A Cultural Center With Unique Co-Working Options

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The word “digital nomad” is starting to get tossed around and is an extremely broad term. Job titles like freelance graphic designer, freelance blogger, a travel blogger. Even graphic design blogs fall under the umbrella of the title Digital Nomad. 50% of the nomadic lifestyle depends on location and here are the 5 factors that contribute to an ideal Digital Nomad Hotspot:

Great Year-Round Climate

A nomad wants to be free to travel to a hotspot anytime in a full 365-day collection and no one wants to spend their hard-earned cash and time in a place during the off-season. A hotspot must have great weather most of the year or at least consistent weather ( someone traveling to Budapest knows what to expect before they arrive ).

Quality of Life

There is a character to every city. The culture makes up that collective character or vibe if you will. It is no secret that we value a life that we feel is lived well. A hotspot has a good culture with welcoming respect for tourists and nomads.

Wi-Fi Connection

With the invention of Wi-Fi, globalization began to take full effect. A trip to a place you have always wanted to go shouldn’t be decided based on wi-fi connectivity. As a digital nomad, it can be the difference between a productive day or a frustrating afternoon staring at a loading screen. Wi-fi has become a valuable indicator of a hotspot for digital nomads and exotic locations are investing in high Wi-Fi speed simulators to attract nomad travel.

Low Cost of Living

In the digital nomad profession, time is money and clients are depending on fast turnarounds. With that being said, the cost of living plays a huge role in deciding if a destination can be deemed a digital nomad hotspot. Places like Chiang Mai, Ubud, and neighboring South East Asia countries continue to be deemed hotspots to the low cost of living in this area of the world.

Near Interesting Locations

Location…Location…Location. Certain tropical places miss the cut to be deemed a digital nomad hotspot due to the sheer absence of interesting countries nearby. A digital nomad hotspot is usually near other interesting places and also offers cheap forms of travel to neighboring countries.

In order to locate the top-rated places to digital nomad, here is a couple great resources: Nomad List and Lonely Planet

Nomad List has an up to date rating based on the opinions of a huge Nomad Online Community. Memberships are available that allow access to contact other nomads directly on the site. Lonely Planet has been a staple in the travel community for close to 50 years. It is a great resource for finding digital nomad locations that fit your travel and workplace desires.

A digital nomad is a modern-day hunter-gatherer. The hunt is for good wi-fi and the gather is a collection of new friends, clients, and experiences. Upon arrival at Ubud, it is very apparent that there are a couple of options for working environments.

A Homestay with a Balinese Family

Option 1 $: Book a place to stay that offers good wi-fi. Most places on sites like booking.com and airB&B will provide good wi-fi but it is good to check reviews from other traveling nomads. It’s basically working from home with a change of scenery. Studies have shown that a change of scenery can boost productivity and creativity.

A recent study by the Journal of Environmental Psychology, noted a phenomenon that may stem from biophilia — human beings’ natural desire to be connected with nature. While the concept of biophilia is debatable, the effects of the phenomenon are not; researchers noted that simply staring at an image of natural scenery for 40 seconds was enough to trigger the brain into a more relaxed state.

Quirky Cafes with a Productive Environment

Option 2 $ $: Cafe (nice mix of affordability and a productive environment) The cafe culture is alive here in Ubud. Below is my list of cafes I recommend and that are highly sought after by other nomads.

Top 5 Cafes for Digital Nomads in Ubud

Chosen based on atmosphere, food, price, location, and wi-fi speed 

#5 Cafe Vespa

A renovated picture gallery in the small village of Penestanan Kaja, near Ubud.

Once a disused picture gallery, Cafe Vespa has the feeling of a creative space. Located in a small village just outside of Ubud called Penestanan 
Kaja, Cafe Vespa serves up some killer coffee and tasty food. You can also count on their strong wi-fi. Their owner describes the cafe best:

The space could be described as small, intimate and relaxing, with friendly and efficient staff.

