How to Rent a House in Goa on a Budget

Portuguese house in Goa during monsoon season

How to Rent a House in Goa, India

Or….. How to Live in Paradise for Less Than £10 a Day ($16)!?

Fed up of cold, grey winters and the daily grind? There is another option and it’s totally affordable  … Let me show you how to rent a house in Goa!

Welcome to Goa, India

India, along with other countries in the South East Asia and among the cheapest places to travel in the world and boast tropical beaches, delicious food, friendly people, fascinating and colourful cultures, a low cost of living and year round warm climates. See why I love Goa so much and think its the best place on the planet here. 

If you are fed up of the cold, expensive monotony of winter and want to live in a tropical paradise on the cheap, South Asia is where you want to be – where it is possible to live in paradise for less than £10 a day (or about $16)

ashvem beach goa
Ashwen Beach in North Goa

I want to debunk the common misconception that travel is expensive, in Goa it’s not difficult to lead a comfortable life style in a beach paradise for only £10 ($16) a day and many Westerners return year after the year and stay for a whole 6 month season or more.

How to rent a house in Goa - or how to live in paradise for less than £10 a day
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Living in Goa

There’s really nowhere else like Goa – here’s why I think Goa is the best place on the planet.

I’ve rented a cute little house in Goa and I love living in Goa. Every day I wake up feeling so so lucky to be here in the warm sunshine, to have the luxury of freedom and time to just relax or pursue my passions and honestly, it really doesn’t cost the earth!

So, I’m going to break down my costs of living (in Indian Rupees (INR) and show you how you can find a little place in Goa too.

Peering through the gate at our cute little house in Goa
Peering through the gate at our cute little house in Goa

First Step – Get to Goa!

The first step is to save up some money, negotiate as much time off as possible, or even better work remotely online, take a sabbatical, or quit all together!

Apply for a 6 or 12 month Indian Tourist Visa (here’s my step by step guide to help you) , make that decision, take the leap of faith and book a flight to India – and that’s the hardest part done! (In season there are direct flights from the UK with Thomson and Thomas Cook.

You can find flights to India for the UK for less than £400 return outside of peak season, I always use Skyscanner to search for the best deals and get the best price by being flexible with dates and using the whole month search to find the cheapest days to fly.)

Finding a House to Rent in Goa

Do a little research on where you think you would like to be based or take a few days to explore Goa, each beach and community has a different vibe, from package holiday hordes in Baga and Calangute to happy and hippy Anjuna/Vagator and Arambol to beach hut bliss in the every popular Palolem to the wide, laid back, Russian dominated sands of Mandrem and Morjim.

Because all the beaches are different, the best beach for you will depend on what you are looking for, so to help you I put together this guide on the best beaches in Goa.  and a post on my favourite hotels and places to stay in Goa and you may also find my Budget Guide to Goa helpful too.

old goan house
I loved this old Portuguese villa – but it requires way too much work. Luckily there are many more budget options in a better state of repair!

The best time to come and have the best pick of accommodation is when the dry season and tourist season is just starting up in November.

It’s best to get to Goa to start your house hunt as the cheap places are not listed online, only the over priced villas for tourists who don’t know any better.

If you do want to book online Air BnB and Flipkey have got quite a few nice options in Goa which might be ideal if you are just coming for a short time and want to have all the comforts of a house but don’t have the time to search out a longer rental. If you want to check out Air BnB click this link to get $25 off your first booking! 

If you want to stay in Arambol there are some apartments listed on this site. You could also check out OLX and there are also several groups on Facebook for renting houses.  However, you could get a much better deal if renting for a month or more by coming an negotiating off line and with anything in India it’s always best to check the place out for yourself before parting with any money.

Once you arrive find a cheap guest house for a couple of days and hire a bike to scout out the area. Ask around to find a cheap guesthouse or if you want to book in advance Booking.com has the cheapest rates.

