Goa Trip on a Budget: All You Need to Know

 Summer is right around the corner and after the summer of 2020, we gotta make this one count. What better place to do that in India’s designated life of party - Goa!

As tempting as it is to leave everything behind and spend a week chilling by the beach, it comes at a price and a pretty expensive one at that. But at Staybloom we want everyone to celebrate unbarred in style. So here’s our guide to making the most out of the summer breeze without letting the wind hit your pockets.

1. Reaching Goa

Two of the heftiest expenses in Goa that really sting are getting here and then moving around in the state.

Let’s address the first one. Plane tickets charge exorbitant rates, especially if you are traveling during peak vacation season. One way around this is to book your tickets a month or two in advance. This helps you find the best rates and also ensure that your plans don’t get canceled ;)

You could also check train schedules and if you are not very far from the state, choose to travel by rail.

2. Traveling Within the State

Now talking about actually getting to places in Goa, we recommend three options primarily. The first is travel by local buses. The reason this is our favorite is that you get to see a lot more of the Goa culture in public transport and they might even lead you to stop at amazing places you wouldn’t have noticed before.

If you are going to do this, be sure to pick an accommodation that is close to a bus stop otherwise you will waste way too much time on your daily commute.

 

The second thing you can do is, rent a 2-wheeler for your stay here. This will allow you the freedom to go wherever, whenever - without having to worry about bus schedules. However, the biggest con with this is that parking charges in a lot of tourist places can be in the higher range. There have also been reports of lenders unscrupulously charging extra for their scooters on claims of scratches to the vehicle.

But of course, if you can handle these, go right ahead!

The third option is only valid if you are coming here for a day or two and are very sure about where you want to spend your time. When you are only here for Baga beach, you can skip the traveling altogether and get a budget hotel right next to it! More on these later.

3. Food and Drinks

Being a popular tourist destination, restaurants and bars don’t shy away from overpricing their menu - especially in North Goa.

If you choose to go to the most popular joints in the state, you will end up splurging way more than you need to. A good alternative to this that allows you to still enjoy these places and watch how much you are spending is filling yourself up before getting there.

You can choose to stay at hotels that charge their menu reasonably and fill yourself just enough here before leaving your room. That way, you can still have a little something outside but avoid an expensive meal. 

The same goes for drinks. You will find a lot cheaper options at shops rather than restaurants and a little pre-boozing will save you from unreasonable charges at a club.

4. Free Activities

Of course, there’s a lot more you can do in Goa to relax than wasting away at a party. You can choose to spend just a calm day at a beach, go for a trek on the state’s beautiful green mountains, enjoy the beautiful forts and waterfalls, or go church hopping.

Goa has been highly influenced by the Portuguese and every Church is a unique architectural marvel that you won’t find in other parts of India. The state is also known for its night markets through which you can walk and just revel in the color and culture.

You can also choose to go walking around old Goa towns and speak with locals about the amazing life away from the tourist beaches. 

All of this is to say that if you want to have fun in Goa, there is more than one way to do it, and each offers a distinct experience to fall in love with.

5. Choose a Budget Hotel

After having discussed everything from how you will get here to what you will do here, you gotta decide where you want to stay.

Some of the cheapest options in the state are hotels or stay-ins with locals, but the problem with these is that it can be really difficult to find a reliable one that is actually clean and decently maintained. Another issue here is that you will end up doing a lot of your own housekeeping, which really doesn’t scream relaxing vacation. 

One of the best alternatives to these is staying in a concept hotel. At Staybloom, we provide you everything that you go to a hotel for but at prices that don’t leave your mouth hanging. 

Recognized as one of the best hotels in Goa by travelers all over the world, we didn’t earn that status with a luxury heritage but by providing modern living solutions.

All of our rooms are extremely well maintained by our staff and we are well equipped with everything you will need - from free Wifi to iMac stations to a bar. Even after providing everything that an above-average hotel in Goa gives you, we keep our prices below average. 

The biggest advantage to staying with us is not the amenities though, but our well-selected locations. Our hotels are within walking distance of the best beaches and bus stops, thus allowing you to save in other aspects of your trip too!

So if you are planning a vacation to Goa anytime soon, be sure to hit us up and we will hook you up with the best most reasonable options in town!