#4 Anomali Coffee Ubud

Our mission is Promoting and Curating Indonesia Specialty Coffee through Educations and Experience.

Anomali is a coffee roaster company that has been serving a variety of coffee beans from all over Indonesia since 2007. A trusted stop for quality coffee, Anomali produces coffee beans from Bali, Java, Toraja, Aceh, Sumatra, Flores/ Papua, etc.  They also sell Golden Label/ limited quality coffee like Toraja Perindingan or Aceh Lukup Sabun. With a cool environment and good food options, this is a well-respected establishment in Ubud.

#3 Clear Cafe

Clean food for clear minds in the center of Ubud, Bali

Clear is a unique cafe serving the Vegan community and the classic Yogis. There is a great selection of over 500 songs playing and it is a great place to hang out. The two-story space is thoughtfully designed to provide a chill vibe and the food is made with fresh ingredients from Balinese farmers.

I am not Vegan but I gave this place a try and really enjoyed the experience. The food can be a little on the light side if you are not accustomed to Vegan food so have a light meal before or plan to get something afterward.

P.S: They also have a lounge area with bean bags, a small river, and a fire poll slide from the second story! With a little bit of everything, this cafe is worth a visit.

#2 Watercress Cafe

Watercress Ubud serves up heaping plates of comforting Western food at this cosy cafe in Ubud

Watercress is the sister Cafe to Watercress Batubelig, home to the same amazing healthy food & drink, fantastic espresso & cakes, ever-friendly service & all day smiles. Everything is made from scratch and Watercress seems to nail every meal from breakfast to cocktails/dinner. A great atmosphere makes this place one of the best Cafes to work and enjoy some time while in Ubud.

The pinnacle of hearty and healthy delights in Ubud.

#1 Lazy Cats Cafe

A place that doubles as a cafe, bar, and gallery.

The #1 Cafe on the list! This cafe has a unique interior and vibrant food and is the perfect place to spend a lazy Sunday morning. Located off one of the main streets of Ubud, Lazy Cats is perched upon a hill. They serve up thoughtful Vegan options with attention to detail. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting. Trip Advisor describes this quaint cafe as:

Hidden in the heart of Ubud, Bali’s spiritual and cultural capital, lies the LAZY CATS, a restaurant that doubles as a cafe, bar and gallery and that encourages its guests to indulge in the art of feline indolence and serenity.

Co-Working Spaces

Option 3 $$$: Co-working space (great place to network, attend meet-up events, and get productive) Co-working spaces are becoming increasingly more popular and Bali is established as a co-working space area. With a multitude of co-working spaces, Bali is on the map as a destination for digital nomads looking for the co-working space experience.

Top 3 Co-working Spaces for Digital Nomads in Ubud, Bali

Chosen based off of community aspect, price, and location 

#3 Onion Collective’s Passion Lab 

A mix of co-living, co-working, and collaboration.

The Onion Collective is a unique combination of a homestay, restaurant, and second-floor co-working space. The Onion Co. Restaurant has live music every night and the Passion Lab is open to the nomad community. At night time, space is FREE to work in and you will find other nomads in the  “conference” rooms. Space is quirky but cool with stone walls and a unique vibe. Almost like you are in some secret digital nomad lair. The prices at the Onion Co. are much cheaper than the other two places on the list making it a good option for a budget workday.

#2 Hubud: Monkey Forest  

Hubud is a collaborative coworking space in the heart of Ubud, Bali. One of Forbes’ top 10 coworking spaces on earth.

Hubud ( Hub in Ubud ) is the original co-working space of Ubud. Built all from bamboo, space offers a variety of rooms and working spaces for freelance designers and nomads alike. What separates Hubud from other co-working spaces is its community aspect and weekly events. You can meet and collaborate with people each day there and they also have an upstairs “quiet zone” for the days when all you want to do is get shit done.

