I ended up in Goa after a failed job switch and just needed to reset. Had about 400 bucks left in my account, so I bought the cheapest ticket from Mumbai and told myself I’d figure it out. Spent the first night on a bench near Palolem with my backpack as a pillow and honestly didn’t even care because the stars were nuts. The next day I found a homestay through someone I met at a chai stall. No AC, but clean and safe and like 300 rupees a night. After that I started keeping track of every rupee and got really good at spotting budget eats (look for steel plates and plastic chairs lol). Buses were confusing at first but once I learned how to ask locals, it saved me so much. I didn’t touch alcohol the whole trip just to keep costs down and ended up waking up early and doing sunrise hikes instead. Still one of my favorite travel memories and I barely spent anything.
- ABSA Towers, Loita Street, 16th Floor
- Info@Ngaaf.go.ke
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Totally get what you’re saying, I did my first solo backpacking trip through Goa last year and learned a lot the hard way. I had a better idea of what to expect thanks to reading https://allaboutgoa.com/travel/backpacking-through-goa-on-a-budget-tips-for-2025/ before I left. That page really helped me with small but smart tips, like avoiding beachfront hostels if you want quiet and saving a ton by staying just a few streets inland. Also, the food tip was spot on—those beach cafés charge triple for stuff that’s not even that good. I started going to local canteens where cab drivers eat and never looked back. Scooters are super useful, but I also used buses when it made sense (Mapusa to Arambol is like 20 rupees lol). I skipped the big beach parties and found way cooler spots like silent discos or local music nights. That site also had reminders like carrying a small filter bottle so you don’t spend on plastic and staying in guesthouses where you can cook your own food if you want to stretch your budget. My advice: less planning, more flexibility. Goa’s vibe is super forgiving if you’re open to talking to people and being a bit spontaneous. You don't need much to have a good time there if you're willing to live simple
Some of my best decisions came from trusting random moments on the road. But sometimes those same moments go sideways real fast. There's a fine line between spontaneous and reckless when you're far from home with a light wallet.
