10 Best Places to Work Remotely (Plus Tips)

The ways in which we work have changed significantly in recent years, with many external forces taking us away from the office and into our homes, cafés, and libraries. Depending on what side of the fence you reside on, remote working has been a blessing in disguise: a long time coming for some, while for others, it comes with its complications. This article will offer insight into ten of the best places to travel and work remotely across the world, including tips on how to navigate your changing work-life balance.

1. Understanding work-life balance

One of the main reasons people choose to work remotely is to reclaim some sense of work-life balance. Whether that means eliminating the daily commute, having enough time to look after small children, or simply having the flexibility to enjoy a midday run, remote work can significantly improve your relationship with your job. Depending on the company you work for or the nature of your employment, working remotely allows you to manage your own schedule, or at the very least, spend an extra hour in bed. The flip side is that some remote workers have expressed feelings of cabin fever while spending long periods away from the office. To counter this, many companies have introduced hybrid working schemes or new policies that allow employees to work abroad without wasting valuable vacation leave. 

2. Understanding legal and technological considerations 

In a burgeoning age of globetrotting digital nomads, many of us forget that working abroad comes with a range of legal and technological considerations. First, there are the visa requirements. Before you book a remote work vacation rental, you need to be sure you can work legally in the country you’ve chosen. Many countries now offer digital nomad visas, allowing you to work in a country for a set number of days, usually up to three months. Other considerations while working abroad are time zones and internet connection. There’s no point working remotely from Nepal, for example, if you can’t connect to your weekly meeting or if you’re needed during US business hours.

3. Understanding performance monitoring while working remotely

While there are many obvious pros and cons to remote working, it’s important for both parties, whether you’re a manager or an employee, to set clear boundaries and expectations surrounding working remotely. This may involve engaging in a discussion about performance monitoring, e.g. how your performance and workload are tracked during your time away from the office. Working remotely can also, in some settings, hinder the ability to build face-to-face working relationships and demonstrate reliability and good work. This may be less important if you’re a freelancer or casual employee, but it’s something to consider if you’re new to a company or prefer making impressions in person. 

1. Fast and reliable internet connection 

Once you’ve decided on working remotely, whether it’s a permanent fix or a temporary vacation, you’re going to need to find accommodation with a suitable internet connection. There’s no point spending your hard-earned money on a fancy mountain villa if the WiFi is terrible, or if you’re forced to trek to the local village in search of an internet café. Laggy video calls are never a good look, and neither is taking calls from a busy public place. That said, if you’re a writer or an artist who doesn’t need the internet, then a mountain retreat with a weak signal may be ideal for you. On Booking.com, you can filter your vacation rental search by amenities, including if the property offers free WiFi.

2. Coworking opportunities

Perhaps working from home isn’t for you, but you’re in need of a hybrid working model or at least some sort of human interaction. In recent years, coworking spaces have sprouted up in cities around the world to bridge that gap. Coworking spaces or shared rentals allow remote workers to rent desk space and take advantage of a reliable internet connection. They’re also ideal if you’re operating on a budget and don’t have the cash to spend on a swanky remote working pad, and you’re looking to network with others in your industry. 

3. Aesthetic appeal

Not only does remote working add flexibility to your working life, but it also allows you to choose, in some cases, the location of your work. No longer do you need to spend your days in a stuffy office, when you can find amazing rental options in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. Whether you decide to work from a trendy European city or you’re after a rural wilderness retreat, the view outside your window or the Feng shui of your temporary office can go a long way in informing your feelings about remote work. In addition, the aesthetic setting of your remote workplace can add fresh allure to your Instagram posts and attract new clients in your respective industry. 

4. Safety and security

If you’re working remotely on a temporary or freelance basis and plan on incorporating some travel or sightseeing into your trip, it’s important to consider the safety and security of the places you visit. In some cities or countries, infrastructure may be less developed than in others, and it may be difficult to find adequate places to work. The threat of theft of your electronic belongings may be a real issue. You should also consider cybersecurity if you’re working with sensitive information. You need to know that your internet connection is secure and that you’re adhering to GDPR guidelines while working in Europe.

1. The Netherlands 

With a thriving remote working infrastructure and efficient transport system, The Netherlands is one of the best places to work and travel remotely. The capital, Amsterdam, as well as other cities like Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague, are filled with amazing culture, nightlife, and coworking opportunities. For those looking to explore the Netherlands while working, train travel is cheap and reliable, and provides access to many European cultural hubs within a few hours. Check out this apartment in the heart of Amsterdam, which offers fast free WiFi and canal views. Although a digital nomad visa is not yet available in the Netherlands, short-term visas are available depending on your nationality.

2. Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Across the Atlantic in the warmer climes of Mexico, Playa del Carmen is fast becoming one of the world’s most sought-after remote working hubs, with tourist and working visas available for up to six months. The region attracts digital nomads with its low cost of living and tropical beach resort lifestyle. Although Playa del Carmen is also known for its vibrant nightlife scene, the area’s slower daytime pace is ideal for those looking to work on creative projects, while also having great access to the US business markets and timezones. If you’re interested in working remotely in Playa del Carmen, consider this boutique rental located 500 meters from the beach,offering free WiFi, an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center. 

