goa india travel blog

A First Timer’s Guide to Goa, India

• Last Updated: February 5, 2024

Even though Goa is the smallest state on the Western coast of India, it is one of the most popular due to its rich heritage, warm and friendly people, tropical climate, scenic beaches and exotic handicraft.

Back in the 60’s & 70’s, the North of the island became a hippy-haven, a place to escape everyday life and quickly became somewhere for backpackers to hang out and party.

For people travelling India alone, it was the perfect introduction. Naturally, the more popular a place becomes, the more it changes and over time.

The North now seems to be associated with high-rise hotels, watersports, street markets and cultural buildings but it also still retains its party-vibe.

Goa was recommended to us by someone when we were holidaying in Morocco, so we carried out some research on which was the best resort to stay – North or South?

Table of Contents

Quiet Cavelossim

Dudhsager falls & spice plantation, peaceful palolem, our final evening in goa, travel facts for goa, india, other attractions, a small selection of the best beaches:, pin it for later.

We tapped Goa onto the end of a week touring the Golden Triangle and were looking for something quieter, relaxing and less developed – with all this in mind, we were advised to head South and chose Cavelossim Beach at the Dona Sylvia Beach Resort .

To ensure the area doesn’t become monopolised with high-rise hotels in the North, the resorts around Cavelossim are not allowed to be more than two storeys high.

The grounds are in a beautifully tranquil setting, filled with trees and pretty flowers, including my favourite – frangipani!

The sand at Cavelossim beach was white, soft and crunchy – it felt a little like snow underfoot (only warmer!). On our first day we relished in feeling the warm refreshing Arabian sea lap against our toes. We watched crabs dart across the beach and watched locals trying to sell their wares.

They attempted to coax us into their beach shacks but after all the haggling in Rajasthan we simply wanted to relax and walk – shopping would come later.

Whilst we were in Goa, we celebrated our 2 nd wedding anniversary so we headed to the beach for sunset with a bottle of champagne. The sky turned from pastel peach to oranges then pink – it was the perfect end to our special day.

The Goan’s are renowned for their fine multi-cultural cuisine and we both absolutely loved the culinary masterpieces served up at the resort every single time we dined.

They whip up everything possible with various types of veg and we piled this high onto our plates – this is unusual for us, we love our meat!!

Outside the resort was a small road with shops and a few bars. We always had fun talking and joking with the locals, they really made us feel part of the community and quickly recognised our faces.

One night we stopped for a beer and cocktail at the Jazz Inn which, bizarrely, had a big frangipani tree growing through the middle of it! We grooved to the cool tunes played by the DJ who was also a Bob Marley impersonator from Birmingham, England.

We had a great chat with him and discovered he spends 6 months a year in Goa.

On one occasion we caught an auto-rickshaw as a taster of true India, it was hilarious! We laughed the entire journey!

The night sky was pitch black and our vehicle barely lit the way with its tiny headlamps – goodness knows how he could see! It was loud, crazy and filthy dirty, my hair looked like a scarecrow when we finished! The driver was so proud at how quickly we had reached our destination!

We had to shower when we were back to our hotel as we felt so disgusting – but the journey was well worth it!

Dudhsager Falls (pronounced dud-sager) means “sea of milk” and is located in Colem, two bumpy hours on a coach from where we were staying.

To reach the falls, we were transferred into an overland jeep for the final 45 minutes of the journey and we drove through 3 lakes (very cool!) followed by a 10 minute walk over stones and boulders.

We stripped off to our bathers and gingerly inched our bodies into the freezing cold fresh water – obviously after a few minutes of swimming and we were acclimatised, it was OK but it was rather crisp for those first initial moments!

Big fish swam alongside us and people threw pieces of banana for them to eat – oh yes – fish …eating bananas!

We swam over to the cascading falls and felt its power as the spray hit our face, it was beautiful. We had some free time here, so we chilled on a rock listening to the roar of the tumbling water – music to our ears!

Considered to be one of the best beaches in Goa, Palolem was an hour’s taxi drive from our resort.

It is an idyllic white crescent beach naturally blessed with palm trees lining the shore, calm turquoise sea and colourful beach huts. It definitely had a laid back vibe and we watched as fishermen gathered their nets on the beach – all very picture-postcard.

We had travelled here to enjoy the beach, and whilst sitting down for an hour, a few sellers asked if we wanted to buy anything, and when we declined they left us alone.

This made it such a pleasure to relax and we understood the lure of why a backpacker would spend weeks here – purely to enjoy the simple, chilled life!

After taking a peaceful stroll along the shore, we sat in a beach bar sipping a cold drink and just looking at the view, we wanted take time to soak up the ambience and really “feel” what this place was all about.

So to sum up Palolem – it really is a tranquil slice of paradise!

As the sun set on our last evening, we sat on the beach and reminisced at how magical our time had been.

Even though the sun had disappeared, there was such a nice atmosphere we chose to stay a few hours.

We listened to the music playing, danced on the sand and watched the high tide lap against the beach tables.

People lit paper lanterns and set them adrift into the sky. We watched as they faded into the distance forming an orange dot on the skyline, noticeably different to the gleaming white of the stars.

It was the best way to end our magical trip.

• A tourist visa is required for most nationalities but there is an e-visa scheme to apply online.
• The International Airport is in Dabolim on the west coast roughly in the middle of the state.
• 4 languages are spoken – Konkani, English, Marathi, Hindi
• Seasons: November – March – dry and cooler (by Indian standards). April & May it is unbearably hot and June – Sept/October have the monsoon rains.

Other Things to Do in Goa

We were attracted to Goa purely because someone recommended it! We had already looked at the Golden Circle tour with tiger safari, so Goa was the natural place to add-on.

Incidentally, whilst staying here, tour operators do give the option for overnights trips to visit the Taj Mahal and for tiger safaris.

You can book transport to come to and from Goa ahead of time by using the popular website, Bookaway .

• Panaji/Panjim – The capital full of historical Latin & Portuguese culture
• Bom Jesus Basilica –(for St. Francis Xavier tomb)
• Wildlife Sanctuaries – Bhagwan Mahvir (of which Mollem National Park is a part) or Cotigao Lamgau Caves
• Spice plantation visit (there are many all over)
• Casino cruise
• If you’re hanging out in Goa, head further south and check out the cool state of Kerala. Backwaters, surf and tonnes of cool things to do!

Markets In Goa

• Anjuna Flea Market (every Wednesday)
• Arpora Night Flea Market
• Mapusa Market (every Friday)

Angie Briggs

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Refusing to ride: the real story behind elephant tourism in india, india’s rat temple – karni mata temple in rajasthan, related posts, 88 thoughts on “a first timer’s guide to goa, india”.

Thanks for the guide Alesha and Jarryd. This year I missed Goa Trip but not next time.

Nice post goa is the perfect destination for a explore beach and staying in beautiful hotels and resort with a beach view are the best combination for stay in goa.

Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed the article 🙂

As awesome i am expecting from your blog

very informative blog!

Hey, nice thank you for this great information.

Glad you found the information helpful. 🙂

Hey Angie Briggs, Thank you for all this information and The way you explain the things was so commendable, I just went to goa it was so helpful for me and the resort where I stay was so amazing.

Happy to help. Glad you had a great time. 🙂

Goa is a stunningly beautiful city with a kind and inviting population that draws visitors from all over the world. a fantastic article! Goa appears to be a fantastic place to visit. I’ll be adding this to my long list of fantastic places to visit. Thank you for providing this information.

A delightful read. Goa is undoubtedly one of the best destinations to visit for anyone visiting India for the first time. Its laid-back charm and beach settings are quite alluring and would make you want to stay forever!

Thank you for your comment. 🙂

It is Informative and engaging at the same time. Really liked the content you included. On top of that pictures were lovely and gave a feel of Goa.

Glad you liked the article. Thank you

A very nice blog such a great place to visit. And I also share with my family.

Thank you so much

Wow!! You definitely have the art of story-telling. The way you have written and the flow in which you have written is mindblowing. A very well-written and informative blog. I really liked the Travel Facts and Other Things To Do in Goa section. Also, I would like to know if you visited any theme parks in Goa? I am looking forward to take my family to a theme park.

Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed the article.

Thanks for sharing the article it is really informative to get knowledge about the place.Goa is the best place to relax yourself. You have posted beautiful pictures to explore goa without any hesitation.keep sharing the post.

Thank you so much 🙂

Nice blog on first-timer. Explained very well. I have visited Goa. Really, an amazing place for beaches, parties, waterfalls. Best time to visit Goa is from December to February. All the great festival happens in this time like sunburn, goa festivals, and new year celebrations.

Wonderful post ! it is very interesting and informative post, I really enjoyed to read this. Visiting for these places you can take the help of Bharat Taxi for taxi service.

Thank you so much. 🙂

Very well written blog. I have been to Goa a few times myself and I think the blog covers the essence and spirit of the lace quite well. Informative at the same time entertaining read. Please share more pictures if you have. I have written a Blog on Goa trip as well. Please check it out

Thanks for your comment Sonali.

Goa is one of my favorite travel destination, the best place to relax. Such a lovely post! So glad to see you added spice plantation, it is still not very known.

Glad you liked the article. Thanks 🙂

Goa is an interesting sea beach and it’s amazing. I love the marine drive there.

Your guide was impressive and mind-blowing photos.

Thank you so much. We appreciate it.

Thanks for giving a brief description on Goa .

Last some day I thinking where to go for a mini vacation and I reached on your blog. After reading blog I decide to plan a trip to Goa for next week,

Thanks for sharing amazing goa blog.

Glad we could help. Have a great time Karan.

This is a great blog as a first impression. Am living in Goa for the last 5 months and it has been a very immersive time for me here. There are plenty of people who are choosing to leave the fast-paced city lives and move to the sunshine state 🙂

Very nice blog. You share a grateful information about travel in India. Thanks!

Heyy you guys! this was an amazing article, I am from Goa, and glad you enjoyed your trip! as a student I am doing a research study on the hospitality industry in Goa, for which i’m taking input from various people like, who traveled to Goa, from Goa and so on. I would be delighted if you share your personal experience as tourists in Goa. Please answer these questions below: 1. Did you feel your trip went out of budget? 2. Were there any problems faced by you, like in your hotel stay? 3. Would you prefer coming back to Goa?

Thank you. This would be a great help!

Hi Anushka, thank you for reading the article. This article is a guest post from Angie from Feet Do Travel. Hopefully she will be able to help. All the best

https://www.feetdotravel.com/contact-the-feet.html

Hi i want to come There ,could you guide me

Awesome post. Last i trip to goa its is very pretty place.Its make more memorable to us!..I just remain that moment while read this blog. Thanks for sharing!

Hi Ryan, thank you for reading. Glad it bought back memories. 🙂

A very interesting post as I also familiar very little about Goa, but now I have added this to my list of places to visit.

Thank you. Glad you liked it. 🙂

I really love this place while reading your article I got excited and remembering my Goa trip Thanks for sharing Keep posting.

Would love this for our family! It looks a wonderful place to visit there.

Hope you all get there one day. Happy travels. 🙂

What a Great post! Goa likes an amazing place where I can enjoy a lot. I am adding these places on my list where I want to Goa. thanks for sharing the best information. The photos are also great.

Thank you for reading.

Nice post. it is a very useful post. I like very much. Thank you for your sharing.

Glad it was helpful. Thank you

Wow this is nice blog sites. Very interesting blogs. I reallly like your traveling images. Thanks for sharing.Really a wonderful post. Thanks for posting such an informative & useful post with us. keep posting & inspire us like this post.Amazing pictures and very interesting article….. Thanks a lot for giving proper tourist knowledge and share the different type of culture related to different places. If you are planning for your holiday and searching for the beautiful place to spend your time then you can wander around this vibrant city. Nice pictures & very helpful information to Goa. Thanks to sharing this blog…..!!!

Thank you so much. Glad you liked the article. Thanks for your comment.

Happy to know that you liked Goa. Its perhaps time for another visit. There is a lot more to see and do here. Come back soon 🙂

Thanks for your comment Jane. It definitely does sound like Angie had a great time. Jarryd and I will have to check Goa out one day. 🙂

This is quite helpful. And that picture of the waterfall is amazing 🙂 Keep sharing more.

Thank you so much. Angie wrote a great article for us. 🙂

My friends and I booked a yacht from rediscovery cruises in April.. We had the best time ever!!! The staff took really good care of us.. We were served chilled beers and light snacks. All in all it was an amazing experience. Will definitely recommend them to anyone.Thanks to sea water sports

What a trip. Sounds like you had a great time. 🙂 Thank you for your comment

Great. I like your article and I have never been there so I am planning to visit there very soon on my upcoming vacation. Thanks for sharing the information.

Thank you so much. We hope you have a great time on your next visit. 🙂

Very well explained the unknown things about goa.

I’m going this month on Feb’18 28th. join there.

Thanks for reading Arun. Angie wrote a great article for us. We can not wait to go. We hope you have a great time and happy travels.

Nice description about our own Goa. But you should come back for New year’s eve party to enjoy the real goa.

Thanks so much. We’d love to visit Goa one day. Angie wrote a great article for us. 🙂

Inspiring blog, will be visiting in this November. It would be fun if someone likes to join us.

Thank you so much. Sounds great. Have a great time Edgar, 🙂

Thanks for sharing, definitely inspires to go and explore! We will be traveling to India this year, will stop by there and stay for a bit, Looks like a graet place to hang out for a while. How as Wifi there? We will need that if we want to stay longer… Thanks!

Thank you so much Julian. Not too sure about the Wifi as Angie wrote this awesome guide for us. We do have a few friends who live there and are bloggers. They have never complained about it but then again they most likely have their own connection. I am so sorry we could be more help. Have a great trip.

I’ve met a few travellers who only have good things to say about Goa, but I’ve never been myself. I know it used to bit a hippy spot but that’s about as far as my knowledge goes, oh and it was featured one of the 2nd Bourne film at the start. Angie has given an excellent account and detailed write-up.

Hi Barry, that was our knowledge also (hippy place). Until we met someone who lived there and told us more about Goa. We have never been either and would like to one day. Angie has definitely made us want to go. Hope you get there soon mate. Happy travels.

Angie is such a great writer! What ever she writes down, it always consumes me in a good way. After reading her stories of various places in the world, I feel like I need to go to every single one of them right now! Ha! Same goes with this one and Goa. Can’t wait!

Indeed she is. She really takes you to the place and makes you feel you need to be there. We were very lucky to have her write a post for us. Happy travels Kreete. 🙂

I have been reading a lot about Goa lately. Looks like a great place to explore. Love those beautiful falls!

Thanks Lisa. It does seem a lovely place. Angie wrote a great post for and and has indeed made us want to go too. 🙂 Happy travels

Stunning photos and gave me a very good insight into a part of India I would really love to visit when I eventually make it out there. I have heard of some of the places you mention but you’ve really brought them alive with your photos! Thanks for sharing!

A great post – we have considered Goa as friends have recommended it but it’s fab to find out all this information – Palolem looks like paradise! Beautiful photographs

Thank you Tracy. Angie wrote a great post for us. Glad you found it useful. Happy travels

What a great post! Goa looks like an amazing place to spend some time. I’ll be adding this to my very, very long list of great places to go. Thanks so much for sharing – will pin this for later too!

Thanks so much Jenn. Angie wrote a great guide for us. We can’t wait to visit this area of India too.

Goa has been near the top of our list for a long time and we are thinking of making it our summer destination this year. We have heard that the monsoons make everything greener!

It looks absolutely stunning – especially Dudhsager Falls. One of my favourite things in the world is swimming in a waterfall plunge pool and listening to the water beat down.

It does, doesn’t it. We can not wait to visit India and Goa is on our list. Waterfall swim is so magical. Thanks for your comment Karianne.

A very informative post as I too know very little about Goa, but now I have added this to my list of places to visit. The photos are great !

Thank you so much. Angie wrote a great guide and she definitely can take a great shot. 🙂

As someone who knows very little about India and Goa, this was great. Palolem looks really relaxing and I like that the beach vendors aren’t too pushy. Surprisingly, I had heard of the Dudhsager Falls before somehow and they’re definitely somewhere I’d like to visit. Beautiful photos Angie!

Thanks for your message David. We have never been to India. Can’t wait. Definitely a great post by Angie and beautiful photos. 🙂

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Insider’s Guide to Goa: The Ultimate Goa Travel Guide

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn from any qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.

This article is an insider's travel guide to Goa, India that contains a comprehensive Goa travel guide for first-time visitors as well as returning visitors to Goa.

Goa is a phenomenal beach destination that is a crowd favourite among Indians and foreigners alike. Even though Goa is known for the buzzing beaches, cheap alcohol, raging parties, and scores of people thronging towards the beaches, this is just a tourist's perception of Goa. The real Goa is a much more laidback, serene and not to mention, hauntingly beautiful place.

Thus, having lived in Goa for over 13 years now, I've put together my insider's guide to Goa in order to show you the real Goa - one that is known to tourists and also, the other side which is known to locals. I hope you enjoy reading my comprehensive Goa travel guide.

Additionally, if you have any queries or if you think I missed out on something, feel free to drop a comment below or reach out to me via direct messaging on Instagram ( @thespicyjourney ).

Table of Contents

Insider’s Travel Guide to Goa

My insider’s travel guide to Goa contains all the information about Goa that will help you plan your entire Goa trip on your own. I understand that as a first time visitor, doing research on a particular location can get overwhelming. And so, I've put together all the information on Goa in one place for you.

This Goa travel guide has information on all the beaches, places to visit in Goa, a list of extra activities you can indulge in, references to offbeat things to do in Goa, nightlife, flea markets, and lots more. So without further ado, dive right in.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Basic Info about Goa

How many days to spend in goa, how to reach goa, best time to visit goa, goa trip cost, where to stay in goa.

• Goa Toursim Hotels

Budget Hotels in Goa

Goa beach shacks, resorts in goa, getting around goa, what to wear in goa, best places to visit in goa for sightseeing, things to do in goa - list of activities, best beaches in goa, where to eat in goa, nightlife in goa, goa flea markets, events and festivals in goa, goa travel itinerary.

• Insider's Travel Guide to Goa
• Language : Konkani is the local language of Goa. Apart from that, English is widely spoken here. Keep in mind that locals aren't well-versed in Hindi.
• ATMS : There are ample ATMs in the cities. However, finding ATMs may be difficult in the villages and in areas farther away from the main cities.
• Petrol Pumps : The situation with petrol pumps is the same as that with ATMs.
• Currency Exchange : You will find counters at the Goa International Airport and various exchange shops in the cities as well as in the tourist hot-spot areas.

The answer depends on how much of Goa you want to see. In order to explore all of Goa in-depth, you will need at least 10-14 days in Goa. However, you can cover the major sightseeing spots in Goa within 3-4 days.

My personal suggestion is that you should spend 5-7 days in Goa to get its feel and cover some of the major sightseeing spots, beaches and everything else that Goa has to offer.

Goa is the most popular beach destination in India. Thousands of tourists - local as well as foreigners arrive in Goa on a daily basis. Thus, Goa is very well connected by flights, trains and road.

Goa has one airport - the Goa International Airport which is located at Dabolim in South Goa. The Goa airport has direct flights flying between Goa and major Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata, to name a few. Furthermore, the airport connects Goa to many international cities as well. Both Panjim and Margao cities are located at a distance of roughly 27 km from the Goa airport in opposite directions.

Goa has 3 main railway stations - Margao, Vasco-da-Gama and Thivim. Margao railway station in South Goa is the main hub which is connected by an extensive railway network to other parts of India. Margao or Madgaon railway station to Panaji is a distance of roughly 37 km.

One can very easily find buses to Goa from metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad etc on the redbus website. Moreover, there are state run buses such as Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC), Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) between Goa and neighbouring states of Karnataka and Maharashtra. Alternatively, taking a road trip to Goa from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu is an option that many tourists prefer to take. The drive to Goa is scenic and there are many beautiful stops along the way.

Goa has two main seasons - the tourist season (also known as the “on” season) between October and April and the monsoon season (or the “off” season) from May to September.

The dry or the “on” season is the best time to visit Goa. This is when beach shacks are set up across most beaches in Goa, lots of events and festivals going on and the entire place is a gala feast. Plan a Goa trip during the “on” season if you want to attend events, parties and meet other travellers.

On the other hand, the monsoon season is a time when most of the Goa beaches are nearly empty and there’s very little going on. This is the time to visit Goa is you’re looking for greenery and peace and quiet.

So how much will a Goa trip cost you? The answer completely depends on how flexible your budget is.

If you’re looking to make a budget trip to Goa, then staying at hostels, eating at authentic Goan restaurants and taking local buses to get around Goa will save you a whole lot of money.

If you have a mid-range budget then you can very easily find budget and mid-range hotels in Goa. You can hire a two-wheeler instead of a cab and eat at mid-range restaurants.

On the other hand, if you're willing to splurge then you can stay at a nice resort, eat at upscale restaurants and travel around Goa in a hired cab.

Goa, being a popular backpacking destination, has many-a backpacker hostels scattered throughout the state. Most hostels in Goa are located in North Goa - near Vagator, Anjuna, Candolim and Arambol. Similarly, there are hostels at the popular beaches in South Goa as well. A bed in a dorm will typically cost between INR 400 and INR 800.

Goa Tourism Hotels

If you’re looking for hotels that provide the bare minimum comfort and amenities on a limited budget, then look into the Goa tourism hotels. There are hotels run by the state government located in Panaji, Old Goa, Calangute, Mapusa, Colva and a few other places in Goa. Book rooms at the Goa tourism hotels on the GTDC website .

Despite Goa being a popular tourist destination in India, there’s no dearth of budget hotels in Goa. You can find budget stays in every location in Goa - be it South Goa or North Goa. One way to look for budget hotels in Goa is on a site like booking.com. If not that, you can even find rooms on airbnb at low costs. Sign up to Airbnb using my referral code to get a juicy discount on your first stay.

Find hotels in Goa on Booking.com

O3 Beach Resort, Palolem Beach, Goa

The Goa beach shacks are a ubiquitous choice of stay in Goa. While beach shacks can be found at almost every beach in Goa, it’s the Palolem beach shacks that are predominantly popular in Goa. Read my comprehensive breakdown of the Palolem beach huts in my blog post on Palolem beach.

Check availability at O3 Beach Resort on Booking.com

The infinity pool at Doubletree by Hilton, Panaji, Goa

While North Goa has quite a few resorts, I highly recommend staying at a resort in South Goa. This is due to the fact that South Goa sees a fewer number of visitors as compared to North Goa which makes staying there all the more peaceful and serene. That being said, there are peaceful hotels in North Goa as well. Take Doubletree by Hilton Panaji for example (shown in the picture above). This hotel, located on the outskirts of Panjim, has sweeping views of the Goan rivers and islands as seen from the infinity pool and rooms. Moreover, the two restaurants here serve all sorts of International, Indian and Goan cuisine.

Check availability at DoubleTree by Hilton Panaji on Booking.com

Hiring a two-wheeler is the most popular and budget-friendly way to get around Goa. it’s a well-known and unfortunate fact that taxi prices in Goa are sky-high. This is the reason why renting a two-wheeler is an affordable and rather fun way to see Goa. A scooter typically costs INR 200-250 for a day whereas renting a motorbike such as Royal Enfield for a day will cost above INR 300. In case you need a taxi service at affordable rates, install the GoaMiles app to book a taxi instantly.

Unlike most of North India, you have the freedom to wear whatever you like in Goa. There are no restrictions on clothing items when it comes to choosing what to wear in Goa. While at the beaches, you can wear a bikini and shorts or short skirts, while sightseeing you can wear maxi dresses, knee-length skirts, trousers and fancy tops. Read my handy little guide on what to wear in Goa for women and girls.

1. Visit the Forts in Goa

Before the Portuguese invaded Goa in the 1500s, Goa was under the rule of the Muslim ruler Adil Shah. While Adil Shah built a number of forts for himself, after the Portuguese takeover, they modified some forts to suit their needs. Thus every fort in Goa has a rich cultural and architectural significance. Chapora Fort , Aguada Fort , Tiracol Fort, and Reis Magos Fort are the forts located in North Goa. On the other hand, Cabo de Rama Fort is a well-known fort located in the South Goa district. Each of these forts offers spectacular views of the ocean. While Chapora fort and Cabo de Rama fort don’t have any timings, since they are cliff-top ruined forts, Aguada fort and Reis Magos fort are open from the morning till 5.30 pm in the evening. Tiracol Fort, on the contrary, has been converted to the Fort Tiracol Heritage Hotel . You can book a stay here to live in a palace, dine with insane ocean views and to escape the hustle-bustle of the crowds.

Check availability at Fort Tiracol Heritage Hotel on Booking.com

2. Take a Ferry Boat to an Island

Divar Island near Old Goa

Most tourists coming to Goa think of it as a beach destination. While this may be true, there is lots more to do in Goa that’s beyond the beaches. There are two main islands in Goa - Divar Island and Chorao Island . Both of these islands can be reached by taking a ferry from Ribandar, which lies on the road between Panaji and Old Goa. Chorao Island is famously known for the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. You can hire a little boat, watch the mangrove, spot birds and enjoy a languid boat ride in the Goan rivers.

3. Explore Waterfalls

Dudhsagar waterfall , located on the Goa-Karnataka border is a 4-tiered, 3-streamed, 320 m high waterfall. Apart from being surrounded by a lush forest, the waterfall also contains natural pools to wade into the waters. You can reach the mighty Dudhsagar waterfalls by either completing a trek to the bottom of the walls or by going via the government-approved jeep rides that start from Molem. The waterfall has been named after its milky appearance and is a worthwhile day trip from Panjim, which is located 60 km away. Other than that, there are tons of other smaller, albeit beautiful, waterfalls scattered across Goa.

4. See the Churches

Goa was under the Portuguese rule for over 450 years from the 1500’s until 19 December 1961. Due to this reason, there are striking churches scattered all across Goa. While the Panjim church and the Old Goa church are the two famous churches in Goa, it’s the offbeat ones that steal the heart away. The Mae De Deus church and the Siolim riverside chapel are both exquisite and worth exploring!

5. Visit Old Goa

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6XRlrtDVYY/

While Old Goa may be known for the Old Goa church, there is, in fact, a lot more to do in Old Goa that only the locals know about. Whether it’s a hilltop chapel with a view of the river and islands, a hauntingly beautiful ruined church complex or a restaurant right next to the river, Old Goa has lots waiting to be discovered. You can take a half-day trip to Old Goa from Panjim, which is the closest city. Take a look at my post on all the places to visit in Old Goa to discover the hidden gems of Old Goa!

6. Go Sightseeing in Panaji

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv_uUgmDBkh/

Panjim or Panaji is the ever-lively capital city of Goa. While one might wonder if there’s hardly anything to do in Panjim, as a matter of fact, there are lots of things to do in Panjim. Whether it’s the famous Panjim church , Dona Paula jetty , Miramar beach , the chaat street of Miramar, the colour burst region of Fontainhas , there are so many popular as well as offbeat things to do in Panjim. Read this travel guide to Panjim city  which  contains all the top places to visit in Panjim, events, festivals and lots more.

7. See Salaulim Dam

Did you know that Goa has an extremely scenic dam called the Salaulim dam hidden away? This dam is the perfect example of a duckbill spillway, is surrounded by a botanical garden where you can indulge in a picnic and is located on the river Salaulim, a tributary of the Zuari river. Panjim to Salaulim dam is a distance of 61 km while Margao to Salaulim dam is a distance of 26 km. If you’ve explored Goa many-a-times and are looking to see a different side of Goa, visit this dam and enjoy the picturesque drive along the way.

8. Explore Offbeat Goa

Lately, more and more people are inspired to explore Goa beyond the beaches. Consequently, people are driven to explore offbeat places in Goa - such as the temples, the lesser-known churches, islands, lakes etc. If you too are keen on exploring another side of Goa, take a look at this blog post on the 17 best offbeat places in Goa . 

1. Goa River Cruise

The Panjim river cruises that originate at the Santa Monica jetty in Panjim city are a great way to spend the evening cruising in the Goan rivers. The cruises usually last an hour, there are food and drink stalls present and an entertainment program which includes local dance performances. You can book tickets with various cruise companies online or book directly at the booking counters present at the jetty. Do note that it gets crowded in the evening so be prepared to wait in a queue. It’s ideal to take a cruise at 6 pm in order to catch the sunset from the boat.

2. Visit a Casino in Goa

There are lots of casinos, to indulge in a night of carefree fun, that are located in Panjim city. Most of these casinos have a package that costs approximately INR 2500 per person that includes a buffet dinner and a few complimentary chips to get you started. The ports of all the casinos of located on the main road of Panjim (DB road). You can buy your tickets right here, catch a boat to the casino and come back the same way.

3. E-Bike Tour

Want to ditch the car or motorbike and cycle around the quiet lanes of Goa? B: Live runs e-bike tours in many places all across Goa. These e-bikes are battery operated and they come with an accelerator which means that you don’t have to pedal the bicycle if you don't want to. The bikes can even go up a hill with great ease and comfort to the rider. Check out the B: Live website to choose an e-bike tour of your liking. What’s more, each tour comes with an authentic Goan experience, snacks and a tour guide who will assist you throughout the duration of the tour.

4. Heritage Walks

If you’re the one who prefers to walk around and soak in the essence of a place, then a heritage walk is the way to go for you. You can take all sorts of heritage walks which give you an authentic experience where you will learn about the history of Goa, gain an insight to the Goan culture and go back with a wealth of knowledge about Goa. Perhaps the most popular and the most loved heritage walk in Goa is the Fontainhas heritage walk . You can take a look at some of the heritage walks in the Airbnb experiences section.

5. Yacht Party

If you’re the kind of person who likes to throw lavish parties or add a magical touch to special occasions, consider renting out a yacht for a few hours. Depending on the kind of package you choose, you can get food, drink and entertainment services on board along with a wait staff. These yachts come in different budgets for all kinds of occasions ranging from birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, wedding functions to office events, social gatherings etc.

