No doubt you’ve landed here because you’re planning a trip to India. We’re so excited for you, we went ahead and collected the best hostels in Goa!
Did you know? Goa is a state in India, and not the name of a city or township. It’s typically divided between North Goa and South Goa.
It sits along the beautiful western coastline, boasting beaches that will make your heart pound faster.
In this guide, we’re going to visit Arpora, Anjuna and Arambol – all areas near the beach in North Goa, close by to each other.
Good To Know: We also have detailed guides to the best hostels in India and the best yoga retreats in Goa.
Our favorite hostels in Goa are:
- Craft Hostels - best for Older Travellers
- Imagination-Artist Hostel - best for Socializing
- Dreams Hostel - best for Backpackers
If you’re backpacking Goa or on a Goa solo trip, this guide is for you.
1. Craft Hostels
2. Imagination-Artist Hostel
3. Dreams Hostel
This collection includes a party hostel and super cool female-only hostel – keep scrolling! But before you scroll, you can also check out our guide on the best backpackers hostels in Goa as well.
Money-saving Tip: Before making your reservation, compare all prices on major booking platforms for hostels in Goa with Hostelz.com, and save lots of money!
This guide is perfect for YOU, when …
- tired of bad and crappy hostels
- want to avoid the “young party kids”
- happy to spend 1-2€ for a better experience
What about 5 Star Hostels in India? So far there isn’t one, but we’ll keep looking.
If you’re heading to the capital, have a look at the best hostels in New Delhi and top hostels in Jaipur.
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Goa
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Goa cost 2€ – 6€ per night for a bed in a dorm. Private rooms start from 14€ up to 40€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
North or South Goa: Basically, the beaches in the far South and the farthest North are the best in Goa. Anjuna is popular with often crowded beaches, whereas Arambol is quieter with clean, pretty beaches.
Palolem Beach in South Goa is well worth a visit.
South Goa is more relaxing, where as North Goa is where you’ll find the party scene.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The 3 Best Hostels in Goa are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Goa.
- Craft Hostels – best for Older Travellers
- Imagination-Artist Hostel – best for Socializing
- Dreams Hostel – best for Backpackers
These are our favorite hostels in Goa. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
1. Craft Hostels
2. Imagination-Artist Hostel
3. Dreams Hostel
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Dreams Hostel |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Imagination-Artist Hostel |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | Happy Panda |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | Dreams Hostel |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Craft Hostels |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Craft Hostels |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Craft Hostels |
| 🎒 For Backpackers: | Imagination-Artist Hostel |
1. Craft Hostels
Following on with a relaxed and chic theme is the welcoming Craft Hostels in Anjuna.
The way it has been designed and decorated gives it a real Indian home feel that we know you’ll love.
Once again, it’s home to some seriously special staff – Indian hospitality is second to none.
If you’ve got queries or problems, don’t hesitate to ask at reception.
It’s open 24 hours a day, too. This is also great if you’re checking in late or happen to arrive very early.
Note: there is no free breakfast, but food (including dinner) can be ordered.
Moving on to the rooms, all of which have access to free Wi-Fi.
There’s a good selection, including:
- 6-bed mixed dorm
- 10-bed female dorm
- Standard, superior & king double rooms
- Triple room w/ balcony
It’s the slanted thatched roofs that really bring a unique element to these rooms.
Though the rooms are spacious, you may prefer hanging out in the garden area.
See if you can spot the resident cats from your comfy outdoor rocking chair. Read a book and let the day escape you.
Either that or wander down and have a look at the nearby and popular Anjuna flea market. It’s on every Wednesday.
Oh and there is free parking and free internet onsite.
Location: Just a few minutes walk from Anjuna beach and flea market. Baga beach is less than 1.5km away. That’s one impressive address – the best hostel in Goa near beach and fun.
This is one of the best hostels in Goa for
- Older travellers
- Beach lovers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. Imagination-Artist Hostel
If you’re an artist, performer, or just someone who thrives in a creative atmosphere, I highly recommend checking out Imagination-Artist Hostel. This isn’t your typical hostel; it’s a community dedicated to fostering creativity and inspiration, located just a short 1.2 km from the beautiful Arambol beach.
