The best places to work remotely from the beach

With many countries now relaxing their travel restrictions, remote workers have the opportunity to relocate to any destination their heart desires, requiring little more than their passport, a laptop, and a stable internet connection.

The improved flexibility that remote work offers means that employees are no longer tethered to their desks. Instead, they have the freedom to explore the wonders our world has to offer whilst continuing to build their careers, gain experience in their chosen field of expertise, and work in the industries they love.

This new approach to work also means that employers can “reduce onsite related expenses like rent and utilities…their carbon footprint, which is good for the environment. And attract qualified employees by removing geographical limitations to cast a wider recruiting ‘net’.” - Sharlyn Lauby, writer, speaker, consultant, and author of HR Bartender.

Ultimately remote work benefits both employers and employees by promoting a healthier work-life balance, increasing motivation and reducing staff turnover, all whilst contributing to the mental and emotional fulfillment of remote employees.

To discover the best destinations for digital nomads to travel and work in, we have analyzed and ranked a list of 19 top rated beach locations across the globe based on their population size, average internet speed, sunlight hours, Visa requirements, entertainment options, average rent costs, cost of living, and crime rates.

Each of these metrics were awarded a weighted score which was used to calculate the overall ranking.

With many countries now relaxing their travel restrictions, remote workers have the opportunity to relocate to any destination their heart desires, requiring little more than their passport, a laptop, and a stable internet connection.

The improved flexibility that remote work offers means that employees are no longer tethered to their desks. Instead, they have the freedom to explore the wonders our world has to offer whilst continuing to build their careers, gain experience in their chosen field of expertise, and work in the industries they love.

This new approach to work also means that employers can “reduce onsite related expenses like rent and utilities…their carbon footprint, which is good for the environment. And attract qualified employees by removing geographical limitations to cast a wider recruiting ‘net’.” - Sharlyn Lauby, writer, speaker, consultant, and author of HR Bartender.

Ultimately remote work benefits both employers and employees by promoting a healthier work-life balance, increasing motivation and reducing staff turnover, all whilst contributing to the mental and emotional fulfillment of remote employees.

To discover the best destinations for digital nomads to travel and work in, we have analyzed and ranked a list of 19 top rated beach locations across the globe based on their population size, average internet speed, sunlight hours, Visa requirements, entertainment options, average rent costs, cost of living, and crime rates.

Each of these metrics were awarded a weighted score which was used to calculate the overall ranking.

The best beach destinations for remote working trips

The best beach destinations for remote working trips are listed below, taking into account the various aspects of remote work that beach-loving digital nomads need to consider.

Brades, Montserrat

Our analysis reveals Brades, the de facto capital of the Caribbean island Montserrat, to be the best beach destination for remote working trips.

With a month’s rent costing just £254.99 on average, the ability to stay for up to six months without a Visa, and the lowest crime rate of all the locations on our list, digital nomads can enjoy Brades’ serene, picturesque environment whilst carrying out their day-to-day responsibilities at work.

The Valley, Anguilla

The Caribbean is also home to the second best beach location for remote workers, The Valley in Anguilla. The Valley has a population of just 1,067 and gets an average of 12 hours, 10 minutes and 40 seconds of sunshine each day to enjoy activities such as wreck diving, snorkeling, or parasailing after work hours.

Zadar, Croatia

Zadar, Croatia comes in third in our analysis. Nestled on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, the European city is known for its quiet beaches, stunning sunsets, and Roman and Venetian ruins. The estimated monthly cost of living in Zadar for the average single person is £644.88 and renting a one bedroom apartment costs an average of £355.74, which is cheaper than renting the equivalent in The Valley. Remote workers are permitted to stay for up to 90 days before they are required to get a Visa.

Out of our entire list, Zadar is the beach location that gets the most sunshine with 12 hours, 17 minutes and 10 seconds on average each day. As we know, soaking up the sun can contribute to improved physical and mental wellbeing which is something remote workers might want to keep in mind when choosing the destination for their next trip away.

Lagos, Portugal

In fourth place is Lagos, a southern Portuguese town that’s popular with tourists and well-known for its charming nightlife scene.

In Lagos, you’ll find picturesque, sandy beaches overlooked by towering cliffs, with sun that shines for an average 12 hours and 14 minutes each day. Remote workers can stay for 90 days without a Visa, giving them enough time to enjoy some of the 280 entertainment options on offer, including boat trips to visit natural sea caves, dolphin watching, and local wine tasting.

Taghazout, Morocco

A tiny fishing village that’s home to Morocco’s best beach for surfing takes fifth place in our analysis. Taghazout has the most affordable rental prices out of every destination we researched, with a month’s rent costing an average of £123.89. It also has the second lowest monthly cost of living after Goa, India, with £324.37 for the average single person. This is great for remote workers as they can avoid the added stress that financial worries and a high cost of living can bring.

