A Digital Nomad’s Guide to Langkawi

One of the main draws of the digital nomad lifestyle is that you can enjoy the freedom to work from anywhere in the world. So when you’re looking for your next destination to relax and get some work done, whilst enjoying exciting local attractions, Langkawi should not be overlooked. Why? For starters it’s a beautiful destination, allowing you to work with breathtaking views of spectacular mountains, tropical rainforests, and the sparkling turquoise ocean. Set up your mobile office on a peaceful beach, and soak up the relaxing atmosphere that surrounds you. When you do have some free time, you’ll be spoilt for choice on how to spend it with numerous attractions.

Getting to Langkawi is easy, with an international airport on the mainland, connecting to major destinations around Asia. From here you can take a ferry or flight to Langkawi’s main island. Three-month visas are available for people of various nationalities on arrival on Malaysia; however, always check if you qualify beforehand.

In terms of accommodation, there are plenty of options available for a range of budgets but select carefully. Hostels offer an affordable place to sleep, but may not bring out your most productive side. Large resorts offer peace and quiet with everything you need onsite; however, they can be too pricey long-term for many digital nomads. Lots of accommodations offer complimentary wifi but always check the reviews beforehand to ensure that it is high-quality. Alternatively, consider renting by the month for a cheaper option.

Wifi is widely available across the main island, with many cafes offering good coffee, reliable internet connections, and ample power sockets. Mobile internet packages are affordable, with excellent coverage, if you prefer to work al-fresco. Alternatively, Jetpack, located in lively Pantai Cenang, is Langkawi’s co-working space, where you can hire a desk daily or by the month for a reasonable price. Complimentary tea and coffee are available, and they even have an affordable co-living space: Jetrooms. Enjoy free parking for cars and bicycles, public transport links nearby, and stunning Pantai Cenang Beach just a short walk away. There is an onsite bar and air-conditioning throughout, as well as English-speaking staff. In fact, you will find that most people in Langkawi speak English which is useful for the digital nomad.

When you’ve finished work for the day and want to kick back with a drink, choose from plenty of bars, or purchase duty-free alcohol from the shops, which is well-suited to the budget of any digital nomad. Restaurants cater to a wide range of budgets; however, you may opt to sample dishes from street food stalls for a true local taste at an affordable price.

When your days off roll around, spend a thrilling day on the water with snorkeling, diving, and other water sports, trek to magical waterfalls, soak up breathtaking views of Sky Bridge or visit some wildlife. In fact, the main concern is that you’ll get too distracted by the activities!

When the time comes to leave Langkawi, you’re just a short flight or two away from other tempting destinations.