Where and how to be a digital nomad
Want to work remotely? Us too…
If there’s one silver lining to the enormous garbage eruption that was 2020, it’s that many of us learned – and, more importantly, many of our bosses learned – that we can work from just about anywhere. Here’s a look at just a few cities on Earth that we think would be perfect to work from.
GALLE FORT, SRI LANKA
Aside from the fact that it’s home to rolling surf, endless beaches, welcoming people, and fabulously fresh food, right now for UAE residents, Sri Lanka is one of only a handful of places we can actually travel to right now without having to quarantine in a hotel room. That said, you do have to quarantine in a ‘safe and secure certified’ hotel for the first 14 days. However, you can leave to visit approved tourist sites under the safety of what authorities are calling a “biobubble”.
Still, pick the right resort – we’ve been eyeing up the Anantara Peace Haven
Tangalle Resort with its beach fringed by coconut palms – and you could work from the hotel’s private shoreline, or from a WiFi-strong business centre, while enjoying a more relaxed vibe than at your actual office.
BERLIN, GERMANY
Berlin’s residence permit is like a golden ticket for the self-employed – especially artists, academics, and freelancers who just want to relocate and make cool stuff for a while. While travel to Germany is closed to most at the moment, use this time to get a head start on your paperwork. (There’s a lot, because it’s Germany.) Berlin’s booming start-up culture lures determined young professionals, while its inclusive creative spirit embraces alternative types. You’ll find history on almost every corner, with hundreds of museums, public parks by the thousands, and dozens of beautiful lakes just a quick train ride away.
THE CANARY ISLANDS, SPAIN
Spain’s self-employment work visa is perfect for freelancers who want to work from this dreamy archipelago off Africa’s northwest coast (once the border fully re-opens and it’s feasible to do so). In Gran Canaria’s capital, stylish coworking spaces such as The House and Soppa de Azul pair high-speed internet with nearinstant access to soft, golden beaches. A lively nomad scene makes it easy to meet fellow international creative types who’ve rejected ye olde nineto-five.
CANGGU, BALI, INDONESIA
In Bali’s youthful hipster enclave, a day at the office might mean stationing yourselves at a dapper coworking space with surf and beach breaks, fuelled by a steady diet of smoothie bowls, raw desserts, and cold drip coffee. Rates at co-working staple Dojo Bali start at $75 a week, and your facilities include an onsite cafe and pool. Your two-bedroom villa will also clock in well under $1,000 a month. This is a colony of bespoke bikini and jewelry designers, startup gurus, and full-time Instagrammers whiling away the days at perky beach bars and yoga studios. Bali’s closed for now, so maybe use this downtime to work on your personal brand – you’re going to need it.
CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
Thailand, with its natural glory and silly exchange rate, is one of the most well-established hubs for digital nomads.
And it’s never been easier to temporarily relocate: Special tourist visas now allow nonresidents to stay anywhere from 30 to 270 days ( just under nine months).
Once you get past the mandatory quarantine period, opportunities for networking in Chiang Mai are everywhere, from Facebook groups to vegan cafe meetups to cool new co-working spaces. Compared with busy Bangkok, Chiang Mai’s slow pace of life makes it hard to leave.