Co-working
&
Co-living
in
MOROCCO
The revolution is coming: more and more spaces are opening up to the wind of tomorrow.
By Boris Romanò, 25 June 2022
The view from the terrace of the TEDDY PIRATE.
An old car full of surfboards in the centre of the village of Taghazout.
Anouar from Brussels. Since 2020 he works as Digital Nomad in Morocco.
Imagine: you wake up in the morning and take a few steps onto the terrace, your greeted by the horizon of a calm, cobalt blue ocean. The air is fresh, crisp similar to the what you experience mountaineering, with the seagulls flying over the terrace in the sea breeze. These are what we call the "Blue Days", days that often happen in the bay of Taghazout. There are hazy and foggy days in some mornings, however on Blue Days the air descends from the mountains, as clean and refreshing as it can only be on certain spring days.
Waking up on these mornings is a glimpse of the many reasons why Smart Working in Taghazout as a digital nomad is a real privilege. Thanks to the digitization of work, more and more often we are disconnected from a specific workplace, and those who are able to fully grasp this possibility can decide for themselves where to work. At that point a world of destinations opens up, due to having the stability of a good internet connection with accessibility to every corner of the globe. it simply becomes possible to keep in touch with one's colleagues or with one's customers.
The choice then becomes truly infinite, and you have to figure out which destination suits you best: destinations like Bali undoubtedly has many attractions, yet from Europe the journey is exhausting and a major difference in time zones. All these elements combined could make you choose a closer destination, reachable in a few hours and where you can keep in touch with colleagues or customers without having to wake up at unsociable local hours of the night.
It is with this in mind that more and more digital nomads are discovering the potential of Morocco. With a sunny climate almost all year round, this destination is rapidly adapting to the needs of digital nomads, thanks to the opening of new infrastructures that can provide hospitality and spaces for work. This trend is well established in the northern cities and in Marrakech, however it is above all the fishing village of Taghazout that is attracting more and more attention and interest.According to a recent study by experts from the website Remote, Taghazout ranked as the world’s fifth best beach destinations for remote workers(here the article).
From the elements that make Taghazout so attractive :
The village is well known all over the world for its first-rate surf waves,
its kilometers of beaches
for the fascinating Berber culture of its inhabitants and for its climate.
These are some of the elements that make this destination so coveted, yet to discover its attractions from the point of view of Digital Nomads, we decided to interview some of them who have been staying and working in Taghazout for some time. There are not many yet, but the number is growing increasingly.
We had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with one of them, Anouar from Brussels.
- “So Anouar, tell me about your experience as digital nomad. How it started?”
- “I started to work from Morocco and Taghazout, since the pandemic of Covid began. In fact, it gave us the possibility to work, the obligations to work from home”.
- “So you come from Brussels, right?”
- “Exactly”.
- “Are you born in Brussels?”
- “Born in Brussels, yes, I did all my life there. Since the Covid began, I took the opportunity to work from Morocco. I never thought it would be possible for me to work from the beach and enjoy the good weather.”
- “So for you, really, the Covid was the start. In the end you decided it was much better to come here in Morocco than stay at home”.
- “Yeah, but not allways: from time to time I come here, from one month up to three months working. And yes, I enjoy the weather, the life here. But for any reason, I can go back really easly”.
- “And do you find it cheaper to live in this way? For example, in Brussels, do you have a house, an apartment? Is the house of your family or is your own house?”
- “I'm renting there, but in fact it's not cheaper here, for several reasons. There are some more cost here, but it’s a choice. I make the choice to save less money, to spend little bit more, but enjoy life conditions that are much.. much better. When I am in Brussels, I am working, working, look television or my phone, but thats all. There you cannot have the live conditions that you can have here. Here I can meet new people becouse I stay in a Co-living: there you meet someone new every day, every week come new people that are here for holidays or want to work as digital nomad as I do. They also push you to enjoy them. So here life is more extended than the usual daily life in Brussels.”
