So you’ll be traveling around Goa alone as a solo backpacker in India, and you would like to have at least some level of normal social interaction.
Or, maybe you’re just looking for a cheap place to stay! 😉
Either way, there are hostels in Goa that can give you budget accommodation and a chance to be meet people and maybe even find a travel partner to your next destination.
The beach areas listed below are where to go in Goa so that you’ll have a chance to stay at a hostel!
Also see how to spend your time in South India, including beach huts in Goa, possibly the best beach in South Goa, how to get from Goa to Kerala, the Kerala backwaters on a budget, best hostels in Kerala, and yoga retreats with ayurveda.
And for travel around other parts of India… your itinerary for backpacking North India! (Along with the best hostels in Rajasthan.)
Now…
First, WHY the listed beaches are worth visiting in Goa.
Then, a list of the best hostels in each of these places.
And, no matter where you stay in Goa…
You can make a day trip to another beach…
You can find colorful buildings…
You can eat with views of the ocean…
And you can go for a walk on the quiet village backroads!
So!
What are the best beaches for hostels in Goa?!
More like..
Where to look for hostels in Goa?
Hostels in Panjim (Latin Quarter)
Things to look for in a hostel
None of these things will make or break your stay, but they could be extra things that you may want to look for!
- Common area
- Rooftop access
- A/C
- Hot water shower
- Wifi
- Kitchen
- Filtered water provided
- Breakfast or snacks for purchase on-site
- All-female dorm room or mixed dorm
- Private room – meet people but have your own room!
There are affiliate links below. You should totally check out the pictures and reviews of these hostels in Goa.
Put in your travel dates below and you’ll be able to see the prices of all accommodation in Goa!
Hostels in North Goa
1. Anjuna Beach
This is one area you’ll want to highly consider staying if you’re visiting Goa because you want to be where the action is.
For Goa nightlife, partying, and trance music, this might be the place you want to choose.
And being where the action is also means that there are loads of budget accommodation options to choose from in Anjuna.
There’s also a famous flea market in Anjuna.
Best hostels in Anjuna
2. Vagator Beach
Vagator is another popular beach, and it’s located near Anjuna.
This can be considered one of the most scenic beaches in Goa.
Best hostels in Vagator
3. Arambol Beach
Arambol Beach is another one that can be considered to be one of the most scenic beaches in Goa.
Located in the far north of Goa, this can be an area that’s a bit less lively than Anjuna.
And that can be a good thing if you’re looking for less action during your trip to Goa.
Mandrem is another quieter beach that’s nearby Arambol that you might find to be worth a visit.
Best hostels in Arambol
4. Mandrem Beach
Or, instead of making a trip to Mandrem from Arambol, there are a couple of hostels in Mandrem too that are worth looking into.
Another beach you may want to visit if you’re staying in Mandrem is Morjim Beach.
So staying in this area gives you a few choices for some favorite beaches with less crowds.
Best hostels in Mandrem
More North Goa beaches
Baga and Calangute are also popular tourist beaches that can have more crowds, although there are a little bit less hostels in this area compared to Anjuna.
But you may consider looking into this area too.
These beaches are closer to Panjim and South Goa.
More hostels near North Goa beaches
- Bedrock Boutique hostel in Baga
- #Hashtag Rooms hostel in Calangute
- Woke Hostel in Arpora
- Backpacker Panda Goa hostel in Candolim
Hostels in Panjim
Panjim is the capital of Goa, and it’s located right in between the North Goa beaches and South Goa beaches… so basically it’s central Goa!
You might want to stay in Panjim if you’re interested in seeing a different side of Goa.
In Panjim is Fontainhas, the Latin Quarter of Goa (and India).
And, that’s where the best (and only?) hostel in Panjim is located.
This is also a good base for visiting Old Goa where you’ll find some UNESCO world heritage sites.
A beach close to Panjim worth looking into might be Bambolim Beach.
You can also make a day trip to a more popular North Goa beach from Panjim too.
Best hostel in Panjim Latin Quarter
Hostels in South Goa
South Goa is known as the more quieter side of Goa.
As a result, there really aren’t too many hostels around here either.