South Goa Beaches

The South Goa beaches are the laid-back beaches in Goa. As someone who has been living in Goa for over 13 years, I prefer the South Goa beaches as opposed to the North Goa beaches because of the lesser crowds and the pristine nature of the beaches. Read my guide on the South Goa beaches to explore the tranquil beaches in Goa.

North Goa Beaches

While the South Goa beaches are peaceful, the North Goa beaches are always a happening place to be at. Whether it’s a taste of the hippie culture, the best beach shacks, karaoke bars and beach clubs, you’ll find it all at the North Goa beaches. Take a look at some of my personal favourites as well as the crowd favourite North Goa beaches:

1. Arambol Beach

Did you know that Goa was a raging hippie paradise back in the ’70s? The first hippies arrived in Goa in the 1970s and settled onto the North Goa beaches of Arambol, Vagator and Anjuna. While Vagator and Anjuna are more commercialised tourist beaches, Arambol still retains the hippie spirit. Whether it’s vegan cafes, yoga centres, hippie stuff (you know what I mean), you’ll find Arambol to be the perfect hippie paradise even today. While you’re at Arambol, do not miss other great nearby beaches of Ashwem, Mandrem and Morjim, which are less popular but equally beautiful.

Read my complete travel guide to Arambol Beach, North Goa (opens in new tab).

2. Vagator Beach

In case you’re looking for a beach that has a hippie touch yet commercialised to the extent that you’ll find nice places to stay and good restaurants and cafes nearby, Vagator should be the beach of your choice. Vagator is a bustling area that’s known for the very famous Chapora fort aka the Dil Chahta Hai fort. You’ll find lots of hotels, hostels, upscale restaurants, cafes, shops and everything else in close proximity to the beach.

3. Anjuna Beach

Anjuna beach is yet another one of the North Goa beaches that’s on the way to becoming highly commercialised (read: Baga beach). Anjuna has some of the best restaurants and cafes in all of Goa. You can easily spend a whole day in Anjuna just eating at the beachside restaurants or exploring cafes nested in the tiny lanes of Anjuna.

My insider’s guide to Goa would be incomplete if I didn’t touch upon this extremely important subject. When it comes to trying food in Goa, there’s no one list that anyone can prepare. Goa is home to so many wonderful restaurants and cafes, with new places coming up regularly that it’s hard to keep track of all the places to eat in Goa.

Nonetheless, I’ve put together 3 rough guides to Goa’s food scene. Of the three, this list of the best North Goa restaurants and cafes is perhaps the most popular of them all. Coming to Panjim city, check out this guide to the best restaurants in Panaji city . Finally, if you’re in the vicinity of the airport and need to refuel, take a look at the best restaurants near Goa airport . 

Goa has a raging nightlife that consists of nightclubs, beach clubs, karaoke bars, pubs. Pool parties, rave parties and everything else in between. There are plenty of nightclubs in the Baga-Candolim region such as LPK , Titos , etc that play Bollywood and Punjabi hits to cater to a North Indian crowd. Meanwhile, places like Favella and Soro are much classier establishments that come with a dining experience along with foot-tapping English hits. Moreover, they even have themed nights every once in a while.

Coming to Panjim city, Soho and Cafe Mojo  are the favourite pubs among the locals.

Going down south, Silent Noise in Palolem is well-known for the Saturday night parties where you dance to music while wearing headphones. In any case, you’ll find nightlife in Goa quite easily at almost every corner.

Apart from boutique stores and beach-side markets, there are quite a few flea markets in Goa. When it comes to the most popular Goa flea market, the Arpora Saturday night market tops the list. This market is held every Saturday night during the “on” season in Arpora which is located close to Anjuna and Calangute. This market has everything ranging from clothes, bags, jewellery, shoes, art and handmade artefacts. Furthermore, there are performances such as fire eaters and dancers along with live music and plenty of food stalls to choose from. Apart from this, there are lots of other markets like the Anjuna Wednesday flea market that are set-up in the tourist season.

The Goa Carnival is one of the most popular events to take place in Goa. The carnival parades are held at multiple Goan cities like Panaji, Margao, Vasco-da-Gama, and Ponda over a span of a few days late in the month of February. 

IFFI (International Film Festival of India) which is held every year in the state capital Panaji sees many movie screenings and talks attended by Bollywood as well as local celebrities. 

Coming to art festivals, Serendipity Art Festival is as big as it gets. This festival is held in the month of December at various venues in Panjim city.

While there are many events music festivals held in Goa, Sunburn , which is held late in December, is the most famous of them all that sees well-known international DJs and singers perform.

Even though this is a complete Goa travel guide to let you plan your own Goa trip, I do have a suggested itinerary for you. While I strongly suggest spending AT LEAST a week in Goa, tourists choose to spend anywhere between 2 days to months in Goa.

If you’re on a quick weekend trip to Goa, check out these places to visit in Goa in 3 days . This itinerary covers all the basics of Goa within 3 days. On the other hand, if you have more time, spend your time exploring the popular beaches and places in Goa like Arambol, Vagator, Anjuna, Panjim, Old Goa, Agonda and Palolem at the very least.

Did You Enjoy my Insider’s Guide to Goa?

If you liked reading this insider’s travel guide to Goa that I’ve put together based on my experiences of living in Goa, follow me on my social media handles  Instagram , Facebook , Pinterest , Twitter to receive quick updates and be the first one to know when I release a new blog post!

I have seen quite a bit of India but never been to Goa – looks amazing and I think I must really make a plan to go soon! Such a lovely post with such good tips 🙂

This guide is so informative- it’s great to read about Goa from someone who has lived there for so long rather than just visited. Saved for future travels 😀

Nice post!! It is really very informative content for everyone as there is many different information about the place to take decision to travel to goa with lot of memories of place which is unforgettable.

Great post and informative guide…thank you!?

Anjuna Beach is my favourite place in goa. Thanks for sharing this information to us.

Thanks for this info. I would like to add what i personally love about goa are the water sports.

Pingback: 15 amazing photos that will instantly tempt you to plan a Goa Trip! - Couple of Journeys

very useful post ,,,,these guide are very informative….thanks for sharing…

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Home » Asia » India » Goa

GOA Itinerary • MUST READ! (2024)

Gorgeous Goa is India’s smallest state stretching along the shores of the warm Arabian Sea. It has been a jewl in the crown of Indian tourism since the 1960’s attracting hippies and sun-seekers each winter.

Goa (like all of India) is a place of celebrations and you’re bound to experience a festival or parade sometime during your stay. The wonderfully festive province of Goa will remind you that there’s always a reason to celebrate (ie, you are alive)!

Its rich cultural history and lush forests make it a wonderful place to explore and there are some great guided tours on offer. If you’re looking for the perfect way to spend your time in Goa, you’ve come to the right place because we’ve put together the ultimate Goa itinerary.

Wondering how many days in Goa you need ? You’re in the right place my friend, read on!

A Little Bit About This Goa Itinerary

Where to stay in goa in 3 days, day 1 itinerary in goa – panjim & old goa, day 2 itinerary in goa – anjuna party time, day 3 itinerary in goa – arambol, what to do with more than 3 days in goa, best time to visit goa, how to get around goa, plan a trip to goa – what to prepare, faq on goa itinerary, final thoughts.

When you talk about backpacking India , you’ll quickly hear all about Goa, which is undoubtedly one of the most laidback and beautiful places in the entire country. If you’re wondering how long to spend in Goa, a good place to start is to plan what you’d like to do and see.

Whilst Goa is India’s smallest state, it is still nevertheless a state and is as big as some small countries. This itinerary covers the entire state from North to South and with several incursions inland.  Therefore, to execute this Goa itinerary in 3 days you will need to change accommodation a few times.

The good news is that finding places to stay in Goa is pretty easy wherever you are. There are loads of guest houses, party hostels , hotels and homestays all eager for foreigners to crash – it is usually as simple as turning up in town and asking around.

The itinerary does leave time for changing accommodation and moving around and has also been designed to be flexible enough to adjust to suit your own needs. In terms of traveling around Goa, the bus system is very cheap, but rides can be long and very uncomfortable. Therefore if you have the budget, we suggest taxi’s – if you book ahead and haggle you can cover even large distances for well under $30.

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Goa 3-Day Itinerary Overview

• Goa Itinerary Day 1- Old Goa | Spice Garden | Panaji Tiatre
• Goa Itinerary Day 2 – Vagator Beach | Foot Massage | Paddle Boarding | Trance Party
• Goa itinerary Day 3 –  Querim Beach | Sweet Lake | Yoga Session | Drum Circle | Ecstatic Dance

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Let’s get this straight, Goa is a State. Whilst it is India’s smallest state it is still bigger than a lot of countries. You need to choose where to stay in Goa and decide how long to stay in Goa very carefully as it will inform your experience and will affect your Goa itinerary hugely.

Goa is roughly divided into North Goa and South Goa. North Goa has a few more famous attractions than South Goa so if you’re wanting to spend some time doing typically touristy things then North Goa is a great place to start!

Most visitors opt to stay in a beach town or village. The prime ones in the North are Anjuna & Arambol for hippies & backpackers, and Baga beach and Calangute for package tourists. In the South, Palolem Beach & Agonda and Candolim are popular. There are Airbnbs in Baga , Calangute & Candolim but very few in Arambol & Anjuna.

If you don’t want to be near the beach then there are a few nice towns and cities set further back inland, Goa Airbnb listings tend to provide a nice variety of options to choose from.

Panjim is a nice city in the Northern Goa region! It’s home to many gorgeous old Portuguese mansions and some good art galleries.

Best Hostel in Goa – Folklore Hostel

Situated in Vagator, Goa Folklore Hostel can only be described as a home away from home! With communal spaces that encourage interactions and facilities that you provide everything you need, there’s no better place to spend your stay in Goa if you’re looking for a hostel experience!

What’s more? If you don’t want to leave your furry friend at home, feel free to bring them with as the Folklore hostel is pet-friendly!

Best Airbnb in Goa – 2 Bed Lotus Villa @ Tito’s Street

This quirky and comfortable villa in Goa is located in the heart of the party district. With Bardez’s best beaches and hottest clubs within walking distance, you won’t find a better Airbnb in Goa.

Best Budget Hotel in Goa – Crystal Goa

This quaint hotel offers everything you’ve come to expect from a hotel, plus an incredibly tranquil setting! The restaurant and bar on the property are also a great place to dine during your stay in Goa. But don’t worry, should you feel like lying in and having a lazy morning, breakfast will be delivered to your door! Crystal Goa is located in Palolem in South Goa so perfect for those who prefer peace to partying.

Best Luxury Hotel in Goa – Vivanta Panaji

This incredibly beautiful luxury hotel is located right in Panjim center! But convenience is not its main drawing card.

A 24-hour gym and spa might have something to do with it! As well as the fact that the hotel is pet-friendly. This is very rare to find in such a luxurious venue! Live music is provided every night so there is no shortage of entertainment at the Vivanta Panaji!

For the first day of our 3 day Goa itinerary we are gonna base ourselves in Panjim or Panaji, the Goan state capital. Whist this city is inland, away from the lush beaches, it is one of India’s cleanest and most pleasant cities. It abounds with beautiful old colonial mansions and is well situated for executing day 1 of our itinerary.

10:00 – Old Goa

Old Goa is the former Portuguese Colonial capital. It was once considered a great city of the world rivalling even Lisbon itself I’m terms of its wealth, culture and beauty.

Most of Old Goa has been lost to the ravages of time but thankfully, enough has survived to justify a visit. The Dom Jesus Basilica is perhaps the grandest Christian temple in the whole of Asia. Then there are the ruins of the old Church of St Augustine. which blend into the Goan jungle like a level from Tomb Raider.

Old Goa can easily be explored in a day or even in half a day. The issue is getting there as it is about 20km away from the beaches. You can book a private or a bus tour from any travel agent in pretty much any resort which will leave in the morning and drop you back home after dark.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus Church is now a UNESCO world heritage site. Although the building is very rustic, it’s incredibly beautiful too. A church may seem like a strange place to visit while staying in Goa, India. But because Goa was colonized by the Portuguese for so long, many Hindus converted to Catholicism over this period of time. This is one of  Goa’s best places to visit  in 3 days.

A solid option, is to join an electric bike tour so you can really explore the jungles and roads!

• Cost – Most of the sites here are free
• How Long Should I Spend Here? Half a day
• Getting There – Old Goa is about 30 minutes drive from Panjim. I recommend getting a taxi or joining a tour bus

 15:00 – Sahakari Spice Farm

At the Sahakari Spice Farm , you’ll get the chance to take in the incredible fragrance of the beautiful spice farm! These lush plantations are not all there is on offer at the spice farm though.

During your tour, you’ll be shown how to climb the trees and swing from palm to palm! If any guest on the tour is brave enough to give it a try, they’re encouraged with enthusiasm. This often creates a lot of laughs among the tour group!

For those interested in a more relaxing form of entertainment, you will be treated to a folk dance by some of the female laborers and children who live on the farm. These often contain lots of color and excitement!

• How Long Should I Spend Here? 90 minus is plenty
• Getting There – It’s a 20-minute ride from Old Goa. Get a cab.

18:00 – See a Tiatr Production

The Hanuman Theatre in Mapusa is home to some of the most incredible Tiatr! Just like Broadway there are many different types of Tiatr that take place, these all have different names and contain different entertainment elements (dancing, singing, etc.)

To be honest, it doesn’t really matter which you decide to go see, they’re all great and can be enjoyed whether you understand the words or not.

The word Tiatr comes from the Portuguese word ‘Teatro’ – meaning theatre. As you know by now, Goa is heavily influenced by the Portuguese because of its previous colonization by Portugal.

• Cost – $1.45
• How Long Should I Spend Here? 2 hours
• Getting There – Get a taxi back to Panaji and then either walk or take a Tuk-Tuk to the theatre

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

For day 2, we’re gonna head for the beaches. Pack your bag into a taxi, or jump on a bus towards Anjuna. Whether you decide to base yourself in Anjuna or Vagator is fine.

 10:00 – Relax on Little Vagator Beach

Once you’ve checked in to your new digs, hit the beach!

Although it’s free to relax on the beach, if you’d like to make use of the loungers that line the beach, you’ll have to buy something from the restaurant. This isn’t a bad deal at all, cause trust me, you’ll want to be there a while! You can have drinks and food brought to you.

While lying back on your lounger, it’ll be hard to miss the many cows that stroll past and sit on the beach alongside you. There’s nothing to be scared of though, they are very peaceful creatures!

Due to the Hindu culture in Goa, it’s illegal to kill or harm these beautiful creatures. This means that you’ll find them roaming the streets and congregating in open areas – such as the beach.

• Cost – Free – but bring money for food and drink
• How Long Should I Spend Here? A good few hours
• Getting There – Depending on where you are staying, either walk, get a cab or hire a scooter

 14:00 – Foot Massage on The Beach

After all your gallivanting around you’ll be doing during your trip, you’ll be in need of a great foot massage! Luckily for you, they offer them right on the beach – along with a variety of other treatments. So it’s about time you put your feet up and enjoyed some good ol’ relaxation!

Be sure to ask around for the best price before settling on a masseuse, some tend to charge a lot less than $6!

• Cost: Bater hard and it will by anywhere between $2 – $5

14:30 – Sea Rafting

After all that relaxing, I’m sure you’re down to try something crazy. How about a bit of sea rafting?

After about half an hour of training on the beach, you and your team will be ready to hit the waves! Don’t worry, your guide will be with you to lead you every step of the way! The waves can be a bit daunting at first, but once you’ve caught your first wave, you won’t want to stop!

Be sure to head up the beach for some beers at one of the many beach shacks that call this beach their home.

• Cost: $6.50
• How Long Should I Spend Here? 60 minutes is usually enough
• Getting There – It’s on the beach

17:00 – Dinner at Artjuna

Artjuna is one of my favourite spots in Artjuna. It is a cafe with spacious grounds where you can spend the whole day for a price of a few coffees. The food is proper decent offering a mix of Indian food, vegan grub and a few Israeli specialities.

Other excellent dinner spots include Sakana in Vagator (delicious, pricy, sushi) or you can just hit up on the beach shacks like Curries for a fish tandoori.

• Cost: $5 – $10
• How Long Should I Spend Here? 60 – 90 minutes. Service takes time in India
• Getting There – Walk, ride or jump a cab

18:00 (Onwards) – Attend a Goan Trance Party

Goan Trance (latterly Psytrance) is perhaps Goa’s greatest gift to the world and you absolutely should not miss the chance to experience a Goa Trance party first-hand. The scene emerged in and around Anjuna in the early 90’s and reached worldwide fame with “Goa parties” popping up all around the world.

The music itself, is a fast, intense and utterly trippy form of electronic dance music. If you have never heard it before, it may be a bit much for you but bear in mind that it is a sound best heard in altered states . There’s a reason Goa ranks as one of the best places in the world to party !

There are trance parties most nights during high season (Nov – Mar) but the scene is curtailed a bit during election years. My personal picks are Shiva Valley (Anjuna) on Tuesday nights and the occasional, underground parties organised by The Trip Foundation in and around Arambol. The parties start after sunset (around 18:00) and go on until well after sunrise the following morning.

Another great venue is House of Chapora (Chapora is a 10 minute aside from Anjuna). I particularly recommend following Pandora Collective who are organising 2-3 great parties each week all across North Goa – there Instagram handle is @pandoracollective.

Hilltop (Anjuna) attracts the big names but is a bit over-priced and soulless but still the Sunday afternoon sessions are nice if you want to be in bed early.

• Cost: $0 – $10
• How Long Should I Spend Here? All night!
• Getting There – Get a taxi. Walking at night in Anjuna can be risky

For day 3, we’re heading North across the river up towards Arambol. If you stayed out all night partying, either skip over the morning section of this itinerary or sack it off altogether and spend today hanging out in Anjuna’s German Bakery.

 10:30 – Ride to Querim Beach

For a taste of true paradise, you must make the 30 minute scooter ride North from Arambol towards Querim (Keri) beach. Keri is a small village set in the mangrove forests and is home to one of North Goa’s quietest beaches. You can rent a sun longer, order food and drinks from the shacks or even rent a surfboard.

As well as exploring the beach, the ride itself is also worth savouring. There is little traffic in and around Keri and plenty of back roads that lead through the forest to explore. Bring a bottle of water and sun cream and simply enjoy the experience of being in the riding seat watching beautiful Goa pass by.

• How Long Should I Spend Here? 3 hours minutes including the ride
• Getting There –  Rent a scooter and ride. Wear a helmet as the road does pass a police checkpoint.

13:00 – Fish Thali at the Thali Shack

Just by the first, main park on Arambol beach, there is a completely unassuming looking little shack (a man selling coconuts sit’s by the door). Whilst you may be tempted to walk right past, don’t; because it offers the best and possibly cheapest Thali’s in Arambol.

A Thali is a big silver tray filled with rice, veg and a few different types of curry. The options are Veg, Chicken or Fish – the latter is particularly sublime.

 14:00 – Visit the Sweet Water Lake in Arambol

The Sweet Water Lake is a freshwater lagoon with a source that originates in the Goan Jungle. The Sweet Water Lake is warmed by a natural hot spring, so going for a swim is a must in the late evening!

The Lagoon is surrounded by luscious greenery, overhanging thick jungle branches, and coconut groves. Steam rises slowly from the lagoon, making it a beautifully picturesque scene to take in, and the perfect place to snap some pics for the gram!

There is a beach just a short walk from the lagoon that is only accessible by foot. There are loads of shack’s and restaurants selling classic Goan food.

• How Long Should I Spend Here? 60 – 90 minutes
• Getting There – Walk here from Arambol beach – it is the only way!

15:00 – Join a Yoga Session

I once checked the notice board in Arambol and realised that there is a yoga class taking place somewhere in town, at every minute of the day. Arambol is a proper yoga Mecca and churns out newly qualified yoga teacher like Yale & Oxford churn out future venture capitalists and war-mongers.

Therefore you won’t have to try too hard to find a Yoga class. Either check the notice board, ask around or ask any slender, toned yogini you encounter.

17:30 – Sunset Drum Circle & Market

Every evening on Arambol beach, the place to be is the drum circle. It is literally a circle where anybody can come, bring a drum and bang it. Whilst the sound is (for me) a bit tedious, it is nevertheless a very pleasant gathering and attracts the Goa freaks who come to congregate.

From here, walk down to the sunset market where you can barter for hand made jewellery, post cards and other wares.

• Cost: $4 – $8
• Getting There – Most sessions are within walking distance from the beach

19:00 – Ecstatic Dance at The Source

Dance is a way of life in Goa. Whilst you may be exhausted from last nights trance session, I guarantee your legs will still summon the energy for one more boogie! Ecstatic Dance is a giant sober (no drugs or alcohol) party that takes place around a giant Banyan tree at the source.

You may initially need some time to get over your inhibitions (dancing sober?!) but you’ll soon get into it. Ecstatic Dance is massive fun, don’t miss it. If this is your first time in Goa, then its time to embrace your inner hippy!

• How Long Should I Spend Here? Stay as long as your energy lasts
• Getting There – Walk from the beach or get a taxi

21:00 – Late Dinner at Aladdin’s

Aladdin’s is one of Arambol’s best restaurants. It has massive menu ranging from bar-bq, Indian classics and some very interesting vegetarian dishes. It is quite pricy for Indian standards but worth it for a treat.

• How Long Should I Spend Here? Until they throw you out!
• Getting There – Walk from the Source – bring a torch though as the way is dark

Need a place quick? Here’s the best neighborhood in Goa

Tiswadi is the best place to stay if you’re visiting Goa for the first time. Home to the capital city, Panjim, Tiswadi is where you’ll find most of Goa’s cultural sights, the vibrant Latin Quarter, and charming Old Goa.

• Visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which contains the tomb and mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier.
• Explore Fontainhas, Goa’s Latin Quarter full of colonial character, cobblestone streets, and vibrant, and colourful houses.
• Be amazed at Sé Cathedral, the largest church in Asia measuring more than 76 meters long and 55 meters wide.

When deciding how long to stay in Goa, If you are planning a trip that is longer than 3 days in Goa, then here are a few things you need to add to your itinerary for the rest of your trip.

Arpora Night Market

The Saturday night market in Arpora is a true Goa institution. It is a weekly mega market where you can barter hard for incense, jewellery, stones, gods, clothes, sheets and wonderful things you probably don’t even know exist!

As well as being a shoppers delight, the market has plenty of food stalls and a few bars mixing Techno into the early hours.

All of the above said, the word on the street is that the sun is setting on the Arpora Night market. Apparently the conduct of management has forced a lot of boutique owners and niche designers away and they can now be found at the Hilltop Friday Night Market instead. The Night Markets are amongst the best things to do in Goa in 3 days.

Visit Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary Near Ganjem

The Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary contains a mini zoo so that children and adults alike can see the animals up close. Plus, it has a massive deer park, which means that the deer can roam freely in their natural habitat! It also contains a botanical garden and a rose garden, for those who love flowers!

Here you’ll be educated about the animals and the bird life, as well as the vegetation found in Goa! This is a trip that will intrigue nature-lovers, so be sure you don’t miss out!

• It’s only 38 kilometers from Margao.
• There is a jungle resort containing tourist cottages on the property, just in case you want to stay the night.
• There are plenty of different attractions, so you’re bound to find something that will suit your taste.

Visit Brahma Karmali Temple

The Brahma Karmali Temple is one of the oldest temples in Goa! The temple attracts a lot of devoted worshippers from around the region. Based in Carambolim, this temple is said to have played a pivotal role in Goa’s struggle for freedom. Many sessions were held in the building by a member of Congress during the time of struggle.

Learning about the fascinating history of this temple is spiritually moving, and exploring the temple grounds is a wonderfully relaxing experience!

• This temple is named after a nearby town – Brahma Karmali.
• The main idol inside the temple is said to date back to the 12th century.
• Visiting and exploring this temple is absolutely free.

Hike to Hivre Waterfall

This waterfall is a great place to visit for nature-lovers and adventure junkies alike! During the hike to the waterfall, you will walk along a narrow pathway through the forest. Along the way, you’ll see beautiful river creeks that wind their way through the forest.

The locals that visit the waterfall are always friendly and helpful, and don’t mind guiding tourists to the waterfall with them!

• Hivre Waterfall is popular amongst locals and tourists alike so it’s often busy, especially on weekends.
• The waterfall is located only 14 kilometers from Valpoi City.
• You will need to travel through the Thane village to get to the Hivre falls!

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Goa is definitely a seasonal destination and best experienced during the Northern hemispheres winter. The crowds flock to Goa between November and February when the weather is perfect. If you come off-season, not much may be happening. The high summer months are best avoided altogether as this is when monsoon hits.

During peak tourist season in Goa, the beaches are the place to be! The water is perfect, there are nightly parties, and it never rains. As the monsoon season in Goa approaches though, the beaches become more and more empty.

However if you’re not a beach bum, then the rainy season can be equally as beautiful! During the summer in Goa, mist rises over the plantations and fields, and rain cleans the cities, leaving them smelling fresh and new. Visiting India during June will also allow you to attend the Sao Joao Festival, which is one of the coolest celebrations in Goa .

There are a number of Goa transport options available depending on where in Goa you are, where you are going and what you want to do. For example, beach towns and cities themselves are pretty easy to walk around. However, to get between them you will need an engine. Tuk-Tuk’s (Rickshaws) are available in some parts of Goa but are banned from a lot of the Northern tourist hubs. Taxi’s are easy to find but Goa’s are expensive by Indian standards.

Renting a scooter is the most popular transport method. They can be rented anywhere in Goa easily and cheaply.

Hiring a tour guide with a vehicle is also a good idea for tackling some of the suggestions on this itinerary.

Whether you’re a solo traveler or traveling with your posse, there’ll be plenty of activities to keep you occupied on your trip to Goa! Here’s just a few that you shouldn’t miss out on!

Travel in India does carry with it a set of risks and Goa is no exception.

The biggest danger is the endless raft of scams which are played on unsuspecting foreigners and of which there are too many to list. Other than this, never leave your valuables unattended and always lock your room.

Be very careful of bad drivers whether you are riding a scooter or simply a pedestrian. If you are riding a scooter, always wear a helmet.

Be careful when swimming whether in the sea or the delta as under-currents can be deadly, especially at night. Use lots of sunscreen and drink plenty of bottled, mineral water. Food hygiene is generally pretty good in Goa but use common sense.

Women travellers sadly need to be extra careful as each year they are the victims of rape, assault and even murders in Goa. Take great care at night and try to travel in a group whenever possible. Avoid dark, unlit areas as much as possible. If you are riding your bike at night, do not stop in lonely areas ( you may be being followed ). Be very careful in or around Trance parties, be mindful of what you consume and watch your drinks like a hawk.

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Goa

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Find out what people want to know when planning how long to spend in Goa.

How many days Goa do you need?

Despite being India’s smallest state, Goa is packed with incredible experiences and attractions. We recommend visiting for 3-5 days minimum to make the most of it.

What should you include on a Goa 5 day itinerary?

Don’t miss out on these awesome places to visit in Goa: – Old Goa – Sahakari Spice Farm – Braganza House – Sunset Drum Circle & Market

When is the best time to visit Goa?

November-February offer the best weather for exploring Goa. March and April also get warm and have smaller tourist crowds.

Is Goa worth visiting?

Absolutely. From the verdant forests and stunning shorelines to the vibrant food and buzzing festivals, Goa is a very popular destination among travellers.

Goa is the perfect place for your next holiday destination! With white sandy beaches, a rich cultural history and some great architectural beauties, there isn’t a single thing you could possibly miss out on!

Its beautiful landscapes are begging to be explored and the culture that surrounds every building in Goa is worth learning about! No matter what time of year you choose to visit, there will always be something going on in this province. From festivals and parades to cultural ceremonies, there’s never a dull moment in Goa!

It’s a great place to travel whether you’re with your crew or a solo traveler. The safety of this beautiful province adds to the appeal of Goa for solo travelers. Be sure you’re not the only one missing out on the amazing experience of visiting Goa, India! And be sure to add a few of these great activities to your Goa Itinerary!

Suzanne Borders

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I’m confused – you have this article but also this warning people away from Goa? https://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/is-goa-still-worth-visiting/

Where is the Braganza mansion (that you have mentioned close to Arambol). All search results only point to Menezes Braganza mansion in Chandor, South Goa.

Yes you are right. The Braganza mansion is in South Goa which is nowhere near Arambol at all. The writer who created this piece clearly had a moment of confusion. We have rectified the copy.

The typical mindset of western people. “watch your drinks like a hawk” hahaha! I hope you share some positivity also. Please teach your countrymen about Indian hospitality which is sorely missing in your country. I would love to read a blog about the USA itinerary mentioning “watch out for f…ing racists”

Personally I absolutely love Goa (Psytrance!!!!), have spent several months there and cannot wait to visit again. However, the FACT is that Goa can be very dangerous for women and there is no point in denying this – it doesn’t help anybody.

FYI – I am not from the US so cannot comment on American hospitality.

Good work on the blog, very helpful 🙂

This makes me want to rush to goa right now. Amazing blog

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A Complete 7-day Itinerary and Guide to Goa for First Timers

This guide to Goa is perfect for those of you planning to travel there for the first time, as it talks about the best time to visit, how to reach Goa, popular beaches in North and South Goa, where to stay for your first visit, and how to get around. Also included is Goa itinerary for 7 days.

Goa is a tropical paradise with endless white and golden-sand beaches lined with swaying palm trees. This small state in the southwestern region of India is unlike any other, with its laid-back culture balanced by its thriving nightlife. But that’s not all there is to Goa. It is a land of soothing bike rides, fascinating world heritage sites, plush resorts, friendly hostels, delectable seafood, and various forms of spiritual practices. It is definitely the most popular destination in India amongst Indian and international travellers (after the Taj Mahal, of course), as it has something for everyone.

Guide to Goa For First Timers

What is the best time to visit goa.

March-May : These are the summer months when Goa gets unbearably muggy, with temperatures touching 40ºC (104ºF).

