Goa is the smallest of the 28 Indian states. Its area is 3702 km2, its length from south to north is slightly more than 100 kilometers, and its width is only 65 kilometers. Goa is located in the center of the western coast of India and is one of the most sparsely populated areas of the country. In the north, Goa neighbors the state of Maharashtra, in the south and east - with Karnataka, the west of the state is a continuous coastline 101 kilometers long, washed by the Arabian Sea of the Indian Ocean. The eastern border of the state of Goa is at the same time the beginning of a mountain plateau, turning into a chain of mountains called the Western Ghats (Sahyadri). Actually, the state of Goa is a narrow strip of land separating the sea and the mountains, the entire coast of which seems to be indented by the mouths of rivers and rivulets carrying their waters to the ocean from the red spurs of the Western Ghats. The largest rivers of Goa, real arteries, are Mandovi, Zuari and Chapora. We present to your attention a guide to Goa.
The few inhabitants of Goa speak Konkani, which was recognized as an official language in 1975 and is spoken in western India (in the states of Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala). Konkani has common roots with Gujarati, Marathi and Hindi. However, due to the fact that Portugal was a protectorate over Goa for several centuries, part of the population today speaks Portuguese fluently. There is nothing to say about English: the hippies who chose the state in the middle of the last century, in addition to marijuana and guitars, also brought with them the English language. The centuries-old power of Europeans was not in vain for Goa: the state's population is more educated, has higher incomes and a better standard of living than residents of other parts of India.
The capital of Goa is the city of Panaji (Panjim), located 30 kilometers from Dabolim Airport. Vasco da Gama is considered the largest city in the state.
Thanks to its many kilometers of beaches, Goa has become a world famous resort. In our guide to Goa we tell you a little about why it became like this.
Geographically, the state is divided into North Goa and South Goa.
The part of the state called North Goa has a higher population density and fewer hotels, mostly 2-3 star hotels. Since the beaches in these places consist of gray sand, far from the snow-white shade, and the sea water near the shore is opaque, holidays in Goa (as many say) in its northern part are inexpensive, low-income Indians and foreign students, as well as supporters of budget holidays, come here and lovers of so-called trans parties. It is no secret that it was in the resort of North Goa that the today world-famous musical style “Goa-trance” arose. So if you are a fan of this style of music, then consider that a “visa to Goa” is provided to you and you will easily integrate into the local atmosphere. Therefore, the northern part of Goa is famous for its democratic views, the diversity of the vacationing public and incendiary trance parties on the beaches. “Goa-trance” has gained particular popularity among fans of electronic music with the Titos and Mambo discos located in the vicinity, and also known for its eponymous “” - a real paradise for lovers of Indian exotica.
South Goa, where the sand on the beaches ranges from golden to snow-white shades, has more expensive hotels and a slightly different philosophy of relaxation. Hotels located in the resort of South Goa are quite expensive - 4-5 star, surrounded by emerald green gardens. Tropical thickets in the South Goa region begin just beyond the sandy border. The beaches here are often deserted; you won’t see a cow here, an untouchable Indian animal, standing knee-deep in the water among bathing tourists, as in the north of the state. Holidays in South Goa are respectable and relatively expensive, especially by Indian standards. Among the regular guests of local hotels are wealthy Indians and foreign bourgeois, who do not at all consider the prices in this paradise of India to be exorbitant.
However, in fairness, it must be said that no matter what area of such a fabulous place as the resort of Goa you would choose as a vacation spot, you are always guaranteed to find accommodation in accordance with your own needs and the amount of money in your wallet - from a private house for rent for 200 dollars per month to a palm leaf hut for 80 rupees per day. And you can choose any time for your trip - there is no such thing as a tourist season in Goa; high and low seasons are important for spoiled clients of travel agencies, who are unlikely to enjoy a holiday in Goa. So, whether it’s the party-oriented North Goa or the relaxed South Goa, you will enjoy your holiday and will probably have a wonderful time in Goa.
Flight time:
(charter flights)
from Moscow - 7 hours 30 minutes.
from St. Petersburg - 7 hours 50 minutes.
from Kazan - 6 hours 10 minutes.
from Yekaterinburg - 6 hours
from Novosibirsk - 5 hours 30 minutes.
Current time in Panaji:
(UTC +5:30)
Goa is famous not only for its beaches. The nature of the foothills of this amazing place is amazingly diverse: lakes, waterfalls, islands, palm groves and mangroves with a huge amount of exotic wildlife, and, of course, unique spice plantations. All this is not the last reason why a holiday in Goa becomes a golden dream for tourists from different countries. And after reading the guide to Goa, your holiday in this corner of India will become even more interesting for you. By the way, don’t forget to change your watch - the time in Goa is different from many regions of Russia, the state’s time zone is +5:30 to world time.
How to get there
Flight to Goa
Charters of various airlines fly from Russian cities in the winter season (the most tourist time for the region). As a rule, these are almost all Russian cities with a population of a million or more inhabitants. The flight Moscow - Goa is operated by various airlines; as a rule, several carriers also fly from the regions. In most cases, a charter flight ticket is sold only together with a travel package (flight, hotel, transfer, insurance). In this case, tour operators in Goa will help you: Biblio Globus, Southern Cross, Megapolus Tours, Pegas Touristik, Russian Express, Sunrise Tour, Southern Cross.
As for the regular schedule, Aeroflot airline operates regular flights on the Indian route only to Delhi and Mumbai; flights to Dabolim airport are seasonal and, as mentioned above, are operated not only by Aeroflot. In any case, independent tourists traveling without the help of tour operators can get there with a transfer in major cities of Russia (if tickets for charter flights are being sold), or through Delhi, as well as through the hubs of Middle Eastern countries - Doha, Dubai and others.
