Do digital nomads really work at the beach?

Until one evening five years ago, I’d never heard of the phrase digital nomad.

Sensing that I’d grown weary of the “Happy Fridays!” and predictabilities of the 9-5 lifestyle, a friend introduced me to the concept of running a business remotely while travelling. She confided that she was planning to do exactly that: quit her job and travel with her laptop. She would earn money from the road wherever she had internet and caffeine access.

My friend’s talk of launching a portable business, living overseas, travelling indefinitely, and carving her own way beyond conventionality started my own spiral of wondering. Could I transfer my skills and become location independent?

Not long after our first talk, my friend powered ahead with her plans. She relocated to India (later Thailand – and beyond) to establish her own design and illustration company.

One day, a package landed on my desk. My nomadic friend had shipped me a copy of The 4-hour Workweek by Tim Ferris. Although this book yielded questionable ethics, the fundamentals of working less and living more struck a chord with me. Especially if it meant doing this while living out my adolescent fantasy to experience more of the world. 

And – to quote a certain journalist – I couldn’t help but wonder: can digital nomads work at the beach?

My digital nomad journey

2017 was the year that I threw myself into researching long-term travel, location independence, digital nomadism, and how to set myself up as freelancer.

As well as researching what I needed to do from the perspective of a sole trader (a self-employed individual with their own business) I turned to blogs, podcasts, and YouTube videos for the lowdown on how to become a digital nomad.

(By the way, a digital nomad isn’t a job title). 

Preparing to go location independent and travel indefinitely takes an endless amount of research. And by “endless” I mean endless – as a digital nomad you are constantly facing new hurdles, fresh challenges, and researching where you’ll live next. 

My research rabbit-hole did uncover dozens, hundreds even, of photographs of beautiful people drinking beautiful cocktails while lounging on beautiful beaches. All I could think was, my MacBook Pro is worth over £1,000. There’s no way it’s getting with a foot of sand, sea, sunshine, alcohol, or over-excited beachgoers.  

Can digital nomads work at the beach?

Of course not. They can take photos on the beach with their laptop and cocktail, sure. But I’d bet you a piña colada that no actual work is taking place. 

Despite the typical image of a digital nomad sipping coconut water through a bamboo straw on white sand, I don’t know anyone who actually works from the beach. You’ve got glare, sand, overheating laptop batteries, no plugs, the conundrum of who will guard your stuff while you run to the loo and countless other hurdles to consider that are going to get in the way of actually working.

The image of reclining on a deckchair with a laptop on your knees certainly has its appeal but there are far better places to work as a digital nomad. 

To be honest, I much prefer working closer to home and then heading to the beach once I’ve finished my work for the day. I’ve always felt captivated by beaches; I grew up in West Yorkshire and seaside trips always felt special. It’s not so much the sunshine and sand but rather the water. 

But, alas, working from a bikini isn’t the most professional method of digital nomadism if you need to take video calls or teach online.

On the other hand, I have from time to time worked in a beachside cafe. This way you get the amenities you need to actually do your job and a lovely view from your sheltered nook. I particularly liked the beachside restaurants and cafes in Hoi An.

Weird & wonderful places to work as a digital nomad

When I first left the United Kingdom, I worked as a freelance publicist (my old London job) and online English teacher (a classic starting-out job for newbie nomads). Although the challenges of freelancing warrant an entirely different blog post, this was the first time I had the luxury of choosing where I worked, when, and who with. It felt liberating. 

I could write press releases and fire out pitches anywhere but, for teaching, I needed a quiet, peaceful space. I typically would book teaching jobs to coincide with house-sitting assignments or in the instances where I could affordably book a private room in a homestay or hostel. 

When I started writing full-time, I suddenly realised I could literally work from anywhere. This was the ultimate luxury. Especially as it came off the back of working classic New Zealand backpacker jobs where the only place that I could realistically harvest potatoes was while clinging to the back of a combine harvester.

However, one of the major cons of being a digital nomad is that unless you work at a co-working space you often end up in positions that your back isn’t going to gel with.

I developed such dreadful back pain while travelling around Cambodia and Indonesia that I was convinced I had back cancer and started planning my own memorial service.

Co-working spaces offer excellent conditions however they are pricey and aren’t attainable for newbie nomads who are carving their way on limited funds. I’ve only used them a handful of times and recognise their benefits.