The hostel offers a dorm-style setup with 20 comfy beds, ensuring a secure and comfortable stay with personal lockers. Set atop a hill, you’ll need to navigate some stairs to fully experience the hostel’s charm, especially its rooftop terrace, which is perfect for engaging in deep conversations or collaborating on artistic projects.
What sets ImagiNation apart is its focus on creative expression. There’s a mini-library filled with great reads, various musical instruments for impromptu jam sessions, and a range of painting materials. The communal spaces are designed to inspire and foster a sense of community among guests.
Keep in mind, this isn’t a party hostel. It’s a peaceful retreat where you can have relaxed nights playing music, discussing books, and connecting with fellow creative minds. The hostel does have basic kitchen facilities for storing and heating food, but full cooking isn’t an option. However, several affordable restaurants nearby offer delivery services.
A few things to note:
- The hostel prioritizes a harmonious, family-like atmosphere, with shared washrooms and common areas. It’s a great fit if you enjoy communal living.
- Check-ins need to be done before 5pm as the reception closes afterward.
- It’s essential to contact the hostel in advance if you’re not sure whether you’ll fit into the artistic environment.
- For those who love art, creativity, and a sense of community, ImagiNation-Artist Hostel is a fantastic choice in Goa. It’s more than just a place to stay; it’s an opportunity to connect, create, and be part of a unique artistic community.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Dreams Hostel
Calling all international backpackers that crave a fabulous social space; welcome to Dreams Hostel.
The lovely staff here have created
“…an atmosphere of fun, relaxation, creativity and adventure.”
Looking for great backpacker hostels? This is the best backpackers Goa India has to offer!
Whether you want to meet people, create art, practise yoga, play games or cook, it’s impossible to be disappointed here.
It’s the huge lounge area that carries a welcoming energy for all – the true centrepiece of Dream.
The building itself resembles the Portuguese influence, redesigned as a garden hostel.
Amenities are vast, including:
- Garden w/ hammocks
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Rustic common area
To top it off, filter water is free and the free WiFi is fast. In case you have questions, reception is open 24/7.
Important: groups of more than 4 are not accepted here. There is also an age restriction of 18-39 years.
This makes it a good choice if you’re seeking youth hostels in Goa.
There also happens to be a great selection of rooms.
From 6 and 8-bed mixed dorms, to a 6-bed female room. If you prefer, there is also a single and double private option.
We just love the wooden design. The black bed frames really compliment and add personality.
Though the bunks are pretty simple in the dorms, each bed does come with a charging point.
Anyway, there’s so much more to be doing than lounging in bed!
Location: Looking for the best hostels in Vagator Goa? This is it, just 500m from Big Vagator beach. Shops and everything you might need is within walking distance.
This is one of the best hostels in Goa for
- Backpackers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
What about cheapest hostels in Goa?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels – forget hotels and looking for a guest house.
We think, it’s not worth it to go with the cheapest hostel out there.
Why?
The difference is usually 1-2€ ($1-2) per night, and a lot of amenities are not included. This can be breakfast or linen.
However, if you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Goa.
- Open Hostelworld with full list of budget places to stay in Goa
- Order the listing by price
Simple as that.
Read: 15 hacks for booking hostels
Make sure you use then the other filters and rank per price.
Also keep a close eye on the ratings, especially the “extreme ratings”. Meaning, the best and worst. These ratings can give great insight on what to expect.
Best Hostels in Goa for Solo Travellers?
What is seriously the best hostel in Goa for solo-travellers?
Quite honestly, ALL hostels in Goa are great for solo travellers of all types.
Whether you’re sociable, introverted, a party animal or like to chat and have a room to yourself – all is possible at Goa hostels.
Most of them come with female only dorms, too.
Skip ahead and discover The Yuppi Hippi Hideout – a female-only hostel.
So yes, take some time and figure out which hostel best suits your personality.
Top tip: why not spend a night or two in a few different hostels?