Once you find an area that you like look for the little ‘house to rent’ signs and ask around in the shops and restaurants and check out a couple of places before you make any commitments. If you work online or need the internet it can be hard to find somewhere with a decent connection in Goa – read this first about the difficulties of being a digital nomad in Goa.

house for rent anjuna 2
Look for the little house to rent signs around Goa

Usually you can find a short term, casual, verbal arrangements – no contracts to sign, just check the place out, give a copy of your passport and fill out a registration form like you would do when checking into a hotel in India and pay the agreed price a month up front.

I’ve never paid extra for bills either, they are included in the rent, but each landlord might have slightly different ‘rules’. Its very hard for foreigners to legally buy property in India so I’m not even going to go into that.

Cost of Accommodation in Goa

A basic private room in a guest house with an attached (probably cold water only) bathroom only a few minutes walk from the beach should cost about 500 INR per day and you could negotiate a lower rate if staying more longer term. You should be able to get a small, basically furnished, 1 bedroom house for between 10,000 and 20,000 INR a month.

goa house collage
A peak into our house in Anjuna, Goa. We are renting this for 17,000 INR per month (about £170 or $275)

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How to rent a house in Goa, India

Getting Around Goa

Once you’ve found the perfect little place to hang your sarong for a few months you’ll probably want to get out and explore – the captivating Indian culture is what makes me return to Goa rather than the beaches of Thailand or elsewhere but you need to get off the beach and explore the palm tree hinterland to find it so your going to need some wheels.

Indian roads can be a little tricky at first but remember might is right (meaning the biggest vehicle has the right of way) expect the unexpected and use your horn (a lot!) and you will soon see a method in the madness. For more tips read my tips on how to survive riding a motorbike in India. 

Anna Royal Enfield-1-2
Goa has some beautiful quiet roads to explore and enjoy a motorbike ride

It’s really easy to rent a scooter, motorbike or even an iconic Royal Enfield in Goa, its about 250 – 300 Rs a day or 4,000 – 5,000 a month for a scooter if you are taking it more long term. Enfields are about 500 Rs a day or 15,000 a month.

Again it’s usually a casual affair with no paper work or contracts to sign. It’s best to have an international driving license though to avoid fines from the police who sit on the bridge to the capital, Panjim just waiting to pull over tourists.

Renting a car is also possible (usually comes with a driver). The longer you rent a scooter the cheaper it will be and petrol is pretty cheap too, its best to buy it in the petrol station but you can find it sold in bottles by the side of the road all over.

The first time you buy petrol from a little shack in a plastic bottle is a weird experience but it’s great that you are never far away from some juice!

royal enfield house in goa
With a Royal Enfield motorbike outside our cute little house in Goa

If you’re not comfortable with riding a scooter consider a bicycle, or the local bus is only 15 INR for a half an hour ride from the beach into the nearest town or taxis can be 100 for a short trip or 2,000 INR for a whole day hire if you wanted to go sightseeing all around Goa.

Cost of Transport

You should be able to find a little scooter for 5,000 INR per month, but a motorbike or Royal Enfield will cost more. 200 INR will fill up the tank and I find that is enough to keep me buzzing from beach to beach and into town for about a week. The daily rental for a scooter is about 300 INR

Eating and Drinking

So you’ve settled down in a little corner of Goa to call your own, your tans coming on nicely, there is sand beneath your toes and salt water in your hair. You’ve started to get to know the area well and already got a couple of favourite restaurants and hangouts. For inspiration see my favourite restaurants around Anjuna.

Luckily being on a budget in Goa doesn’t mean self catering.

orchard stores anjuna
My local supermarket and Italian gelato place in Anjuna

If you are missing comfort food from home there are expat supermarkets with imported food galore for a taste of home, albeit at a price. If you want to save money shop at the local markets or stalls and avoid the imported food – I mean whats the point in paying 370 INR for tinned tomatoes imported all the way from Australia when it’s actually cheaper to just eat out. Indian food is sooooo full of flavour and most touristy restaurants will tone down the spice if you ask! 

curry
Indian food is so tasty! I’ll happily eat curry every day

If you buy food made in India and shop where the locals shop then grocery costs are very reasonable – I go to a fruit stall and buy a huge bag of fruits and vegetables for 100 INR.  A packet of Indian made tomato pasta sauce is only 35 INR instead of 350 INR for a jar imported from the US – you don’t need to be a mathematician to work that one out and if you learn to cook Indian food and simple curries then your costs will be a lot less than eating imported Western brands.

