India is a huge and diverse place and with a population of well over a billion squeezed into a country with a landmass that is about a third the size of the United States you can expect a visit to be busy, vibrant, and noisy. This combined with the low cost of living, amazing food, culture, and natural beauty make it the destination of choice for many digital nomads. If you are planning to travel and work in India location options are plentiful and the following destinations which have a low cost of living and the connectivity that digital nomads require are great places to get you started.
Auroville
Auroville is a quiet, affordable experimental community in South Eastern India near Pondicherry. Internet connectivity is available and is reported to be somewhat unreliable but reliable enough if you do not require constant high-speed access. If you are looking for a place to balance disconnected with connected then Auroville is worth further investigation.
Bangalore or Bengaluru
Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka state in the south of India and despite being an ancient city it is known as the centre of India's high tech industry. Everything a digital nomad could want for including great Internet connectivity and Coworking spaces are available in this busy metropolis and the cost of living whilst high by Indian standards is still very low by global standards. Bengaluru should be high on your list if you like the hustle-bustle of big city life and do not mind paying a little more for it.
Coorg or Kogadu
Kogadu which is also known as Coorg is a district located in the hills a couple of hours from Bangalore. Proximity to Bangalore, climate, and the environment make it a great year-round destination for tourists and digital nomads alike.
Chandigarh
Located near the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India Chandigarh is a great destination for adventurers and digital nomads. Chandigarh is the capital of Punjab and Haranya states so it has good infrastructure including high-speed reliable internet and there are a number of great coworking spaces available if you need them. If you are a motorcycle rider then you can spend your spare time taking awesome Himalayan adventure rides in Lahaul and Spiti.
Goa
Goa is located on the southwestern coast of India has long been a destination popular with backpackers and tourists looking for beach and party life. Up until recently, Internet connectivity has been an issue in Goa so it hasn't been popular with digital nomads but this has changed and coworking spaces are starting to pop up making it a very appealing destination if you want that beachside feel.
Guwahati
If you want to spend some time in northeastern India then Guwahati is a good place to set up. Located on the banks of the Brahmaputra Guwahati is the largest city in the northeast of India and provides all the conveniences of a large city including a relatively low cost of living, reliable Internet, and coworking spaces.
Jodhpur
This ancient city located on the edge of the Thar or Great Indian desert in the North-Western state of Rajasthan is not only fascinating from a historical perspective but is fast becoming a popular location for digital nomads. Reliable Internet is not hard to find in the modern part of the city and the cost of living is very reasonable.
Jaipur
This popular tourist destination also known as the Pink City is one of the largest population centres and tourist destinations in India. Life as a Digital Nomad is relatively simple due to an abundance of co-working and co-living spaces. English is commonly spoken and the cost of living is relatively low.
Kalimpong
If you are looking for a beautiful location with a slower pace of life and good Internet access near the Himalayas the Kalimpong is worth a look. Located in West Bengali and within visual distance of the East Himalayas, Kalimpong is a great destination for adventurous nomads and those who are just looking to relax for a while.
Kolkata ( Previously Calcutta )
With a metropolitan population of over 14 million Kolkata is a large metropolis in the Eastern Indian state of West Bengal and is well set up for digital nomads with good cellular coverage and Internet access. Kolkata has a rich history and is considered to be a very important cultural centre in India so there is much to be explored and experienced in the city when you are offline.
Manali
If winter sports and outdoor adventures are your passion this popular tourist destination is definitely worth considering. Located in the Northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, Manali is a small town in the mountains and is well set up for tourism and digital nomads who require reliable Internet connectivity.
McLeod Ganj
Also known as Little Lhasa this small town has the distinction of being the Indian home of the Dalai Lama. The cost of living in McLeod Ganj is relatively low and good Internet connectivity is easy to find. If you like a more laid back lifestyle and enjoy trekking in your free time then this is a location worth a look.
Mumbai ( formerly Bombay )
If you love city life with all the facilities of a large metropolis then Mumbai is a good place to start looking. Mumbai is a big, busy, noisy city which has a relatively high cost of living by Indian standards but you are unlikely to be bored. English is widely spoken, co-working spaces are plentiful, and reliable Internet connectivity is readily available.
Rishikesh
Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas Rishikesh has long been a destination seeking enlightenment through religion, meditation, and yoga so if you are a digital nomad with a spiritual focus then this will be a great destination for you. Internet is reported as being OK but not awesome and the cost of living is relatively low.
This list is just a small number of great places for digital nomads to stay in India for a while. If you have other places you think people should know about please tell us about them in the comments below.