Party Hostels in Goa
Partying in Goa? For many travellers, this is the main reason to visit this part of India.
It’s quite well-known for great nightlife, festivals and live music. So how could we not include some fun party hostels in Goa.
In fact, we’ve got 4 we’d like to share with you!
Quickly: for a full-on party hostel choose The Bucket List Hostel Goa. They specialise in offering a Beer Challenge that consists of drinking 9 beers and 3 shots. Good luck!
If you want to check out other party hostels in Goa, we have written a guide to the coolest party hostels in Goa.
Happy Panda Hostel Goa
Happy Panda is not a business, it’s a home that wants to be shared with friendly travellers.
Get involved in drum circles, jam sessions and cheap drinks at the bar.
There’s a really cool neon room for partying and plenty of outdoor space to chill.
The bookshelf is loaded, the kitchen is open and guitars are waiting to be played.
Location: In Arambol, 10-minutes from the beach.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
Pappi Chulo Hostel
Inside the colourful walls of Pappi Chulo is a collection of fun loving, crazy family souls.
Its another bright space boasting a bar, graffiti arts, hostel pets and parteeey.
Perhaps it’s the design that gives this place a really good vibe. Perhaps it’s the people. You won’t know unless you go!
Location: Minutes walk from the beach, shops and restaurants.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
Female Only Hostel – UNIQUE hostel Goa
Alright lovely ladies, how about a purely female hostel?
This isn’t a common occurrence around the world. Yet, it is a great option if you’re new to hostelling and/or prefer female company on your travels.
The Yuppi Hippi Hideout is a stunning recommendation in South Anjuna.
It happens to overlook the beach and represents relaxing village life.
No doubt all of the little homely details will be appreciated: cushions, hammocks, memory foam mattress.
Good to know: there are no dorms here, only private doubles with ensuite.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelz.com
More Hostels Worth a Mention
Seeing as Goa offers up so many cool hostels, we thought we’d include a few more.
Just in case you’re still not sure…here’s some more!
The Funky Monkey Hostel
This hostel has been designed with harmony and peace in mind. Alongside good times and yoga!
The Funky Monkey wants you to join them for partying, relaxing in a hammock and chilling by the beach.
They have even invested in buiding an entirely new wing which boasts private rooms with AC and a garden, a new yoga space and a plastic-free bar (serving up delicious cocktails)!
It’s a top choice for sociable solo travellers.
Location: 5-minutes from Anjuna beach and all of the major activities in the area.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
It is completely free to join!
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Goa best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Our Favorite Hostels in Goa put on a map + sights
Let us have a look on the map. Below we list all three best Goa hostels on a map. Alternatively, we also have our best backpackers hostels in Goa guide that we recommend checking out for more options!
Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map having all sights and potential hostels on it. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.
We also included the main tourist attractions you’ve to know in this list:
- Aguada Fort
- Basilica of Bom Jesus
- Chapora Fort
- Anjuna Flea Market
The main beach list in Goa is included on the map. We deem these the best beaches of Goa for foreigners:
- Baga Beach
- Arambol Beach
- Calangute Beach
- Palolem Beach
We’ve marked them as follows:
- Best Beaches: Yellow
- TOP Sights: Green
- More COOL hostels: Orange
- Party Hostels: Purple
- Best Goa Hostels: Pink
Any questions about hostels in Goa? 🤔
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Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
Flights to Goa?
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
FAQ
How Much are Hostels in Goa?
Prices start from $3 for a dorm. For a top-rated hostel you need to pay around $4. You can find all statistics and average prices for Goa Hostels at Hostelz.com. Hostelworld is then the place to book your hostel.
What is the best beach for foreigners in Goa?
If you're looking for a beach party at Goa, you'll find clubs, bars and shacks in many of the main tourist spots for a good time. Check the handy map for a list of the best beaches.
Which is the best and cheapest hostel in Goa?
The best hostel in Goa is Craft Hostels - skip back to the beginning and have a read.
As for the cheapest? Check out our cheapest hostels section for more information.
