Workation - Everything You Need To Know by Remote Year
6. Dec. 2022
Workations, a combination of two words: work and vacation, have become our new normal - and we have the growth of remote working to thank for that!
With workations, you’re still technically working your regular working hours — but not from an office. You make the world your office - traveling to new places, working there and spending your non-working hours exploring.
It’s a beautiful synergy between your daily grind and recreation, so you may be interested in experiencing it for yourself.
Read on to discover the many possibilities it has in store for you.
What Is a Workation?
A workation is a combination of two seemingly contradictory concepts: work and vacation.
Workations have become increasingly popular during the pandemic, and it looks like they’re here to stay. It allows you to accomplish your work in the required time while enjoying quality leisure time, often in a new and foreign place.
It’s like living a nomadic lifestyle where you can take a break from the monotony of your routine without quitting your well-paying job.
Think about it: On a workation, you could be walking through the green parks on your lunch break in Mexico City or on the waterfront in Cape Town, experiences that could inspire your next project or offer that moment of peace we all know and love. And once you clock off, even greater adventures await just around the corner.
Types of Workations
Not all workations provide the same experience, so you don’t have to worry about making your workation fit certain criteria.
Workations are typically classified into two different groups: short-term and long-term.
Short-Term Workation
A short-term workation can last anywhere between a weekend to a month.
They’re typically trips to areas close to home. You might need to take a short car ride or train trip to reach your desired location over the weekend to maximize your stay during your regular weekly hours.
You can also fly to nearby cities or countries around the world for your workation. It all depends on the type of work you do, how much time you want to spend in a certain place, and your budget.
The best thing is that you don't have to be alone on your workation — not if you join Remote Year. We offer trips to over 80 destinations where local staff will pick you up, help acclimate you to the local culture and introduce you to like-minded travelers who prefer to workation as a lifestyle. Even if you only have one month, there are plenty of options for a 1-month workation.
My one-month experience exceeded my expectations and has had a beautiful impact on my life. It was amazing to meet a community of like-minded people and to feel supported at all times.
Long-Term Workation
A long-term workation allows you to temporarily relocate to an area away from home while getting to work and play from a remote base. It often involves staying in one place for an extended period of time which could be several months to a year. you also have the option to explore a new city each month.
Long-term workations can take you anywhere in the world. Note that taking a workation in some countries might require special digital nomad visas or permits.
The process can seem daunting, but definitely worth it. If you’re interested in embarking on a long-term vacation, you may want to consider joining a 4 or 12-month Remote Year Journey. We take care of details like accommodations and transportation so you can explore a new country each month with our community - without worrying about the logistics!
“I just completed a 12-month Journey with Remote Year. It's a life-changing experience that I believe everyone should have in their lifetime. Every minute, every experience, and every new friend was totally worth it. I felt completely supported the entire time, and I cannot imagine ever again traveling solo.”
The Best Workation Destinations
When it comes to workations, there’s a perfect destination for everyone.
But before you think of leaving your current location, here’s how to choose a workation destination:
Environment. Is it peaceful? Will it allow you to enjoy the place without interrupting your working schedule or productivity?
Cost of living. Can you afford it? Or will you have to keep making allowances in your budget? Be familiar with accommodations, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses before you make the decision to work remotely. It will help you avoid burning a hole in your pocket.
Internet access. Does the place you’re traveling to have high-speed internet access? Will you be able to stay on top of your tasks at work, or will you have to put in extra hours to meet your deadlines? Making sure your target destination has the facilities you need to do your work is important.
Visas and permits. Find out if you’ll need to apply for special permits or visas.
Now that you’re familiar with these important considerations, here’s a list of the best places to work.
The best workation destination will differ from one person to the other, but the cities below have been considered “can’t-miss” places by many digital nomads.
Chiang Mai: This city in Thailand is the perfect blend of culture and modern innovation. With its fast and reliable internet, low cost of living, and plenty of working spaces to choose from. Famous for its food and friendliness, it’s a great place to find your remote tribe as you bring new meaning to “work-life balance.”
