I realize that I am very lucky — getting to work remotely while traveling the world is, in my ways, a dream come true for me. But, as I frequently write about, this type of travel means that the destinations I visit need to have reliable WiFi and be in time zones which are conducive to working with American clients.
Because of this, I sometimes catch myself dreaming of the day that I can go completely off-the-grid on a trip. Below are some of the top destinations I’d like to visit if I ever got some paid time off.
Montenegro
Located just south of Croatia is Montenegro, a gorgeous country bordering the Adriatic Sea.
I first decided that I needed to go to Montenegro while traveling down the Dalmatian Coast, from Split to Dubrovnik. As I kept heading further and further south, I could not believe that the landscape kept getting more and more beautiful. I took out a map (because maps were a thing back then), and saw that if I kept going south, I’d hit Montenegro, and set my goals on visiting the country.
While it is stunningly beautiful, WiFi is not yet reliable in the places I’d like to visit in Montenegro, which is why this trip has been put on hold. But hey, I’m told delayed gratification can be a good thing… right?
Patagonia
It’s my own fault that I haven’t visited Patagonia yet — I’ve actually had 2 trips planned there that I’ve canceled at the last minute (the first time, I went to Mendoza, Argentina instead and the second time, after checking the forecast in Patagonia, I decided to instead visit the Atacama Desert in Chile).
I am still aching to go, however, particularly to Bariloche and Ushuaia in Argentina.
While WiFi in those destinations is actually decent, the types of activities that I want to do (hiking, camping, and some adventure sports) would be difficult while working remotely.
Guatemala
Guatemala, particularly Antigua, is increasingly being a hub for remote workers. Known for its stunning landscape, Mayan history, and low cost of living (for Americans), this Central American country has been a top dream destination of mine for years now.
Although there are spots where you can find reliable WiFi, I want to stay on Lake Atitlán, which was formed in a massive volcano crater and is supposed to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. WiFi is spotty in this area of the country, though, so my visit will have to wait!
Mongolia
I love taking the road-less-traveled and there are few places that are more “remote” than Mongolia.
While the capital, Ulaanbaatar, has reliable infrastructure, my dream isn’t to stay in the city – it’s to go to the windswept plains and Gobi Desert and to get completely off-the-grid.
As a remote worker, this isn’t possible (at least not yet), meaning I’ll have to keep Mongolia on my bucket list for now.
Greenland
There’s an old saying amongst seasoned travelers: “When you’ve seen the world, there’s always Greenland.”
Located at the tip of the world, I first decided I needed to travel here after taking in an amazing view of the country on a flight from Norway to California. Since then, I’ve used Instagram to follow a few individuals who live in Greenland and have been captivated by their pictures.
While WiFi is reliable in towns and certain villages, I would love to be out on a boat and on hikes, neither of which are conducive to remote work.
Maldives
It’s not hard to see why this is a dream destination of mine – with crystal clear water, idyllic beaches, and some of the most luxurious accommodations in the world, the Maldives is one of the most aesthetically pleasing places on the planet.
The tourist infrastructure is set up for honeymooners rather than remote workers, though, and while many hotels have decent WiFi, it’s often in the public areas and the time zone can be difficult to work from with American clients.
With global warming and the chance that the islands will soon be under the sea, I’m definitely in a rush to visit (and hope that I can disconnect when I do).
Namibia
With the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Rwanda to the east, and the Namid desert in between, Namibia offers a mix of stunning landscape and incredible nature/wildlife.
While the country is starting to attract more and more visitors, WiFi is still fairly unreliable and the time zones are difficult to work from with American-based clients.
Bhutan
Nestled between India and China is Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas’ eastern edge.
Featuring jaw-dropping landscapes, temples built on the sides of mountains, and in a region known for its incredible food, Bhutan is a dream destination of mine. As an American, it can be difficult (and costly) to obtain a visa to travel here and the time zones/WiFi aren’t ideal for a remote worker.
Let me know what you think of this list in the comments below!
Josh Trips 