June – September : During these monsoon months, Goa becomes lush green. It is relatively quieter than other months. Most shacks are temporary structures that are dismantled during this period and water sports aren’t going on. But this is a charming time in Goa overall, with plenty of restaurants and activities to keep you entertained.

November–February : Winter is the peak season here. Goa, being a coastal area, is balmy while the inland parts of the country go through typical winter temperatures. The sun is always out and the cool sea breeze blows through from time to time. December is the busiest month as Goa hosts the Annual Sunburn Music Festival, which attracts people from all over. Plus, people flock in to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s holidays at this party destination.

Verdict: For your first time in Goa, you should visit during the season, Mid-October to Mid-March , so that you can see all that Goa has to offer. The shacks will be open, beach stays will be available in South Goa and the weather will be pleasant. However, the prices will be higher than any other time of the year.

How to reach Goa?

Goa’s international airport is situated at Dabolim, near Vasco Da Gama, and there is also a new airport in North Goa, Manohar International Airport. You can land at either of these and hire a taxi to your hotel/hostel.

While most cities in India have an organised cab service like Uber and Ola, Goa has  GoaMiles  ( now also an app) that can pass for Goa’s very own Uber. We’ve used it a few times and found cabs at a good rate. You can also opt for the taxis lined up on the road outside the airport (be prepared to bargain and ensure to set prices before the start of the trip) or prepaid taxi stands at airports that have a set price. You can always ask at your accommodation if they provide airport transfers but these might turn out to be more expensive.

Local buses in Goa are significantly cheaper but also very inconvenient, as you would have to change multiple vehicles to get to your destination in Goa. Use the local bus only if you’re on a super low budget.

Bus, Cab and Car

You can also opt to reach Goa by overnight bus or cab from major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, and Hyderabad in India. If travelling by bus, Mapusa would be your de-boarding point for North Goa , Panjim for Central , and Margao/Canacona for South .

You can book your bus via Redbus .

We’ve driven it down from Pune a few times now and once from Hyderabad. The road is full of potholes as you get closer to Goa. But you’ll cross ghats and waterfalls. It is beautiful!

Goa is also well connected by train to the rest of India. The main train stations are Vasco da Gama (central), Margao (south) and Thivim (north) .

Which area to stay in Goa?

Goa is divided into North and South Goa, with its capital, Panaji (popularly known as Panjim), located around the centre. For your first time in Goa, it can be confusing to decide where to stay, as different corners of the state offer different experiences. In this itinerary, you’ll be staying in both North Goa and South Goa .

Baga, Calangute, Candolim or Anjuna : This is a good option for your first time in Goa, as the area is very central, so all places to see would be close to you.

However, please note that these beaches aren’t best, as they’re the most popular in Goa. Every Tom Dick and Harry visit these beaches so the crowd is also such. However, your purpose of staying around this area is different. You’re here to enjoy the water sports, the parties, the food and maybe even shop a little.

A little further north is Anjuna. While it is not the best location to stay for this itinerary, this area has come up a lot in the past few years, so you’ll find a lot of  must-visit restaurants in Goa  around this area.

Stay Options:

Casa Cenica (2BHK in Arpora) Onastay  (2BHK in Candolim) Casa De Mezzanine (Beautiful 1BHK in Arpora) Jade by CasaFlip (2BHK in Anjuna) Beach Villa With Private pool (luxury) Canary By CasaFlip (1BHK in Anjuna).

Palolem or Agonda: For your first trip to South Goa, you should stay at one of these two beaches and explore other beaches nearby. These beaches have restaurants but still maintain a relaxed vibe so you can enjoy time on the beach. Remember that you should only stay in South Goa beaches beach from October to March, as the huts and shacks are mostly dismantled before the monsoons and built back up when the monsoons get over. Click to  know more about South Goa Beaches .

Stay Options: Jardim-a-Mar (Agonda Beach—I’ve stayed here twice) Simrose (Agonda Beach; this one is often open all-year round) Agonda Serenity Beach Villa (has a jacuzzi on porch at Agonda Beach) Agonda Island View (Agonda Beach) BunkNBrew (hostel in Palolem)

How to get around Goa?

Taxis are expensive in Goa and not ideal for getting around and sightseeing. Buses are quite cheap but again, inconvenient. Instead, opt for a scooter or motorbike for the duration of your stay in Goa. There is no better way to get around, as it will give you the utmost freedom. The best bit is that it is inexpensive at about Rs. 500–800 a day, depending on the season (off-season or peak), type of bike (scooters like Honda Activa, low-end bikes like Bajaj Pulsar or high-end ones, like Royal Enfield) and your haggling skills.

If you don’t want to ride a bike or moped, you can hire a car . Most offer stick shifts so if you don’t know how to drive these, finding an automatic may not be easy. However, we have always managed to find one and so should you. Economy cars usually cost about Rs. 1000–1200 per day but may go up depending on the season.

You can get a bike or car on hire easily by talking to your accommodation host or hotel.

The Perfect 1 Week Goa Itinerary: North and South Goa

The Goa experience is different for every individual, depending on their style of travel. It’s never one size fits all because there is simply so much to see and do. We have stayed in Goa for 2 months and have yet to see it all. Your personalised Goa itinerary would largely depend on what you enjoy—nature, culture, beaches, partying, etc. In this 7-day Goa itinerary, we’ve tried to include a bit of everything so you can get a true feel of the different sides of Goa and decide for yourself which aspect of Goa you enjoy the most!

Day 1-2 North Goa – Watersports, Shopping, and Partying

Stay near the Baga Beach/Arpora area. Despite being crowded, it is close to a lot of North Goa tourist spots you’ll be visiting. And also, hire a scooter, bike or car. You’ll need it to get around. Prior reservations for restaurants are needed!

Day 1: Beach, Water sports, Party

• Reach Goa and check into your hotel or Airbnb
• Rent a vehicle
• Calangute Beach for lunch at Pousada by the Beach
• Water sports and sunset at Baga Beach
• At night go partying at Hammerz (popular music) in the Baga Area or Las Olas (Bollywood music) at Baga Beach. Or both as they’re close by! Start at Hammerz and end at Las Olas.

Day 2: Cliffside Restaurants, Fort, Sundowner, and Party

You don’t need to do all of the things mentioned below. Select the ones you wish to do based on your preferences and how much time you have. I’d recommend not partying till late this night so you can be fresh to explore Goa the next morning.

• Wake up late this day since you’ve partied the previous night
• Lunch:   Titlie OR Antares OR Casa Playa at Little Vagator or Felix OR Artjuna or Vinayak at Anjuna.
• Shop: Now go shop at Anjuna Flea Market!
• Explore Chapora Fort (The movie ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ was shot here so expect it to be crowded)
• Stay for sunset or go for a sundowner to Thalassa closeby
• Dinner at Ida in Vagator
• Party at one of the following – Soro (Siolim) or Romeo Lane (Little Vagator).

Day 3–4: North Goa: Culture, Heritage and Nature

Day 3: culture and heritage.

Head for a day trip to Panjim and Old Goa . On this day, you’ll get a good glimpse of Portuguese influence on Goan heritage.

Old Goa Churches : Start with Old Goa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see the following churches in this order:

• St. Augustine Church Ruins
• Basilica of Bom Jesus (the most renowned)
• Convent of Santa Monica and The Museum of Christian Art (optional but good)
• Se Cathedral
• Church of St. Cajetan
• Viceroy’s Arch
• Our Lady of Mount Chapel (optional- for panoramic views of the Panjim area)

Going on a tour will help you make the most of your time and understand the significance of Old Goa and its churches. It is highly recommended. We’ve taken several tours by this company and loved all of them.

Lunch : Head for either a local Goan lunch at Kokni Kanteen or Cafe Al Fresco By Cantina Bodeg a for continental food. Both are close to your next stop.

Fontainhas : After lunch, take a walk in Fontainhas, Asia’s largest Latin Quarter, which has lanes lined with houses built in the colonial style and painted in bright shades of red, yellow, green, and blue. We highly recommend seeing this area on a Latin Quarter walking tour ; only then will you truly be able to appreciate the history, architecture, and all the stories.

However, if you don’t wish to take a tour, start your walk at Maruti Mandir or Phoenix Springs, ending at the Church of Immaculate Conception. See the colourful houses, click a lot of photos at the colourful wall of Old Quarter Hostel, buy some Azulejo tile décor at Velha Goa Galleria, admire the white façade of St. Sebastian Chapel, and have some bebinca (Goan Dessert) at Confeitaria 31 De Janeiro .

Evening: Get drinks and small bites at Antonio@31 or head for a full-fledged dinner at Black Sheep Bistro . Please check the prices of these restaurants beforehand to see if they fit your budget and make reservations accordingly. You could also go for a fun Pub Crawl instead.

Night: Later, you could head to a Deltin Royale Casino (buy tickets online for the best deals) OR go back home to rest for an early morning the next day.

Book Tours in Goa

Day 4: Nature and Heritage

Chorao Island and the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary : Do this either on a tour or by yourself. You’ll have to take a ferry from Ribandar. Don’t miss the famous Mangrove Broadwalk. It is beautiful. We haven’t been here yet but can’t wait to go!

Lunch: Lazy Goose , Nerul. Reserve the table with the lake view if you can.

Depending on the time you start the day, see one/two of the following attractions. Choose one museum and one fort:

• Houses of Goa Museum (do this only after a walking tour of Fontainhas; otherwise, nothing will make any sense) OR Museum of Goa (modern art tinged in Goan history).
• Aguada Fort (great for sunsets but crowded) OR Reis Magos Fort (relatively less known and beautiful).

Have dinner in the Candolim, Calangute, or Baga area. There are plenty of good restaurants.

A Reverie : Fine Dining Toro Toro : Continental/Goan Yazu – Pan Asian Beach Club: Asian

Day 5–6: South Goa: Beaches and Relaxation

Day 5: spice plantations, iconic restaurants, relaxation.

Now, head to South Goa. Stay at Agonda or Palolem Beach—both are fantastic beaches for your first time in Goa.

But on your way, you have the option of making a few stops.

• Sahakari Spice Plantation: Wonder why the Portuguese were so fascinated by Goa? The answer lies in the tantalising smell and flavours of spices like Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Allspice, Cumin, etc. See how these spices grow and learn about them. End with a local buffet lunch at the plantation. I found the experience very interesting and learned a lot. You can buy the ticket on reaching there.
• Iconic Restaurants: If you’re not in the mood for the above, stop at Martin’s Corner or Fisherman’s Wharf for lunch. They are both very renowned.

Check into your hotel and use this day to do nothing and just relax on the beach, see the sunset, etc. Otherwise, you could also choose to head to Sundowner Palolem (Bar) for a sundowner!

Day 6: Beaches and Viewpoints

Today is going to be a long day of beach hopping.

Cola Beach: Start your day at Cola Beach. It’s a bit of a hike down to the beach. You can even take the jeep to the beach to save time and effort but it’ll cost a bit. Cola Beach is famous for its lagoon, where you can swim and kayak. You can have lunch here before heading to your next stop.

Kakolem Beach: This beach has a waterfall. Yes, you read that right. ( you can skip this beach if you’re running short on time or want to take it a bit slow).

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Modi & Trisha – Travel Couple (@trywanderingmore)

Cabo De Rama Fort and Cabo De Rama Viewpoint for sunset . Both are gorgeous spots with fantastic views – you’ll love the sunset here. You can also choose to have a meal and drink at the Cape Goa restaurant near the viewpoint before heading back to your hotel.

Day 7: Butterfly Beach and Palolem/Agonda Beach

• Butterfly Beach : It’s a beautiful secluded beach. You can hike it to the beach or go via boat but I’ll suggest going as early as possible to avoid crowds.
• Palolem/Agonda Beach : For lunch head to either of these beaches that you’re not staying at. At Palolem, you can have lunch at Dropadi by the beach and at Treetop Tava or Zest (vegan cafe) at Agonda. Walk around the beach later afterwards.

Depart for home this evening or the next morning!

But do not forget to book your tours in goa before you get there!

Tips to Stay Safe in Goa

This guide to Goa would be incomplete if I didn’t mention tips to stay safe there. Goa is really welcoming and local-friendly. But because it is a  thriving party location and has people travelling from all over, you should take care of the following, especially if you’re a woman.

• Don’t hitchhike.
• If you’re a woman travelling solo, preferably rent a car. If you’re a woman travelling in a group, bikes will do. 
• Always get a video of the vehicle hired to avoid being ripped off on returning the vehicle.
• Don’t go out with people you don’t know and never go to parties alone.
• Watch your drink.
• Try to stay vigilant, even when drunk.
• Some Indian men can assume friendliness as flirting. 
• Be cautious of theft at your accommodation. Huts can easily be broken into.
• Drugs are available abundantly in Goa. Avoid getting stuck in the middle of a drug racket. 
• Avoid drunken driving. It is being monitored by the police more strictly than before.

Don’t let these scare you. I (Trisha) have  travelled solo to Goa  and also with my girlfriends and had an absolutely fantastic time. Most of these tips should be adhered to anywhere in the world. Here is a complete list of  ways to stay safe while travelling alone .

Wrapping up

Goa is a place that you can never get enough of. With each visit, you discover something new – a secret beach, a quaint café, a shack with amazing music, a magnificent fort, and so on. We have visited Goa about five times for short periods – with different people, as different people in different phases of our lives, or wanting something different from our trip- and Goa has never let us down. We are sure you will be taken by the charm of Goa and not want to leave just like the hippies in their heydays. Hope you found this Goa Travel Blog useful and have an amazing first trip to Goa. Tell us how it went!

This blog post on the ‘Travel Guide to Goa for First Timers’ has affiliate links that enable us to earn a small commission when you make a purchase, with no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and activities we like and those that might interest you. If you like any suggested product, do buy from the given links.

1 thought on “A Complete 7-day Itinerary and Guide to Goa for First Timers”

Amazing blog!!Thank you for sharing with us.

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Travel Itineraries | Luxury Travel | Travel Tips

The Best of Goa | 7 Day Travel Itinerary + Guide

Welcome to the Ultimate Goa Travel Guide , designed to help you make the most of your 7-day adventure in the beautiful Indian coastal paradise, of Goa. Whether you’re seeking pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife, or cultural experiences, Goa has something to offer everyone, and this 7 Day Goa Travel Itinerary and Guide , has it all. In this Goa Travel Guide, we’ll provide you with a suggested 7 Day itinerary to explore the best of North Goa, South Goa, and Panjim, along with key insights on the best time to visit Goa, must-visit places in Goa, offbeat experiences to do in Goa, and the best resort in Goa, India.

Day 1: Arrival in North Goa

Day 2: explore north goa, day 3: road trip from north goa to south goa, day 4: discover offbeat things to do in south goa, day 5: dive into south goa, day 6-7: immerse yourself in panjim, coconut creek resort | bogmalo, goa, feni and tapas food trail in old latin quarters, fontainhas heritage walk, e-bike tour to divar island, attending a drum circle, visiting salaulim dam, 7 day goa travel itinerary – summary, share this:, the best of goa – 7 day travel itinerary.

• Start your journey by arriving in Goa, preferably during the best month to visit Goa, which is typically between November and March, offering pleasant weather.
• Prefer to land at the Manohar Parrikar International Airport in MOPA, as you’ll be c hecking in into your accommodation in North Goa, known for its lively atmosphere and bustling beaches. Check out the Best Hotels in North Goa here and save upto 50%.
• Pro Tip – Make your life easy, by pre-booking a Rental Car in Goa. The vehicle can be picked up at the Airport, and make sure to do a proper visual inspection, and even take a video, before taking the keys. Car Rentals in Goa start for as less as ₹ 1400 – 2000 / day.
• Spend the evening at any of the famous beaches in North Goa, such as Baga Beach, Anjuna Beach, Arambol Beach, famous for its nightlife and beachside shacks.
• Begin your day with a visit to the historic Aguada Fort / Chapora Fort, offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea.
• Head to Anjuna Beach to experience its bohemian vibes and browse the flea market. 
• Enjoy traditional Goan cuisine at Vinayak Family Restaurant and Gunpowder in Assagao. These are some of the Best Restaurants in North Goa , that you should definitely check out.
• Head to any of the popular beach clubs of Goa such as Mayan Beach Club, Thalassa Goa, Purple Martini, Titlie Goa for an epic sundowner.
• If possible, attend a drum circle.Attending a Drum Circle is one of the best things to do in Goa, and these Drum Circles are organised regularly on Arambol Beach, Morjim Beach, Anjuna Beach among others. Just ask the locals, they’ll be able to help you with the latest information.

PS – Useful Travel Resources that will help you plan better for your Trip to Goa

• Book the best Goa Tours at GetYourGuide or Viator
• Book your Accommodation in Goa on Agoda or Booking.com
• Book your Goa Car Rentals on Go Goa Car Rentals or Ezee Car Rent
• Book your flights at the cheapest rates on Kiwi.com
• Get an eSIM by Airalo to stay connected and Save on Roaming Fees
• Sign up for a Priority Pass before flying to Goa, and lounge for free at Premium Airport Lounges
• Sign up for a Travel Insurance to enjoy a hassle free vacation in Goa
• Check out from your North Goa accommodation and head to South Goa, which is less crowded and known for its tranquillity. 
• We recommend the Coconut Creek Resort near Bogmalo Beach. The resort, is one of the best in Goa, India;  has an inviting swimming pool, it’s surrounded by greenery, has an amazing in house restaurant serving the best dishes of Goa, and is just a 3 minute from Bogmalo Beach, which is a relatively cleaner and less crowded beaches of South Goa.
• Head out and experience the best Goan dishes such as Chicken Xacuti, Prawn Vindaloo, Pork Sorpotel, at Martin’s Corner or at Fisherman’s Wharf, which are some of the Best Places to Eat in South Goa.
• Explore offbeat destinations in South Goa, near Bogmalo Beach, such as Kesarwal Spring Waterfall and the Heart Shaped Lake.
• Visit the Paul John Distillery and do the distillery and tasting tour. Its one of those experiences, that might as well turn out to be one of the highlights of your trip to Goa. However, do enquire beforehand, and confirm the slot timings for your visit.
• Head further south to experience the calm at Majorda Beach, and the less touristy Cabo Da Rama Beach and Cola Beach and lagoon. If weather permits, enjoy a beautiful sunset from any of these beaches.
• Enjoy a traditional Goan Seafood Thali at any of the local eateries and pair it up with some Goan Feni – the local liquor made from cashew and coconut.
• Put the location on Google Maps as Salaulim Gardens, and head to one of the most beautiful and underrated tourist attraction in Goa – The Salaulim Dam. Even though, it’s a bit far from other popular sights in Goa, the drive to Salaulim Dam is very beautiful and the untouched beauty of the dam, makes it worth the effort of going the extra mile.
• If weather permits, also check out the famous Dudhsagar Waterfalls, which also happens to be one of the tallest waterfalls in India and one of the Most Beautiful Waterfalls in India , nestled in the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. Enquire about all the information required to explore Dudhsagar Waterfall from the reception desk of your hotel in South Goa.
• Drive back to your South Goa hotel, and just relax by the pool. Enjoy a delectable dinner spread at the in house restaurant of your South Goa hotel.
• Check out from your South Goa Hotel and head to Panjim, the charming state capital.
• We recommend staying near Miramar Beach, or in the heart of Panjim – The Old Latin Quarters, in a heritage property. Check out the Best Hotels in Panjim here and avail upto 50% discounts on your booking.
• Spend your days in Panjim, exploring historic sites like the Fontainhas Latin Quarter, the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, and the Reis Magos Fort, and the nearby Divar Island. 
• Do the Fontainhas Heritage Walking Tour by Make It Happen Goa , to know more about the history of the iconic Old Latin Quarter of Panjim.
• Discover the beauty of Divar Island, by doing an E – Bike Tour by B:Live E – Bike Tours Goa , and combine the adventure of cycling with the ease of cruising .
• Take a cruise along the Mandovi River and enjoy the vibrant Goan culture.
• Go on a culinary adventure by joining the Feni and Tapas Trail by Make It Happen , and try out some yummy crafted Feni based cocktails, along with Goan and Portuguese inspired food dishes, at some of the Best Restaurants in Panjim.
• Try out your luck at any of the many famous Casinos in Panjim. Gambling is legal in Goa, if you didn’t already know.
• Goan Cashews
• The Goan Spices
• Homegrown Gins produced in Goa – Tickle Gin, Satiwa Passion Hemp Gin, Udaipur Gulaab Gin, Pumori Small Batch Gin, Matinee Gin, among others.
• Other Goan liquors – Cabo Rum, Goan Feni and Port Wine.
• The Portuguese inspired azulejos tiles.
• Edible Goan souvenirs – Goan Pork Chorizo Sausages, Bebinca, Prawn Balchao and Mackarel Molho (Goan Pickles)
• Mario Miranda’s Goan Themed paintings / fridge magnets.
• Departure from Goa (by flight, train or bus) in the evening of the last day of this 7 Day Goa Travel Itinerary.

Best Resort in Goa | India

The highlight of my Trip to Goa has to be the beautiful experience at Coconut Creek Resort Goa , where the staff literally went above and beyond to make my experience memorable. 

Welcome to Coconut Creek Resort | Bogmalo, Goa

Here are 5 Reasons that make Coconut Creek Resort near Bogmalo Beach, stand out in the list of the Best Hotels and Resorts in South Goa, India.

Apart from the stay, the highlight was the epic Goan culinary experience that Chef Aniket took us on. We tried some of the best Goan local dishes such as Chicken Xacuti , Pork Sorpotel , Prawn Curry , Lamb Chops , a variety of local Goan fish delicacies , and the famous Goan Caramel Pudding.

Coconut Creek Go a is without a doubt one of the Best Resorts in South Goa , India ; and is still one of the hidden gems. 

If you are heading to Goa, I would highly recommend you to make Coconut Creek Goa as your base, and explore the best of Goa from here. Staying at Coconut Creek Goa, might very well turn out to be one of the highlights on your 7 Day Goa Travel Itinerary as well.

Book your stay at the Coconut Creek Resort in Goa, by clicking here . Make sure to book it in advance, as this resort in Goa, India; runs fully booked, specially in the season, which is from October – March.

5 Unique Experiences to tick off in Goa

Dive into the culinary heritage of Goa with a Feni and Tapas Food Trail in the Old Latin Quarters. This experience combines the delightful flavours of Goan cuisine with Goa’s iconic spirit, Feni. Start your gastronomic journey at a traditional tavern/bar, where you’ll be introduced to Feni, a locally distilled liquor made from cashews.

Stop at local eateries and restaurants to try some unique Feni based cocktails, and savour a variety of tapas-style dishes, each bursting with flavours that reflect Goa’s culinary diversity. From seafood delights like prawn resois to vegetarian options like mushroom xacuti, you’ll indulge in a wide range of Goan specialties.

This food trail in Goa not only offers a delectable blend of culture and cuisine, allowing you to experience Goa through its flavours, from traditional to contemporary, all in the heart of the historic Latin Quarter; but can turn out to be of the best experiences in Goa during your 7 Day Trip to Goa.

Use the code “AMMIH10” to get a flat 10% discount on the Feni and Tapas Trail and Fontainhas Heritage Walk and other awesome experiences, such as the Latin Quarter Food Trail, Old Goa Heritage Walk, Campal Heritage Walk, Chronicles of Divar Island with Lunch, among others by Make It Happen Goa. 

Click Here to Book Your Experiences with Make It Happen Goa.

Discover the rich history and vibrant culture of Goa by embarking on a Fontainhas Heritage Walk. Fontainhas, located in Panjim, is the Latin Quarter of Goa and one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods in the state.

This guided heritage walk takes you through winding streets lined with colourful Portuguese-style houses adorned with artistic azulejos (hand-painted ceramic tiles). As you stroll through the narrow lanes, you’ll be transported back in time, learning about the Portuguese influence on Goan architecture, culture, and lifestyle.

Your knowledgeable storyteller will share fascinating stories about the heritage homes, quaint chapels, and local traditions. This immersive experience allows you to soak in the charm of Fontainhas, providing insights into Goa’s unique blend of European and Indian influences. It’s a perfect way to appreciate the Goa’s cultural diversity and architectural beauty.

L – Taken during the Fontainhas Heritage Walk 

R – Taken during the Divar Island E – Bike Tour

Experience the serene beauty and tranquil landscapes of Divar Island in an eco-friendly and exciting way with an E-Bike tour. Divar Island, located in the Mandovi River, is known for its lush greenery, traditional Goan villages, and idyllic countryside.

Your E-Bike adventure begins with a short ferry ride across the river from Old Goa to Divar Island.

Once there, you’ll hop on an electric bicycle, a sustainable mode of transport that allows you to explore the island without harming the environment. Pedal through narrow roads flanked by paddy fields, explore charming villages, and interact with friendly locals.

Highlights of the tour include a visit to the Our Lady of Compassion Church, enjoying scenic viewpoints, and taking in the peaceful ambiance of the island. The E-Bike tour provides an offbeat and eco-conscious way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and culture of Divar Island, making it a memorable and sustainable adventure in Goa. So make sure to add the Divar Island E – Bike Adventure on your 7 Day Goa Travel Itinerary.

Immerse yourself in the rhythmic beats and positive energy of Goa by attending a Drum Circle. This unique and vibrant experience takes place at various beaches, cultural centers, and open spaces throughout Goa.

A Drum Circle is a gathering of people who come together to play percussion instruments, creating mesmerising and spontaneous music. These gatherings are not only about music but also about community, connection, and creative expression.

As the rhythms intensify, you’ll find yourself in a trance-like state, dancing and swaying to the hypnotic sounds. It’s a fantastic way to connect with fellow travellers and locals, experience Goa’s vibrant arts scene, and enjoy an evening of music and free-spirited fun.

PS – Just search for Goa Drum Circle on Instagram or Facebook to get to know about the different drum circles happening and the locations.

Escape the usual tourist crowds and head to Salaulim Dam, a hidden gem nestled amidst the Western Ghats in South Goa. The Salaulim Dam is one of Goa’s lesser-known attractions, offering a serene and picturesque setting surrounded by lush greenery.

The dam not only serves as a water reservoir but also provides a peaceful atmosphere for nature enthusiasts. You can visit the dam to take in breathtaking views of the reservoir and the surrounding hills. The best time to visit is during the monsoon season when the dam is at its fullest, creating a mesmerising spectacle of cascading water.

Visiting Salaulim Dam is an offbeat experience that allows you to connect with Goa’s natural beauty and offers a refreshing change of pace from the more touristy destinations. You can combine a trip to Salaulim Dam with a visit to Dudhsagar Waterfalls – One of the tallest waterfalls in India.

Whether you’re interested in history, food, or eco-friendly exploration, these unique experiences in Goa offer something special for every traveller, allowing you to connect with Goa’s heritage, cuisine, and natural wonders.

Day 1 –  Arrival in Goa | Stay in North Goa | Try some local Goan cuisine | Relax by the beach

Day 2 –  Explore any of the famous forts – Aguada / Chapora / Tiracol Fort / Reis Magos Fort | Sundowner at any of the famous Goa Beach Clubs | Attend a Drum Circle

Day 3 –  Head to South Goa | Try out local Goan food at any of the Famous Restaurants in Goa | Check in to any of the Best Resorts in South Goa

Day 4 –  Discover offbeat locations in South Goa | Explore Cola Beach and Cabo de Rama Beach | Catch a beautiful sunset 

Day 5 – Visit the Dudhsagar Waterfall | Drive to Salaulim Dam | Visit the Paul John Distillery  

Day 6 –  Divar Island E – Bike Tour | Go souvenir shopping | Feni and Tapas Trail

Day 7 –  Fontainhas Heritage Trail | Day at leisure | Departure from Goa

We hope, that you found this Goa Travel Guide containing the 7 Day Goa Travel Itinerary covering the best of North Goa, South Goa, and Panjim, to be helpful. Remember to plan your visit during the best months to visit Goa (October – March), for the most enjoyable experience. Whether you’re looking for beachfront relaxation, cultural immersion, or vibrant nightlife, Goa has it all.

Use this Goa Travel Guide as a roadmap, to plan your trip to Goa, and to create unforgettable memories in this tropical paradise.

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Goa Travel Blog: Stories by the Coast

Goa Travel Blog: The moment we alighted and made it to our stay, I knew I’d be visiting Goa again. Some say there isn’t much to Goa apart from its Churches, beaches, and party vibes.

Some keep coming back to it. India has numerous places with great beaches. Yet Goa holds its head high among them all.

When I visited Goa, I realized there’s so much more to Goa than its beaches. The state it is today hasn’t bloomed over time; it has always been this way among tourists. I’d compare it to the Bali of Indonesia. I visited Goa in the winter of 2022. Here’s all about my Goa travel blog.

Table of Contents

Goa travel blog: Getting there from Bangalore

Bangalore is 560 km from Goa. While a drive to the coastal line is a sweet option, getting around Goa with a car can be a hassle. From Bangalore, the best budget option to get to Goa is via the sleeper coach bus or train.

By train , keep your itinerary planned weeks ahead as it’s difficult to get tickets at the last minute. Goa has two main stations, Vasco Da Gama and Margao with Vasco being the bigger of the two. Book your train tickets either via the official IRCTC website or a 3rd party site. It costs around Rs. 380 for a one-way sleeper coach.

We booked our sleeper coach tickets both ways, back and forth in Bangalore. We made it to Vasco Da Gama Railway station at 5 am and the platforms were already bustling with people. As local buses begin operating at 7 am, not wanting to waste time, we boarded a private bus for Rs. 100 per head that dropped us off at the Panjim Bus Stand (28 km from Vasco).

If you aren’t too worried about your budget and wish to spend time efficiently, I’d highly recommend booking a cab. Local buses get the work done but take a LOT of time to get to your destination and get congested often.

While Goa has no restrictions for tourists with cars, a road trip from Bangalore is simply unnecessary. Goan roads are narrow in most places and make it inconvenient for cars. Thus instead of your own car, get to Goa either by train/bus. Getting there by flight is also another option.

