Best Places to Stay in Goa for Solo Female Travelers
Discover safe and comfortable places to stay in Goa as a solo female traveler. Explore beachside resorts, cozy cottages, and serene hideaways. Hire a villa for an unforgettable experience.
Goa, with its sun-kissed beaches and vibrant culture, beckons solo female travelers from around the world. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, adventure, or a blend of both, Goa offers a variety of accommodations to suit your preferences. From beachside resorts to cozy cottages, let’s explore the best places to stay in Goa for solo female travelers.
Why you don’t need to worry about traveling alone to Goa
Goa solo travel doesn’t need to be something to worry about. Travelling alone to Goa can be a fun and rewarding experience. You are taking yourself completely out of your comfort zone and by taking a solo Goa trip you are opening yourself up to new experiences and meeting new people. Much more so than you would if you were visiting with a partner or friend. The weather is hot and sunny, the beaches to visit in Goa are beautiful, the food is tasty, the people are friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed.
One essential thing to do for peace for mind before you go to Goa is to take out travel insurance. This will help you financially if you end up in a tricky situation, as many different scenarios are covered. World Nomads is a good option for a Goa trip for a single person, but there are lots of travel insurance policies available.
Where to stay in Goa
Goa has a coastline stretching 63 miles (101 km) and it’s a three-hour journey by car from top to bottom. So when you’re planning where to go in Goa, you will normally need to choose to make your main base either in the north or the south.
If you’re wondering, where should I stay in Goa, you have a few options:
Firstly, you need to know that if you are planning a Goa solo trip, there are many other people embarking on solo travel in India. Since its hippie heyday in the 1960s and 70s, Goa has been an essential stop for backpackers looking for where to go in India for beaches, spirituality and a conscious living community. To travel Goa is still popular today with all kinds of people, as it is seen as India’s ‘capital of coastal cool‘ with plenty of fun things to do.
1. Sea Horse Cottages, Anjuna
- Location : Anjuna
- Description : Nestled amidst palm trees, Sea Horse Cottages provide a serene escape. These rustic cottages offer a laid-back vibe, perfect for solo travelers seeking tranquility. Enjoy the proximity to Anjuna Beach and explore the vibrant flea markets nearby.
2. Palmco Beach Huts, Arambol
- Location : Arambol
- Description : Arambol’s bohemian atmosphere attracts free spirits. Palmco Beach Huts offer simple yet comfortable accommodations right by the sea. Wake up to the sound of waves, practice yoga on the beach, and immerse yourself in the artistic community.
3. Cochichos Resort, Vagator
- Location : Vagator
- Description : Cochichos Resort is a charming boutique stay with a welcoming ambiance. The lush gardens, inviting pool, and personalized service make it an ideal choice for solo female travelers. Explore Vagator’s cliffs, beach shacks, and sunset views.
4. Resort Primo Bom Terra Verde, Calangute
- Location : Calangute
- Description : Primo Bom Terra Verde offers a blend of comfort and convenience. Relax by the pool, indulge in spa treatments, and explore Calangute’s lively streets. The resort’s friendly staff ensures a memorable stay.
5. ITC Grand Goa, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
- Location : Arossim Beach
- Description : For a luxurious experience, stay at ITC Grand Goa. This beachfront resort combines Indo-Portuguese architecture with modern amenities. Enjoy direct access to Arossim Beach, infinity pools, and exquisite dining options.
6. Home Away from Home: Luxury Villas in Goa
Hireavilla: Your Top Choice
- When in Goa, consider staying in luxury villas for rent.
- Hireavilla offers handpicked designer homes with unique stories and experiences.
- Enjoy top-tier quality, personalized hospitality, and curated experiences.
For luxury villas for rent and home vacation rentals in Goa, visit [Hireavilla](https://www.hireavilla.in/)
The North Goa hostels you need to know about
On backpacking trips to Goa, you will often want a place to easily meet other people. Luckily, you can find many cheap dormitory rooms and hostels in Goa. For many solo travellers, the best place to stay in Goa is at Arambol’s cool and laid-back Happy Panda hostel. Other great Arambol backpackers hostels include the relaxed Silly Potatoes Hostel, the sparkling new dorms in Goa’s Homie’s Hostel and the friendly, boho-style ImagiNation Artists’ Hostel.
For solo female travellers in Goa, one of the best-loved hostels near Anjuna beach is the Yuppi Hippi Female Hostel set in gardens with hammocks and close to the Saturday night flea market. If you prefer your own space, one of the best budget hotels in Anjuna is Granpa’s Inn, a Portuguese-style Goan house with an outdoor pool and restaurant.
