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Best countries to live your perfect #vanlife
Oh, to roam around the world and call anywhere your home, sleep in the comfort and privacy of your own bed, and wake up to new natural landscapes every day? That’s van life for you!
Travelling in a van is a truly remarkable experience that is both freeing (home is where you park it!) and comforting (you’re bringing along your own place to stay wherever you go). You get to embark on an extended outdoor adventure, save up on accommodation, not to mention access nature’s hidden gems that can’t usually be reached on foot or by public transport! And if you add Workaway to the mix, you can even discover all sorts of unique local experiences along the open road, with the guidance of your host.
About to start your first van life trip?
Before you hop on your campervan to start your epic adventure, here are some things to prepare:
- Pick a van that suits your lifestyle and travel needs: do you need a built-in shower? Will you need space to lounge about, or is your home on wheels more of a place to sleep?
- Try to start with shorter road trips before you embark on that epic *van life* long term. Travelling in a van sounds like a dream, but it’s definitely not for everyone. If you’re used to staying in, say, a condo in the city, you’ll have to make significant adjustments to your everyday habits.
- Look for Workaway projects that can accept camper vans by utilising our filters when browsing our host list. All hosts on Workaway need to provide accommodation as part of the exchange, but if you’re travelling in your van you’ll need to make sure you also have a place to park!
- Do plenty of research and read about the experiences of fellow van lifers! We recommend starting right here on our blog, where our workawayers Alicia and Hasse have shared a lot of helpful advice for us on how to combine van life with volunteering, and inspiration on why you should go for it ;)
And once you feel like you’re ready to start your engines? Here’s some of our favourite countries in the world to explore and Workaway from, with your home on wheels…
Top travel and Workaway destinations to live your van life adventures
Australia
We all know Australia is one of THE go-to destinations for nature enthusiasts, but it’s just as perfect if you’re planning to discover this vast country in a camper van because of its open roads and efficient road networks. Whether it’s enjoying the pristine beaches, camping spots and stunning sunsets you’ll find along the Great Ocean Road, wading through impressive rainforests and magnificent mountains in outback Queensland, hiking scenic trails along the Blue Mountains or befriending native wildlife of all shapes and sizes on Kangaroo Island, you better be prepared to discover paradise at every turn!
Experience alternative Aussie life and learn about permaculture, childcare and more with a friendly family in New South Wales:
Discover Alice Springs and get to know the local bush Aboriginal community while helping out at this Workaway host’s outback retail shop:
Visit off-grid Tasmania and join this remote community to try your hand in natural building:
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New Zealand
Kia Ora! Another popular country for van life travellers, New Zealand offers a lot of majestic nature as well, and the best part about it? The comparatively compact size of the country means you can explore a diverse range of sceneries in a short drive. The best way to go around would be to follow the coast, but you can easily access both islands of New Zealand via your camper van. The North Island is a fantastic region for travellers to find some epic landscapes at the Tongariro, New Zealand’s oldest national park and World Heritage site, or delve into the lush forests of Coromandel Peninsula, while the South Island is perfect if you want to explore breathtaking fjords in the Fiordland National Park and the 2000+ glaciers dotted along the Southern Alps.
Stay close to the beach and have a chance to take care of horses by staying with a Kiwi family in rural Manghawai:
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Embrace your spiritual side while getting involved in sustainable community projects with this Workaway host in Whangateau:
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Get your hands muddy and experience the authentic farm life in Otago:
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Spain
Another favourite of the van life community, the sun, sea, and just overall warm climate of Spain makes it a wonderful destination to explore its spectacular nature. From the epic mountainscapes of the Spanish Pyrenees and the historic pilgrimage routes along Santiago de Compostela, to the endless seaside magic you’ll find by driving along the coastlines and cliffs of Costa Brava, Spain boasts of a blend of beautiful landscapes, laid-back and friendly vibes, and overall a guaranteed good time for your van volunteer adventures. Check out a few of our top picks below!
This host in Galicia is looking for help with horses and more furry friends in need at their animal rescue:
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Embrace simple living with this lovely family in this mountain village of Andalusia:
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Join this couple (who used to live in a van too!) who are now setting up their very own finca in off-grid Catalunya:
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Portugal
If you’re planning to explore the Mediterranean longer and farther with the help of your trusty van, make sure to drive south from Spain to discover another incredible gem – Portugal! Some of our favourite areas to visit on our road trip adventures include the Algarve region, with its picturesque coastlines dotted with stunning beaches, and the Atlantic coast which helps us access a different side of popular tourist destinations like Lisbon and Porto. Whether it’s sunshine or wine (or hopefully both!), you’ll be sure to enjoy plenty of it in this fantastic country.