Goa Travel Blog: Bargaining Scooters to Get Around

Unlike Ooty where rental cars are banned due to frequent accidents on the sleek curvy roads, Goan roads rush with rental scooters.

Staying in Arambol, we found a sweet guy ‘Lorenz’ who rented out 3 new scooters, Yamaha Fascino 125s, he had with valid documentation and rental plates. He initially claimed it would be a flat Rs. 400 per scooter as they were new. Since we were getting 3 of them, we agreed to rent them all for 1000. A good deal if you ask me.

Now about scooters, Goa has abundant sources of car and scooter rentals. Most accommodations you visit, even some restaurants offer scooter rentals. Keep a few things in mind before renting one.

Most require you to return the scooter back to the pickup point. So it’s best to get your rental vehicle close to your accommodation where you’ll return. Staying in Arambol, we got scooters the first evening to explore Vagator and Anjuna Beach .

Make sure to get your driving license as well as an original identity card like a passport, Aadhar, or PAN card. The vehicle owner holds the ID as a lateral when you rent it out. Pick it up when you return the vehicle.

Regarding cops and safety, one helmet is usually provided per scooter. Unlike Bangalore, you need not have a helmet for the pillion rider here.

While most places offer scooter rentals, some offer motorcycles too. If I’d found one, I’d have no doubt gone for it!

Best time to Visit Goa

The best time to visit Goa is from November to February. These are the months that aren’t actual summers here. Goa being on the tropical coastal end, it’s humid throughout. From the months of March to May, it’s the summer but it also gets extremely hot during these months.

The months of November to February are sunny while being cool compared to the other months.

We visited in the November of 2022. With these months being popular for the climate and party season, there were crowds flocking off the train when we arrived and the roads jammed at night.

Lucky for us, we stayed at Arambol, North Goa which was comparatively remote and offbeat compared to the rest of Goa.

Goa Travel Blog: Budget Hostels

In India, I’ve personally loved some backpacker hostels on HostelWorld.com and initiatives like Zostels for travelers. But we didn’t intend on staying on separate dormitory beds as we were a group of friends. We got a homestay of sorts.

When we arrived in Arambol, we had a hustle with the accommodation and its staff. Though we had booked it prior to our stay, the reception told us there were no rooms currently available and we’d have to wait till the afternoon.

Though weary with the luggage and travel, we decided to look for offline homestays around close to the beach. And voila, we found one!

For budget stays, don’t keep your hopes high when you book online. You’ll know when the prices are too good for the amenities offered. Booking.com is great to book your accommodation without upfront payment. Check out the stay before you check in.

My Stay Recommendation in Goa

My favorite sites to book stays in India are Booking.com and HostelWorld for distinct reasons. Booking.com allows us to book without having to pay upfront booking fees. We can check out the stay and pay on spot.

HostelWorld , on the other hand offers its best hostels that have been selected carefully for backpackers and solo travelers. Though we do need to pay upfront on HostelWorld, all stays here are carefully selected. Thus HostelWorld ultimately maintaining its reputation with its quality stays.

Goa is full of resorts and backpacker hostels for all kinds of price ranges. For mid-range stays and not too far from citt center, the most affordable rates for accommodation are around Anjuna, Calangute, Vagator, and Morjim. Here are some I handpicked out for you based on pricing.

Resorts in Anjuna, Calangute, and, Vagator (Rs. 1400 – Rs. 5000)

• Casa De Calangute
• Koito-House
• La Vie Woods

Backpackers Hostels in Calangute, Anjuna, Vagator (Rs. 450 – Rs. 700)

• goStops Goa
• Piggy Calangute by Urban Nomads
• Dreams Hostel (HostelWorld)
• Wonderland Hostel (HostelWorld)
• Travo Tales (Morjim)
• Bunkd Hostel (HostelWorld)

As I stayed in Arambol, I witnessed hippie culture being prevalent in this remote part of North Goa. Though far from the city, it’s a paradise once you get there. And there are literally tons of dead cheap places to pick from here!

Keep in mind Arambol is best suited for backpackers rather than families. Here are some of my favorite traveler hostels from HostelWorld:

• ImagiNation – Artist’s Hostel
• Happy Panda Hostel

My Goa Travel Blog

The only downside to our Goa visit was we weren’t traveling , we were on vacation. We barely visited a handful of places and stuck to the comforts of the beach nearby, drinks, and evening strolls around. To add to it, we stayed for only 3 days in Goa.

Day 1: Getting off at Vasco Da Gama St.

The first day was a hectic travel day. The train journey from Yeshwantpur Junction, Bangalore to Vasco Da Gama Station, Goa had no hitches. It was a peaceful overnight journey. Since it was the start of the day and had time in hand, we decided to take the local bus to where we were staying – Arambol.

Till Panjim, we got on a private bus as there were no local buses available at 6:00 am. From Panjim’s local bus stand close to the bridges, we got on a local bus passing through Arambol. It cost us no more than Rs. 160 per person to get to Arambol.

Now the bad news? The time we took for the trip was debatable. We got there close to noon. Not to mention – the bus being suffocative and crowded like chicken poultry. For long distances, cabs are preferable. That’s the first thing we learned.

Luck would have it, our booked stay was ‘booked out’ due to the management’s fault, we took an hour to find ourselves a place and settle down our bags. We found a cozy spot for ourselves stowed in the alleys of Arambol barely a minute’s walk away from the beach.

I’d best recommend staying close to the beach. With Arambol being a far-off village, it’s quite affordable. For budget backpackers and solo travelers, here are some sweet places that I picked out for you on Booking.com.

Chapora Fort, Anjuna Beach, and Drinks for the evening

With the afternoon heat and little travel fatigue, we resorted to resting at our stay after lunch. In the evening, we rented out scooters and took off to the infamous Dil Chahta Hai fort .

With Arambol being a far-off North end, most places to visit in Goa were far off. It took us about 45 minutes to get to the fort only to find out it would close soon (at 5 pm). So we quickly parked the scooters and raced up the hill.

The 400 years old walls were one thing, the sunset view from the point was another. We found a sweet spot overlooking the beach and sunset and were just in time to witness its beauty.

When dusk fell, we decided to check out the nearest flea market. The Anjuna Flea Market. We didn’t know at the time that it’s best to visit on Wednesdays for the actual early flea market. Still, we strolled a good while through the permanent stalls here.

The flea market and Anjuna Beach go hand in hand. We heard waves in a distance and followed it through dark alleys, sand, and unevenly built cement steps down to the beach. We walked quite a long distance by the waves and the line of beach bars and fancy restaurants.

The night beach, as they’ve popularized Goa about, is quite the same. It’s a party hub alright. There’s loud music, lights blazing the night sky ultimately overpowering the sounds of waves washing ashore. The night sky’s stars were nowhere to be seen with all the light pollution.

We didn’t plan on spending a whole lot on fancy dining. So we returned late back to Arambol with liquor. It was cheap. It’s Goa after all :)

Day 2: Beach Walk and Arambol Sweet Lake

There wasn’t much we had planned for the day. We were exhausted from the previous day. With the hangover, most of us slept a couple of hours extra. I did, however, take an early morning walk on the Arambol beach .

The waters were calm. Unlike the night’s party animals, people at the same beach now were simply there for the waves and the quietness. They waved good morning at one another.

After a millionth attempt of convincing me, I finally gave in to the cheeky girl, my friend who’d planned the whole trip. She wished to check out Sweet Water Lake.

So we walked in the afternoon’s burning sand past clothing stalls on the shore edges, past a trail of large sharp rocks. And voila it was there! One of Arambol’s must-visit is the sweet water lake.

It’s a small trail away from the village. Unlike the beach waters, the water remains cool even in the heat. Sitting in the shallow waters, there were tiny fishes that swam around us. We spent the whole afternoon here relaxing under the coconut shades and cool water.

We didn’t do much towards the evening either. I had a Japanese class to attend on my laptop and the others took a dip in the waters.

Walking the Arambol beach at night is quite a wholesome experience. Most are non-Indians greeting and conversing with strangers, singing and dancing through the night. We even saw a couple of fire performances lighting the dark beachside.

Day 3: Watersports!

That cheeky girl who’d taken us to the sweet water lake? She’d arranged a day for watersports prior to our arrival. I personally was hesitant with the low price and the promising watersports they offered which included ‘scuba diving’.

As was my reluctance, the ‘scuba diving’ they had advertised, they did get us the scuba tank on our backs alright. Except we didn’t go far deep from the water’s surface. There were no more than a couple of fish swimming around the not-so-clear water. And it lasted no more than a few minutes.

Apart from scuba diving, parasailing along with hard dips into the waters was my favorite. The other activities included banana boat riding and jet skiing. From someone who’s lived on a tropical island in Indonesia for almost a decade, I was jaded about most of it.

It was, however, with some of my closest friends and that’s what made it all fun. We didn’t get any pictures of having all our belongings stowed away in lockers.

However, we did pay for scuba diving shots. But let’s just say they weren’t good enough to be up here on this blog.

We returned from the place early after lunch. After taking a shower, we all headed out to the beach one last evening. It was our last day in Goa!

Our last evening was again by the beach. We also spent a good while roaming the small alleys of Arambol. I’d met an Arambol resident, Sanjaysitting in his tiny reception (a shed of sorts) for stay bookings the previous day. He had a guitar behind him which led me to play it in his shed while customers went in and out.

Later in the afternoon, we’d gone into a deep conversation about how we look at lives, how most free minds look at lives. What makes us different from them? He was in his mid-50s with grey facial hair styled like most locals here, yet had a distinct touch to his features.

Before I left, I met him again and felt at home for a second. I guess that’s why people keep coming back to Arambol, Goa. It’s the people . The aura . I’m definitely not missing out on Arambol on my next Goa visit. We got pictures with our homestay owners as well.

While returning, we took the cab back to Vasco Da Gama. There wasn’t a way we’d take the local bus again. Neither did we have the energy, nor the time. It took almost a couple of hours with the evening traffic, and we were thankful the driver made it on time.

Goa Travel Blog: Tailpiece

That sums up my Goa travel blog – my experience of Goa. We did miss out on some major things to do in Goa. Things that we could’ve fit in our 3-day itinerary if we’d planned it better.

But we were looking for a vacation more than anything. If I visit Goa again (which I hopefully will), I’m traveling places. Having been there, I shall be writing more posts on guides and itineraries to Goa.

This is, anyhow, how my first trip to Goa went. That ends my Goa travel blog.

Happy traveling :)

Manas Patil

Hi there! I'm a 22-year-old dude all the way from India, I love traveling and building itineraries! Sign up and get your FREE COPY of my travel checklist to get the best of your next vacation!

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3 thoughts on “Goa Travel Blog: Stories by the Coast”

Nice blog! It was a really insightful blog as it would be really helpful for travellers, As a fellow traveller I would like to recommend you Lemon Tree Goa Resort which has a beautiful view of Baga River at North Goa.

Thanks for the detailed descriptions and helpful advice. I’m sure you had an incredible trip and your experiences are very useful for anyone looking to visit Goa. I look forward to hearing more inspirational travel stories.

Next time , please consider visiting our newly established cafe: Jambul Cafe & Stay at Panjim.

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Culturally Immersive & Responsible Travel

Ultimate Goa Travel Guide for the First Time Travelers!

About this blog: This travel guide to Goa will list out all the practical travel tips to the Coastal state of West India, and the country’s most beloved beach destination. If you are traveling to Goa for the first time, you will ideally find all the answers related to Goa travel in this article! If you do not, ask away in the comments section please!

Read all the posts on Goa Travel here!

Traveling to Goa is often hailed as a sign of attaining adolescent in India. Her long stretched coast line promises a new kind of free. Once a part of the iconic Hippie trail that flourished all the way from Europe to Nepal, Goa gave birth to a “New Found Land”, where you can just be, drifting away from the prejudices and societal niceties that bind you beyond logic can reason wish!

You do not visit Goa just once. You want to live there, get drunk on the intangible elixir that Arabian Sea serves with salty breeze! I visited Goa on a long weekend trip from Bangalore. I revisited Goa with another set of friends, in between a lot of failed Goa trip planning which are an incumbent part of Indian Millennial’s growing up experience! Then life happened and I visited Goa multiple times for “work”, I mean for travel blogging.

Each time, I visit, Goa opens a new chapter from past, while siting glorious nature by side.

• Language spoken: Konkoni, Marathi. Largely understood- English and Hindi.
• Famous for Beautiful beaches, water-sports, night-markets, sea food, yoga, nightlife
• Safer place to travel to for solo women in India
• It is a tiny state. Prosperous and with higher literacy rate. One of the leading tourist destinations in India.

How to reach Goa (by car/train/flight)

Goa is well connected with the rest of the country. Especially, multiple hour-long flights fly daily from Mumbai (erstwhile Bombay) to Goa, India’s financial capital. I prefer train journey to Goa as the route is particularly scenic!

Train journey by Konkan Railways!

Madgaon (MAO) and Vasco Da Gama (VSG) are the two major railway stations that connect Goa with rest of the country. If you are traveling to Goa from Bangalore or southern parts of India, I highly recommend taking a ride through Konkon railway. You shall see Dudhsagar falls for a fraction and mist shrouded lush green jungle everywhere will greet you to the land of Goa.

Fly into Dabolim Airport, Goa

Dabolim (GOI) is a domestic airport which is yet to receive international flights unless you are flying on a charter plane from somewhere in Russia. That is how Russians fly into Goa, in style. However, domestic carriers like Air Asia, Indigo, Spice Jet have multiple flights to Goa from morning 6 am to 11 pm at night.

Also keep in mind, Dabolim is an army airport serving the naval base of Indian Military and photography is restricted here. In Goa, a new airport is on the make to accommodate increased tourist footfall and should be operational by 2020.

Bus to Goa from nearby states

Overnight bus runs from nearby states and takes you to the connecting hub at Kadamba Bus station. From Bombay or Pune, traveling to Goa by bus is a last minute budget option. Bangalore to Goa bus is there too, however it runs for a painful 11/12 hours and stops are sparse. Bus journey in India do not have attached tpilets.

Goa Central bus station is located at the heart of Panaji. You can further change bus for North or South Goa or rent a car. Public bus ply in Goa till 6 pm and then frequency slows down, especially for the longer routes till Margao etc.

Road-trip to Goa

NH 66 passes through the Western coast of Indian peninsula and runs through Goa. Roads are a pleasure to drive. However you need international licence to drive in India (in case you are not Indian passport holder).

On new year eve or long weekends, there had been multiple reports of roadblocks with excessive traffic. Monsoon may cause road blockage due to mild flooding as well.

Public Transport in Goa

Kadamba line has recently hit the Goa roads. The Aircon bus runs from Panaji to tourist town of Arambol and Calagute. They also have hourly connectivity with Dabolim airport. Prices are close to INR 100 and Kadamba busline in Goa is the safest transport option.

How to rent a bike in Goa

You can also hire bikes, cars by depositing your licence. Do not forget to get a photo of the license which will can be further used at police check points on the road if any.

Bikes or cars are generally driven on the left side of the lane everywhere in India. Traffic rules are strict. Drunk driving is a punishable offence.

Also read about the most beautiful beaches of Goa . You may explore some of them in a long weekend vacation to Goa as well!

Best Time to Visit Goa

Famous for beach-life, Goa is best enjoyed under the bright sun. Winter is literally non existence.

Usually, tourist season in Goa spans from November to wee end of March. April is when school in India are closed for summer and you are likely to see plenty of domestic families traveling to Goa. Come every long weekend, millennial Indians working in nearby cities head to Goa to chase the grand sunset on Arabian sea. That crowd does not disperse when during monsoon.

The winter months in Goa usually have a very pleasurable moderate weather. They neither make you shiver under the blanket, nor force-feed challenging humidity. Summer can be different though, with a bright sun scorching everything on its way.

Monsoon in Goa

Monsoon in Goa is painfully beautiful. Raindrops drizzle from the straw huts and hinterlands turn lush green, complementing a swelled up river Mandovi. But Arabian Sea takes up a dangerous form, with most of the beach being off limit to swimmers. Watersports are usually closed during monsoon. Beach shacks are extinct.

Head to Goa during monsoon, if you love nature. However for the postcard perfect Goa where golden sand beaches stretch out till the horizon, dotted with coconut groves, you need to wait till dry month of winter.

Many beach huts and beach shacks are usually closed during monsoon. Be cognizant of the fact, relentless rain may also cause violent undercurrent in the sea.

Festivals in Goa

Be it a reminiscent of 450 years of Portuguese colonial rule or rich heritage of locals who find mention in epic tales of Mahabharat, Goa has no dearth of festivals and celebrations. It is worth planning your trip around one such festival in Goa. Watch out for the colorful costume, specific food, people letting there hair down and being a part of the merry procession, irrespective of cast and creed. It is beautiful.

Narkasur : Post Diwali, Narka Chaturdashi celebration where good triumphs over evil is manifested. It resembles that of Bhoot Chaturdashi or Dakini Jogini in Bengal , which we worship during Kalipuja when the rest of the country celebrates Diwali.

Viva Carnival : The Catholic festival, often compared to Mardi Gras, or even Rio carnival, that starts from Fat Saturday ( Sabado Gordo ) and end on Fat Tuesday, is a grand celebration where floats, parades, masked dance and other cultural identity find a way of expression. It is celebrated in Panaji and sort of reminds me of “Bisarjan Carnival” of Durgapuja, Kolkata .

New Years Eve: 31st December. Goa brings in New year in style with beaches beaming with color, elaborate fireworks and music.

Music festival in Goa : Supersonic, Sunburn.

Also read: Ramadan Foodwalk in Hyderabad!

Where to stay in Goa

I keep saying Goa as a tiny state. However, it takes at least 7 days to cover all the coastal region and hinterlands of Goa. You will still not see everything, but at least scratch the surface.

It is imperative, where you choose to stay in Goa, can actually make or break the experience.

Let me break down possible tourist accommodation options in Goa in three broad categories. Those who love to party and want to taste every pleasure Goa offers to tourists, must choose Baga or Calangute . Those who love offbeat stays and serenity, can choose between further North or South Goa. Panaji is the capital with plenty of old world charm. But who lives in Panaji when holidaying in Goa? It is good for a day trip.

North or South Goa, how to choose where to stay : this question can be compared with who came first, chicken or the egg? Here, let us look at the pros and cons of each area. I have stayed in these places personally and sharing feedback basis on my experience.

Staying at Baga/Calangute

Pro: Almost everything is available. You name it and you get it. Multiple bike rentals, car rentals, accommodation options, budget hostels, central bus station, public transport, bustling nightlife, cheap and quirky cafes. Nice beach, but…

Con: … the beach is super crowded. Especially, if you are in Baga on a weekend. Prices are on the higher end. Beach shacks are aplenty on season but charges painfully high price.

Staying at Arambol/Ashwem (extreme North Goa)

Despite a Cyclonic storm, I loved my experience of staying at the Yab Yum Beach Resort, Goa. It was right next to the hidden Ashwem beach and away from the buzz of a world moving, changing at a lightening fast speed.

Pro: Offbeat destination, often entire stretch of beach to yourself, away from where stag groups travel hence safer option for a solo woman traveler.

Con: Lack of water sports and limited activities. Not a bustling nightlife around.

Also read: Top 12 Cultural experiences in Goa!

Staying at South Goa

In south Goa, Colva, Benaulim, and Varca has multiple luxury resorts and upscale stay options. Further down south, Agonda and Patnem has better tourist infrastructures.

Pro: Offbeat, serene place, less crowded, beautiful lagoon style beaches, authentic local experience. Best for slow travel and exploring.

Con: Further away from central location. Long drive from airport/train station. Pricier in some cases. Less activities.

Book a stay in G oa: check reviews and best prices here!

Alternative stays in Goa

Goa also houses a world class wellness resort at Divar Island, where tranquility finds a new name. Check out my review of Mercure Devaaya Resort and choose it for a complete detoxing (7 spiritual) holiday in Goa!

Also read: 7 days in Shillong, where I lost my heart!

How Many Days are Good for Goa

Those who stay close-by, visit Goa for 3/4 days for a quick relaxing holiday by the beach. In reality, Goa deserves a longer stay, preferably between one week to 10 days. The state, in its short geographical span, holds numerous beautiful places of interests, each of which merits a visit.

With friendly locals, good connectivity and decent internet, Goa has emerged as an obvious choice for digital nomad hot spot in India. Slow traveling, living by the beach, great cafes and regular interaction with creative artists, Goa promises all of these and more. I have seen western families traveling to Goa with kids and their homework pile and solving mathematics by the beach. It felt surreal to some extent. Our summer vacations were ll about visiting Dadu and learning English grammar in the afternoon by the “ parar pukur “, local pond!

Top Things to Do in Goa

Goa is lauded as the beach capital of India. There are countless beautiful beaches in Goa, with Baga being one of the longest in entire world. They are sometimes hidden by a cliff, sometime out in the open. Some beaches in Goa are protector of lagoon. Some of them emerge with tidal waves. Beach hopping is what you must do when in Goa.

My pick for top 5 beaches in Goa!

• Cancolim Beach: the best in North Goa. The crowd is decent. Shacks were nice. Restaurants close-by were serving delicious food. Nightlife is good too.
• Ashwem beach: The best looking beach with white sand and blue sky as the backdrop. Located by the cliffs hence a bit hidden from the outside world. private and sky. No shack nearby.
• Vagator beach: Best looking beach as you get a perspective from the cliff. Chapora fort is located close which is an amazing place to catch the sunset!
• Colva beach: The only beach in Goa where I found translucent clear water despite heavy crowd During independence day. There is a shack close by where they serve Bengali meal too! I think it was named a Sonar Bangla. Local fishermen’s boat create beautiful photo ops at the Colva beach.
• Palolem beach: One of the best beaches in South Goa. It is coming up fast with many activities, local markets and food joints close by.

Also read: A complete guide to wildlife safari at Masaimara, Kenya!

Goa beyond the beaches!

However, there are tonnes of offbeat things to do in Goa . They span from cultural exploration to adventure activities.

1. Explore Old Goa. Velha Goa . It houses Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral, both UNESCO World Heritage site.

2. Explore colorful neighborhood of Fontainhas , a piece of Portugal at the heart of Goa!

3. Take a day trip to the mighty Doodhsagar falls. Be cognizance of the fact that only local cars take you to the top. Only a limited number of car gets permit everyday hence it is best if you start your day early.

4. Sinquerim beach is the hot bed for all the water sport activities in Goa. Water sports are subject to a clear weather day. Parasailing, jet ski and banana boat are the most fun activities in my opinion.

5. Birding at Dr. Salim Ali Sanctuary is one of the prized experience in Goa. If you have time, I suggest take a day off to Dandeli wildlife Sanctuary and watch the pied piper hornbills in North Karnataka.

Yoga in Goa

Plenty of Yoga Teacher training school and Yoga retreats have come up in Goa. I stayed at the Devaaya resort and has taken part in Sunrise Yoga sessions which was uplifting holistic experience. Do not forget to pack a few yoga mats in your Goa bound luggage because there is nothing more refreshing than starting an active day on a beach.

Nightlife in Goa

There is no dearth of option in Goa, if you are a social animal. From night long trance parties to casino to nightclubs, central Goa usually stays abuzz with events for the whole night!

• Play at one of the casino cruise when in Goa. I went to Delyin and I liked the experience despite sort of meh food.
• LPK (Love Passion Karma) at Nerul is one club with decent crowd. Club Cubana is nice too.

Money Matters

Goa can be traveled in a shoestring budget. Goa can easily turn into a luxurious trip if you are in a mood to splurge. Options are wide and endless!

Night clubs, Casino, fine dine restaurants like Thalassa are few of the high class places to visit in Goa. For luxury stay, go with the Taj Aguada.

Like the rest of India, cash is the king in Goa, especially when you are buying from local markets or eating at the street side joints. Cash will make you and the seller happy. However card and in some cases digital wallets (think PayTM, much like M-pesa in Kenya or google Pay) works too.

Stay Connected: Wifi in Goa

Goa is well connected with most prominent Indian network (think Airtel, Vodaphone, or more recent Jio). However, I have seen network drops as you proceed towards obscure interior of the state.

Most of the hotels and beach side cafes provide decent wifi to get some work done, if not streaming a Netflix series.

Tracing back the Hippie trail from olden Goa!

The ghost of 70s hippie trail is yet to give Goa a respite. A typical hippie with grunge deadlocks and deep understanding of empty meagerness of life is a rare find. What you can find is a lot of western travelers tucked away at the fringe end of North and South Goa beaches. Think Arambol. Think Mandrem. Think Patnem.

Arambol is famed for the evening drum songs on the beach.

Souvenir Shopping in Goa

The iconic flea market of Anjuna and the likes of it which have mushroomed in recent times sell a number of interesting stuff. Though it may feel like a bargain, I tell you a bitter truth. I have bought/seen similar silver anklets or beaded necklace for lesser price at Gariahat market, Kolkata . Buy jewelry only if you are not heading to Kolkata in near future!

Bargaining in Indian local market is an art by itself. I usually start from 1/3rd of the initial quote. It may yield a good buy or sometimes I have to let it go.

Flea markets in Goa in earlier days used to sell imported goods which were off limits by virtue of a socialist state. Now that the entire globe is one village and we are swimming in a globalized market, most of these products make their way from China.

I usually sky away from these souvenir shops unless I am on the lookout for a quick swimwear. My favorite souvenirs from Goa are:

• A bottle of Feni
• Kunbi saree
• Musical instruments
• Bibinca cake
• Bottle of Kokum Juice
• Spices, especially black pepper and bird’s eye chillies
• Azulejos: Handpainted tiles of Goa

I Know. I am inching towards a life sans hedonism!

Arpora night market is a famous addition. So are the Sunday night markets. There are aplenty in Goa.

Stay safe when in Goa!

Goa is a safe place to travel to.

You may come across few rare news of violence against tourists in Goa. To be honest, I have traveled in Goa during a natural calamity (Cyclone Kyarr) and was scared of pack of dogs more than unknown male.

I was traveling solo. Even when I was traveling with friends, Goa was a safe place.

It is not the locals of Goa, but people traveling to Goa that create problem. Stay AWAY if you spot a group of male friends.

If people want to click a selfie with you, and come close with that excuse, strictly deny. This has escalated into unpleasant consequences in past. If you are making new friends and drinking with them, be very very cautious, irrespective of the new friends’ gender. Traveling from Central Goa to North (say Baga to Ashwem/Arambol) may turn out to be a tricky choice if you are a solo woman. I would suggest, try to pack your day by sunlight, especially if you are traveling alone and do not have a private vehicle.

Uber does not work in Goa. They have an app named Goa Miles. It works. Sometimes, it does not. It is a bit tricky. You should always have a plan B.

Mosquito and insect repellents are must when you are packing for Goa. Mosquito bites can make you susceptible to Malaria, Dengue apart from unpleasant looking rash.

When you discover an empty beach, be careful while approaching the bush or jungle nearby. Poisonous snake may call it home! yes, I have encountered a Cobra when in Goa. I am still alive and writing this blog post so do not panic!

Responsible Travel Tips for Goa

The Single Use plastic menace in Goa!

Beaches in Goa goes through surging plastic pollution, littering and other vices during tourist season. I have seen plogging party arranged by local communities at Arambol however there is no permanent solution to it. Plastic is hardly recycled in Goa.

Each coconut you buy, comes with a straw which put me off to no end. Traditionally, coconut juice is drunk in India from the shell itself. A few droplets will drench your shirt but that’s the beauty of it. Straws have emerged as the new devil.

Try to be mindful when you consume and stay away from accepting that extra single use plastic. Small things like carrying own tiffin-box for a take away counts in the longer run too!

Wildlife in Goa

Goa is largely saved from the vices of animal riding, say horses or camels on the beach. There are cows on the beach in abundance but they cohabit with humans, and work on the field on season, with the farmer. India remains largely an Agriculture based economy.

The only time I found disturbing proximity to animals were when local fishermen approach you for Dolphin tours. They will basically chase the dolphins in their natural habitat. I say leave it to your luck. I met dolphin in Goa when I was on a water bike. It came, pranced along by the side and swam alongside for 5 minutes before disappearing. What a blissful experience!

Support the local artist in Goa

Goa has a thriving artist community. Multiple art gallery dot the street side of Baga and calangute. Make sure you visit one and support the artist by buying her creation. Goa also has beautiful checkered print Saree, also known as Kunbi Saree. I think they add value to any collector’s wardrobe.

Alcohol & Drug in Goa

Due to relaxed taxation policy, alcohol is cheaper in Goa than other states in India. The local moonshine, Feni, has earned a GI tag and is a must try when in Goa. However drunk driving is a punishable offence by law, anywhere in India. Buying alcohol in Goa and taking is to other states can also draw ire of the authority. Do check with your flight/transport provider.

Drug consumption is punishable offence in India. Ganja/weed is sometimes sold on the beach by some over enthusiast chaps, which is an illegal act by itself. Of course it can lead to what happened to Saif Ali Khan in Dil Chahta Hain. Find out at your own risk!

Also read: Kaziranga, home to India’s one horned Rhino populace!

What to wear in Goa

Wearing a bikini/swimsuit in Goa: Yay or nay?

Beaches in Goa are more relaxed in dressing code compared to other Indian beaches. I have personally worn bikini in the following beaches and did not attract unwanted male stare/attention: Baga, Calangute, Candolim, Vagator, Colva, Arambol, Ashwem. Palolem is cool as well.

If you are staying by a beach-side resort, you can generally venture out in the sea in a bikini. When you are walking in the city, or going to eat at restaurants, please do NOT wear swimwear. It is not acceptable.

Hinterlands of Goa is made of traditional Indian households where modest clothing is encouraged. You will not stand out and can easily use public transport if you wear something that covers shoulder and knees. Carry a stole as that will help you to stay safe from the bright sun, fight back humidity and enter temples or churches if any.

Public toilet in Goa

Depending on the hotel you choose, you are likely to encounter a western toilet for a mid-budget to luxury route. For a more budget friendly option, Indian style toilet may make an appearance. It is does, learn to use the mug. In this part of the world, we do our business with water. If you want your tissue bad, I suggest carry some in the purse.

