Planning a trip to Goa? and having issues with your budget, don’t worry we have got you covered. A trip to Goa is as easy as finding memes of unsuccessful Goa trip plans on the internet. Goa will definitely look expensive until you hit the Goan roads and experience the Goan food, culture, and their way of living. Believe it or not, Goa can be your cheapest trip ever, your traveling could be at a cheap cost, but never for free. Here you’ll get to know about how you can cut your expenses and save money while traveling to Goa. 

Best Things To Do In Goa. 

Don’t miss the sunset at Cavelossim Beach.

Cavelossim beach is one of the best beaches in South Goa and it is also listed among the not-to-be-missed beaches. Here you won’t find many people at the beach as the Cavelossim beach is very calm and peaceful. It’s a beautiful beach with a very pleasant and peaceful vibe where you can spend your time chilling and relaxing in the Arabian Sea. If you are looking for a place where you can go for a long walk with your loved one then there is no better place than Cavelossim Beach as this beach is away from all the hustle-bustle of city life. You will get many shacks near the beach with delicious seafood which you enjoy along with the mesmerizing sunset and other market stalls as well. The best time to go there is in the evening where you’ll see the mesmerizing and the most beautiful sunset.

Highlights of Cavelossim beach

• Spot the beautiful sunset.
• Swimming.
• Relax and take a sunbathe.

Time required at Cavelossim beach

• 3-4 hours is more than enough here. 

How to reach Cavelossim Beach

You can take a bus or book/rent a taxi/cab from Panaji which will take almost 1 hour to reach Cavelossim Beach. The total distance from Panjim to Cavelossim Beach is about 50 Km.

Spend some peaceful time at Mobor Beach.

At just 2 Km from Cavelossim beach, you will rarely see anyone at Mobor Beach. If you are looking for something like spending some alone moment, being away from hustle and bustle life or spending some quality time with your loved one, then Mobor beach is the best place to be at. You can also go for a sunbath here as not many people go there so both the beach and sand is clean and clear. This is the reason why Mobor Beach is called the most peaceful place in Goa. For a more offbeat experience, this beach is an ideal place even for individual travellers. Unwind your worries in the magical aura of Mobor beach with beautiful scenery that serves as a true getaway. At night it’s not the same as at the time of day, the buzzing nightlife attracts many tourists for parties and chilling. From Panaji it is a well-connected road to Mobor beach, distance from Panaji to Mobor beach is about 48 Km and you can reach here by any local transport in 1-2 hour.

Highlights of Mobor Beach

• Peaceful vibe
• Betul fort and lighthouse
• Watersports activities.
• Shopping at Mobor Beach.

Nearby places to stay

• Varca Palms beach plaza.
• Palmgrove residency.
• Dona Sa Maria.
• Lord’s Plaza. 

How to reach Mobor Beach

From the capital city, Panaji you can take any local transport as the roads are well connected. You can reach Mobor Beach from Panaji in just 1 hour covering a distance of 48 Km. You will find the nearest railway station to Mobor Beach is Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and Margao Railway Station.

Visit the most beautiful Church in Panjim.

White in colour and built-in baroque style, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is truly the most beautiful church in Goa. If still you are not convinced then your desire to visit this church will become more stronger when you get to know that this church has already been part of many Bollywood movies like the Singham and Golmaal series. Built-in 1541, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is located in the town centre of Panaji and is considered as one of the main attractions of Goa. Here you’ll capture the simplicity of Goa and its peaceful vibe and is also referred to as the crown of Panaji. The best time to visit this church is in December as every year on 8th December a feast is organised at the Church by the locals of Goa. This is the time when the church looks extremely beautiful and is illuminated with a distinct set of colours. You can explore this church completely in an hour and will be having the rest of the day for other destinations to cover. 

Timings of the church 

Open from Monday to Sunday - 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM 

Major attractions of the church

• Feast on 8th December each year.
• Built-in Portuguese Baroque style.
• Many Bollywood movies have been shot here.
• Peaceful vibe.
• Houses the second largest church bell.

