I know some people are on a very tight budget and don’t really care if the place they stay in nice, but just want the cheapest bed they can possibly sleep in at the cheapest hotel in goa. There may be some online cheaper than this, BUT these are ones I know about personally. Goa does have cute beach huts a little pricier, but these aren’t that… these are just no frills places to stay.

So, I’m going to share the cheap hotels in Goa, the ones that are great for meeting other travelers passing through. Some will be guesthouses, some hotels, and even hostels which are the best place to meet people but funnily enough more expensive than guesthouses because of the Western novelty of it. So, here are some of the best backpacker hotels in Goa- no glitz and glamour just places to save some cash, because in reality you’ll be at the beach not your resort!

Don’t forget to pick up my Insider Guide to Goa and my Guide to India

General Goa Travel Tips

expat in goa

Best Budget Hotels in Goa

1. Prison Hostel, Anjuna

This is always jammed with travelers and is conveniently located on the way to the road the Anjuna Flea Market is on each Wednesday. It’s possible to walk to the Anjuna Beach from here. There’s a shared kitchen and no A/C. And yes, it looks like a prison inside and out. Update 2020: This hostel is permanently closed

2. Roadhouse Hostel, Anjuna

I follow this hostel on Facebook (I can’t remember why) and they are always posting pictures of their guests drinking and partying. This is also near the Flea Market, but a little more inland by the German Bakery. The bakery is another great place to meet people. It looks like a fun lively place to stay. Click here to book.

expat in goa

3. Evershine Guesthouse, Anjuna

Good location, but doesn’t have great reviews. Budget guesthouses aren’t as “westernized” I guess as hostels as the hostels are really trying to follow international standards. If you get a good price though, I do know 2 girls who stayed here and said it was “decent but loud”. At least you’ll have your own room. Click here to book.

4. Red Door Hostel, Anjuna

Another popular Anjuna hostel that is always packed. The good thing about this hostel is it’s only 500 meters from Anjuna beach so you can walk there each day (save on renting a scooter). I’ve known friends who stayed here and said it was okay. Click here to book.

expat in goa

5. Bricks and Bamboo, Anjuna

This is just near Artjuna which is my favorite Anjuna Cafe. You’ll meet lots of people! It’s got great reviews but I don’t know anyone who has personally stayed here. Click here to book.

6. The Orange House, Anjuna

I know, another one in Anjuna- but it’s the most popular place for backpackers filled with cheap accommodation. It’s right next to Orchard Supermarket which means it’s also next to the gelato place! Yum! Click here to book

expat in goa

(There are so many more in Anjuna, but I’m moving on because since I live around here I know too many and could list them for days! These are the top ones though in terms of cheapness).

7. Jungle Hostel, Vagator

I recommend this place a lot because I have had a huge amount of friends stay here, including the girls who went on the Kerala and Karnataka trips with me. They all loved it and met lots of friends here. It’s not as cheap as the others but is in a great spot in Vagator. Click here to book.

8. Old Quarter Hostel, Panjim

This is in Panjim and will be good for probably one night only. It’s got great ratings and is in the best area of Panjim called Fountainhas. Click here to book.

9. Noname Guesthouse, Arambol

Top ranked for Arambol. You can walk to the beach, have a private balcony, a nice garden, and WiFi. What else do you need? Click here to book.

dadablui goa

10. Rudra Guesthouse, Arambol

A little further from the beach than Noname but also very highly rated by friends who stayed that side of town and a great backup if Noname is booked. Click here to book.

11. Wanderer’s Hostel, Morjim

This is farther North Goa and is walkable to Morjim beach. Uniquely here you can book a hostel room or a tent! Click here to book. Click here to book.

12. Zostel, Candolim

This is a very popular and successful chain of hostels in India. They are comparable to European standards in North India, although the one in Goa is a little more basic. It has everything you need and you can walk to the beach. I have written about Zostel before. Click here to book.

zostel hostels in india

zostel hostels in india

13. Gabriel Guesthouse, Calangute

Basic guesthouse near enough to walk to the beach, very cheap but keep in mind Calangute is a more crowded area. It depends what you’re looking for. You’ll have your own room with a TV. Remember because you split cost for a guesthouse room with double bed with a friend, it’s usually cheaper than the hostels. Click here to book.

14. Jes Guesthouse, Majorda (South Goa)

This is near Margao and is 500 km to the beach (so walkable, but a little far). If you’re doing South Goa, this is the best ranked cheap place. The beach is nice but there’s not a lot around. Click here to book.

goa hotel5There are hundreds of cheap places to stay all over Goa even in the peak season. You just need to look online. If you show up in peak season you’ll see people don’t want to negotiate AT ALL because places do feel up. It’s the only time I tell people to book ahead (Nov-Feb).

I hope this helps. There are so many adorable beach shacks, but they are not this cheap. These are really just the bare bones of it. If you want cuter beach shacks I suggest booking a place like this for the first two nights, meet some people, then once you find a friend go look for a beach shack to stay with them and split the room cost with them. It’ll be cuter, probably closer to the beach, and cheaper because you’re splitting it. Read more: ultimate guide to traveling Goa.

For more tips on Goa check out my 170-page e-book, Insider’s Guide to Goa. After five years of living in Goa, I am confident this book is the most comprehensive, up-to-date guide to Goa plus it has all my secrets inside. Click here to buy it now.