I’ve gotten quite a few emails during the last couple of weeks from foreign tourists who happened to stumble across my blog, looking for information on Goa. So I’m going to take a break from the Canada post overload and deal with the most common questions.
Should I stay in a hotel or a vacation home?
Where? How much is a reasonable price to pay?
How can I be sure that I’m not getting fleeced?
Whether you are a domestic tourist travelling to Goa for a long weekend or someone who wants to escape the long, snowy, winter for 4-6 months, it all comes down to three things:
1. Your budget
2. The time of the year
3. What kind of traveler you are (the hotel-pool-sightseeing kind or the local adventurer)
Let me guess – you want something “inexpensive because you will be out on the beach all day and just need a place to sleep at night.”
Or you want the “cheapest accommodation possible with all amenities, Wi-Fi, swimming pool, safety, maid, cook, circus acrobat and more.” Don’t we all.
As a local, I can tell you one thing. Apart from petrol and alcohol, staying in Goa is not cheap. It’s not expensive either.
Glad we cleared that up.
Booking:
You can find a lot of houses for rent on sites like OLX and Quikr. Although you will get direct access to trust worthy homeowners on these sites, you will find the majority to be agents and brokers to whom you will have to pay a cut (a month’s rent if it’s long term or anywhere between Rs. 500-3000 for a short stay.)
Sites like Guesthouser.com, myindianstay.com and of course, AirBnb also take a cut, however you can be assured of having a place to stay when you arrive. These sites verify the property before listing.
Social Media is the best, easiest and quickest way to find your ideal vacation rental. Groups like this one and this one have homeowners posting their property and allows tourists to post their requirements too. Here’s a Facebook group for South Goa. Have a quick chat and exchange contact details with owners without having to pay a cut to a website or agent.
Secondly, once you find what you’re looking for, you can always ask for contact details of people who have stayed there in the past or look up the property online for reviews. You will find agents on these sites too, but they’re easy to spot because they comment on nearly every query on the feed.
How much will I have to spend?
Totally depends on the season you travel and the house/apartment, how well it is furnished, location, number of people, etc. This means a lot of variation in price, so don’t be excited when you hear of something really low.
A fully furnished Portuguese Villa could be anywhere from Rs. 40000/- per month during off season to Rs. 80,000/- during season time. While a 1BHK fully furnished apartment could be Rs. 12,000/- to Rs. 20,000/- The price of apartments would increase depending on the number of bedrooms of course. A 3BHK fully furnished apartment can go for upto Rs. 45,000 during season time. Could be higher if the place has a pool.
If it is unfurnished, in bad shape, or isolated, a Portuguese villa could be Rs. 20,000/-(off season) to 35,000/- during season time. Electricity, water and cooking gas bills will be your responsibility. That isn’t very expensive and can range from Rs. 2000 – 3000 a month upwards, depending on your usage (especially if you use A/C)
Staying for a shorter duration (a couple of days – two weeks) means you will have to pay a daily tariff. You can get something for as cheap as 500 for a couple, which is as basic as it gets. Don’t expect anything aesthetically pleasing at this cost. Rs. 2,000 for a couple to Rs. 4,000 for a family or group is decent and you can expect a well furnished place with all amenities. Apartments with a pool will come at a higher cost.
Paying in Advance
The travel and tourism industry works on “part payment in advance,” policy to assure of no loss in business for last minute cancellations.
If you’re not comfortable paying a part in advance, once you get to Goa and stay in a hotel for a week while you search. You will find a lot of sign boards everywhere saying “Rooms to Let” that you can check out. For long term rent, you may have to pay in advance or give the landlord a security deposit consisting of one’s month’s rent which is refundable.
Where?
- If you want peace and quiet, head to the south. Patnem and Palolem are the most common. North Goa has more tourist activity, and you have a wider variety of options.
- Anjuna, Arambol and Vagator are the places to be if you like the old trance, hippy scene. Keep in mind that these are crowded areas, and you will have to be ok with that.
- Being along the coast, Calangute, Candolim and Baga are trendier places and have tons of eateries and entertainment options.
- Saligao and Siolim in North Goa offer something unique. These places are between the coast and cities, but have maintained a village-like vibe, with trees, lakes and fields.
Things to Keep in Mind
Old Goan houses have beautiful doors made of wood and windows made of shells, so it’s not completely sealed around the edges. This means a lot of humidity indoors and salt water in the air which may harm your electronics. Indian electronics are quite study that way.
If you’re renting a Goan house during the monsoon, check for leaky roof tiles. (all part of the experience!)
Another thing that’s not very common, but I shall tell you anyway…is snakes. If you’re renting in an area surrounded by trees and fields, don’t be surprised if you’re visited by one.
Guest Houses Over Hotels?
Yes! I’m all for the “live like a local” philosophy. While (good) hotels offer you everything you need at the touch of a button, there’s something special about living in a homestay. Friendly neighbours, the bakers horn, the fisherwoman’s yell, a random cat in your balcony, power cuts that drain your phone/laptop and force you to admire the fireflies outside… all the small things that make Goa… well, Goa!
Questions still unanswered? Comment below, email me, or Tweet @ImGoanCrazy
Cya next time! xoxo