Hostels in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is one of seven union territories in India. It is a group of islands located where the Bay of Bengal merges with the Andaman Sea. The territory consists of two groups of islands, namely the Andaman Islands north of 10 degrees north latitude and the Nicobar Islands south of 10 degrees north latitude. East of the islands is the Andaman Sea while to the west they are flanked by the Bay of Bengal.

The capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is Port Blair. The Nicobar Islands also have a capital town of Car Nicobar. The combined area of all of the islands is 3,185 square miles. The land is home to the Sentinelese people which is traced back to the Stone Age and does not associate with outsiders. For the rest of the population, Hindu and English are the official languages. Tourism is in its beginning stages. Therefore, it can be challenging to find a hostel in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Most of the hotels springing up cater to the rich tourist.

For your best bet of finding a hostel or economic, hostel-type accommodation, head to Port Blair, South Andaman Island. You should be able to find a night's lodging for two between $10 and $35. The rooms' furnishings and facilities may well be basic, but you will most likely only sleep and shower there. Since wifi is hard to come by in the region, you might as well leave your devices at home. There are so many opportunities to snorkel, scuba dive, sea-walk, and pursue all kinds of other sea activities by the many beaches, you won't be missing your connection to the virtual world.

Here you can also take advantage of the Andaman Water Sports Complex where they offer Glass-Bottom Semi-Submarine, Banana Boat, and Speed Boat Rides. Additionally, you can practice your jet ski skills, set your eyes on the statue of Rajiv Gandhi, or catch a ferry to one of the other islands.

Close by, you will find the Cellular Jail Complex. It tells the history of Indian and British freedom fighters who were taken prisoner. Be sure to watch the Sound and Light Show presented in English as well Hindi.

Then you can head over to the Kalapani Museum, a three-story building wherein photos and dioramas visually tell the story of the region's struggle for independence and the subsequent changes.

After your busy day of history and fun in the sun, choose from the numerous restaurants in the capital city for some amazing Indian vegetarian or seafood dishes. Then head back to your hostel by the beach and fall asleep to the lulling sound of the sea.

Handwritten by local expert for Andaman & Nicobar Islands hostels Jakob Lombardi