Goa is a fantastic place to visit at least once in your lifetime, especially if you’re a digital nomad looking for a laidback life with tropical weather all year round. Plus, there are so many adventures to experience and historical attractions to visit to fulfill your love for travel. And let’s not forget the pristine beaches and lush green forests that any nature lover will feast their eyes on!
What’s excellent about Goa isn’t just the opportunities for exploration but also because of the many work-friendly cafes offering cozy environments and fast WiFi connections. Plus, you’re near so many places without the busy, noisy city life.
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Top 10 Recommended Vacation Rentals in Goa
Goa is an interesting part of India because it was once under Portuguese rule. While that was in the past, the Portuguese influence is alive in Goa, from the pastel-colored houses to beautifully graffitied walls. You can feel the colonial Portuguese vibe in many properties in Goa, often more traditional than vacation rentals in Portugal!
Besides that, you can also unleash your wild side with all the fun and adventure or sit back and relax by the beach or café, making it a perfect destination for any kind of traveler or digital nomad. It may also be worth mentioning that booze is ridiculously cheap in Goa, and when you feel the munchies, you can easily stumble upon restaurants with delicious dishes.
The big question is: How is the accommodation situation? There are many to choose from, with places offering long-term vacation rentals that suit your budget and needs. So, if Goa is the place to be, then we recommend booking your accommodation in any of these vacation rentals:
1. 1918 by Vancasso, Anjuna
1918 by Vancasso is very convenient for those who love the beach. It’s a mere 5-minute walk, or 300 meters, from Anjuna Beach! Interestingly enough, this property is over 100 years old, and you will stay in amazingly restored villas.
Besides that, you’ll enjoy the wonders of your private villa, which includes an outdoor pool, garden, and air-conditioned rooms with a patio. All the units have a kitchen, dining area, living room, and private bathroom.
Furthermore, the entire property has free WiFi so that you can work anywhere in it. If you want to explore, you’ll be happy to know that the villa is conveniently located near Ozran Beach, Anjuna Flea Market, and Vagator Beach.
1918 by Vancasso, Anjuna Airbnb Rooms
2. Villa Mi Primero by Madvik Retreat, Anjuna
Villa Mi Primero by Madvik Retreat is another excellent private villa situated in the heart of Old Goa. It’s 600 meters away from Anjuna Beach and about 1.2 kilometers from Ozran Beach. It may be a bit far from certain tourist attractions, but the property offers car rental services and private parking for your convenience. Moreover, you are within walking distance from popular restaurants and local stores.
Villa Mi Primero has its own pool, garden, and patio. You’ll be surrounded by fantastic fauna! The entire villa has more of a European feel in the property, with cozy and vibrant designs you’ll feel comfortable in.
Madvik Retreat Official Website
3. NomadGao, Assagao
NomadGao is a popular coliving accommodation with various rooms made for remote workers and digital nomads. It is not a typical vacation rental, and is suitable for remote workers who want to mingle with like-minded digital nomads.
There are five private rooms, three studio apartments, one villa, and three budget rooms to choose from, all of which offer 24/7 access to the coworking space, along with weekly cleaning and linen changes. You can also work in the house café, have your laundry done with the common washing machine, and enjoy your privacy in a simple, comfortable room.
4. Villa Aqua Baga, Vagator
If you’re looking for more luxurious options, Villa Aqua Baga will be more suitable for you, especially if you love the beach! That said, it is two kilometers from beaches, so you will need to drive to head to stores and local tourist attractions.
This villa offers comfortable and modern-styled accommodation featuring an outdoor swimming pool, room service, a 24/7 front desk, and free WiFi throughout the property.
This spacious villa features three bedrooms and bathrooms, a dining area, living area, full kitchen, and patio with refreshing pool views.
5. La Maroma Estate, Vagator
The La Maroma Estate gives you your own individual home, which is great for long-term stays! You’ll feel right at home with this designer, as it has everything one will need to live in a place for months. It has three bedrooms and bathrooms, a private pool, full kitchen, high-speed Internet, washing machine, generator backup for power outages, air conditioning, and daily housekeeping.
The entire house is designed with contemporary styles, and you’ll be surrounded by butterflies, birds, and plants to feel refreshed as you work. While it’s a bit far from the beaches, you are within walking distance from many popular cafes and restaurants. It’s truly an escape from everything!
The Blue Kite Official Website
6. Casa Boutique Hotels, Vagator
Casa Vagator is another lovely home away from home, this time giving you beachfront accommodation and other luxurious services to have you feeling like you’re in a hotel but with more personalized service and privacy. It’s located at the edge of a cliff, so you work and dine in the Open Air Sea View Deck, which gives you unobstructed views of the Ozran Beach and the Arabian Sea.
Not only do you get comfortable and modern rooms designed with natural elements, but the staff can set you up with various activities, from tours to water sports. You’ll be minutes away from Ozran Beach and famous restaurants and clubs. It’s great for digital nomads who love the beach and party scene.
7. Little Siolim, Siolim
If you want a more traditional setting to get a taste of living like a local, then head to Little Siolim. They add touches of Goa’s culture into their rooms, with beautiful paintings, colorful furniture, and wooden elements.
