workation, owing to its well-balanced climate, culture, lively startup scene, networking opportunities, and other activities one can take part in to take a break from work. The city features plenty of cafes and coworkings with very fast WiFi, and you can walk or bike to get around with ease. For a moment of peace, you can take long walks along Amsterdam’s iconic canals, or go for boat rides on them! Amsterdam is also home to several important museums such as the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Anne Frank House.
Being the cultural center of the Netherlands, the city has a sparkling and happening nightlife, as well as an active music scene. And on the rare occasion that you get bored of this remarkable city, the sea and the countryside are right around the corner.
Monthly living expenses in Amsterdam for 1 person: $1062, without rent.
Dubai, the UAE
If you are someone looking to take a luxurious workation, Dubai is the perfect place for you! Plan your stay at a luxury hotel and take in the breathtaking views of Dubai’s impressive skyline as you work. Dubai offers excellent networking opportunities to make the most of the ‘work’ part of your workation, and if you’d like a change of pace and want to work from elsewhere, there are ample coworking spaces with incredibly fast WiFi.
For your relaxation and enjoyment, Dubai has on offer miles and miles of coastline, expansive shopping options, a diverse cuisine for every craving you may have, and abundant nightlife. There are also a lot of local festivals around the year that you can be part of. Getting around in the city is a breeze, thanks to the Dubai metro, buses, taxis, trams, water transport, and a high-speed rail system.
Monthly living expenses in Dubai for 1 person: $938, without rent.