Here are the best activities for backpackers in North Goa
A good way to discover the places to see in North Goa and the things to do in Goa alone is simply to explore the area around where you’re staying. One day, I went for a walk along the North Goa beaches from where I was staying and that’s how I discovered Arambol. With a host of yoga classes, ecstatic dance sessions, art classes, live music concerts and meditation workshops, there are plenty of fun things to do here, advertised on posters and flyers. Along with the daily sunset beach parties and the friendly people from around the world that are drawn to Arambol
Arambol has a great street market where you can pick up all kinds of clothes and trinkets, as well as a host of restaurants, many serving vegetarian food. If markets are your thing, one of the best things to do in North Goa is to take a motorcycle taxi to one of the area’s popular Saturday night markets, such as Anjuna flea market. The one I visited was Goa’s vibrant Arpora night market, open every Saturday and selling all kinds of eclectic and hippie merchandise. This vibrant place is one of the most entertaining places to visit in Goa at night – it even has its own bar, nightclub and live music stage.
It’s quite an experience – there’s plenty to see and do. My top tip for here would be to divide by five any quote you’re given on an item for sale. Some people find it a bit uncomfortable to barter, but it’s all part of the fun, and expected in this part of the world.
These are the most blissful things to do in South Goa
While South Goa is slower-paced, you will quickly discover what to do in Palolem, including yoga classes, beach massages and silent discos. The neighbouring villages of Patnem and Agonda have some of the top beaches in Goa and are much more tranquil than in the north.
Hiking through the jungle paths from Palolem to Patnem beach is great fun, while a motorbike or taxi trip to Agonda beach is well worth it, as it is an incredible spot to watch the sunset.
For nightlife in South Goa, local business owners have come up with an innovative idea to avoid residents complaining about noisy parties. Palolem is now known for its silent discos, in which partygoers wear headphones and can switch between two or three different DJ playlists to dance to. These silent discos get going in the early hours of the morning and are excellent fun for singles, as this unique experience creates a great sense of togetherness. Try the Neptune Point Headphones Party at the south end of the beach, which takes place every Saturday night.
Here are the best ways for solo travelers to get around Goa
If you are visiting Goa alone, I would recommend booking in advance an airport transfer to your accommodation. The guest house owner can often arrange this for you.
Taking a government taxi means joining a long queue of people outside the airport, once you exit the baggage claim area. But after a long-haul flight and connections, it’s reassuring to see someone holding your name when you arrive, especially as a single traveller in Goa. It’s a relief to be able to avoid dragging your heavy luggage along the queue and simply relax as the driver already knows how to take you directly to your destination.
For travelling around Goa via public transport, there are local bus services offering an inexpensive fixed rate for frequent routes to most areas. Thankfully, if you’re worried about your Goa solo trip cost, this keeps things cheap. For long trips in Goa or beyond in India, it’s best to buy a ticket in advance from a local travel agency. Some of them are overnight routes, with basic flatbed compartments with curtains, where you can sleep. As you are on a solo trip in Goa, you will usually be allocated your own private sleeping area, while people travelling together are allocated double
For more flexibility, you may wish to hire a motorcycle. You will need to wear a helmet and be careful on the road, as drivers in India don’t follow the same rules as in Western countries and accidents can happen. Car hire is also possible but usually not cost effective – it’s better to book a taxi. When renting a motorcycle, find out the going rate from guest house owners and other travellers, otherwise unscrupulous salespeople may try and overcharge you. Another top Goa tip for travelling on two wheels is to keep your bag under the seat so you don’t risk people trying to snatch it.
Be aware if you’re alone at night
Women travelling alone will likely be wondering is Goa safe at night? There were times that I was alone at night and I instinctively kept alert of the people around me, but I never had any problems. It’s a popular tourist destination after all and there are lots of expats here. I would usually stick to places close to my accommodation if I was going for dinner by myself. Once you make friends with other travellers, it’s better to go out with them after dark. Keep an eye on your drink, like you would anywhere else in the world. Stay safe and have fun.
Enjoy Goa backpacking – you will create memories for life
As you can see, in Goa there is a wealth of things to see, do and experience. And eat! So much good food. And plenty of other people who are solo backpacking Goa just like you. Go(a) explore!
FAQs
Is Goa safe for solo female travelers? Goa is generally safe for solo female travelers. Exercise common precautions, avoid isolated areas at night, and trust your instincts.
What should I pack for a Goa trip? Pack lightweight clothing, swimwear, sunscreen, and comfortable footwear. Don’t forget a sarong or scarf for temple visits.
How can I explore Goa on a budget? Opt for local buses, eat at beach shacks, and choose budget-friendly accommodations like guesthouses and hostels.