How Much Does Goa Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Goa is a remarkably affordable coastal destination where travelers can enjoy a tropical escape for a fraction of the cost of Mediterranean or Caribbean alternatives. A solo traveler on a budget can expect to spend around $39 / ₹3,509 per day, while those seeking a mid-range experience with better dining and transport should plan for roughly $105 / ₹9,525. High-end luxury, including stays in private pool villas and fine dining, averages near $352 / ₹32,083 daily. The unique tax status of the region keeps alcohol prices lower than the rest of India, significantly reducing the cost of nightlife. While North Goa beaches like Baga and Calangute are bustling and commercial, South Goa offers more value for those seeking tranquility at lower price points.
Is Goa expensive to visit?
Goa is a budget-friendly beach paradise where daily costs range from $39 / ₹3,509 for frugal travelers to $352 / ₹32,083 for those seeking high-end luxury.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Goa
$39
per person /day
$105
per person /day
$352
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $115 | $314 | $1,057 |
| 5-Day Trip | $193 | $523 | $1,762 |
| 7-Day Trip | $270 | $732 | $2,467 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to set aside a 15% buffer to cover the India e-Tourist Visa fee of approximately $88 / ₹8,021 and the small Goa Environmental Cess of roughly $0.55 / ₹50 per night at hotels. This buffer also helps manage the cash deposits for scooter rentals, which typically require around $22 / ₹2,005 upfront.
How Does It Compare?
See how Goa stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Goa
Food & Drink (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Mid-range Three-course Meal for Two Standard dinner at a nice beach shack or Panaji bistro (~$17 / ₹1,504). | $17 ₹1,504 |
| Domestic Beer (Kingfisher 330ml) Alcohol taxes are significantly lower in Goa than the rest of India. Cost is ~$1.21 / ₹110. | $1.21 ₹110 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Scooter Rental (Daily) The essential Goa experience. Costs ~$5.51 / ₹502/day plus fuel. International permit and helmets are mandatory. | $5.51 ₹502 |
| KTCL AC Shuttle (Mopa Airport to Panaji) Official government shuttle. Reliable and air-conditioned for ~$4.4 / ₹401. | $4.4 ₹401 |
| GoaMiles Taxi (Base 10km) Goa's official app-based taxi service. Much cheaper than roadside taxis which often lack meters. Approx $9.36 / ₹852. | $9.36 ₹852 |
| Pilot (Motorcycle Taxi) Short Trip Unique to Goa. Look for yellow mudguards. Great for quick beach hops for ~$1.65 / ₹150. | $1.65 ₹150 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| St Christopher's Inn (Private Room) Private rooms in quality hostels provide a social but comfortable base. | $29 ₹2,672 |
| Miros - Formerly Imperial Goa (Double Room) Mid-range stay near Mopa airport area. Represents roughly $109 / ₹9,904 per night. | $109 ₹9,904 |
| ELIVAAS 4 BHK Luxury Villa Premium luxury villa with private pool for ~$233 / ₹21,234. Best for groups or high-end privacy. | $233 ₹21,234 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Aguada Fort Entry (International) Historic Portuguese fort. Indians pay significantly less (~$0.33 / ₹30 vs ~$3.31 / ₹301 for internationals). | $3.31 ₹301 |
| Spice Plantation Tour (with Lunch) Includes a traditional buffet lunch and guided tour (~$5.51 / ₹502). | $5.51 ₹502 |
| Scuba Diving at Grand Island (Combo) Includes boat ride, equipment, and one dive for ~$50 / ₹4,512. Check for PADI certification options. | $50 ₹4,512 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airalo 20GB Data eSIM High-speed data for 30 days. | $31 ₹2,779 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is dominated by beach shacks and local bistros, where a mid-range three-course meal for two costs approximately $17 / ₹1,504. Low alcohol taxes make socializing affordable, with a domestic beer like Kingfisher priced at just $1.21 / ₹110. For the best value, travelers should head to inland favorites like Vinayak Family Restaurant or Ritz Classic for authentic Goan fish thalis.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Vinayak Family Restaurant
$3.85–$7.71 / ₹350–₹702Assagao · Local chain
The Fish Thali is legendary and provides a full meal for under $4.94 / ₹450.
Artjuna
$4.4–$9.91 / ₹401–₹902Anjuna · Bakery
Great for digital nomads; a coffee and pastry will set you back about $6.47 / ₹589.
Fat Fish
$5.51–$13 / ₹502–₹1,204Baga/Arpora · Street food area
Get there early to avoid the 45-minute dinner queue; the $5.51 / ₹502 thali is worth it.
Ritz Classic
$3.31–$8.8 / ₹301–₹802Panaji · Local chain
The most authentic Goan lunch in the capital for roughly $3.31 / ₹301.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Renting a scooter for $5.51 / ₹502 per day is the most efficient and cost-effective way to explore the 100km coastline. For short hops, the 'Pilot' motorcycle taxis cost about $1.65 / ₹150, while the GoaMiles app offers reliable taxi service for longer trips, such as a 10km ride for roughly $9.36 / ₹852.
