The Canary Islands currently have about 70 coworking spaces distributed around five of the eight islands. Gran Canaria and Tenerife are the two islands with the largest number of coworking spaces in the archipelago (around 50%), and the rest are divided among the islands of Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Palma.
A varied range of coworking spaces with all the services required to meet the needs of the most demanding remote workers, such as meeting rooms, shared spaces or high-speed Internet connection, among others.
A new way of working remotely
Coworking spaces are collaborative places where professionals from different fields come together to work remotely and create synergies with one another. These shared offices bring together self-employed professionals, companies and all kinds of remote workers, and the managers of the spaces encourage professional and personal opportunities between the members in order to generate professional and networking opportunities.
Much more than a shared office
Coworking spaces are much more than a shared office, and not only allow remote workers to save on costs. They are collaborative spaces that make all kinds of tools available to remote workers, enabling them to carry out their work with the maximum convenience.
The main advantages that coworking spaces offer for remote workers include flexibility of rates (with packages that adapt to the needs of each individual remote worker), freedom of schedules (some spaces offer 24-hour access), language exchanges or increased opportunities to generate a community or network, thanks to the open or specially-prepared areas offered by many Canarian coworking spaces. Different types of events are held in them regularly, encouraging an atmosphere of collaboration among the participants.
Aspects to bear in mind when choosing a coworking space
When choosing the perfect coworking space for alternating work and community, remote workers should bear in mind a series of important requisites or characteristics:
1. High-speed Internet
Having an excellent Internet connection is a priority for remote workers. To be able to recognise what high speed is, there should be a download speed of at least 768 Kbps and an upload speed of at least 200 Kbps, or operating with speeds of over 100 Mbps.
2. Good location
Another key factor when choosing a coworking space is its location. Ideally, it should be located in a strategic place which can be reached using public transport. Another requisite that remote workers who visit the islands view positively is proximity to the sea, in order to practise water sports and naturally, forge more relationships with the local community.
3. Comfort in the workspace
If we are to be as productive as possible, we need a suitable workplace. A roomy, bright space with comfortable furniture will make our working day much more gratifying.
4. Work or meeting rooms
Meeting rooms are used as a place to get together with clients or employees in a more private space. Ideally, the coworking space will have at least one or two rooms for meetings, where other types of activities, such as training or networking sessions, can also be organised.
5. Open spaces and meet-up areas
Because life isn’t only about work, terraces or open spaces where one can socialize with other remote workers or simply take a break during the working day are also necessary. Most of the coworking spaces on the islands offer open areas such as terraces or chillout zones where remote workers can rest or network.
6. Additional services
Language lessons, special videoconferencing rooms, virtual office or secretarial services are extras that may position a coworking space as the most well-rounded place to work from remotely.
Coworking space search platforms
There are currently a series of digital platforms that help remote workers looking for shared spaces find the ideal coworking space, that fits in best with their needs. Here are a few of these platforms:
Coworking Spain: a search engine that enables users to find shared spaces in the main cities of Spain, comparing prices and the services offered.
Comunidad Coworking: a coworking space search engine that allows users to directly rent the space they choose in accordance with their needs. It also gives coworking or coliving spaces the option of signing up to this platform.
Coworkingfy: a platform that connects professionals and companies to coworking spaces in different towns in Spain.
The Canary Islands are the perfect paradise for remote working thanks to a broad range of coworking spaces that are sufficiently prepared to meet all the needs of remote workers, with an enviable climate and a host of leisure and free-time activities waiting to be discovered not forgetting the importance of the feeling of community or integration in the destination, an extremely valuable factor for remote workers.