I usually make breakfast and home and then eat a big lunch or dinner in a restaurant in the village or often on the beach. From delicious curries, to Chinese, Italian, Isreali, Japanese and Western favourites and fresh seafood the hardest part is choosing what to have.

anjuna beach goa
Anjuna Beach at sunset

You can’t drink the tap water here in Goa but you can buy 5 liters of filtered water for 60 INR and soft drinks are very cheap. Alcohol is more freely available than the rest of India but drinking is where you can blow your budget despite Goa being subject to cheaper alcohol taxes than other states in India.

Obviously drinks in fancy bars and restaurants are more expensive and buying drinks from the shop is considerably less. Many nightclubs charge a cover charge, Club Cubana near Baga in Arpora charges 1,800 INR per couple but then it’s a free bar for the night. Check out my top 10 parties and nightclubs in Goa.

Cost of Food in Goa

Groceries – On average we spend about 2000 INR a week at the local shop on groceries

Restaurants – We eat out at least once a day, sometimes twice. A dish in a restaurant on the beach usually costs about 100 – 300 INR

global gallivanting sunset drinks
This is the life! Enjoying sunset drinks with a view over the Arabian sea

Cost of Drinking in Goa

Bars – A beer in a beach shack at sunset will cost about 150 INR or splash out and get a cocktail for around 300 INR

Shops – To save money buy some beers from the shop costs about 60 INR and a bottle of Indian wine can be found for 300 INR

Shopping in Goa

You will need to learn the art of haggling to get a bargain at on of the many markets in Goa, Anjuna has the famous flea market on Wednesdays, visit the Saturday Night markets complete with food stalls and live music or get a more authentic experience at the local markets and getting clothes tailor made is really cheap here too.

The beach resorts sell the usually touristy stuff but for everything else you would need a town like Mapusa, Margao or the state capital, Panaji (Panjim) is not too far away in tiny Goa and everywhere is connected by cheap buses. See more about the best markets in Goa

markets goa
Colourful clothes for sale in Goa’s markets – just don’t forget to bargain hard!

Cost of Shopping in Goa

The skies the limit here as, especially at the touristy markets it really depends how hard you haggle! A decent price for a cheap t shirt or sarong from the market is about 150 – 250 INR

Activities Off the Beach.

After the novelty of being on the beach everyday wears off there is plenty of culture to explore in Goa and activities to pursue off the beach.

Goa is a popular destination for yoga and some famous schools are based here – just participate in a drop in class when it takes your fancy or commit to a longer course of practice or study to become a certified yoga teacher. Meditation, Ayurveda, Reiki. massage, Pilates, Bollywood Dance, Tai Chi, Tantra and so much are available in Goa.

Or, if you cant get enough of Indian food then take a cooking class and learn to make it yourself (and save money on eating out!)See more things to do off the beach in Goa here.

Yoga is super popular in Goa, come on a retreat or even train to be a yoga teacher

Or learn more about the multi layered history of India’s smallest state and see the Portuguese influence in one of the old forts or in the churches of Old Goa or for a bit more hustle and bustle explore the streets of the state capital Panjim or just explore the countryside, you can swim in India’s 2nd highest waterfall, explore quaint villages or enjoy the nature in one of Goa’s wildlife sanctuaries.

goan church
Cute Portuguese churches are scattered across Goa

Cost of Activities in Goa

Yoga Classes – 500 INR per class (But these are famous Western run establishments and I’m sure you could find for less)

Day Sightseeing Tour – 225 INR with GTDC

Mandovi River Cruise – 300 INR

Haggle, Haggle, Haggle!

As with everything in India, the price is always negotiable! The cost of a visit to Goa will also depend on your haggling skills – it’s become 2nd nature to haggle over the cost of most things; the motorbike, taxis, the apartment, buying clothes and souvenirs at the markets.

