If you aren’t ready to become a digital nomad, but want an escape from your home office, it might be worth considering a workation. The trend – which refers to combining work with leisure – has seen a major uptick in recent years, as scores of workers try to spice up their 9-5 while taking advantage of flexible workplace policies brought about by Covid-19.
Workations open up exciting opportunities for employees, freelancers, and entrepreneurs by letting them travel the world without taking a day off. However, with so many exotic destinations to choose from, picking a spot isn’t smooth sailing, especially if it’s your first time combining business and leisure.
By considering factors like cost of living, Wi-Fi speeds, and time differences from the US, we round up seven countries that should be on your radar, whether your dream working location is a cabin in the woods or a thriving metropolis. Read on to discover our favorite workation hotspots, and to learn more about the trend that is reshaping the way that we work.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
What Is a Workation?
Workation is a portmanteau of the words ‘work’ and ‘vacation’, and is a concept that refers to working independently while vacationing. Unlike typical trips, workations allow you to travel the world while remaining on the clock, giving full-time employees a chance to save precious on annual leave, and enabling freelancers to earn from foreign sands.
As more and more professionals strive to establish healthier work-life balances, the concept has risen alongside ‘bleisure trips’ – a term describing when workers combine business trips with leisure activities. However, unlike bleisure trips, workations tend to be organized by individual workers not companies, giving them autonomy over where they’d like to spend their time.
Workations also draw a lot of parallels with digital nomadism – a practice that sees professionals move to foreign lands on a permanent or semi-permanent basis. Yet, unless you’re planning on taking a long trip, workations are temporary in nature. This means they require much less commitment than digital nomadism and don’t often warrant specialist visas.
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Different Types of Workations
Depending on what you want out of your trip, workations typically fall within three main categories, short-term, medium, or long-term. We explain how these types differ, and who they’re best for.
- Short-term workations – This type of trip only lasts a few days, and tends to be taken relatively close to home. Short-term workations are a great option for first-timers, or professionals after a brief change of scenery.
- Medium-term workations – Medium-term workations last anywhere from a week to a month. Since these trips are a bit longer, they’re ideal for individuals who want to travel a little bit further – within their country or overseas – and want some extra time to unwind.
- Long-term workations – Long-term workations typically last a couple of months or more, and tend to be taken by digital nomads, over regular remote workers. As those taking long-term workations will be staying on foreign soil for longer periods of time, it’s likely a special visa or permit will be required for their trip.
Best Workation Destinations for 2024
South America
Brazil
- Time difference: 1 to 3 hours ahead of EST
- Top locations: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Florianopolis, Jericoacoara
- Internet speed: Good
- Digital nomad visa: Yes ($100-$300)
- Average monthly living cost: $1,600 a month
If you’d like to work among varied, stunning landscapes, in a time zone that’s not too far ahead of the US, look no further than Brazil. From its natural phenomena like the world-renowned Amazon rainforest to its urban metropolises like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil has something to offer for just about any globetrotting professional.
Brazil’s affordable cost of living makes it ideal for short and long-term travelers alike, while it’s recently released Digital Nomad Visa has made it easier than ever for foreign residents to apply for residency.
Argentina
- Time difference: 1 hour ahead of EST
- Top locations: Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Cordoba, Mar del Plata
- Internet speed: Good
- Digital nomad visa: Yes ($200)
- Average monthly living cost: $1,000-$1,300)
Argentina’s diverse geographical makeup makes it a naturalist’s paradise. The country is home to countless glaciers, snow-topped mountains,-and even one of the 7 natural wonders of the world – Iguazu Falls.
And if a city break is more your thing, Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires is commonly dubbed the “Paris of South America” due to its beautiful European-style architecture and thriving cafe culture. Unfortunately, due to fluctuations in the Argentine Peso ($), most tourists are advised to use US dollars, making the destination slightly less affordable compared to previous years.
Asia
South Korea
- Time difference: 13 hours ahead of EST
- Top locations: Seoul, Busan, Jeju Island, Gyeongju
- Internet speed: Excellent
- Digital nomad visa: Yes
- Average monthly living cost: $2,000
South Korea is one of the very few countries to offer a specific ‘Workation visa’ eligible to remote workers earning over 85 million won (~$64,000). The special visa lets you stay in the East Asian country for a year and can be renewed annually, making South Korea ideal for those considering longer-term trips.
Whether you’re a K-pop lover or a foodie who’s keen on trying cultural staples like hot pots or bibimbap, South Korea isn’t short of bucket list activities. Its robust internet connection – which is currently ranked the fastest in the world – will keep you connected in real time during the working day too.
Thailand
- Time difference: 11 hours ahead of EST
- Top locations: Bangkok, Chang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui
- Internet speed: Good
- Digital nomad visa: Yes
- Average monthly living cost: $1,300
Thailand’s vibrant culture, world-class cuisine, and low cost of living have been drawing in backpackers for decades. However, as the city’s infrastructure continues to evolve, it’s also becoming a hub for workers looking to add a more colorful backdrop to their 9-5.
Aside from being home to several UNESCO Work Heritage Sites and countless natural wonders, Thailand also boasts a network of coworking spaces, making it one of the best places ever to combine business and leisure. For workers willing to put up with an 11-hour time difference, the South-East Asian gem also is easy to navigate, lending itself well to first-time travelers.
India
- Time difference: 9.5 hours ahead of EST
- Top locations: Kerala, Rajasthan, Goa, Himachal
- Internet speed: Great
- Digital nomad visa: No
- Average monthly living cost: $900
While India’s digital nomad scene may not be as established as countries like Thailand and Vietnam, India is a massively underrated workation location. The South Asian country is home to a mélange of hidden gems, from the royal city of Udaipur to the majestic mountains of Himachal Pradesh.
India’s affordable cost of living and unique cultural history make it ideal for workers making longer-term trips. However, as the nation doesn’t currently offer a digital nomad visa, travelers will need to apply for a multiple-entry tourism visa if they want to stay for over a month.
Europe
Portugal
- Time difference: 5 hours ahead of EST
- Top locations: Lisbon, Porti, Algarve, Évora
- Internet speed: Great
- Digital nomad visa: Yes
- Average monthly living cost: $1,500
Quickly gaining a reputation for its booming digital nomad scene, it’s no surprise Portugal is a popular destination for those taking shorter workations too. Whether you prefer the hustle of Lisbon or the laid-back nature of the Algarve, Portugal’s warm climate and traditional architecture have made it an obvious magnet for remote workers across Europe.
However, while its popularity among digital nomads has resulted in an influx of trendy co-working spaces and cafes, the country’s decision to raise taxes on foreign nationals makes it less attractive for workers looking for a long-term home.
Iceland
- Time difference: 5 hours ahead of EST
- Top locations: Reykjavik, Isafjordur, Akureyri
- Internet speed: Excellent
- Digital nomad visa: Yes ($94)
- Average monthly living cost: $3,000
Iceland is a country with unbeatable views, warm locals, and a broadband speed that gives South Korea a run for its money. While its cost of living may be higher than the US, its high safety index and majestic scenery make it an ideal destination for solo travelers planning a short or medium-term trip.
The country’s capital Reykjavik has several coworking spaces, and is also closely situated to a range of must-see sites like the Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle, which are perfect for checking out in your downtime. Or, if you’re looking to get even further off the grid, you can also clock in via one of the country’s many internet-accessible campsites.