I am currently a member at Hubud and they recently partnered with DOJO co-working space. Now you can have access to two of the best co-working spaces on the island with your membership. DOJO is located in Canggu so if you are planning to work remotely in both places, the membership package works well for both. I will be seeing what DOJO is all about next week during my stay in Canggu so check back in for more information about DOJO.

#1 Outpost

Spark your creativity and expand your network at Outpost Ubud.

With an evolving community and atmosphere, the nomads at Outpost describe the place as

“the co-working space Google would create if they opened in Bali”.

Members are also welcome to use the communal lounge with a gorgeous view of Ubud jungle and valley. With comfortable working spaces, two pools, and on-site massage therapists, I think Google would agree. For the freelancers looking for a community and collaboration Mecca, Outpost fits that frame.

The Spots are out there, but how do I start this Digital Nomad Journey?

There is not a “How-to” or “Digital Nomad for Dummies” book out there because setting up a digital nomad lifestyle requires an understanding of today’s tech trends and some serious belief in yourself. You almost have to believe that you can make this work to the point that you would let go of everything to make it possible.

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live — Marcus Aurelius

Here are the 3 main steps to cultivating a digital nomad lifestyle :

#1 Find An Online Means of Making Money

Whether we love it or hate it, the world is continuing to become more and more interconnected with technology. Technology is a huge part of our lives. On a level that Elon Musk is already exploring ways to make the connection between human and technology even stronger.

If the idea of your intelligence being enhanced by computers seems wild, Musk says it’s starting now: “And by the way, you kind of have this already in a weird way: You have a digital tertiary layer in the form of your phone, your computers, your watch. You basically have these computing devices that form a tertiary layer on your cognition already,” Musk said, according to Axios.

With that being said, the ways you can use the tool of technology in a positive way are available and must be taken advantage of. Search around the web for skills that relate to knowledge or a skillset you have learned from your time at a corporate or previous job. If you are in the process of learning or acquiring that magical skill that will allow you to trade in your suit and tie for a laptop and some sandals, then there are options to work as an English Teacher ( English speaking country natives ). Also, hostels are always hiring in almost every well-known country in the world so you could do the former or the latter while you learn that skill during your off time.

#2 Take the Deep Dive and Quit your Day Job

It sounds easier than it is, I totally get it. I know this is something that people who are bought into the 9to5 ideation don’t want to hear but if you don’t have a family, mortgage, or obligation to the government then you don’t HAVE to work somewhere that doesn’t make you happy. No one is holding that burden over your head.

There was a time when the 9to5 job structure was the only answer. Industrialization was the beginning and the “American Dream” could only be achieved by climbing the corporate ladder.

In the words of Bob Dylan…

The Times They Are a-Changin’

In 2019, here are some statistics about the Millennial generation that may surprise you: according to slide share

#1 54% of Millennials either want to start a business or have already started one. 

#2 89% of Millennials would prefer to choose when and where they work rather than being placed in a 9to5 position.

#3 84% of Millennials say making a difference in the world is more important than professional recognition.

The dive is deep but the rewards are life-changing.

#3 Research Digital Nomad Hotspots and Buy that First Plane Ticket

In order to locate the top-rated places to digital nomad, here is a couple great resources: Nomad List and Lonely Planet

Please refer to the beginning of the blog to help guide you in locating certain hotspots. Bali provided the variety I was looking for to start my digital nomad journey but it could be somewhere else for you.

***This lifestyle is not for everyone and I wouldn’t want you to take my content personally if you believe in your company you work for and are very happy with your job***

My intention with this blog post is to provide an alternative outlook that may spark your interest or confirm your feeling that being a digital nomad is possible for you. If this reaches even one person and it gives them the knowledge needed to take the first step, then it makes it all worth it.

If you are enjoying my content, simply subscribe in the right sidebar >>> and let me know in the comments below. You are appreciated and as always… Keep it Sintra.