Research shows that proximity to nature boosts creativity, reduces stress, and improves focus. It’s no wonder digital nomads and remote workers are trading offices for forest canopies, coastal cliffs, and tranquil lakes. The key ingredients? Decent internet, inspiring views, and enough space to disconnect when the workday’s done.
Why nature and remote work are a perfect match
As more people embrace location-independent careers, the hunt is on for places that combine reliable Wi-Fi with wild beauty. Whether you’re writing code from a forest cabin, brainstorming beside the beach, or editing spreadsheets in a mountain hideaway, these remote work spots promise the best of both worlds: productivity and peace.
Forest escapes
Picture/Jubilee Creek/Hiking South Africa
Knysna – South Africa
Surrounded by ancient Afrotemperate forests and calm lagoon waters, Knysna is ideal for those craving quiet and green. Many forest lodges offer fibre Wi-Fi, and you’re never far from a hiking trail or sunset canoe paddle.
Best for: Writers, solopreneurs, creatives
Highlight: Drupkelders trail or Jubilee Creek picnic spot
Ubud – Bali, Indonesia
Picture/Coworker
Known for its lush rice terraces and spiritual vibe, Ubud blends wellness and work in a tropical jungle setting. Coworking spaces like Outpost offer reliable Wi-Fi, healthy cafés, and networking events.
Best for: Remote teams, wellness seekers
Highlight: Daily yoga + a desk at Outpost coworking
Hogsback – Eastern Cape
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With Hobbiton charm and thick indigenous forests, Hogsback is perfect for writing, reflecting, and wandering barefoot.
Highlight: A midweek waterfall hike or labyrinth walk
Monteverde – Costa Rica
Scott Engelman/Unsplash
This cloud forest town has become popular with remote workers who want to balance eco-living with birdwatching and coffee.
Highlight: Zipline before your deadline
ALSO READ: Winter staycation ideas to consider
Coastal calm
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Coffee Bay – Eastern Cape
Remote, rugged, and rich in Xhosa culture, Coffee Bay offers sweeping coastal views and laid-back energy. While limited in infrastructure, a few well-connected lodges and backpackers cater to digital nomads seeking nature over nightlife.
Best for: Nature lovers, digital detoxers
Highlight: Hike to Hole in the Wall after your morning tasks
Lagos – Algarve, Portugal
Picture/Nomad Junkies
This beachy town offers sunny days, sea cliffs, and a growing digital nomad scene. With coworking cafés and plenty of accommodation like Outsite, it’s easy to plug in and zone out (on the beach).
Best for: Freelancers, tech nomads
Highlight: Paddleboarding after your pitch deck
Jeffrey’s Bay – Eastern Cape
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J-Bay blends surfing and working with strong Wi-Fi in several beachfront lodges and coffee shops. Coworksurf and Green Room JBay are some of the spaces that blend what you are looking for.
Highlight: Catch waves before your 9 AM Zoom call
Canggu – Bali, Indonesia
Picture/Wouldn’t You Rather Travel
A mix of beach clubs and open-air workspaces. Surf at dawn, Slack at noon.
Highlight: Co-work all morning, sunset at Echo Beach
Mountain Hideaways
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Clarens – Free State
This art-filled town near the Golden Gate Highlands is perfect for mountain air and peaceful routines. With a good selection of guesthouses and boutique stays offering Wi-Fi, you’ll have everything you need to work and wander.
Best for: Creatives, photographers
Highlight: The Golden Gate Highlands hike before inbox zero
Bansko – Bulgaria
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Europe’s affordable mountain town has transformed into a digital nomad hotspot, with coworking hubs, mountain views, and seasonal snow. You can hit the slopes at lunch and finish that pitch by dinner.
Best for: Coders, entrepreneurs
Highlight: The Nomad Fest if you’re there in June
Semonkong – Lesotho
Picture/Effective Connections
This highland village offers dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and a peaceful retreat from notifications—bring your own mobile Wi-Fi.
Highlight: The 192m Maletsunyane Falls nearby
Wanaka – New Zealand
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Nestled between mountains and a lake, Wanaka is ideal for focused work followed by hikes or paddles. The island town also has excellent internet and co-working spaces like The Cell.
Highlight: Roy’s Peak hike for perspective
Desert & dramatic landscapes
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Cederberg – Western Cape
Cederberg’s dramatic rock formations, hiking trails, and crystal-clear skies deliver if you’re looking to unplug without going off the grid. Many cabins use solar power and satellite internet.
Best for: Focused solo retreats
Highlight: Stargazing after spreadsheets
San Pedro de Atacama – Chile
Picture/Wander Big
The Atacama desert might feel like another planet, but it’s increasingly connected—ideal for writers or remote workers seeking total solitude with cosmic inspiration.
Best for: Writers, remote researchers
Highlight: El Tatio geysers at sunrise
Karoo towns (Prince Albert or Nieu-Bethesda)
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Off-the-grid yet artistic, with long silences and longer horizons.
Highlight: Visit the Owl House or a Karoo art gallery
Joshua Tree – California, USA
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Home to quirky cabins and desert cabins with surprisingly good connectivity—perfect for meditative days and productive bursts.
Highlight: Work mornings, explore boulders and Joshua trees by dusk
Lakeside serenity
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Stanford – Western Cape
Nestled along the Klein River, this peaceful village is perfect for deep work and weekend wine tastings. Birdwatchers, canoeists, and freelancers will all find their rhythm here.
Best for: Content creators, birders, academics
Highlight: Klein River picnic after a full writing day
Lake Atitlán – Guatemala
Picture/Bucketlist Bri
Volcanoes ring this high-altitude lake, where every village has its vibe, and many have coworking spots. It’s spiritual, scenic, and surprisingly well-connected.
Best for: Slow travellers, social impact entrepreneurs
Highlight: Ferry-hop between San Pedro and San Marcos
Dullstroom – Mpumalanga
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South Africa’s fly-fishing capital has crisp air, calm lakes, and cosy cottages with Wi-Fi.
Highlight: Whiskey tasting or fly-fishing break
Annecy – France
Picture/A Typical Vagabond
Work beside a turquoise lake with Alpine peaks in view—complete with cheese, croissants, and coworking.
Highlight: Cycle around the lake after the meetings
Tips for Remote Working in Nature
- Check Wi-Fi speeds in advance: Ask hosts for screenshots or reviews.
- Invest in a backup: Mobile data, solar chargers or UPS devices can save the day.
- Set boundaries: Nature is a gift—don’t work through it all. Block off time to explore.
- Consider time zones: If you’re working globally, plan your nature walks around meetings.
- Pack light, pack smart: Noise-cancelling headphones, a good camera, and a journal go far.
The beauty of remote work is that the world becomes your office—and your sanctuary. Whether you’re perched above a lake in Guatemala, hiking in South Africa’s highlands, or breathing in desert stillness, these destinations prove that productivity and peace can share the same view.
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