Travel to Goa: A Complete Guide for First-Timers

Goa is a top tourist destination for travelers coming to India. With its rich history, stunning beaches and chilled out vibes, it’s no question why everyone should travel to Goa!

A vacation to Goa is unlike a vacation you will take anywhere else in India. The culture and lifestyle is unique and it’s accustomed to welcoming tourists from all over the world.

Get ready to travel to Goa with this guide. You’ll find information in this post about the best time to visit, best beaches, things to do, what to pack, and more!

Goa is situated on India’s western coast. For a long time, it was a Portuguese colony under Portuguese control. It became India’s smallest state when it officially joined the country in 1987. When you travel to Goa today, you can easily see the history in its colonial architecture. 

Goa is most famous for its beautiful beaches! It’s a great place to relax, swim, enjoy water sports or just soak in the sun. While many tourists travel to Goa for a relaxing beachy-type getaway, there are also breathtaking places to visit inland with its tropical climate.

This post is all about travel to Goa.

Travel to Goa

Best Time to Visit Goa

The best time to visit Goa is in the winter between November – March. This is the peak season and has the best weather. The average temperature at this time is around 80 degrees F (27C). It’s perfect because it’s sunny, not too hot, and no rain.

March – May isn’t the best time to visit Goa because it becomes really hot (especially in May!). But, it’s still okay to travel if you don’t mind the heat, plus you can cool off in the sea. The average temperature is in the upper 80s (30C), but the air feels heavy and hot.

Don’t plan to travel to Goa between June – October. This is monsoon season! Many shops, stalls, food joints, and beach restaurants completely close down during these months and there is not much to do. Expect it to rain every day if you travel then.

I have traveled to Goa during monsoon several times, but the whole vibe is very different. There is not a lot of excitement and not many people around. Things are closed and you can’t spend much time at the beach because it rains all the time.

Travel to Goa (How to get there and how to get around)

There are 2 major airports in Goa: Goa International Airport (Dabolim Airport) is in central/south Goa near the capital city, Panaji. Manohar International Airport is a new airport in North Goa.

You can get a pre-paid taxi from either airport to your stay. I recommend hiring pre-paid ones unless you feel confident you can bargain and get a fair price otherwise. Pre-paid taxi services have set rates and will have a chart with various cities and cost for each. You can take your taxi driver’s number if they are willing and have them drive you back to the airport at the end of your trip too!

Once you are at your stay in Goa, it’s common for tourists to rent a scooty (moped). In the smaller beach towns, it’s very easy to get around with minimal traffic. The traffic in the cities like Panaji or Mapusa is also reasonable to drive in if you’re comfortable (unlike other cities in India!).

In the beach towns, you won’t find rickshaws. If you don’t want to rent a scooty, you can ask your hotel for a taxi and they should be able to provide you with a contact. It’s very easy to find a driver if you ask around.

Best Places to Stay in Goa (AKA the best Goa beaches!)

When looking for the best places to stay in Goa, one of the first choices you’ll have to make is if you want to travel to North or South Goa. North Goa is known for its lively beaches, vibrant nightlife, and touristy vibe. South Goa offers a more serene and tranquil atmosphere with less-crowded beaches and a focus on relaxation.

To be honest, I think no matter where you go you can enjoy your vacation the way you want to. Parties don’t only happen in the north and you can still find relaxing, chilled out beach vibes away from the south.

Here are some of the best beaches depending on what you are looking for. For more suggestions on where to stay, check out these best 7 beaches in Goa!

Arambol or Anjuna: These are in north Goa and are popular for their hippy and party vibes.

Palolem: Located in South Goa, this is a great chilled out beach with a lot to do. It’s great for families traveling to Goa. 

Baga or Calangute: These are the best beaches in Goa if you’re an adventure seeker looking to enjoy water sports.

Things to Do in Goa

Beaches

Naturally, the top things to do in Goa are at the beach! Most people traveling to Goa will enjoy relaxing on the shores and swimming in the sea. Imagine your typical beach vibes vacay.

