Work & Travel 2.0. Work remotely like a digital nomad while meeting travelers all over the world!

Hello guys!

Welcome to this brand new post! Today I going to talk about sunny locations where you can go to work remotely in the very moment (Stand: 23.2.2021 and if the pandemic ends it’s valid forever anyway!), whether you are are remote worker, digital nomad or just want to travel and discover.

Moreover I going to talk about where you can actually stay to work abroad in these places and don’t bother about looking for apartments for to long.

Once you decide to go abroad don’t forget to have an proper (covid-19) travel insurance and credit cards during your travel. Also see here what things I took with me before going abroad for maximal productivity!

And don’t forget to check how to travel during covid-19 in generally!!! 

Reminder and big warning due to continuing changes of covid-19 rules: An onward ticket is a must if you just book a one way ticket! See my travel resources and check how to travel during covid-19 before taking any flight!!

Let’s dive right into it! As always in my posts use the table of content for faster search ))

Mexico: Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum (STAND: 7 April 2021)

As you might know I’m myself in Mexico in the state Quintana Roo in Playa del Carmen and I highly recommend it! Besides the fact that Mexico is on of the only countries you can travel without a covid-19 test, quarantine and any other covid-19 related restrictions, the state Quintana Roo also is one of the most liberal places regarding covid-19 in Mexico and worldwide! 

Moreover most citizens will get at least 90-180 days with visa on arrival! No action required!

Check out this post to see if Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum fits better your personal lifestyle!

Moreover due to good connections from Europa and United States to Cancun airport it’s one of the cheapest options you have. From Mexico you can decide if you like it or not for working and travelling. Once you feel like to explore other countries you could fly out to Costa Rica and Colombia which are relatively close and you will find good and cheap connections from the Cancun airport. But don’t expect Costa Rica and Colombia to be as liberal as Mexico in this very moment! (Stand: 25.02.2021).

Indonesia: Bali (STAND: 21 February 2021)

Yes! The island of the Gods Bali and thus Indonesia is open – but just with business visa and 5 days if quarantine in the moment. Contrary to Mexico though it’s more difficult to find reliable flights. Check out this post where I explain about how to travel in covid-19 times to minimize your risk for flight cancellation among other things to need to consider. Don’t be surprised if there is no direct flights. As far I know all flights stop by Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia.

The requirements to enter Indonesia with business visa are higher but it’s worth it as it’s one of the best and cheapest places to live for the lifestyle you get!!

For entering Indonesia you need to contact one of the many agencies which offer you special (business) visa services. The costs vary of course and start around 300$ + (USD). With the business visa you can stay up to 6 months, similar to Mexico and eventually even extend it! Furthermore you will need and negative covid-19 PCR test within 14 days of your arrival and don’t forget a covid-19 travel insurance. More details you will discuss with your responsible visa agent! Another thing to keep in mind are the comparatively much higher costs for the flight for example from Europa, South and North America to Indonesia. See the example below for better understanding!

Case study from a recent German traveler entered Bali (Stand 21th February 2021)

Entry is only possible right now with:

– Investor visa (KITAS / KITAP) C314

Valid for 2 years (~ 2000 Euro), multiple entries, completely valid for Indonesia, allowed vehicle purchase, work permit

 

– Social-Visa b211a

Valid for 2 months (~ 300$ + depends an agency) or 6 (~ 600$ +) months, 4 x extendable from Indonesia

Flight:

– Departure points: Berlin, Munich or Frankfurt to Jakarta (~ 700$ +)

– Airlines: Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways or Turkish Airlines

 

Qatar Airways requirements information

– Flight with surgery mask possible

PCR test / documents:

– show a PCR test not older than 72 h on departure

– Fill in Qatar Airways Consent Form

– NO vaccination necessary

 

Hotel:

– self isolation hotels selectable for arrivals in Jakarta for example:

-Grand Mercure Kemayoran

-Grand Mercure Harmony

-JS Luwansa

 

Package can be booked, preferably via email costs (~ 770$) including:

– 5 nights for quarantine

– 2 x PCR test

– Airport pickup

Flight:

– from Jakarta to Denpasar (Domestic Airport) costs ~ 150$

 

Keep in mind costs depends on your departure country and booking period (To Jakarta and than another flight from Jakarta to Bali), agency and facilities you want to stay!!!!

Brazil: Rio (STAND: 7 April 2021)

Next on the list is Rio de Janeiro in Brazil where I’m currently at! Together with Mexico, Brazil was one of the countries in the world which technically never closed for tourism ever since covid-19 started around February 2020. However since the end of December 2020 the government made it more difficult to enter due to the now obligatory negative covid-19 PCR test, taken max 72h before you flight. Before that date you “just” had to provide a covid-19 travel insurance and onward ticket for entering Brazil.

Make sure you have all three of them if you going to Brazil!

The flights might be more expensive to Rio de Janeiro than Mexico and the maximum stay is 3 months instead of up to 6 months in Mexico and Indonesia for most citizens. But You can extend for another 3 months for little money!

Where to stay and co(work) in these destinations?

Once you decided to leave your country and work remotely at one of the mentioned destinations above, you want a co(working) space with very good Wi-Fi, meet many travelers and like-minded people and don’t bother with looking for apartments and other time wasting things!

All this offers Selina hotels and hostels! The international hotel chain Selina offers monthly packages for private and shared rooms with a co-working space already included. And they operate all over the world!

Myself I’m staying in Selina in Playa del Carmen so I know what I’m talking about! In order to not waste your time here all advantages at one glance:

• Costs for Latin America: From $325 for a community room + local tax
• Different 30 days co-work packages depending on room size and your budget!
• Change the location for up to three times in one month! For example stay 1 week in Selina Playa del Carmen, 1 week in Selina Cancun, and 1 week in Selina Isla Mujeres!
• Best internet (Wi-Fi) in the co-working space I’ve witnessed in Mexico!
• Fully equipped shared kitchen and free water and coffee/tea at the co-working space
• Almost daily events and activities like Salsa classes, karaoke and other group activities
• Usually a big swimming pool with hammocks and other sitting facilities
• Yoga classes and workout facilities!
• 24h reception and security! (Important in Latin America)

Honestly Check out the Selina co-work yourself and see if you can imagine to work here like me!

Option 2: Get an Airbnb on monthly basis

Another option to not waste your time with looking for apartments and getting all required services like water delivery, electricity, reliable internet etc. is Airbnb.

A huge advantage is if you book for a monthly stay (30 days) you will get huge discounts! Moreover if you register my specific partner link here you will get up to 56$ for of discount if you are a new user. 

Another tip is to try to reach out to the owner privately to avoid some of the Airbnb fees! But remember if you do a deal without Airbnb you will be responsibly for all problems you will eventually have!

Register right now and get a discount from up to 56$!

Questions? Leave a comment down below