Adrenaline Travel For TEFL Teachers And Digital Nomads

As a TEFL teacher living abroad, weekends aren’t just about doing laundry or catching up on your marking – they can be about leaping off waterfalls, scaling volcanoes, or ziplining through rainforest canopies. 

The lure of adventure and having the wild on your doorstep is one of the biggest perks of being a digital nomad. No more FOMO scrolling through travel reels – when you live in Thailand, Japan, Spain, or Costa Rica, these jaw-dropping destinations are often just a short bus ride away. 

That’s right, thrill-seekers – your next adrenaline rush could be closer than you think!

Adrenaline travel isn’t only about the adrenaline rush (though there is plenty of that!). It’s all about stepping out of your routine, challenging yourself in new ways, and seeing a new side of your host country that most tourists will never see. Whether it’s teaching English in Seoul, freelancing in Phuket, or planning your next lesson over a cortado in Barcelona, there’s an epic adventure waiting just outside the city limits. 

So, get your day bag, lace up your hiking boots, and get set – here are our favourite adrenaline travel ideas ripe for you as a TEFL teacher around the world! 

Read more: The Digital Nomad Visa: A Ticket To Your Best Life

Why TEFL teachers and digital nomads are perfect extreme adventurers 

If there’s anyone built for chasing unforgettable adventures, it’s us TEFL teachers. Living and working overseas naturally brings with it a sense of curiosity and courage – the same traits that lead to you packing up your life and setting off for a teaching job in another country are the ones that’ll have you ziplining through a jungle or scaling a mountain on your days off. 

TEFL jobs and remote positions usually come with a kind of flexibility that most nine-to-fivers dream of. You could wrap up your final class early on a Friday, have long weekends between terms, or live just a couple of hours from world-renowned natural wonders. 

When your “commute” takes you past mountain ranges, coral reefs, or stunning waterfalls, adventure isn’t a holiday – it’s a lifestyle perk. 

There are plenty of TEFL jobs that plonk you in small towns or regional cities, meaning you’re perfectly placed to wander beyond the usual tourist trails. A quick hop on the train from Tokyo can whisk you to the base of Mount Fuji. A bus from Chiang Mai drops you deep in the rainforest. A weekend in Costa Rica? Volcanoes and white-water rivers are never far away! 

Naturally, so much excitement comes with responsibility. Adventure activities are unforgettable, but they’re safest when planned properly.

Always stick with reputable tour operators, follow local advice, and know your limits – because the best kind of adventure is one you get to tell stories about on Monday morning. 

Adventure travel around the world 

You don’t need to trek halfway across the country to find adventure – when you’re living overseas, it’s often available on your doorstep. 

From Thailand’s rainforest canopies to Costa Rica’s wild rivers, we’ve curated some of the most unforgettable adventure travel trips for TEFL teachers and nomads right across the world. 

Thailand: Ziplining in Chiang Mai or Diving in Koh Tao

Chiang Mai – Flight of the Gibbon 

If you’re teaching English in Thailand’s northern capital, swap out your whiteboard for a harness and take to the skies through the treetops on the Flight of the Gibbon, one of the most famous zipline experiences in Asia. 

You’ll glide over lush rainforests, hear gibbons calling in the distance, and catch a glimpse of hidden waterfalls below. It’s the perfect thrill for anyone looking for a break from the classroom. 

Koh Tao – Diving paradise

At the southern end of the country, Koh Tao offers a different sort of adrenaline rush. Known in the nomad community as one of the world’s best (and most affordable) places to learn scuba diving, this tiny island is all about underwater adventuring – picture vibrant coral gardens, friendly reef sharks, and shipwrecks to explore. 

• When to go: November – April for Koh Tao’s best visibility; December – February or June – October for cooler, drier weather in Chiang Mai. 
• Cost: Typically around 3,000-4,000 THB ($92-$122) for ziplining; beginner scuba courses from 10,000 ($307).
• What to bring: Lightweight gear, a GoPro if you have one, and a sense of adventure! 

Japan: Hike Mount Fuji in a day

Mount Fuji is the most iconic mountain in Japan, but it isn’t just a view for a postcard – it’s a challenge waiting to be conquered. If you’re teaching in Tokyo, you can reach Fuji’s 5th station in just a handful of hours, making it more than possible to reach the summit and come back down in one (albeit long) day. 

Most hikers start early in the morning or opt for an overnight climb to catch sunrise from the very top – a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those lucky enough to be working in the Land of the Rising Sun. 

• Best months: July to early September, when trails are open and weather conditions are stable. 
• Bonus idea: If hiking isn’t your thing, head to Minakami in Gunma Prefecture for white-water rafting – a favourite weekend escape for both teachers and other expats. 
• Our tip: Bring plenty of water, layers for the summit chill, and ¥1 coins for the toilets on the summit (thank us later!) 

Spain: Walk the Caminito del Rey 

Spain’s Caminito del Rey was once called “the world’s most dangerous walkway.” It has gone through a rebuild over the years – but it’s still just as thrilling today as ever. Suspended along sheer cliff faces high above the Gaitanes Gorge, this narrow wooden path offers stunning views (and a good test of your nerve.) 

It’s an easy day trip from Malaga, and the ultimate thrill-ride for any teachers living on Spain’s southern cost. 

• Best time to visit: Spring or autumn, when the crowds wind down and temperatures cool. 
• Tip: Book tickets in advance – access is limited to a set number of visitors per day. 

South Korea: Bungee jumping in Gapyeong

Only one hour from South Korea’s capital city, Gapyeong is home to South Korea’s first bungee site – and still one of the best. Standing at 55 metres above the Bukhan River, it’s the go-to spot for thrill-seeking nomads who want to swap lesson plans for a freefall. 

While you’re there, you can also zipline over to Nami Island or spend the afternoon exploring its scenic tree-lined paths – a great way to mix the adrenaline with a dose of culture and calm. 

• Tip: Mix the trip with a local barbecue dinner or cafe visit – Korea does comfort food very well after a jump like that. 

Costa Rica: White-water rafting on the Pacuare River

Costa Rica has long been one of the dream destinations for digital nomads – and the Pacuare River is its wild heart. Regularly ranked ranked among the top rafting rivers in the world, it offers everything from gentle rapids to heart-pounding class IV drops, engulfed by jungle and waterfalls. 

Most tours leave from San Jose, making it the perfect day trip – though some TEFL teachers opt for overnight stays in eco-lodged nestled deep in the rainforest.

When to go: The wet season (May – November) means stronger rapids; dry season (December – April) brings calmer flows and clearer skies. 

• Cost: Around $80-$100 for a full day’s guided trip, including transport and lunch. 

Turning your weekends into adventures

Teaching English abroad isn’t just a job – it’s a gateway to a way of life that most of us only reserve for our bucket lists. From ziplining through Thailand’s jungles to wrestling down Costa Rica’s wild rivers, your weekends can be just as extraordinary as your workdays are meaningful. 

As a TEFL teacher, you have the freedom to explore, push your limits, and experience the world in ways that go beyond the well-trodden tourist traps. Every hike, dive, or leap off a clfif becomes part of the story you tell – a reminder that living abroad is just as much about the adventure as it is about your career. 

So, don’t let you weekends pass by in a haze of chores and coursework. Turn them into epic experiences that fuel both your wanderlust and growth as a global citizen. 

Read more: 5 Reasons To Quite Your 9-5 And Become A TEFL Teacher

Ready to make the world your playground? Get TEFL certified with The TEFL Academy and kickstart your adventure abroad!