Imagine attending a Zoom meeting in the morning and watching the sunset somewhere beautiful by evening. No, you haven't quit your job—you've discovered the workation.
Workation is an amalgamation of working and vacations. It is being on the laptop/working remotely on the clock and being a tourist off the clock, in early mornings or late evenings, exploring a different city or a country. It does not take away your paid time off because technically you are still working.
This setup is gaining popularity, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. It allows young professionals to trade their traditional working spaces, like cabins or a home with a desk and chair, for a different city or destination, where one can work overlooking the sea or the mountains. It also offers a chance to break the daily monotonous schedule without falling behind on work.
There are different terms used for people working in these setups, and the most popular one is called a digital nomad. They are basically people who work remotely while travelling, sometimes being away for months or years. They get to discover new local cultures and sights during their time off. However, a workation could be temporary, while for digital nomads, this is a lifestyle.
Why Young Professionals Are Choosing Workations?
Workations are very popular amongst professionals for several reasons:
Digital Nomad Visa: Many countries are now allowing visa holders to stay for 6 months to 2 years, more than the standard 90-day tourist visa. This makes it very easy for people to have a workation. They can work for a foreign company online while exploring new places without any hassle. While India does not have a digital nomad visa, it offers similar options, like the e-business visa, which allows a 1-year stay [check rules/regulations].
Break From Urban Routine: Working remotely can let professionals take a break from the grind without hurting productivity. They can travel and take a long trip instead of rushing through their paid time off.
Stress-free Environment: Working from anywhere other than home or the office creates a stress-free environment. It allows professionals to expand their creativity and develop better focus and concentration. It takes away the distractions of household chores and helps get more work done in a shorter span of time.
Longer Stays > Rushed Holidays: Travelling for longer periods of time allows professionals to immerse themselves in the local culture and cuisine, instead of hopping from one tourist destination to another. It is significantly cheaper, as accommodations are comparatively lower for longer stays.
Best Workation Destinations In India
1. Goa - Beach lovers can assemble for this absolutely amazing experience. Goa stands as one of the most favoured when it comes to a workation destination that has numerous beaches, cafes, adventure activities and nature retreats. On the clock or off the clock, it has you covered.
Best for: Beaches & nightlife
Typical stay: 5–7 days
Don't miss: Sunset at Vagator Hill or on beach shacks in Arambol, Cafes like Baba au Rhum & Artjuna, explore Panjim, Fontainhas in Panaji
2. Bir [Himachal Pradesh] - Imagine waking up to snow-capped mountains and sipping coffee while you work from a desk overlooking valleys and rivers. That would be Himachal for you. It is ideal for people who love going hiking on weekends. They also have great working spots and cafés dedicated to workations.
You can also explore Jibhi, Shoja, Manali, Dharamshala and Dharamkot for the same.
Best for: Peace & focused work
Ideal stay: 5–10 days
Don't miss: Paragliding, Evening tea at Musafir Cafe, Chokling Monastery
3. Pondicherry - Best known for its French colonial architecture and the vibrant café culture, Pondicherry is a slowed-down town that is quiet and peaceful. You can consider exploring in the early mornings and late evenings after working hours. It is also famous for Auroville, the humanity-driven township.
Best for: Coastal living, cafés & culture
Ideal stay: 1–2 weeks
Don't miss: White Town, Promenade Beach, Auroville Ashram
4. Varkala - Varkala offers a laid-back coastal lifestyle and is home to a lot of beaches like Goa. It has clifftops overlooking the Arabian Sea, and cafes lined up with the most amazing views. It is also famous for its Yoga retreats along these beaches. So if that sounds like an ideal vacation where you want to relax and also spend some time of the day working, this is the one.
Best for: Beach life & laid-back workdays
Ideal stay: 1–2 weeks
Don't miss: Varkala Cliff, Papanasam Beach, Mangrove Kayaking, Surfing lessons
5. Rishikesh - One of the most spiritual cities in the country, Rishikesh offers adventure and peace. It is good for first-timers because it is not very secluded. It is home to Yoga shalas, riverside cafés, and a view of the Himalayas. It is prominently known as the Yoga Capital of the World. It is a vegetarian place by law, and you should also watch out for monkeys in open spaces, as they tend to snatch things.
Best for: Wellness, nature & a slower pace
Ideal stay: 1–2 weeks
Don't miss: Ganga ghats and evening Aarti, River Rafting, The Beatles Ashram
6. Coorg - Coorg is also known as ‘Scotland of India’. It offers lush coffee plantations, scenic views and cafes with high-speed internet. You can walk through the plantations and explore the local culture in your time off. It is also known for the elephant camps and waterfalls.
Best for: Nature, tranquillity & a digital detox
Ideal stay: 1–2 weeks
Don't miss: Coffee plantations, The Golden Temple (Monastery)
7. Udaipur - If you prefer palaces, history, ancient architecture and boating in the lakes, Udaipur is the perfect destination. For a workation, it offers a city-like vibe where you can meet other people of the same community and network, and it also offers great places for some relaxation and quiet time after logging off. The stay is affordable.
Best for: Culture, heritage & a short work escape
Ideal stay: 1 week
Don't miss: City Palace, Lake Pichola, The Dharohar Folk Dance
9. Shillong - Shillong offers a quiet escape from the tourism rush in Meghalaya. You can work 9-5 and enjoy tea/coffee in the local cafés and plan weekend visits to watch waterfalls, museums and lakes in the town. The sun sets around 4:30, so plan accordingly.
Best for: Hills, culture & nature
Ideal stay: 1–2 weeks
Don't miss: Ward’s Lake Golden Hour, Umiam Lake, Local Tea and Jhalmuri
How To Choose A Good Workation Destination?
Beautiful sights alone would not make a place ideal for working. Before making any bookings for accommodations, young professionals should check a few practical details.
Reliable Internet: A room with a mountain/beach or pool view is of little use if your client call ends abruptly mid-meeting because the Wi-Fi disappears. Power backups are recommended in small towns or remote areas.
Proper working space: Working from a bed might sound comfortable, but having a chair and desk really helps during long working hours.
Mobile connectivity: It is better to have a backup SIM, especially if your work is highly dependent on connectivity. Many areas in India have selective networks working in selective areas; get information beforehand.
Distance from attraction: Since you are already spending a lot of your time working, there is already less time to explore. Spending that time commuting means you get to see nothing and you reach nowhere on time. It is better to book a place near cafes and places you would want to visit. This way, you can easily unwind after logging off.
Affordability: Places where stay, food and travel fall within your budget should be considered, as you can have stress-free and longer stays.
Time-zone compatibility: Always make sure that wherever you work from, it is at an acceptable time difference with the rest of your team or clients [3-4 hours offset].
Workation Packing Checklist
Here are a few things you might want to add to your travel bag if it is going on a workation:
Laptop & Charger [check connector types based on local sockets]
Noise-cancelling headphones
Power Bank
Compact Keyboard & Portable Mouse
Security & Access Tools [VPN / Password Manager Setup]
Local SIM Card
Reusable Water Bottle
Basic Medical & First Aid
Meeting-friendly Tops [would look neat and wrinkle-free in meetings]
Climate-friendly outfits [jackets or raincoats]
Comfortable Footwear
Vacationing Outfits
ID & Travel Documents
Final Word
A workation is not about escaping work altogether. It is about changing your surroundings while maintaining your responsibilities. With the right destination, a regular workweek can come with mountain views, beach sunsets, heritage walks or quiet evenings by the Ganga — offering a refreshing change without putting your career on pause.
