Happy Moon Homestay is a family-run homestay in Corjuem, Aldona, North Goa, about 20 minutes (8–10 km) by road from Thivim railway station and 18 minutes (8–11 km) from Mapusa town. Air-conditioned rooms start at ₹1,000 a night for two when you book direct. We can arrange a station pickup: WhatsApp +91 95034 25896.
I’m Ulhas. Our family lives on the ground floor and guests have their own floor. Here is the practical side of arriving by train or through Mapusa.
Quick facts
| What | Answer |
|---|---|
| Thivim railway station to the homestay | 8–10 km, about 20 minutes by road |
| Mapusa town, bus stand and Friday market | 8–11 km, about 18 minutes by road |
| Ways to get here | Pickup arranged on WhatsApp, GoaMiles or Goa Taxi App cab, local taxi from Mapusa, KTCL bus from Mapusa |
| Bus from Mapusa | KTCL, Mapusa ⇄ Aldona/Corjuem (e.g. route 116), roughly 8 am–7:30 pm, about ₹15–21 |
| Room prices (direct) | ₹1,000–₹1,800 a night for 2; entire home ₹6,500 |
| Check-in / check-out | 12:00 pm / 10:00 am |
| Nearest beaches | Calangute and Baga, about 35 minutes by road |
| Google rating | 4.9 on Google (130+ reviews) |
How far is Thivim railway station from Aldona?
Thivim railway station is 8–10 km from our house in Corjuem, Aldona, about 20 minutes by road in normal traffic. Of Goa’s main railway stations, it is by far the closest to us.
Karmali station is 27–29 km away (about 40 minutes) and Madgaon is 47–52 km (about 1 hour 15 minutes). If your train stops at Thivim, get off there rather than riding on to Karmali or Madgaon. It saves you 20 minutes to nearly an hour on the road.
How do I get from Thivim station to the homestay?
The easiest way is a pickup that we arrange: WhatsApp us your train and expected arrival time, and we will confirm the rate before you travel. You can also book a cab yourself on the GoaMiles app or the government Goa Taxi App.
- Pickup on WhatsApp: message +91 95034 25896 with your train details and we will quote the Thivim rate. The one fixed transfer rate we publish is ₹1,200 for a Mopa airport pickup.
- App cab: GoaMiles or the Goa Taxi App. Search for “Happy Moon Homestay” or our plus code, HVRQ+PW Aldona.
- Two-wheeler: if you rent one, take only a bike with yellow/black commercial plates. A helmet and driving licence are compulsory.
Drivers find us most easily from our Google Maps listing. Share that link with your driver, or the coordinates 15.591833, 73.8897812. Public buses to Aldona run from Mapusa, so from the station a cab or our pickup is the practical choice, especially with luggage.
How do I get from Mapusa to Aldona?
Mapusa to our house is 8–11 km, about 18 minutes by road. Take a local taxi from Mapusa, book a GoaMiles or Goa Taxi App cab, or catch a KTCL bus.
KTCL buses run between Mapusa and Aldona/Corjuem (route 116 via Aldona–Corjuem is one of them), roughly from 8 am to 7:30 pm. The fare is about ₹15–21. Buses are regular, but timings vary, so ask at the Mapusa bus stand for the next Corjuem bus. WhatsApp us before you board and we will tell you where to get down.
When is the Mapusa Friday market, and is it worth the trip?
Yes, if your stay includes a Friday. Mapusa’s market is a weekly Friday bazaar that runs roughly from 6 am to 8 pm, and it is about 18 minutes from our door.
Staying in Aldona means you can do the market in the morning and be back in a quiet village by lunch. Mapusa also hosts a parade during Shigmo, the spring festival held in February–March. For everyday needs closer to us, see our list of grocery shops and pharmacies around the homestay.
Should I stay in Mapusa town or in Aldona?
Stay in Mapusa if you need to walk to the bus stand and market every day. Stay in Aldona if you want a quiet village base and don’t mind an 18-minute drive into Mapusa when you need it.
Aldona is a village of about 6,300 people (2011 census) in Bardez taluka, on the Mapusa river, a tributary of the Mandovi. Think paddy fields, coconut groves and Portuguese-era houses. St Thomas Church, built in 1596, stands on a plateau above the river. Corjuem Fort, built in 1705 and one of only two inland forts left in Goa, is 1.2 km from us; restoration work has been going on, so check it is open before you visit.
