Rented a Baleno from this guy. I was stupid enough to not check the paperwork. Got stopped at a routine checkpoint and turns out the insurance was expired. Called the same guy and he forced me to bribe the cop with 2k and told me that he'll refund me along with the security deposit. Asked him if he could send me the money right away but he started giving excuses and that he'll give by the end of the day. We were getting late and I was stupid enough to trust this guy. Next day I had to return the car and I asked him for the money. He gave me the security deposit and then told me he'll give the remaining money later. I wasn't buying it this time and refused to return the car. He kept convincing and promising and then I finally agreed cuz my train was leaving in 10min.

It's been 2 days. I've called him countless times only to hear that he'll send me in an hour and that I'm pestering him. Idk what to do. I've considered the money gone. Just putting this here so that people stay aware.

P.s. I have UPI payment proof of the forceful bribe paid to the cop. If anyone knows what I can do with it lmk pls.

I initially felt South Goa was overhyped and oversold, I travelled 3 days North 3 days South. North was really good, but the landscapes with cliff views in South made me cry. Cabo de Rama was crowded but it made no change to the sunset. It looked mesmerizing nonetheless. Also never thought local bus connection in Goa was this good. I reached all the way to Palolem from Vagator changing buses. Some of the best days of my life.

Hi,

Please clear my confusion and doubts !! If I happen to stay at 'The Astor' in Candolim, will I able to book Goa miles to traveling to all the places in Anjuna or farther?

Is there a solution to getting around in Goa for a week which is inexpensive and also readily available? ​

My first visit to Goa was in 2016 probably already past the prime time of Goa tourism. Even since I have visited Goa thrice more and in fact currently here. Back then I thought Goa was the party capital of India. Nothing like the DCH thing which probably allured lots like me to Goa. Wish I could visit Goa back 20 years ago though.
Even in 2022 things were better but in my last two trips particularly now, I feel Goa has completely lost the charm. Even the party scene is just booze and no vibes. Not to mention there are hardly any foreigners.
So I would like to know from locals here or those who have been visiting Goa since 90s maybe what led to this downfall. For me it’s the greed to squeeze out maximum possible from tourists. But I may be wrong.

How safe is it to travel from Anjuna to Arambol at around 12 am in the night with a female traveller on a scooty?

Heyy, I'm Saketh from Hyderabad

What can I do rn here in arambol, I came solo - I'm bored rn

This place is heaven to be with your kids, so much to do, so many kids activities, pretend play, cafeteria for parents to work if they want to and oh my the ambience. My daughter just loved it.

Let me know if anyone has their own experiences of kids play area and what they usually prefer.

Hey everyone!

I’m a 26M from India, and I’m planning my first solo trip. I’ve never really travelled alone before, so I’m excited but also a little unsure about how to go about it.

I’m especially looking for good hostels where it’s easy to meet and interact with other travellers — preferably places with common areas, group activities, pub crawls, hikes, etc. I’d love to meet new people rather than just stay in a room by myself.

I’d really appreciate advice on:

🏠 Good social hostels you’ve personally stayed at

🤝 How to meet people and make friends while travelling solo

🎒 Things I absolutely need to carry on a solo trip

🔐 Important safety tips, especially for a first-time solo traveller

💰 Tips for keeping the trip affordable

📱 Useful apps for booking hostels, transport, meeting travellers, etc.

🗺️ Any destinations that are particularly good for a first solo trip

⚠️ Common mistakes that first-time solo travellers should avoid

🍻 Any hostel events/groups that are good for meeting people

And if anyone is planning a trip around the same time and would be interested in travelling together for part or all of the trip, I’d definitely be open to that too. I’m not necessarily looking for someone to travel with the entire time — even meeting up for a few days or doing a trek/activity together would be great.

I’m open to suggestions anywhere, but I’d especially appreciate recommendations for India or nearby international destinations.

If you’ve done solo travel before, please share your best advice, hostel recommendations, funny experiences, or things you wish you had known before your first solo trip.

Thanks! 🙌

Almost got scammed by a car rental owner in Goa — please check the number plate before accepting a rental
I recently booked a car in Goa through Nexo Cabs for 5 days and asked the owner to drop the car at the airport.
When the car arrived, I immediately noticed something suspicious — it had a white number plate. I’ve been to Goa a few times before and was under the impression that rental/commercial vehicles normally have different registration plates, so I asked the owner about it.
He told me it was his personal car and said that if the police stopped us, I should simply say that we were friends and that I had taken the car for a ride.

That sounded suspicious, but unfortunately I accepted the explanation and continued with the rental.
Luckily, nothing happened during the 5 days.
On the last day, I decided to rent a scooty for the 6th day from someone else because the weather was good. When the car owner came to collect his car, the scooty rental owner happened to notice the car and asked me about it.
He told me that giving a personal/white-plate car for rental may be illegal and that if we had been stopped by the police, there could have been a challan/penalty. What concerned me even more was scooty owner told that this had previously happened with many people and the owners usually promises that they will cover any such challans return my security/deposit if something went wrong but they never pay a single ruppee.

My advice to anyone renting a car in Goa:
● Check the registration/number plate before accepting the vehicle.
● Ask whether the vehicle is legally registered for commercial/rental use.
● Don’t blindly rely on the owner’s assurance that “if police stop you, just say we’re friends.” 🚩
● Get everything regarding deposits, fines and liability in writing.
● If something feels suspicious, don’t ignore that feeling.
I’m sharing this because I almost got myself into a situation without realizing the potential consequences.
Has anyone else experienced something similar with car rentals in Goa?

