The Secret Weapon To Check Internet Speeds At Your 'Workation' Destination

Some international destinations for remote workers are more digital nomad-friendly than others. Internet speeds can vary widely across countries, cities, and even within a single city block due to factors like the data transfer technology (e.g., fiber optic cable vs. DSL or satellite) at a particular location. To minimize the risk of internet-related work disruptions, is there a reliable way for nomads to verify accommodations' internet speeds before booking their stay? Yes, there is!  

Wired Nomad has a search engine that allows travelers to browse short-, medium-, and long-term accommodations by internet performance according to host- and guest-submitted information. This innovative system increases transparency during the booking process and makes life easier for both hosts and guests. Product reviews confirm this: "This platform took away the guesswork and made my planning much smoother. My stay in Spain was productive and stress-free, thanks to the reliable internet connection I found through The Wired Nomad." With information on internet speeds conveniently at their fingertips, guests can browse only those listings that meet their work-specific internet needs, which may be simple (like basic email or Slack) or more bandwidth-intensive (such as uploading large files or participating in video conferencing). Wired Nomad also helps hosts minimize complaints and early cancellations due to guests not being able to work well at the accommodation. 

On its website, Wired Nomad bills itself as a "hybrid crowdsourced and aggregator service." It sources listings from partners like Flatio or Nomadico through its internal aggregating service. In addition, hosts from other booking sites (e.g., Airbnb) can register an accommodation on the site, which requires submitting information on the accommodation's internet performance, including upload and download speeds, latency, LAN port accessibility, connectivity drops, and historical trends. Guests who want to contribute to improving other nomads' experiences can also submit speed tests for their accommodations. For a listing to earn the site's gold verification badge, either a host or guest must submit a speed test link or screenshot to Wired Nomad.

Currently, Wired Nomad has 5,000+ listings in 108 countries shown on its global listings map, which users can filter by country, city, booking platform, upload and download speeds (Mbps), and more. Currently, the site lists accommodations in dozens of North American, South American, European, Asian, African, and Australian cities. For those that prefer island locations, these are available, too, including several in New Zealand, which recently opened its doors to long-stay travelers and digital nomads. As Wired Nomad grows, it continues to add listings, increasing options for remote workers within existing locations and across continents and oceans. Stay tuned!

Services like Wired Nomad are a boon for people who work and travel simultaneously. That said, many other travelers these days are seeking out digital detox vacations, where they can be totally disconnected from electronics. If that's you, be sure to check out these 12 top-rated destinations with no cell service.