A life without having been to Goa is a life unfulfilled or so we Indians tend to believe. Goa is India’s beach paradise – a romantic gateway, a squad vacation, an ode to explore the city on a bike – whatever you are in search for, Goa will offer in galore.
As it is the place of hippie parties, magnum opus music festivals, nightlife glitz and glamour; Goa is also the place ideal place to learn yoga, meditation, reiki and a little bit of soul searching; Goa promises it all.
No wonder it drives people from all across the globe to come and experience its magic. And when you couple all this with the mesmerizing beauty of the endless blue sea, clear blue skies, lush greenery and amiable people, it demands you to stay behind and explore and not just be limited to a tourist.
Goa knows it can have such an effect on people and has thus quite a few hostels that you can choose to rent and make your humble abode for a longer trip.
Here are the list of top 10 best hostels in Goa (Places to live in Goa) & Sites For Booking Online:
Pappi Chulo
A vibrant and lively party hostel in Goa, Pappi Chulo is the place to be if you want to experience the best of the Goa lifestyle. Overlooking the sparkling Arabian Sea, this cozy hostel is just the place to settle down if what you are seeking is a great community, vibrant parties and chill vibes.
With a 5 minute walk from the Ozran beach and a 23 minute walk from the nearest bus station, Pappi Chulo has it all and in very reasonable prices too.
They have a range of diverse rooms you may choose from: dormitories feauturing bunk beds with shared washrooms, private rooms with or without air-conditioning with en suite washrooms or rooms with TV sets.
Take your pick! Ornate in colourful murals, a flourishing garden, a booming sound system to host the best parties and a bar and restaurant at your disposal, this bohemian hostel is the sure to enhance your trip experience.
Address: Ozran Beach Rd, Vagator
Phone: 090751 35343
SUMMER by the hostelcrowd
Goa popularly attracts two kinds of backpackers, ones looking for adventure, thrill and parties whilst the other kind is in search of solitude and tranquility.
Both find home in Goa’s shores. But what about the equally important but usually forgotten groups of digital nomads? SUMMER by hostelcrowd provides the perfect setting for them.
Merely a 2 km walk from the nearest train station and a 14 minute walk from the popular and gorgeous Palolem Beach, the hostel built on leafy grounds is only designated for adults.
The hostel features clean and practical rooms for mixed genders as well as for female guests only. Free Wi-Fi, a communal kitchen, a quaint café, a longue and a balcony providing stunning views of the mountains are some of its amenities. SUMMER by the hostelcrowd is the quintessential place to get your creative juices flowing.
Address: House Number 99, 1, Ourem Rd, Palolem, Canacona
Phone: 0832 264 3406
Happy Panda
A highly recommended hostel by backpackers, your stay at Happy Panda is bound to be a happy one. The USP of the hostel is that it knows exactly what Goa’s travelers are in search of and it provides so in aplenty.
Yes, Happy Panda indeed provides every facility a hostel can possibly provide, great locality, free Wi-Fi, excellent housekeeping services, private lockers and more. But the real tantalizing aspect of the hostel is its great community, friendly faces and unparalleled hospitality.
All rooms in the hostel are dormitory based and have around 6-8 bunk beds. And although they do have quite a few rooms, the popularity of this place ensures the place is always jam-packed.
But they just may pitch a tent for you in the garden which to be honest is not so bad either. Boasting of neon rooms, jukeboxes, musical instruments, books, lounges with board games, BBQ grills and hammocks under mango trees, Happy Panda is the model hostel.
Also worth mentioning the staff here guides you to the best hippie parties, something no website over the internet can.
Address: House 270, near new fish market, Madhlawada, Arambol
Phone: 096371 34331
Lazy Llama
Tempted by the name? Most are. And it keeps up with its name; dotted with numerous hammocks and shacks, there’s always a cozy spot in your vicinity for you to simply sit, drink cold beers, gorge on delectable snacks, and enjoy the company of your hostel mates.
Located just 5 minutes from the renowned Anjuna Beach, the Lazy Llama is a backpacker’s paradise. Whether it’s a group or solo trip, you’re bound to run into like-minded people here at the Lazy Llama. Also, the rates are almost too affordable for a place as amazing as this.
Address: 1654, Ozran Beach Rd, near AJ Supermarket, Vagator
Phone: 097170 00955
Water’s Edge
There’s a lot of difference between going on a solo or group trip and a couples retreat. You surely wouldn’t want to share a room for starters. You would be invariably looking for some privacy to enjoy each other’s company.
But fret not, we have just the hostel for you: Water’s Edge, the quintessential couple’s hostel. Built on leafy grounds near the quaint Sal River, this colourful hostel lies 4 km away from the nearest beach.