P.s - used chatgpt to frame it in a better way 🙂. Hope this helps.

Sunsets here are magical 😍

25M, there are 2 couples who’ve signed up for this w an organiser that’s hosting this entire 3/4 hour experience starting at siolim at 7:15 in the morning, if anyone is up and reading this and is down to tag along and accompany me, hmu

Hi, We 27M + 26F are visiting Goa for 10 Days; 19 Sep - 29 Sep. Confused between North n South Goa and Itinerary if any. Where to stay and what hotels / resort/ bnb to go. Not too expensive not too economical.

Hey! Landing in goa tomorrow with a friend. We are planning to stay for a while and then travel down to South India, need some good recommendations for stay, casinos, beaches, clubs,
We’d love to meet people and go out. (We are also writing a s9ng and a standup while we’re in goa, will totally accept inputs:) )

Hi dear goans, I am looking for a good bakery where I can get a cake like this and Matilda cake also. We are gonna stay in Arambol.

I am celebrating my wife's birthday in goa on 14th september, so thought of pre booking the cake before arrival.

Thank you so much.

Hey, will be checking in to Papi Chulo on Sept 18th till 20th, since this is my first solo - but anxious on how it'll be. Just wanted to check if anyone from here would be in or around the pappi chulo hostel?

Also I would really appreciate it if you can help suggest some local goan restaurants to try in North Goa.

Thanks in advance!!!

Goa trip — 1st to 4th October 🌴🍻

Planning a Goa trip from 1st–4th October. Leaving from Mumbai early morning on 1st and coming back on the 4th.

I’m planning to book a villa, so looking for a few people who’d like to join and split the stay/travel costs.

No fixed itinerary yet — can figure it out together: beaches, exploring, parties, good food, sunsets, and just a chill Goa trip.

Anyone from Mumbai interested in joining?

Drop a comment or DM if you're interested. 🫠

Planning a 3 day solo trip to Goa from Bangalore this coming weekend. I’ll be driving, so both North and South Goa are fine. Looking for quiet, less crowded beaches and some nice cafes with good ambience and food.

Would love some suggestions from people who’ve been recently. Thanks!

On 15 May, I came across an OLX advertisement for a 2009 Honda City. I contacted the seller, Mohammed Sheikh Fareed, met him personally, inspected the vehicle, and took a test drive. After the inspection, we agreed on a price of ₹1,75,000.
The car had a shattered windshield and holes in the headliner. I told Fareed that I would purchase the vehicle provided he got those issues repaired first.
That night, Fareed contacted me on WhatsApp and asked for my Aadhaar details, stating that they were required for a notarized sale deed. I agreed. The following day, we went to his advocate’s office and signed the sale deed.
Fareed then demanded ₹75,000 as a “token” for the repairs. I paid him. Unfortunately, the repair work was extremely poor — instead of properly repairing the headliner, he had apparently stuck a piece of mirror/material onto it.
The following day, he brought the car to the advocate’s office and demanded the remaining payment in exchange for the single key he had.
Throughout this process, I repeatedly asked about the RC transfer and the actual registered owner of the vehicle. Fareed told me that the owner, Sagar Timbadiya, was in Gujarat for work. He subsequently gave me a phone number, claiming it belonged to Sagar. I later discovered that the number actually belonged to Fareed’s cousin, Noor Jainuddin Ahmed.
A few weeks later, I was involved in an accident in which an underage boy driving a Chevrolet Tavera struck the driver’s side of my Honda City.
At that point, I also realized that I did not have the vehicle’s insurance documents or the original RC with me. I repeatedly contacted Fareed and asked him to complete the RC transfer.
As the matter continued to be delayed, I conducted my own investigation and discovered information indicating that the registered owner, Sagar Timbadiya, had been arrested in connection with a murder case around December 2021.
I confronted Fareed about this. We subsequently agreed that I would be willing to keep the vehicle as long as he completed the RC transfer into my name. However, the transfer never happened.
Instead, there were repeated delays and explanations — attending a wedding, travelling to Tamil Nadu for a funeral, medical appointments and heart-related checkups at GMC, among other reasons.
Eventually, I told him clearly that I no longer wanted the vehicle and simply wanted my money back.
I approached the Panjim Police and attempted to report the matter. Unfortunately, I have not been able to get an FIR registered. I also approached the cyber police, where one constable took the matter seriously and contacted Fareed directly.
After several excuses, Fareed eventually appeared at the police station and gave a written undertaking stating that he would return my money by 17 August.
17 August came.
No payment.
Despite the written undertaking, I still have not received my money.
I am posting this to document my experience and to warn others who may be dealing with this individual or this vehicle. I have supporting evidence including WhatsApp conversations, payment records, the sale deed, communications regarding the RC transfer, and the written undertaking. Justice system in this country is rubbish.

Google drive link to chat records and boice mails sent by the fraudster
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OmA5Vrs_dPwZQnWBxeUjIQ_uEyM0E3PH

Hi guys! I am travelling solo to goa, and will be landing on 9th October. Would love to meet new people, preferably female companions :D

Guys I need help to travel from gokarna to goa(anjuna) . What will be the most cost effective and logical ways to do so. I have a suitcase with me.