Nowadays, I tend to rent long-term Airbnbs or similar which come with a decent desk or other workspace. While living in Georgia during the pandemic, this was essential as I wasn’t able to work from any communal places. 

Beyond co-working spaces and Airbnbs, here are 10 of the weirdest places I’ve worked as a digital nomad that are far more practical than the beach and cheaper than a co-working space.

Cafes

Cafes are the classic office for digital nomads and non-nomadic sole traders who appreciate a bit of background noise and – maybe – a little social interaction here and there.

As a lover of coffee, chai lattes, and herbal tea, I love working in cafes while travelling or living long-term in a set location. Although I work less in cafes since moving to my current home in Chile where I have an incredible work station, I still find that switching to a cafe lifts my productivity. Especially if the cafe has healthy, nutritious food on the menu and a motivational view.

When choosing a cafe to work from, you’ll need the essentials of a comfortable desk, plugs, and Wi-Fi (or mobile data). It’s always good to support independent cafes, tip the staff, and be mindful not to take up too much space or overstay your welcome once you’ve purchased all the food and drink you’re planning to consume. 

You should consider using a VPN, especially if your work is sensitive or you are using finance apps.

If you are working in a cafe, avoid being one of those people who order one cup of coffee and stick around all day. Budget to buy at least a couple of drinks during your work session and a full meal if you intend on working an entire day.

In a camper van

A custom motorhome is an incredible place to establish your remote office space! You get complete control over how you use the space and you can choose whatever view floats your boat. 

While living and travelling in New Zealand, I lived in my camper van.

I didn’t work much from my van as I generally worked in-person backpacker jobs that were legally in-line with my working holiday visa. Besides, my “van” living quarters weren’t dissimilar to a coffin and it’s awkward to type while laying on your back with your laptop sellotaped to the roof.

However, I did get the ball rolling and start compiling written pieces for my portfolio when I decided to establish my freelance writing business. At some point in the near future I hope to plan my Van Life 2:0 with a full, remote office setup with less sellotape and fewer swear words when the laptop battery dies.

If you work and travel full-time in a camper van, you will need to invest in tech such as portable Wi-Fi and charging gear such as solar panels. 

On a plane

As much as I prefer to kick back with a film, podcast, or a book while I’m up in the air, I often seize the opportunity to get some work done. This way I have more time for exploring my new destination when I first arrive. I’ve also discovered that productivity increases while in transit.

Obviously, when you’re 30 feet high you’re missing a vital component of most modern-day jobs – especially if video conferencing is fundamental to your business.

However, it’s perfectly feasible for writers and other creatives to work from the sky if you think outside the box and prepare in advance. 

For example, once I’ve done my initial research and made notes, I can write up my assignments without needing access to Wi-Fi.

One trick that I’ve used is to open a bunch of useful tabs while in the airport lounge. I then switch my laptop to aeroplane mode until I’m up in the air and give the green light to crack open my laptop.

Even if your work depends on having an internet connection, the aeroplane can be a great place to work on business plans or other strategies. 

From the airport

This one is another digital nomad office that’s practical and a good use of time. 

Since I’ve been long term travelling and working for myself I’ve made a conscious effort to arriver earlier at airports and slot in a session behind my laptop. As with cafes and aeroplanes, there’s something about the environment that gives my productivity a boost.

If you are going to work from an airport then, as with cafes, I recommend using a VPN to protect your identity. Free airport Wi-Fi is sketchy and lots of hacking takes place.

My other tip is to prepare for bloated prices on airport food. The amount I spent on a baguette and cup of coffee at Dubai airport would have fed me for a fortnight in Georgia. If you are a budget traveller, consider preparing an airport picnic but budgeting for a drink. 

Certain airport lounges offer decent rates and include access to workspaces and unlimited food and drink. This something I’ve yet to experiment with but I think I will during my next airport layover.  

At the back of the bus

When I returned to Southeast Asia with my boyfriend, I spent a lot of time writing while hurtling along in a cramped bus with my knees wrapped around my ears.

This is an uncomfortable yet practical place to work as a digital nomad because again it maximises your roaming time. In countries where mobile data is affordable, you can hotspot your laptop and work until your battery runs out.

In countries and regions prone to reckless driving and a lackadaisical approach to road safety, this is a fantastic distraction from what’s happening on the road.

