The Digital Nomad Life in New Caledonia – Combining Work and Travel in Oceania

ABOUT LIVING THE DIGITAL NOMAD LIFE IN NEW CALEDONIA BY MARIE NIEVES

Few professional endeavors can compare to the beauty of immersing yourself into an entirely different, exotic culture while you do what you love. For brave souls among you who decided to put their nine-to-five into the column of “past experiences”, heading to a remote, enchanting location such as New Caledonia will be the journey of a lifetime. However, it takes self-discipline paired with planning to stick to your professional responsibilities while you cross off one bucket-list item at a time in this South Pacific slice of heaven.

Before you book your first flight out, make sure you take a look at the following guide. It aims to help you strike the right balance between work and pleasure, sightseeing and professional accomplishments, and it gives you tips on the best ways to make your trip a smooth one, with no Wi-Fi troubles or culinary crises to tackle.

Go prepared: prices can be high

If you want to experience all that New Caledonia has to offer, you need to brace yourself for a hefty price tag that comes with the territory. As a frame of reference, living in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, can be about 12% pricier than living in Melbourne, but roughly the same as living in Sydney. With that in mind, you will want to make sure that you have a steady influx of money coming your way before you plan your stay there.

That said, explore various online options that can be flexible enough for your schedule, and still reliable to meet your financial needs. For native English speakers, teaching English online is a viable opportunity, aside from your projects that you can take on as a freelancer on numerous platforms such as Upwork or Freelancer. That way, you can have a schedule of work responsibilities with plenty of time at your disposal to explore the region, but without the fear of breaking the bank!

Accommodation options

Thanks to its well-developed tourism and friendly locals, more digital nomads are flocking to taste the island life on this South Pacific gem. You have many traditional options at your disposal, from hotel rooms, all the way to resort-style accommodation. However, the best way to pick the safest and most affordable option is to go through a reliable agency such as New Caledonia Travel Connection, as they can give you suggestions based on your preferences and financial means.

By far the best place to stay for longer than a week-long vacation is Noumea. It’s brimming with options, and the Wi-Fi connection is the most reliable precisely in the capital. You’ll come across numerous cafés and restaurants, as well as free hotspots such as the Art Centre in the Latin Quarter. These free varieties may not be as stable as your hotel connection, but always make sure to inquire before you choose your best work location.

Plan for those excursions

Yes, some of them might be pricey, but rest assured they are worth your while and your wallet! New Caledonia is filled with natural gems, marine life waiting for your curious eye, and local culture that’s an eclectic mix of colonial influences and indigenous legacy. Make sure to hop over to the Isle of Pines, where you can snorkel in the tranquil lagoon, hike through the rainforest, and climb the famous N’ga peak, which means you might want to take a day off or visit the isle for more than one day!

Then, for the clever birds among you staying in Noumea, book a boat ride to Amedee Island. There, you should prepare for 247 challenging steps to climb the well-known lighthouse tower, where you’ll be whisked away by a breathtaking panorama ahead. After that, you can relax on the beach as a reward for all of your hard work in your digital ventures!

Treat your taste-buds

Hard work requires plenty of energy, and what better way to refuel for your brain work than to feast on the local delicacies in this remote little haven? Even if you’re not a “foodie” at the beginning of this journey, chances are you’ll become one as soon as you take your first, creamy bite of their dessert by the name of “poe” – made of coconut cream generously mixed with a banana or some pumpkin, it makes for every sweet-lover’s dream come true.

As a French territory, you can expect a wide range of fusion meals that have European tastes blended with island gastronomy. From escargots found only on the Isle of Pines, all the way to the locally produced wine, the menu of New Caledonia alone will be enough to motivate you to wrap up those tasks faster and more efficiently than ever. Not to mention the knowledge of basking on a honey-hued beach right after your meal with a fresh cocktail in your hand.

Soon enough, you’ll likely find yourself wanting to stay for more than a few months of digital escapism. New Caledonia truly does mix the best of both the urban and the slow-paced beach world, making it a new digital destination for eager explorers who want to venture outside of the urban bustle of the world’s famous metropolises. Just make sure your self-discipline is ready to do some serious work, and you’ll have an adventure of your life in this tropical, secluded paradise.

About the Author

Marie Nieves is a lifestyle blogger who loves unusual trips, gadgets and creative ideas. On her travels she likes to read poetry and prose and surf the Internet. Her favourite writer is Tracy Chevalier and she always carries one of her books in her bag. She spends most of her free time at home walking her Labrador Retriever named Max. She is an avid lover of photography and a regular author for She Roams Solo. You can find Marie on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.