Goa Prices

« Today we spent the whole day in southern Goa. We did it this way: for $60, we rented a car with air conditioning and a great driver in a white shirt (which is very important) who spoke excellent English. We visited the ancient Portuguese fort with stunning views, where we took plenty of amazing photos, cruised along the coast, and made stops at less crowded beaches.

The vibe is totally chill, and the pace is relaxed compared to the north. The north is all about parties, bars, restaurants, shops and it’s bustling until the morning, while here in the south, things calm down as it gets closer to sunset. In terms of cleanliness and beauty, the southern beaches are superior to the northern ones. The water is crystal clear, and the sand is so fine it feels heavenly underfoot, not to mention the colorful beachfront hotels that add to the charm.

After lunch, we rented a boat for 1.5 hours and went to explore the nearby islands. The cost was $20 for both of us, which seemed pretty reasonable (considering the time spent). We were the only ones out there. The beautiful beaches, where we swam and then headed to see some dolphins. We only spotted one dolphin, but it was close enough to really enjoy.

In the pictures, you can see my friend who was really eager to just lay on the beach and relax. But I think she missed out. She should have immersed herself in the local culture, go on adventures, and experience India, instead of just trying to chill. You kind of miss out on all the exciting chaos if you only want to relax, right?

By the way, you can get the same experience here locally for about $20, and everything is included—the beauty of the place and even a marine excursion, but you'd have to take the bus to get there. We almost considered it but decided last minute that we’d run out of time, so we organized a private tour instead, since we’re heading further north to Kalangunt tomorrow, and it wouldn’t make sense to come back.

Enjoy the photos and relish the beauty of another Goa! »

« Tomorrow marks a month of my stay here 😊. For me, this is the perfect time to enjoy life in northern Goa. I'm sharing my impressions/observations and useful tips with you. Since I will be here for another month 🎉, I’m excited to invite you to this beautiful place in India 🌞🌴. By the way, at the beginning of March, a group is gathering here, so there's still a chance to join us!

So, let's start! 💫 The warm and clear Indian Ocean, gentle waves, lovely sandy beaches perfect for families and those who love to feel the sand between their toes :) 🌊. The ideal climate: sunny days with temperatures around 30-32°C, evenings around 27, and pleasant cool nights. After February 15, it does start getting a bit warmer. However, the humidity is very comfortable.

Food! Tropical fruits and vegetables, fresh local cuisine are delicious! Portions are generous, and the products are fresh. We order and taste it all together! By the way, in many places, the chefs are Nepalis, and in my observation, they prepare much better Indian food. Don't forget to say "No spice!" if you don't want it spicy ;)

Low prices. Everything! Of course, everything depends on your desires. However! Great accommodation on the coast can be found for 6-12 USD per day (or 200-300 USD a month for a person)! Enjoy tasty and filling meals in cafes for around 4 USD, rent a bike for 5 USD a day (150 USD a month). Sipping fresh juices or coconuts at the beach costs about 1.25 USD, and sunbeds are almost everywhere free. You can join dances or other events for an entry starting at 2.5 USD. Taxis, known as "expensive," run about 7 USD on average, while bike taxis are 2.5-4 USD.

Internet! Practically available in all cafes and hotels, there's excellent wi-fi. Mobile connectivity is also decent but can vary depending on the operator.

After you relax on the beach, you can visit various Indian temples, Catholic churches, old forts, and more from Portugal's 450-year rule, which leave a significant mark. Enjoy the spice plantations, national parks, waterfalls, and tropical jungles. You must see elephants, gaurs, and dogs! Surfing, kite surfing, diving, and other activities await those who love adventure. Choose what suits your taste! »

« When an Indian hairstylist brings beauty... I had this experience at a local salon for around $2.50 (that's approximately $2.50). They did just as well as a typical barbershop. 😊 »

« Continuing to share about India 🇮🇳 • transportation •
The cost of gasoline in India is approximately $0.76 per liter.
A bus ride costs around $0.12.
Most people get around on bikes and scooters.
There's also transportation that takes you across the river in Padmini (a local area) and is completely free of charge.
Taxis tend to be relatively expensive compared to public transportation; you can make a journey for about $0.12 on a local bus, whereas the same trip by taxi might cost around $12.
We didn't use taxis much—only at the beginning and for an evening festival.
In India, roads and streets are often not illuminated by streetlights.
You can often see 5-6 people riding on a two-wheeler scooter going through town. »

« Today we went shopping for gifts, and as expected with local customs, it wasn't exactly our usual routine. 🤔😕🤔 But it turned out to be quite the experience! For an item priced at around $13, we were told it cost $10. The sellers were amazed at our bargaining skills and lowered the price to $12, to which we insisted it was too expensive, and eventually they left. Then they came back to us, urging us to buy, and we kept stating it was $10, posing for selfies with them (apparently, selfies with a foreigner brings them good luck). They seemed really happy about it, took photos with us, and as we chatted about where we were from, the price dropped to about $9.