Flight time to Goa
If you are interested in how long it takes to fly from Moscow to Goa, then you can refer to the special material on this topic. If you click on the link lazily, then the average flight time from Moscow to Goa is 7 hours 30 minutes, from St. Petersburg - 7 hours 40 minutes, from Yekaterinburg - 6 hours 30 minutes. The average flight time is indicated for charters; connecting flights on regular flights will depend on the connecting city and its duration. But, by using the material about flight times and finding out the connecting time, you can calculate the approximate time of your flight even with a connecting option.
Climate and weather in Goa
The climate in Goa is divided into three seasons: winter, summer and monsoon. Winter lasts from October to May, the average temperature during the day is about +21..+30 degrees, but the nights can be quite cold.
This dry season is considered the most suitable time to travel to Goa. After Holi, which is celebrated in March, the climate in Goa can be described as summer, the temperature becomes consistently high - 26-35 degrees Celsius.
At the beginning of the season the weather is very comfortable, but towards May the heat increases in anticipation of the rainy season. Tourists from Europe, as a rule, visit Goa from October to March inclusive, Russians and Israelis - from September to April.
The rainy season, or monsoon season, in Goa begins in June and lasts until September. At this time, humidity rises, tropical downpours occur daily, and sometimes the rain does not stop for several days in a row.
Due to heavy summer rains, the period is considered unfavorable, and there is a decline in tourist activity, although the water temperature in Goa resorts is consistently above +27 degrees.
Weather forecast
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Saturday |
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Weather in Goa by month
| Temperature daytime, °C |
Temperature at night, °C |
Temperature water, °C |
Quantity precipitation, mm |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -3 | -6 | 26 | 0 | |
| -1 | -6 | 26 | 1 | |
| 6 | -2 | 27 | 5.1 | |
| — | — | 28 | 15.2 | |
| — | — | 28 | 73.3 | |
| 26 | 20 | 29 | 1408 | |
| 28 | 21 | 28 | 1492 | |
| 28 | 21 | 27 | 1327 | |
| 22 | 13 | 27 | 151.4 | |
| 14 | 7 | 27 | 148.6 | |
| 1 | -3 | 27 | 29.2 | |
| -2 | -6 | 28 | 0.2 |
Reviews by month
| January 20 February 21 March 10 | April 9 May 2 | August 1 September 2 | October 5 November 34 December 29 |
Photos of Goa
Transport
There are several ways to get around Goa: the first is, of course, a taxi. Goan taxi drivers have no idea about the meter, so it is customary to negotiate the price of the trip in advance, having previously found out its approximate cost at the hotel. Bargaining is not only appropriate, but also mandatory. The second popular means of transportation is the rickshaw. A rickshaw carriage can be built in the old-fashioned way on the basis of a bicycle or, more modernly, on the basis of a scooter or motorcycle. The rickshaw has certain disadvantages: the carriage has difficulty climbing the mountain, and many tourists consider watching the suffering of the poor driver to be a completely inhumane activity. Auto-rickshaws have no problem with speed and hills, but typically powered by old motorcycle engines, auto-rickshaws spew huge black clouds of exhaust. In any case, you should definitely take a ride on rickshaws in Goa - it will help you feel the special Goan flavor.
Transport rental is also quite widespread in Goa. Renting a good economical bike will cost a tourist 60-100 dollars a month, which, by our standards, is considered mere pennies. Renting a car is more complicated - in order to rent a car, a tourist needs to make a fairly large deposit, which, most often, is not suitable for the public vacationing in Goa.
On the contrary, there are no problems at all with renting watercraft in Goa. Yachts, boats, jet skis and catamarans will be offered to you for a small amount on any beach along the hundred-kilometer Goan coast.
Goa has Dabolim International Airport, which is served by many of the world's leading airlines. Dabolim is also connected by air to all major airports in the country, for example, from Mumbai to Dabolim it is only an hour’s flight.
Culture
The culture that has developed historically in Goa leads many to call it “fake India” and “the island of Goa.” The last concept refers, of course, not to the geographical, but specifically to the cultural peculiarities of this state.
According to Indian legend, Goa was created by the god Parashurama, who was the sixth incarnation of the god Vishnu. Standing on a mountain peak, he shot an arrow from a bow into the sea, after which he ordered the depths of the sea to retreat to the place where the arrow landed. This is how the Goan coast was formed, on which Parashurama settled about a hundred Brahmin families.
However, other gods also did not bypass Goa with their attention, as evidenced by the Indian epic. It was here, on the Goan coast, that the god Shiva lost to smithereens at dice with his wife Parvati, after which he spent some time in exile in Goa, sluggishly asking for forgiveness from his strict wife. And, frankly, Shiva can be understood: who would refuse to be exiled in this heavenly place!
The Portuguese, who fell in love with the coast of Goa in 1510, have their own version of the origin of its name: the Portuguese navigator Alfonso de Albuquerque, seeing the golden beaches from the deck of his ship, exclaimed: “Wow!” However, from an excess of emotions, the gallant commander choked on port wine, and everyone heard: “Goa!” Since then, this name has been assigned to this area.
However, the first European to set foot on the shores of Goa was Vasco da Gama in 1498, which is evidenced by the name of one of the largest cities in Goa. Since 1510, the then capital of the area, the city of Old Goa, has become a cultural center and the main metropolis of the Portuguese colonists. Portugal then controlled a vast territory from Mombasa in Africa to Macau in China. The heyday of Goa occurred precisely during the period of Portuguese colonization. The mixture of customs, blood and religions further determined the formation of that special flavor that still attracts travelers from all over the world to Goa.
Goa's golden age ended in the seventeenth century, when Portuguese rule in the Indian Ocean crumbled under the onslaught of the Dutch and British. The capital, Old Goa, was falling into decay, the magnificent buildings from the time of Portuguese colonization turned into ruins. Since the beginning of the nineteenth century, Goa was under the British protectorate, since 1964 it was part of the “union territory” of India, receiving the status of an independent Indian state only in 1987.
