Backpacking is a common trend in the US and European countries. To understand the concept clearly – backpacking can be explained as a cheaper means of exploring a new place when combined with camping. Sometimes, travellers do opt for hostels and budget stays. Backpacking may include wilderness adventures, local travel and travel to nearby countries. It is now slowly transforming into an independent and low-cost international travel option for individuals or a small group of people.
With the backpacking trend slowly picking up, India has new sets of hostels springing up in various states of India.
A lot of backpackers visiting India end up spending almost all of their time in the traveller hubs of Goa, Hampi, Manali and Rishikesh. Stops, Zostel, Jugaad, Moustache, Madpackers and Jugaadus, are some of the hostels for backpackers and solo travellers that have gained popularity and have opened doors to backpackers in the past two years.
This article focuses on backpacking in Goa, what the state offers the new-age backpackers and why this little coastal paradise is gaining popularity amongst the backpackers from around the world.
Backpacking in Goa
Goa receives a considerable number of foreign tourists, mainly from Europe. Most of them come as backpackers to explore Goa not only for its beaches but also for its colonial heritage. The hostels and shacks in Goa that provide accommodation to backpackers and solo travellers have become an inter-cultural exchange platform where foreign travellers meet the Indians, sharing knowledge and experiences with each other.
Exploring Goa as a Backpacker
The main purpose of a backpacker is to reach the right beach to enjoy and relax. Palolem, Patnem, Morjim, Mandrem and Arambol are some of the most beautiful beaches in South Goa. You can arrange fishing, dolphin watching and kayaking from these beaches. There is a wide range of accommodation options like the beach huts at Roundcube Patnem and Palolem. Another beach worth exploring is Arambol in North Goa where you enjoy the nightly yoga and tai-chi sessions on the beach. The Green Garden Restaurant in Arambol is super friendly and a great place to meet people.
Another way to explore Goa apart from hiring a motorbike is Royal Enfield. With the per day rent of approximately INR 300, you can set out to explore Goa in style. Travelling by road is an advantage because the country side and villages of Goa are a vision. You can feast your eyes to the lush green paddy fields, wandering cows, whitewashed Portuguese churches and colourful Hindu temples, bustling marketplaces, chilled out farms, picturesque villages, crumbling colonial villas and forts. Goa was under Portuguese rule for over 400 years, and the legacy of the Portuguese era is still prevalent in the areas of Old Goa, which was once the capital of Goa under their rule. Old Goa has many churches and ancient citadels that one can visit, as it gives a peep into the past. It has a colourful history, reminiscent of which are seen in forts of Aguada, Chapora, Cabo de Rama, and Regis Magos Fort which is now a converted luxury resort.
Goa is also a popular destination for yoga practitioners. Yoga is everywhere in Goa, with many yoga schools and centres that cater to all ages – from beginners to casual learners, to more intensive retreats and teacher training courses.
Goa offers excellent options for shopaholics as well, starting from designer malls to hippie flea markets. If you have the art of bargaining, this is your place. You can take home many souvenirs to hippie chic clothing and jewellery. One of the most prominent and famous is the Anjuna’s hippie Flea Market which is held every Wednesday by the beach. The Arpora and Vagator, Saturday night markets, are another experience all together, completely buzzing with live music and food stalls. For more local and authentic stuff, you can pay a visit to the Mapusa’s local market on Fridays.
Goa is the hub for nightlife and parties. And your trip to Goa would be incomplete without experiencing the psychedelic trance. They are one of the legendary parties where you can dance till sunrise on the beaches or in the jungles of Goa.
Hostels for Backpackers in Goa
- Roadhouse Hostel: located in Anjuna, Roadhouse is famous for its hippie culture, proximity to best beaches, cafes and flea market. The hostel offers mixed dorms and gender-based dorms with choice of air-conditioned and non-air conditioned dorms. Each dorm has a private bathroom, a bunk bed and lockers. The hostel also has free Wi-Fi facility, on order breakfast, facility to cook, TV, games, and travel services and tips. The best part of the hostel is its location which is walking distance from Anjuna Beach and famous Cafes. One can also avail transport services, like rent-a-bike, the best way to explore the streets of Goa.
- Zostel: located 500mts from Calangute beach in North Goa, Zostel is an ideal social base to have fun with fellow travellers in India’s party and nightlife hub. It is an old, authentic Portuguese house, converted into a hostel. The dense flora all around the place enhances the beauty of this Portuguese heritage house. It makes you feel fresh and energised in the lap of nature.
- Backpacker Panda: It is located just 100 meters away from the beautiful Candolim Beach as well as from Calangute/Candolim main road. The hostel gives good vibes and provides all the comforts of home. It has everything that makes for a good time – the beach, Arambol drum circle, sweet water lake, banyan tree, mountain view, surfing, excellent vegan restaurants, village flea market, and hippie parties.
Best time for backpacking in Goa
The best time to visit Goa is generally from October to March when the weather is cool, dry and sunny. The monsoons exit the Goan land by this time of the year and make way for pleasant sunny winters. Perfect for backpacking. Around April to May, the temperatures and humidity soar high, and with start of June, the pre-monsoon showers set in.
Although monsoons also make a great time for an outdoor adventure like trekking and camping to places like the Chorla Ghats, and Dhudhsagar falls. It is most beautiful in the monsoon season as the paddy fields turn lusciously green although most restaurants and accommodation close but you can get great deals on the accommodation that does remain open during the offseason.
Backpacking in Goa is quite convenient as people here are warm and friendly, and very welcoming. They don’t bother or disturb much or even harass in any way. So as a backpacker you are safe. The local transport is pretty erratic, hence renting a bike is the best option to move around. Goa can be reached by flight and by train. Dabolim is Goa’s main airport. Madgaon is the main train station along with Vasco da Gama (closest to the airport), Canacona (for Palolem and the far South), Thivim and Pernem (for Arambol – Anjuna) or Karmali (near Old Goa and the closest to the capital Panjim).
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