How to reach Lady of Immaculate Conception Church

From Panaji, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church is at just the distance of 2.5 Km for which you can rent a cab or get a taxi easily. Also, buses are commuting through this route which can cover your distance. Nonetheless, there is also an option of reaching the church by walking as it will take only 20-30 minutes.

Spend an evening at Aguada Fort/Dil Chahta Hai Fort.

If you are having a long and tiring day at work or anywhere, then there is no better place to chill and relax than Aguada Fort. You can visit this Aguada Fort at free of cost unlike any other forts in Goa. It is located on Sinquerim beach, this fort has gained many tourist attractions since it got featured in a super hit movie named Dil Chahta Hai starring Amir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaya Khanna. That one moment scene at Aguada Fort redefined friendship and took tourism in Goa on a different level, especially at Aguada Fort. Since then this fort has been on everyone's itinerary list for the iconic picture moment just like shown in the movie. Aguada Fort also features a 4 storeyed lighthouse known as Aguada Lighthouse, built-in 1864 and is said to be the oldest lighthouse in Asia. 

Highlights of Aguada Fort 

• Lighthouse
• Aguada jail.
• Beautiful view of Sunset

Timing of Aguada Fort

Opens at 9:30 AM in the morning and closes at 6:00 PM in the evening.

How to reach Aguada Fort

From Panaji buses and taxis are readily available at any time. It hardly takes 30-40 minutes to reach Aguada Fort from Panjim as the Fort is just 15 Km away. 

Enjoy strong waves at Candolim Beach

At a distance of about 5 Km from Aguada Fort, Candolim Beach in North Goa is one of the most famous beaches in the country and is not at all calm. At this beach, you never have to wait for a party to get started as tourists and the locals are always in the party mood, be it at day time or at night. This is the best place if you want to experience real beach life, waves here get very strong as it comes near you. The amazing shacks will serve delicious Goan Seafood and for the lovers of seafood, Candolim Beach will turn out to be heaven for them. Before you enter the beach you will come across a vast market where you’ll get attracted to many products which are available at a very low cost. Once you start exploring this place you will have an immersive goan experience. 

Highlights of Candolim Beach

• Goan Seafood.
• The nightlife of Candolim Beach.
• Water Sports like parasailing, scuba diving, jet-skiing.
• Vast market.

Bus and taxi price/time from Panaji to Candolim beach

• The bus will take about 30 minutes to reach from Panaji and will charge the amount of 30-40 Rs. 
• Car/taxi is also an option which you can take to reach Candolim beach and will take only 15-20 minutes to reach.

Cruise/Boat Ride In Goa

Goa, being the most attractive destination among all the age groups in the country and among the top destinations for a vacation in the world, gets more charming and beautiful when you opt for a cruise ride or a boat ride in Goa. Special dinner night with your loved one, Party Cruise, Celebrate a special occasion, sunset river cruise, many adventure boat rides, the list goes on and it’s a never-ending thing in Goa when it comes to adventure in Goa. There are various boat tours organised in Goa where you can explore Goan culture, village life and popular sights like Aguada Fort, Merchants bungalow, and a few beaches. Apart from this, enjoy the cruise tour where you can spot many dolphins, crocodiles, enjoy the beautiful sunset and so much more to do. Take a cruise/boat ride and see the mesmerizing beauty of the Islands, beaches, and the beautiful culture of Goa. Cruising in Goa is one of the best ways to enchant yourself with tropical paradise and unparalleled experience to any adventure in Goa and that experience turns out to be a memory of a lifetime. While you go for a cruise ride, you can always expect the unexpected, apart from the breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea you can also witness many cute dolphins around your cruise and many never seen before birds. 

Cost of Cruise/Boat Ride In Goa

Dinner Cruise - 2500

Adventure Boat Ride - 1600

Casino Cruise - 1200-5000

House Boat Cruise - 2800

Cordelia Cruise (Mumbai to Goa) - 15,600 

Luxury Cruise - 1200

Sunset River Cruise - 500

Things To Do In Goa

Shop at Margao Market

The typical Goan market in South Goa is where you’ll find many attractive things to buy like Goan wine, cashews, chillies, dry fish and prawns that you will definitely try while you look. If you are wondering if this market is all about eating or food shopping well then get ready to lose some money as you see some amazing attires like dresses, gowns, and shirts from the outer area of the market at a very low price. The wide range of handicrafts and artefacts are also a good option to choose from and the friendliness of sellers in this market will make an instant hit with you.  The Margao market is also an important landmark in Margao and an integral part of the trade industry as well. If you are good at bargaining then you will definitely have a good experience shopping at Margao Market. 

