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Physical boundaries might still separate us in reality, but as a world, we are continually merging, reducing the distances that once existed between countries and people. Advancements in communication have helped us in this endeavor, making it simpler to stay in touch with loved ones and business contacts.
Up until recently, only a few professionals typically indulged in the concept of remote working. Businesses have long been using the latest in voice and video calling to conduct meetings with clients who might be thousands of miles away from them. Still, most of the work happened in offices.
However, it was mostly travel bloggers and the likes who adopted the idea of remote working in its most accurate form by shifting their base to paradisaical destinations. The birth of the “digital nomad” was thus the first step towards a widely accepted remote working alternative.
The year 2020 has been instrumental in propelling the concept of remote working even further. When forced to work from home due to the pandemic, several businesses and professionals realized that being in a physical office space was not really necessary to earn a living.
As a result, there has been a significant increase in remote working. Many companies are now using it to reduce costs and daily pressures on their employees.
Several big and small countries have previously enticed remote workers by opening their borders and providing them with excellent infrastructure, cheap accommodations, and ease in business restrictions.
The Maldives is undoubtedly an unusual addition to the list. For decades, the island nation has been a playground of the wealthy, known for its luxurious resorts with overwater bungalows and expensive attractions.
Things are, however, changing.
No longer reserved for honeymooning couples or celebrities, the Maldives is opening its doors to a range of travel enthusiasts. These include budget tourists and those interested in working remotely from the most beautiful tropical destination in the world.
Excellent internet service
At the very heart of working away from an office is the need for excellent connectivity. The Maldives is perfect for remote working because it has unexpectedly good internet on its islands.
You can access the web from anywhere in the Maldives when using one of the two primary telecom providers in the country, Ooredoo and Dhiraagu.
In fact, a reasonably good internet speed is available while you are in the middle of nowhere during a ferry ride from one inhabited island to another.
SIM cards for a mobile connection from Ooredoo and Dhiraagu are available upon arrival at the airport. If staying in the country for long, you may look into the post-paid option. However, most people prefer the pre-paid card as it allows more flexibility.
Both providers have a list of plans to choose from. You can pick one based on your requirements – more local calls, SMS, international calls, or internet.
Changing plans at a later date is an easy process and can be done by sending a text message. There are special discounts for international phone calls.
You may also use your mobile internet as a hotspot, which is sometimes cheaper than using internet services at a resort’s business center.
Ooredoo and Dhiraagu have offices on most inhabited islands. Purchase a few top-up cards in advance. The staff at most resorts are also happy to provide you with top-up cards should you suddenly run out of data.
Making remote working in the Maldives more comfortable is free WIFI at a growing number of establishments. Resorts have it in their common areas and so do many guesthouses and cafes on inhabited islands.
Business centers in resorts are slightly expensive, with usage fees of around $10/ hour. Alternatively, you can use a computer in an internet café in Malé for about $3/hour. The benefit of being in a business center is that you are guaranteed a consistent and fast connection.
Idyllic location
Once satisfied with being able to connect with the rest of the world during your Maldivian holiday, it is worth looking at some of the other reasons why the Maldives is an emerging remote working destination.
For starters, the location of the archipelago is a blessing. Situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, far away from any air pollution, the islands are a dreamy escape that epitomizes serenity.
Furthermore, the lack of everyday distractions makes it possible for people to focus on their work while enjoying breath-taking scenic views. Your office can literally be a room, a balcony, a café, or even the local beach.
That the islands are small and easily navigable on foot means a significant reduction in overhead costs. You certainly don’t need a car as life in the Maldives is carefree and straightforward.
On the other hand, the archipelago is large enough that you can always find a secluded spot, no matter which island you are on, and even during peak tourist season.
Simultaneously, while the residents will go out of their way to help visitors, the Maldives also takes pride in being discreet, allowing you to mingle as much or as little as you like.
Maldives the muse
Remote working in the Maldives is an opportunity for people with different professions to indulge in and appreciate an island lifestyle.
Conducting work away from an office isn’t all about having business meetings or interacting with clients.
The Maldives appeals to artists, authors, photographers, divers, freelance content writers, and others who might have unconventional jobs.
In doing so, the island nation often acts as a muse, inspiring people and allowing them to imagine a new world where beauty is all around them in many forms.
A ride on the traditional dhoni boat, the vibrancy of aquatic life, the simplicity of Maldivian food, and the one-of-a-kind luxuries at resorts all accentuate the remote working experience in one way or another.
Moreover, the Maldives’ popularity among international travelers results in a cross-section of people mingling with each other on the islands. An incredible networking opportunity, these interactions, in the perfect Maldivian setting, are also how many brilliant business ideas have taken birth.
Multiple accommodations
One explanation why the Maldives took time to attract remote workers was the lack of diverse accommodations.
Until a decade ago, tourists arriving here only had the option of staying in lavish resorts. That changed once the government allowed guesthouses on inhabited islands. The archipelago now attracts both admirers of luxury and those interested in working in the Maldives on a budget.
Living expenses undoubtedly play a significant part when planning to work remotely in the Maldives. Luckily, there are plenty of choices available presently.
Travelers can pick from busy inhabited islands like Malé and Maafushi to less touristic ones like Gulhi. Similarly, there are extravagant resorts with only a few villas and large retreats with hundreds of accommodations.
Staying and working from a guesthouse in the Maldives is by far the cheapest. Room rates can be as low as $30 per night, including breakfast, during the low season. Also, if you eat all your meals outside while staying on an inhabited island, daily food expenses would be approximately $10.
Then again, this is the Maldives, and working tourists can also expect an extravagant approach to the concept of remote working.
For those looking into short-term holidays that permit the mixing of business with leisure, indulging in a “workstation package” offered by several resorts is the key.
Nautilus Maldives was in the news recently for their remote working package. At $52,000, a couple can enjoy three weeks in the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve with amenities that include high-speed Wi-Fi, sandbank workstation, ocean view desk, stationery, projector, wireless printer, and a personal attendant.
Vakkaru Maldives has a similar offer wherein anyone staying for over 21 days gets added benefits such as an outdoor office, a “Vacay PA,” a “beach boardroom,” fitness program, and an endless supply of healthy snacks. All this at a never-before package price of $18,000.
Work-play balance
Everyone by now knows that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Thankfully, in the Maldives, achieving that perfect work-play balance involves merely stepping outside your room.
On the one hand, working remotely in the Maldives requires very little effort or planning. You can simply pick up your laptop, land in Malé, and be ready for a virtual business meeting within a matter of a few hours.
However, it is equally important to keep the mind and body fresh and healthy so you continue to perform your best at work.
The compactness of the Maldivian islands means you can start the day with yoga on the beach, possibly take a quick snorkel around the house reef in-between consultations, and still have time for a romantic dinner in the evening.
Finally, adding a sense of adventure and excitement to your work holiday in the Maldives are the many exclusive attractions on the islands. From diving and cruising excursions to extraordinary culinary events, each one as impressive as the next.
N.B.:all information is correct as of the post publication date, and prices are subjected to change.