Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Goa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Goa or Essaouira?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Goa or Essaouira? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Goa or Essaouira?
Goa
Goa is a small but important state located on the west coast of India known as a popular beach resort and vacation area.
A large Portuguese influence can be found in Goa in the form of architecture as well as the cuisine, as it was formerly a Portuguese colony. Because of Goa's Portuguese history, there is a distribution of religion among the people, making it quite different than other states in India. About sixty-five percent of the population is Hindu, while about twenty-four percent is Catholic. Goa is one of the most peaceful states in India, with a very low crime rate. The best time to visit Goa is between November and February, as this is when the weather is most comfortable.
This is a popular tourist destination both for the Indian population as well as for tourists from around the world. The warm climate, beautiful beaches, friendly people, fun activities, and cultural diversity make it a popular destination for many types of travelers.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai, The Best 2-Week Tours from New Delhi, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGoa $32Essaouira $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Goa is $32, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is $46. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Goa and Essaouira in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGoa $15Essaouira $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGoa $30Essaouira $52
Compare Hotels in Goa and Essaouira
Looking for a hotel in Goa or Essaouira? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Essaouira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Goa $5.29Essaouira $1.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Goa
Also for Goa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mumbai to Goa Transfer: $190
- Pune to Goa transfer: $180
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira
Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfert Essaouira to Casablanca/Pivarte Casablanc to Essaouira : $241
- Transfer from Essaouira to your Riad or Hotel in Marrakech: $165
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $94
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $94
- Private transfer Marrakech to Essaouira or Essaouira toMarrakech : $103
- Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakesh Menara (RAK) Airport: $128
- Private Transfer Essaouira - Rabat: $263
- Marrakech : Private Transfer from or to Marrakech Airoport: $22
- From Scenic Diabat Horseback Ride with Transfer: $48
- From Private Transfer to Taghazout or Agadir: $151
- From Private Transfer to Marrakech: $124
- From Private Transfer to Casablanca: $323
Is it cheaper to fly into Goa or Essaouira?
Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Goa change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayGoa $9.77Essaouira $14
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
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Baklava$1.40
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Breakfast Crepes$0.50
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Fish for Lunch$15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira
For Essaouira, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class: $39
- L'Atelier Madada Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $55
- Essaouira Cooking Class: $66
- Traditional Family Style Moroccan Cooking Class: $67
- 3 hours Camel Ride in Essaouira with Dinner and Overnight in Berber Camp: $171
- 3 Hours Horse Riding with Dinner and Overnight Berber Camp: $173
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Goa $12Essaouira $12
Tours and Activities in Essaouira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.
- Big Cap Sim dunes and forest 3 hours tour.: $70
- 2 Hour Quad & ATV Experience: $58
- Big dunes and atlantic coast tour 2 HOURS: $57
- Essaouira : 1H quad bike tour and 1H camel ride: $57
- Essaouira : Half-day E-Experience from Mountains to Sea: $129
- Essaouira Guided Tour: 3 on 1 - Nightlife tour, Live like a local & Street food: $66
- Essaouira Sand Dunes: Half Day Quad Bike Tour: $66
- 3-Hour Camel Tour: $40
- 3-Hour Quad Bike Tour: $87
- Area Highlights 3 hours E-Bike Tour: $61
- Atlantic Dune Buggy Adventure: $155
- Cultural & Historical Sightseeing Tour - half day: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGoa $12Essaouira $9.16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Goa and Essaouira, we can see that Essaouira is more expensive. And not only is Goa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Goa is in Asia and Essaouira is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Goa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Goa and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Essaouira would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Essaouira than you might in Goa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Goa Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Goa or Essaouira?
Goa has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Goa and Essaouira, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.