How to Work Remotely and Travel the World (Without Losing Your Mind)
Let’s be honest: the idea of sipping espresso in Rome while replying to Slack messages sounds like a dream. And guess what? It can actually be your life. You don’t have to wait until retirement or hit the jackpot. You can work remotely and travel the world—right now, without selling all your stuff or becoming a “digital nomad” cliché.
I’ve been working remotely while hopping between time zones, tuk-tuks, and airport Wi-Fi disasters for years. It’s not always smooth sailing (have you ever taken a Zoom call from a tent in Patagonia?), but it is incredibly rewarding.
So if you’re wondering how to make this dream lifestyle actually work, buckle up—because I’ve got the real talk, the hacks, and the game plan you need.
Is Remote Work + Travel Actually Possible?
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Yes, but not without a bit of planning and a solid Wi-Fi connection.
Working while traveling isn’t just for influencers or people who “coach people on how to coach people.” There are tons of legit careers that work beautifully on the road:
- Freelancers (writers, designers, developers—what’s up my people)
- Remote employees with flexible work setups
- Entrepreneurs or solopreneurs running online businesses
- Online teachers and tutors
- Virtual assistants, marketers, and tech support pros
FYI: If you’ve got a laptop, skills, and decent time management, this lifestyle is totally within reach.
Step 1: Build (or Find) a Remote Job That Pays the Bills
Your Skills Are Probably Already Marketable
Think you need to be a coder or startup founder? Nope. If you can write well, manage projects, teach, design, or even organize someone else’s chaos—you’re already remote-ready.
Where to Find Remote Jobs
Here are a few goldmines I personally love:
- We Work Remotely
- Remote OK
- FlexJobs (paid, but worth it IMO)
- LinkedIn (yes, even corporate gigs!)
- Upwork and Fiverr (for freelancers starting out)
Pro tip: Position yourself as a problem solver, not just a task doer. Remote clients and employers want to know you can deliver—without being micromanaged.
Step 2: Choose Destinations That Make Life Easier, Not Harder
What Makes a Place “Remote-Work Friendly”?
Let me save you the pain of learning this the hard way (aka booking a month in the jungle with no signal).
Look for destinations with:
- Reliable Wi-Fi (non-negotiable)
- Time zone compatibility (especially if you have meetings)
- Affordable living costs (Bali, Medellín, Lisbon—I see you)
- Community of other travelers or remote workers
- Good coffee and power outlets (don’t underestimate this)
My Favorite Work-and-Travel Hotspots
- Chiang Mai, Thailand – Coworking heaven, cheap AF, and mango sticky rice.
- Lisbon, Portugal – Gorgeous, laid-back, and shockingly remote-work friendly.
- Buenos Aires, Argentina – Late work hours? Perfect. Also: steak.
- Mexico City, Mexico – Culture, tacos, and solid coworking.
- Tallinn, Estonia – Underrated digital nomad paradise (and digital nomad visa-friendly!).
Step 3: Set Up a Foolproof Remote Work Routine
Remote work isn’t code for “work from beach.” (Trust me, sand in your keyboard is a nightmare.)
Create a Routine That Keeps You Sane
Here’s what works for me—and might work for you too:
- Set actual work hours. (Even if they’re weird ones.)
- Use time-blocking. Morning = deep work, afternoon = calls, etc.
- Batch your tasks. Emails? 20-minute sprints. Content writing? Block out 2 hours.
- Stay in one spot long enough to settle. Constantly moving = productivity killer.
Favorite Tools That Make Life Easier
- Trello or Notion – To organize your chaos.
- Google Calendar – To make sure you don’t miss meetings because you forgot what day it is.
- Slack + Zoom – To stay in touch with clients or your team.
- VPN (like NordVPN) – Because public Wi-Fi is sketchy.
Affiliate tip: I use NordVPN for all my travels—it keeps my data secure and lets me access sites from back home. Totally worth the small monthly cost.
Step 4: Pack Smart, Stay Nimble
Let me hit you with a hard truth: you do not need five pairs of shoes. You just don’t.
What to Always Bring
- Noise-canceling headphones (life-saver in hostels or noisy cafes)
- A reliable laptop and charger
- Power bank + universal adapter
- Packing cubes (change your life, seriously)
- Portable Wi-Fi hotspot or SIM card plan
What You Never Need
- A full skincare routine (get the travel sizes, friend)
- Your entire bookshelf (hello, Kindle)
- A second “just in case” laptop (unless you’re super tech-dependent)
Step 5: Don’t Forget Work-Life Balance (Yes, Even in Paradise)
It’s Still Work—Even in Bali
I know, I know. You’re in a new city and everything’s shiny and exciting. But if you burn out in week two, what’s the point?
Here’s how to keep your sanity:
- Set boundaries with work hours.
- Say no to projects that don’t excite you.
- Join coworking spaces or meetups—loneliness is real on the road.
- Take breaks to actually enjoy the place you’re in.
Ever tried answering emails from a hammock? It sounds great until your laptop slides off your lap and into a coconut.
Bonus: What No One Tells You About Remote Work Travel
Let’s get real for a sec.
- You will mess up a time zone and miss a meeting.
- You’ll have tech issues in the most inconvenient moments.
- Some days, you’ll question why you’re doing this at all.
But you’ll also:
- Watch sunsets on new continents every month.
- Meet people who change your life.
- Work from mountain lodges, beach cafes, and sleeper trains.
And you’ll learn more about yourself in 3 months than you probably did all year in your cubicle job.
A Quick FAQ for the Curious (and Slightly Skeptical)
How do you afford to travel full time?
Simple: I work while I travel. I earn USD and spend pesos, baht, or rupees. Geoarbitrage for the win.
Do you need special visas?
Depends on where you go. Some countries have digital nomad visas, others let you stay up to 90 days on a tourist visa. Always check the rules—and don’t overstay. They do check.
What if I need better internet?
Find coworking spaces, rent Airbnb apartments with fiber internet, or get a portable hotspot. Don’t rely on hotel Wi-Fi—it’s often trash.
Wrapping It All Up: You Can Absolutely Do This
So here’s the deal. If you want to work remotely and travel the world, you don’t need a secret map, 100k followers, or a six-figure launch plan. You just need:
- A remote job or freelance income
- Solid Wi-Fi and time zone awareness
- A routine that works for you
- And the guts to go
Will it be perfect? No. Will it be worth it? 100%.
So, are you ready to swap your office chair for a hammock (with Wi-Fi)? Your Zoom background for a mountain view? Because honestly—the world is wide open, and your laptop is basically your passport.
Final Tip (and a Handy Link)
I never leave home without NordVPN to keep my data safe while I’m on public Wi-Fi around the world. It’s affordable, fast, and it’s saved my butt more times than I can count. Highly recommend if you’re going remote.
If you’ve got questions or want tips for specific places, drop a comment or shoot me a message. I love chatting with fellow travel + work nerds.
Happy trails (and strong signals)!