What is a Remote Work Vacation?

Jamie Ditaranto

Nurall's Managing Editor has been traveling while working remotely since 2019. Her work has since been featured in publications like National Geographic and Condé Nast Traveler.

When you work remotely, you can work from anywhere. For some people, this might mean working from the comfort of home and for others, the remote work lifestyle offers the opportunity to experience a remote work vacation.

What is a remote work vacation?

A remote work vacation lets you take your work on the road with you. Instead of spending a week of vacation time to experience a new place, you can temporarily relocate. As you work your regular hours online—maybe delayed by a few time zones—your time off work can be spent exploring a new city or even a new country. Unlike a regular vacation, a remote work vacation can last as long as you want when you don’t have an office to report to.

How do I work remotely on vacation?

If all you need to do your job is an internet connection, there are many beautiful places in the world where you can work remotely—although internet speeds will vary. There are different ways to do a remote work vacation. Those who still enjoy working in the privacy of their own home can set up shop in a rented apartment and those who prefer to get out of the house can find many laptop-friendly internet cafes and coworking spaces, where they’ll be able to get a day’s work done and maybe do a little socializing and networking.

What are the benefits of a remote work vacation?

The biggest benefit of taking a remote work vacation is time. You may have to attend the same meetings and answer the same emails, but when you sign off for the day, you’ll find yourself in an exciting new place far from the routine of your home life. Imagine waking up early to go for a morning run on the beach in Miami, stepping out for a long lunch in Lisbon, or celebrating the arrival weekend with late-night tacos in Mexico City. A remote work vacation is the most real way to travel like a local, daily grind and all.

How do I plan a remote work vacation?

There’s a lot more that goes into planning a long-term vacation when you plan to work remotely. Not only do you have to figure out where you’re going to live, but you also have to make sure that your neighborhood is going to have everything you need to stay caffeinated, productive, and inspired. At Nurall, we’ve enlisted the help of local experts to help you better explore the workcation destination of your dreams, plus tips to help you find an apartment and budget.

How much does a remote work vacation cost?

There are many factors that come into play when budgeting a remote work vacation. The first thing you’ll have to consider is your living expenses and the destination you plan to work from. Some of the dreamiest destinations also come with the highest costs of living of rent prices, but you can shop around different neighborhoods to find something within your price range. Nurall’s local experts have rated each neighborhood based on value by comparing the living costs to the rest of the city. Other factors to consider are how much you can spend on eating out, entertainment, and any travel expenses you might have getting to and around your temporary home.

How do I know a remote work vacation is right for me?

If you always feel like your vacations end too early, a remote work vacation is the most thorough way to travel. Not only will you have the time to explore, but you’ll also get a taste of local life as you navigate your daily routine in a new place. At the same time, you should be ready to take on the challenges of adapting to a new culture and maybe even a new language. A lot of planning and research is involved to make a remote work vacation work, which is why Nurall is dedicated to helping itchy-feet remote workers discover new neighborhoods around the world.

Is it really a vacation if you’re still working remotely?

Yes and no. The benefit of taking a remote work vacation is that you don’t have to use any vacation days and can still sustain yourself while traveling, but your regular workload still stays the same. This can look different for everyone, depending on how you work. Freelancing provides the most flexibility to explore, but many remote workers still hold down their nine-to-fives online, even if they’re logging on from another time zone. The vacation element of the remote work vacation is all about using your free time to take advantage of all the fun and wonderful things your destination-of-choice has to offer you.