How to Find Coworking Spaces as a Digital Nomad: The Complete Guide

Rolling into a new city with your laptop and no idea where to work is one of the most common digital nomad experiences. Cafes work great until you need a video call, reliable power, or a six-hour deep work session. That's where coworking spaces come in.

This guide covers everything you need to know about finding, evaluating, and booking coworking spaces anywhere in the world.

Why Coworking Spaces Beat Cafes (Most of the Time)

Before diving into how to find them, here's why coworking spaces are worth paying for:

• Reliable internet — Usually guaranteed speeds with backup connections
• Professional environment — Better for calls, fewer distractions
• Power outlets everywhere — No hunting for the one available plug
• Community and networking — Meet other nomads, potential collaborators
• Ergonomic furniture — Proper desks and chairs vs. cafe stools
• Air conditioning — Critical in Southeast Asia and Latin America
• Printing, meeting rooms, phone booths — When you need them
• Focus — Psychological shift into "work mode" vs. leisure space

The Best Tools for Finding Coworking Spaces

1. Coworker.com

The gold standard for coworking discovery. Coworker.com has listings in 170+ countries with:

• Detailed photos and amenities lists
• Verified internet speed test results
• Community reviews and ratings
• Day pass, weekly, and monthly pricing
• Direct booking on many listings

How to use it: Search by city, filter by price/amenities, read recent reviews, and book directly.

2. Nomad List

Built specifically for digital nomads, Nomad List has coworking data integrated with city profiles. You can see coworking options alongside cost of living, internet quality, and community size.

Best for: Planning which city to visit based on overall nomad infrastructure.

3. Google Maps

Simple but effective. Search "coworking space city name" and you'll find:

• Current hours and locations
• Google reviews (often very recent)
• Photos of the actual space
• Contact information for booking

Pro tip: Filter by highest rating and check reviews from the last 3 months specifically — coworking spaces change quickly.

4. Workfrom.co

Focuses on cafes and public spaces alongside formal coworking spaces. Great for finding:

• Cafe-style coworking with no desk fee
• Hybrid spaces (coffee shop + coworking)
• Community reviews on wifi speed and atmosphere

5. Outsite

Specifically for digital nomads, Outsite combines coliving and coworking. You can book accommodation and workspace together. Locations in 30+ cities across Europe, Americas, and Asia.

6. WeWork

The global chain. Available in 40+ countries, instantly recognizable quality, and easy to book via app. Day passes run $29-49 in most cities — expensive, but reliable for important work days.

Best for: Frequent travelers who want consistency in major cities.

7. Facebook Groups

Search "City Name digital nomads" or "City Name expats" on Facebook. These groups are goldmines for:

• Recent, unfiltered recommendations
• Local spots not on the big directories
• Short-term desk rentals from locals
• Heads-up about new spaces opening

8. Reddit

r/digitalnomad, r/remotework, and city-specific subreddits (r/bangkok, r/bali, r/lisbon, etc.) have active recommendation threads. Search for "coworking" in the relevant subreddit.

How to Evaluate a Coworking Space Before Committing

Run an Internet Speed Test

Don't take advertised speeds at face value. When you arrive:

1. Connect to the WiFi
2. Run fast.com or speedtest.net immediately
3. Aim for 50+ Mbps download, 25+ Mbps upload for video calls
4. Test during peak hours (10am-2pm) — speeds often drop significantly

For developers, designers, and video editors: 100+ Mbps is ideal.

Check for Backup Connectivity

What happens when the main internet goes down?

• Ask if they have a 4G/LTE backup
• Ask how often outages occur
• Check if there's a different ISP for the backup

Evaluate the Seating Options

• Are there standing desks?
• Are there private phone booths for calls?
• Is there a variety of work environments (focus zones, collaboration areas)?
• Are the chairs comfortable for 8-hour sessions?

Assess the Noise Level

Walk around at different times:

• Morning (usually quieter)
• 11am-1pm (usually busiest)
• Afternoon (varies)

Some spaces play loud music, have open collaborative cultures (great for some, terrible for others), or have desk phone calls allowed. Know what you need.

Check Air Conditioning

In tropical cities, this matters enormously. Ask if it's centrally controlled or adjustable. A space that's either freezing or sweltering will ruin your productivity.

Ask About Peak Hours

Busy coworking spaces can fill up — especially hot desks. Find out:

• When are their busiest hours?
• Do you need to book a desk in advance?
• Is there a waiting list on busy days?

Types of Coworking Memberships

Understanding the options helps you budget correctly:

Day Pass

• Cost: $10-30 in budget destinations, $30-60 in expensive cities
• Best for: Testing a space, short visits to a city
• Includes: Hot desk, WiFi, usually coffee

Weekly Pass

• Cost: $60-150 in affordable cities, $150-300 in expensive ones
• Best for: 1-3 week city visits
• Often includes: Discounts vs. daily rate, sometimes printing credits

Monthly Hot Desk

• Cost: $100-250 in Southeast Asia/Latin America, $250-500 in Europe/US
• Best for: Month-long stays, regular routines
• Includes: Unlimited access, networking events, often community perks

Dedicated Desk

• Cost: 30-50% more than hot desk
• Best for: Long stays, leaving equipment at the desk overnight
• Includes: Your own permanent desk, often a locker

Private Office

• Cost: $500-2,000+/month depending on city and size
• Best for: Teams of 2-5 people, those needing total privacy and quiet
• Includes: Dedicated room, your own lock and key

City-by-City Coworking Overview

Bali, Indonesia

Scene: World-class coworking hubs, particularly in Canggu and Ubud.