Thus, the unique heritage of Goa was formed under the influence of both the indigenous Hindu culture and the influence of the external Portuguese culture, often imposed by force. However, such interpenetration of two cultures has benefited present-day Goa. Hindu temples (Mangesh in Mangeshi, Mahalsa in Mardol, Shanta Durga in Kavlema) and Catholic churches of Portuguese missionaries found refuge on its territory.
Goan music, songs and dances, visual arts and folk crafts - everything is that same incendiary mixture of two cultures. Festivals are an integral part of the Goan lifestyle. Locals seem to find something to celebrate every day. Hindu Jantra, Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Shirigao Jantar, Fatorpa Jatra, European Christmas, veneration of St. Francis Xavier, All Saints' Day - there are countless holidays in Goa! And all of them are celebrated magnificently, on a grand scale, by local residents and guests of the state, regardless of the latter’s religious affiliation.
What to see
Excluding southern relaxation and northern drive, Goa has a lot of places worthy of the attention of lovers of attractions. These include monuments of Hindu and Portuguese architecture, temples and churches, natural parks and reserves.
First of all, you need to visit the Portuguese forts of Aguada and Alorna, as well as Christian churches, the oldest of which is the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, and the most famous is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, where the relics of St. Francis Xavier, the Baptist of Asia, are kept. The Cathedral of St. Catherine, the largest Christian temple in Asia, also deserves special attention. Be sure to take an excursion to Kartnataka, where you will definitely be shown the old city of Gokarna and Om Beach - two undoubted pearls of the Indian south. With a guide or on your own, visit the old and new capital of Goa - Old Goa and Panaji, walk through the ancient streets, admire the magnificent cathedrals and monasteries created by European architects during the Portuguese colonization. Tourists will also find the excursion called “Temples of Ponda” interesting. The excursion program includes a visit to Hindu temples, a tropical fruit farm and a plantation of famous Indian spices, and an elephant ride.
A fifth of Goa's territory is occupied by natural parks. There are only six of them in the state, and they were created to protect the amazing natural resources of Goa. For example, one of the pearls of the Goan protected forests is the Dudhsagar waterfall, or “milk ocean”, 603 meters high, so nicknamed for the milky white color of the water. It is also worth visiting the mangrove-covered island of Chorao at the mouth of the Mandovi River, famous for its unique colony of birds. Bondla Nature Reserve is the smallest of Goa's natural parks, located 50 kilometers north of Panaji, at the foot of the Western Ghats. The reserve has a beautiful rose garden, botanical and zoo with a diverse fauna: elephants, buffaloes, leopards, bears, deer, snakes, birds, etc. In the Cotigao Nature Reserve you can see many species of monkeys, gaurs - Indian buffaloes, panthers and gazelles.
Where to go in Goa
Attractions
Museums and galleries
Where to eat and drink
Entertainment
Parks and Recreation
Leisure
Transport
Shops and markets
Private guides in Goa
Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Goa in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.
Things to do
Such a question simply cannot arise in Goa - everyone there will find something to their liking. Those who love to bask on the beach - comfortable sun loungers on the beaches of Goa in the shade of palm crowns, fans of active sports - an incredible selection of water activities from diving and windsurfing to parasailing and kiting - there are a great many excursions in Goa.
In South Goa, centers of Ayurveda are popular - traditional Indian medicine, the philosophy of which is an integrated approach to the body as a single system. Ayurvedic treatments include oil massages and natural medicine treatments. Having visited such a center, do not refuse to take the Panchakarma body cleansing course, known to Ayurvedic masters for more than two thousand years.
Even if you are not a big fan of Goa-trance music, when you are in North Goa, be sure to find time and visit one of the trance parties, where you will have fun dancing until dawn in an international company. Strange musicians, hippies of all ages, trancers and freaks from various countries of the world settled in North Goa a long time ago. Vagator is considered to be the undisputed capital of this unproclaimed republic of freedom. The villages scattered along the coast of North Goa resemble clubs with similar interests: hippies live in Arambol, married couples live in calm Siolim; trancers and other hanging out characters are in Chepor.
It is also worth checking out one of the iconic cafes located in the northern part of the state: "" in Chepor, cafe "", bars "" and "" in Anjuna, cafe "" in Arambol.
Connection
Safety in Goa
The Russian Information Center in Goa gives the following recommendations regarding a safe holiday in this state of India:
- Compliance with the visa regime is the responsibility of every tourist. Overstaying a visa is a crime punishable by Indian law. Do not succumb to the provocations of people, lawyers, who promise you to “solve the problem” with a summons or money. You risk being deceived.
- In the event of a collision with the Goa State Police, do not succumb to the provocations of law enforcement officers.
- The use and distribution of narcotic substances in Goa is punishable by law. Do not give in to provocations from people involved in drug trafficking. Do not participate in this activity.
- A fall from a scooter or motorcycle does not fall under the definition of an insured event.
- Respect local laws and traditions, including in clothing. Clothes should not be provocative. Wearing swimsuits, short shorts and skirts (for girls), and a bare torso (for men) outside the beach in Goa is not encouraged.
- The language barrier often causes unpleasant situations. They can be avoided by calling for help from compatriots who speak English, or by calling the hotline of the Russian Information Center in Goa.
- Follow basic safety rules and be vigilant, especially if you are intoxicated.
- Beware of services from illegal companies. Companies doing business in Goa illegally do not bear any responsibility either before the law or before you.
- Working and doing business in Goa on a tourist visa is prohibited and punishable by law.
Honorary Consul of Russia in Goa: Victor M. Albuquerque
- Address: Alcon Chambers, 2nd Floor, D.B.Marg, Panaji, Goa - 403 001 (India),
- Phone: +91 832 2223220,
- Fax: +91 832 671556,
- Email: [email protected]
Where to stay in Goa
Booking.com offers more than 5,710 hotels in Goa for booking. You can select a hotel using a variety of filters: hotel star rating, hotel type (hotel, apartment, villa, hostel, etc.), cost, hotel location, ratings of people who visited the hotel, Wi-Fi availability and much more. .