Highlights of Margao Market

• Different types of Goan Wine.
• Amazing clothes. 
• Known as the heart of south goa.

Timing of Margao Market

• Opens at 5 AM in the morning and closes at 8:30 PM at night.

Eat at the Goan Room Restaurant, Panaji

It doesn’t matter if you are a seafood lover or not, if not then don’t worry you are just about to become one. The Goan Room is a restaurant at Dana Paul. Panaji where you’ll get the most authentic and delicious seafood. Kingfish, pomfret, some fantastic prawns, squid, mussels are just a few to name.  Here you’ll be served 2 types of amazing thalis of seafood, in the first thali you will be served prawns, fish and other Goan curries with rice which is of Rs 150 per person, whereas in the second thali you will be served kingfish, prawn, crab, mussels with Goan curry and rice served with a sweet which will cost you Rs 250 per person. 

Highlights of The Goan Room Restaurant

• Authentic Seafood.
• Peaceful Ambience.
• Low Price Delicious Meal

Rent a scooter and keep exploring 

Be it a solo traveller or a group of friends and family travelling to Goa, exploring Goa on a rented scooter/bike is one of the most common things to do in Goa. Tourists from all around the world visit Goa and always rent a scooter to explore Goa on their own. It is just an amazing amazing experience to ride a bike in an open-air atmosphere and roads surrounded by lush greenery. Bikes and scooters are available from higher-end like Duke to lower-end scooters like Honda Activa, It is one of the most comfortable ways to roam around in Goa and explore it on your own terms and conditions. 

Price of bike/scooter

• Royal Enfield - Rs 800 per person.
• Duke - Rs 1500 per person.
• Honda Activa 5G- Rs 350 per person.

Get souvenirs from Anjuna Market

Anjuna beach is one of the most famous beaches in Goa. Here on every Wednesday, a flea market opens up where you can get everything, yes everything. From electronic goods to handmade items. Although it opens only on Wednesday, the Anjuna market is the most famous and happening market in Goa. Here you can buy casual clothes, beachwear, hammocks, musical instruments, get yourself an interesting tattoo, get some western jewellery or junk jewellery, wall hangings to footwear, you can buy all these from stalls at a very low price and still save some bucks for other great deals. 

Major attractions of Anjuna Market

• Cool headgear and tribal mask.
• Macrame Jewellery.
• Funky dresses.
• Tibetan market stuff.

How to reach Anjuna Market

You can take a bus from the Panaji Bus stand and it will drop you at Anjuna Beach. From the beach, you can either walk or take a tuk-tuk to the Anjuna Flea Market. 

Water sports activities in Goa

One of the best things that Goa teaches its tourists is that you take care of nature and nature will take care of you, you keep the ocean clean and the ocean will let you enjoy in manners that you can’t imagine. It’s okay to be a non-swimmer, just delve into gigantic coral reefs and witness the beautiful underwater world as you go scuba diving in Goa. Explore beautiful multicoloured fishes, enormous plant life, coral reefs, and the golden sand. Scuba diving is a completely safe underwater activity even if you are a first-timer. Just like the monsoon season never fails to mesmerise you with its beauty, similarly, white water river rafting in the Tilari River will also leave you fascinated in the monsoon season. One of the most famous and popular water sports adventure activities, the white water river rafting will make you feel the rush of wind in your hair with the breeze of the river. With the lush greenery, the rapidly flowing river is inviting you to try the amazing white water river rafting. This big hit adventure sport located in the Tilari River of North Goa is among the must-try adventure activities of all adventure seekers around the world. There are so many water sports activities all over Goa, you just name it and it's there. Adrenaline packed water sport that’ll give you a chance to get an experience like never before and where you’ll defy gravity. If you have seen the movie Bang Bang of Hritik Roshan then you must be aware of this thrilling adventure water sports activity, flyboarding at Chapora River of North Goa of the Arabian Sea with a combination of jet ski and jetpack. Flyboarding is the most exciting water sport activity among any water sports adventure. It will give you a thrill and adrenaline pump that no sport or adventure would be able to give in any sort of manner.