3. Buenos Aires, Argentina

The Argentinian capital is rapidly becoming one of South America’s most innovative tech hubs, attracting digital nomads and software developers with its low cost of living (approximately 70% cheaper than the US). Buenos Aires also has a thriving creative scene and literary history, present in the café culture of districts like Palermo and San Telmo – the ‘Paris of South America’. Argentina offers a 180-day digital nomad visa to applicants working for a non-Argentine company. If you’re planning on following in the footsteps of literary giants, Jorge Luis Borges and Julio Cortázar, check out this amazing vacation rental in Buenos Aires, featuring free WiFi and a private terrace ideal for remote working. 

4. Japan

For many digital nomads, Japan is a bucket list destination, owing to its unique culture free from the homogeneity of other world cities. Rapid public transportation infrastructure and flight options in Japan allow you to travel with ease between major centers like Tokyo, Sapporo, and Kyoto. Despite the language barrier and high cost of living, Japan's low crime rates and access to the Asia-Pacific market are major pluses for people interested in working abroad. However, visitors may find working visas harder to come by in Japan than in other countries. If you’re planning on working remotely in Japan, check out this two-bedroom apartment near the beach on the island of Okinawa. The pet-friendly property features free WiFi and a covered balcony with sea views, ideal for peaceful remote working.

5. Portugal 

Boasting cities like Porto and Lisbon, both with thriving arts scenes and business opportunities, the country’s European location allows great access to overlapping markets and time zones. Although the public transport infrastructure is not world-beating in Portugal, you’ll find many coworking spaces in its major cities, while the seaside retreats of the Algarve are ideal for quiet week-long working retreats. Keep in mind that these towns get busier during the summer tourist season so time your visit to Portugal wisely if you’re looking to avoid crowds and surging prices. If a Portuguese remote work vacation sounds up your alley, check out this apartment in Downtown Lisbon, featuring free WiFi and bright, spacious design.

6. Canada 

Canada’s proximity to the US, high-standard living, thriving cities, and awe-inspiring natural landscapes make it a great place to work remotely. Cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver each offer creative scenes and business opportunities that are well-connected to the US markets, both in terms of time zones and infrastructural accessibility. Best of all, Canadian visas are relatively easy to acquire for US citizens and there’ll be plenty of cultural crossover when you arrive – even if the cost of living is quite steep. For a fairly priced place to stay, check out this pet-friendly apartment in Vancouver not far from Stanley Park, offering free WiFi and sea views. 

7. Germany 

Germany’s infrastructure couldn’t be better suited for remote workers, with cheap and regular trains that allow you to travel easily between the major hubs of Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, and Berlin, as well as into areas of natural beauty. The Freiberufler visa, ideal for freelancers and self-employed remote workers, is great for those working in IT, writing, and consulting, and allows non-EU citizens to work and live in Germany with little hassle. Alternatively, the EU Blue Card is suitable for skilled professionals with a more technical skill set who are looking to work in Germany long-term. Check out some of the vacation rentals available in Germany or this pet-friendly chic Berlin studio, offering free WiFi, a fitness center, and a restaurant in the heart of the trendy Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district. 

8. India 

From the sprawling cities of Mumbai and New Delhi to rural destinations like Coorg, Jaipur, and Agra, India is as vast and diverse as countries come. For many, visiting India is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that requires a few weeks – even months – off work. By working remotely from India, you’ll be able to work and travel simultaneously within one of the world’s largest economic markets. If you’re looking for something a little more luxurious during your visit, consider acquiring a tourist or digital nomad visa and booking an extended stay at this pet-friendly four-bedroom villa in Goa, featuring a private swimming pool, living room, terrace and free WiFi. Keep in mind that while there are many coworking spaces and internet cafés across India, temporary power outages are still a regular and unavoidable occurrence across the country.

9. Spain

Spain’s location on the Iberian Peninsula lends itself to year-round warm weather as well as access to European and International timezones. Like Germany, Spain has many modern cities where coworking spaces and rental options are abundant, with Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Seville, and Valencia operating under a fairly modest cost of living. Each of these cities possesses its own culture, whether that’s the Basque and Catalan cultures of Bilbao and Barcelona, or the beachfront life Spain is known for. Spain’s flexible work-life balance is also complemented by its mid-afternoon siestas, a time for you to nap or get ahead on work. Spain's notoriously slow pace of visa acceptance should be taken into consideration, as well as the tourist season crowds that can transform sleepy villages into party central.

10. Bangkok, Thailand

If you’re planning on traveling to Asia for a few months, or you’re looking to base yourself somewhere within the Asia-Pacific market, head to Bangkok. One of the biggest attractions to working remotely in Thailand is its extremely low cost of living, meaning you can afford plush places to stay and the luxury of eating out daily. Thailand’s tourist industry also means there are plenty of English-speaking opportunities available, while Thailand’s convenient location near  Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos is ideal if you’re looking to tick some countries off your travel list.