Valentina | 21.01.2018 10:38
Mangaluru is certainly not the best place to vacation (I vacationed with my husband in 2006), but if we take into account the cheapness, it’s even very decent. If it weren’t for their age-old quirks, I might have left a better review.
Having looked at the wretched “mansions” in the hotel, we decided to stay in the private sector. The room seemed okay, even with air conditioning, but they suggested going to the toilet in the courtyard, since the inside one seemed to be under renovation. A very light wooden toilet with a huge hole over which you had to spread your legs wide apart, but I would never dare to use it for children.
The first thing that surprised me the next day was the disappearance of my panties, which I had planned to wash after the flights and the sheer stuffiness when we got a little settled in. I was ashamed to ask the friendly hostess Neisa about the missing unwashed, smelly panties, and decided that she would find them a little later. When a small pile of laundry had already accumulated over the week, I turned to the hostess for a basin to wash everything, but she made it clear with barely understandable gestures that I should put my laundry in a basket under the canopy, and she would wash it herself later for free. Having refused such services, when washing, I noticed that all three panties in the place where genitourinary discharge should be perfectly clean. As if I didn’t wear them, and two of them where the genitals were wet. This alarmed me, but even then I could not think that all this was not accidental. Approaching the hostess, I gestured at my panties with a wrinkled nose and tried to find out where my dirty, smelly panties in which I had arrived had disappeared, to which she, also with a wrinkled face, made it clear that she seemed to have thrown them away.
I threw it away like that, but one morning when I went to the toilet, I suddenly felt some movement of air from below. I looked into the toilet hole and jumped up with an exclamation, as her husband, 36 year old Darshit, was looking at me from below from the huge toilet hole. As it turned out, he had a huge container dug right under the floor of the toilet, separating it from feces, into which he lowered himself through a hatch in the morning, as soon as we woke up or when we returned from the beach. It turns out that almost all this time he was regularly looking at me from below from the hole when visiting their toilet. If he had not been a mature, curious boy, he would have been young and handsome, but he had come to this. Even now I remember and it becomes creepy. My husband has never seen me between my legs, but here I went to the ends of the earth to appear to a stranger.
Indignantly turning to the hostess, I not only did not find her understanding, but was even offended. It seemed that I should still be grateful that her husband wanted to examine me there, and if I made noise, she would immediately call the police. Knowing my husband’s character, it’s good that I didn’t dare to tell him everything. Firstly, he, as a man, would feel uncomfortable that someone was looking at me there or touching my panties, and secondly, he would definitely punch him in the face. Then it would definitely have happened without the police and an international scandal. After all, I could prove what and to whom in a foreign country.
That same day, I persuaded my husband to urgently move to the cheapest hotel, “Town Gate,” which is located 4-5 km away. from Mangalore. She told him that his wife had fallen ill with some dangerous infection.
During a conversation with a Belarusian woman who had lived there for a long time, I unexpectedly learned that, according to some local beliefs, female genitourinary secretions are very useful for the male body and have a very positive effect on male potency. It turns out that Neysa’s mistress not only stole my dirty panties for her husband, but even her husband regularly tracked her… . That’s when I realized why some of my unwashed panties in this place didn’t even have time to dry. As soon as I change my panties, feeling the sticky wetness, and my husband and I leave, her husband immediately takes my panties... And I didn’t throw up?
And as for hidden peeping in the toilet while vacationers are peeing, this seems to be the same norm among them. I don’t know how true this is, but according to the Belarusian woman, there is not a single family in the private sector where local husbands do not track the panties of vacationers and look for an opportunity to examine the genitals. It’s just that rare vacationers know about this, and I was caught by the stupidity of the idiot Darshit. It turns out that their wives themselves even select those holidaymakers for the settlement, where there are more young and unmarried people.
I once heard about this among some peoples, but to believe that this would happen to me? Even now I remember with a shudder.
From the travel agency "Rossiyanka" - 16 years in Goa
Sun in Goastrong. There is a high probability of “burning out” on the first day and ruining your vacation. Due to the influence of the sea and mountains from the East, the heat in Goa is easily tolerated, except for the period April-October, when it is very hot and humid. Use sunscreen and glasses, drink a little water every half hour, and cover your head. And don’t even think about falling asleep on the beach in the open sun. It's unlikely that anyone will wake up.
Click on any picture and it will enlarge
The sea in Goa is very warm.On the waterbe careful themselves and keep an eye on your children. This is not a trivial warning, the coast of Goa is washed by the open Arabian Sea or the Indian Ocean, and this is a powerful natural element. There are almost always waves near the shore. More calm in the morning. Do not go into the sea when there is a strong wind and the water knocks you off your feet as soon as you enter. Such days are rare, but occur during the period March-October. Many expensive glasses and beautiful swimsuits were left in the ocean. In November-February you can enjoy calmer seas. There are no sharks or stingrays in the sea near the beaches, since the shore is shallow. Small jellyfish and sea snakes are rarely found in the water near the shore, but they do not pose a danger. All beaches in Goa are sandy. Choose your beach in Goa
When is the best time to go on holiday to Goa?.The usual air temperature during the tourist season from November to February is no more than +30°C, and the water is at +27°C. Humidity is low. In the evening it is pleasant and not stuffy. It's cool at night and there's no need for air conditioning. In March, April and May it is more humid, the air temperature is +35°C, the sea is even warmer, but less calm. These months are humid and therefore difficult to sleep at night without air conditioning.
What to take with you. Take an empty suitcase. Leave your heels and evening dresses at home - there's nowhere to wear them. You won't need anything other than shorts, a T-shirt, sandals and hygiene items. All of the above can be bought locally, although in the south of Goa the stores may be far from some hotels. Return tourists are usually packed with kilograms of souvenirs and various purchases, mostly unnecessary, such as drums, but for some reason people find out about this already at home. Local alcoholic drinks in Goa are of high quality and cheap; there is no need to stock up on bottles at the airport Duty Free.