Accommodation Overview
A private room at a quality social hub like St Christopher's Inn costs about $29 / ₹2,672, providing a great balance of community and privacy. Mid-range hotels like Miros average $109 / ₹9,904 per night, while groups or luxury seekers can find incredible value in 4-bedroom villas with private pools for approximately $233 / ₹21,234.
Accommodation Budget in Goa
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Use the KTCL AC Shuttle from Mopa Airport to Panaji for just $4.4 / ₹401 instead of expensive private airport transfers.
- 2 Rent a scooter for $5.51 / ₹502 a day to avoid the high costs of unmetered roadside taxis.
- 3 Book a Spice Plantation Tour for $5.51 / ₹502, which includes a full traditional Goan buffet lunch, offering excellent value for a day trip.
- 4 Download the GoaMiles app to get transparent, government-regulated taxi rates instead of haggling with local drivers.
- 5 Eat at 'family restaurants' like Vinayak in Assagao rather than beach shacks to save up to 30% on seafood dishes.
- 6 Visit during the shoulder months of November or February to save $35–$59 / ₹3,215–₹5,359 per night on accommodation compared to the December peak.
- 7 Carry an International Driving Permit to avoid paying frequent 'fines' to local police at popular checkpoints.
- 8 Purchase a local Airalo 20GB eSIM for $31 / ₹2,779 to avoid high international roaming fees while navigating with GPS.
- 9 Look for the yellow mudguards of 'Pilot' motorcycle taxis for quick, one-person trips costing only $1.65 / ₹150.
- 10 Drink local cashew feni or domestic beer at $1.21 / ₹110 rather than imported spirits, which are taxed more heavily.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Dec, Jan
+50-100%
Jun, Jul, Aug
-40-60%
Oct, Nov, Feb, Mar
Avoid the monsoon (June–August) if you want beach shacks, as most close down. November and February offer the best balance of weather and ~$35–$59 / ₹3,215–₹5,359 nightly savings compared to the Christmas peak.
Events to Watch
- ● Sunburn Festival (Late Dec): +200% hotels
- ● Carnival (Feb): +30% Panaji hotels
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Walk through the colorful Portuguese-style streets of Fontainhas, the Latin Quarter of Panaji.
- 2 Explore the historic Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Old Goa.
- 3 Climb up to Chapora Fort for panoramic views of Vagator Beach at sunset.
- 4 Attend the sunset drum circle at Arambol Beach, a daily gathering of musicians and travelers.
- 5 Visit the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Panaji's main square.
- 6 Hike through the jungle trail from Palolem to the secluded Butterfly Beach.
- 7 Watch the sunset from the cliffs overlooking Vagator Beach.
- 8 Visit the Se Cathedral, the largest church in Asia, located in Old Goa.
- 9 Explore the 12th-century Mahadev Temple in Tambdi Surla, located within the Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary.
- 10 Walk along the Panaji Promenade during the evening to see the illuminated river cruise boats.
- 11 Visit the ruins of the St. Augustine Tower in Old Goa.
- 12 Relax on the silver sands of Galgibaga Beach, known as a nesting site for Olive Ridley turtles.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Private Yacht Cruise (Sunset)
Avoid the crowded tourist boats and enjoy a private 2-hour cruise for ~$165 / ₹15,039.
Fine Dining at Gunpowder
Consistently ranked as one of India's best restaurants; dinner for two is ~$39 / ₹3,509.
Luxury Ayurvedic Spa Treatment
Top-tier 90-minute traditional massage at a 5-star resort for ~$72 / ₹6,517.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Goa
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Goa and what they cost
Dudhsagar Falls
$28 / ₹2,507 by Shared Jeep & AC Coach
$5.51 / ₹502
$50 / ₹4,512
Old Goa & Panaji Heritage Walk
$8.8 / ₹802 by Taxi/Scooter
$1.11 / ₹101
$22 / ₹2,005
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Indian Rupee (INR)
1 $ ≈ 91 ₹
Yes
Widely accepted in hotels and permanent restaurants; beach shacks and flea markets are strictly cash-only.
Standard tip is 5-10% if service charge isn't included. Rounding up the bill by ~$0.59–$1.18 / ₹54–₹107 for small services is appreciated.
Stick to SBI or HDFC ATMs for reliability. Avoid standalone ATMs on the beach strip which often run out of cash or charge high fees (~$2.35–$4.71 / ₹214–₹429).
Essential at Anjuna Flea Market and for roadside taxis. Aim for 40-50% of the initial price in markets. Never bargain in supermarkets or established restaurants.
Connectivity
eSIM: $14–$39 for 5GB-20GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $4.71–$8.24 / ₹429–₹750 for 1.5GB/day for 28 days
WiFi: Excellent in North Goa cafes; spotty on South Goa beaches.
Buy a local Airtel or Jio SIM at the airport for best rates (~$5.89 / ₹536), but use Airalo if you need immediate data upon landing.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Goa.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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