- “Yes. For exemple, if you live in a city, also to meet a good friend you have to make appointmet many days before. Here is rally easier to get in touch with new people.”
- “Yes, becouse in Brussels during the week, you are mostly working, you dont take appointment with friends, very exeptionally. When you meet them is during the week-end, when you are free. But even in the week-end, is not every week-end. Especially when you get older, you see your friend just time to time, you see more the family and so on. Here is really something else: in the week-end I can rent a car, go to a trip to Essaouira, like I did some week ago for the Music Festival. You have new things to do. In Brussels, becouse is my city, I know allready all the places, there is nothing more to discover, you are not pushed to go out of your confort-zone, to discover something new, to meet new people that can become new friends.”
- “So here is a little bit also vacation, is not just job”.
- “Yes, in between, not totally vacation, otherwise I would burn all my budjet, but is possible make lot of activities like surfing or go to the gym. It’s really nice, like in a vacation”.
- “And the good thing here in Taghazout is also that is not that faar from Europe, no? If you have to go back, it’s really easy and cheap”.
- “That also. Another advantage is that the time difference is not big. I start in the morning to work one hour earlyer, when I am connected with my team in Brussels, and to fly back its really easy. It can happen for my job that I have to go back for a meeting: it’s very exceptional but can happen. So i know that every moment I can go back”.
- “it’s really interesting. If was not becouse the Covid, probably you was not discovering this way to live and work”.
- “In fact, this time I decided to stay in one place. When you work on the computer and you have to work at one time every day, is much better to stay just in one place. I tryied also the other way, to moove from place to place, to travel from place to place, to change from Marrakech to another place and so on, but it’s quite stressfull, becouse you have to find a good wifi connection, you have to find a quite place where you can work and you have to search for it, and it’s lot of stress”.
- “Yes I understand. Deswey is better to find a place where you can find your confort. So you have also not every time to re-build your contacts”.
- “Yes also this is important: choosing a place allow you to build your relations, to know the people there, so you feel a bit like “home” but in another place. And in the same time, every day and every week there is new people coming in. On one side, you can build some stabil relations, and in the other side you have the opportunity to meet everyday somebody new. In this way is allways a surprise. I made some new friends: I’m here from one mouth and half, I went to Essaouira to the music festival with some of this new friends”.
- “Here in Taghazout come people from really all around the world”.
- “yes really you have allways some nice surprise. I took part also to this challenge on the beach, the “Green challenge” I run seven kilometers on the beach with obstacles, it was really nice, I met many people also. After it, they did the evening party”.
- “In your opinion, wich qualities one person need to become a digital nomad? I mean, is that for everybody? Or do you think for somebody with some special attidues is much easier to become a digital nomad?”
- “I never tought to that in effect, I would say: a person have to be autonom, have to be able to work for himself, someone that dont deen the pression from the boss, you need to be also adaptable, to change the place where you stay, have to be social I think also, to be curious, to be interested in traveling”.
- “So for you the most important thing is the constance , the discipline in your job”.
- “Actually, the constance and discipline are my job”.
Best things to do in Taghazout, Morocco.
New friends can be really surprising on the beach of Taghazout.
Discover 9 of the absolute best things to do in the seaside town of Taghzout.
Taghazout is a colorful little surf town on the Atlantic coast of Morroco. It's well known for its world-class surfing opportunities and surf school, as well as its colorful pastel buildings and charming indie shops. It's a fantastic place to relax and rejuvenate away from large crowds while soaking up the sun in paradise on the golden sands of Morrocco.
Taghazout attracts thousands of surfers and ocean lovers each year thanks to its knocking-out waves and gorgeous shoreline. While this is definitely a big attraction to the town, there is plenty of other great reasons why Taghzaout is a great destination to visit. From relaxing on the beach and hiking the hillside to shopping in the souks in the city, here are 9 of the best things to do in Taghazout.
