What is a workation?

A workation is a modern concept that combines traditional work routines with the freedom and relaxation of vacationing. It emerged from the adaptability of the modern digital era, where connectivity and technology allow you to work from anywhere you have internet access—an option available to an estimated 92 million people in the U.S. alone. With a workation, you can experience different cultures, visit local attractions, or enjoy a new and unique environment—while still working. This article explores what workations really mean, their benefits for both employees and employers, and how to plan one that balances productivity with personal enrichment.

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What is a workation

A workation combines work and vacation—you do your regular job from a new, inspiring location instead of your usual workspace. Unlike traditional vacations where you disconnect completely, workations let you stay productive during work hours while exploring a new place in your free time.

What are the benefits of a workation?

So, what are the actual benefits of taking a workation? Here are the key advantages:

• Change of scenery: A new environment can boost both productivity and creativity

• Burnout prevention: Breaking routine helps re-energize your career and mental health, as workers in their preferred location are more likely to report good or excellent mental health.

• Cultural immersion: Longer stays let you deeply explore different cultures and perspectives

• Better work-life balance: You maintain professional responsibilities while prioritizing personal growth, addressing a common issue where a third of workers feel they don't have enough flexibility at work to maintain balance.

Types of workations

Workations aren't one-size-fits-all. They can be adapted to fit different needs, timelines, and work styles. Here are a few common types:

• Short-term workation: A brief trip, often for a week or two, to a nearby city or domestic location. It's a great way to test the concept without long-term commitment.

• Long-term workation: An extended stay in a new location, lasting a month or more. This allows for deeper cultural immersion and is popular with digital nomads.

• Team workation: A company-organized retreat where an entire team works together from a shared location. This can help foster collaboration and team bonding in a distributed workforce.

• Solo workation: An individual trip planned by an employee to work from a location of their choice, focusing on personal well-being and productivity.

Workation statistics

Last year, Passport Photo Online surveyed over 1,000 Americans to better understand their thoughts on workations. Here are some of the primary takeaways:

• 67% of Americans took a workation to recharge mentally and emotionally

• 86% of respondents "agree" or "strongly agree" that a workation boosted their productivity

• 81% of respondents said that a workation helped them become more creative

• 69% are less likely to quit their job after taking a workation

• 83% "agree" or "strongly agree" that a workation helped them better cope with burnout

Workation trends

Workation trends are reshaping how we think about work and location. Here's what's driving the movement:

Destination infrastructure: Cities and rural areas are building remote-friendly amenities like coworking spaces and high-speed internet to attract digital workers.

Hospitality packages: Hotels and service providers now offer all-in-one workation deals with accommodations, workspaces, and essential tech setup.

Government support: Many countries offer digital nomad visas to attract remote workers for longer stays.

Corporate policies: Companies are implementing flexible workation policies, recognizing their impact on employee morale and retention, especially since workers not in their preferred location are more likely to report a desire to quit.

How to plan a workation

A successful workation requires a bit of planning. It's not just about packing a laptop and leaving. Here are a few key steps to consider:

• Set clear goals: What do you want to achieve? Whether it's finishing a big project, exploring a new city, or simply recharging, having a clear purpose helps structure your trip.

• Choose your destination wisely: Consider factors like time zone differences, cost of living, and internet reliability. A two-hour time difference might be manageable, but an eight-hour one could disrupt team collaboration.

• Communicate with your team: Let your manager and colleagues know your plans, your working hours, and your availability. Transparency is key to maintaining trust and productivity.

• Prepare your tech: Ensure you have all the necessary equipment, from chargers and adapters to a reliable VPN for secure internet access.

Workation considerations for employers

Thinking about allowing workations at your company? For People Ops leaders, workations are a double-edged sword—they boost morale and retention but come with compliance risks.

The solution? Start with a formal workation policy that covers:

• Tax implications: An employee working from another country for an extended period can create tax liabilities for both the individual and the company.

• Immigration and visas: Working on a tourist visa is often illegal. Your policy should clarify what types of visas are required for international workations.

• Data security: Outline requirements for using secure networks and company equipment to protect sensitive information.

By creating a clear framework, companies can offer the flexibility employees want while protecting the business from compliance headaches.

Workation destinations

A workation can take you anywhere that has reliable internet access. From another part of your home city to the opposite side of the globe, you should consider all your options. There are a few essentials to keep in mind when deciding on a location:

• Reliability of internet access

• Proximity to your primary residence

• Cost of living

• Local business laws

Here are some of the most popular workation destinations:

• Chiang Mai, Thailand

• Buenos Aires, Argentina

• Bengaluru, India

• Medellín, Colombia

• Kaohsiung, Taiwan

• Lima, Peru

• Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Read our "top workation locations" blog post for more location ideas and tips for determining whether a workation is right for you. This is just a tiny sampling of what the world offers—keep an open mind as you research and compare all your options.

Building a global workforce that thrives anywhere

The workation movement reflects a bigger shift in how we think about work and life balance. It proves that productivity and well-being don't have to compete—they can actually strengthen each other, as research shows that fully remote workers are globally the most likely to be engaged at work.

Ready to embrace this new era of work? Whether you're planning workation policies or building a fully distributed team, managing global talent requires the right partner. Oyster's platform handles the complex stuff—international hiring, payroll, and compliance—so you can focus on what matters most: building great teams. Start hiring globally and discover what's possible when talent has no borders.

FAQs

Is it workation or workcation?

Both spellings work perfectly fine—"workation" is just slightly more popular. They mean the exact same thing.

How is a workation different from working remotely?

Remote work usually happens from a fixed spot like your home office. A workation means temporarily working from somewhere new and exciting.

Do I need employer approval for a workation?

Yes, definitely get approval first. Working from another location—especially internationally—creates tax and legal risks for your company.