Sometimes people will even try and rip off and over charge a tourist at a fruit stall. If you don’t haggle in India you will often pay more than double the price for many things which really eats up your budget.

palolem beach huts goa
Beach huts on Palolem Beach in South Goa

So how does this equate to just £10 ($16) a day…

So how do you actually live in paradise for less than £10 a Day? Most days we spend approximately 1,000 INR each that’s only about £10 ($16). Some days we spend a little more than 1000 INR and some days we stay in and spend a lot less – it evens it out in the end.

As I share the apartment many of our costs are divided between two people. I’m not a big shopper or party animal either and as we have the bike we don’t need to take taxis or expensive tours.

Here is a quick run down of our monthly and daily costs in Rupees in Goa

Cost of Living In Goa
   
 Total Monthly Cost for 2 peopleCost per person, per day
Rent (Small 1 bedroom house 3km from the beach)Rs.17,000.00Rs.283
Eating Out (1 or 2 times per day)Rs.18,000.00Rs.300
Bike (Yamaha Motorbike)Rs.5,000.00Rs.83
PetrolRs.1,000.00Rs.17
Groceries (Try to avoid imported foods)Rs.8,000.00Rs.133
DrinkingRs.3,200.00Rs.53
Phone (Local Sim with calls, texts & internet)Rs.800.00Rs.13
ShoppingRs.2,000.00Rs.33
Other Activities (yoga, dance & cooking classes, day tours etc)Rs.4,000.00Rs.67
   
Total CostsRs.59,000.00Rs.983
   

So, I’m spending less than 1000 INR  a day that’s less than 10 or $16!

temple in goa
A Hindu Temple – The Indian culture is all around Goa – that’s one of the reasons I love it so much here

You could live here for less, you could get a smaller, scruffier house, or even just a room in a family home. You could eat out less or eat more street food, don’t drink alcohol and do less activities. But you could also pay a lot more for a villa with a pool and spend heaps on imported food and drink, go out to expensive night clubs, take taxis and expensive tours and get over charged while shopping at the markets.

The cost of the apartment would differ depending on when you come (peak season or not) and how long you plan to stay for. The best time to come is early season around November, if you commit to 6 months and pay upfront then you can negotiated the price down even more.

The prices I’ve listed here are for the peak season, (November – March) it would be a lot less if you came outside the peak season,and some long stayers swear this is the best time to be in Goa without the crowds, but it could also be unbearably hot in April and May or wet during monsoon (June  – September) and many tourism establishments close down over the low season.

global gallivanting river
Palm trees over Baga River, North Goa

OK, So what if you don’t have 6 months to spare …

But hang on, I can’t just quit my job, sell my house and travel indefinitely!

OK, so if you don’t have enough time to come and rent a house in Goa, you can still enjoy a little slice of paradise for just 1 or 2 weeks without breaking the bank.

The flights will be the biggest cost, but after you’ve got here it will only cost a little more to enjoy a 2 week budget holiday in Goa.

  • Basic bamboo beach huts or guest houses (private rooms with an attached, usually cold water only, bathroom) 5 mins walk from the beach go for around 500 INR a day
  • Rent a bike for 300 INR a day, petrol is 80 INR a liter
  • Taxis are about 150 INR for a short trip or hire a car and driver for 2000 INR for a whole day sightseeing
  • You can find a breakfast in a beach shack restaurant for about 150 INR
  • Spend the day on the beach, relax on a sun lounger and swimming in the ocean, just spend some money on food and drinks (100 – 300 INR a dish from 30 INR for a soft drink)
  • Dinner and a cocktails in a nice restaurant 500 INR
  • Drop in Yoga class 500 INR

So it’s still possible to holiday here for less than £20 or $30 a day,  even without worrying about counting every penny. Plus India recently introduced a 30 day visa on arrival, which saves you time, money and hassle if you don’t need a 6 month visa.

fishing boat agonda beach
Locals on chilled out Agonda Beach, south Goa

Where Next?

If India is not your style then there’s plenty of other options for cheap tropical living. From Thailand, Cambodia, Bali or the Philippines in South East Asia to Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua or Bolivia  for a taste of Latin America or try Morocco or Mozambique all for relatively very little money.

