5 of the Best Places for Digital Nomads in India in 2024

India is fast becoming a remote worker's paradise. Though there is currently no digital nomad visa available for foreigners, the Indian government are in the process of creating one. But don't let that put you off; many still head to India on a tourist visa and work there anyway (just don't tell anyone we told you...), and it's the ideal place to work while having the adventure of a lifetime (or so we're told...). We've put together a list of our favourite tried-and-tested locations for remote workers in India. Each of these destinations has a totally different vibe and culture, so we've written a VERY brief breakdown of each place so you know what to expect on your next Indian workation.

Varkala, Kerala

Gorgeous beaches, delicious local cuisine and a multitude of yoga joints and hippie cafes make this southern Indian gem a digital nomad’s paradise. Choose from any of the local cafes to work from (we recommend Lumuma!), and spend your days off relaxing on the beach, taking a boat trip through Kerala's mystical backwaters or learning about the state's rich cultural history while exploring the local temples. We visited in March during Maha Shivratri festival; an amazing time to visit if you’re passionate about experiencing the culture of India and Hinduism.

Saligao, Goa

Goa is perfect for a first-time digital nomad in India. With all your home comforts easily available as well as tasty-yet-affordable food, decent coffee, amazing beaches and a fascinating culture and history, it’s the perfect introduction to the remote-worker lifestyle in India. In fact, we wrote about our favourite place to stay and work in Goa here. 

Goa has been a popular holiday destination for foreigners and Indians since the ‘60s. Its exotic beaches and relaxed vibes have attracted hippies and travellers for years. These days it’s still a hugely popular holiday destination, but it’s also ideal for a workation. Try our favourite coliving space here, or try working from any one of the many local cafes (most have wifi these days, but be sure to check beforehand) and start your India journey in the ‘Pearl of the Orient’.

Mumbai, Maharashtra

Perhaps not the first choice for digital nomads, though it still deserves a mention on this list because it’s just so easy to work from here. We stayed at Zostel, a popular hostel chain found across India. Boasting an affordable cafe, and a comfortable, air-conditioned coworking space with very fast wifi for only 100 rupees extra per day, it’s ideal for remote workers. It still has definite hostel vibes, so if you’re looking at staying somewhere a bit quieter but still need some office space with a chair and desk, it might be best to check into a hotel and look for local cafes in the area to work from. Whichever way you go about it, be sure not to miss Mumbai on your Indian adventure. 

Dharamkot, Himachal Pradesh

If you’re a digital nomad in India, you HAVE to visit Dharamkot. In fact, we compiled a list of the best places for digital nomads to work in Dharamkot here. A sleepy hippie village in the Himalayas, it’s the perfect vibe for remote workers. Dharamkot also has some beautiful treks, amazing views and, as the home of many Tibetan refugees and Buddhist monks, it has a rich culture and fascinating history.

During our 6 weeks here, almost everyone we spoke to was working remotely to some degree. It’s basically a haven of digital nomads. Though the food can be a little more expensive than other places in India, it’s definitely worth it, and most cafes are fitted out with desks, chairs and decent wifi so you will find somewhere to work very easily; just be prepared for the regular power cuts! Try Trek and Dine for good food, coffee and a spacious work area.

Leh, Ladakh

A destination for the adventurous type. Thrill-seekers flock to Leh to take the infamous motorcycle trip across the Khardungla Pass (supposedly the highest pass in the world, according to some sources). Once you’ve had your fill of traversing the Himalayas, get back to work in one of Leh’s many cafes. We compiled a list of the 5 best places for digital nomads to work in Leh here, but just remember to give yourself 48 hours to acclimatise to the altitude before doing anything and remember to pack your altitude sickness medication!