Be positive.According to reviews, every third tourist on the first day of their stay in Goa sadly asks himself the question: “Why did I come here?” The next morning, or by the evening, everyone is absolutely happy, and when they leave they literally cry and then return again. Keep it up! Try to notice pleasant things, and treat unusual ones, such as: cows on the beach, garbage here and there, the service is leisurely and far from ideal, a lizard in the room (even in a 5* hotel room) as local exotica. You can’t live here, and you still can’t change India, where 17% of the Earth’s inhabitants live. Goa is good. And it’s good not only because of the beautiful weather and sea, but when we have slush and cold. Good psychologically. In our material world, we go crazy from unnecessary thoughts, such as: “I need to behave in society this way and not otherwise; what I look like; what they will say about me; what to wear...” In Goa it is enough to wear at least something and forward - be yourself. In Goa, it’s like in a village, where everything is simple and that’s why it’s good. If you smile, all doors are open for you and problems are solved. “Who would have thought that happy people, it turns out, live in India,” you say.
Roads and traffic in Goa. Driving in India is on the left. Roads are often repaired, but in some places they quickly become unusable due to heavy rains in the summer. INdriving on country roads are present hummocks, holes, not marked in any way"speed bumps". Sidewalks are a rare occurrence and only in developed areas. The lighting on the streets is poor. When you are driving, you must always be attentive in order to have time to react to a dog, cow or person that suddenly jumps onto the road. Speeds in Goa are low, often no more than 50 km/h. It is a myth that there are no road rules in India. Drivers simply do not follow some points of these rules: they never turn on the turn signal when moving, they rarely turn it on even when turning, they are often blinded by high beam headlights, they may accelerate too much inappropriately, they often honk for the wrong reasons (for example, a bus with its “just in case” signal it can “scare the hell out of” tourists on the road), almost all of them do not know how to make quick reverse maneuvers. All local drivers, however, have a driving license. Having dealt with some of the subtleties, you understand that the roads in Goa are generally safe. Most often, safety depends on the tourist himself.
Goa is not an island andnot even a peninsula. This The smallest of the 28 states of India, the coastline is only 105 km long if you fly by plane in a straight line. The local population is 1 million 300 thousand (with up to 2 million people coming from other places in India to work and tourists). The state is divided into 2 parts: south Goa and north Goa, which differ from each other.
South Goa. Almost all hotels here are 4-5*. In response to demand, many simpler hotels have appeared. The top seven hotels in south Goa are Leela, Park Hayat, Grand Hayat, Taj Exotica, Lalit, Alila Diwa and Ramada. These hotels have their own large area with access to the beach. Hotels in south Goa are located at a considerable distance from the entertainment centers of the northern part of the state. Most often it is far from the busiest places in southern Goa. The beaches are wide with dense sand near the shore. In some places, the sand creaks underfoot, like snow in cold weather, for example, on Mobor-Cavelossim beach. It happens that tourists in south Goa become unbearably bored after a week, especially young people. Outside the hotel no no entertainment. For a lazy or tired person from work, or a lover of a luxurious holiday, we advise you to stay in high-status hotels in South Goa, where there is everything you need for a comfortable stay. But even such people ask themselves the question: “What, exactly, is the state so famous for, what interesting places to visit in Goa and where to have fun here?” And in search of an answer they go to the northern part. Getting here will take from 1 hour and will cost at least 1500 - 2000 Rp for a taxi one way. We have an interesting excursion with a Russian guide Trip to North Goa, in which you can get to know Goa perfectly in a day, without missing out on a beach holiday and without experiencing fatigue after the trip.
North Goa. Want toinexpensive holiday? Is the hotel just a place to stay overnight? Can't sitAre you in one place and like to walk around shops and stores, markets and nightclubs, cafes and restaurants, so that there is plenty to choose from? Definitely you should go to the north of Goa. And if you can’t refuse a luxurious hotel room, then there are good hotels in this part, but without their own huge territory, like in south Goa. Description of North Goa.
Nightclubs in Goa devoted to separate page: Where to have fun in Goa.
Tips for tourists in Goa from tourists of the company "Rossiyanka" - excursions to Goa. Telephone/ WhatsApp: (+91) 98-90-39-1997, in Russia: +7 921 6363 986. Do you have your own advice? Write to us. Publication of this article and photographs is permitted only with an active link to.
Markets of North Goa. We recommend visiting the Arpora night market on Saturdays. This is a very popular place in Goa. Here you can buy fashionable things and wonderful souvenirs. And also eat, listen to a live concert, and show yourself and look at others. The authorities decided that the popularity of this night market is too high and is always accompanied by traffic jams unprecedented in Goa. Therefore, his backup appeared 500 m from the main one. It's basically the same thereoh, but it’s calmer and the atmosphere is not the same. On Wednesdays, you can visit the day market in Anjuna - the largest souvenir and clothing bazaar in Goa. The market is right next to the beach. Take swimsuits. All the benches at the market are covered, so you don’t have to walk under the scorching sun. If it's a little hot, head to Lillipoot Restaurant. There are sun loungers on the beach, you can have a snack and listen to good music. Another coastal restaurant, Looda, offers a live concert.
There are three Tibetan markets in Calangute and Baga. T I mainly buy women's jewelry made of silver and turquoise, various metal crafts, and music CDs. Bargaining with Tibetans is not easy. Among food markets, we note one Market in Calangute, a little further from the main street. There are the cheapest pineapples (about 70 Rp), grapes (110 Rp), papaya (40 Rp), apples (20 Rp per piece), passion fruit (25 Rp per piece), physalis, figs, bananas, lime, kiwi, vegetables and fresh seafood. The bazaar in Mapusa is even cheaper; the residents of northern Goa themselves buy women's clothing, saris, and other goods and products there, but it takes 25 minutes by taxi. There are no souvenirs for sale, as tourists rarely meet there.