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36 Responses

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A Complete Guide To Backpacking In Goa, India

If you’re planning a backpacking trip to Goa, then you’ve come to the right place.

Goa may be India’s smallest state, but it’s by far one of the most beautiful. Boasting 105km of stunning coastline, it has a beach to suit everyone. From the backpacker spots of Arambol and Anjuna in the North, to the colourful yet laid-back Palolem in the South, and the package holiday resorts at Baga and Calangute – you’ll be able to find your perfect beach.

In my opinion, Goa is one of the best places for backpackers in India. It’s easy to meet other travellers, it has a good nightlife scene and is easy to travel around.

Backpacking in Goa is not like in other parts of India. It’s less challenging to travel in, given that it’s very laid back and doesn’t come with the overwhelming hustle and bustle you might find elsewhere in the country. I found Goa to be a lot less intense and much more relaxing to backpack in. For this reason, it’s perfect for solo female backpackers who want to travel to India.

This backpacker’s guide to Goa is packed with advice on where to go and what to do, the best beaches, accommodation, eating out and nightlife recommendations, plus practical tips such as the best time to go, getting around, budgeting and so much more!

Planning a trip to Goa

North goa vs south goa.

Goa is roughly divided into North Goa and South Goa.

North Goa is where the action is – it’s all about nightlife, shopping and activities. You’ll find beaches such as Arambol, Vagator and Anjuna, which typically draw backpackers and slow travellers, and Baga and Calangute, which are more catered towards package holidaymakers.

South Goa is typically more laidback with pristine beaches. Beaches such as Palolem, Agonda and Candolim are quite popular.

The best time to go

Goa’s weather is typically warm and dry from  November to February , making this the  best time to visit. This is also peak tourist season – if you come off-season, you may not find as much to do.

However, during Christmas, New Year and Russian Orthodox New Year (Goa is very popular with Russians) prices will spike and accommodation will fill up quickly. Goa is probably best avoided during this time unless you particularly want to celebrate Christmas and New Year there.

There are also lots of Indian public holidays which will likely send tons of people flooding to the beach for a few days.

March to May can get uncomfortably hot while June to September is monsoon season and definitely best avoided unless you enjoy sitting on the beach in the rain.

Do you need a visa?

You will need to acquire an Indian Visa in advance of your trip.

The easiest way is to buy an e-visa online. The official website says it takes roughly 24 hours to process, but I would recommend applying a couple of weeks in advance in case anything goes wrong.

Please be aware of fake websites offering e-visas. Make sure you apply for an e-visa through the official government website here. Without meaning to be rude, the website looks a little spammy, but it is the correct one.

The e-visa will come with a “window of arrival” of 120 days, meaning you must enter India within four months of receiving it.

Best beaches in Goa

Let’s be honest – you’re going to Goa for the beaches.

And if you visit Goa during peak tourist season, you’ll find that the beaches are the place to be! The water is perfect for swimming, there are lots of things happening and it almost never rains.

I felt that each beach had its own distinct personality; some great for swimming, some great for water sports; some great for parties; some relaxed, some lively. The diversity of beaches here means there’s something for everyone.

Here are 5 beaches in Goa, with something for every style:

Arambol lies in far north Goa and boasts an impressively long stretch of gorgeous golden sand. It’s become a haven for hippies and digital nomads in recent years, and is home to a chilled, relaxed nightlife scene. You’ll find drum circles, live music and chilled out bars. You’ll also find a ton of alternative therapies on offer, such as tai chi, yoga and meditation.

I thought Arambol had the best food in all of Goa. Amazing naan, spicy curries – spend some time devouring as much as possible!

If you’re up for an interesting experience, head to the northern end of Arambol beach, where you’ll come to a lake called Sweetwater Lake. It’s very serene and makes a nice change from the sea. Just beyond Sweetwater Lake is a path that leads through the jungle. Follow this path and you’ll find a huge Banyan tree, where a Baba (guru/teacher) welcomes tourists to meditate with him. Read more about the Baba here.

Palolem was easily my favourite beach in Goa.

The top end of Palolem beach provided a stunning sunset which we watched most nights and the sea here was the clearest we found in Goa – absolutely perfect for swimming.

Palolem is ideal for those who simply want to relax on a lovely beach. It’s not over-commercialised and is instead fringed with palm trees and colourful coco huts.

At the top end of Palolem beach is a river, where a dozen or so boatmen will be waiting to take you on a boat ride around the backwaters. We decided to do this one day, and for an extremely reasonable price, were taken through the mangroves, where we could see monkeys playing and dozens of eagles swarmed over our heads during feeding time.

Vagator is split into two beaches by a headland; as you face the sea, Big Vagator is to the right and Little Vagator to the left. I personally preferred Little Vagator as I thought it was prettier and had a much more laid-back vibe.

Vagator is home to Chapora Fort, which was built by the Portuguese in 1617. The fort is situated high up on the cliffs, so provides a great view of the beaches below. I highly recommend you take the walk up to the fort in the late afternoon – the sunset views are simply stunning!

While Anjuna doesn’t have the most expansive beach in Goa, it does have plenty of charm. You’ll enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, where chilled backpacker hostels, coffee shops, bars and restaurants fringe the beach. 

Along its shoreline, Anjuna also offers plenty of activities, including yoga classes and water sports such as jet skiing and parasailing. It’s also home to the magnificent Albuquerque Mansion, which was built in 1920 and boasts a beautiful Mangalore tile top and octagonal towers.

The biggest draw of Anjuna, though, is its famous flea market, which takes place every Wednesday. It’s a huge market selling products from all over India: spices from Kerala, colourful saris from Rajasthan and so much more. 

Baga / Calangute

Baga is fantastically vibrant with a strong Mediterranean influence and a long stretch of beautiful golden sand; we affectionately nicknamed it “Bagaluf” because of this.

Baga and Calangute are two separate beaches, although I wasn’t sure where one ended and the other began. Either way, this strip of beach has some of the best nightlife in all of Goa. As the sun starts to set, the beach is essentially transformed into one massive bar, and we had a couple of great evenings gorging on the local rum, Old Monk.

Baga / Calangute is also a popular place for watersports in Goa – spend some time enjoying parasailing, jet skiing or banana boat rides.

I wouldn’t recommend Baga / Calangute as a place to stay for backpackers due to the inflated prices and package holiday vibe, but it’s a fun place to visit for the nightlife and water sports.

Things to do in Goa

While Goa’s beaches are the main draw, there are also a ton of other activities to enjoy.

Visit Old Goa

Goa spent over 400 years under Portuguese rule and this legacy is still very apparent today. I recommend you go and explore Old Goa, which was the capital of Goa while it was under Portuguese rule. It was known as “The Rome of the East” for its grandeur and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Marvel at the impressive churches, the beautiful Basilica of Bom Jesus and more.

Visit the state capital of Panjim

Make time to explore Goa’s laid-back state capital, Panjim. If you have visited the likes of Delhi and Mumbai, then Panjim will be a pleasant surprise – it’s very laidback for an Indian city! Don’t miss the elaborate white Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, and be sure to take time to explore the colourful districts of Sao Tome and Fontainhas.

Visit Chapora Fort

Built during the 16th century, Chapora Fort once served as a military base for the Portuguese. Although little remains of the barracks and other interior structures of the fort today, it’s still an interesting visit. The fort is located on top of a hill, boasting stunning views of Chapora River, Vagator Beach and the Arabian Sea. It’s best visited in the evenings, as the fierce afternoon heat will have receded and the sun will begin to set over the Arabian Sea. The views alone make the climb up to the fort from Vagator Beach more than worthwhile.

Visit Anjuna’s flea market

There are markets all over Goa but the one at Anjuna is probably the most famous. Anjuna’s flea market was originally created a few decades ago by foreign hippies who were trying to fund their stay in Goa by selling their crafts and skills. However, it has since become a huge market selling products from all over India: spices from Kerala, colourful saris from Rajasthan and so much more. It takes place by the beach every Wednesday.

Enjoy some water sports

North Goa has water sports and activities in abundance. Jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, scuba diving, rafting, boat tours, banana boat rides – you name it! Baga and Calangute have the most options but Vagator and Anjuna also have their share.

Take a yoga class

The remnants from the hippie days are still very prevalent in Goa – particularly in places like Arambol and Anjuna. As such, yoga is everywhere, and with so many yoga schools, everyone is catered for! Whether you’re a beginner or practice regularly, looking for a casual class or an intensive retreat, you’ll find it. You can also try other therapies such as mediation, tai chi, pilates, acupuncture, reflexology and more.

Visit a waterfall

As you head inland, you’ll find that Goa is home to lush greenery, national parks and waterfalls. You can opt to go trekking – many treks have a highlight of reaching one of Goa’s most beautiful waterfalls. Dudhsagar, Hivre, Tambadi Surla and Arvalem waterfalls are just 4 examples.

Accommodation in Goa

Accommodation in Goa is very varied. There are guesthouses, budget hotels, beach shacks and luxury resorts up and down the state. You’ll also find backpacker hostels in many areas.

Backpacker hostels

Hostels in Goa are very cheap – typically somewhere between 4 – 10 USD per night. It’s even possible to find dorm rooms for as low as 2 USD per night, such as Bunkker in Vagator or That Crazy Hostel in Anjuna.

You’ll find hostels easily in backpacker hot spots such as Arambol, Anjuna and Vagator, but as you go further south to beaches such as Agonda and Palolem, you’ll find there aren’t as many dorm rooms available.

You may also struggle to find hostels in Baga and Calangute as these beaches are more catered for package holidaymakers.

Here are a few hostel recommendations:

Anjuna : Lazy Llama Hostel or Funky Monkey Hostel

Vagator : Rootsvilla

Arambol: Rasta Mansion

Palolem: Rainbow Lining Hostel

Prices of beach huts vary massively, and you’ll typically get what you pay for. Beach huts start at about 8 USD per night, but it is possible to go lower if you avoid booking in advance and simply show up and negotiate.

Many beach huts get taken down for the monsoon and can change from season to season, so the options you’ll find online aren’t anywhere near exhaustive anyway.

Agonda: Agonda Waves and Secret Garden Agonda are fairly good budget options.

Palolem: Roundcube Beach Bungalows are a gorgeous, more luxury option.

Budget hotels and guesthouses

If you browse online, you’ll see that budget hotels in Goa start at about 12 USD per night . A lot of the time, though, you’ll find that the real budget guesthouses aren’t available online. If you want a really cheap place to stay, I suggest showing up, walking around to compare your options and negotiating a price.

Getting around in Goa

By scooter/motorbike.

One of the best ways to get around Goa is to rent a scooter or motorbike. At roughly 4 USD per day, it’s great value for money, and allows you the freedom to explore as you like.

If you take your scooter away from the beach, you might just find green rice paddies, Hindu temples, ancient forts, colourful villages, farms, markets and more!

Using public buses, you can travel up and down the length of the entire state. These buses will get you to all the main tourist attractions as well as to many of Goa’s most beautiful beaches.

There are bus stops everywhere and the names of the places they will stop at are written on the front side of the bus, so they’re easy to use. They’re also inexpensive at roughly 0.15 USD per 2 – 3 kilometres.

However, most of the buses in Goa are pretty old, which means it can get very hot inside as there are usually no fans or air conditioning. It can also be a very bumpy ride. Buses in Goa run between 7am and 7pm, so do bear this in mind as you’ll likely need to find a taxi if you plan on going out in the evening.

There is also a state bus service called Kadamba Transport Corporation. However, these buses only stop at the main cities, such as Mapusa to Panaji and Panaji to Margao.

Using taxis is definitely the least cost-effective way of travelling around Goa, but it’s the most comfortable and time-efficient. Unfortunately, there is not really a metre system and so you must negotiate a price beforehand, which can lead to tourists being scammed out of excess money.

Food & drink in Goa

As I’m sure you’re aware, Indian food is famous the world over. There are countless Indian restaurants all over my home city of London, and this isn’t by chance – the spices, flavours and aromas of Indian cuisine are simply delicious.

Tikka masala, vindaloo, samosas, naan bread, poppadoms, tandoori and rogan josh have become favourites in all corners of the earth. As a result, you’ll find that Goan restaurants – particularly those in tourist areas – will serve these dishes, even if they’re not traditional Goan dishes.

As Goa is located in a tropical climate, the spices and flavours used in cooking are intense. Seafood is also used a lot, particularly prawns and fish. My travel companion, Alan, really loved xacuti, which is a Goan curry made with roasted grated coconut and pieces of fish, chicken or lamb.

Particularly in Baga and Calangute, you’ll find many beach shacks that serve tourist-orientated multi-cuisine menus, with Indian, Chinese, Western and Italian. For between 1 – 4 USD, you can pick up a surprisingly good value meal. There are also lots of restaurants if you want to spend a little more.

Vegetarian diet: As a vegetarian , I found eating in most of India to be excellent, as a lot of Indians eat a largely vegetarian diet. It was a little more difficult in Goa, as many restaurants serve lots of meat to cater to tourists, so I ate copious amounts of rice, vegetables and channa masala (made from chickpeas).

Water: Don’t forget, you cannot drink tap water in India, but bottled water is very cheap to buy from shops at 0.33 USD.

Alcohol: The national beer is Kingfisher lager which comes in 2 varieties – normal at 5% and strong at 8%. As for imports, only Tuborg and Carlsberg are generally available. All over Goa, and much of India, you’ll find a rum called Old Monk available in many bars and restaurants. If you choose to drink spirits, you’ll find Old Monk will save your budget a lot more than drinking imported spirits such as Captain Morgan or Malibu. Old Monk is delicious – give it a try!

Tea & coffee: A cup of Western coffee, such as a cappuccino, can be quite pricey. Instant Nescafe coffee is available cheaply in many places, but I recommend drinking masala chai, which is a traditional Indian tea. Masala chai is delicious and can be purchased for as little as 0.10 USD.

Activities in Goa

As tourism in Goa is largely centred around beach life, there is a range of water sports and activities on offer. Costs do vary quite a lot for some activities, depending on quality and duration, but here are some ballpark figures:

Costs of backpacking in Goa

The currency in India is the Indian Rupee. It’s a restricted currency, meaning that it’s only available to exchange within the country itself, so you’ll likely need to make a withdrawal at the airport.

At the time of writing, 1 USD is equivalent to about 75 INR.

India is a very budget-friendly country to go backpacking in. That being said, Goa does have a higher cost of living and also attracts package holiday-makers, which means it’s one of the most expensive regions of the country. Still, it’s unlikely to break your bank.

If you choose to be frugal, I think 30 USD is a reasonable daily budget for backpacking in Goa.

If you stay in hostels, eat local food, take local transport, and go easy on the alcohol, you can get by on 20 USD per day. If you spend time in more expensive places such as Baga and Palolem, look to spend closer to 35 – 40 USD per day.

Nightlife in Goa

North Goa has a very lively nightlife scene and is well known for its full moon parties, beach parties and raves that continue until the early hours of the morning. It’s the place to go if you love to party!

Anjuna and Vagator are best known for their trance parties and raves. The legendary Shiva Valley (in Anjuna) occurs every Tuesday night during the high season from sundown until 8 – 10 am the next day.

Arambol is best known for its drum circles. Every day, just before the sun starts to set, there’s a drum circle on the beach where people gather to dance, play music and celebrate the day.

Calangute and Baga are best known for commercial bars and nightclubs, where you’ll find R&B, hip-hop and Bollywood music. Sync, LPK and Tito’s are the most popular choices.

If like me, you prefer to relax at a chilled-out beach bar instead, South Goa may be a preferable option for you. I loved Havana Cuba Bar & Restaurant in Palolem – it has a beautiful view of the beach and cosy seating.

Travel safety in Goa

In my opinion, Goa isn’t a dangerous place. I felt comfortable and safe there at all times. There are a few things you probably want to watch out for, though:

Wild animals: You’ll find cats, dogs, cows and the occasional monkey across Goa’s beaches and towns. They’re generally fine if you give them space, but it’s not unheard of for people to be bitten by dogs or butted by cows. Don’t forget that India does have rabies so you’ll need to get a rabies vaccine if you get bitten.

Drugs: I personally choose not to take drugs, but if you do, be aware that the quality of synthesized drugs such as LSD, Ecstacy and MDMA varies hugely and sometimes dangerously. They are often also mixed with other unpleasant stimulants. Given Goa’s raging party scene, many backpackers do choose to take drugs and unfortunately, there are many drug-related hospitalizations and even deaths each year. Drugs are, of course, illegal and tourists are hit with massive fines if caught.

Travel insurance: Don’t forget your travel insurance! For backpacking trips, I always use World Nomads as they’re flexible, affordable and catered to backpackers.

About The Author

Lauren Pears is a freelance travel writer and blogger based in London. She writes about active adventure travel, aiming to encourage and inspire travellers to make the most of the great outdoors.

Thank you for reading! If you found this post useful, I’d be grateful if you would consider using the affiliate links below when planning your travels. I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This will help me to keep this blog running. Thanks for your support – Lauren. Hotels –  Booking.com Hostels –  Hostelworld Cheap flights –  Skyscanner Travel insurance –  World Nomads Outdoor gear –  Decathlon  /  GO Outdoors Cycling gear –  Chain Reaction Cycles Alternatively, you could buy me a coffee to say thanks!

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The Best Beaches in Goa, India’s Sunshine State

38 comments.

Wow,Great post.Very informative article for everyone.Specially all these beaches look so beautiful.Thanks for sharing it.Keep it up the good work.

Thanks Shweta! Yes the beaches are beautiful aren’t they 😊

So I am browsing around your blog… and you have seen quite a lot of Asia! And you’re 22! I have only been to Japan and LOVED it, but I feel that there is so much to explore in Asia, each country being a completely different experience. Those little colorful beach huts of questionable cleanliness look like a dream!

Ah yeah Asia is such a wonderfully diverse continent! I haven’t been to Japan yet- I can’t wait to see it one day though. I’m going to check out your blog right now as I assume you’ll have Japan stuff on there 🙂 Those beach huts weren’t the ones I stayed in- the one I stayed in wouldn’t have made such a pretty photo haha!

Looks like an amazing trip! Adding this to my list of places to visit

That’s great! I hope you get to visit soon 🙂

I spent two years in Goa as a student, roughly a decade back. Palolem is my favorite beach as well. If you are still there and have time, do check out Agonda beach as well. Thank you for bringing all my student day memories back. I’m due for another visit to Goa soon.

That’s awesome, glad you enjoyed Goa as much as I did- you definitely will have to go back some day! I have left Goa now but if I ever go back I will be sure to check out Agonda beach. Thanks 🙂

That was some serious beach hopping. I personally like Palolem though. The beach huts look fancy but sad that they are not maintained well. Your pictures are beautiful

Thanks Monica! I’m sure most of the beach huts are maintained well- just ours could definitely have been cleaner.

Thanks for sharing your images and reminding me that I have to visit Goa soon… It looks like a picturesque paradise ! These photos definitely make me want to book a trip right now. I would love to just relax on the Palolem beach, and kick back on its powdery soft sands.

You should book a trip right now!

I love the long stretch of sand on those Goa beaches! Looks very relaxing indeed. And the Baba! Wow.. Such a skill that I’d like to learn.. 🙂 Does he teach yoga, perhaps?

Gosh. A hike in a safari with a leopard around? I would’ve been very nervous too! Great to know you were alright..

Yep, Goa is well-known for its long stretches of beach! The Baba was certainly an interesting character… not sure his main priority was teaching yoga though. And yes, it was probably stupid of us to be hiking in a park with wild leopard but they’re so rare the chances of running into one was pretty low 🙂

Looking great! Very scenic and tranquil. Love the pics!

Thanks Chris!

Well done Lauren. Heh, I think you convinced me that Goa is not only about parties. Many Russians go there only to party party party (… and soft drugs). I never knew about Vagator or Palolem. I now wonder where I would go, when I visit Goa with friends.

Hi Alexander! There’s definitely psychedelic parties to be found in Goa, but it’s easy to stay away from them too. Palolem was my favourite out of everywhere we went- I would highly recommend it, especially with friends 🙂

As a local, it feels good to see people covering Goa on their blogs. As a person who works away from home, it made me so nostalgic!

Oh wow, where in Goa are you from?

It looks like you had a great trip. I have to admit when I saw the picture of the cow laying on the beach I giggled a little. That just seems like such an odd sight to me. LOL! Thank you for sharing!

Haha, there’s cows EVERYWHERE. I never got tired of seeing them hanging out on the beach 🙂

The cows are so cute!! So cool that they were right on the beach with you! They all look really beautiful and it sounds like each beach/area has its own distinct personality.

Yeah, it was great to share the beach with dogs and cows! It adds a new edge to people-watching haha. And yes, each beach we visited definitely had its own personality, which makes Goa a great place to beach hop in my opinion 🙂

Those huts on the beach are absolutely gorgeous! I want to rent one!! Such a beautiful place, thanks for sharing!

They really are gorgeous! I definitely recommend renting one 🙂

Goa is more relaxing in monsoons. Did you visit the Butterfly beach? its more secluded and offers amazing views 🙂

No I don’t think I’d heard of Butterfly beach, where abouts in Goa is it?

Such beautiful beaches! And I love all the dogs and cattle just hanging out lol. The bungalows are soooo cute too! Definitely looking into how much it would be to rent one of those.

Yes they were beautiful, and the dogs and cows on the beach made it even better in my opinion! The beach huts aren’t too expensive at all to rent 🙂

Been to Goa several times but sill haven’t viisited the palolem and the arambol beach. Those wooden shacks/houses looks pretty and so colorful. Hope you also enjoyed the goan food to the fullest… thats my fav part when in Goa

Palolem and Arambol were my two favourites- you should see them on your next visit! And yes, I ate way too much food, Goan food is amazing 🙂

I have heard a lot about Goa, now I understand why! Your pictures (and therefore the landscapes!) are gorgeous!

I love all of the colorful buildings at Palolem! I always love visiting local markets. They’re always a great way to see local culture and crafts.

The beach huts were beautiful, and so was the market at Anjuna!

Wow, all these beaches look so beautiful. My favortite one is PALOLEM as well. The colorful beach houses make me wanne go there NOW 🙂

It really was beautiful!

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Plan your Trip to Goa

Goa needs no introduction, long has it featured as the ultimate destination on the hippy-trail. A (former) hedonistic haven, there’s far more to Goa than its beaches, dance parties, and (not-so) impermanent beach-shacks. 

There’s a whole other side of Goa, too, which takes a little more digging to explore its backwater mangroves, spice plantations, farm-stays and palm-fringed winding roads through the Western Ghats . 

Of course, if you’re coming for the yoga, you won’t be disappointed, too.  But be warned about one thing: Many people who come to Goa find themselves staying way longer than planned… 🙂

Goa Travel Guide

Read my Goa Travel Guide to find out: 

• How to find your own secret part of Goa (without the crowds)
• Top Places to Visit in Goa
• Where to stay in Goa
• How to get around Goa
• Top responsible travel initiatives to support in Goa
• Practical travel tips

… and much more! 

>>Click here to read the Goa Travel Guide

Goa Destinations

Goa Travel Blogs

Messages from the Mangroves: Kayaking Goa’s Backwaters

Kayaking in Goa along the backwaters offers an entirely different perspective of Goa: One that’s filled with messages about the fine and beautiful balance nature plays in protecting our planet.

GOA TRAVEL GUIDE | Best of Goa Without the Crowds

Our Goa travel guide covers the best of Goa – aka Goa with fewer crowds! Once a hippy-paradise with swaying palms and the occasional coco-hut, Goa is one of India’s highlights.

Essential Goa Travel Information & FAQs

Winter months between November and February are the most popular time to visit Goa – temperatures are cooler with winter sun, hovering between 25-30 degrees in the daytime with cool evenings. 

Be aware that all of India tries to get to Goa for Christmas and New Year – so if that’s your plan, you’ll need to book months ahead. 

In monsoon season, between June & September, many places to stay pack up or shut down, and the seas are not safe for swimming due to storms, however it can be a beautiful time to explore inland Goa. 

You can get to Goa easily enough by train or plane (the main railhead is at Margao (south Goa) or Vasco da Gama. 

Getting around Goa is less easy without your own transportation – you’ll mostly need to take cabs (which love to overcharge) or the bus. 

When renting scooters, do your due-diligence to check that all parts of it work before agreeing to take it, and be aware of police issuing ‘fines’ to tourists. 

Goa caters for backpackers and those looking for luxury resorts, and most categories in between. Some beaches have a more family-vibe (such as Palolem) while others (Anjuna) are focused on the hippie-crowd. 

Budget beach shacks are less than inspiring, have paper-thin walls, but are affordable if you want to be right on the beach. 

Tourist oriented western style food is massively overpriced, and those seeking a good deal will fare better in local-style delicious Goan eateries. 

The waves can be big in Goa and are not suitable for all – check before you go in. Swimming is definitely not receommended during monsoon. 

As with the rest of India, tap water is not safe to drink, but UV or Reverse Osmosis filtered water is fine. We use and trust Water to Go filter bottles which we travel with – buy one here. 

I recommend sticking to hot food, served from busy stalls or restaurants. There are plenty of places to eat that are used to foreigners who prefer their curries a little less spicy. 

Goa is generally a safe part of India but solo women should still do their due diligence, avoid wearing (only) swimwear while off the beach, and avoid walking on beaches alone at night. 

Like much of India, Goa gets its best weather between October – March, with December and January being peak season. Temperatures hover between 20 – 30 degrees celsius. 

March – June are hot, sticky and humid with temperatures between 30-40 degrees, and see less tourism in general, so it can be a good time to go in search of a sea breeze. 

The beaches all but shut down between June – September, but visiting inland Goa during this time is possible – if you don’t mind the torrential rain!

Iconic Goa Hotels

Art Resort, Palolem

Light, bright and spacious bungalows right on beautiful Palolem beach. Click here for rates & info . 

Yab Yum, Ashwem

A beautiful eco friendly resort nestled among palm trees, right on Ashwem beach, north Goa. Click here for rates & info. 

Siolim House, Morjim

A stunning boutique hotel set in a Portugese era mansion with pool along the Goa backwaters. Click here for rates & info . 

Taj Fort Aguada, Candolim

If it’s luxury you’re after, there are plenty of high end resorts in central Goa, including this offering from Taj. Click here for rates & info . 

Copyright Soul Travel India 2022, All rights reserved. This website uses compensated affiliate links. 

My Alternative Travel Guide to Goa.

Beyond the beaches, crowds and cut-copy-paste lists, my unique guide to offbeat Goa, featuring responsible travel experiences discovered over the years!

Ever since I gave up my home to embrace a life of travel , Goa has become my ‘digital nomad refuge’ in the monsoon.

That liberating feeling of driving a scooter along the endless rice paddies and palm-fringed interiors. Working out of quaint cafes with decent Wifi. Indulging my taste buds in authentic Goan curries  and at organic cafes. Calling charming old Portuguese houses (and other offbeat stays in Goa) ‘home’ for a few weeks.

This offbeat Goa, a Goa that few end up discovering, is everything I need to recharge my batteries, catch up on work and retreat into susagade (contentment) mode.

Also read: Inspiring Places to Live, Work and Explore as a Digital Nomad

Beyond the beaches, an offbeat Goa

Away from the grey beaches and boisterous crowds, this is my guide to lesser-known, offbeat places in Goa. Where peacocks dance in open meadows in the rains and locals gather at neighborhood churches to pray and socialize. Where long-term dwellers embrace an organic way of life, and creative types find abundant inspiration.

Slow down, stay a while and discover offbeat Goa through responsible travel and sustainable living experiences.

Also read: The Perfect 3-Day Goa Itinerary for Slow Travel

• Soulful family-run homestays

Experiential eco-friendly B&Bs

Minimalist hipster airbnbs, boutique hotels, volunteer for free accommodation (offbeat stays in goa in exchange for work).

• Royal Fantacy (Ponda)
• Nostalgia by Chef Fernando (Salcete)

Voltaire (Bardez)

Goan thalis, other authentic goan restaurants, bean me up (anjuna).

• Saraya (Saligao)
• Ruta’s Roadhouse (Assagao)

Café Bodega (Panjim)

Sunday mornings at museum of goa, have a beach to yourself in the rains (easier than trying to find offbeat beaches in goa), kayak on the backwaters, go on a sunrise heritage walk, show up for a jazz night, attend a talk on sustainability at 6 assagao, find goa offbeat places as you drive your bike on the inner roads, shop at a unique fair trade clothing boutique, automatic bikes / scooters, self drive cars, see the goa responsible tourism collective for offbeat hotels in goa (and other lesser known ideas), live and buy local, say no to plastic bags and bottles, be mindful of your surroundings, best time to visit goa, phone connectivity in goa, must pack for goa, what’s up goa, goan food critic, odette mascarenhas, hippie in heels, global gallivanting, noticeboards in cafes, what are your favorite offbeat places in goa got any questions for responsible travel in goa, offbeat places to stay in goa.

Soulfu l family-run homestay s

To be honest, I had never really experienced offbeat Goa until I stayed at Cancio’s House with the Amaral family in a quintessential Goan village.

Their 500+ year old Portuguese era home is full of untold stories and their drinking water still comes from an ancient well. In the outhouse cottage surrounded by old jackfruit trees, there is plenty of privacy. Yet chances are, you won’t leave without feeling like a part of the 3 generations of this family.

Helene and Derek refurbished their 150+ year old ancestral home – The Secret Garden – so beautifully that it’s hard not to fall in love the moment you enter its little blue gate.

This Portuguese-style home is nestled in one of Saligao’s villages with cobbled streets, home to stunning rice paddies. I felt totally pampered by Helene’s famous breakfasts – home-baked sourdough bread, hummus, vegan sourdough pancakes and Goan savories. And those late night dips in a mostly naturally cleaned pool under a moonlit sky were something else!

Bungalow 598 is an old Goan home turned into a cluster of chic, minimally designed rooms and common living spaces. Glass walls overlook the green Assagao neighborhood in this low-energy, low-waste, hipster space. I loved the creativity of the space and the easy access it offers to North Goa’s best hangout spots. But I sorely missed being able to open my windows to the salty breeze and natural elements.