After that, they offered to let us taste some tea right in the shop, sharing their customs while we shared ours. The automatic pricing ended up being $5, and by then we were singing songs for $4. At this point, we were already getting friendly with their kids and enjoying the moment 😃😄😅. A super gift for just $1! »

« Third day in Goa☀️
We traveled far and wide to get to Arambol, which is simply amazing. There are not that many people on the beaches, lots of cool hippies everywhere, a relaxed vibe, stunning landscapes, the remains of an ancient volcano, and crystal clear water.✨
We went to the night market; it has its own atmosphere, of course.
Everyone is shouting and trying to get your attention, they grab you by the sleeves and offer something for $1-2, or they just want to tell you that you have an awesome tattoo or outfit. 🙈
In the middle of the market, prices are reasonable, and they have live music from some unreal bands, all cool musicians playing, everyone is dancing and smiling. It’s just infectious... kaaaaf! 😊 »

« A typical way to get around in Goa is by scooter, which now costs around 400 rupees (about 8 dollars) per day. My friend mentioned that she took motorcycle riding lessons. Now there's no escaping; she'll be driving us around the area!  »

« I bought myself a cute sundress))) With prices like these, it's a shame to pass by))) And it's so nice to wear in the heat! »

« We rented some old clunkers, but it was just $1.80 for the entire day! »

« Shopping vibes for the girls! 😊 Here it’s happening on an industrial scale. Bags, leather, sheepskin coats – of course, Ayurvedic medicines, spices, and the bestsellers like rum and coconut oil. Some even have space left for fruits! 🍍 But I didn’t notice that so-called cheapness of brands here. It’s the same or even more expensive. Just a reminder, the exchange rate puts the ruble on par with the rupee! 💸 »

« There's no duty-free in the airport. Just a couple of kiosks with prices three times higher than the shops in Goa, so you have to spend all your money before entering the airport ☺ »

« Day 12. 🎒
In this red backpack, I have all the essentials for my 2-week journey. Half the bag is filled with cameras, and the other half with toiletry bags (personal hygiene and first aid kits), a pair of shorts, a couple of t-shirts, and plenty of underwear. 😄✊ If I ever feel nostalgic for fresh clothes, hand-washing is always an option!
I gave away the clothes I arrived in India with to a local friend. I thought she would throw them away, but she kept them.
Traveling light is super convenient, and every time I think I need to pack even less.
I already bought some necessary items in Delhi (pants, a t-shirt, flip-flops, a towel) and spent about $6. I also grabbed a blanket from the airplane, thinking I could take it with me (especially since I spilled my tea on it a few times).
Not sure I’ll bring all this back home! 😅
For my Asian trip, this setup is just perfect. 👌🏻 »

« Today our Magnificent Nine 👯👬👭👫 went to the evening Indian #market 🎠 #ArporaNightMarket... Oh wow, did we make some great trades today! 😱 So funny! We bought delicious aromatic teas, spices, souvenirs, cool and unique Indian clothes, and jewelry 🙌👘🎀💍🎁... we also enjoyed tasty food, soaked in the local concert, and danced a lot :-). There were #lots of people! What’s unique is that everywhere you smell herbs! 🍀💭 ...and that's perfectly normal here... it's no longer surprising! 😉 »

« We moved into a bungalow right by the shore, paying 130 rupees for two. Today we visited the Thursday fruit market, and the prices are astonishing! 1 kg of bananas - 20 rupees, 1 kg of mandarins - 25, 1 kg of cucumbers - 30. A big green pepper - 50, papaya - 20, and strawberries - 25 per box! (: »

« Here was supposed to be a text about a magical sunset. But instead, a little bit about life in Goa. Goa is the abbreviation of a hard-to-pronounce word in Hindi. Whether it's Gomanta, Gomančala, Gopakapatta, Gopakāpūrī, Govapuri, or even Goparaṣṭra. They say one of the meanings is "land of shepherds." It's definitely not an island, but the smallest state in India. Here live about 1.5 million "shepherds" who spend half the year in tourism and the other half in agriculture. One taxi driver confessed that during the monsoon season, he just stays home doing nothing.

The average daily income for such a taxi driver ranges from 600 to 1200 rupees (about $7 to $14). The average salary in India is around $150. The country isn't as poor as it seems; there's a lot of useful minerals, vegetation, and almost everything is exported. But unfortunately, like in many developing countries, there's an incurable plague called "corruption" ruling here. 😔 »

« Wednesday in Goa is a fantastic opportunity to visit the flea market—it's a market that operates every Wednesday in Anjuna. A taxi from Calangute costs around $5. Taxi drivers may offer to take you there and back for $12 with a one-hour wait, but don’t agree to that; one hour at this market isn’t enough! The products here are pretty much the same touristy stuff you find everywhere: elephants, carpets, clothing, souvenirs... But the sellers are more than willing to negotiate. Prices drop significantly when you turn to leave, and you’ll hear them calling after you with offers like $12, $10, $7. Bargain hard and aim to reduce the price by about three times, have a chat with the seller, and they’ll warm up to you! 😊 »

« To top up the internet, I had to take a breezy bus ride to the next station for just 5 rupees per person ;) The Vodafone mafia is real in Palolem! »

« Time to get souvenirs from travelers :) Mmm, here it is, the taste of Goa - Old Monk. Quite a drink for $1.80 😜 »

« Shopping in Arambol! Today I realized that when you travel to such an exotic country, you really don’t need to bring any clothes! Even the simplest clothing from back home feels glamorous here! You can just head to the local market and for about $12, you can get yourself fully dressed and shod! 🎉👗👟 »

« Heat and one liter of gasoline costs 70 rupees, and the rupee equals the ruble. »

« In just two weeks, I changed 5 rooms, with prices ranging from $5.50 to $33 per night. Since yesterday, I've been staying in this lovely place ☺️. With the sunrise, the birds sing like in the jungle. »

« An Indian woman was drawing something on my hand. She asked for 1500 rupees, but we bargained down to 400. »

« "For breakfast, vitamins! With our $1, we bought pineapple, grapes, bananas, and pomegranates. All natural and incredibly tasty!" »

« Our cozy bungalow with hot water, a spacious bed, and an amazing patio, all for just $8. Considering there are two of us, that’s only $4 per person—not too much, right? 😊 »