Hanoi: With an affordable quality of life, friendly coworking spaces, and enchanting natural surroundings, Hanoi is a remote worker's dream. Getting around Vietnam’s cultural capital is easy, the food is delicious, and there are many tourist attractions to look forward to. Visit Halong Bay, go to any of its 15 museums, enjoy its ancient colonial buildings, or go trekking in its northern mountains during your time off on weekends.
Medellin: Medellin, Colombia, offers pleasant year-round weather. When you combine it with the city's low cost of living, solid infrastructure, free public Wi-Fi, and growing digital nomad community, it's the perfect place for remote work. This lively city is home to friendly people, mouth-watering food, and vibrant nightlife.
Osaka: Immerse yourself in the dynamic blend of modernity and tradition in Osaka, Japan. This vibrant city offers a unique workation experience with its cutting-edge technology, historic landmarks, and exquisite cuisine. Enjoy the bustling street life, visit iconic sites like Osaka Castle, and savor the diverse culinary delights the city has to offer after a productive day of remote work.
Lisbon: Embrace the coastal charm and historic allure of Lisbon, Portugal, as you work remotely. With its mild climate, stunning architecture, and rich cultural scene, Lisbon provides an inspiring backdrop for your virtual office. Enjoy the laid-back lifestyle, explore historic neighborhoods, and indulge in the delectable local cuisine during your breaks.
Buenos Aires: Feel the pulse of innovation in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as you merge work and play. This city, known for its passionate tango culture, also boasts a burgeoning tech scene and creative workspaces. Dive into the lively atmosphere, explore the eclectic neighborhoods, and dance your stress away at a local milonga for a truly immersive workation experience.
The Benefits of a Workation
Workations have a multitude of benefits. A workation can boost your morale and enhance job satisfaction which can enrich your life. It also allows you to break free from a monotonous daily routine since you get to enjoy new places and meet new people who can introduce you to different ways of living, genuinely changing your life.
A workation can help you broaden your horizons. You can challenge yourself while crossing things off your bucket list. This can help you have a deeper appreciation for your job since it enables you to experience new cultures, which could provide insights and inspiration for new ideas.
If you have flexible working hours you can squeeze in activities during your workday, whether it's a short walk or a quick swim, rather than sitting at a desk all day. Workations can thus prevent burnout while enhancing your quality of life.
Workations have benefits for companies too.
Employees who are happy and satisfied with their work have fewer reasons to quit. Companies that give employees the freedom and time to go on a workation are more likely to retain their best talent. This saves them from time spent recruiting and training new candidates for the job while increasing the quality of work.
The Challenges of a Workation
Challenges come with opportunities, and this is true for workations too.
A workation may pose challenges for digital nomads, but if you’re familiar with the issues that may arise, you have a great chance of preventing them.
Workations can blur the lines between work and leisure, which can disrupt your work-life balance. There’s always a risk that you’ll spend more time doing leisure activities and fall back on your work, we all know what FOMO feels like. To avoid this challenge, try creating separate schedules for work and home life — and sticking to them.
Or, if your work makes additional demands, you might end up tiring yourself out. You may have less time to enjoy and explore your surroundings, which can spoil your experience. Try and figure out what hours you need to work to connect well with your team or clients. Create boundaries, and let your co-workers know when you’ll be available. Avoid checking emails and texts during non-working hours and your time off.
The costs of traveling, accommodations, food and other expenses can also push you beyond your budget. To avoid going over budget, consider Remote Year’s services. Just select a package, and you can be assured that everything from accommodation, workplace, transportation, and authentic local experiences and excursions will be covered.
Of course, nothing is ever challenge-free but all of these solutions can definitely help create the correct work schedule and work-life balance that you need for a great workation.
Is a Workation Right for You?
As said, a workation can have many benefits, but it may not be suitable for everyone.
While there have been advancements in remote work, many industries require hands-on work. Hence, taking a workation can impact some jobs. This is especially true for individuals working in the hospitality and retail sectors.