If you’re not on Airbnb yet, sign up with my referral to get 40$ off your first booking.

It takes a while to manoeuvre through the long list of characterless hotels to find offbeat hotels in Goa. But a little bit of research could land you amid the sunny courtyards of the uniquely designed Alila Diwa and its infinity pool overlooking endless rice paddies. Its restaurant Spice Studio serves delicious curries and offers a ‘Dine in the Dark’ experience every month.

When you browse through hotels in Goa, the trick is to focus as much on the Goan authenticity as on your budget.

The rustic eco-huts and vegan-friendly cafe at Saraya operate on a cool concept. You work for a few hours daily, managing the cafe or working in the organic garden, and get food and lodging in exchange. A pretty sweet deal!

Also read: Offbeat, Incredible and Sustainable: Travel Companies Changing the Way We Experience India

Offbeat places in Goa for authentic Goan food

Restaurants like Britto’s and Susa Lobo were once considered food institutions in Goa. But now serve average, ‘nothing like real Goan’ food.

Ditch those, and head to small, lesser-known, family-run restaurants for an authentic taste of Goa.

Royal Fantacy  (Ponda)

On a desperate afternoon of quiet hunger, while driving from North Goa towards a spice plantation stay near Dudhsagar, we decided to take our chances and stop for lunch at the decrepit Royal Fantacy (yes, fantasy with a “c”). Oh what seredipity it was!

Given its vicinity to the spice plantations, my slow-cooked mushroom xacuti was made with aromatic, freshly-ground spices, lending it a flavor so delicious that I still salivate at the thought of it. Totally worth a detour.

Nostalgia by Chef Fernando  (Salcete)

Hugely popular among locals, Nostalgia by Chef Fernando , is set in an old Portuguese house full of character. They’ve dug out Goan recipes that are obsolete or otherwise hard to find in other restaurants.

The big vegetarian (also vegan, since there’s no dairy in traditional Goan food) section is a delight for plant-based eaters. I love their seasonal Goan curries with sana (a small round bread with a tinge of sweetness), along with a refreshing glass of urrak (a local cashew-based alcohol, lighter than feni) mixed with Limca.

Also Read: Most Amazing Vegan Restaurants to try in Goa

Right across the Mandovi River, Voltaire focusses on Hindu-influenced Goan cuisine. It’s the only haunt I’ve found yet that can do a vegetarian / vegan version of udamethi and tonak – both deliciously flavorful curries, served up with une , a local bread similar to pao.

As a vegan traveller , I’ve watched friends relish their fish thalis at Ritz Classic with an empty plate. So imagine my delight when my hosts at The Secret Garden first recommended a neighborhood joint for a vegetarian/vegan thali. Thus began my long, on-going search for Goa’s best thalis!

Some of my current favorites are Wood’s Inn in Porvorim, Manisha’s Home Food and Kokni Canteen in Panjim. The Goan thali experience begins with squeezing alongside locals into a hole-in-the-wall space. A typical vegan thali consists of a mound of rice, seasonal veggies, Goan curries, coconut-flavored daal, grated papad-coconut mix and a spicy kokum to round up the meal. Go hungry!

I’ve written in greater detail about my favorite Goan food restaurants over the years. The food at Andron  in Nachinola is still among the best I’ve had in Goa yet, but call Anthony in advance if you want to eat vegetarian/vegan.

Best cafes for an offbeat Goa itinerary

All the cafes I’ve included in my Goa travel guide are vegan/vegetarian friendly, offer free wifi and remain open even during the monsoon months:

It took me forever to try the food at Bean Me Up , because I typically land up in Goa during the rainy season when it used to be closed. But I finally got beaned up in 2019 – both during a spring trip and their decision to open part of the resto during monsoon.

I now know what the hype is all about – for Bean Me Up serves up an incredibly diverse plant-based menu. I love their ‘taste of the middle east’, Buddha Bowl and tofulafel wrap. Oh and it would be a travesty to leave without trying their insanely good chocolate mousse cake!

Saraya  (Saligao)

I’m almost embarrassed by how often I’ve shown up at Saraya over the years – thanks to their farm-to-table food from their own organic garden!

My favorites are the Summertime Sandwich with minced mushrooms and vegan cashew cheese, the homemade hummus and toasted pita bread, and the wood-fired vegan pizza (served only at night). Don’t miss the lemongrass and mint iced tea!

Ruta’s Roadhouse  (Assagao)

Ruta’s Roadhouse is one of my favorite cafes to work from in Goa. I can see myself sitting by the dome shaped windows overlooking the wilderness on a rainy day, while indulging in homemade hummus and Moroccan style chickpea curry and couscous.

While running errands around Panjim, I make it a point to grab an eggplant-hummus sandwich at Café Bodega . Built around a sunny, green courtyard, it offers respite from the city and would’ve been my hangout of choice if they had more vegan options.

Offbeat things to do in Goa

Something we would’ve never known had our hostess at Secret Garden not tipped us off. Every Sunday morning, locals and expats meet up at Museum of Goa (MOG) in Bardez for a talk / discussion by Goans doing something unique. We saw a short play by a theatre startup, followed by an interesting discussion on Konkan vs international theatre. The following week was a documentary screening by a local artist. I think it’s a great way to connect with the creative side of Goa.

Truth be told, the grey beaches of Goa don’t do much for me. But I’d take the coast in the monsoon over the December crowds anyday – with grey skies, roaring waves and beaches like Little Vagator and Ashwem almost entirely to myself.

Back in the day, I had no idea Goa even had backwaters, let along kayaking on them. Scratching the surface slowly, I learnt from my hosts at Cancio’s House about discovering Goa’s secret mangroves on kayak. So on a rainy July afternoon, we set out rowing into the untouched backwaters of northern Goa. Amid the mangroves, we heard peacock cries and spotted eagles on barren trees – all while getting drenched in the rain. What an experience!

I’m not a morning person, but I made a vow to be awake for more sunrises, and managed it on my last day in Goa this monsoon. I’m glad I did, because seeing those rice paddies shrouded in mist is totally worth it. You can do it yourself, or join a heritage walk (complete with offbeat locations and quirky stories) with Subodh Kerkar, the founder of MOG.

It’s one thing to hit the discotheques in Goa with other travellers, quite another to dance with locals to jazz music at a neighborhood joint (Cantare in Saligao for example) till the wee hours of the morning – it’s not my thing, but it could become yours!

Typically every Monday, the outdoor space of the popular Gunpowder restaurant at 6 Assagao transforms into a space for talks and screenings on a wide range of subjects. I’ve attended multiple talks by environmentalists and NGOs on India’s – and Goa’s – impending water crisis and ecological challenges. It was here that I watched a rare screening of the Konkani film on life in a typical Goan village – an eye-opener for an outsider like me.

If these are subjects that interest you, this is a great opportunity to meet like-minded locals too.

For me, one of the biggest charms of Goa is driving a scooter along the palm-fringed inner roads and the vast rice paddies, through truly susegade Goan villages, away from the traffic and the crowds. The point is not to get anywhere, but to just let my hair down, set my thoughts free, and experience that ‘Goa is a state of mind’ feeling!

No Nasties is the newest kid on Goa’s shopping block. And even for someone like me, who hardly ever shops, I was sold by their organic, fair-trade, vegan clothing. They use no harmful chemicals or animal dyes in their entire supply chain. The clothes range from trendy dresses to cotton t-shirts with trendy slogans. My “who invited the vegan?” t-shirt from No Nasties always draws eyeballs!

See  12 mind-blowing experiences I’ve discovered in Goa over the years. These include visiting one of Goa’s last remaining traditional bakeries and joining a local festival that involves jumping in old irrigation wells!

How to get around

Seriously, rent an automatic scooter and feel the wind in your hair as you whizz around Goa! Look for inner routes on Google maps so you can ditch the crowded highways and main roads.

I love Honda’s new 125cc bikes, but the more easily available Activa is good enough too. Ask your hosts to get you a good deal – usually INR 300 a day for short term rentals, and INR 250 a day for longer stays.

A convenient option to get around on rainy days, or when you need to go a long distance, like from north to south Goa. A basic car like Maruti or Indigo costs around INR 1200 a day.

My least preferred option, but for rides to/from the airport or if you’re not too keen to drive yourself, go with a Goan driver who can also share stories of living there. Ask your host to arrange a local driver for you.

Also read: Things to do in Kasaragod to Refresh Your Connection With Nature

Responsible travel and ecotourism in Goa

Time and again, I’ve heard Goans lament about (and seen for myself) how mass tourism is slowly destroying the beauty of Goa. As travellers, it is upon us to make more informed travel choices and be more aware of our surroundings.

My recommendations in this offbeat Goa guide are all based on responsible travel elements. We can further do our bit to travel responsibly in Goa in these simple ways:

The Goa Responsible Tourism Collective is a collection of accommodations, restaurants, tour providers and adventure outfits with a common vision to protect the environment while offering incredible experiences. It has seriously grown my Goa travel wishlist, especially offbeat things to do in South Goa.

While deciding where to stay and what to eat, choose places owned or run by Goans, that are mindful of the environment. These tend to be more authentic experiences, ensure that tourism money goes back to the locals and are kinder to the beauty of the state.

I picked up a nifty cloth bag that folds into the size of a fist, at the boutique shop at Gunpowder . Although plastic bags are banned in Goa, many small shops still give them freely, and you just have to say no – better still, remind them about the ban. And like anywhere else, carry your own water bottle to refill fresh spring/well water and save money (and trash) on plastic mineral water bottles. Every time you see trash lining the beaches and hillsides, you’ll remember why.

It’s quite awful to see beaches, forts or stretches of rice paddies made popular by Bollywood movies overrun by Instagrammers or groups of boisterous drunk tourists. Be mindful that you’re in someone else’s home. Perhaps drink at home, and go to Goa to savor its natural beauty and unique culture instead?

Also read: 15 Responsible Travel Tips for Authentic, Meaningful Experiences on the Road

Goa essentials

The winter months (October to March) are the most popular time to visit Goa, but if you ask me, there is nothing like Goa in the rains .

The cloudy weather makes it much more pleasant to be outdoors than the otherwise hot sun, the rice paddies paint the countryside lush green, and everywhere is relatively less crowded. The perfect time to discover offbeat Goa.

Airtel and Vodafone tend to work well (with 3G/4G) in North Goa, but I remember Airtel giving me trouble the one time I stayed at Agonda in South Goa.

I love that you can walk into a fancy resto or a street market in flip-flops, a casual dress, harem pants or anything you fancy – without being judged. Pack for tropical weather; carry sunscreen, shades and a cap.

Also read: What the Village Folk of Kumaon Taught Me About Life

Other resource for Goa: Offbeat places to visit and stay

Their events calendar is a handy way to find out what’s happening in Goa while you’re around.

I’ve discovered many of my favorite eats in Goa, thanks to Odette’s candid food reviews in Goa !

A travel blog written by Rachel, who moved to Goa from the US a while ago. Her list of places to  volunteer in Goa  is especially helpful.

Run by travel blogger Anna, who quit her job in the UK and is now based out of Goa. Her recommendations of books on Goa’s hippie past have expanded my reading list.

There is always something happening in Goa – yoga classes, discussions, movie screenings, live music. Look out for event posters in cafes like Saraya.

Welcome to my blog, The Shooting Star. I’ve been called a storyteller, writer, photographer, digital nomad, “sustainability influencer,” social entrepreneur, solo traveller, vegan, sustainable tourism consultant and environmentalist. But in my heart, I’m just a girl who believes that travel – if done right – has the power to change us and the world we live in.

The Shooting Star Academy

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68 comments.

Enticing as always …. Cheers 🙂

I like your section Responsible Travel. Go local and do never, for any reason, contribute to unnecessary waste. That’s true everywhere. Enjoy your stay in Goa!

I agree, true everywhere!

Thanks Shivya. Gr8 read as usual. Love the inclusion of local resources links too. I get lost in the reading (in a good way) before i even get a chance to get lost in Goa! lol. Safe travels friend. Greg

That’s a good place to get lost, Greg 😉 Hope it’ll be in person in Goa soon!

Goa….my love. rather i have decided to get settled there . Inner roads & small bars are awesome. Fish curry & Uman..mouth watering test! step in to Ravi bar in Ponda

Good read, makes me long to travel again.

Hi, I’ve been following your posts for a month now and it’s truly inspiring. Was wondering you to share few thoughts about communication when you reach a place with totally unaware of it’s language and culture. Did that ever happened?

I try not to let that happen, but even if it does, it’s just about getting on google and reading a little bit about the culture and learning some basic phrases (hello, thank you go a long way). Talk to bilingual local and ask what you need it. If you have a local host, even better. Observe and don’t judge 🙂

Thanks for giving us a view of a different side of Goa. I really enjoyed Panjim, especially the food there, and the beaches are okay, but they are a nice break after Mumbai!

I like Panjim for a city, but I really prefer the lush, quiet interiors over the beaches 😉

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Hey this was a very informative and beautifully writtten..Thank you:)

That is a nice and comprehensive guide for one of my favourite destinations 😉 Thank you!

This is excellent! Any tips for South Goa?

Only the couple of interesting restos I came across – Nostalgia and Royal Fantasy. I tried staying in South Goa for a bit this time, but realized I prefer the interiors of the north much more.

A perfect guide to visit original goa which is not only discos & nigh out parties.

I too visited Goa during monsoon and its best during that season. I fall in love with its lush green environment & prefer to travel at less crowded destinations so off season is best time to visit Goa.

Brilliant Shivya….i can’t help but agree…Goa or for that matter whole of Konkan / Western Ghats / Malabar is enchanting in Monsoons…. very well written….grrrrrrrt info….wud surely luv to take good use in next yr or so…..more power to u..ur thoughts, lens nd Pen….Khush Raho.

Also visit Arvalem Caves and waterfall during monsoon. The drive through North Goa to Arvalem is breath taking.

I visited there a while back and found it to be an interesting part of North Goa! It’s on my offbeat, mind-blowing experiences in Goa list, so didn’t include it here again 😉

Thank you lots for this post 🙂 Gave me an idea of the other side of Goa.. Something that was required :))

Thanks again for the post 🙂

I couldn’t agree more! I’ve been to Goa in the off/ rainy season once and it was very enjoyable. You should do more of such alternate guides, very useful and thoughtful!

Cheers for your further travels. Love.x

Thanks Pragya; glad you found it useful. I’ll try to do more such guides on places I’ve spent plenty of time in!

Twice in Goa this year. Will surely try the alternative guide next time there. Thanks @Shivya.

Hi Shivya, Lovely post, Goa is my favorite place to be, especially during the rains. Loved your insights and recommendations will try them out when I visit again.

I too have written a similar post last year, take a look https://donandthetravelmafia.wordpress.com/2015/10/11/beautiful-goa-my-home-forever/

Regards Malita

Good one, Shivya. Especially touching the aspects of being a responsible tourist/traveler. I guess that has a cardinal impact on the future of the destination especially a place like Goa.

Absolutely, and it’s upon each one of us to make more responsible choices!

WOW – where do I start? What a great blog. I was going to book some hotel on the beach and then I read your blog. I so want to stay at Secret Garden and will ask if they have space Will I need a car to get around What else can I do thanks again for your super recommendation

I’m so glad to hear that Jackie! I absolutely loved my time there.

You can hire an automatic scooter to get around, and locals taxis are available too. Your hosts will be able to guide you with that and more things to do 🙂

thank you for all of your help and useful information…..

I have been to Goa more than 10 times till now still I feel I have one more place to explore as soon as I come back. Loved your great detailed writing and awesome documentation.

Nice Blog !!! After reading your blog i am very excited to visit Goa.

You blog is a good lesson for me .I am just with you .

Nice work! I would love to travel the world too someday. X

That is exciting! I’d love to do something like this. There’s so much to see!

Good to meet someone who loves goa for its rustic charm. Travel wide and spread the awesomeness !!

I’m just staring at this looking like the heart-eye emoji. I love your blog so much!

Aww thank you, love that expression, haha!

Thank you for these beautiful and realistic photos! And love the tips. We are preparing for a round the world trip with our boys and really want to go to India. I have been in the North but, thought a lot about Goa.

I hope you make it to Goa! India has so much to offer beyond the tourist-y places 🙂 All the best for your RTW!

the real feel of a trip is only felt wen we try to experience it like a traveller and not a tourist.

This sounds like an absolutely AMAZING lifestyle! I look forward to reading even more of your fabulous adventures. xx

Hi Shivya , you are simply superrrrb , living a fabulous life inspirational to so many including me . Hats off to you dear . Enjoy your travelling .

woww.. have been to Goa 2 times already..I m surely gonna steal ur itenary 😀 ,it is so cool

To do for Simple and reminiscing trip..Goa is sexy and from your words, sexier 😍

What wonderful information here! Thank you. As we continue our travels around the world, I will be referring back to this.

this is really good..its been a long time since i went to goa, thinking of revisiting it after reading your post 🙂

I’m glad you are! There’s so much to discover in that little state beyond the beaches 🙂

As always you create a great Go guide which never fails! Love the post which unearths a new side of Goa Shivya!

Very nice description

Amazing natural pictures, feeling good to see this locations, generally we think GOA means only beaches but this change my mind. Thank your for sharing.

Great ! Love how detailed and informative it is 🙂

Could this get better? It was amazing 🙂 I have been to Goa 5 times but then this just gave me a whole new perspective of travelling

Its amazing the way you can express your feelings and the beauty of the place. totally loved it.

Reblogged this on Eat N Travel to Live .

Wonderfully written! I’m going to travel solo to Goa this coming December. Would love to connect and find out the offbeat stuff I can do other than usual riding around on a scooter to explore! Wish you many memorable trips around the world!

Beautiful Place , beautifully explained by a beautiful Girl 🙂

How to check that i am not overcharged in food as i am going in quite busy months of january ?

You’ve mentioned to stay at places that are run by the locals, how do you find them? I know one way viz to ask around once I get there, but how do I book my stay from a remote location?

Outstanding post for any traveler. This post just motivated me to go to Goa Again. I am a traveler myself and I’ve always preferred road trips as it has always given me the ultimate pleasure of sight seeing. I still remember my road trip from Bangalore to Goa. I went with my friends and we made a road trip as usual. We rented six bikes from Wheelstreet bike rentals and trust me that was one of the best trips I ever had. recently we have a plan to go to Mumbai. And this post is really motivating me to take another road trip to Goa but this time it is gonna be from Mumbai. Thanks a lot for such amazing post and the pictures look beautiful.

Great experiences. And thanks for sharing the information. It will be very helpful.

hi shivya, as soon as i get confirmed train tickets, i open this page. i read it long time ago and very determined to visit goa in rainy season. i print helpful notes from above page and i will be there in coming days. keep posting your travel experience, so we can enjoy the same place with your help.

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I so want to pack my bags and travel to goa right now. Awesome blog.

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2 Week South India Itinerary! A Goa & Kerala Itinerary!

Categories Asia , India , Itinerary

Whether you’re visiting India for the first time and want to visit South India to ease yourself in, or you want a beach holiday on the beaches of Goa and you fancy seeing some of the lush green-ness of Kerala whilst you’re there, you can easily put together a 2 week South India itinerary and a Goa and Kerala itinerary !

Goa and Kerala are two separate states in India that run along the West Coast of India, and although they are only 2 of 29 states, they still cover a lot of space in this country so you should plan your itinerary for south India in advance to make sure you can see a lot in both places, and cover the distances to get from one place to another!

I’ll tell you the best places to visit in Goa and the best places to visit in Kerala in this India travel guide.

Based on my experience travelling around South India, I would recommend the perfect Goa itinerary and Kerala itinerary and the best place to travel for 2 weeks in South India as:

Agonda Beach (Goa) – Palolem Beach (Goa) – Kochi (Kerala) – Munnar (Kerala) – Alleppey (Kerala) – Varkala (Kerala)

If you want to see North India in 2 weeks too, check out my Northern India Itinerary here !

2 Week South India Itinerary For Goa & Kerala!

Find What You're Looking For Easily Here!

Best time to visit India

Before we get into this India travel blog, it’s worth thinking about the best time to visit India as the country get’s very hot and wet in the middle of the year. November to March are the best times to visit both North & South India.

South India will be warmer than North India in the winter months of December and January, Delhi and further North actually get cold in these months but are still enjoyable to visit with the right clothing.

Outside these months, you can still visit but you’ll find that the heat and humidity will be much higher, especially as you go further South.

SIM CARD FOR INDIA

I really recommend having a sim card in India as it makes travel in India so much easier! You may have heard that it’s hard to get a sim card in India but you can get a sim card in Delhi Airport, read this post to see how to buy a sim card in Delhi Airport or if you fly in elsewhere 3 ways to buy a sim card in India and you’ll be connected in just a few hours!

WHAT TO WEAR IN INDIA

If you are a woman, here’s what I recommend you pack and wear in India . Technically you can wear what you like in India in most places but to get fewer stares and feel more comfortable, read my post!

DON’T GET SCAMMED IN DELHI

Most people arrive for the first time into Delhi and get scammed within a few hours! Read my Delhi Travel Tips to help you enjoy Delhi, and the best places to stay in Delhi which is so important!

Map of South India Places to Visit

Best Time of Year to visit South India

Please keep in mind whilst planning your 2 Week South India Itinerary that you’ll want to visit South India including Goa & Kerala in the Winter Months like Nov-March .

This is the best period to visit Goa and Kerala because the weather will be dry and places will be open for tourism. In the summer months, especially in Goa tourism shuts because the monsoon rains come.

Day 1 – Land in Goa. Travel to Goa Beach

Goa International Airport is the main airport in India because Goa is such a popular place for people to go on holiday to India from abroad and for domestic Indian tourists.

There will be lots of taxi’s waiting outside the airport so you can take a taxi or pre-arrange transport to your first beach in Goa.

Goa has so many beaches and it really depends on what you want from a holiday in Goa on your 2 Week South India Itinerary. Do you want to party? Do you want to chill? Do you want activities? Here’s my blog post on the best beaches in Goa so you can work out which ones you want to visit, and here’s a post on the best shopping markets in Goa if you like Flea Markets.

For the purpose of this itinerary for India, I’m suggesting you visit Agonda Beach and Palolem Beach in Goa as they are both all-round beaches in Goa and close together meaning less travel time as you don’t want to spend all of your holidays in South India travelling between places!

Goa Airport to Agonda Beach is a 1 hour 45minute to 2 hour drive . If you land late, don’t worry as transport will be available all night.

Day 2 & 3 – Goa Beach Days

Spend the next 2 days on your 2 Week South India Itinerary enjoying the beach. If you decide to stay in Agonda Beach you’ll be treated to a long stretch of beachline with nothing to do apart from chilling.

However, if you want to go out on a boat trip you can, or a popular trip from Agonda beach and a place to visit in Goa is Cabo de Rama Fort which you give you a taste of the culture of Goa. Agonda beach is also good for beginner surfers .

Look for the best flights here!

I use Skyscanner to book all of my flights! I’m a huge fan of Skyscanner because I love how easy it is to compare different dates and routes to help me find the best flight at the best price! 

Open Skyscanner by clicking here and search for the best flights as you read this post.

Day 4 – Move Beaches

In my opinion, to really experience Goa you need to visit at least 2 beaches in Goa on your Goa Kerala itinerary because each beach is so different. I really recommend spending some time at Palolem Beach , I think this is one of the  best places to visit in Goa because Palolem Beach is super chilled, it’s clean, quiet and has some great cafes!

Agonda Beach to Palolem Beach takes just 15 minutes in a car so I’d suggest leaving early in the morning so you can spend all day in Palolem Beach, and when you arrive at Palolem Beach, head for brunch or lunch at Zest Cafe in Palolem, it’s the best!

Day 5 – Goa Beach Day

Palolem Beach is another beach to chill at however for things to do in Palolem Beach I would recommend going out on a morning boat trip to see Dolphins . If you want to see another beach you can get a tuk-tuk to Patnem Beach which is just around the corner from Palolem Beach.

Here’s my full Guide to Palolem Beach with where to stay, things to do and where to eat!

BOOKING TRAINS IN INDIA

India is best travelled by train because its the quickest, cheapest and best way of getting to know the country. For an EASY option of booking trains in India use 12GO to search and book trains really easily. If you’ll be in India for awhile, you can use the local booking system, it’s a bit tricker but possible, here’s my post on how to book trains in India as a tourist .

BEST ACCOMMODATION IN INDIA

I always use Booking.com to book my hotels in India and Hostelworld to book my hostels . India has a great range of accommodation with brilliant hostel chains like Moustache, Zostel and Backpacker Panda as well as homestays to luxury hotels.

GUIDED TOURS IN INDIA

Many cities in India are best seen with a guide , even if it’s just a half day tour on your first day . Cities in India are chaotic and complex and what better way to taste the food and get to know the city than with a local. I recommend Get Your Guide & Viator for the best tours in India!

Day 6 – Goa Beach Day. Overnight Train to Kochi

Today you have two options on this 2 week South India itinerary, you could get an overnight train from Goa to Kerala , this way you’ll get to spend a full day on the beach and travel overnight experiencing real, India travel. Or you could travel back to Goa Airport and fly from Goa to Kochi in Kerala which takes just 1 hour 20 minutes.

My suggestion would be the overnight train as the trains in India are the best way to see and experience the real India and meet the lovely people of India and it will give you more time on the beach in Goa.

You will need to prebook your train from to Kerala from Goa in advance. The nearest train station to Palolem Beach is Madgaon and the train station for Kochi is Ernakulam Jn. This is the train I recommend booking which you can book on 12Go Asia. I recommend booking 2AC which is Second Class with Air Con.

Book this train here!

Read how to book trains in India here!

Day 7 – Day in Kochi

Kochi, also known as Cochin, is a really interesting city in South India which is why I recommend it as part of your 2 week South India itinerary . It’s a port city full of colonial buildings, nice cafes and a small city feel, especially compared to big cities in India.

Fort Kochi / Fort Cochin is the best area to stay in Kochi because it’s where all of the Kochi tourist attractions are. You can easily spend one day in Kochi and things to do in Kochi include spotting the cool street art, visiting Jew Town, St Francis Church, the Folklore Museum and seeing the sunset on a boat trip.

Kochi isn’t that big so you’ll be able to see a lot during your late morning and afternoon in Kochi after arriving on the overnight train.

To help you once you’re on your 2 week India trip, why not take a Lonely Planet India Travel Guide with you.

Day 8 – Travel to Munnar

If you associate Kerala with Tea Plantations then you need to visit Munnar in Kerala, and it’s one of the top things to do in Kerala!

You can get a public bus from Kochi to Munnar but from my experience, it’s quite a stressful experience as buses in India, especially South India, do not run on a regular schedule, you cannot book them in advance as they’re local buses, you often need to change buses and most of the time they are full and very squished.

If you want to get the bus from Kochi to Munnar, read my Munnar blog post for details on my experience. Your Kochi Hotel should also be able to help you as Munnar from Kochi is a popular route for tourists travelling South India.

Alternatively, especially with just 2 weeks in South India and 1 week in Kerala, I would recommend getting a taxi or hiring a private driver to save you time and make the experience less stressful.

The drive from Kochi to Munnar is 4 hours and this journey alone will give you a taste of why Kerala is called ‘Gods Own Country’.

I’d recommend staying at a homestay in Munnar so you’ll be in the countryside of Munnar as that’s the best way to experience it. Munnar Town isn’t that nice so try not to stay there.

I stayed at The Wayside Cottage in Munnar which I enjoyed and it has brilliant reviews from other travellers. Gruenberg Tea Plantation is another Munnar Homestay I’d recommend.

Day 9 – Munnar Day Trip

A trip to Munnar is all about seeing the tea plantations, hiking and seeing some wild elephants if you’re lucky!

It’s very likely that your accommodation in Munnar will be able to help you plan your day in Munnar so don’t worry about planning and booking this in advance too much.

To see what I got up to on my day trip in Munnar, read My Day hiking in the Tea Plantations of Munnar.

Explore the Serene Beauty of Munnar with Private Day Trip – Book Now!

Day 10 – Travel to Alleppey

From Munnar, you need to travel back to the coast to Alleppey as Alleppey, or Alappuzha, as it’s also known. This is the home of the backwaters of Kerala so it’s a must-visit place in Kerala on your 2 week South India itinerary!

The drive from Munnar to Alleppey is about 5 hours and again I’d recommend hiring a driver or getting a taxi for this journey as it will take a long time trying to do it by public bus.

There’s really not that much to do in Alleppey so you can spend the day travelling. Here you have 2 options, if you’ve always fancied staying on a houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala and waking up on the water, you can book this for tonight so as soon as you get to Alleppey you can get on the boat, or you can stay near Alleppey Beach and do a boat trip the next day.

Book this tour and enjoy a Relaxing Canoe Cruise through Alleppey Backwaters!

Day 11 – Backwaters of Kerala. Travel to Varkala

If you’re like me, this is probably what you have always associated with Kerala, South India and even India itself! In fact, I wanted to see the backwaters of Kerala so much I saved it for Christmas Day and it did not disappoint!

There are different boat trips of the Kerala Backwaters, you can Kayak, Canoe, take a Houseboat or a Shikara Boat which is what I suggest. Read my full blog post about  Cruising the Backwaters of Kerala from Alleppey   to see all of the boat options and where I suggest you stay in Alleppey and some places to eat!

The boat tours of the backwaters of Kerala only last a few hours and generally leave in the morning, and seeing as there is nothing else to do in Alleppey I’d recommend leaving Alleppey that afternoon/evening and heading further down the coast to Varkala.

You can get the train from Alleppey to Varkala. You can book this in advance read this post on how to book trains in India (I can’t find the train on 12GO Asia so you’ll need to book it on the official Indian train booking system). However, if you don’t mind sitting in a lower local class train you could turn up and book the train on the day . 