Either work online as a digital nomad or save up and you don’t need to limit your self to a 2 week holiday to escape the stresses of daily life and gloomy winter weather.

 

For more inspiration see:

 

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49 comments

Tim February 8, 2015 at 8:19 pm

I loved my time in Goa and love remembering it through your post. Thanks.

Reply
Anna Phipps February 9, 2015 at 7:34 am

Thank you. I love it here so much – I never want to leave! 🙂

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rahul gangwar January 6, 2018 at 9:20 pm

Really this place is so plz tell me i also come hera

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Jenny Stark February 9, 2015 at 1:20 pm

Really enjoyed your post. Looking forward to visiting Goa next year.

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Jonathan Fuhrmann May 21, 2015 at 1:11 pm

Not gonna lie – pretty damn tempting! Goa is just too gorgeous 🙂

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Global Gallivanting May 22, 2015 at 9:23 am

Yes I love it here – I love the vibe and the energy and its so cheap 🙂 maybe see u here next season!

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Kaustav Dasgupta May 21, 2015 at 3:31 pm

it can b lesser than that

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Global Gallivanting May 22, 2015 at 9:22 am

Yeah of course you can – the cost of living depends on your lifestyle and interests but many people in the UK or US don’t realize that you can live in a tropical paradise for so little money

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Bink Realtyfl June 25, 2015 at 11:43 am

love it thanks

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Minceanna Libertà July 13, 2015 at 10:40 pm

Helpful

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Global Gallivanting July 14, 2015 at 6:28 am

Great! Thank you

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Kristie September 9, 2015 at 12:23 pm

Was traveling since 2010 and am returning soon. Stayed in Anjuna and Arambol, love Goa, as well as Thailand (all over) Laos, Cambodia and Bali. Was first there in 1980 backpacked for a year. Now I travel alone and LOVE it. Mother passed away so I’m back in USA temporarily taking care of her estate and selling everything. Freedom is my favorite possession. Choosing ex-pat status. ❤️

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Roshini Dixit August 8, 2016 at 10:50 am

Awesome Blog..very informative. Instead of renting we can also buy a property in Goa as the rates of property in Goa is lesser than metropolitican city. Goa is a nice place to invest. I would like to suggest a new upcoming project in Goa named Vianaar EL Tesoro by Vianaar homes in Siolim of North Goa. They are offering 2 BHK luxury apartments with extravagant facilities.

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Anna August 12, 2016 at 11:09 pm

I wish buying a place was an option but sadly its almost impossible to buy land or houses in Goa and the whole of India 🙁

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Christina December 13, 2016 at 7:56 pm

You have a very comprehensive review of options in the area. From transportation, beaches, best rents, and more, there’s plenty of quality tips here.

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Anna December 19, 2016 at 5:50 pm

Thanks, glad the article helped! 🙂

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Major vinod February 7, 2017 at 2:22 pm

I am a retired Army officer,settled at Noida. Unable to cope with traffic,pollution and hectic life here,I am keen to stay at Goa.
But being stranger and not familiar with the place, I need help in settling down there. Will need some thing to do to pass time. Can someone guide me please.

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Agness of a TukTuk February 14, 2017 at 5:28 am

$10 a day? That’s awesome! I was in Goa and it was really inexpensive, but not to that point! After reading this, now I know where I could’ve done better!

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Manuel Godinho February 20, 2017 at 9:03 pm

Hi Anna! Love your Blog!

Would like so much to move from UK (but Portuguese national), to set up a small, cool bar/restaurant in Goa on beach or near, and need your help to advise on how to do it.

Dont know where to start from…need a few months to prepare…visas, budget, location,etc…

and great to have find you

Manuel

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Anna February 23, 2017 at 3:46 am

Hi Manuel,

Thanks, glad you like the blog – sounds like an amazing plan however its almost impossible for foreigners to buy land in India and setting up a business can be complicated so I can’t really advize you on that – better to speak to a professional but good luck! It sounds amazing 🙂

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Amir Jenab March 7, 2017 at 7:36 pm

Hi Anna
I am from Iran
I am researching for an alternative place to live, my goal in life is more about peac and enjoying it than maiking a big business or something alike. I find goa a peaceful heaven. But is it possible to make enough money ther to live? How much money I should have to start a normal not a luxury life whit my wife there?

