Picture this: Andreas, a marketing consultant from Nicosia, is enjoying his time at a bustling café in Dubai. His laptop screen displays work documents, while a cup of aromatic Arabic coffee sits beside him. Like many modern professionals, he has embraced the idea of blending work with travel. He chose Dubai for a reason — fast internet and a time zone that makes it easy to stay in touch with his European clients. “I usually work from 10am to 3pm, leaving the rest of my day to explore the city. It feels like I’ve finally found the perfect balance,” he might say. This is the essence of a “workation”.

Remote work is no longer just a temporary fix—it has evolved into a sustainable work model. As of 2024, 28 per cent of the global workforce operates remotely. And this number keeps growing.

What is a workation?

A workation is a combination of work and vacation where professionals work remotely from different locations without taking formal leave. Unlike a regular trip, a workation allows you to maintain your job while experiencing new places.

Research shows that this setup has a positive impact on most employees. Nearly 48 per cent of remote workers report lower stress levels, while 71 per cent say it helps them maintain a healthier work-life balance. Although burnout affects 69 per cent of all employees at some point, those who work in comfortable and flexible conditions tend to experience it far less often.

What to consider when relocating and the cost of living in a new place

Prepare yourself for both adaptation and careful planning—otherwise, you might choose the wrong destination and end up relocating again. It’s important to factor in the time zone to ensure that the time difference doesn’t disrupt your work with clients and colleagues. Other key elements include the cost of living, internet quality and reliability, and availability of coworking spaces.

Let’s explore three popular workation destinations: Dubai in the UAE, Bangkok in Thailand, and Mexico City in Mexico.

Time zone

Take into account the time difference with Cyprus. In Dubai, the difference is +2 hours year-round. In Bangkok, you’ll need to adjust your work schedule due to a +5-hour difference. Mexico City has a significant time difference of -8 hours, which might require schedule adjustments.

Housing rental

In Dubai, the cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is around €1,350 per month, with lower prices in other neighborhoods. In general, rental prices range from €1,100 to €1,800.

Bangkok is much more affordable: renting an apartment in a prime area costs about $750 per month. A furnished studio in a regular area would be roughly half the price.

In Mexico City, a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre will cost around $1,650 per month, while in other areas, the price drops to around $820.

Food

In Dubai, a business district lunch will cost about €15, while a combo meal at McDonald’s is around €8. Basic groceries are moderately priced: a dozen eggs costs €3.50, and a litre of milk is €1.70.

In Bangkok, you can have lunch for about $6.50, and a McDonald’s meal is roughly $4.50. Groceries are even more affordable: a dozen eggs costs $2.30, and 500g of chicken breast is $1.80.

In Mexico City, lunch in a business area is approximately $17, and a McDonald’s meal is $8. Basic groceries are slightly more expensive: a dozen eggs costs $2.53, and 500g of chicken breast costs $3.34.

Coworking spaces

Coworking space prices differ across cities. In Mexico City, rates start from €3.50 per hour for a desk, with monthly memberships reaching up to €90. In Dubai, coworking spaces range from €220 to €450 per month, with many options available across the city. In Bangkok, coworking space prices range from about €75 to €230 per month, offering a range of choices.

Staying connected

An unstable or frequently dropping connection can hinder your ability to work and communicate with your team, leading to increased stress. Common issues include slow apartment Wi-Fi, service interruptions in some countries, and various other technical challenges.

International roaming also presents major drawbacks. For example, while EU roaming regulations protect Cypriots traveling within the European Union, outside the EU, roaming can cost about €10-15 per day in places like Dubai and Thailand. Alternatively, for €90 a month, you can get 20GB of high-speed internet before switching to unlimited 3G at a much slower pace.

Moreover, many carriers deliberately slow down speeds on foreign networks, which can reduce a Zoom call to a series of frozen slides. In some countries, your provider may not support roaming at all, leaving you completely offline.

While local SIM cards might seem like a promising alternative, they come with their own challenges. In many regions, purchasing one requires a passport, and in parts of the Middle East and Asia, you must register, which can be time-consuming. Additionally, if you travel frequently between countries, you’ll need to switch SIM cards each time.

A convenient alternative – Yesim’s eSIM

This solution eliminates the need to search for traditional SIM card vendors or to pay exorbitant roaming fees. An eSIM is a digital SIM card that is activated via an app, allowing you to connect to local carriers easily when abroad.

Yesim is an excellent option for a workation. Its primary benefit is the simplicity of the setup: download the app, choose your destination country, select and pay for your plan, and you’ll be connected to a stable internet service within minutes.

Another major advantage is its reliable connectivity. The eSIM automatically connects to the best available network, ensuring you get optimal speeds. If one carrier’s service falters, the eSIM will automatically switch to the strongest available signal without interruption.

Yesim also offers a free VPN service for iOS users, which is particularly valuable during workations. When working remotely, you may need to access company resources or websites that are restricted in certain countries. A VPN ensures secure access to these resources while protecting your sensitive data on public Wi-Fi networks. Additionally, it allows you to maintain access to familiar services from your home country, such as streaming platforms or banking websites that might otherwise be unavailable abroad.

Cost is also a significant factor. In the UAE, Yesim offers unlimited internet for a day at just €2 (with the current discount applied), in Bangkok, unlimited data is available for €23 for the whole month, and in Mexico, €25 grants you unlimited access for 15 days.

How to stay productive on a workation

Set up an ergonomic workspace and adjust your schedule to stay in sync with your team, especially when facing significant time zone differences. To manage this, consider adopting:

  • Global time planners like Google Calendar or Time Zone Converter
  • Communication platforms such as Slack and Zoom, along with project management tools like Trello and Asana
  • A flexible schedule that lets you work at your peak productivity hours while still leaving time to explore your new destination

Additionally, the Pomodoro Technique—working for 25 minutes followed by a five-minute break—can help maintain focus and prevent burnout.

How to organise a successful workation

Begin with a trial period of about a month to see if this set-up works for you. For a full adjustment, a duration of three to six months is ideal, while seasoned digital nomads may opt for a year or longer.

Essential gear includes a laptop with a reliable battery, an eSIM (such as Yesim), a power bank, noise-cancelling headphones, and a VPN service.

Be sure to check the internet quality in your chosen destination in advance—testing is key. A one-month workation helps you evaluate the location and work format without significant risks.