If you think of a backpacking trip to Goa, you came to the right place. Goa, India’s party destination, is a wonderful treasure mine of culture, art, and architecture yet being the country’s smallest state. More than 101 km of tropical beaches cover Goa each with its unique atmosphere of the laid-back beach bum lifestyle.
In my opinion, Goa is one of India’s top backpacking destinations. It’s simple to meet other visitors, has a lively nightlife, and is easy to get around.
Backpacking in Goa is unlike other regions of India. It’s easier to travel in because it’s more relaxed and lacks the overpowering hustle and bustle like other parts of the country. I found Goa a much less intense and relaxing backpacking destination. For this reason, it’s ideal for solo female travelers looking to travel to India.
This backpacker’s guide to Goa is filled with information on where and what to do, including ideas for the best beaches, accommodations, dining, and nightlife, and helpful ideas on when to go, how to get around, how to budget, and much more!
Where To Go: North Goa vs South Goa
All of Goa’s beaches have their distinct atmosphere and charm. South Goa is often quieter, less developed, and calm, thus making it an ideal spot to unwind. While, North Goa, on the other hand, is the place to go for nightlife, markets, watersports, and a wider selection of accommodation, entertainment, and food choices.
South Goa is known for being less commercialized, which means less congested and more peaceful. As a result, it is the ideal location for a relaxed holiday in which to take things slowly. If you want to be where the action is, head towards North Goa enjoying nightlife, markets, water sports, and everything in between.
However, there are several popular beach fronts and parties in South Goa, and also a few hidden areas in northern Goa.
Beach parties and fantastic restaurants are evenly scattered around the state, making it easy to locate somewhere to dance all night. Goa also has a variety of backpacker hostels to choose from. Great hostels exist in Goa, each with its unique style and charm.
For those looking to splurge in Goa, book a premium resort. There are numerous up-market options in Anjuna, including uniquely created suites and accommodations with themed décor. Goa offers interesting rooms located amidst tropical forests with large swimming pools and amazing restaurants and bars, but if you travel during the tourist season, you should book in advance of time. One can also reserve a gorgeous Portuguese villa, which can be costly but well worth the trip.
Suggested Tour: Beaches of Goa
What To Do: Here are some activities backpackers may do in Goa
1. Beaches
The biggest attraction in Goa is its beautiful beaches. One can spend time sunbathing, swimming, engaging in adventurous water sports, or simply eating and drinking to their heart’s content at one of the many beachside shacks for very little money.
The best thing about Goa’s beaches is that they all have a unique character, and beach hopping to find the one you like best may be a fun experience.
2. Rent A Motorbike
This is one of the most popular ways to explore Goa, especially if you can get your hands on the coveted Indian motorbike, the Royal Enfield! It costs roughly INR 300 per day, which is reasonable.
Goa is much more than its beaches, and discovering its legacy is the greatest way to find what distinguishes Goa as an Indian state with a diverse culture. On a journey, you’ll see glimpses that make Goa feel like India but remain distinct. The usual sights include green paddy fields, cows grazing around, and strict white Portuguese churches.
Goa’s lively marketplaces are full of active people and colorful Hindu temples, quiet fields, crumbling historical buildings, colonial architectural ruins lining the seas, and a refreshing sea air! All of this and more reflects the beauty of Goa.
3. Yoga
Goa is a great place for people who want the yoga lifestyle. Yoga is everywhere in Goa, practicing it every morning will transform your life! Visitors can also try Ayurvedic therapies and medicines for rejuvenation, which have no adverse effects and are entirely plant-based.
4. Shopping
Anjuna’s flea market is ideal for improving one’s haggling skills. On Saturday nights, explore Arpora and Vagator markets, which offer much more than hippy stores with colorful clothes. On top of the hippy chic, there’s live music and plenty of food vendors where you can try Goa’s tastiest foods.
5. Trance Parties
Goa, known for its trance parties, is among the best in the country when it comes to amazing psychedelic trance events. Goa is the country’s party center, where you can dance the night away to fantastic fusion music, techno, or the latest Bollywood hits!
How To Save: While Goa Backpacking
1. Where to Stay in Goa?
Backpacker Hostels
Hostels in Goa are quite inexpensive, ranging between 4 and 10 USD per night. Dorm accommodations may be had for as little as $2 per night at places like Bunkker in Vagator and That Crazy Hostel in Anjuna.
Hostels are plentiful in backpacker hotspots such as Arambol, Anjuna, and Vagator, but as you travel south to beaches like Agonda and Palolem, the number of dorm spaces decreases.
You may also have difficulty finding a place to stay in Baga and Calangute, as these beaches cater mostly to package tourists.
Beach Huts
The prices of beach huts vary greatly, but you usually receive what you paid for. Beach huts start around $8 per night, but you may get cheaper rates if you avoid booking in advance and instead show up and negotiate.
Many beach huts are taken down for the monsoon season and may vary from season to season, so the selections available online are far from exhaustive.
Budget Hotels and Guesthouses
If you look online, you’ll notice that affordable hotels in Goa start at roughly $12 per night. However, many of the best low-cost guesthouses are not available online. If you want to find an extremely cheap location to stay, I recommend going up, strolling about to assess your options, and negotiating a deal.
2. What to Eat in Goa?
Classic Indian foods are plentiful in Goa; they are inexpensive, excellent, and will satisfy your cravings. Try the seafood options alongside the classic Indian bread Roti. Goan food is a blend of Konkan and Portuguese influences that distinguishes it from other Indian cuisines. Goa, like the rest of India, has a diverse choice of various street foods with variable costs and cleanliness standards.
3. How to Get Around in Goa?
By Scooter/Motorbike
One of the most convenient methods for getting around Goa is to rent a scooter or motorbike. At around $4 each day, it’s excellent value for money and gives you the flexibility to explore as you like.
If you drive your scooter away from the beach, you may discover green rice paddies, Hindu temples, ancient forts, dazzling villages, farms, markets, and more!
By Bus
You may travel across the whole of the state on public buses. These buses will take you to all of the state’s main tourist destinations, and also to the most beautiful beaches.
There are bus stops everywhere, and the names of where they will stop are written on the front side of the bus, making it simple to use. They’re also inexpensive, costing around 0.15 USD for each 2 – kilometers.
However, because the majority of buses in Goa are somewhat old, it can get extremely hot inside due to the lack of fans or air conditioning. It might also be an extremely bumpy trip. Buses in Goa run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., so keep that in mind if you plan to go out in the evening.
By Taxi
Taxis are one of the most costly modes of transportation in Goa, but they are also the most convenient and time-saving. Unfortunately, there is no meter system, so you must negotiate a price in advance, which can lead to tourists being lied to out of extra money.
Best Time to Visit Goa
The best time to make a trip to Goa is between November to February when the weather is normally mild and dry. This is also peak tourist season; if you visit during the off-season, you may discover that there is little to do.
However, during Christmas, New Year’s, or Russian Orthodox New Year (Goa is highly popular with Russians), prices will rise and accommodations will fill up rapidly. Goa is usually best avoided around this time unless you wish to spend Christmas and New Year there.
Other Indian public holidays are sure to bring large crowds to the beach for a few days.
March to May can be extremely hot, while June to September is the rainy season, which is best avoided unless you prefer sitting on the beach in the rain.
Suggested Tour: Golden Beaches of India
Suggested Tour: North India With Goa
