Boundless Life Kotor (2025): Our Honest First Impression as a Worldschooling Family
One week into our Boundless Life cohort in Kotor, Montenegro, we are already feeling at home. This is our honest look at what life here is like so far, from the first days of school to afternoons at the coworking hub and one big surprise we did not expect. As a family of four experiencing worldschooling for the first time, we came ready for adventure but have been amazed by how quickly Kotor and the Boundless Life community have become part of our daily rhythm.
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Jump ahead to:
Arrival in Kotor
We arrived in Kotor feeling a mix of excitement and exhaustion. The seven hour time difference had us a little thrown off, but our spirits were high. Getting through Tivat Airport was quick and easy. Our driver was just outside the airport exit holding a sign that said Hill Family. He helped with our bags and drove us straight to our new apartment.
As soon as we arrived, our Community Host was waiting at the door. He helped carry our bags and gave us a tour of the apartment. On the table was a welcome gift basket filled with Montenegrin olives, jars of local jam, and a bowl of fresh fruit. There was even a framed family photo and a letter waiting for us.
Community Host’s Tips for Settling in
One of the first things our Community Host shared with us was to avoid using any ATM that is not attached to a bank. This simple rule can save you from high fees and questionable exchange rates.
The second tip was about Montenegro’s tourist tax. By law, every visitor must register within twelve hours of arrival and pay a small daily tax, via cash only, at the Tourist Office in Old Town Kotor.
Here’s how it works:
- Adults: 1 euro per day
- Children 12 to 18: 0.50 euro per day
- Children under 12: free
Bring your passport and the name of your landlord when you go. If you stay in a hotel or Airbnb, the host usually handles this for you. In Boundless apartments, you do it yourself. (They will give you the Landlord’s name upon arrival.)
The tourist office will ask for your arrival and departure dates to calculate the total. For our one month cohort (24 nights), we paid 48 euros. You can pay in advance for the whole stay. There is a bank with an ATM right next to the tourist office where you can withdraw euros if needed.
Where to Pay the Tourist Tax
- Tourist Office name: Main Info Point of Tourism Organisation of Kotor
- Address: CQF9+WVJ, Square of the Arms, Kotor
- Phone: 032 325 950
- Hours: Open daily, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
If you are staying near the Boundless Coworking Hub, it is about a six minute walk to the Tourist Office in Old Town Kotor. It’s easy once you know where to go, but we didn’t at first, so I’m sharing this to save you the guesswork.
Settling in
Before arrival, we ordered groceries to be stocked in the apartment so we had familiar food ready for those first couple of days. This made the transition easier for everyone, especially the kids. If you want to do the same, the team will walk you through the process closer to your arrival date.
Boundless Life communicates with us exclusively through Slack groups. At first it felt a little overwhelming, but now it makes perfect sense and keeps everything very organized. There is a separate thread for almost everything, such as the Education Center, activities and experiences, important notifications, and more.
Within just a few days, our family of four has found a rhythm that feels both at home and adventurous. Our nine year old daughter came home from her first field trip full of stories about Picasso, clay art, the cathedral they visited, and her newest friends from class. Our four year old son has been talking about playing with playdough, singing Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, and the friends he has already made.
The view from our apartment balcony is stunning. To the right are the mountains, and to the left we can see the city, the sea, and cruise ships gliding in and out each night. There are events and live music on the weekends in Kotor and the old town. I’ll post details about our apartment soon!
One tip for newcomers: Grocery stores are closed on Sundays, and Saturdays have very long lines, so make sure to get your groceries earlier in the week. Most food labels are in another language, so a translation app is helpful. Many locals speak a few words of English, but learning a few Montenegrin words makes life easier and a lot more fun. We even started a friendly competition in our cohort to see who can learn the most by the end of the month. I am determined to win!
School and Education Center
The Boundless Life Kotor school offers a Reggio Emilia inspired education enriched with Montessori principles and a strong focus on 21st century skills. Designed for children ages 1.5 to 14, this learning style blends project-based learning, personalized instruction, and hands-on experiences. Small multi-age classes ensure every child is known by name, and the educators are passionate about creating a supportive and engaging environment.
Boundless Life education is built around cohort themes that tie learning to the local culture. Our theme, Artisans of the World, has already inspired our daughter to create a Picasso inspired clay art piece on her very first day. In just the first week, the kids have explored Old Town Kotor, visited Saint Tryphon Cathedral, and even begun learning Cyrillic. These experiences weave together cultural immersion with core academics, making learning both meaningful and memorable.
After school, the Boundless Life Kotor program offers optional clubs like chess, water polo, and Little Spartans, giving our kids even more opportunities to learn, play, and connect. The excitement our kids bring home every day is the clearest sign of how special the Boundless Life school experience really is.
“I love school! It’s the best!” Said our nine year old daughter, at breakfast this morning.
Hearing her say that just one week into our Boundless Life journey was the ultimate confirmation that we made the right choice. So we are thrilled!
Use code “HillFam” at checkout to save 400 euros on your Boundless Life booking!
Coworking Hub
Parents have access to the coworking hub 24/7, which is perfect since we all keep different remote work hours. The space has plenty of desks, including some equipped with monitors for use. For private calls or focused work, there are enclosed soundproof pods with solid doors, comfortable bar-height chairs, power outlets, and strong Wi-Fi. These pods make it easy to step away from the buzz of the main room without leaving the building.
The hub also has a small kitchenette with a mini fridge, a bathroom, and a cozy lounge area. It’s easy to focus, get work done, and still feel connected to the Boundless community. I’m looking forward to spending more afternoons here writing blog posts in the coming weeks.
Housing and Neighborhood Atmosphere
Our apartment is only a short walk from both the Education Center and the coworking hub. The walk takes us around the Kamelija Shopping Center, which has a grocery store, Cave Coffee, a soft play area with arcade games, a pharmacy, several restaurants, and other shops. The mall stays open until 11 p.m., which has been surprisingly handy for late night needs. The location makes it easy to balance work, school, and errands without stress.
Community: The Best Surprise
The Boundless Life Kotor community has been the most unexpected and wonderful part of this experience! Watching our kids form friendships already is the best feeling as a parent!
During school hours, there are activities for the adults, from hiking to kayaking and yoga. We’re also planning play dates with the kids.
Early Cost Impressions
Our extra costs so far include pre-arrival groceries, the tourist tax, eSIM cards, weekly groceries, the occasional lunch or dinner out, taxis, and a few coffees. The Boundless Life program fee covers tuition, daily lunch and two snacks for the kids during school, field trips, apartment rent, weekly housekeeping, coworking hub access, and many community events.
Boundless Life Destinations:
Boundless Life has other destinations running throughout the year. Although Kotor is our focus right now, it is exciting to know that the same mix of community, education, and work-life balance can be found in other locations too. Current Boundless life destinations include:
- Sintra, Portugal
- Syros, Greece
- Tuscany, Italy
- Bali, Indonesia
- Kotor, Montenegro
- Andalusia, Spain
- La Barra, Uruguay
The two new locations coming soon are in Japan and France!
Join Us!
If you are thinking about joining a Boundless Life cohort, you can use our code “HillFam” at checkout to save 400 euro on your Boundless Life booking. This also helps support our blog at no extra cost to you.
What would you like to know?
We’re just one week into our Boundless Life Kotor adventure and already have so much to share. What would you like to know about the program, the school, or life in Montenegro with kids? Drop your questions and thoughts in the comments!
Coming Next on the Blog
Next, we will share a detailed look at the Boundless Life Kotor school experience, including what a typical day looks like, what our children are learning, and why Fridays are always an adventure.