Relax on the Beach
One of the best things to do in Taghazout is to relax and soak in the sun on the beach. While surfing and fishing are 2 of the most preferred hobbies, lounging around catching some rays is just as appealing. Head out of the main beach area, as it's very rocky and mainly used for fishermen, and head to Panorama Beach. There is plenty of open space to lay your towel or rent a lounge chair and umbrella and relax in paradise with a drop-dead gorgeous Atlantic view.
Hike Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley is a small hidden oasis in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains. Hike the gorgeous hills and valleys, soak in splash in pools and waterfalls, and cliff jump into the water off of the shooting limestone rocky formations. It's an ideal place for those who love hiking, rock climbing, cliff jumping, or immersing in nature and enjoying the scenery. It's about 20 minutes from town and is very accessible by car or by group tour, which is offered by most hostels around town.
Day trip to Agadir
Just a quick 30-minute drive from Taghazout will bring you to the exciting beach city of Agadir. It's the largest beach resort in the country, dotted with palm tree-lined streets, million-dollar yachts, Berber culture, and beautiful Islamic architecture. If you are working as a digital nomad in Taghazout, taking a day trip to Agadir on your off day is a great option for a change of scenery and a chance to explore more of Morrocoas gorgeous Atlantic coastline.
Go Surfing
If you are a lover of the waves, or if you are a complete beginner, there's no better place to hang ten other than in Taghazout. Surfing is without a doubt the biggest pull to this exciting coastal town and is the perfect place to learn if you've never tried it before. It's so popular, most hotels and hostels include a surf package within their price. If not, there are numerous schools up and down the coastline that offers day lessons for beginners. If you are more advanced or a natural at the trendy water sport, some of the best surf spots include Devila Rock, Panoramas beach, Hash Point, Mysteries, Anchor Point, and Boilers.
If you are interested in learning more about the best surf spots in Taghazout and Imsouane, you can read this blog post on the vagrant Surfer “Morocco -The Surf Report: Taghazout & Imsouane”.
Day trip to Imsouane
Located just an hour up the coastline is the sleep t seaside town of Imsouane. The vibe here is super relaxed and is a great option for a day trip out of Taghzamout. Imsouane is home to the longest wave in Africa, stretching for more than 800 meters, making it a fantastic destination for surfers. Shuttle buses are available throughout the day to reach Imsouane and a very affordable. Experience this Moroccan hidden gem with low crowds and a quiet atmosphere, before the rest of the world discovers its beauty.
Shop the Souks
Taghzaout is a cute and colorful town, full of cobblestoned streets, quaint cafes and coffee shops, and loads of boutiques and markets. Spend a day shopping and wandering around local markets and immerse yourself in the daily lives of people in Taghazout. It's the perfect place to pick up any souvenirs, as you can find anything from handcrafted trinkets, rugs, jewelry, clothing, surf-related stuff, and all sorts of other authentic Moroccan items.
Learn Yoga
Yoga is a really popular hobby in Taghazout. More often than not, if you are into surfing, you will probably enjoy a taste of yoga as well. It's a fantastic way to unwind and rejuvenate after a long day on the beach, or before a packed day full of exploring ahead. There are a lot of hostels and accommodation options that offer classes, as well as studios and beach groups as well. Whether you are a beginner or a more experienced yogi, there's nothing better than a little stretching while overlooking to ocean.
Visit the Skatepark
While Taghzamout is a surf village, sometimes the waves just aren't right, and that calls for a change of scenery. Instead of catching waves on the water, catch them on the concrete at Taghazout Skatepark. Built by volunteers around town, its best known for its inclusive and welcoming atmosphere and beautiful panoramic seaside views. It's a great place to hang out and meet new people, whether you are a skater or not, and a stunning spot for photo-opts for the gram.
Taste Moroccan Mint Tea
During your time in Taghazout, don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in the traditional drink, Moroccan mint tea. After a long day of surfing or exploring, head to the beach to watch the sunset and relax with this delicious rejuvenating drink. There are plenty of vendors along the coastline selling it for around $1, and coffee as well, sweetened with honey or sugar.