There was one particular journey that stands out in my history of working from the bus: a transfer from Koh Lanta to Georgetown. This was a lengthy drive that took pretty much the entire day, factoring in two vehicle changes, three driver changes, and the border crossing into Malaysia. Oh, and one of those vans broke down and at another point, the driver had to swerve to avoid the tire that fell off the vehicle ahead of us.

Although the driving style may appear questionable, I usually feel safe when there’s a local guy (it’s always a guy) behind the wheel in Southeast Asian countries. However, this journey was terrifying. I have no idea what speed he was driving at but he overtook every other vehicle on the road.

I was glued to my laptop firing out blogs for a hotel chain in London. Every so often I looked up and note the aghast faces of a group of Malaysian passengers. I’d quickly return to my laptop and disconnect from what was going on outside. 

At some point, a police officer waved him down. After a short exchange of either a fine or a bribe then he hopped back in his seat and resumed the same 200 kph dash down the highway.

The learning of the story? Work has never been a more welcome distraction.

In a hostel

Working in the communal area of a hostel isn’t that weird. But when you’re the only digital nomad checked in and you spend a glorious day hunched over your laptop chugging coffee after coffee while carefree backpackers drift in and out of their dorm, you can feel a little weird.

Especially when people demand to know why you aren’t wandering around the sights and their initial shock turns to disgust that you are working while “on holiday”.

Nowadays there is far greater awareness of the digital nomad lifestyle. Hostels are a great place for nomads on a budget or those who want to make friends in between working. However, you need to be careful about the hostel you choose otherwise you may end up falling victim to theft or parties. 

Dirt-cheap dorms do not correspond to decent security for your laptop and gear. The cheapest hostels often do not have any lockers.

Party hostels that lure backpackers to check in with free shots and nightly pub crawls aren’t going to inspire productivity.

Places that apply a surcharge for Wi-Fi will pump up your budget.

I generally find the mid-range hostels that cater to the 25+ crowd offer the best conditions for digital nomads. My essentials when booking a hostel as a digital nomad are:

• Wi-Fi included in the rate.
• (Then) Privacy curtains in the dorms – useful if you fancy working from bed or taking a power nap.
• (Now) Private rooms. 
• Lockers and security measures such as 24/7 reception and/or CCTV.
• High review rating from fellow solo female travellers.

Many hostels even market themselves at the location independent crowd and have designated co-working workspaces as well as communal lounges.

Swaying in a hammock

Photogenic on the surface but hammocks aren’t actually a bad place to work as a digital nomad.

They’re relatively supportive providing that you don’t stay and sway for hours without a break. I find that even after an hour or so, my back doesn’t throb in the same way it might after a session on a bad desk chair.

There’s limited research on the health benefits of sleeping in a hammock but some studies suggest that it relieves pressure from the spine.

These are the studies I personally elect to believe although I won’t link them here in case it inspires an influx of lawsuits from my seven readers.

Alas, I have no photo of myself tapping away in a hammock to prove just how much time I spend working from hammocks.

In a creepy hotel

My boyfriend and I flew into Jakarta from where we intended to travel by train to East Java to visit Yogyakarta, Mount Bromo, and Mount Ijen. I’m not a fan of large and busy cities so while my boyfriend ventured out to the streets I stayed in our hotel* and worked. Although it proved challenging to work in this particular hotel.

We had booked an Actual Hotel as opposed to our usual cheapest-private-room-at-a-hostel in order to fulfil the terms of our Indonesia social visa.

The prospect of staying in a hotel room with a private en suite and a proper desk was almost orgasmic although the reality was far from that. Cigarette smoke billowed down the hallways, holes in the bathroom wall meant that I showered in my swimming costume, and the frequent messages stating that “unmarried women” were not welcome at the hotel meant that I was counting down to my next hostel dorm bed.

*Funnily enough, in over four years of continuous travel, I have only slept in hotels a handful of times. I treated myself the night of my 30th birthday in Hoi An and snapped up a Green Season deal on Koh Lanta. That was it.

By the pool in a hotel

Remember that friend I mentioned who inspired my own digital nomad journey? As fate would have it, by complete coincidence we ended up living in a Vietnamese town at the exact same time. In fact, our houses were a short cycle across the rice paddies.