Stay by the beach and enjoy the Algarve warmth while learning about recycling and restoring with your Workaway host:
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Surround yourself in breathtaking forests with this host, and if you ever want some excitement hop over to Lisbon for a weekend in the city:
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Or go completely off grid and connect with a self-sustainable community in a valley of central Portugal:
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Canada
Last but not least, is this massive (and I mean, MASSIVE) gem for nature enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers and road trip lovers alike – Canada! The sheer vastness of this incredible country means it’s virtually impossible to see it all in one go, but travelling in a van means you can plant yourself straight into the essence of Canada, which is its world-renowned natural landscapes. Drive through the majestic Canadian Rockies in Alberta and keep an eye for striking glaciers and turquoise lakes, enjoy the simple pleasures of minimal living along Nova Scotia’s sparkling coastlines and relaxing fishing villages, or head to British Columbia for national parks, woodland explorations, wildlife viewing, and a personal favourite, the hot springs!
Learn about the ins and outs of farm life with this off grid community, and get your own cabin in the woods moment in Nova Scotia:
Wake up to incredible mountain views every day by workawaying at this non-profit campground along BC’s beautiful ‘Sea to Sky’ highway:
Or try this truly outdoorsy Workaway to take care of forests, enjoy treks, and practise your French in Quebec:
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Chile
Imagine getting to pick whether you’d like to wake up to glaciers, volcanoes, or deserts every day – that’s what it’s like to travel through Chile with your home on wheels! A trip to Chile means you get to tick off numerous items on your travel bucket list, from getting lost in the otherworldly landscapes of the Atacama Desert, to being constantly wowed along the Chilean Patagonia by the Torres del Paine National Park, Perito Moreno Glacier and of course the Carretera Austral route, not to mention really immersing yourself into all this wilderness in your van, your trusty tent, or by doing a trek (or several!). There really isn’t a more epic destination we’d recommend more for your South American road trip!
Help conserve and learn about the mountain culture of Northern Patagonia with this natural reserve in the Araucanía region:
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Explore the Chilean Andes with this Workaway host while helping with their family-run vineyard:
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Camp under the clear starry skies of the Atacama desert:
Uruguay
Uruguay might be small in size, but its scenic landscapes and safe atmosphere makes it a less common but extremely rewarding place to embark on your van life road trip. Some of the most stunning attractions to drive through include the lush natural reserve of the Quebrada de los Cuervos gorge, and the peaceful, untouched beaches along Cabo Polonio. Being a less touristic destination, travelling in Uruguay also means you get to enjoy these extraordinary scenery far away from crowds, and embrace the simple tranquility of losing oneself in this country’s diverse natural beauty.
Surf and live by the beach with this self-sufficient family and help with sustainable building in the coastal city of Maldonado:
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Join this eco-friendly community and discover a deeper connection with nature:
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If you’re a cat lover, you’ll love this volunteer gig at a cat rescue in Montevideo:
Namibia
If we had to pick one underrated destination for van lifers, it would definitely be Namibia! With its immense stretches of land and low population density, you can literally go off the beaten track with your trusty camper van and be ready for your one-of-a-kind African adventure. Wildlife enthusiasts are going to have a blast witnessing majestic lions, elephants and giraffes in their natural habitat, and nature lovers will be sure to enjoy exploring the numerous national parks with unique landforms such as sand dunes and salt pans. The majority of our favourite areas are accessible by van and welcome campers, such as the Etosha National Park with its impressive wildlife, and Sossusveli’s massive red dunes.
Go off-grid and discover life in the outback with this farm near Sossusvlei:
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Help promote sustainable development and get involved in local upcycling projects in the coastal town of Lüderitz:
Park your van and enjoy some waves at this surf camp in Swakopmund:
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If you ever need a reminder that we don’t need to have much to be happy, travelling in a van will certainly do it for you! The simple pleasures of cruising along an open road, admiring the many faces of nature, enjoying the company of your Workaway host while learning about the local way of life… I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely all for picking that over a fancy hotel in the city! What’s your favourite country or region to live out your dream van life? Let us know!🚐
About Jocelyn
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Jocelyn made her first backpacking trip through Europe during her study abroad in the UK, and is now living vicariously through the Workaway experiences she reads about e
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