Day 12 & 13 – Days in Varkala

Varkala in Kerala is the perfect place to spend your last few days in India and in Kerala in on your 2 week South India itinerary. Varkala has 2 sides, it has a local town but by the beach, it’s a tourist heaven. Home to Yoga and Ayurveda , good waves for surfers, lots of nice cafes, temples and a few beaches , Varkala is the perfect mix of a local and tourist beach.

Here’s my full guide to Varkala for things to do in Varkala, where to stay and where to eat.

HELP WITH YOUR INDIA ITINERARY

I’ve spent many months travelling India in the last few years visiting over 50 places around the country, here are my recommended itinerary posts for India to help you plan your trip!

2 WEEK INDIA ITINERARY, PERFECT FOR YOUR FIRST TRIP!

2 WEEK SOUTH INDIA ITINERARY – GOA & KERELA

1 MONTH NORTH INDIA ITINERARY IDEAS!

1 MONTH SOUTH INDIA ITINERARY IDEAS!

2 MONTH INDIA ITINERARY IN THE NORTH & SOUTH

MY 4 MONTH INDIA ITINERARY!

24 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN INDIA!

Day 14 – Fly to Trivandrum. Fly from Goa.

If you’re staying in India for just 2 weeks it will probably be cheaper to book return flights from Goa , therefore in order to catch your flight from Goa you can get an internal flight from Trivandrum to Goa.  Or you could book a flight out of Bangalore and fly from Trivandrum to Bangalore and then catch your flight home.

Overview of the 2 Week South India itinerary!

To help with booking accommodation, based on the above 2 Week South India itinerary, this is where you’ll spend your 2 weeks in South India:

• Goa Beach 1 – 3 Nights
• Goa Beach 2 – 2 Nights
• Overnight Train
• Kochi – 2 Nights
• Munnar – 2 Nights
• Alleppey – 1 Night
• Varkala – 3 Nights

Have you booked your flight yet??

I use Skyscanner to book all of my flights! I’m a huge fan of Skyscanner because I love how easy it is to compare different dates and routes to help me find the best flight at the best price!  Open Skyscanner by clicking here and search for the best flights as you read this post.

My related blog posts to help you plan this trip are:

• Goa: Best Beaches in Goa for foreigners.
• Palolem Beach:   Full Guide to Palolem Beach, Goa | Things To Do, Where To Stay!
• Munnar:  Hiking in the Tea Plantations of Munnar, Kerala!
• Alleppey:  Cruising the Backwaters of Kerala from Alleppey!
• Varkala: Full Guide to Varkala | Things To Do, Where to Stay!
• Now you’ll be set for your trip to India! Enjoy!
• See ALL My India Posts Here!
• See My India Adventure on YouTube Here!

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Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Goa Dabolim International Airport Guide

Top Places to Visit in Goa

72 Hours in Goa

Day Trips From Goa

Top Things to Do

Best Beaches

Yoga Retreats and Wellness Resorts

Top Restaurants in Goa

Nightlife in Goa

Your Trip to Goa: The Complete Guide

Let's face it. Most people visit Goa for the beaches and parties. However, there's plenty more to experience. The Portuguese occupied Goa for about 450 years until the Indian Armed Forces finally drove them out in 1961.   The state was also a significant destination on the 1970s hippie trail. As a result, it's quite unlike anywhere else in India and has a distinctly different culture. This Goa guide will help plan your trip.

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit: Goa's tourist season runs from October to March, when the weather is warm and dry. Most beach shacks open in November. They pack up by April or May due to the extreme heat and humidity. The southwest monsoon brings rain from June to September.
• Language: Konkani is the native language of most Goans, however, English and Hindi are widely understood and spoken.  
• Currency: Indian rupee.
• Time Zone: UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) +5.5 hours, also known as Indian Standard Time. Goa does not observe daylight saving time.
• Getting Around: Taxis and auto-rickshaws are the most common methods of transportation. Unfortunately, the notorious Goan taxi mafia keeps fares high and prevents app-based cabs such as Uber from operating. There is a state-run, app-based taxi service called GoaMiles . The Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus is an inexpensive way of reaching Goa's tourist attractions. Hiring a motorcycle or scooter is popular and affordable.
• Travel Tip: The monsoon season in Goa is ideal for spending time in the state's mountainous interior hinterland. White water rafting is possible.

Things to Do

Most people are surprised at how many things there are to do in Goa apart from the beach and nightlife. This includes water sports and adventure activities , hot air ballooning, cooking lessons, exploring old forts, seeing the spice plantations, browsing museums and art galleries, bird watching at Doctor Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, hiking in the nature reserves, yoga and natural therapies, cruising along the Mandovi River in a private yacht , betting at the casinos , listening to live jazz music, and of course shopping. Active travelers can go on these off-beat electric bicycle tours or walking tours .

Three of the main things to do in Goa are:

• Hanging out at the Wednesday flea market at Anjuna beach, Friday Goa Collective Bazaar at Hilltop near Vagator, and Saturday Night Market at Arpora (between Anjuna and Baga). These markets are seasonal.
• Wandering around Old Goa and the Fontainhas Latin Quarter .
• Touring the Portuguese mansions in South Goa .

Find out more about the top places to visit in Goa and cultural things to do in Goa beyond the beaches .

What to Eat and Drink

Goan cuisine was influenced mainly by the Portuguese and is predominantly non-vegetarian. Lesser-known is the traditional cuisine of the state's Hindu Saraswat Brahmin community. Fish curry and rice is a ubiquitous staple in Goa. Common types of dishes you'll find on the menu are xacutti (coconut-based curry), cafreal (marinated and fried/grilled), sorpotel (stew), recheado (stuffed), ambot tik (sour and spicy), and vindaloo (fiery curry marinated with garlic and vinegar or wine). Goan chourico (sausages) and pao (bread) are popular as well. However, you'll need to venture away from the beach shacks to get authentic Goan food.

Feni is Goa's pungent local brew and the unofficial state drink. It's made from cashew fruit or the sap of coconut palms. Drink it with tonic water or lemonade and a slice of lime. Avoid cheap, commercially produced feni though, as it has a distinctively unpleasant smell. Instead, try and get your hands on some home-distilled feni ( Dudhsagar Plantation Farmstay makes their own). Or, a bottle of premium Big Boss or  Cazulo feni. It's now possible to go straight to the source of Cazulo feni, as the company has opened its cellar in the Cansaulim foothills for tours and tastings. Call 8605-008-185 to book. Joseph Bar in Panjim's Fontainhas Latin Quarter crafts some innovative feni cocktails. On the beach, King's beer goes well with a curry.

Explore the best Goan cuisine restaurants for all budgets and hottest bars and beach shacks in Goa .

Where to Stay

Goa's coastline extends for about 100 miles. Every beach is different , and there are so many types of accommodations ranging from beach huts to luxury private villas. It can be confusing! If you're looking for action, base yourself in North Goa because South Goa is relatively undeveloped and laid-back. Most of the luxury hotels are situated in South Goa. Palolem is the most happening beach in South Goa, while Agonda is ideal for chilling out and doing nothing. Patnem offers a bit of both. In North Goa, the Candolim-Calangute- Baga stretch of beaches is especially commercialized and gets super crowded during peak season. Backpacker hostels are prevalent near Anjuna beach, and the famous Wednesday flea market takes place there as well. The remaining psychedelic trance scene exists around Vagator beach, the Mandrem-Morjim-Ashwem stretch of beaches has become quite trendy, while Arambol beach is the new traveler's center with a wide range of alternative therapies. Capital city Panjim is centrally located between north and south Goa. Its Fontainhas Latin Quarter is an atmospheric neighborhood to stay in a restored Portuguese mansion.

Discover Goa's best homestays, budget accommodations, and yoga retreats, and wellness resorts .

Getting There

Goa has one airport. It's an international airport that operates out of a military airbase in Dabolim, roughly equal distance from Goa's north and south beaches. Most people take a prepaid taxi from the airport to their hotel. There's a counter in the arrivals terminal where you can book and pay. A shuttle bus service also runs from the airport to Panjim, Calangute, and Margao. It can be booked online here or at the airport.

Indian Railways train is another option for getting to Goa. It's handy for budget travelers, and conveniently has multiple stops in north and south Goa. The stretch from Mumbai to Goa along the Konkan Railway is particularly scenic. Here are the best trains from Mumbai to Goa .

Culture and Customs

Goa is more liberal than other states in India. This means women can wear short dresses and bikinis on the beach. There's no need to dress conservatively.

Scams are common in Goa, including the infamous gem scam . Beware of any Indian guys who try to befriend you. People offering to sell you drugs may also approach you. Don't accept, as dealers often have arrangements with the police. The police are corrupt and will extort money from tourists found in possession of illegal substances such as marijuana. The cops often demand bribes for traffic violations too. If you hire a motorcycle or scooter, make sure you carry your license with you and wear a helmet at all times.

While Goa has a reputation for being a party hub there are very strict drug laws. Those caught with drugs could face jail times of 6 months to 30 years and there is no option for bail.  

Money-Saving Tips

• Hotels offer huge discounts of up to 50 percent during the low season from May to September.
• There are many budget accommodations in Goa that don't advertise on the Internet. If you're not traveling during peak season (mid-December to mid-January), turn up and find a place and negotiate the rate.
• Stay in a dorm or private room in a backpacker hostel.
• Keep an eye out for happy hours and ladies' nights at bars for cheap or free drinks.
• Make sure you bargain at markets to get a good deal.

Encyclopedia Britannica. "Portuguese India."

Goa Tourism Development Corporation. "Languages."

Goa Tourism Development Corporation. "Laws."

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A kaleidoscopic blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, sweetened with sun, sea, sand, seafood, susegad and spirituality, Goa is India's pocket-sized paradise.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Basilica de Bom Jesus

Famous throughout the Roman Catholic world, the imposing Basilica de Bom Jesus contains the tomb and mortal remains of St Francis Xavier, the so-called…

Sé Cathedral

At over 76m long and 55m wide, the cavernous Sé Cathedral is the largest church in Asia. Building commenced in 1562, on the orders of King Dom Sebastiao…

Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

Panaji’s spiritual, as well as geographical, centre is this elevated, pearly white church, built in 1619 over an older, smaller 1540 chapel, and stacked…

Artist and restorer Victor Hugo Gomes first noticed the slow extinction of traditional objects – from farming tools to kitchen utensils to altarpieces –…

Braganza House

Braganza House, built in the 17th century and stretching along one whole side of Chandor’s village square, is the biggest Portuguese mansion of its kind…

Reis Magos Fort

Opened to the public in 2012 as a cultural centre, Reis Magos Fort overlooks the narrowest point of the Mandovi River estuary, making it easy to…

Palácio do Deão

About 8km southeast of Chandor is the busy small town of Quepem. Here the Palácio do Deão, the renovated 18th-century palace built by the town’s founder,…

Church & Convent of St Cajetan

Modelled on the original design of St Peter’s in Rome, this impressive church was built by Italian friars of the Order of Theatines, sent here by Pope…

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Solo Trip To Goa – 15 Useful Things To Know Before You Go

If you are planning your solo trip to Goa, then I’m sure there must be many things that you want to know, many questions, a few doubts, and even a bit of fear. – First, let me assure you – all these things are normal. These thoughts and jitters when planning a solo trip are quite common. In this post, I’ll tell you all about planning your solo travel in Goa, one of India’s coolest destinations – the party capital, hipster paradise, and the abode of delicious seafood and liquor. 

Whether you are planning your first Goa solo trip or the nth one, get ready to know all about how to do epic solo backpacking in Goa – including Goa solo travel tips, places to see, and things to know. Rock Goa solo travel with this epic Goa guide.

SOLO TRIP TO GOA – REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD DO IT

Before getting into deeper details about traveling alone in Goa, let me tell you all the amazing reasons you should plan your Solo trip to Goa. 

Goa might be one of India’s top tourist destinations, but it mostly draws honeymoon couples, luxurious travelers, and people traveling with kids . 

What about backpackers and solo travelers in Goa? Well, these two groups may not be as large or well-known to head to the party destination of Goa, but that’s rapidly changing. 

Want to know why? Below are the reasons why you should plan a solo trip to Goa at least once.

Recommended: 25 Super Useful Solo Travel Tips For First Time Solo Travelers

Goa is among the safest destinations in India

Let’s all agree on this one. One of the top reasons that prevent people from even planning a trip to any place, whether locally or abroad, is the safety index of a destination.

India might be a slightly challenging place for solo travel, especially if you are a woman, and hence it is natural that you might have apprehensions about traveling alone here. 

Is it safe to travel alone in Goa? Is Goa safe for females? 

Let me tell you something – Goa is easy on solo travelers. If you are wondering is Goa safe for female travellers, then the answer is yes. 

Safety in goa is not something to be worried about as it is one of the safe places to travel as a single female in India.

I spend months every year staying at different places in Goa, and I have never felt any extreme danger at all.  

If you are hesitating to plan a solo trip to Goa for safety reasons, you shouldn’t let that happen because Goa is one of the country’s safest destinations. 

The reasons are since the state is a popular tourist destination, locals are quite friendly and receptive to the travelers – whether it is the small shops or restaurants or guesthouses or cafes – tourism is the heart of the state. Supportive locals and fellow travelers will always surround you.

Goa is one of the best places to make new friends

Thanks to the destination, speaking of fellow travelers is a famous party hub, countless music festivals, international concerts, and the haven of artists of all kinds – Goa attracts thousands of youngsters and the young at heart throughout the year.

If you are looking for places to travel by yourself, you should definitely plan a solo trip to Goa because it is one of the best places to meet people of all kinds and ages.

Whether it is the hostels or bars or cafes or pubs, there are many places best if you are eager to meet new people on the road.

If you miss a Goa trip with friends on your solo trip, you can be assured that you will make new ones here.

Hostels in Goa are cheaper and ideal for solo travelers

One of the main reasons why Goa is one of the best places for solo travel is the option of plenty of cheaper accommodation – backpacking hostels spread throughout the state – whether it is the quieter North Goa or the areas around the crowded Baga beach, Candolim beach or Calangute beach or South Goa.

Solo backpacking Goa is easier thanks to these hostels that are economical, provide plenty of opportunities to make new friends, meet people, and explore.

You can easily travel independently in Goa

You should plan a solo trip to Goa because it is one of the best places to get around comfortably. 

Unlike other destinations where limited public transport or expensive cabs add extra discomfort and costs to your Goa solo trip costs, you can choose to rent a bicycle(if you are not going far) or motorbikes to go around the length of Goa. 

Whether you are spending a weekend or many weeks in Goa, get a bike, and you are on your own – without any hassles, to discover all the best places to visit in Goa.

The food and nightlife in Goa is excellent

If you are a foodie, especially into seafood, you will instantly love Goan cuisine. Whether you are looking for fine dining restaurants with fancy ambiance or want to go local, the options are a ton.

Also, Goa nightlife for singles is excellent, and it is why many youngsters throng the place, especially during the holidays. 

There are many best places to visit in Goa for bachelors, so if you are thinking of taking a solo trip to Goa before you get hitched, you may want to go there.

The bars and pubs are open most of the night on the weekends, with a lot of concerts, games, and entertainment until late hours, which is what makes Goa one of the best solo travel destinations to enjoy on your own and meet others. 

If you are a female solo traveler in Goa, use Goa night girls’ free entries in the bar to hop in the pubs and have fun.

Goa’s weather is excellent most of the year

The best time to go goa is almost all the months, except the summer from March to May, when the weather is the hottest.

Monsoon months is the lowest season attracting fewer tourists, so you can plan a solo trip to Goa during these months if you are on a shoestring budget.

The accommodation and bike rental prices drop during this time, and you get most of the Goa attractions for yourself to enjoy, minus the crowds.

SOLO TRIP TO GOA – THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Although you can dispel the doubtful Goa is safe to travel alone, you should take general precautions and follow the solo travel safety tips when traveling in Goa.

Below are some of the things to know before planning your solo trip to Goa

Is going to the beach alone recommended?

Although you might want to prefer going to the beaches in Goa alone, it is safer during the day time, but it is best to avoid at night, especially if you intend to visit lesser-known beaches, which may not have lights around as well as fewer people.

One of the safety tips for ladies planning Goa solo female travel is to have a pepper spray, one of the main things to carry while travelling to goa alone. 

Or better, have somebody to accompany you if you must visit the beach at night or venture into deserted areas alone at night in Goa.

Goa nightlife tips for solo travelers

As a solo female traveler in Goa, you might enjoy the nightlife better if you make new friends or go with your hostel mates.

Of course, you can still go alone, but expect some stares and advances from men in bars and pubs, which is common. 

Drunk people can act in weird ways, and it is the same with them in Goa too. It is best to have your alcohol consumption to a minimum or nil if you plan to spend the whole night on your own, especially if it is your first solo trip to Goa.

What to wear in Goa if you are planning a solo trip?

One of the top Goa travel tips you have to keep in mind is what you wear when in Goa. Most parts of India are still conservative when it comes to dressing, but Goa is an exception. It is common for travelers to go around in casuals, shorts, or tank tops. 

And it is okay to wear a bikini on the beaches too. But once you are out of the beaches, it is recommended to change into regular clothes.

You will attract unnecessary stares and unwanted attention beyond the beaches in the same attire.

When you explore other attractions, try to keep it to shorts or loose clothes, especially if you are visiting religious places where you are expected to cover completely.

SOLO TRAVEL IN GOA – THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Explore the top attractions.

From Aguada Fort to the popular beaches like Vagator, Anjuna, and Candolim, or the Cathedral and Museum in Old Goa – check off your list of the top places to visit in Goa by renting a motorbike before you go offbeat on your solo trip.

Many backpacker beaches in Goa are scattered beyond the tourist trail, which you can explore best on a motorbike.

Attend Yoga Classes

Not many know that Goa is not just for party lovers, but you can also relax and pick up some Yoga poses by joining Yoga classes.

Even if you have never done Yoga before, it is the best place and time to try it on your solo trip to Goa.

Sign up for food tours or Fenny making classes

Enjoy all the local cuisines that Goa offers with a local guide by signing up for a food tour. 

If you want to try a local drink, join the making of Feni , a wine produced by Cashew nuts, which is an interesting process to learn on your Goa solo travel.

Hit the bars, and cafes

Along with the food tour, hop bars, and cafes across Goa by riding your bike everywhere on your own, or even better, accompanying local experts to guide you to the best happening destinations.

GOA SOLO TRIP – FINAL THOUGHTS

You can have a splendid solo backpacking Goa experience for sure, even if it is your first solo trip to Goa. Keep in mind these things, follow the basic etiquettes and stick to the safety protocols, and you will have a fantastic experience there.

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• OFFBEAT GOA WITH KIDS: A SOLO PARENT’S TRAVEL GUIDE
• May 5, 2022
• By BackpackingIndianMama

You do not visit Goa just once. I’m clearly a firm believer in this and an admirer of the smallest state in India that never fails to make every touristy dream come true.

It shouldn’t surprise you that the total count of my Goa travels is at a record 10 times since 2005! However, my trip to Goa in November 2021 was something else and very special because I explored it as a solo parent in true backpacker style. The Backpacking Indian Mama (with the baby, of course. It was also an ‘offbeat Goa’ experience with so much more that I’m going to be sharing with you through this blog on the Goa trip . Read on to revisit my exploration of Goa, India with baby, backpack and I…

Table of Contents

TOUCHDOWN GOA – ACCOMMODATION, FOOD AND TRANSP ORT

In true backpacking fashion, we set ourselves up to travel light and made sure to not overfill the bags. The stars were aligned for our Goa trip and I realised that as soon as we were blessed with an empty seat next to me on the onward flight. My daughter seized the opportunity to make herself comfortable and catch up on some pre-tour sleep.

My accommodation in Goa was a hostel located in Panjim, the capital city of Goa. More about my entire Goa trip in another blog. For starters, I went for an evening stroll after landing and reaching my hostel. Sidharth, my college friend who was already in Goa phoned me to join him in a small Fontainhas cafe for some coffee and goan snacks. Arianna and I were super hungry and walked down to this little cute cafe serving some tasty choriz, cutlets, and coffee.

After this initiation, we walked around the neighbourhood, indulging in some photography around the colourful buildings, looking at the crowd gather around the offshore casinos, bought Arianna a cool ice lolly from the roadside vendors, and just generally felt happy for making it to Goa with my child.

An evening cannot be complete in Fontainhas/Panaji without a visit to the local bodega of sorts, Joseph Bar, a hole in the wall bar serving some crazy Tambde Rossa (a feni and kokum drink), squid, tuna and choriz delicacies. Come dusk, and the little sign saying “Joseph Bar” lights up, welcoming the local as warmly as the tourist, who within a couple of hours, mingle with you as if you have known each other for ages. This is the part of Goa I admire, and it really feels good to be in places where you are not judged by the way you look, or dress up. Arianna was tired after a few glasses of ice cold Kokum juice and sausages, and wanted to head back. We checked into my room and had a good nights sleep right in the middle of the colourful Fontainhas area.

We started the next day with a light breakfast at the hostel, and a very budget-friendly Fish Thali at a local tiffin centre in Panjim, which included specialities like Rava-fried Surmai and Coconut Fish Curry. This delicious thali must have cost me somewhere around 180-200 bucks, leaving me truly satisfied with the value for money. Having settled into the Goa vibe, my daughter and I couldn’t wait for our touristy trails to commence. Today was going to be interesting, and you will know why if you read the blog further.

To ensure hassle-free movement and to reach the trail points, I rented a scooter from my hostel. One can rent these scooters from the accommodations, as they have tie ups with local bike rental shops, and you can rent a four wheeler as well, if that suits your budget. The rentals during November were around 400 Indian rupees a day, but can go up or down depending on the season. The majority of the transport requirement on the trails I went on, was taken care of by the good ol’ ferries, the lifelines of Goa which are affordable and super convenient even to carry scooters across water bodies.

TOURISTY TRAILS IN GOA

As you shall find out when you read along, my Goa Trip 2021 can best be described as ‘offbeat’ and ‘one-of-a-kind’. I’d got in touch with Soul Travelling to help me explore this side of Goa with my kid. They responded very warmly and took me along on an adventure I hadn’t yet had the chance to explore. The offbeat Goa tour with them included four trails of lesser-explored corners in Goa, with a world’s difference from its usual hustle-bustle. The trails we embarked upon were arranged by Soul Travelling , a company that curates trails across different parts of Goa and aims to showcase the destination from a lens like never seen before. I will cover all of these trails in separate blogs so the post is more detailed and helpful, rather than being a very brief blog. More on this towards the end, let’s get to the first Goa Offbeat trail now:

FIRST TRAIL: DIVAR ISLAND – a slice of nature’s paradise stuck in time

We couldn’t have started our Goa exploration in a better way! We crossed Old Goa and the holy Basilica of Bom Jesus en route to the first ferry point and for those who are not familiar with the region, Goa comprises several mini islands which are situated between Mandovi and Zuari. Connected to Old Goa only through ferry service, one such island is the Divar island, truly a revelation of natural beauty, serenity and tranquillity. The name of this beautiful island – ‘divar’ is said to be derived from the word ‘dipavati’ and pronounced as ‘divaddi’, which means ‘small island’ in the Konkani language.

Not many tourists find their way here but I’m glad my daughter and I could witness and enjoy nature’s beauty with open scenic fields as far as the eyes could see, dotted with stoic structures of Old Goa along its border. As we boarded our bike on the ferry leading us to the island, (we took this service from the ferry point near the Viceroy’s arch in Old Goa), we could spot so many local island folk going back and forth from the mainland to the islands. This is routine life for the people in this part of Goa, but to me it was a novel way of experiencing a destination cut off from the mainland by water. The ferry service runs between 7am-8pm everyday and these ferries connect to Ribandar and Bicholim in Goa from various directions of the island.

Still very unexplored and unexploited by tourism or commercialisation, thanks to being disconnected from the famed ‘party’ culture that mainstream India knows Goa for, this island has a unique history of Old Goa and has stood the test of time through a plague and several changes in accession. Arianna and I rode through the narrow roads of the stunning island gaping at the panoramic views full of little vintage homes, beautiful villas and boutique properties that now embrace tourism on the mini-islands as a welcome change from the noisier mainland. We stopped for a brief intro to the island under a tree which has now become popular, thanks to the film “Finding Fanny”, which was shot here partly.

Travelling lets you learn and take on a world of new things. Rightly so, this trail taught my daughter Arianna and I so much – a wholesome social studies lesson. Divar island consists of three villages, namely Piedade, Naroa and Malar. We visited the Our Lady of Compassion Church in Piedade, a village that’s a replica of a typical Goan village during the time of the Portuguese.

From learning more about the consequences of Portuguese rule in Goa, where persecution of the local population took place due to the Portuguese conquest, to witnessing remnants of the Kadamba dynasty in the cemetery and chapel, to learning about ‘All Souls Day’, quite like the ‘Day of the Dead’ in Mexico, where the cemetery is all done up for the village to pay their respects to the souls that have passed on. This was a unique opportunity to learn a thing or two about Divar’s colonial rule.

PORNE TIRTH TALI – THE STEPWELL TEMPLE SITE

We quickly stopped for a cold drink from the local stores because the sun was still shining strong and rode to an ancient stepwell called Porne Tirth Tali (meaning old pilgrimage site), which consists of the ruins of the Saptakoteshwar temple. During the 16C invasion by the Portuguese, Divar was the first island to be captured and therefore, the temples and deities were shifted across the river for safekeeping. The stepwell is like a structure lost in time, beaten down yet very intriguing with 108 temple carvings from the 12 th Century. Arianna explored the sides of the huge stepwell, and I took a good break from riding as well.

MUD BATH EXPERIENCE ON AN ISLAND UNDER THE SUN

After a break, we got onto the bike again and reached the final location for the trail, which was what Arianna had been looking forward to. We changed into wet suits at a local’s home, and went on a long trail right into the paddy fields with views of the setting sun around us. The views are beautiful as you walk along the dense fields and the sky changes its colours to an ochre yellow. Right in the middle of nowhere, the trail ambassador pointed us to a pond full of fresh water and mud!!

This was where we were going to dip ourselves after an afternoon of riding in the sun, and take a medicinal clay bath – an experience I’d highly recommend and so does my daughter because kids love clay and all things messy, don’t they? The water was very cool, the sun was just about setting and the views were absolutely amazing. Arianna managed to spot some crabs, and we played around in the mud pool for quite a while, while slathering clay onto each other’s bodies. The feel of dipping into a natural mud pool was quite exciting, and relaxing as well.

Divar is now home to some beautiful boutique homestays and wellness resorts, and is a welcome destination for those willing to explore the susegaad island life. Little alleys that take you along the island, panoramic views of paddy fields, mangroves and the natural habitat around make this erstwhile pilgrimage island, a very refreshing tourist destination.

Nature always manages to add its magic. Post some snacks and kokum sharbat at a local’s home, it started raining heavily on our way back to the ferry. We made makeshift rain ponchos out of garbage bags, and wore them on the ride back to the ferry, and then to my hostel. Not only was it a sight to behold, but it was the very first time I saw my daughter adapt to sudden weather conditions while standing on the bike and making sure I was undisturbed while riding.

She held onto her little helmet and grabbed the scooter handles while protecting herself from the rain, while not uttering a single complaint. It’s these small joys and growth that reflect in such times shared with your little ones. As we headed back via the evening ferry to Ribandar, she gave me one of her usual toothless smiles and said “Mama I kinda really liked today”. A stamp of approval, indeed.

ROUND-UP OF TRAIL : DIVAR ISLAND WITH SOUL TRAVELLING

Divar trail at Divar Island with Soul Travelling – Timings: Approx 4.5 hours.

Boarding Point: Old Goa Jetty. Advisable to bring your two/four wheeler along.

Food served: Snacks and tea, and classic Feni tasting.

Other places to visit on Divar Island: Malar and Narao – the other two villages.

Acknowledgements

Kudos and a huge shoutout to Soul Travelling who hosted this experience for my daughter and I, and helped us unlock a whole new world in Goa with countless explorations and experiences. Also, my friend and photographer Sidharth Raveendran who took up the shared challenge of documenting this trail with me as he was stationed in Goa incidentally at the same time I travelled there.

Who are Soul Travelling?

With concepts like nature, heritage, food, architecture, culture and many more, Soul Travelling is a Goa based travel operator that enabled us to see Goa in a different light this time. Like I always say, the best way to explore a place is to interact and meet with the locals. Soul Travelling consists of a team of locals who know their state in and out, truly value their roots, and want to showcase it beyond just the typical tags of the sun, sand and sea with utmost hospitality and care. Special thanks to Kedar and Clyde and the Soul Travelling ambassadors (the guides that accompanied us on this particular trail) – Mayuresh, Deepak and the team for coordinating this Divar trail for us.

The views expressed about my experiences of the trails and Soul Travelling, in particular, are my own and completely authentic. While we go places together, rest assured that I have always strived to bring forth real anecdotes and honest reviews of the experiences for all of you, my dear readers. So if you are tempted to take up the Divar island trail, I say trust me and go for it! Backpacking Indian Mama wishes you all happy, safe travels.

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Hey there fellow travel lover! I am Deenaz and I have been backpacking with my daughter Arianna since she was born. In this blog, i write about destinations in India and abroad, recommend child friendly trip itineraries, give unfiltered product and stay reviews, and recommend best practices for travelling the World with your kids. As an Indian woman, I have learnt how to stay safe and travel confidently with my child. Here I am retelling my travel stories so it helps you travel with your children. Come along on my journey!

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Backpacking Mom from India. Carry my baby and backpack all over the World. 17 countries, 23 states. Encouraging other moms to travel with their kids. Follow my journey!

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The ultimate guide to backpacking goa, india.

Goa is India’s smallest state, famous for it’s laid back lifestyle, over 101 km of tropical beaches and for being India’s party capital. Backpacking Goa is a unique experience and it’s one of the best and easiest places to backpack in India .

I’ve been living in Goa and backpacking India since 2015, I get alot of emails about tips for visiting Goa and as I see more and more backpackers visiting and new backpacker hostels opening all the time so I thought it would be good to put all my backpacking Goa tips into one handy post.

In this blog post I’ll tell you all the best places to visit, stay and party in this backpackers guide to Goa!