There was a beautiful hotel in our neighbourhood where we would sometimes co-work. Although we were not guests at the hotel, the staff were happy for us to purchase breakfast and then hang around for the rest of the day. We were allowed to use the bathrooms, pool, and sun loungers for as long as we wished.

A lot of hotels offer similar set-ups and, on the provision that you spend money on food and drink, they will let you use their facilities. I’ve continued to do this elsewhere, particularly while staying in hostels that do not have the best facilities to work from.

It’s particularly beneficial to smaller hotels during the low season when occupancy is low as they can make money from the food and drinks. To be honest, I wouldn’t work at a hotel pool during the peak season as there’s far too much risk of the laptop getting splashed!

This is great option if you are travelling on a budget but want the occasional treat of having a gourmet breakfast and pool access, or simply fancy a change of scenery.

It’s worth asking around hotels in your neighbourhood to find out where the staff are happy to host non-residents. I wouldn’t recommend doing this every day. I only visited the hotel pictured below a couple of times as sun loungers aren’t exactly ideal for long periods of work. 

In a Balinese villa

One of the perks of house-sitting while travelling is getting to stay in beautiful accommodations for free.

When working as a house-sitter you are usually there to take care of animals while the home owners are away on holiday. House-sits range from a weekend to a couple of weeks to multiple months, in the case of expats visiting their passport countries.

As a nomadic pet-sitter, I have had the privilege of taking care of cats, dogs, and horses in homes that I could never have expected to lived in otherwise.

One of my most memorable house-sits was a Balinese villa complete with a huge private garden, swimming pool, and fruit trees. My boyfriend and I were responsible for a pair of lovable dogs who were the best company you could ask for while in Bali. This was a long house-sit (3 months) which meant that we were able to achieve a level of stability and focus on our work with few distractions. 

However, house-sitting does entail taking care of the animals and house to a degree that you would treat your own home.

The place we looked after in Bali required a fair amount of cleaning and maintenance. And, as with all pet-sits, we needed to mange our time around the dogs’ usual schedule to ensure they were fed, walked, bathed, and loved in the way they were used to.

However, as a freelance writer, it is ideal and actually nice to break up long hours in front of the laptop to complete household chores – as well as play with the dogs of course. 

Other house-sits that I’ve experienced have included a luxury apartment in Kuala Lumpur, a remote cottage in New Zealand, and a tiny house in Chiang Mai. I highly recommend looking into house-sitting opportunities if you are a digital nomad who loves animals, home comforts, and silence!

But… can digital nomads work at the beach?

Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it. Save beach time for once you’ve clocked off for the day. 

The places listed here are realistic remote desk solutions when you’re on the move. They’re not always the most photogenic but that’s not exactly what the nomad life is about, despite what the hashtags might have you believe.

The above locations are, however, practical and make good use of your time.

One closing note is that I’ve noticed my ability to work wanes when I work in the same place. Mixing up my workspace at my current “home” base happens to be always bolsters my productivity. The digital nomad lifestyle is all about experimenting to find what suits you and thinking outside the conventional. 

Gear for the digital nomad desk

When living the digital nomad lifestyle, there are a couple of items that I suggest adding to your packing list. The following will make it easier – and more comfortable – to get your work done.

• Mobile data: Always pick up a local SIM when you arrive in a new country with as much data as you can afford. This means that you can hotspot your laptop if the Wi-Fi drops or isn’t reliable. I always switch to my data when I’m checking finances and banking apps as it’s safer than the Wi-Fi, unless you are using a VPN. 

• Surge protector: Essential if you’re travelling in developing countries where surges and outages are common. I’ve seen countless sparks blow from my laptop cable when I put it on charge in the Southeast Asia region.

• Laptop stand: Subject to how much space you have in your bag, a laptop stand of some kind is useful for digital nomads. Mine is actually a cooling pad which helps prevent my laptop from overheating in hot and tropical countries. But it also helps me position my laptop ergonomically and stop me from slouching so much. This is even better when you pair it with a separate keyboard and mouse.

• Ergonomic pillow: Again, this might not be practical if you travel light. Although, digital nomads tend to carry more with them than typical long-term travellers and holiday travellers! A memory foam cushion that supports your lower back is so handy for long hours at desks that aren’t always that comfortable.

• Waterproof laptop cover: If you’re adamant that you will sit on the beach armed with a mojito while working, consider protecting your keyboard against spills. I stick to my strict “no drinks within 2 metres of the laptop” which also works.