We hope you have enjoyed this guide on the best things to do in Taghazout! Refer back to this page before your next trip to help plan the best itinerary for a trip to this quaint Moroccan seaside surf town.
The Best Surf Town for DigitalNomads.
Taghazout vs Canngu for digital nomads
Taghazout vs. Canggu
Why Taghazout in Morocco is a great alternative option to Canggu, Bali, for digital nomads.
There are dozens of destinations around the world that are becoming extremely popular within the digital nomad scene, one of those places being Canguu, Bali. The small surf town of the coastline offers great beaches and ocean waves, plenty of coworking cafes, warm weather, and a laid-back lifestyle. Taghazout is a great alternative option to Canggu, the hidden gem of the west coast of Africa offers just as many amenities, but without the crowds.
The small surfer village of Taghazout is striving to attract more and more digital nomads each year. It's a great destination for digital nomads looking for the same amenities that Canggu offers. Beautiful beaches, fantastic surfing opportunities, a relaxing atmosphere, warm and sunny weather, and affordable prices are located in every direction in Taghazout.
When traveling as a digital nomad, there are specific elements to consider along with the destination. Things such as wifi, accessibility, affordability, and things to do are all factors to consider when traveling somewhere as a digital nomad. Canggu and Taghazout both rank very well on the scale in all of these elements, even being located on opposite sides of the world, and revolving around completely different cultures.
For digital nomads looking for an alternative location outside of Canggu more off the beaten path, Taghazout is more than a perfect option. Due to its location, atmosphere, low crowds, convenience, and affordability, Tazaghout is great for digital nomads and provides everything necessary to be happy and successful as a digital nomad in Morocco.
If you still aren’t convinced, keep reading to find out why Tazaghout, Morocco is a great alternative to Canggu, Bali.
Location
Taghazout is located on the Southern Atlantic coastline of Morocco. For digital nomads coming from Europe, it's only a 3-hour plane ride away. Taghazout is much more accessible and more affordable to reach than flying halfway across the world to Canguu. Bali is likely a long-term destination for digital nomads, looking to stay for at least a month or more. On the alternative side, Taghazout is an easy destination to reach making it great for short-term or long-term stays for digital nomads in Morrocco.
Time Zone
Due to Morocco's location, its sits in a central destination when it comes to time zones. If you are working within European time zones, your hours will likely be the same, if not a 1-2 hour difference. Even if you are located in the western hemisphere like in the United States, Taghazout will be more likely to coordinate schedules being 4-6 hours different, rather than an 11-13 hour difference from Canguu.
Wifi Speeds
Wifi speeds in both Morocco and Indonesia are both rather reliable and strong. There are various places in both locations to find free wifi to work as a digital nomad. In Taghazout, there are coworking hubs and cafes with free fiber optic wifi, as well as 3 different network providers offering super cheap internet plans for SIM cards that have coverage around most of the country.
Crowds
When it comes to crowds, Canggu attracts many more tourists and visitors than Taghazout. While Taghazout is a popular surf town in Morocco, it’s not as popular with tourists as its competitor in Bali. If you are looking to escape the high crowds when working as a digital nomad, Taghazout is an ideal option.
Things to do
Canggu and Taghazout are both surf towns located right on the coastline. While they both offer iconic surfing opportunities and great beaches, Taghazout is less crowded, and a lot less intimidating than Canggu. It's perfect for beginners, as there are dozens of surf schools along the beach. More often than not, your hostel or hotel will offer surf lessons as well. Besides surfing and relaxing on the beach, Taghazout offers incredible sunset views of the Atlantic, nearby desert excursions, miles of hiking opportunities, access to authentic Morrocan cuisine, and yoga studios on every corner.
Coworking & Coliving
It’s no secret that there are plenty of co-working hubs and chill cafes located all throughout Canggu, making it a hotspot for digital nomads. Co-working hubs make it easier for digital nomads to network with others and work comfortably away from their accommodation or access to amenities. While not as many, Taghazout is striving to cater to digital nomads, as multiple coworking hubs, and even coliving spots, have popped up around the colorful surf town.
