Guest Houses

guesthouses.auroville.org

It is highly advisable, in all seasons, before planning a visit to Auroville, to visit the http://guesthouses.auroville.org website. It offers a vast overview on different possibilities of accommodation in Auroville, at different levels of price, location, and comfort. They are all units of Auroville, their stewards are Aurovilians and can help you with all formalities and basic information and support in your early days in Auroville.

It should be remembered that Auroville is a non-profit, evolving community that lays stress on a quiet lifestyle that is close to nature. Although the quality of accommodation and service provided may be simple in comparison with, say, a fancy hotel outside, guests tend to enjoy the green, clean surroundings that facilitate space for oneness and inner reflection. 

Accommodation in AV can be broadly divided into 4 categories depending on your space and budget needs:

• A - basic : Accommodation with thatched roof (capsules and simple rooms). Shared bathroom. Suitable for student volunteers.
• B - standard : Simple rooms in brick with concrete or tiled roof. Shared bathroom. Rooms may have a fan. Some include access to a shared kitchen.
• C - good : Comfortable rooms with fans, mosquito protection, attached bathroom. A few have air conditioning. Some include access to a shared kitchen or include breakfast and dinner facilities.
• D - self-contained : Nicely furnished cottage or studio with attached bathroom and kitchen/kitchenette. Often with a veranda, balcony or garden. All rooms have fans and protective mesh on windows. A few have air conditioning. Daily rate may include breakfast, and laundry.

As visa requirements vary by nationality, non-Indians need to check in their country of origin well before coming to India. Normally a Tourist Visa is issued for a 6 month validity period. Anyone thinking of coming to Auroville for a longer period needs an Entry Visa.  Advice of a general nature on visa requirements for non-Indians can be obtained in Auroville from the Residents Service at the Town hall.

Any non-Indian person staying in Auroville needs to fill in an Arrival Form (CForm) within 24 hours of arrival, as per the requirement of the Indian Government. Most major guest houses will fill these CForms at the Guest House itself. All other guests can fill their CForms at the Guest Registration Services located at Town Hall (9.30 to 12.30 and 2.00 to 5.00) and Visitor's Centre (9.30 to 12.30 and 2.00 to 4.00). Sundays closed. Aurovilians are reminded that it is the responsibility of the host to see that people visiting Auroville fill in their Arrival Forms, whether the visitors are personal guests or whether the host runs a guest facility.

Foreigners coming to stay in Auroville are strongly encouraged to acquaint themselves with the culture and traditions of Tamil Nadu and India. It is especially important to respect local customs which can be quite different from those elsewhere, and include aspects like communication, dress code, and much more. Politeness and correctness in dealing with the local people is paramount, and it is good to remember at all times that one is a guest of the country.

Along the roads leading into Auroville, one encounters many guesthouses, restaurants, massage centers, etc, bearing ‘Auro’ in their names. Most of these are not associated with the city. For a full list of all accredited Auroville guests houses and home stays, please visit https://guesthouses.auroville.org.