Worldschooling Hubs Guide
Worldschooling hubs are places around the world where travelling families naturally gather.
They make it easier to find community, build routine, and give kids some consistency while travelling.
You don’t need a hub to worldschool, but they can make things a lot easier, especially early on.
What is a worldschooling hub?
A worldschooling hub isn’t always an official place.
Sometimes it’s:
A town where lots of families stay long-term
A community that forms naturally
A co-living or organised setup
The key thing is, there are other families are there too
That’s what makes the difference.
Why hubs help
Hubs aren’t about education programs.
They help because they provide:
Other kids to connect with
A sense of routine
Familiar faces
Shared experiences
For parents, they also make things easier. You’re not figuring everything out on your own.
Types of worldschooling hubs
Not all hubs are the same. Most fall into a few categories.
Pop-Up Hubs
Short-term gatherings, usually running for 1–4 weeks.
Families come together in one place, and either a host or the group organise activities. This might include workshops, day trips, shared learning sessions, or just letting the kids run wild together.
Examples:
These are great for:
Meeting other families quickly
Trying worldschooling without committing long-term
Building social connections
Co-Living / Co-Working Hubs
More structured setups where everything is organised for you.
These hubs usually include accommodation, workspaces for parents, and learning programs for kids. You arrive and plug straight in.
Example:
These are great if you want:
Simplicity
Routine
A ready-made community
Community-Led Hubs
Active communities with some level of coordination, but no formal operator.
There’s usually a WhatsApp group, regular meetups, and parents organising activities. It’s not structured, but it works because people make it work.
Examples:
These are great if you want:
Flexibility
Low cost
A more natural, real-world experience
Educational / Immersive Hubs
More structured learning experiences built around culture, nature, or real-world education.
These often include local guides, cultural activities, language exposure, and hands-on learning. It’s less about textbooks and more about experience.
Examples:
Best for:
Cultural immersion
Hands-on learning
Families wanting more educational structure
Location-Based Communities
These aren’t technically “hubs”, but they function like one.
Certain places in the world attract a high number of travelling families at the same time. Over time, they naturally become hubs.
Places like:
Algarve (Portugal)
Bali (Indonesia)
Parts of Thailand
Eastern Europe pockets
There’s no structure. No program. But there are always:
Other kids
Other families
Things happening
These are great if you want:
Freedom
Space
To build your own routine
Unique / Niche Hubs
These don’t fit neatly into a category, but often end up being the most memorable.
They’re usually built around a specific lifestyle or experience rather than a traditional “schooling” setup.
Examples:
Best for:
Something completely different
Kids with specific interests (animals, adventure, etc.)
Families wanting a more raw, real experience
Popular worldschooling locations
These are some of the most common places families base themselves.
Bali, Indonesia (Canggu / Ubud)
Strong worldschooling community
Co-learning spaces
Great lifestyle
Very family-friendly
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Affordable
Relaxed pace
Lots of families
Easy to settle into
Da Nang / Hoi An, Vietnam
Emerging hub
Safe and affordable
Good mix of beach and city
Growing community
Portugal (Ericeira / Lagos)
Popular with travelling families
Good lifestyle balance
Access to Europe
Surf + outdoor culture
Koh Phangan, Thailand
Alternative vibe
Strong community feel
Lots of family-led learning
Mexico (Playa del Carmen / Tulum)
Growing hub
Co-learning spaces
Strong expat community
Costa Rica
Nature-based lifestyle
Outdoor learning
Strong family travel culture
Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Unique environment
Alternative education scene
Tight-knit communities
Cape Town, South Africa
Adventure and nature
Good infrastructure
Growing remote family scene
What to look for in a hub
Not every “popular” place will suit your family.
Things to consider:
Are there other kids your age?
Can your kids play freely?
Is it easy to build routine?
Are there activities nearby?
Does it fit your budget?
When to use a hub
You don’t need to stay in hubs the whole time.
They’re most useful when:
You’re just starting out
You need a reset
Your kids need social connection
You want a break from constant movement
Our experience with hubs
We’ve found hubs make a big difference when it comes to rhythm and connection.
When there are other kids around, everything becomes easier. The kids settle quicker, they’re more active, and days feel more balanced.
When we’re somewhere without that, it can be harder. More time inside, more pressure on us, and less natural flow.
What matters most
Hubs help, but they’re not essential.
You can worldschool anywhere.
The goal isn’t to find the “perfect place”.
It’s to find places where your family feels good and life works.
Go back to Worldschooling guide
Want help with what to teach and how to structure your days?