Avellon Williams
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO- This year, a leading HR software company Zenefits has revealed the best tropical islands to work remotely from, as the number of people working remotely in the United States is expected to grow by 65% between 2019 and 2024.
It has been determined that the Dutch-Caribbean island of Curaçao is the best location for remote workers looking for a change of scenery while still working for their U.S.-based employers, considering factors such as population, average daily budget (spending money for food, transportation, and leisure), accommodation costs and WiFi speeds.
An award-winning company for HR software, Zenefits, has conducted research to determine which tropical islands can support remote workers, while still allowing them to contribute to their U.S. employers.
Using the study’s data, it was revealed that remote work is expected to increase by 65% in the U.S. by 2024, with 21.8% of workers expected to be entirely remote, compared to 13.2% before COVID.
There were seven factors considered in the research; the population, average temperature, WiFi speed, cost of accommodations, average daily budget, ease of travel to the islands from the U.S., and things to do on 50 tropical islands that have laws allowing remote U.S. workers to visit. For each metric, each destination received a score out of 50, giving it a maximum score of 350 points.
A study revealed Curaçao was the best island for remote work, followed by Koh Pha-ngan in Thailand and Fernando de Noronha in Brazil.
It’s no surprise that Curaçao tops the list as the best remote island for remote working given its average temperature of 84.2°F and WiFi speed of 55.03 Mbps (higher than the U.S. average of 42.86 Mbps9). With 578 attractions and sights on the island, there is plenty to keep visitors busy outside of work.
From pristine beaches tucked into coves to extensive coral reefs teeming with marine life, there’s always a place to snap that perfect Instagram shot. Any nature lover visiting Curaçao shouldn’t miss the opportunity to watch turtles lay eggs at BokaKalki in Shete Boka National Park.
It’s also possible to work remotely on the Thai island of Koh Pha-ngan, where visitors can immerse themselves in Thai culture, whether that’s tasting the local cuisine or taking part in yoga classes or spiritual schools.
Digital nomads and remote workers alike won’t have to break the bank to grab their slice of this paradise, since the average budget traveler only spends $17 per day (excluding accommodation) and accommodation costs only $104.58 per night.
With WiFi speeds of 52.16 Mbps, working remotely would be easy, and once the workday is over, there are wreck diving, stunning beaches, and trekking routes to keep you entertained.
Fernando de Noronha makes up the final third of the top three, located off the coast of Brazil. There are only 2,707 people on the island, which makes Fernando de Noronha a fantastic island getaway due to its undeveloped beaches and incredible dive spots. Despite the island’s remote location, WiFi speeds of 54.56 Mbps make it easy for visitors to stay connected and work remotely.
Out of 350 tropical islands, these are the top ten for remote working:
• Curaçao – 271 (pictured)
• Koh Pha-ngan, Thailand – 255
• Fernando de Noronha, Brazil -243
• Easter Island, Chile – 237
• Aruba – 228• Lucia – 228
• Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands – 225
• Little Cayman, Cayman Islands – 224
• Moorea, French Polynesia – 224
• Jamaica – 221