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Anna March 15, 2017 at 7:56 am

Hi Amir, Goa is great place to escape the busy modern life although how much money you make is really down to what kind of work you do. I wrote about the cost of living in Goa in this post – http://www.global-gallivanting.com/cost-of-living-in-goa/ Hope this helps

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Sukh April 30, 2017 at 7:59 am

Helpful information. I am sure it is going to help in my settlement in Goa in near future.

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Anna May 3, 2017 at 9:24 am

Hi Sukh – glad you found it useful! 🙂 Good luck with your relocation to Goa

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Bernd Ruckemesser June 21, 2017 at 6:19 pm

Any chance to retire in GOA? Live in South Africa at the moment.

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Anna June 23, 2017 at 2:25 pm

Yes I think so many people do but you’ll have to check the paperwork depending on your nationality etc

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Liam Melly November 12, 2017 at 1:11 pm

Any help or advice where I could find quite a plush house to rent?

I am looking to move out her with my GF and little girl so looking for a villa with pool, etc

Also currently in Goa if you can reccomend anywhere to meet ex pats to ask a lord of questions of! 🙂

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Anna January 9, 2018 at 7:15 pm

Hi Liam, if you tell me where abouts in Goa I might be able to help…

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Rene Jakulla February 25, 2018 at 7:24 pm

Hi Anna,

Not sure if my last post made it to you so, thought I try again 🙂

First of, I wish I had found your blogs sooner! My fiance and I are visiting North Goa next week for two weeks. We are super thrilled. I am of Indian descent but, have never been to Goa. Unfortunately, we are staying in Calangute as we wanted to be apart of the happening area. I think I would have chosen a different location now that I have done more research.

We would love to explore or the attractions but would also like to see the paths less traveled that are safe of course. Any recommendations for countryside or villages where it’s safe to hang around the locals?

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

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Anna August 16, 2018 at 9:47 pm

Hi Rene – I never had any worry for my safety when hanging around with the locals in the villages of Goa. Renting a motorbike and just exploring the countryside is one of my favourite things to do in Goa.

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Sarah Palin March 25, 2018 at 10:27 am

I loved my time in Goa. I was there in 2016 for 3 months in Anjuna with my husband and we honestly spent right about the same $10-15 on average per day. The people are super friendly and I absolutely love Indian food so it was a ball overall. We’re planning to go back next summer so would definitely look into any places you would recommend to stay in.

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Anna May 13, 2018 at 10:01 pm

Glad you had a good time in Goa on a budget

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Sahil khan April 10, 2018 at 6:55 am

Hi Anna, am from India, your blog is really interesting and i would say Goa is my second home, yearly i visit 3-4 times and now am planning to settle my wife there with some business to start up with. hope i get success in settling her

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Anna May 13, 2018 at 7:47 pm

Great, thanks, glad you like the blog. Good luck with your new life in Goa 🙂

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Igor June 18, 2018 at 11:52 pm

Hi Anna, Me and my wife are looking to stay in Palolem Beach or Agonda, for about 5-8 weeks starting November 12th +/-. Looking for a place with a kitchenette and wifi. We would like to live on the budget that you outlined in your post. Please let me know if you can help out. Thanks!

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Anna June 26, 2018 at 8:50 am

Hey Igor, you’d have to come and have a look around yourself or look on AirBnB. It’s not really possible to pre book houses – you need to be there in person but your coming in early season which makes it easier to find a house. Good luck with your search. 🙂

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Ted & Sarah October 23, 2018 at 10:47 am

Hi Anna. Thanks so much, this website is just the resource my partner and I have been looking for to get us set up for our adventure to Goa! We are planning on a 6 month, maybe 1 year stint, as we have a property we can rent in UK, and have a fair bit saved up to start. Resources from experienced travellers such as yourself like this site are so invaluable. We cant wait!

