India
India is huge, intense and endlessly varied. I went for work at the start of 2020, flying in through Dubai and Ahmedabad and spending about a week in Vadodara, Gujarat. Honestly, it was not an amazing trip: I worked night shifts, it was hot, and it did not feel very safe. But one night made it all worth it, and I know I have not seen the beautiful side of India yet.
What I did
Spent about a week in Vadodara, Gujarat, on a work trip in January 2020, working night shifts.
Went to an amazing off-site company festival, where we danced and celebrated with the locals all night.
Got a first taste of Gujarati food and Indian hospitality.
My experience
India was a work trip, not a travel trip, and I only saw a sliver of it. Vadodara was tough: night shifts, heat, strong smells and streets that did not feel safe. The highlight was our company festival off site, dancing and celebrating with the locals, which was one of the most fun nights I have had anywhere. The people were warm, but the palaces of Rajasthan, the Taj Mahal, Kerala's backwaters, the Himalayas and the beaches of Goa are all still on my list. I will be back to see the beautiful side of this country.
Where to stay
Delhi: South Delhi neighborhoods like Hauz Khas, or a heritage hotel near Connaught Place.
Agra: a hotel with a view of the Taj Mahal.
Jaipur and Udaipur: heritage havelis and palace hotels in Rajasthan.
Goa: North Goa for energy, South Goa for quiet beaches.
Kerala: a houseboat on the backwaters around Alleppey.
Getting there and around
Flights: Delhi and Mumbai are the main gateways, with easy connections through Dubai and the Gulf hubs.
Between cities: domestic flights are cheap and save a lot of time. Trains are an experience, so book ahead.
In cities: Uber and Ola work in most big cities. Hire a car with a driver for day trips.
What to eat
Thali, especially a Gujarati thali in Vadodara or Ahmedabad: many small dishes on one plate.
Butter chicken, biryani and fresh naan in the north.
Dosa and idli in the south.
Street food like pani puri, samosas and chaat, from busy stalls.
What to drink
Chai: sweet spiced tea, sold everywhere.
Lassi: a yogurt drink, sweet or salted.
Beer: Kingfisher is the classic, with a growing craft scene in Bangalore and Mumbai.
Wine and spirits: Sula Vineyards in Nashik and Indian single malts like Amrut and Paul John. Note that Gujarat is a dry state.
Don't miss
The Taj Mahal at sunrise.
Rajasthan: Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur.
Varanasi and the evening ceremony on the Ganges.
Kerala's backwaters.
Goa's beaches.
The Himalayas around Rishikesh, Ladakh or Darjeeling.
Festivals and events
Holi: nationwide, usually March. The festival of colors.
Diwali: nationwide, usually October or November. The festival of lights.
Uttarayan (International Kite Festival): Ahmedabad, Vadodara and across Gujarat, January 14. The whole city takes to the rooftops to fly kites.
Navratri: Gujarat, usually September or October. Nine nights of garba dancing, and Vadodara is famous for some of the biggest garba grounds in the country.
Pushkar Camel Fair: Rajasthan, usually November.
Sunburn Festival: usually December. India's biggest electronic music festival.
Music and dance
Bollywood music is everywhere, alongside classical Hindustani and Carnatic traditions.
Garba and dandiya: Gujarat's folk dances, at their best during Navratri.
Classical dances like Kathak and Bharatanatyam can be seen at cultural centers.
Photography spots
Taj Mahal: sunrise from the gardens or from Mehtab Bagh across the river.
Varanasi: the ghats from a boat at dawn.
Jaipur: the Hawa Mahal and Amber Fort in morning light.
Drones: strictly regulated and need permission. Check current rules.
Cost of living
Overall: Vadodara, Bengaluru and Goa: $, about 65% cheaper than New York. Mumbai runs higher, and Goa is pricier in peak season.
Coffee: about $2
Local lunch: about $3
Dinner for two at a nice restaurant: about $25
Beer or cocktail: about $3 / $6
Ride across town: about $2
Mid-range hotel: about $60 a night
Furnished one-bedroom in a good area: about $350 a month in Vadodara, $600 in Bengaluru's Indiranagar, $700 in North Goa
Daily budget: about $30 budget, $70 comfortable, $200+ luxury in Vadodara, roughly 30% more in Bengaluru and Goa
India is incredibly cheap by US standards. Vadodara is a mid-size city, so everything from food to rides costs a fraction of what you would pay in Mumbai or Delhi. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.
Working remotely
Wi-Fi: Hotels and newer apartments are usually fine at 30 to 100 Mbps, but reliability varies. Power cuts happen, so carry a data SIM as a backup.
Coworking and cafes: Bengaluru is India's tech capital and the best city for coworking, including WeWork and 91springboard. Goa has a seasonal nomad community on the beaches, and Vadodara has limited coworking but a few cafes with solid Wi-Fi.
Time zone: UTC+5:30, 9.5 hours ahead of US Eastern (10.5 hours in winter), with no daylight saving.
Visa for longer stays: US citizens need an e-Visa or visa before arrival, so check the type and length. India has no dedicated digital nomad visa. Check current rules.
Nomad rating: 2 out of 5. Very cheap and exciting, but internet, air quality and logistics take patience.
Good to know
Language: Hindi and many regional languages, with Gujarati in Vadodara and Ahmedabad. English is widely spoken in business and tourism.
Currency: Indian rupee. Carry some cash, though UPI and cards are common in cities.
Plugs: Type C, D and M, 230V.
Entry for US citizens: an e-Visa is required before you travel. Check current rules.
Best time to visit: October to March for most of the country.
Tipping: around 10 percent in restaurants.
Apps: Uber and Ola for rides, Swiggy and Zomato for delivery.
Water: do not drink tap water. Stick to bottled or filtered.
Useful phrases
Hello: Namaste
Thank you: Dhanyavaad
How much: Kitne ka hai
Yes / no: Haan / Nahin
Nightlife
I did not see India's nightlife. I was in Vadodara working night shifts, and Gujarat is a dry state, so a night out was never on the table. Nightlife here lives in the big cities, and it is quite different from what Americans expect.
When people go out: In the big cities, most bars and clubs close around 1 am, and some city rules cut it earlier. Clubs fill after 10 pm, and weekends are the busy nights.
Where the action is: Mumbai's Colaba and Bandra, Delhi's Hauz Khas Village and Bengaluru's craft beer scene are the best known, though I can't speak from experience.
The music: Bollywood and Punjabi pop, plus house and EDM in the big city clubs.
Good to know: Gujarat is dry, so check the rules before planning a drink. Cover charges can be steep at big city clubs, and some use couple or stag entry rules. Dress smart casual. Stick to licensed venues and use Uber or Ola instead of street taxis, especially late and when solo.
Meeting people
Social scene: Indians are often curious and friendly with visitors, and conversation starts easily in cafes and on trains. Coworking spaces and cafe meetups in larger cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi are the easiest ways in.
Apps: Tinder, Bumble and Hinge are used in big cities, and Meetup and Facebook groups help for events.
Etiquette: A handshake or a namaste is a polite greeting. Be flexible on timing, since plans can shift, and the person who invites often expects to host the bill.
Stay smart: Meet in public, stay in well populated areas, and use app based rides at night. Be cautious about strangers who offer unrequested help or tours.
Staying safe
Be careful with street food at first, and favor busy stalls where food is cooked fresh.
Traffic is chaotic. Take care crossing streets and use a trusted driver.
Watch for common tourist scams around major sights, and agree on prices before you ride or buy.