Where can I find a beach party in Goa?
If you're looking for a beach party Goa style, head to one of the beach shacks or clubs that line some of the main beaches in Anjuna area.
Are there any private parties in Goa?
No doubt you can find a private party in Goa. My suggestion would be to seek them out once you're there. Ask locals, speak with other travellers and enquire about Goa nightlife tips with hostels. Good luck!
Which is the best hostel in North Goa?
We reckon it's a close call between JUNGLE by thehostelcrowd and Pappi Chulo. Have a look at both and see which one suits your style more.
What are some of the good backpacking hostels in Goa India?
If you're setting out to enjoy a Goa backpacking trip, book your stay with Dreams Hostel.
The common garden, lounge area and hammocks make for a great place to chill.
Are there any good paying guest or hostel accommodation in Goa for women?
Oh yes! There is in fact an ladies-only hostel called The Yuppi Hippi Hideout. It's right by the beach and offers luxurious private rooms with added social spaces.
What are the best places to stay in Goa for couples?
The #3 hostel in Goa, Dreams Hostel, is ideal for couples.
It's a really cute space, with family dinners and a swimming pool for socialising. Private rooms are cosy and offer some alone time when wanted.
More Guides
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Goa.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- best hostels in Mumbai
- best hostels in Jaipur
- best hostels in Delhi
- best hostels in Chennai
- best hostels in Rishikesh
- 27 best hostels in Sri Lanka
- backpacker hostels in Goa
- best hostels in Dharamshala
- yoga retreats in Rishikesh
- best hostels in Darjeeling
- best hostels in Pondicherry
- best hostels in Pokhara, Nepal
- best hostels in Kathmandu, Nepal
You can find all our new and updates articles for Best Hostels in here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list and more.
Over to you
When you landed here, you were probably thinking; I want to know about Goa. Now you know!
Was this useful? Do you have any questions, doubts? Looking for more travel tips?
Then please please leave us a comment. This list of awesome Goa hostels should be as informative and useful as possible.
Your question will help me to understand what I have missed to mention.
Therefore, drop us a comment, we are keen to help you!
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter and find the best place on a budget! We ONLY recommend places we know you will enjoy, no matter what.
We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We only share with you places we also recommend to our best friends and family!
Enjoy this fine hostel selection and all 5 Star Hostels.
Red Door Hostel – CLOSED
Set in a colourful outdoor setting, there is much fun to be had at Red Door Hostel.
Get ready for:
- Beers & cocktails in the bar
- Happy Hour all night
- Beer pong tournaments
- Karaoke & free shots
There’s a shared kitchen and a cafe that sells breakfast and coffee to sooth your hangover.
Location: 5-minutes from Anjuna beach and 20-minutes to Vagator beach.
CLOSED: Woke Hostel Arpora
Update: This hostel has permanently closed. We’ve kept this content here for your information.
First up is a home-from-home experience ideal for a first stop in India to settle you in.
Step in to an old Goan-Portuguese residence and meet the super friendly staff at Woke Hostel Arpora.
Seriously, they go out of their way to make their guests welcome.
Join in the evening drinks and settle your nerves with a delicious meal shared with the hostel family.
Let’s set the scene a little bit more. This hostel has…
- Curated garden w/ palm trees
- Blissful swimming pool
- Antique furniture
- On-site library
- Yoga sessions on offer
Let’s go!
Ok wait just a minute, there is more.
If you’re willing to spend a few extra coins, which we suggest you do, you can enjoy a breakfast from a menu selection. Indian food = seriously yum.
Note: reception hours are from 8:30am-8:30pm.
Rooms include mixed and female dorm with 10-beds, plus single and double privates.
Travelling solo? Choose the single room with pool view at a reasonable price.
Quite frankly it’s amazing the level of comfort that’s on offer here. You may forget you’re in India.
When you’re not swinging in a hammock, feel free to use the kitchen and help yourself to tea.
Location: Situated in Arpora, less than 2km from Baga beach and night market.
This is one of the best hostels in Goa for
- Couples
- Solo travellers