If your job does not require you to be present in an office, doesn’t need face-to-face communication, or involves activities that can be done remotely, workations can be a welcome respite from your daily routine. With a laptop and a stable internet connection, you can explore the world while doing your regular office work.
You also have to ensure that you can seamlessly turn in your work, won’t be putting any projects in jeopardy, or increase the workload of your co-workers by deciding to work out of the office, which can be avoided by managing your work schedule properly.
That said, if your industry does not offer workations right now, don’t worry. Thanks to the growing popularity of workations and their benefits, more and more companies have started offering their employees the freedom to work from anywhere in the world. Opportunities are opening up every day, so a workation may not be that far off for you. Start looking for your next remote opportunity on remote job boards.
Top 10 Tips for a Successful Workation
Here are some tips that can help you get the most out of your workation:
Speak to your team beforehand. If they know where you’re headed, they’ll consider time zone differences when scheduling meetings. This way, you can minimize the chances that people will bother you at an inconvenient time.
Determine the length of your workation. This will allow you to stick to your budget and let you plan an itinerary that will make the most out of your visit. Generally speaking, staying in the same location for longer reduces FOMO and allows you to easily get accustomed to the new experience of a workation.
Choose the right location for work. Look for a place that can offer you a reliable internet connection and co-working spaces so you can get your work done while having plenty of opportunities for fun activities. Otherwise, what’s the point of a workation?
Travel light when going on your workation but make sure you have everything you could need to work seamlessly. Follow this digital nomad packing list to know what accessories and essentials you need to pack when you travel for work and leisure.
Plan your time to get more work done in less time.
Choose your workation friends wisely. If you’re traveling with a friend or family member, let them know your schedule beforehand. This way, you can enjoy some activities together, and your plus one can also sneak in something to do while you’re working. Everybody wins.
Switch off work as soon as you’re done. It will help you maintain a solid work-life balance.
Establish a workspace to work without distraction. It’s a good idea to look for a co-working space. Working with individuals who are there to get work done can inspire you to do yours.
Take regular work breaks during your workation. You don’t want to get burned out by working 8 hours continuously. Short breaks in between work tasks can help you stay productive.
Stay connected with your friends and family during your workation. It can improve your overall well-being and will also show your loved ones that you haven’t forgotten about them.
Final Thoughts
Remote working opportunities have blossomed in recent years. They make workations possible, allowing us to inject more fun into our working lives allowing us to get more out of life without sacrificing our productivity and value to the team.
Bottom line: Workations are a great concept that offers more value than most might believe, but to get the most out of it, you need to plan for basic things like budget, accommodation, transportation, and internet facilities.
With a workation, the world is your oyster. So, where would you like to go?
FAQs
Why are workations important?
Workations have numerous benefits for your physical, emotional, and psychological health. They can increase your productivity and help you tap into your creative side at work. They also help you take a step back from the hustle and bustle of everyday life so you can explore the best that the world has to offer.
Why do companies send employees on workations?
Companies send employees on workations to help them feel appreciated and encourage them to pursue their passions and interests. It also shows employees that the organization cares about them and sees them as more than cogs in the machine. There are plenty of companies offering great remote roles on remote job boards.
Where can you go on workations?
If you want to work hard and play hard, consider going on a workation to Cape Town, Bangkok, Osaka, New Delhi, Lisbon, Valencia, Buenos Aires, or Budapest. These places offer great opportunities for relaxation, adventure, and work at affordable costs.
Should you take a workation?
If you’re itching to explore new places and cultures or if you feel tired of your regular workday, a workation can give you new perspectives and help you have a greater appreciation for the work you have. Workations are great because you can enjoy new experiences and travel the world without putting your work on hold.
How do you do a workation?
To have a workation, you’ll need to take your work away from the office — preferably another city with great internet connection and working spaces. Keep in mind that the place you choose for your workation should offer leisure activities that appeal to you. If you need a remote job, there are remote job boards with plenty of opportunities.
Ready for an adventure of a lifetime with a community of curious and adventurous professionals who also want to explore the world while working remotely?
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