With both business and travel trends taking a massive shift in the last 12 months, there’s a new way of working that’s taken the idea of a mobile office to another level. Introducing the ‘workation’ – a new way of seeing the world with laptop in tow. People have realised that it’s possible to take your work anywhere and enjoy a bit of wanderlust beyond your four walls.
Provided your destination has access to your required amenities and a stable internet connection, why not combine business and leisure and embark on the ultimate working holiday?
Here are seven of our best places to kick back with your laptop on a workation:
Costa Rica
A stone’s throw from the Caribbean, surrounded by lush jungle and volcanoes, Costa Rica is an adventurer’s dream. If you’re concerned about connection, the internet seems to be really good, even in more remote locations. When you’re not ‘at work’ you’ll have a hard time choosing between hiking, kitesurfing, river rafting, and touring the beautiful buildings and museums. Here’s to living life to the fullest in this Central American haven.
Travel requirements:
- No COVID-19 PCR test needed.
- Passengers must complete a Health Pass before travelling. Present the QR code upon arrival.
- You will need valid travel insurance that covers emergency quarantine accommodation (to the value of $2,000) and medical expenses (to the value of $50,000). This needs to be stipulated in a certificate (in either English or Spanish).
Visa: Costa Rica is visa-free for 90 days
Malawi:
Malawi is not nicknamed ‘the warm heart of Africa’ for nothing. From its warm, friendly people to majestic game reserves and shimmering beaches, soak up the laidback atmosphere as you while away the day.
Travel requirements:
- Provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, conducted within 72 hours before departure.
- No mandatory quarantine is needed.
Visa: Malawi is visa-free for 90 days
Maldives
Trade in your office chair for a sun lounger by the infinity pool. If you’re looking for stunning scenery, water sports, peace and quiet, and friendly, pack your bags and head to this dreamy island. With high-speed internet in nearly every resort, the Maldives is welcoming South Africans looking for a long-term stay.
Travel requirements:
- Travellers must present a negative PCR test on arrival. The test must be taken a maximum of 96 hours before arrival.
- All passengers arriving and departing from the Maldives must complete a self-declaration health form 24 hours before departure.
- The Maldives recently introduced a special COVID-19 insurance that you can buy before your arrival. This insurance covers medical expenses, as well as isolation and transport costs that may be incurred.
Visa: The Maldives is visa-free for 30 days
Mozambique
Just a hop across the border, Mozambique’s southern region from Ponta do Ouro all the way up to Maputo is a perfectly safe and beautiful escape from your humdrum office space. Think caramel-sand beaches, ocean safaris, peri-peri prawns and the friendliest locals. It really is a piece of rustic paradise that’s quick to reach but will make you feel like you’re miles away.
Travel requirements:
- Travellers must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, conducted within 72 hours before departure.
- No mandatory quarantine is needed.
Visa: Mozambique is visa-free for 30 days.
Namibia
From its shimmering deserts to its wild coastlines and ocean-fresh seafood, Namibia truly is a home away from home. Tick off some bucket-list items while you’re there, like hot air ballooning over the sand dunes, seeing the wild horses of Ais-Ais or spending a few glorious days camping in Etosha National Park. The drive up makes for an epic road trip, or you can catch a two-hour flight to Windhoek.
Travel requirements:
- A negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result that is not older than 7 days (168 hours from the time sample was taken) at Port of Entry is required.
- Covid-19 vaccinated individuals still need to show a negative COVID-19 test result.
Visa: Namibia is visa-free for 90 days.
Sri Lanka
If you’re looking for a workation that combines beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, tropical jungles and Buddhist charm, you’ll find it on the island of Sri Lanka.
Travel requirements:
- Travellers must present a negative PCR test taken 96 hours before departure.
- Tourist will be required to take a PCR test upon arrival at their hotel in Sri Lanka. For stays longer than seven days, a third test may be necessary.
- You must take out a mandatory COVID-19 insurance policy which starts at only $12 covering you for $50,000 over a period of one month.
Visa: An e-visa on arrival is required.
Zanzibar
Where island bliss meets food adventures and world-class diving – there you’ll find Zanzibar. With plenty of resorts ranging from budget-friendly to more luxurious, you can spend weeks soaking up the gorgeous island views from your laptop. With no quarantine or PCR tests needed, Zanzibar is an obvious choice for your workation.
Travel requirements:
South African travellers do not require a COVID-19 test certificate before departing or arriving in Zanzibar (unless required by the airline).
Visa: Zanzibar is visa-free for 90 days.
How to have a local workation:
Going on a working holiday doesn’t have to break the week. Have an extended weekend away or book a family lodge for a week or two. The establishments below all have solid Wi-Fi service, so you can plug-in from the poolside lounger or the braai area.
Go on safari
Trade the boardroom for the bush in the African wilderness. From luxury game lodges to self-catering cottages, there are plenty of options to squeeze in a bit of work between those game drives.
Garden Route bliss
From Mossel Bay to Nature’s Valley, head to warmer shores for a coastal break. Aside from the pristine stretches of beach, this part of the world is perfect for fishing, water sports, mountain biking and golfing. Many establishments are also pet-friendly, so no need to leave your beloved pooch behind.
View workations along the Garden Route
Winelands experience
Wine tasting on your lunch break? Why not! From cosy self-catering cottages in Robertson to luxury boutique guesthouses and spa retreats in Franschhoek, treat yourself to a little ‘me’ time between all those business meetings.
Go golfing
Pack your cart and golf shoes and tee off along some of the most stunning golf courses South Africa has to offer. If you’re worried that you’ll spend too much time on the fairways, don’t they say a golf course is one of the best places to network?
Remote work has made travelling that much more accessible in a time when people have no reason to travel. Hopefully, we’ve inspired you to trade in your home office for a more exotic backdrop and plan a workation somewhere exciting.
Thanks to the speed of mobile technology and global trends, you really do have the freedom to move anywhere.
Do you have a favourite workation escape we should know about? Drop us a line in the comments.
All information on this blog page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice. Travelstart will not be held liable for loss or inconvenience resulting from the use of out-dated or incorrectly noted information.