The honest trade-off: from Aldona you need a cab, a scooter or the bus to get anywhere, and the beaches are about 35 minutes away. We are not a beach stay and not a party house. There’s more on the village in our Aldona travel guide.
How much does a room near Thivim and Mapusa cost?
Rooms at Happy Moon Homestay cost ₹1,000 to ₹1,800 a night for two people when you book direct, and the whole house is ₹6,500. Every room has individual AC and a dedicated workstation.
| Room | Per night (2 persons) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Room 3 · Budget | ₹1,000 | Queen bed, bathroom shared between 2 rooms only; max 3 adults |
| Room 5 · Budget (nature view) | ₹1,000 | As Room 3, with a window view of greenery; max 3 adults |
| Room 1 · Private Bath | ₹1,300 | Private bathroom, latex mattress, 24/7 hot water; max 3 adults |
| Room 2 · Bathtub Room | ₹1,600 | Private bathroom with bathtub, latex mattress; max 4 adults |
| Room 4 · Premium Suite | ₹1,800 | Studio with private bathtub, own kitchen, dining, fridge and sofa; max 5 adults |
| Entire Homestay | ₹6,500 | All 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, full kitchen, living and dining; 10 guests included, up to 16 at ₹500 per extra person |
Stays of 2+ nights and 7+ nights get a discount when you book direct; ask on WhatsApp for your dates. We accept cash, UPI and bank transfer. Travelling as a big family? Read about booking the entire 5-bedroom homestay for groups. Coming to work remotely? See our workation guide with WiFi and workstation details.
How far is Aldona from the rest of Goa?
Most of North Goa is within 40 minutes of Aldona. Drive times assume normal traffic.
| Place | Distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Corjuem Fort | ~1.2 km | 5 min |
| Mayem Lake | ~7–9 km | ~15 min |
| Panaji (Panjim) | 16–18 km | ~25 min |
| Calangute / Baga beach | 16–19 km | ~35 min |
| Anjuna / Vagator | 17–20 km | ~35–40 min |
| Candolim | 18–21 km | ~40 min |
| Mopa airport (GOX) | 26–30 km | ~40 min |
| Old Goa (Bom Jesus) | 25–28 km | ~40 min |
| Dabolim airport (GOI) | 40–48 km | ~1 hr 20 min |
| Dudhsagar Falls | — | ~1 hr 50 min |
Distances are measured road distances (±2 km). Flying in instead of taking the train? Our guide to staying near Mopa airport covers the ₹1,200 pickup. To plan days out, use our interactive Goa map, the list of places to visit in North Goa, or our guide to choosing a homestay in North Goa.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Happy Moon Homestay from Thivim railway station?
About 8–10 km, which takes around 20 minutes by road in normal traffic.
Can you arrange a pickup from Thivim station?
Yes. WhatsApp +91 95034 25896 with your train and arrival time, and we will arrange the pickup and confirm the rate in advance.
Is there a bus from Mapusa to Aldona?
Yes. KTCL buses run between Mapusa and Aldona/Corjuem, for example route 116, roughly from 8 am to 7:30 pm. The fare is about ₹15–21. Buses are regular, but timings vary.
How far is the Mapusa Friday market from the homestay?
Mapusa is 8–11 km away, about 18 minutes by road. The market is held every Friday, roughly from 6 am to 8 pm.
Is Happy Moon Homestay near the beach?
No. We are a village homestay in Aldona. Calangute and Baga are about 35 minutes by road, and Anjuna and Vagator about 35–40 minutes.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is at 12:00 pm and check-out is at 10:00 am. Send us your train timings on WhatsApp so we know when to expect you.
How to contact and book Happy Moon Homestay
- WhatsApp or call: +91 95034 25896 (Ulhas Polle, host)
- Address: House No. 524/4, Hatalwado, Corjuem, Aldona, Bardez, North Goa, Goa 403508
- Google Maps: Happy Moon Homestay on Google Maps (4.9★, 130+ Google reviews)
- Book direct: homestayingoa.com — no OTA commission, best rates