In this post we’ll be talking about 12 digital nomad conferences and programs to begin. If you’re an aspiring digital nomad, this is a good place to start.
Being a digital nomad can largely be an independent experience, unless you happen to travel with a partner or friends. If you don’t have the option of travelling with a companion or friends and don’t want to go it alone, there are also programs specifically for digital nomads to travel and work abroad as part of a group.
This is a great way to get the best of being a digital nomad while also getting to partake in group trips and travelling with companions. There are a number of programs and conferences that help to organize these groups. These programs vary in duration and location; sometimes the durations can be flexible depending on how long you want to be away and sometimes the location can stay the same or you can travel with the group to different places depending on the program you choose. Here are some of the most popular conferences and programs.
12 Best Digital Nomad Conferences and Programs to Attend
1. Coworkation
If you’ve ever heard of coworking spaces, then you may already have an idea of what the Coworkation program might be like. It is essentially a short-term trip to a destination where you are able to work alongside other digital nomads in an exotic location. Trips are typically one or two weeks in duration, so they offer just a taste of the digital nomad lifestyle. Coworkation is an excellent opportunity to meet other remote freelancers, grow professionally, and make meaningful connections.
In 2020, the featured trip is to Fraser Island from May 13 to 17 at the Kingfisher Bay Eco Resort. Coworkation encourages you to step out of your daily routine to learn, connect, and grow alongside other passionate freelancers and entrepreneurs.
2. CoworkParadise
Also making use of the coworking culture, Cowork Paradise runs twice a year for 3 weeks at a time. In 2020, it is running in February and again in May in beautiful Bali. There are numerous workshops and adventurous excursions to prime your brain for creative thinking. Access to one-on-one time with business coaches and 24/7 use of coworking space will help you reach new heights with your business goals.
It is exclusively for remote entrepreneurs who generate more than 250K in annual revenue. A total of ten professionals are selected to stay in a villa, working and learning together through social events, workshops, and more. CoworkParadise are clear that they have strong selection criteria for only the most ambitious candidates.
The cost to participate in one of the 2020 trips is just under 5000 euros, plus the cost of your flight. It includes private accommodation in a luxury hotel, unlimited high-speed internet, coworking space, workshops, excursions, breakfasts, and dinners. It is truly an investment in yourself and your business.
3. DigitalOutposts
Unlike the first two conferences, DigitalOutposts is a program that is available year-round program and runs in various locations around the globe. Participants can opt to join the program for 2 weeks, 1 month, or 2 months at a time. This is another coworking experience where selected participants meet up at their selected location for the duration of the program. Locations for 2020 trips include options such as Bali, Indonesia; Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and Medellin, Colombia.
Pricing starts at $1295 USD for 2 weeks, $1995 for 1 month, or pay $1695 per month for two months or more. Pricing varies depending on accommodation preferences and destination. It includes accommodation in your destination of choice, 24/7 access to coworking space, trip logistics, and social activities but does not include airfare.
4. Hacker Paradise
Unlike the above coworking options, Hacker Paradise is a program that brings together digital nomads to travel around the world as a group. The program is ongoing year-round and always has two groups running in different destinations at any given time. Group sizes are usually around 20 to 30 people at a time. The program works in two-week intervals and participants have the option of joining the program in a specific location, or tagging along for multiple destinations.
Pricing starts at $1550USD for two weeks or $2100 per month for longer trips (though the Hacker Paradise suggests sharing accommodations for big savings). The prices include private accommodations, a local SIM card with lots of data, coworking space, trip logistics, and numerous professional development opportunities such as social networking events and workshops. Since the program is ongoing throughout the year, there is tons of flexibility as to when and where you join the group.
5. Nomad Cruise
If you’ve ever been on a cruise, this one may puzzle you a bit. Internet access on a cruise is expensive and can be unreliable. So how exactly does a digital nomad make use of a cruise? By disconnecting! Nomad Cruise is an excellent opportunity to disconnect while taking the opportunity to take part in workshops, keynotes from industry masterminds, meet-ups, and networking. Consider this “workation” cruise to be a conference intensive to create, connect, learn, and share with other digital nomads.
Accommodation, meals, and drinks are all included in the pricing, which starts at $800EUR. It runs once a year for just under a week at sea; in 2019, the cruise ran from April 6 to 12. Dates for 2020 have not yet been published on their website
6. Nomad Train
Take a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway along with other digital nomads. Not only do you get to enjoy the scenic views from the train as you travel through Russia and Mongolia, but there are stopovers in cities along the way.
There are programs running from May 18 to June 2, 2020 and September 8 to 23, 2020 that you can join, or travellers can also choose their own dates and have NomadTrain set up a trip for them. This is such a unique way to meet other remote workers and learn from each other.
Pricing to participate in the scheduled program starts at 1570 euros and includes train tickets for a 4-person compartment, food on the train, a SIM card with 35GB of data, as well as breakfast, shared accommodation, and coworking space in stopover cities. Pricing if you choose your own dates starts at 1270 euros and includes train tickets for an open coach (there is an option to select a 4-person compartment at an additional cost), a 35GB SIM card as well as shared accommodation, breakfast, and coworking space in stopovers.