Palolem, Patnem, and Agonda are a few of the best beaches in South Goa for backpackers.
Of these, Palolem is the best place to go to meet others so you can stay in a hostel.
In general, South Goa can also be a good place to try staying in a Goa beach hut too if you’re not committed to staying in a hostel.
Palolem Beach
Best hostels in Palolem
HAPPY HOSTEL STAY IN GOA!
The need-to-know India travel tips!
If it's your first trip to India, be sure to see these tips for getting around India on a budget, and more! You might wait until India to buy this mosquito repellent that works for many foreigners! Also be sure to see how to spend one month in South India and 2 weeks in North India, as well as tips for the Golden Triangle. And, overnight sleeper bus travel isn't so bad, and neither is traveling in general class on the train! Also see the easy way to get an e-visa. And this is the easy way to book train tickets online as a foreigner. I've used it, and it's simple! You can just show the e-ticket on your phone.There are affiliate links on this page that lead to partner websites.
Hostels in Kerala
For a hostel with international standards in Kerala, try Zostel! Both of these hostels in Alleppey and Varkala offer ocean views from the outdoor common area! There are shared dorms and private rooms available.More Zostels in Kerala:
- Zostel Kochi
- Zostel Wayanad (hills)
- Zostel Vagamon (hills)
Zostel is a top backpacker chain across India, and I've stayed at many Zostels in India! And outside of Kerala, if you'll be passing through Gokarna as you go from Goa to Kerala (here are options of how to get from Goa to Kerala!), then Zostel Gokarna is in an amazing location too! Here are pictures from the on-site cafe that overlooks the ocean.
And then...
Where to stay on the tourist trail in Kerala
These places basically go down the coast from north to south!- Cochin: Try a homestay in the cute heritage area of Fort Kochi.
- Marari Beach: This is an "off-beat" location as Marari is mostly unknown to backpackers, but it can be a convenient stop to make between Cochin and Alleppey with chill laid back vibes. For an idea of what type of beach can be nearby, see my beach walk from Alleppey to Marari.
- Marari Nest Beach Homestay
- Homestay Marari John's Beach
- Raju Villa for solo travelers for the budget single room
- Alleppey Beach:
- Funky Art Beach House again for chill vibes with a location among locals in a residential neighborhood
- And there's Zostel Alleppey too for another beach location to stay several days
- OR if Alleppey is a quick visit, try Dream Nest to be closer to town
- And see how to spend one day in Alleppey (short version: go for the backwaters village canoe tour instead of a houseboat!)
- Alleppey backwaters:
- Try a cottage right on the backwaters
- Or a beautiful homestay practically on the backwaters, like this one or like this one
- Munroe Island: This is another generally kind of more off-beat location, and you can see a different part of the Kerala backwaters on a quiet island
- Try a cottage backwaters homestay right on the waters (and see why you should consider munroe island! short version: food, sunrise canoe tour, quiet cycling around the island)
- Varkala cliff:
- Seawin OR Prashanthi for ocean views
Retreats in Kerala
For relaxation and rejuvenation for health and wellness, also see:- Yoga retreats in Kerala
- Ayurveda retreats in Kerala - ayurveda is basically healthy living through natural herbs and remedies, and Kerala is the birthplace of ayurveda!
How to book India train tickets online as a foreigner
If you don't want to go through the complicated process of setting up an IRCTC Indian railways account as a foreigner...Then the most convenient way to buy train tickets online is through this booking website. I've used it, and it's super simple! You buy the ticket, and then show the electronic version on your phone once you're on the train. Compared to buying directly through an Indian ticket booking website (IRCTC account required) or directly at the train station in India, there is a small convenience fee, as well as a less flexible cancellation policy, though!
India tourist visa tip!
Access to India as a foreigner seems to be getting friendlier! There's an e-visa now and this visa fee is far less than it was before. See the current cost of an e-visa by selecting your country. That's a partner website to make the evisa application process less stressful - it's possible to apply on your own too. See about your options on how to get an e-visa for India.Travel insurance for India - just in case!
You get travel insurance hoping that you'll never have to use it. But if you do end up needing to use it, chances are that you will be VERY happy that you did get it! See how to figure out the cost of travel insurance for India.