Famous locations and cost for water sports activity. 

Scuba Diving - Cost (2000-5000) Location - Baga Beach, Calangute Beach, and Grande Island.

White water river rafting - Cost (1800-3000) Location - Mandovi River

Snorkelling - Cost (1300-3500) Location - Sinquerim Beach, Palolem Beach, Monkey Island (Grande Island)

Banana Boat Ride - Cost (350) Location - Baga Beach, Calangute Beach.

Kayaking - Cost (1300-2000) Location - Baga Beach, Sal River, Cola Beach

Flyboarding - Cost (2000-4000) Location - Chaora River.

Jetlev Flyer - Cost (4000) Location - Chapora River

Jet Skiing - Cost (350-400) Location - Baga Beach. Calangute Beach, Dona Paula, Sal River. 

Make It Happen In Goa

From Saat Hindustani,Tirkaal, Ek Duuje Ke Liye, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, josh to Dil Chahta Hai, Golmaal, Four More Shots Please, Finding Fanny, and Dear Zindagi. Goa has always been one of the best locations for filming superhit Bollywood movies over the last few decades. The beautiful and pristine narrow roads lined up with lush greenery palm trees on both sides left and right and imagine yourself walking with your loved one or cycling on that road where the fresh air flirts with your hair, what would you call it? “Dear Zindagi” please take me there or let’s get “four more shots” here please. There are so many movies and web series that have been shot in Goa. Now imagine yourself getting framed at some of the iconic places (specific places) where these movies have been shot, cool right? Let’s bring down the specific places and movies where these iconic movies with big film stars were shot.   

Dear Zindagi and Four More Shots Please - Parra Road.

1969 film Saat Hindustani - Statue of Abbe Faria next to the old secretariat, Panaji.

Josh - St. Sebastian Chapel.

Finding Fanny - Chapora Fort.

Dil Chahta Hai - Aguada Fort.

Ek Villain  - Capital city, Panaji.

Golmaal Series - Dona Paula beach, Fort Aguada, GMC Complex of Panaji.

Singham - Dona Paula Jetty.

Walk-through The Graffiti Wall In Panaji. 

Beyond the beaches of Goa and its nightlife, there exists something that will enthral you with its beautiful living and breathing heritage. Goa exudes and nurtures art tradition. Walking down the streets of Panjim is nothing less than walking into an art gallery. Experience the actual culture of Goa, with a blend of Portuguese and Indian which makes Goa the colourful place it is today. A heritage walk through Fontainhas Goa in Panjim is highly recommended where you’ll walk through the living history of Goa. From vibrant heritage homes of Goa made of eggshells and limestones to Fountain of Phoenix and wishing well, you will experience and see the parts of history here. The beautiful houses with lively colours will lift your mood in an instant. At this place, you will go down childhood memory lane and remember the game you used to play very often of color which color blue, green, yellow, brown. You just name it and it's there. There is not a single thing while exploring this place that you won’t like, in fact, you will love it. The elements of some houses are so amusing that you won’t find them anywhere else in the country. The oyster shells as window panes, buildings having projected balconies with wall paints, the red coloured tiles that adorn the rooftops, are some of the striking elements that stands out and makes the houses of Fountainhas extremely photogenic. 

Major highlights of Fontainhas.

• Colourful houses.
• Fountain of Phoenix.
• Wishing well.
• Wall Paints.
• Photogenic houses.
• Colourful steps at Rua De Natal.

Best Time to Visit Fontainhas

There is nothing like a perfect month or season to visit Fontainhas, visit this beautiful place in any month except the monsoon season. If you want to enjoy the heritage walk to the fullest then start early in the morning at 6 AM as you’ll have less crowd and a better chance to get yourself a good picture.