Saint George’s, Bermuda

Ranking sixth on our list is Saint George’s, Bermuda, the beach destination our research found to have the fastest average internet speed with 102.77 megabits per second. A strong, stable internet connection is vital to the success of any remote working trip. Amongst a variety of other vital functions, remote employees need to be able to attend virtual meetings, access shared files, and collaborate with team members, which cannot be done without fast internet.

Unfortunately, Saint George’s also has the highest monthly cost of living with £1,527.95 for the average single person. On top of this, rental costs in this historic town are the second highest after George Town in the Cayman Islands, with the average rent for a single person costing £1,333.78.

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Goa, India

Home to a one-of-a-kind blend of Portuguese and Indian Cultures, seventh place in our ranking goes to Goa, India. Goa has the lowest cost of living out of every beach destination we analyzed, with the average single remote worker spending ​​£252.47 each month. It’s also the second most affordable place for rent, which costs an average of £198.23 each month.

This is another beach paradise for remote workers who want to spend their days working somewhere truly beautiful that’s also affordable.

Flic en Flac, Mauritius

In eighth place is Flic en Flac, a seaside fishing village on the west coast of Mauritius. This beach destination has affordable rental prices with the average one bedroom apartment costing just £214.82 per month - less than half of the cost of the equivalent in Lagos, Portugal, which would set you back £519.50 on average each month.

Offering idyllic white sand beaches and magical sunset views, Flic en Flac is a coastal destination which remote workers can stay in for up to 90 days without a Visa.

Bridgetown, Barbados

Bridgetown, the capital and largest city of Barbados, comes ninth in our analysis with an average internet speed of 60.25 mbps - this is the third fastest in our analysis after Saint George’s in Bermuda and Noord in Aruba.

Bridgetown is also one of just five destinations on our list that offers remote workers a six month stay with no Visa requirements. This generous timeframe means remote workers can take their time and really enjoy everything this beautiful island has to offer.

Noord, Aruba

In tenth place is Noord, Aruba, a colorful tourist center that allows visitors to stay for up to 30 days without a Visa, which is then extendable to 180 days.

The cost of living in Noord is relatively high for a single person, totalling around £782.81 on average and rent costing around £543.04 per month.

The 19 best destinations for remote working trips ranked from highest to lowest, based on our selected metrics, are shown in the table below.

Jon Thurmmond, Human Resources Leader, Podcaster, Speaker, Host and Producer of the HRSocialHour says, “The ability to provide remote work can dramatically increase the available talent pool to your organization. As many people have made major life changes over the last couple years, flexibility of where and when they work has become more important.

It's critical to remember to continually engage your remote workforce and review the benefits you're offering to ensure they are in line with the needs of the employees.”

How to prepare for remote working trips

Planning your first remote working trip is an incredibly exciting step for any digital nomad. So that you can make the most of your trip and avoid any unnecessary hurdles, there are some vital arrangements you need to make such as work permits and Visas.

We’ve put together some things to consider before you travel, to help you and your employer get prepared for your trip away.

Visas

Wherever your trip might take you, you’ll always need to check the entry and visa requirements of the country you’re heading to next. In some cases, you won’t need to apply for a Visa, but it’s always best to find out before you travel so you don’t get caught out. If you do need one, the paperwork you’ll have to prepare will depend on your nationality, the expected length of your stay, and where you’re traveling from.

Understanding local labor laws

Working abroad, employees may become subject to the local labor laws in the country you are working from. This could have implications for annual leave, sick pay and minimum wages so employers should carry out their due diligence and consider seeking local advice.

Data security

Employers must ensure that they are not breaching any data protection laws by sharing personal data for processing with an employee working overseas.

Visas and Work Permits —

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Tips on retaining your company’s talent

Offering remote working trips as a company benefit helps companies attract and retain top talent. Whether employees use this benefit as an opportunity to visit family overseas, tick off a destination on their travel bucket list, or explore a new environment for a change of scenery, employers that allow them the flexibility to do so will see decreases in turnover and an improved competitiveness within the job market.

Beyond simply permitting your workforce to take work trips, employers can provide additional assistance with arranging accommodation, co-working spaces, and WiFi in the destinations they are relocating to.

This promotes a better work-life balance for employees, the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere supports job satisfaction and mental wellbeing which, in turn, can reduce the likelihood of stress and burnout, increase productivity, and improve employee retention.

Nicole Roberts, Vice President of People & Culture, MVAH Partners LLC offers this advice on retaining your company’s remote talent:

“To retain a remote workforce, the focus must be on keeping people connected while remote. Survey your teams and find out what is meaningful to them and then act on it where you can. Provide a structured way to communicate. If the company decides to use Slack, use Slack. If you are using Teams, use Teams, but keep it consistent, organized, and easy to follow.

“For remote onboarding, connect people before day 1. Some companies send a video message recorded by the hiring manager to welcome their new team member. Give people the information they need and where to find it. Never stop engaging and integrating your new hires.”