7. Refuga
Refuga offers excursions that take groups of digital nomads or freelancing entrepreneurs on adventures that will push their limits and shift their perspective. For example, a group of these remote-working entrepreneurs climbed Mt Kilimanjaro together, learning from each other along the way as they pushed themselves outside of their comfort zones.. This is an opportunity to connect with other digital nomads in the setting of a unique and exhilarating experience. These excursions typically last for about 10 days and take place in places like Japan or Europe.
Upcoming trips include an adventure to climb Mt Kilimanjaro or a workation in Italy, with dates to be announced. There is currently an offer to try out your first workation for 1100 euros but trips are usually 1700 euros. The climb of Kilimanjaro is offered starting at $3900 USD and also includes a safari trip before the climb.
8. Remote Explorers
Taking place exclusively in India until recently, Remote Explorers offers a taste of local culture for digital nomads. In 2019, there was a trip offered exclusively for women entrepreneurs in Goa, India as well as a trip (open to all) in Dharamsala, India. Trips consist of 20 digital entrepreneurs who all get the opportunity to participate in workshops, learn from industry experts, and share coworking space.
Pricing starts at $1495USD, depending on the trip and the type of accommodation you choose. The pricing includes airport pickup, yoga and cooking classes, accommodation, excursions, dedicated workspace, most meals, professional workshops, internet access, and social events.
9. Remote Year
If you have ever considered working abroad as a digital nomad, then you’ve likely already heard of Remote Year. It is certainly one of the most common and popular digital nomad programs. Groups of digital nomads (or even people who work for companies that allow them to work remotely) travel around the world together and work in shared spaces. Remote Year arranges your trip logistics as well as your accommodation and coworking spaces in each destination. They can also help you to persuade your employer to fund the opportunity if you happen not to be a freelancer or entrepreneur, but still wish to work remotely.
During the Remote Year program, there are plenty of opportunities for professional development through community events. The program is ongoing with multiple destinations available around the world at any given time, so you can select your travel dates and destinations depending on your preferences.
Pricing starts at $11,000USD for 4 months of travel or $29,000USD for 12 months. This is paid in the form of a down payment followed by monthly payments that cover everything from accommodation, flights, workspace, events, and on-site support during your time abroad. For example, the 12 month “Around the World” trip requires a $5000 down payment and then 12 monthly payments of $2000 each.
10. Unsettled
Unsettled offers one-week, two-week, or one-month retreats in a number of destinations around the world. The 2020 destinations include: Bali, Buenos Aires, Barcelona, Amazon, Peru, Sacred Valley, Nicaragua, Tuscany, Greece, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Lebanon, Tokyo, Medellin, Cape Town, and Sri Lanka. Participants can choose their destination as well as the length of their stay. Groups of 15 to 30 people are chosen for each location, where they have access to coworking space, workshops, and other local events.
Pricing includes the cost of accommodation, coworking space, workshops, and certain events. It starts at $2000USD per month, and will vary depending on your choice of destination as well as length of stay.
11. WiFly Nomads
WiFly Nomads is a 5-day intensive conference in Bali that provides training to effectively launch your online career or business. Expert coaches offer personalized sessions and group workshops to give you the tools and knowledge that you need to work remotely. Following the 5-day intensive, you will continue to have access to webinars and virtual support to hold you accountable to the goals you set out during the conference.
In 2019, the program ran in June but 2020 dates have not been posted yet. The price of the 5-day conference is $3997 USD and includes accommodation, course materials, meals, networking events, excursions, personal sessions with coaches, a local SIM card, airport transfers, and access to coworking space. It does not include flights, trip insurance, passports or visas. No experience is necessary and all are welcome to apply, but groups will be kept small (no more than 10 people).
12. Venture with Impact
This program is unique from any of the conferences mentioned above. Venture with an Impact provides accommodation and arranges for digital nomads to work pro-bono for local organizations. The idea is that participants can complete their remote work while also supporting a local charity. Even if you are not already a remote worker, Venture with Impact provides support and information for you to be able to ask your employer for the ability to work remotely during the program. It can be offered as a one-week retreats or a four-week program and your placement will depend on your availability and skill set.
Program pricing starts at $2100 per month, which includes accommodation and access to local cultural events. Venture with Impact runs their trips between January and August. Participating countries include Colombia, Mexico, Thailand, and Portugal.
Endless possibilities
There are so many opportunities to meet and travel with other digital nomads and remote entrepreneurs in exotic places. While some of these programs are meant for experienced digital nomads, others can be a great way to dip your toes into the digital nomad lifestyle with minimal risk and lots of support from experienced entrepreneurs. Get outside of your comfort zone, experience new adventures, expand your horizons, share your experiences, and soak up all of the knowledge that others can provide.
Hope you guys enjoyed this post on 12 best digital nomad conferences and programs to attend. If you have additions let us know in the comments below.