Fun on the water. offered at Cavelossim, Colva and Utorda beaches in South Goa. In North Goa, points can be found at the very end of Baga Beach, in the center of Calangute Beach and at the very beginning of Candolim. The jet ski costs $30 for 20 minutes. Parachute ride behind the boat $30. There is a banana boat ride. Payment only in rupees. You won't catch anything big while fishing. We do not recommend the boat trip due to the dirty beach at the lunch location. You can snorkel from October to February at Grand Unity Islandlocated in Goa, but the depth is only 3-6 meters. In other months, waves begin and the water becomes cloudy. For excellent diving you should go to another state of Karnataka O. Netrani Tourists willingly bring from Goa silver jewelry (though they are of rough workmanship), cheap jewelry, jewelry stones, precious items, handmade cashmere shawls and silk carpets, souvenirs made of wood and bronze, hanging chairs and hammocks made of jute, cheap women's bags, Indian clothes and shoes. Tourists willingly buy unusual stylish items produced by hippies who live in Goa and sell at the night market in Arpora, who once came to Goa from Europe. Russians love the local 7-year-old Old Monk rum. In the shops of the capital Panaji, tourists buy bed linen and towels made of the highest quality cotton, women's Indian Punjabi clothing and saris, shoes, cashew nuts growing in Goa, products from stores: Hilfiger, Levi's, Adidas, Nike. Regular prices in Goa as for major sale in Russia. For example, a men's Lacoste shirt costs $50. Real Ray Ban sunglasses from $70 to $120. For comparison, in Russia such things are twice as expensive. Good children's clothes can be purchased in Beneton and Lillipoot stores, wonderful bags, backpacks and suitcases at Samsonite.
The tour operator's guide will definitely offer a shopping tour, and for free. The disadvantages are that they are delivered primarily to expensive stores, and that they pay a commission to the guide; you have to ride a bus with a large group and walk in a crowd, looking at your watch. We recommend that you take a taxi or take a bus yourself and come to Panaji. For example, it takes half an hour to drive from Candolim, Baga and Calangute. A car for three costs no more than 700 Rp. The driver is expected to wait for you for 3 hours at no additional charge. Pay the full amount after meeting the taxi driver. You can entrust "Russian Woman" with such a trip, for example, by teaming up with other tourists. Our Toyotas can accommodate 6-7 passengers and the price per car will be Rp 1400.
Profitable. While holidaying in Goa, many foreigners order glasses and have their teeth treated. It's cheaper than ours and quite high quality. The equipment of dental offices is Japanese or Italian. The most expensive filling made from German materials costs $40.
Indian massage called Ayurvedic. There are many salons in north Goa. Approximate prices: 60 minutes 4-hand massage + 20 minutes steam bath + 15 minutes face mask costs 1800 Rp. Head and face massage: 30 minutes for 350 Rp. Indian massage involves stroking the body rather than hard working on the muscles. The main goal of such a massage is to remove negative energy and restore the correct flow of energy in the body. Therapeutic massage costs more - from 2000 Rp per session. For example, during Shirodvara, oil is poured on the head for half an hour. This is how migraines and nervous disorders are treated.
For those who are accustomed to high service and perfect cleanliness, we recommend Snip Salon & Spa in Candolim. There are no Indians working there - only Thais and Indonesians. And the massage, respectively, is Thai, Japanese and Indonesian. There is no Ayurveda here. Massage and steam bath cost Rp 1800 + 13% tax. The salon also offers haircuts, manicures, pedicures, head and neck massage, and foot massage.
Where we do not recommend going is to large Ayurvedic centers, which are literally “sold” by the guides of the host travel company. Having figured out the prices in Goa after a couple of days, people realize that they overpaid twice. According to tourists, the best relaxing massage is on the beach. In most cases, it is the ideal combination of low price (450 Rp per hour), quality and pleasure. Beach massage therapists do not hide the fact that they do not use expensive oils and make do with coconut oil. And clients don’t mind.
Customs of the Russian Federation and p transportation of large and unaccompanied baggage Here .
“He went to Goa and disappeared,”a phrase that was born in the 60-70s of the pastcentury. Then, indeed, all post offices in the state of Goa were plastered with advertisements of parents trying to find their children who had left for Goa from European and American countries in search of paradise. And now people are disappearing, but only for six months, while the season and visa allow. And they often make such a decision spontaneously - they simply don’t want to return home. Just in case, when you go on vacation to Goa, don’t forget to finish important things at home and repay your debts...
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Useful tips for tourists in Goa - what to buy, where to stay, which beach to choose, how much money to take with you, where to go and what to do.
What to bring from Goa
If you are going on holiday and don't know what to bring from Goa, then you will need to check out the Anjuna market and the night markets in Arpora. The assortment in all Goan markets is the same, and so are the prices.
There are no large shops and shopping centers where you can go shopping in Goa, so you are welcome to the market where the sellers are Indians and foreign hippies.
The most useful things that you can bring from Goa may be tea, spices, cosmetics, coconut oil, cashmere clothing and leather goods.
An absolute waste of money would be buying T-shirts and exotic clothes like Indian saris, which tourists usually throw away right in Goa, since firstly, no one will wear them at home, and secondly, these clothes will only withstand one wash. The quality of clothes purchased at the market in Goa fully corresponds to the price. For example, T-shirts and light pants can be bargained here for 200 rupees, although at first they want 500 rupees for them. The sellers themselves purchase this product in bulk for $1 each. Naturally, you don’t mind spending that kind of money on disposable clothes, but it’s clearly not worth bringing them home from Goa.
If you don’t decide what to bring from Goa, then look at leather belts, bags and wallets, which are of pretty good quality. Tea is sold in the markets both loose and packaged at the factory. There are also sets of different types of tea in bags and tea in beautiful wooden boxes. The most popular types of tea here are Darjeeling, Assam and Masala.