Top spaces:

• Dojo Bali (Canggu) — The original Bali nomad hub. Great community, multiple buildings, pool, events.
• Outpost (Ubud) — Jungle setting, excellent infrastructure, community atmosphere.
• Livit (Canggu) — Premium option with standing desks, fast internet, excellent coffee.

Average monthly cost: $150-300

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Scene: One of the best coworking ecosystems in Southeast Asia for the price.

Top spaces:

• CAMP (Maya Mall) — Free with coffee purchase. Very popular.
• Punspace Nimman — Most popular paid space. $100/month.
• Yellow (Nimmanhaemin) — Design-forward, excellent community.

Average monthly cost: $80-200

Medellín, Colombia

Scene: Thriving startup scene with excellent modern coworking spaces.

Top spaces:

• Selina — Multiple locations, well-organized, consistent quality.
• Atomhouse — Popular with local and international entrepreneurs.
• WeWork El Poblado — Premium but reliable.

Average monthly cost: $150-350

Lisbon, Portugal

Scene: EU access, great weather, strong tech community.

Top spaces:

• Second Home — The most beautiful coworking in Lisbon. Plant-filled, vibrant.
• Heden — Community-focused, great for networking.
• Selina — Multiple Lisbon locations.

Average monthly cost: $250-500

Tbilisi, Georgia

Scene: Rapidly growing, very affordable, excellent for long-term stays.

Top spaces:

• Impact Hub Tbilisi — Established, good community events.
• Fabrika — Creative complex with cafes, shops, and workspaces.

Average monthly cost: $100-200

Red Flags to Avoid

🚩 No speed test data available — Don't take their word for it, test yourself

🚩 Can't do a free trial or day pass — Reputable spaces let you try before committing

🚩 Reviews mention frequent internet outages — One mention is fine, multiple is a pattern

🚩 No backup power or UPS — Power outages are common in some regions; surge protection and UPS matter

🚩 Overcrowded with no reservation system — You'll arrive and have nowhere to sit

🚩 No privacy options for calls — If you're on video calls daily, no private phone booth is a dealbreaker

🚩 Very recent (under 6 months) — New spaces can be great, but verify with recent visitors that they've worked out operational issues

Pro Tips From Experienced Nomads

Do a Morning Trial Run

Visit the space before 9am on your first day in a city. This lets you:

• Claim a good desk
• Test the internet before it's congested
• Get oriented without rushing

Build a Relationship With the Community Manager

The community manager can:

• Give you the best spots
• Alert you to upcoming events
• Connect you with other members who have your skills
• Offer discounts on long stays

Time Your Calls With Quiet Hours

Most spaces have quieter periods: early morning (7-9am) and late afternoon (4-6pm). Schedule your most important calls during these windows.

Keep a Personal Hotspot as Backup

Even in the best spaces, WiFi goes down. A local SIM with data means you can keep working through outages — and avoid the awkward video call dropout.

Negotiate Long-Term Rates

Most coworking spaces will negotiate. If you're staying 2+ months:

• Ask for 20-30% off monthly rates
• Ask for free trial days before committing
• Ask what's included (coffee, printing, events, guest passes)

The Coworking vs. Cafe Debate

When is a cafe better than a coworking space?

Choose a cafe when:

• You're only doing 2-3 hours of work
• You want inspiration and ambient energy
• You're having an informal meeting
• The cafe specifically caters to workers (fast WiFi, power outlets)
• Budget is very tight and free work is available

Choose coworking when:

• You have video calls
• You're doing 5+ hours of deep work
• You want to meet other nomads
• You need reliable internet for client deliverables
• You're staying in a city for a week or more

Many experienced nomads split their week: cafes for short sessions and coworking for full work days.

Free & Low-Cost Alternatives

Not every destination has great coworking options. Alternatives:

• Hotel lobbies — Many business hotels have work-friendly lobbies
• University libraries — Often open to the public, reliable WiFi
• McDonald's / Starbucks — Global chains with consistent (if slow) WiFi
• Libraries — Free, quiet, power outlets
• Coliving spaces — If you're staying at a coliving, the workspace is included
• Airbnb with workspace — Filter for "dedicated workspace" when booking

Final Thoughts

Finding a great coworking space comes down to doing your homework before you arrive and being willing to do a trial day before committing. The best spaces are more than just a desk — they're communities of like-minded people that can transform your nomad experience.

Build your personal toolkit: bookmark Coworker.com, join the Facebook groups for your next destination a week before you arrive, and always test the internet speed before paying for a month upfront.

The right workspace makes the entire nomad lifestyle sustainable.

Have a coworking space recommendation that should be on our radar? The best coworking spaces are often found through word-of-mouth from experienced nomads.