Rooms are spacious with air-conditioning, flat-screen televisions, free Wi-Fi connectivity and beverage making equipment. The rooms are an absolute steal considering the lenient pricing.
And what’s more? There’s a huge outdoor pool just waiting for you and your beloved to splash around in. A hostel so good that it almost feels like a resort. Just plan your trip to Goa and Water’s Edge will ensure you and your better half have the time of your life.
Address: House no 64 Dongrim Nuvem Verna Goa
Phone: +91 77 6796 6003
Hopping Frog
Running on a tight budget but just haven’t had enough of Goa yet? Pack your bags and head over to the Hopping Frog, quite easily the best budget hostel in Goa.
One may be led to believe that the prices of the place are only so low only because it is located in some obscure locality? But that could not be further from the truth, the Hopping Frog hostel is actually very well connected.
At a 15 minutes walking distance from the vibrant town of Mapusa, 10 minutes from the beach and quite close to the train station as well; the hostel doesn’t disspoint in terms of location. The rooms may be simple but they are incredibly well maintained and clean.
But the major attraction of the hostel is its uber-cool bar and café on site where they often host live music performance shows. You wouldn’t want to hang out anywhere else.
Address: Unnamed Road, Monteiro Vaddo, Anjuna
Phone: 073919 13632
JUNGLE by the hostelcrowd
Located in a lush tropical setting 12 minutes away from the beach and 4 km away from the Saturday night market, JUNGLE is an experience waiting to happen to you.
Creatively reconstructed from an old Portuguese mansion, JUNGLE is quite certainly one of the best hostels available in Goa.
They have all the regular facilities and options provided by any hostel such as co-ed and single sex dorm rooms, air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi connectivity but what makes JUNGLE oh so famous is its beautiful construction, scrumptious breakfast (complimentary), free parking, a relaxed café named Bombay Café Roasters which serves delicious food, a lovely indoor pool and yoga classes! Hard to believe all these facilities are available all under one roof at a quite affordable rate? Undoubtedly! But fortunately, JUNGLE is as real as it can get.
Address: 486, Vagator Beach Rd, Coutinho Vaddo, Vagator
Phone: 074100 69105
That Crazy Hostel
Built in a clearing around tall, full-grown palm trees, That Crazy Hostel will keep you close to Goa’s authentic natural beauty. A little away from the Calangute Beach, the vibe of the hostel keeps very much in touch with its name, you come here if you want to go a little crazy.
Doused in vibrant pop colours, the hostel holds an exquisite outdoor pool, a BBQ and sun terrace and the best staff and crowd who like to party like it’s the end of the world. If you are looking to party your worries away, you simply can’t go wrong with this place.
Comfortable beds in cheap prices, mornings spent lounging in gardens, afternoons in the pool and evenings attending live music sessions and getting amiable with people. You will never want to leave.
Address: 1049/1 A,B & C, Peddem Village Of Anjuna, Bardez, North Goa
Phone: 084484 40571
Castle House
Another one for the couples and for ones who are planning to go big or go home. Just as the name suggests, Castle house is as good as a castle. Just 900m from the picturesque Calangute Beach, the exquisite house offers spacious air-conditioned rooms, a private balcony, a seating area, a refrigerator for all your drinks and a TV, although there will be no time to indulge in your movies if you are spending your holiday here.
The restaurant serves various cuisines ranging from Indian, Chinese to authentic Goan dishes. Enjoy a game of pool, sit in a quiet corner to read a book from our collection of well-stocked books, lounge at the sun terrace, or splash around in the exquisite outdoor pool.
The bars are stocked to the brim with age old wines and all your favourite drinks. Relax, rejuvenate and live like a king this holiday season.
Address: Lavina Street Rd, Opp. Calangute Panchayat , Naikka Vaddo, Calangute
Phone: 073870 34174
Woke Hostel
A gem of a place, Woke Hostel is located in a flashy neighborhood of Arpora. The hostel is originally a colonial Portuguese mansion which has undergone some minor renovations to make it look like a modern daydream.
Containing a lush green lawn, swing chairs, a minimalistic common room and a fully equipped kitchen; the place honestly couldn’t possibly be more “woke”. Each room is beautifully decorated with the most essential and non-ornate objects and yet it manages to win over your admiration.
Mixed gender as well as female dorms are available at almost throw away prices for super comfortable and chic bunk beds. If you are looking for a quiet place to relax, get some work done and make good memories, you will find your match here.
Address: House 154, DIWAN BHATI, Behind HDFC & Dena Bank ARPORA JUNCTION, Arpora
Phone: +91 90670 04743
So there you have it, the solution to your biggest dilemma. Choose your pick from these hostels and get set to experience Goa like never before.