Sets of spices are sold here for 100 rupees, but again, these sets do not contain those spices that could not be bought from us.
Souvenir lovers will appreciate figurines of elephants of various sizes, figurines of Buddha and Indian deities. The cost of figurines is from 100 rupees, depending on the size and material. As for shoes, they sell flip-flops at a price of 200 rupees per pair. Hippies at the market sell singing bowls, baubles and other decorations.
Sun hats here cost from 200 rupees apiece, and sunglasses are sold for the same price. T-shirts in Goa do not have a wide variety and, just like in other tourist countries, here you can see T-shirts with Che Guevara, Bob Marley and the inscription Superman. You can also buy a towel with Buddha or elephant Ganesha and bring it from Goa as a gift.
One way or another, all the things that can be brought from Goa will be for lovers of eastern currents.
What to take with you
When going on vacation to India for the first time, tourists think about the question of what to take with them to Goa? This resort is not much different from other tropical resorts, so we put a standard beach set in our luggage.
In Goa, you should take a flashlight, as in the evening and at night you will have to walk along unlit streets from beach restaurants to your hotel. Most of the villages near the beach are a field with a winding path, on which guest houses and hotels periodically come across. There is no lighting at night, so a flashlight will be high on the list of what to take with you to Goa. For example, on Baga beach there are shops where you can buy a flashlight, but on other Goa beaches it will be difficult to find one upon arrival.
Goa is different, for example, from Thailand, where tourists are given free maps of the area at the airport and at resorts, so you will really need a map of Goa and you should stock it up at home. You can download an electronic map to your phone and, in addition, take with you a guide to Goa with a map.
If you take any medications, you should definitely take them with you, since due to the complete lack of infrastructure on most beaches, even if you really want to, you won’t find a pharmacy here. On the second or third day of arriving in Goa, most tourists experience diarrhea, i.e. My stomach hurts from local exotic cuisine. Pre-purchased tablets should help you.
It’s not worth taking a bunch of clothes with you from home, because here you can buy basic things such as swimming trunks, shorts, T-shirts, flip-flops and sun hats for 2-3 dollars per item. The quality may not be the best, but after the holidays you don’t mind throwing away such things.
You can take sun cream, since on the first day you are unlikely to find a store here with the necessary product. Be sure to take personal hygiene items and perfume, because it is not possible to find these things upon arrival. If you plan to stay in hotels of a lower category, then exactly what you need to take with you to Goa is a padlock. Cases of theft are common in cheap hotels and guest houses.
There is no place to dry things in the hotel and many tourists hang their towels, for example, on chairs that are placed on the balcony. Bring a clothesline with you to Goa. You may need mosquito repellents, and they take up little space. In some places in Goa, mosquitoes simply eat tourists alive.
And of course, the most important thing you should take with you to Goa is a passport with a visa, air tickets, cash dollars, a payment card and a hotel reservation. And the camera will help you preserve the most vivid impressions in your memory.
Prices for Goa
Prices in Goa for food, drinks, transport rental, services and excursions can vary significantly depending on the locality and your ability to bargain. All the prices we list for Goa and India are approximate so that you can base yourself on them.
Food prices in Goa
Juices - 50-100 rupees.
First courses - 100-200 rupees.
Second courses - 100-300 rupees.
Sandwich - 150 rupees.
Dinner with beer - 300 rupees.
Breakfast - 250 rupees.
Beer in a store - 40-80 rupees, in a cafe - 100-150 rupees.
Tea - 30 rupees.
Coffee - 30 rupees.
Fresh - 60 rupees.
Omelet - 90 rupees.
Pancakes - 80 rupees.
Lobster - 1000-1300 rupees per 1 kg.
Old Monk rum - 250 rupees per bottle.
Accommodation prices in Goa
A room in an average hotel costs 1000-1500 rupees.
A room in a guest house - 400-600 rupees.
Prices for transport in Goa
Ride by tuk-tuk - 50-100 rupees.
Taxi - 300-600 rupees.
Bicycle rental - 50-100 rupees per day.
Prices for motorbike rental in Goa
per day - 200-300 rupees.
week - 1500 rupees.
month - 4000-5000 rupees.
Prices for services in Goa
Internet cafe - 40-60 rupees per hour.
Laundry - 10 rupees per item.
Excursion to Goa - 500-1000 rupees per day.
Prices for clothes in Goa
T-shirt - 200 rupees.
Light pants, including “Ali Baba” - 200 rupees.
Flip flops - 200-500 rupees.
Sun hat - 200 rupees.
Prices for souvenirs in Goa
Elephant figurines - from 100 rupees.
Buddha figurines and masks - from 500 rupees.
Fridge magnets - from 40 rupees.
Jewelry - from 100 rupees.
Set of three types of tea 150 gr. - from 300 rupees.
Goa is not an expensive resort, so you won’t need a lot of money, since there is simply nothing to spend it on here. With a rational approach, living expenses per month will cost no more than $300. The same amount for food with alcohol. Renting a scooter costs another 80-90 dollars. Even compared to other Asian resorts, prices in Goa will be lower. The secret lies in the fact that Goa is aimed specifically at the budget audience, who want to relax away from the benefits of civilization. Prices in North Goa, which is considered a paradise for the poor, will be lower than in the south of the state. Those foreigners who have already settled in India for a long period can significantly save their budget on accommodation and food. Just like the local population, foreigners become vegetarians after some time, which also reduces food costs.
When is the best time to go to Goa?
When planning a beach holiday in India, you need to find out when is the best time to vacation in Goa. Travel agencies begin to actively offer tours to Goa in November, and the peak season is observed from December to February. In March and April, the weather in Goa allows you to comfortably spend time on the beach and swim in the sea. Those. in short, you will do the right thing if you go on vacation to Goa from November to April.
