Coworking spaces have become essential infrastructure for digital nomads. They provide reliable internet, professional environments, networking opportunities, and escape from the isolation of solo remote work.
This guide covers everything you need to know about finding, evaluating, and using coworking spaces around the world—from global chains to local gems.
For destination-specific recommendations, see our best coworking in Southeast Asia. For workspace alternatives, see coworking vs cafe vs Airbnb.
Why Coworking Spaces Matter
Coworking Benefits
The Remote Work Challenge
Working remotely sounds romantic until you're:
- Hunting for wifi in a cafe that's too loud
- Dealing with apartment internet that drops during calls
- Sitting alone for weeks without professional interaction
- Struggling to find a quiet space for client calls
Coworking spaces solve these problems systematically.
Key Benefits
| Benefit | Why It Matters | |---------|----------------| | Reliable internet | No missed calls, fast uploads | | Professional environment | Better focus than cafes/apartments | | Community | Fight isolation, meet collaborators | | Meeting rooms | Private space for calls | | Business address | Professional presence | | Amenities | Coffee, printing, mail handling |
Types of Coworking Spaces
Hot Desk
What it is: Access to any available desk in the open area.
Pros:
- Most affordable option
- Flexibility to move around
- Social atmosphere
Cons:
- No guaranteed spot
- Must pack up belongings daily
- Can be noisy
Best for: Nomads on short stays, budget-conscious, social workers
Typical cost: $100-200/month, $15-30/day
Dedicated Desk
What it is: Your own assigned desk that remains yours.
Pros:
- Same spot every day
- Leave belongings overnight
- Some privacy with desk neighbors
Cons:
- More expensive
- Less flexibility
- Still in shared space
Best for: Longer stays (1+ month), need consistency, lots of equipment
Typical cost: $200-400/month
Private Office
What it is: Enclosed office for you/your team.
Pros:
- Complete privacy
- Can take calls freely
- Personalize the space
- Lock door when leaving
Cons:
- Highest cost
- Less community interaction
- Often requires longer commitment
Best for: Teams, frequent calls, sensitive work, established businesses
Typical cost: $500-2,000+/month
Meeting Room Access
What it is: Hourly/daily access to private meeting rooms.
Pros:
- Pay only when needed
- Professional setting for calls
- Bookable in advance
Cons:
- Must book ahead
- Time-limited
- Availability varies
Best for: Occasional important calls, client meetings
Typical cost: $10-50/hour
What to Look for in a Coworking Space
Essential Criteria
| Factor | What to Check | |--------|---------------| | Internet speed | Test before committing (50+ Mbps minimum) | | Internet reliability | Ask about uptime, backup connections | | Working hours | 24/7 access vs. business hours only | | Air conditioning | Essential in tropical climates | | Comfortable seating | Ergonomic chairs, not cafe stools | | Noise level | Open plan vs. quiet zones | | Phone booth/meeting rooms | Privacy for calls |
Secondary Criteria
| Factor | Why It Matters | |--------|----------------| | Coffee/tea included | Saves money, convenience | | Kitchen facilities | For longer days | | Printing/scanning | Occasional document needs | | Events/community | Networking opportunities | | Location | Near accommodation, transport, food | | Natural light | Wellbeing and energy |
Red Flags
- No speed test available: They're hiding something
- "Usually" fast internet: Means sometimes slow
- Business hours only: Limits flexibility
- No air conditioning backup: Suffer during outages
- Must commit before visiting: Standard practice allows day passes
Global Coworking Chains
WeWork
The largest coworking company globally, present in 150+ cities.
| Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | Coverage | 150+ cities worldwide | | Quality | Consistent, professional | | Internet | Generally excellent | | Price | Premium ($300-600/month hot desk) | | Flexibility | Day passes, monthly, annual | | All Access | Global membership available |
Best for: Professionals needing consistent quality everywhere
Drawbacks: Expensive, corporate atmosphere, less community feel
All Access pass: ~$500/month for global access (great for frequent travelers)
Selina
Hospitality brand combining hostels, hotels, and coworking—perfect for nomads.
| Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | Coverage | 100+ locations, Americas and Europe | | Quality | Good, varies by location | | Internet | Generally reliable | | Price | Mid-range ($150-300/month) | | Unique | Accommodation + coworking packages | | Vibe | Social, community-focused |
Best for: Nomads wanting accommodation + workspace combo, social travelers
CoLive program: Stay and work packages at various locations
Regus/IWG
Business-focused with thousands of locations globally.
| Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | Coverage | 3,500+ locations in 120 countries | | Quality | Professional, traditional | | Internet | Enterprise-grade | | Price | Varies widely by location | | Flexibility | Virtual offices, day passes, memberships |
Best for: Corporate travelers, professional image, meeting rooms
Drawbacks: Traditional corporate feel, less nomad community
Spaces (by IWG)
More modern/creative version of Regus.
| Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | Coverage | Major cities worldwide | | Quality | High, design-focused | | Internet | Excellent | | Price | Premium |
Hubud (Bali)
Iconic nomad coworking space, not a chain but worth mentioning.
| Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | Location | Ubud, Bali only | | Quality | Excellent, purpose-built | | Community | Strong nomad community | | Price | Mid-range for Bali |
For more chain comparisons, see our global coworking chains guide.
