You can get paid while traveling on your next vacation without your boss or co-workers even knowing about it. For most people, the idea of working while on vacation sounds like a complete oxymoron. 

After all, isn’t switching on your out of office message half the pleasure of traveling anyway?

Believe it or not, it's possible to get paid while traveling doing small projects or even hourly jobs in fields that you love. From freelancing websites to fitness classes, you are going to be shocked just how many ways you can get paid while traveling on your next vacation!

The Wonderful World of Upwork

When it comes to freelancing website, Upwork is just about the best of the best in my opinion. From full-time freelancers like myself to part-time contractors and even one-time hires, Upwork is essentially Google for anyone that wants to find a way to get paid while traveling.

To get started, all you’ll need to do is create a freelancer profile with your information and wait for the folks at Upwork to approve you for work (don’t worry, this usually takes a day or so!). 

Also keep in mind: the more complete your profile, the better! Whether you’re looking to make $50 on a web design project or help someone edit their resume, it is vital that you clearly spell out your skills and experience when creating a profile so Upwork approves your application and clients can find you.

Read more: Location Independent Methods of Making Money

Once you are approved, you can begin searching millions of remote jobs using the Upwork search box. When you find a job that peaks your interest, simply submit a proposal to the client detailing your proposed rate, time of completion, and cover letter!

I recommend submitting a few proposals in the beginning to land your first client and, with a little more experience, you may start receiving invitations to interview for open positions by clients themselves!

The biggest perk to Upwork is the peace of mind it affords new freelancers. While the company does take a minimal service from each job completed, they also have a safe time-keeping app to ensure hourly payment and a reliable messaging feature so you can stay in contact with all of your clients without giving out personal information.

Freelancer.com

If you have a little more experience in the freelancing world, give freelancer.com a try. Featuring similar features to those on Upwork, freelancer.com is a great marketplace to check out when you are searching for a small project so you can get paid while traveling. 

That said, I’ve had better luck with writing gigs on Upwork and have found freelancer.com to be geared more towards freelancers in the tech and design space.

Teach a Class (or two!)

If you are a certified fitness instructor like me, you can actually earn a few extra bucks teaching a class on your vacation! 

As a certified yoga instructor, I am bombarded on a daily basis with opportunities to travel and teach a class or more during the week (which, at $100 a pop, isn’t such a bad deal!). 

Check out NRG2GO or Yoga Trade for more information and to apply today! 

Looking for something a little more immediate? Fitness Pro Travel is a great program that places instructors at 5-star resorts for a fraction of the cost in exchange for teaching a few classes!

Read more: Teaching Overseas as a Way To Get Paid While Traveling

NOTE: To be considered for these opportunities, you will need an active certification in your particular field or sport. For yogis like me, registration with Yoga Alliance is often appreciated as well along with an active liability insurance policy.

Finding Your Traveling Work Spot

Once you’ve landed a project or hourly gig to work on during your vacation, you’ll need to decide where exactly you want to plant your roots and get to work. 

While poolside cabanas or the beach may be tempting, I recommend a quiet spot where you can work for an hour or two and then get on with your vacation to avoid the temptations of procrastination. 

That said, I’ve definitely taken calls and responded to client emails from a beach or two in my day, so feel free to give it a whirl for yourself!

When searching for a more traditional work location, you will want to look for the following:

• A good, reliable Internet connection (WiFi or Broadband)
• A comfortable workstation(s) such as a cozy desk in your hotel room or a secluded cubicle in the lobby’s business center
• A computer (your own preferably, otherwise get ready to camp out in the business center!)
• Printing services (if needed)

That’s it! You now have everything you need to find and begin your first paying gig while traveling on your next vacation! Whether you’re looking to earn some big cash or enough for a round of cocktails at the hotel bar, there is no limit to the amount of money you can earn when you dedicate a few hours to your next passion!