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Anna November 10, 2018 at 10:41 pm

Awesome you’ve found my blog helpful! Enjoy Goa 🙂

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Ted & Sarah October 26, 2018 at 2:06 pm

Hi Anna

We are planning to do our own little (well big) adventure to Goa, following a very similar blueprint to what you have outlined here, as it seems very affordable, and considering our financial circumstances, we could easily do it for a full year. Are we being too crazy to do a full year? Were thinking Airbnb for a few weeks, find a place, get the sims set up (sounds like a nightmare), get some wheels etc. My burning question really is when is best to arrive to start the hunt for a property. We are thinking back end of monsoon season around September 2019, around Anjuna/Vagator, as from what we gather, thats the best time to get it all set up cheaper as there will be more availability. Do you think thats a good plan? or would you leave it a bit later? And do you think a 9/12 month stint is a bit TOO ambitious?

We are going to be quitting/sabbatical our jobs, and renting our property out in the UK so should (fingers crossed) have regular income from the UK.

Any more hints and tips on top of what your amazing blog has already given us would be really appreciated. Who knows! We may bump into each other sometime!

Thanks in advance for all the great info.

Ted & Sarah X

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Anna November 10, 2018 at 10:26 pm

Hi again, Your plan sounds good and yes, the earlier you come in the season the easier it is to find a nice house so coming in Sept/ Oct is a great idea. You could do a full year but personally I find monsoon gets too boring and wet as nearly everything is closed and most of my friends leave. Most foreigners stay in Goa from Oct – May max. Remember to leave every 180 days though or you could get a fine and banned from India.

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Sarah & Ted November 12, 2018 at 11:49 am

Hi Anna. Yeah we have been thinking more and more about not just settling down in Goa for a whole year, and spending a bit more time on the road (well the rail) and seeing more of what the subcontinent has to offer. Certainly going to be in Anjuna/Vatagor area around September 2019 though, and will likely be there until the new year. Maybe we will see you there! X

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Silvio November 6, 2018 at 4:00 am

Hi Anna
I just found your blog about India. Specially I am interested in staring in Goa.
2 years ago we went to Japan and we also had luck in finding a super blog in the web.
It is called wanderweib.de. Sorry only in german but made like yours. Always gets updated which helps a lot. Thanks a lot.
Maybe I will come back with some questions later. Frist I will study and reading your posts.

By the way. If your are once interested to visit Colombia then let me know about.
We do have a Hostal in Capurgana. Hostal Capurgana.
Just at the border to Panama. Carribean pur.
Thanks a lot.
Silvio

Maybe I will com

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Anna November 10, 2018 at 10:03 pm

Thanks Silvio! 🙂

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Jeffrey Taylor June 24, 2019 at 4:46 pm

Great blog Anna, best I have read,thank you!

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Anna July 1, 2019 at 4:40 pm

Thanks so much Jeffrey! 🙂

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E Wayne Phillips October 22, 2019 at 1:53 am

Hi. Love your straight up insights. Spent 3 weeks in India a number of years ago, and your experiences/recommendations reflect mine. Am coming back to India. Goa, most likely, because I want to swim everyday (2x? 🧐). So, I have a question please. I cannot find good information about the water quality at the various Beach sites I think look good – Mandrem, Ashwem or Palolem, Patnem. Some info I see says bad pollutants/cow waste, etc. Any insights? You know India, no resource commentary from there sees anything but wonderful. 😏. Thanks. Wayne

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Gocek December 17, 2020 at 1:57 am

Hi Anna, thanks for this great article. I have been to Goa in 2001 and this article and lovely photos took me back to those days 🙂

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Pinky May 3, 2021 at 6:15 am

Hi Anna
What kind of visa would my boyfriend need to stay in Goa for a longer period ( 5yrs). He is from UK , can he continue to live in Goa for 5 yrs at a stretch or needs to go back to UK every 6 month? He will be on a tourist visa.

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Anna January 13, 2022 at 5:26 pm

A 5 year business visa would probably be the best but even with this you would need to leave India every 180 days unless you can prove a business reason for an extension of the maximum continuous stay. You can go to a neighbouring country and come back the next day

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