Teddy Pirate is a fantastic coliving space for digital nomads, offering affordable accommodation and a chance to meet other nomads in the area and network with like-minded people.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere in Taghazout is as laid back and chill as it could get. It provides the same surf and beach life way of life as tropical islands, such as Bali, but at an affordable cost and convenient location geographically. Locals are friendly and welcoming, the weather is warm and sunny, it's an overall safe destination, and the sunsets are to die for. The atmosphere here is great for those looking to escape from the hustle of reality and live a more relaxing and peaceful daily life.
Canggu in Bali is a fantastic destination for digital nomads and no doubt a beautiful destination. However, Taghazout offers just as much beauty, peace, and gorgeous beaches as Bali, but in a different and more accessible part of the world. It’s definitely a fantastic alternative option to Canguu and a great location for digital nomads.
Digital nomadism: What is it?
Digital nomadism is a trend in the 21st century, attracting people eager to travel and discover the world 365 days per year. Digital nomads live in whatever location they choose, staying in either traditional or uncommon accommodations. They can work from anywhere that has internet access and enjoy the benefits of a travel centered lifestyle. So let's review together what is the definition of digital nomadism, who are these digital nomads and how remote working is making it possible.
A Digital Nomad working from the terrace in front to the beach of Taghazout.
1. What is the definition of digital nomadism?
Digital nomadism is a lifestyle that allows people to live and work in different places in order to pursue their passions at the same time. It is a term that is not so much about the place where you are located, but rather about the activities and lifestyle that you are pursuing. Digital Nomads by definition work jobs related to the digital industry (content creation, infographics, video making, online marketing...).
This lifestyle is pretty unconventional in the way that one's life is not centered on a locally restricting job, but rather on discovering new experiences and places to work from. Check out what kind of places remote workers love around the world.
People who choose to live a digital nomad lifestyle are traveling the world to find perfect spots to work from. Many digital nomads are able to live a life that they are passionate about while still being able to provide for themselves and earn money. There is no one definition of digital nomadism but if we can resume the concept, we would say it's a lifestyle that is based on what you want to do, not where you are located.
2. Who is a digital nomad?
Digital nomads are people who travel and work online, using their skills to serve clients all around the world to make a living for themselves. As long as they have access to a computer and internet, they are able to work.
They have no fixed location, but rather work from different places, it can be a coworking space, a coffee shop, or a friend’s couch. There is no prerequisite to become a digital nomad except the fact that you are able to do your work completely remotely and you choose to take that as an opportunity to travel the world.
However, depending on your nationality and your character, this can be easier for some people than for others. Indeed, having a good passport helps traveling more easily and some of us love life on the road while others prefer staying stable in the same location. Check out the pros and cons of becoming a digital nomad.
3. Remote working and digital nomadism
The new digital tools for work and internet infrastructure all around the world are what made digital nomadism possible. It is what makes remote working possible from such various places.
Today, digital nomadism is not just a lifestyle for a small group of people, it is a new trend in the job market and is becoming more and more popular by the day.
Employers can't ignore it anymore, there are new ways of working made possible by technology. Remote working is not an exception anymore, it is widely relied upon nowadays. The job market is becoming more flexible and more open to these new ways of working. Check out our interview with Anouar, a digital nomad in Morocco who spent some time with us at Teddy Pirate.
4. Conclusion.
To resume, digital nomadism is the practice of traveling and working full-time in locations all over the world. This has become an increasingly popular lifestyle because of the increased accessibility of technology, particularly the high speed internet. Travelers can live anywhere in the world and work remotely without the need to maintain a permanent office or home base. Many people have taken on this lifestyle because they want to live a less conventional lifestyle and are unable to do so in their hometowns.
Is it something that attracts you ?
You are welcome to meet the community of digital nomads in Morocco at our place.