Finding Coworking Spaces
Discovery Tools
| Tool | Best For | |------|----------| | Coworker.com | Comprehensive global database | | Desks Near Me | Quick local search | | Google Maps | "Coworking" + city name | | Nomad List | Community reviews | | Facebook groups | Local recommendations |
Research Process
- Search on Coworker.com for options in your city
- Check Google reviews for recent experiences
- Look up Facebook groups for "[City] Digital Nomads"
- Ask for recommendations in nomad communities
- Visit in person before committing to monthly
Day Pass Strategy
Most coworking spaces offer day passes ($15-40). Use them to:
- Test internet speed during your work hours
- Evaluate noise levels
- Check amenities actually work
- Meet the community
- Compare multiple spaces
Day Pass Testing
Buy day passes at 2-3 spaces before committing monthly. Test during your actual work hours—internet often degrades during peak times.
Pricing Strategies
Global Pricing Benchmarks
| Region | Hot Desk/Month | Day Pass | |--------|---------------|----------| | Southeast Asia | $80-150 | $8-15 | | Latin America | $100-200 | $10-20 | | Eastern Europe | $100-200 | $10-20 | | Western Europe | $200-400 | $20-40 | | US/UK/Australia | $250-500+ | $25-50 | | UAE | $300-500 | $30-50 |
Money-Saving Strategies
Long-term discounts:
- 3-month commit: 10-20% off
- 6-month commit: 20-30% off
- Annual: 30%+ off
Timing:
- Visit late in month (pressure to fill desks)
- Ask about "entrepreneur" or "startup" rates
- Check for corporate credits (some employers cover coworking)
Alternatives:
- Library working (free, limited hours)
- Cafe working (cheap, variable quality)
- Accommodation with good workspace
When to Skip Coworking
- Your accommodation has great wifi and workspace
- You're in a city for less than a week (day passes add up)
- You work odd hours (24/7 access rare in some places)
- Budget is extremely tight (cafes work)
Making the Most of Coworking
Productivity Tips
| Strategy | Implementation | |----------|----------------| | Consistent schedule | Same hours daily builds routine | | Dedicated spot | Claim same desk (hot desk politics) | | Headphones | Signal "do not disturb" | | Pomodoro | Use common areas for breaks | | Meeting room buffer | Book 15 min before important calls |
Community Engagement
- Attend events: Most spaces host networking, workshops
- Introduce yourself: Fellow coworkers are potential collaborators
- Participate in Slack/Discord: Stay connected digitally
- Grab lunch with people: The real networking happens casually
- Host a skill-share: Position yourself as contributor
Etiquette
| Do | Don't | |-----|-------| | Use headphones for calls | Take calls at your desk | | Keep desk clean | Spread across multiple desks | | Book meeting rooms in advance | Occupy meeting room without booking | | Respect quiet zones | Have loud conversations in work areas | | Return shared items | Hoard supplies |
Coworking vs. Alternatives
Quick Comparison
| Factor | Coworking | Cafe | Accommodation | Library | |--------|-----------|------|---------------|---------| | Internet reliability | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | | Cost | $100-300/mo | $5-15/day | $0 extra | Free | | Community | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | | Call privacy | ★★★★☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★☆☆☆☆ | | Comfort | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | | Flexibility | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ |
For detailed comparison, see coworking vs cafe vs Airbnb.
Regional Highlights
Southeast Asia
Best value coworking in the world:
- Chiang Mai: Dozens of options, $80-150/month
- Bali: Premium spaces, strong community
- Bangkok: Everything from budget to luxury
- Ho Chi Minh: Growing scene, affordable
Latin America
Emerging nomad infrastructure:
- Mexico City: Roma/Condesa areas excellent
- Medellín: Poblado neighborhood hub
- Lisbon: Europe prices but excellent scene
- Buenos Aires: Great value, good community
Europe
Quality but expensive:
- Lisbon: Best value in Western Europe
- Barcelona: Strong scene, many options
- Berlin: Startup culture, reasonable prices
- Tallinn: Government-backed nomad programs
For Southeast Asia specifically, see our detailed guide.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Coworking Space Checklist
Pros
- Test internet speed during peak hours
- Verify meeting room availability
- Check air conditioning works
- Meet the community (lunch time)
- Confirm working hours match your schedule
- Ask about slow periods (seasonal)
- Review cancellation policy
Cons
- Don't commit monthly without day pass trial
- Don't trust advertised internet speeds
- Don't ignore ergonomics (chairs matter)
- Don't overlook location (commute adds friction)
- Don't sign long contracts for first-time visits
- Don't assume amenities work—verify
- Don't skip reading reviews (both good and bad)
Summary
Coworking spaces are infrastructure that enables productive remote work. They solve real problems: unreliable internet, isolation, lack of professional environment, and nowhere to take calls.
Key principles:
- Test before committing: Day passes reveal reality
- Internet is paramount: Everything else is secondary
- Community varies: Some spaces are social hubs, others are quiet offices
- Regional pricing varies wildly: Southeast Asia is 1/3 the cost of US
- Alternatives exist: Not everyone needs paid coworking
The right coworking space becomes a home base that makes nomad life sustainable. The wrong one (or working from cafes) can make it frustrating. Invest time in finding good workspace—it pays dividends in productivity and wellbeing.
