How to plan a Budget Trip to Goa ? 

Goa is a popular tourist destination in India known for its beaches, nightlife, and cultural heritage. Even though, there are many budget-friendly options for accommodation and activities are available in Goa, including guesthouses, hostels, and budget hotels. People think Goa is an expensive place and avoid visiting their favorite travel destination because of it, if you are one too. We have answers to all your queries in this budget friendly goa trip itinerary. 

How to visit Goa on a budget?

First, let me reassure you that each of the tips that I am about to share with you is one that I have tried and tested plenty of times. Travelling to Goa using these budget hacks has always helped me save thousands and thousands of rupees! 

So here is how you can visit Goa on a budget – 

Travel in the shoulder seasons

I will not be ridiculously harsh on you and tell you to travel to Goa in the summer when the temperatures touch 40 degrees celsius and visiting any beach would only equal getting yourself burnt. 

But that said, if you want to save your hard-earned (or hard-borrowed!) cash, you need to avoid Decembers. In terms of costs, a typical ‘Goa in December budget’ is usually at least 75% to 100% higher than Goa in any other month. Therefore, it is best to avoid this time if you don’t have a high budget. 

The best months to travel to Goa are the shoulder season months of late October and early March or any period close to these shoulder-season days as possible. 

Choose to travel on weekdays

If you plan on visiting Goa for just about 3-4 days, make sure you choose weekdays instead of weekends. 

Most working people tend to visit Goa on weekends. Thus, the weekend is the best time for the hotels, clubs and restaurants in Goa to make their moolah!

That’s precisely why most of these places have steeper rate cards for guests visiting them on weekends. 

But, if you want to stick to your budget, you need to steer clear of these traps. Basically, avoid being in Goa on weekends!

What do you risk missing out on? Long waiting periods outside restaurants and clubs, terrible customer service and the company of angry, disheartened guests! 

Base yourself in South Goa

There is a widespread misconception that South Goa is for oldies and family travellers while North Goa is for party-goers and youngsters. 

But the truth is that North Goa is for typical tourists and South Goa is for real travellers. This means that North Goa is full of eateries, party places, clubs and joints that only cater to tourists. Most of the areas in North Goa are crowded, over-priced and almost always disappointing. 

The beaches in North Goa have lost all of their natural charm on account of their over-exploitation by tourists. 

And the biggest reason to avoid North Goa is the high price of its resorts, hotels and homestays. The accommodation close to Baga, Calangute and Anjuna is significantly overpriced and offers very little value for money. 

Stay in hostels or homestays

The numero uno reason why Goa is such a popular destination is its ‘chilled out’ or sushegaat vibe. The shacks along the beaches, the many cafés and restaurants and the full-moon parties give Goa its charm. 

There aren’t many places in India that exhibit this vibe and that have the infrastructure that Goa has to make chilling, relaxing, hanging out or partying so much fun. 

And the best way to absorb this fun, relaxed vibe is by meeting new people and being ‘available’ for interaction with locals and fellow tourists.