You can also enjoy delicious food at the beach sacks and have a candlelight dinner with your toes in the sand after sunset.

Travelers can also enjoy various water sports, depending on the beach you’re at. There’s surfing, parasailing, kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, and more! There are a ton of companies and little businesses that can set you up with everything you need for cheap prices.

Cities

Panaji and Mapusa are the main cities in Goa. I wouldn’t recommend staying there because they are just typical city places and you’ll have a more relaxing or adventurous time elsewhere. But, you can spend a day or two exploring the cities and taking in the colonial architecture. There are some beautiful churches to see.

Waterfalls, Museums, Nature, and more!

Stepping away from the beach, there are many stunning things to do inland as well. You can visit different museums to learn about the history and culture. There are also nice waterfalls to hike around and enjoy. For more ideas on things you can do besides sunbathing in the sand, check out these popular Goa tourist places away from the beach!

Packing and Goa Outfit Ideas

Goa has a lot of tourists, and that means how you pack for Goa is not similar to other places in the country! Many places in India are more conservative and you would want to cover up. In Goa, anything works.

You can wear bikinis, shorts, and tank tops around Goa. If you are at a beach with less foreign tourists or traveling during monsoon/down season, you will get some stares. But in general, if you are at a popular beach with other foreign travelers, it’s common to see more skin.

I wear shorts, t-shirts and tank tops daily when I stay in Goa. You can also pack cute dresses and swim coverups. Basically, just pack as you normally would if you’re going for a beach vacation.For more details on what to include in your suitcase, check out this ultimate India packing list!

Nearby Destinations in India

Many tourists who travel to Goa also combine their trip with other destinations in India. Here are some popular nearby places to visit before or after you visit Goa!

Mumbai

Mumbai is a 1-1.5 hour flight from Goa. There are also overnight trains and buses for cheap. Mumbai is a popular city in India for tourists and is a famously safe city for female travelers. You can spend a few days in Mumbai in addition to your trip to Goa. Mumbai will give you a peak at city life in India. There are some popular tourist sites like the Taj Hotel, Gateway of India and Marine Drive that are worth checking out. You can also find a ton of unique and delicious restaurants or join in the vibrant nightlife scenes. To experience the city more like a local, check out these 15 unique things to do in Mumbai!

Kerala

Kochi is the most popular city in Kerala for tourists and is only a 1.5-2 hour flight from Goa. Trains and buses are also cheaply available and run overnight. 

Kerala is famous for its incredible landscapes and breathtaking nature. There are some amazing nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries to visit! It also has a rich culture and delicious south Indian food.

Kochi is a great city to visit and you can find a lot of travel companies to arrange for small day trips nearby. I recommend taking a boat ride along the Kochi backwaters. You’ll enjoy a day seeing the lagoons, canals, and estuaries that Kochi is famous for.

Hampi

There’s no airport in Hampi, but you can take a train or bus from Goa to reach there. It’s between 6-10 hours and is a cheap ride. You can also hire a driver.

Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the neighboring state, Karnataka. It’s famous for its ancient ruins and has beautifully carved temples. The history here is rich and it’s incredible seeing the ancient architecture.

The natural landscape is unique and is full of giant boulders and hills. Some people say it was the playground for Hanuman, the monkey god. It’s very easy to find a spot to enjoy incredible views of the sunrise and sunset!

Extra Tips for Traveling to Goa

• Be ready to bargain! If you’re shopping in markets or street stalls, don’t accept the first price you’re given. I suggest countering with 50% of the price you’re first given, and work your way from there. It’s very normal for people to bargain when buying things from little shops or people on the beach.
• I recommend carrying cash, but hotels and restaurants will generally accept cards or Gpay. Cash is generally easier though because the wifi and service coverage can be spotty.
• You can get a SIM card from the airport or from small shops around popular beach towns. Don’t expect to have perfect coverage everywhere you go, but it should mostly work and many hotels offer wifi.

This post was about everything you need to know to travel to Goa.