From May to October, holidays in Goa are not advisable and that is why tour operators do not offer this destination during this period. In summer, Goa is dominated by the monsoon season, which entails daily rains and strong waves. Even if the rain has stopped, swimming in the sea will be impossible due to the waves.
Of course, it is true that during the off-season, prices for accommodation fall, but the beach restaurants, which are called shakes here, are almost all closed. On the beach you can feel like you are on a desert island, since there are almost no tourists. Those who are planning to party in Goa will definitely not go there in the summer and early autumn. The best period for a holiday in Goa is the winter months.
When is the best time to go to Goa with children? Again, you can relax all year round, but the period without rain and waves is observed from November to April. And any beach is suitable for relaxing with kids.
Many pensioners are afraid to go to North Goa, mistakenly believing that there is loud music and crowds of drug addicts dancing on the beaches around the clock. If you do not look for such parties and similar companies, then these events and people will not come to your attention. North Goa is as calm as South Goa, only prices are probably lower, but not significantly.
Having decided when is the best time to vacation in Goa, you can look at the calendar of Indian holidays and find out which ones fall during your vacation. Lying on the beach every day in the company of humpbacked cows will get boring after a couple of days, but participating in a fun Indian celebration will be remembered for a long time.
The most significant influx of white tourists to Goa can be seen during the New Year period, so to have a fun time you should go from December to January.
One of the most beautiful and attractive places for tourism is the Indian state of Goa, which is rightfully considered one of the best holiday destinations not only in India, but throughout Asia.
A little history
Goa is a small, or rather the smallest, state of India, located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, a little south of Bombay. This is a former Portuguese colony. The capital of Goa is Panaji, and the largest city in the state is Vasco da Gama. And although the population of the state is considered the smallest in India, nevertheless, about one and a half million people live here.
Everyone knows that the first European to set foot on Indian soil is Vasco da Gama, who reached the shores of India on his ship in 1498. But the first European and conqueror of Goa was Afonso d’Albuquerque, this happened in 1510. After conquering this state, he became viceroy of the Portuguese colonial empire of the East Indies.
Old Goa has many churches, which is why it was once called the “city of churches”. The architecture of the churches is so beautiful that it surpasses the beauty of all Christian churches of the East.
Currently, Goa is an international tourism center in India, far ahead of tourism in other states of India. Since 1960, many countries have opened their air links with it. Currently, in Russia, almost all international airports in large cities fly to Goa.
The indigenous population is represented by growers and hippies. They are also called “flower children”; back in the 60s they fell in love with Goa, and since then this place has become for them an island of freedom and love.
Today I invite you to take a short trip to this beautiful region and see India through the eyes of my daughter, who recently visited there. This will be a story and advice from a simple Russian tourist about what surprised her and advice for those who may be planning to go there. It turns out that a holiday in Goa is no more expensive than, for example,
- Goa has 100 kilometers of beautiful beaches located on the shores of the Arabian Sea. There is northern Goa and southern Goa. The difference between them is that in the south there are more expensive and comfortable hotels. But this does not imply a holiday in northern Goa. It should be noted that this is not a party place, but a place for relaxation, meditation, nirvana, finding yourself in this world.
- The official language of the Goyas is Konkani. Locals communicate with tourists in English, but it is a very difficult dialect of English. But if you don’t speak English, don’t despair, a lot of Russians and Ukrainians vacation here, so you won’t get lost.
- Most tourists travel around Goa on bikes. Bikes are something similar to scooters, but behind the driver there is a double seat that is closed at the top and at the sides. Scooters are an integral part of life here; you can’t live without them. It should also be noted that the traffic here is on the left, the roads are narrow and therefore moving independently in cars requires certain skills.
- Everyone knows that cows in India are sacred animals. But the cows there are something between cows in our understanding and goats, they are small in stature. Only bulls walk the streets, and they do not disdain garbage dumps. But specifically, you won’t see cows on the streets, they are at home, they are not allowed out. When the Hindus were asked: “How much milk does a cow give?”, the answer was: “1 liter per day.” When they were explained that our cows give 10 liters of milk in the morning and the same amount in the evening, their surprise knew no bounds.
- If you come to Goa and want variety, then don’t sit in one place. Don't sunbathe on one beach. Go to a new beach every day. There are enough of them here. Each new place will give you many new impressions, meeting new people, meeting new sights. Visit Dudhsagar with its beautiful waterfalls and rivers with crystal clear water, drive and walk through real jungles, feed the monkeys, of which there are a lot. Don't forget to visit South Goa. At the end of the article, watch a video about such a walk.
- Day in Goa quickly turns into night within 20 minutes, and day after night comes just as quickly. The water in the sea is clean and warm. Average annual sea temperature + 28 +29 °, and in May +30°. Women, be careful when swimming, especially when there are waves. Indian men love to grope Russian women.
- Riding an elephant does not bring any special emotions. They ride elephants on 3 routes: large, medium and small. The average one costs 1200 rupees (600 rubles) and takes 5 minutes. But this time is enough to take pictures with the elephants.
- But the most memorable thing is the complete unsanitary conditions. Everywhere. Therefore, neat people, be prepared for this. While in Goa, try to wash your hands as often as possible, wipe not only your hands with the alcohol wipes you brought with you, but also cutlery (spoons, forks). Without following these basic rules of hygiene, you can get an intestinal infection, which is much more severe for us, since we have no immunity to the causative agents of intestinal infections.
- Despite the poverty of the local population, Indians work very hard. But at the same time, they are always friendly and helpful, which creates the impression of complete peace and happiness when you are here. When the girls asked to be photographed with them and were given 50 rupees for this, they agreed to pray for them.
- Goa is practically the equator and all dreams come true there. My girls were convinced of this in practice. They really didn’t want to leave this friendly land, they made a wish to stay here at least for a little while longer. Result: the plane was delayed for another 8 hours!