It’s located in Siolim Village, which is in the middle of all the popular beaches and happenings, from trendy bars, cafes, restaurants, shopping areas, and Anjuna Beach. You can rent luxurious private villas or private rooms, all of which have free WiFi, breakfast, and lake views.
Little Siolim Official Website
8. The Mandrem House Luxury Villa, Mandrem
The Mandrem House is another luxury villa giving you the taste of the Goa culture through its uniquely-designed rooms filled with creativity and the arts. This private villa has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living area, dining area, full kitchen, and patio with pool views. The property also has an outdoor pool and bar, where you can work with their free WiFi!
You will be a mere 200 meters away from Mandrem Beach, so you can partake in many water sports and activities once you’re done with work. You’re also a few minutes drive away from churches, tourist attractions, clubs, and other beaches.
The Mandrem House Uber Luxury Villa Booking Site
9. Villa Lou, Verla
This is an authentic Goan villa that will have you feeling like you’re a local (with fast WiFi throughout the property!). You get the best of luxury and culture in this vacation rental, as it features a private swimming pool and a large garden to truly enjoy the tropical weather.
The villa has five double bedrooms with their own sitting rooms, including a mini-fridge and kettle. There is also one single bedroom, five bathrooms, a spacious living area, and a full kitchen with all the necessary appliances and laundry equipment. It’s conveniently located ten minutes from beaches and markets for your convenience.
Villa Lou Goa Official Website
10. Aaria Residency, Arambol
Aaria Residency is a boutique hotel with charming, spacious rooms, each having its own television, desk, and kitchenette. There is free high-speed WiFi everywhere, along with common areas where you can work when you’re not up for finishing projects in air-conditioned rooms. Choose between the breezy rooftop lounge or restaurant to munch on delicious food!
The beaches are less than two kilometers away from beaches, and you can speak with their concierge for them to help you set up a full day of tours and water activities.
Aaria Residency Official Website
Visa to stay in Goa as a Remote Worker
Thankfully, traveling to India isn’t difficult! In fact, there are over ten types of visas available with easy-to-meet requirements and processing. Visiting the country will be a breeze, which is something many digital nomads are after.
The most common visa people get is a tourist visa. This would require visitors to hold a valid passport for at least six months. You can apply on the official Indian government website, fill out the application form, and pay the correspondent fee, depending on where you are from and the visa you plan on getting.
The visa processing time takes about 3-7 days. If you get a tourist visa, you may get to reside in India for up to 180 days. If you want to stay for longer than your allocated time, you can always request an extension online, which is very convenient.
Please note that even if you paid for a visa and it’s easy to get one, that does not guarantee you will receive a visa. Your application is processed and reviewed, so you need to ensure that you put in all your correct information and submit all the requirements for a higher chance of being granted one. Since India is tourist-friendly, getting a visa, especially a tourist visa, won’t be as complicated as other countries.
Transportation in Goa
Going around Goa isn’t as simple as we wish to be, but it’s manageable, and you get accustomed to the system over time. However, given the tourism in the area, we hope that the transport system improves!
There are privately-owned buses you can ride to take you around Goa, from the center to remote areas. Tickets are about $0.15 for 2-3 kilometers, with bus stops scattered across the area. While cheap, most buses are old, without aircon, and with many people riding them at times. Also, you usually won’t find buses before 7:00 AM and after 7:00 PM.
You may also opt for taxis, but they are unmetered, so you may be subject to scamming! Fortunately, you’ve got reliable tuk-tuks, cheaper, and a memorable way to go around the state. Other lesser-known modes of transport are through motorcycle taxis or renting your own vehicle.
Internet Connection in Goa
As mentioned, there are work-friendly cafes with fast WiFi, though sometimes not as consistent. Unfortunately, we can’t say the same for some of the area’s hotels, guesthouses, and vacation rentals. Even if they offer WiFi, in reality, they tend to have slow or spotty connections to the point it’s nonexistent. And even if broadband plans advertise their Internet speeds of up to 50 Mbps, it isn’t easy to rely on their claims.
In addition, Goa experiences occasional power cuts. When it happens, you’re left to use power banks, mobile data, or dongles. You can easily adjust to the Internet situation, though, as you can purchase sims in India at a low price. Some plans offer 2GB daily of 4G data for less than $10 a month. We recommend using Jio or Vodafone for their reliable signal connection.
Wrapping It Up
Goa is a paradise for party enthusiasts, nature lovers, beach bums, and people who need a getaway from big cities! There are numerous coworking spaces and cafes you can work in, or you can sit by the beach to finish your projects there. Furthermore, there are various vacation rentals you can stay in that area by the beach or inconvenient locations to begin exploring the wonders of Goa right after work!
Did you get to find the perfect vacation rental to complete your trip planning? Awesome! We recommend booking it once you’re granted a visa and bought your ticket so you won’t run out of rooms or villas. Remember, Goa is a popular place for digital nomads and tourists, so you may have to book in advance, especially during the peak season.