What a night costs
| 🛏️ Hostel dorm bed | $6–$12/night |
| 🚪 Private room (hostel/guesthouse) | $15–$30/night |
| 🏨 Budget hotel / Airbnb room | $22–$45/night |
Full backpacker daily budget for India (bed + food + local transport + fun): about $25/day shoestring or $45/day flashpacker.
Where to stay
Anjuna/Vagator in the north for the scene, Palolem in the south for calm.
Local tip
💡 November and February are the sweet spots — peak season (Dec–Jan) doubles prices.
The clean-bed formula
Filter to rating ≥ 8.3 with 150+ reviews, then read the recent negative reviews — that's where the cleanliness truth lives. Prefer free-cancellation rates; plans change, especially yours.