WiFi Tribe: What Is It and How Does It Work?

If you’re a remote worker who wants to work hard and play hard too, you might be curious about WiFi Tribe and if it's a legit community to join.

Branded as a “global coliving” organization, the community promises to help you explore the world while staying productive, and it touts a strong community of like-minded remote workers and digital nomads who will be along for the ride.

But what is WiFi Tribe? And how do you know if it is right for you?

Don’t look at WiFi Tribe as a typical coworking opportunity, let alone a quick shortcut to hanging out abroad for a few weeks. This community requires an application, financial commitments, and even a personality test.

But if you have the right mix of personality and work ethic (and—let’s be honest—the right amount of money in your bank account), then WiFi Tribe could be a great match for your remote-work goals. We’ll help you figure out whether it’s worth your time to apply.

What Is WiFi Tribe?

WiFi Tribe is a unique community that brings groups of remote workers together to live, work, and travel abroad for a few weeks at a time. By joining, you get to visit some of the best countries for remote work and meet people with diverse backgrounds.

It’s important to note, that WiFi Tribe will not be your employer; everyone who participates already has a remote job elsewhere. What WiFi Tribe does do, though, is arrange housing and working space for members on its trips.

Because the organization requires an in-depth application process, you’re guaranteed to be journeying with people hand-selected by WiFi Tribe—not just anyone who could afford to pay a deposit.

“Our focus is on finding people who share the values, principles, and qualities that we feel make our community strong and sustainable,” WiFi Tribe states on its website, adding that at least 75 percent of members are between 25 and 35 years old.

There is a roughly 50/50 split between men and women, according to WiFi Tribe.

How Does WiFi Tribe Work?

If you’re interested in WiFi Tribe’s group adventures, you must first apply to join the organization.

After submitting an initial application, you’ll be asked to join a video call for an interview and then take a Myers-Briggs test. This evaluation classifies people by personality characteristics, such as whether they lean introverted or extroverted.

Extra: You may or may not have heard of the Myers-Briggs test before, but it’s a widely popular questionnaire about how people view the world. Curious? Learn more about it here.

WiFi Tribe does not publicly state whether they prefer specific personality types, so you can’t complete the test in a certain way to improve your odds of acceptance. Just in case you were wondering (; 

And then within 24 hours of completing the test, WiFi Tribe says, they’ll let you know if you’re in. But don’t start packing your bags just yet. To participate in a trip, you must first join a “Chapter.” 

WiFi Tribe Chapters

Chapters are the heart of the WiFi Tribe experience. These are the big trips you signed up for in the first place, and WiFi Tribe offers a lot of them. 

Each Chapter covers accommodations in a city or region where you can work remotely. You won’t get a house to yourself, but WiFi Tribe allows you to choose between a private room and a shared space, and the costs also include WiFi and basic cleaning.

The Chapter lasts four to eight weeks, WiFi Tribe explains, and you’ll spend that time both working and traveling alongside your group. 

The group, WiFi Tribe says, will consist of 12-25 people, and you’ll collaborate on deciding where and how to adventure together. 

That means there’s no advance itinerary—you sign up for a Chapter not knowing what exactly you’ll do once you’re abroad. But if you find that kind of spontaneity exciting, then spending a few weeks on a WiFi Tribe Chapter might be perfect for you. 

Tribe Locations

WiFi Tribe members come from all around the world, and they also travel all around the world. You may sometimes refer to people who are traveling and working remotely as digital nomads.

Whatever kind of destination you’re looking for, the group probably has a Chapter to satisfy your curiosity. You can see upcoming Chapter locations, but places that have been available to members include:

• Columbia
• Costa Rica
• Greece
• Italy
• South Korea
• Bali
• Sri Lanka
• Portugal
• Thailand
• Spain
• Mexico

WiFi Tribe also offers a few “Unplugged” Chapters, which are more like traditional vacations in that no work (remote or otherwise) is expected. These trips are designed to reunite Tribe members for bigger adventures, such as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

How Much Does WiFi Tribe Cost?

World travel doesn’t come cheap, and neither does WiFi Tribe. Once you’re accepted, WiFi Tribe states, you must pay a $500 annual fee to remain a member.

And from there, each Chapter also costs between $1,200 and $2,800, according to WiFi Tribe. But they add that you can unlock savings in two ways: by booking multiple Chapters at a time and by continuing to book more Chapters after you’ve already completed some.

So if this interests you, definitely make sure you are budgeting and planning accordingly first. As you don’t want to be caught off guard by any costs associated with these digital nomad adventures. 

The Benefits of Joining WiFi Tribe

• Glamorous International Trips. If you want to travel off the beaten path and explore the world beyond tourist destinations, WiFi Tribe has plenty of offerings for you. 
• Pre-Selected Accommodations and Workspaces. You don’t have to worry about where you’ll stay or work on a WiFi Tribe trip; each Chapter has those plans set in advance. The convenience factor is a huge benefit. 
• New Friends from Around the Globe. With new people to meet in every Chapter, you can make remote-work friends wherever you go. It’s a strong community of vetted individuals that are very like-minded. 
• Chapter hosts for support. Every WiFie Tribe chapter has a Chapter host that is here to help support everyone and answer questions you may have. This person is highly experienced and can help you navigate activities, future trips, and support you with any challenges. 

The Negatives of WiFi Tribe

• Steep Pricing. If you’re looking to travel as cheaply as possible, WiFi Tribe’s annual fee and Chapter pricing mean the organization may not be right for you. 
• Travel with Strangers. Sure, you could make new friends that last a lifetime—but when you’re around so many new people, conflicts and problems could arise too. 
• Fewer Personal Choices. Once you’ve embarked on a Chapter, the group collaborates to select activities, so you might not get to visit every beach or restaurant you’re dreaming of. 

Is WiFi Tribe Worth It?

WiFi Tribe may be worth it if your goals and personality fit its offerings. I look at the three things that will help you make the decision if it’s worth applying.

• Do you have a remote job that is flexible with you traveling around the world for a few weeks per year? 
• Do you have the passion and interest in essentially being a digital nomad?
• Do you have the finances and budget to work with the costs associated with membership and the travel costs of WiFi Tribe?

To decide if the organization is right for you, pause to consider your ideal coworking style and travel preferences. 

Now if you enjoy spending time alone on vacation. Hate to work while traveling. Then WiFi Tribe may not be the best pick. Its experiences are communal by nature, and the “work” part of remote work is taken very seriously. 

But for other remote workers (like those who enjoy a “workation”), this membership community might be a dream. If you love meeting new people, planning group adventures, and working hard even while traveling, then WiFi Tribe could be an excellent match.