The Ultimate Backpacker’s Guide to Goa, India

Backpacking goa is amazing – here’s why….

There’s nowhere else on earth quite like Goa. From the colourful beach huts of Palolem in the far South to the hippie and backpacker vibe of Arambol and Anjuna in the North and with everything from luxury resorts and laid back sands to the busy, party and package holiday central Baga and Calangute . Each beach in Goa has a different vibe and suits different people.

Goa is one of the best places for backpackers in India where they can easily meet other travelllers, enjoy the beaches, party until sunrise, shop till you drop or just chill out and learn yoga. Many come for a few days a end up spending months here as they find it hard to leave so watch out, Goa is a great place to start your Indian backpacking adventure but many backpackers have spent their whole trip in Goa and never got round to leaving to explore the rest of India!

Goa became famous in the 1960s and 1970s in the days of the ‘ hippie trail ’ and you can still soak up the hippie vibe on some of Goa’s beaches (and meet some of the hippies at a trance party!) Goa has a bit of a reputation for techno parties and drugs but, whilst there is a bit of that scene left, there is so much more to love about Goa!

Nowadays you really can have it all in Goa , from next to nothing beach shacks, sociable backpacker hostels to luxury hotels, from thumping trance parties to mellow yoga retreats and spicy Goan curries to fine dining European cuisine.

What makes backpacking Goa so interesting and captivating is that there is so much more to a holiday or visit to Goa than just beach bliss. Laid back Goa is much less of a culture shock than other parts of India and offers a good introduction to the subcontinent combining the Portuguese influence and an international hippie community, whilst still having that special Indian magic,  the fascinating, captivating Indian culture that sometimes frustrates or bewilders but never fails to surprise, endear and amaze.

And yes, this is India there are cows, dogs and hawkers on the beaches, it all adds to the unique Goan charm ! There’s nowhere else quite like it!

The Ultimate Backpackers Guide to Goa

This Backpacker’s Guide to Goa is packed with tips on where to go and what to do, the best beaches, accommodation, eating out and nightlife suggestions, plus practical tips for applying for visas, getting around, saving money and so much more!

For more info you might also want to get the  Lonely Planet Goa Guidebook  which also has Mumbai and Hampi which are popular and easy add ons to a Goa trip.

The best Goa Guidebook is by top blogger Rachel from Hippie in Heels  has lived in Goa for years and recently put together  the Insider’s Guide to Goa E Book  This is the most comprehensive book about Goa out there, it’s 169 pages packed with all her amazing insider knowledge and local tips for Goa.  Get it here. 

Things to do for Backpackers in Goa

When backpacking Goa you’re first port of call will of course be the beach! Enjoy swimming, watersports or just lazing on the beach, sunbathing or eating and drinking at the super affordable beach shacks. Each beach has a different vibe and beach hopping to find your favourite one is fun.

Many people come to Goa just for the beach but make the effort to prise yourself from your sun lounger and get out and explore to find the real Indian culture and magic of Goa.

Read more: How to find the best beach in Goa for you. 

Practice Yoga and other alternative therapies

Goa is a popular place to practice yoga. From Ashtanga to Hatha and everything in between, yoga is everywhere in Goa and with so many yoga schools every inclination is catered for – from beginners, drop in, casual classes to more intensive retreats and teacher training courses.

You can also try Ayurveda – an ancient science of plant based natural medicine, mediation, Reiki, Tai Chi, Pilates, Acupuncture, Reflexology, Bollywood dancing or Indian cooking classes the list goes on….. trying at least once yoga class is kind of mandatory when backpacking Goa to have the full Goa experience.

Dance until dawn at a trance party

Goa’s famous parties are a reason in themselves to go backpacking in Goa! Goa is famous as the home of psychedelic trance and no visit to Goa would be complete with attending one of the legendary parties where you can dance till sunrise on the beaches or in the jungles.

Goa is the nightlife capital of all of India and if psytrance isn’t your thing you can also dance the night away to live music, techno or commercial and Bollywood tunes. Check out my post on the best nightlife places in Goa and my tips for enjoying the epic Goa New Year parties!

Visit the colourful Flea Markets

Opportunities for shopping while backpacking in Goa are endless, from designer malls to hippie flea markets. If you can learn how to haggle, you can take home many bargains from souvenirs to hippie chic clothing.

Anjuna’s famous hippie Flea Market  is held on Wednesdays by the beach, visit Saturday night markets in Arpora and Vagator complete with live music and food stalls or for something more local and authentic visit Mapusa’s local market on Fridays. There are also many stalls near the beaches to pick up hippie chic clothing and souvenirs.

Read more: 3 of the best markets you simply can’t miss when visiting Goa

Explore Goa by motorbike

One of the best ways to explore Goa is by hiring a scooter or motorbike (even a Royal Enfield! ) (approx 300 Rupees per day) and set out to explore Goa. You don’t need to get far from the beach resorts to get an intoxicating taste of India’s incredible heritage.

Along the way you will probably stumble upon green paddy fields, wandering cows, white washed Portuguese churches and colourful Hindu temples, bustling market places, chilled out farms, colourful villages, crumbling colonial villas and forts, sari draped ladies, curious children and crumbling forts complete with stunning coastal views and feel the breeze along a riverside road – it doesn’t really matter where you go – just explore!

Visit the Churches of Old Goa

Don’t forget to explore some culture and history when backpacking Goa. The state spent over 400 years under Portuguese rule and the legacy of the Portuguese is still apparent today. Take a day trip to visit Old Goa , once the capital of Goa under Portuguese rule and once so grand and important that it was known as ‘the Rome of the East’ and rivaled Lisbon.

However, it was was blighted by illness and disease and was abandoned for the new capital of Panjim in 1843 and is now a Unesco World Heritage site. Marvel at the massive churches they left behind, including the largest church in Asia and the remains of an over 300 hundred year old, very slowly, decomposing corpse of St Francis Xavier in the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

Take in the view from a Fort

Everyone wanted a piece of Goa and her colourful history has left many crumbling forts. There’s not that much left of many of the forts themselves but whether it’s Cabo de Rama Fort in the South, Fort Aguada with it’s lighthouse and views over Panjim or Chapora Fort above rocky Vagator in the north the climb up is worthwhile for the views over the coast alone.

Visit a Spice Farm

Delve into Goa’s Hindu Heartland and discover why spices were such a big deal they pretty much started empires. Near Ponda are many Hindu temples and spice farms , most are pretty touristy but well organised and include a buffet lunch and an enlightening tour of the spice plantation for your approx 400 rupees entry fee

Swim under India’s second highest waterfall

Animal lovers should head to one of Goa’s three wildlife sanctuaries or the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary . You could combine a visit to the largest one, Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary , with a trip to the nearby Dudhsagar Waterfall where you can take a bumpy jeep ride through the jungle to swim in the refreshing waters of Dudhsagar India’s second highest waterfall.

Visit the Capital Panjim (Panaji)

Make time to discover Goa’s laid back state capital – Panjim when backpacking in Goa. If you haven’t been to any other cities in India this will be an interesting taste of the hustle and bustle of India. If you have visited the likes of Delhi and Mumbai then Panjim will be a pleasant surprise – a laid back, clean and beautiful Indian city!

Don’t miss the elaborate white Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, see the colonial buildings and take time to explore the old atmospheric and colourful Portuguese districts of Sao Tome and Fontainhas for some of the most instagrammble spots in Goa.

Celebrate a Festival

Especially in the dry/ tourist season there seems to be a different event or festival on every week. From photography, dance, art, food, music to religious festivals – there’s all something new going on in Goa. Time your Goa backpacking trip so you can check out the craziness and join in Goa’s biggest party on the streets of Panjim to celebrate the massive annual carnival in mid February before the beginning of lent.

Where to Stay when Backpacking Goa

All of Goa’s beaches have their own unique vibe and different charms. Generally speaking South Goa is quieter, less developed, more laid back and a perfect place to unwind.

Whereas, North Goa is where the action is – nightlife, markets, watersports and a bigger range of accommodation, entertainment and eating out options and is probably the best place to visit with backpacking Goa.

The Best Beaches in Goa for Backpackers

It’s impossible to say which is the best beach in Goa really because each beach in Goa has a different vibe and attracts a different kind of traveller , it just a case of finding the best beach in Goa for you.

My pick of the best beaches for independent travellers, free spirits, hippies and backpackers in Goa are Arambol, Anjuna and Vagator in the North and Palolem and Agonda in the South.

The wide, flat beaches of Mandrem, Ashwen and Morjim are also worth a mention if you are looking for a low key, chilled out scene with many great yoga schools but accommodation here is more expensive. These beaches are also a nesting ground of rare olive ridley turtles and attract many long staying Russians.

Here’s a run down of the best beaches for backpackers in Goa, from North to South:

Arambol is a backpacker and hippie haven has a long wide beach with loads of cheap beach huts, more hippie clothing stalls than Glastonbury, and every natural healing and alternative therapy you’ve ever heard of, plus some you never thought existed, the odd drumming circle and a laid back, friendly vibe.

Also make time to climb over the rocks and go paragliding over cute Kalacha beach and swim in the sweet lake.

If you enjoy the traveller hangout/ hippie vibe then Arambol is for you.

Good For : Backpackers, hippies, yogis

Anjuna and Vagator

Anjuna and Vagator were the beaches that became popular back in the days of the hippie trail in the 60’s, they still offer a great choice for backpackers and budget travellers today and some of the hippies are still here!

It’s also the best place for psytrance parties – you can’t miss the chance to experience these parties when backpacking Goa!

Vagator has 3 beaches, they are a bit rocky but the views over the charismatic red Goan cliffs are pretty mesmerizing especially at sunset, whereas Anjuna’s beach is more sandy and better for swimming.

Anjuna and Vagator have a the most backpacker hostels in Goa and also a good choice of cheap guesthouse accommodation, great eating options, a friendly, hippie vibe that attracts a lot of long stayers. You will also find psy trance and techno parties and the infamous Anjuna flea market and that special Goan hippie charm.

Palolem is blessed with calm turquoise seas that are perfect for swimming, the white crescent beach backed with palm trees and colourful, affordable beach huts and plenty of laid back, beachside eating and drinking options.

Palolem is a laid back paradise on one of Goa’s best beaches although it is getting increasingly busier, and more mainstream every year and it does not have so much the hippie or party scene that you find up north making it the best place for backpackers who just want to chill.

You could also try Patnem next door which is beautiful but a little quieter.

Agonda has a great wide sandy beach that sometimes feels like you’ve got it all to yourself and a rustic, laid back vibe that is a good quieter alternative not too far from Palolem.  Agonda has only been recently discovered so the beach is often pretty empty.

There is a good choice of budget accommodation and beach huts to choose from but not nightlife to speak of yet but I feel like this place will get more popular and busier every season.

Other popular beaches in Goa

Baga , Calangute and Candolim are the most famous and busiest beaches in Goa and this is where most of the package holiday tourists (Indian and international) come.

These beaches offer the best choice in everything (apart from quiet that is) including restaurants serving food from all over the globe, lively Saturday Night markets nearby that go on till the early hours, live music bars and nightclubs like Mambos, Titos and  Club Cubana.

There is budget accommodation here but these beaches and busy, crowded and over developed – if you come to Goa and only see these beaches then you are really missing out!

Where to Stay when Backpacking in Goa

Traditionally backpackers and hippies in Goa would stay in basic beach huts, guest houses and homestays – these weren’t available to book online so you just had to turn up and check a few out and negotiate a price.

It’s hard to recommend beach huts to stay in as many of these get taken down for the monsoon and can change from season to season.

The best thing to do is just show up in the morning, walk around, take a look at a couple and then negotiate the price. Most of the time (apart from the busy period over Christmas and New Year you will find something without pre booking in fact most of the real budget places aren’t online anyway )

There’s also plenty for budget guesthouses and beach shacks in Goa suitable for backpackers that can be found for between 500 and 1000 Rupees (£5 – £10 /$8  -$16) Even without feeling like you are penny pinching it would be hard to spend over 2,000 Rupees (£20/ $30 ) a day in Goa.

Don’t rule out staying a little further away from the beach too if you want a better deal, less noise and less wobbly accommodation – beach huts look pretty but often a cheap guest house of the concrete box variety is cheaper and more comfortable!

If you fancy a more off the beaten track experience and want to get an insight into Goan life then head inland and look for a sustainable, eco friendly homestay in Goa to see a totally different side of the state from the popular beaches and party scene.

The Best Backpacker Hostels in Goa

Nowadays there are many luxury resorts, mid range hotels and new backpacker hostels in Goa which are the best places to stay when backpacking Goa if you want to meet other backpackers and stay on a budget.

Most budget travellers arrive in Goa and find a cheap budget guesthouse. Backpacker hostels are a relatively new concept in India but there are now several backpacker hostels that have just opened up in the last year or so around North Goa.

The Jungle Hostel in Vagator is one of the best and the sociable atmosphere makes it really easy to met people and make new friends.

Prison Hostel  in Anjuna is a uniquely themed party hostel or for something quieter check out the cute tents and dorms at Wanderers Hostel in Morjim , there is even a swimming pool.

Zostel Hostel in Candolim is part of India’s first chain of backpacker’s hostels

Old Quarter Hostel in the colorful Portuguese area of Panjim that also has a great coffee shop.

Hostels are a great place to meet people, especially if traveling solo, but honestly if there are two of you it’s often cheaper just to get a cheap guesthouse instead of 2 hostel beds. 

Read More: The Top 10 Backpacker Hostels in Goa

Budget Guesthouses around Anjuna and Vagator

There are many budget guesthouses in Goa that are not available to book online but some of the better ones around are Sunny Cow Village Villa – a cute, stylish place tucked away in the village, Starco  has nice cottages near the crossroads, Sea Princess is just behind the beach and   Castelinho’s Home Away From Home has cheap basic studio apartments.

In Vagator try Blue Bird Guest House it also has a great restaurant or Royal Star set in cute gardens near Mango Tree a popular restaurant.   Casa de Olga is a good , cheap option in nearby Chapora.

Don’t be put off if these places are out of your price range, there are probably a hundred more cheaper places to stay that are not listed online and it’s not hard to find a room for around 1000 rupees even in season.

Mid Range Hotels and Resorts

Some more upmarket choices in Anjuna that also have swimming pools include the unique Laguna Anjuna  where individually designed, quirky rooms nestle in tropical gardens, Palacete Rodrigues a charming old Portuguese villa filled with antiques and friendly owners and Granpa’s Inn (Hotel Bougainvillea) 

In Anjuna, your best bet for a beach facing room is probably the Vista Praia Cottages although they are a little overpriced I think.  There are also some nice properties on the cliffs in Vagator with stunning sunset views – check out Ozran Heights  , Oltremarino  and Ocean Bliss for super cute huts with amazing views.is also a character filled hotel nestled in tropical gardens in a tranquil spot just outside Anjuna.

There are also some amazing luxury resorts in Goa, especially in South Goa that (compared to Western prices) are great value if you fancy treating yourself. Some of the best include the  Taj in Candolim , Zuri in Varca,  Leela in Cavelossim and Alila Diwa in Majorda.

Renting a House in Goa

Perhaps you will love Goa and end up wanting to stay for months, as many do. Look out for the ‘House for Rent’ signs and find somewhere to chill out and enjoy the unique Goan vibes for a few months. Many you can rent on a casual monthly basis and it can work out cheaper than a guesthouse.

If you didn’t want to commit to a couple of months you could still get all the comforts of home by renting an apartment through Flipkey or Air BnB. Get $25 off your first Air BnB booking here.

Check out the costs of living in Goa and How to rent a house in Goa.

Where to Eat and Drink in Goa

The beaches of Goa are lined with beach shacks that serve a standard traveller orientated multi cuisine menu – serving up everything from Indian curries, Chinese dishes, noodles and rice, pizza and pasta, western food, breakfasts and sandwiches for between 100 and 300 rupees and the quality of the food that comes out of these beach shacks, for relativity little money, is surprisingly good.

My favourite beach shacks are Fishtail on Little Vagator Beach, Curlies in Anjuna and for something a bit special La Plague in Ashwen or Sublime on Morjim Beach. No backpacking Goa trip is complete without experiencing a day in a beach shack!

Goa has a real foodie scene going on. There are also many other restaurants around Goa serving all kinds of international food where you can get an amazing meal for a very affordable price. Some of my favourites for something a bit more special include the Greek place – Thalassa where the views over Vagator Beach are as amazing as the food, Go with the Flow in Baga and at Shamba in Anjuna you can get interesting, fusion, fine dining style food that still won’t break the bank and Cafe NU in Mandrem is super healthy and tasty.

Also around Anjuna, you must visit Baba Au Rhum   nestled in the paddy fields with awesome burgers and pizzas, or the The Germany Bakery is a great place to hang out under the Tibetan prayer flags and have a healthy lunch.   Bean me up is heaven for Vegans and also has a really popular guest house and one of my favourite places is on the cliffs in Anjuna (since 1967) is the Guru Bar which has a friendly, hippy, atmosphere, regular live music nights and great value and extensive menu.

Read More: The Best Restaurants in Anjuna and The Best Restaurants in Vagator . 

Nightlife and Parties in Goa

Goa is India’s party capital and many backpackers come here just to experience the legendary nightlife. Goa loves trance and most of the parties revolved around techno or psy trance music.

Anjuna and Vagator and Baga and Calanagute are the best nightlife spots with clubs or beach parties that go on late into the night. On South Anjuna Beach Shiva Valley and Curlies  beach shacks often have parties that go on late into the night and in Vagator, Hilltop  is still pumping on Sundays and has amazing special events – check the flyers up around the village or What’s Up Goa to find out what’s on and where.

For something more main stream try Club Cubana between the two in Arpora. The Saturday Night Market in Arpora also has live music and food and drink stalls and goes on into the early hours. Palolem has a more chilled out scene but you can usually find a silent (headphone) disco happening in the peak season or try Cleopatras or, slightly out of town,  Leopard Valley holds the biggest parties in South Goa.

Tips for Planning your Goa Backpacking Trip

Ok, so now I’ve got you convinced that you really should come over and check out Goa – here’s the practical info you will need to make your dreams of backpacking Goa a reality.

Daily Backpacker Budget for Goa

India is still one of the cheapest countries in the world to travel in and, although Goa is one of the more expensive places to visit in India you can still get by on 1,000 – 2,000 Rupees per days, about US$15 – $30.

While there are many temptations for you to part with your cash, Goa is still great value. The many temptations to drink, party and shop will undoubtedly push up the cost of a visit.

Goa has a huge range of accommodation – from luxury resorts, cute boutique hotels, and there are still many budget options for an affordable visit.

Prices vary depending on season (prices are almost half in the low season) and make sure you haggle for most purchases, especially for taxis, souvenirs at the market and you can also negotiate for scooter hire and accommodation if you stay longer.

See more budget tips and typical costs to expect when traveling in India.

Do you need a visa to visit Goa?

Nearly all visitors to India need a tourist visa before arriving. Luckily an E-Visa scheme is being rolled out which will make it easier to apply for a visa although it is only valid for 30 days. Most people visit India on a 6 month visa.

Read more about how to apply for an Indian visa.

When is the best time to visit Goa?

The main tourist season in Goa runs from November – March when the weather is dry and cool by Indian standards but still perfect weather for swimming, sunbathing and enjoying all Goa has to offer.

In April and May Goa, and most of India, gets almost unbearably hot. The monsoon rains arrive in June and continue until September/ October .

Some say that Goa is at it’s most beautiful in the monsoon season as the paddy fields turn lusciously green although most restaurants and accommodation close but you can get great deals on the accommodation that does remain open during the off season.

See more on The pros and cons of visiting Goa in the monsoon season. 

How to get to Goa

Goa has an airport (Dabolim) situated roughly in the middle of the state. You can fly to Goa from most major Indian cites and in the season time there are charter flights from the UK and Russia.

There are also an increasing amount of budget flights into Goa from Southeast Asia or you can also take a cheap flight from Bangkok or KL to one of the big cities in the South of India like Chennai, Bangalore or Kochi and then a domestic flight from there.

Goa is also easy to reach on the huge Indian railways network and then from Goa you can connect to the rest of India on the trains (just make sure to book tickets well in advance because seats sell out quickly) The main train station for Goa is Margao (Madgaon) which is roughly in the middle of South Goa.

If you are arriving or leaving by train in Margo the closest beach is Benaulim only 5km away. It’s a nice, quiet, long stretch of beach with just a few restaurants and shacks. Right on the beach is the O Palmar Beach Cottages which is a great value place to stay and chill for a few days close to Margao or a good base right in the middle of South Goa.

Other train stations in Goa include Vasco da Gama (closest to the airport)  Canacona (for Palolem and the far South) Thivim and Pernem (for Arambol – Anjuna) or Karmali (near Old Goa and the closest to the capital Panjim) Trains run overnight from Mumbai, Bangalore and Kochi to Goa.

Night trains are a much more comfortable way to get to Goa than on overnight buses but if you can’t get a ticket you can also go by bus. You can book online at Red Bus but the train is for sure the most preferable way to travel rather than the hectic Indian roads.

How to get around Goa

The train network isn’t really convenient for getting around Goa. There are many local buses which can be a bit rickety but fine for short journeys however, if you wanted to get say from Palolem to Anjuna or from the airport to Arambol while it is possible and very cheap to do so on public transport and very cheap there are no direct buses, you would have to go to each town (Margao, Panjim, Mapusa etc) and change buses each time. It’s not too difficult to find the right bus it can be a time consuming way to get around.

Rickshaws are not as omnipresent as in other parts of India. Taxis can be easily arranged from most guesthouses or restaurants but rates are exorbitantly high even for a short taxi between nearby beach resorts. You can hire a car and driver for a days sightseeing for about 2000 Rupees.  A taxi from the airport to the beaches near Anjuna and Vagator should be nom ore than 1,200 Rupees use the prepaid stand inside instead of arguing with touts outside.

The best way to backpack Goa is on your own two wheels – it’s easy to rent a motorbike (approx 300 rupees per day) and explore. India’s roads may seem chaotic at first but there is not too much traffic on Goa’s roads and its a good place to learn and you will see there is a method to the madness, just adapt the way that you drive to suit.

You also need to watch out for police, especially on the bridge at Panjim  who like to stop tourists and try to get money out of them. Not wearing a helmet or not having an international driving license is one of the most common things they will fine you for so get one before you go and remember to also carry your normal license as well otherwise its not valid.

Where Next After Goa

Backpacking Goa is a perfect place for a gentle introduction to Incredible India but don’t stop there. There is so much for explore in this hugely diverse and ever fascinating country. Check out my Perfect India Itinerary for more ideas for your Indian adventure!

The incredible, enigmatic and bewitching ruins of Hampi are not far from Goa in the neighbouring (and underrated) state, Karnataka. It takes about 8 hours on the train or an overnight bus but these ancient ruins steeped in legend and scattered amidst a surreally beautiful boulder strewn landscape make a rewarding and cultural couple of days jaunt from Goa. You may love Hampi so much that you don’t want to go back to Goa!

Read more: Why I fell in love with magical Hampi

The luscious, laid back state of Kerala is also known as ‘God’s own country’ and once you are relaxing on a houseboat on the serene backwaters you will understand why! Kerala is also one of the most popular places to visit in India because of it’s rich history as part of the spice trade and tropical, green natural beauty from the beaches and hill stations to the backwaters. It’s a long overnight train ride from Goa to Kochi but worth it!

Read more: My Flashpakcer’s  Guide to Kerala

Mumbai (Bombay)

Mumbai, or Bombay, is India’s answer to Hollywood – a city of dreams and also a city of contrasts.  A city that is both rich and poor, modern and traditional. Mumbai is a crazily captivating, buzzing, inspiring, ambitious, city of dreams with grand, crumbling colonial buildings and enough to keep you entertained for at least a couple of days. Mumbai is an overnight train ride from Goa.

Read more: My Flashpacker’s Guide to Mumbai 

See all the posts about Goa on the blog.

Even though sometimes the hotels or restaurants it suggests are sometimes out of date or a bit over hyped the maps and practical information regarding what to see, how to get around and prices to expect can be invaluable.

I hope this guide to backpacking Goa has helped you to plan your trip and that you will love Goa as much as I do. I’ve got loads more blog posts about Goa and the rest of India on the blog so check them out too.

Do you have any more tips for Goa? Leave a comment and help another traveller out! 

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Excellent guide. Thank you very much, x

Loved the article ,but all i could see on all the pics attached for some reason,was you on that Royal Enfield 🙂

Thanks! Sorry I’ll have to have a look at that, thanks for letting me know. Yes, I love riding around exploring Goa and what better way than on a Royal Enfield! Thanks for reading 🙂

It really made a wonderful reading Anna. Though I’ve visited Goa dozens of times in the past and as recently as last week, I’d never gone to most of the places you mentioned in your article. Now I’m planning to going to do that on my next visit . The photographs with the articles helped the cause too.. Thanks for the tips and insights. Keep writing!

Hi Mehboob, thanks so much for the compliments and I’m so glad to hear that you liked the photos and the blog post and that I can inspire you to explore more of Goa – there is so much to enjoy here! Have a great trip and thanks for reading and getting in touch 🙂

Thank you for your lovely travel blog…very helpful and informative. I’ll look up some others you have/are posting. Well done.

Thanks so much! Glad it was helpful – have a great time in Goa! 🙂

Fabulous guide

Thank you! 🙂

Loved the post Anna! I am planning to go to Goa in March and I am super excited. I am portuguese so it is definitely a must! Thanks for all the beach advise, I have added a couple to my list!

Hi Mariana, glad you liked the post and hope it helps you plan your Goa trip 🙂 Wow being Portuguese I’m sure you will find many parts of your culture here that will interest you! I still haven’t got round to visiting Portugal but after spending so much time in Goa I really want to see what its like! Hope you have a great trip 🙂

Hi Anna Amazing read, great suggestions and love the idea of the house boat in Goa, I was initially planning to go to Kerela just for the house boat experience but i’ll leave it for next time. I’m going to be there with my family and in laws and I was wondering if we should be in North or the South. The kids just want to be on the beach and the sea, but we’re not fans of big crowds. Secondly can you suggest a decent hotel, the wife likes her comforts,

Hi Will. Glad you liked the post – based on what you say I think South Goa would be great for you as the beaches and quieter and nicer and theres lots of luxury hotels and resorts in that area. I stayed at Planet Hollywood when my Mum came to visit me and loved it – you can check out my review here http://www.global-gallivanting.com/goas-newest-5-star-luxury-hotel-my-review-of-planet-hollywood-goa/ or some other good ones are the Alila Diwa in Majorda, Zuri in Varca and Leela in Cavelossim Hope this helps and hope you have a great time in Goa 🙂

I love your passion and the way you write!

We (wife+4 kids) have taken this year off to travel southeast Asia and we’ll be coming to goa in a few days – maybe we’ll run into you on one of the beaches or in one of the markets… who knows. And if you know of a recommended cheap place to stay in palolem, well, just point the way.

Thanks so much! 🙂 Great to hear you and the family are all off on an epic Southeast Asia trip! I’m planning on writing a post about where to stay in Goa as soon as I can so look out for my recommendations in there. Palolem is a few hours away from where I live so it’s not likely to bump into you but I Hope you have a great time in Goa. Happy Travels 🙂

Thanks for your very informative blog post and amazing pictures 🙂 I am planning to spend six weeks in Goa from Feb to mid-March, but seeing I teach English online I was wondering if you knew where I could find good enough Internet in Vogator for 2/3 45minute skype calls each day? I spent some time in Kolkata last year and a really weak internet connection would not allow me to work properly.

Thanks for your time! Light from a fellow traveller

Glad you liked the post – Dhum Briyani and Oasis Cafe has the best internet I’ve found so far in Goa but it can still be unreliable at peak hours when the place is busy or when the power goes off as it does most days. Most of the time I work off a 3G connection but there are loads of black spots.

Sorry to say it can be a bit dodgy working on online and having skype calls scheduled in Goa – maybe read this post – http://www.global-gallivanting.com/reality-digital-nomad-goa-india/

Good luck with the internet and hope you enjoy Goa.

Loved the guide, wish I read this earlier while on the first trip. Nonetheless I can relate to the info and found much more interesting things to do for the next. Thanks a lot. Keep travelling.

Thanks Chirag – yes the great thing about Goa is that is so much to do and when you explore you will find there is something for everyone 🙂

Hi, nice and honest article. Good photography! Goa is amazing 🙂

Thanks Matthias! 🙂

Sorry to wrtie here but I can not find your email address and I have tried Facebook. I have bought Insiders Guide to Goa. The money is drawn from my account 2 November. I got a license key online after purchasing. But I got no mail with a pdf file or an ebook to activate with the license key.

Please respond.

Best regards Hans Jan

Sorry to hear that – I do not have a Guide to Goa ebook – I think it is Hippie in Heels blog – try here https://hippie-inheels.com/insiders-guide-goa/

Hope this helps and hope you have a nice time in Goa 🙂

Hey, loved your blog. The Goa is always a beautiful place to visit. But do you know that the coastal route to Goa from Mumbai is awesome. I was unaware of this route but when I did it, felt like going to heaven and it was my once in a lifetime experience. Though this route is very tricky but safer than the Highway and much more beautiful beaches and coastal view from road. I made a complete blog on the coastal route to Goa and you can check How you can also do it. Believe me it was awesome Tour.

https://www.tourwithupendra.com/tour-series-the-coastal-route-to-goa/

You can also Subscribe to my travel blog You Tube Channel “Tour With Upendra” https://www.youtube.com/c/tourwithupendra

https://youtu.be/L1ICgz_VVRc I’m backpacker from New Delhi. Recently i did 10days of Goa trip in just 3280rs. Watch my vlog to see how it become possible. In this video you’ll get some new ideas about, Backpacking trips, Travelling and adventure trips. Also you’ll be surprised after watch my Adventurous goa trip. And Stay tuned with us for our next project. *You can also join me on my next backpacking in trips* “Please Like Share and Subscribe and share it with your friends” For more information follow me on Instagram @khanruhan_

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