Goa by Air
The Dabolim Airport is located 29 kilometres from the state’s capital, Panjim. It is well connected by daily flights from Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Cochin and Bangalore.
Goa by Train
The two major railheads in Goa are Madgaon and Thivim, which are well connected by trains from all over the country.
Goa by Bus
There are a number of public as well as private bus operators in Goa, which offer options for intra-city and inter-city conveyance. KSRTC, MSRTC and KTC are some of the Government undertakings that operate from Panaji, Madgaon and Vasco Da Gama. Private bus operators include Neeta Tour and Travels, Paulo Travels and Naik Tours and Travels. Goa enjoys daily bus service from important cities like Mumbai and Pune.
BEST TIME TO GET THERE
The best months to visit the party capital, Goa are Mid-November to Mid-February . During this phase, the weather is pleasant and it’s a retreat to relax on the beaches amidst other tourists.
Besides Christmas and New Year celebrations, the Goa SUNBURN FESTIVAL happens in December. Do book your hotels in advance as this is the peak season and rates of accommodation may be high .
HOW TO GET AROUND?
Taxi
Goa is VERY WELL accessible by roads and it’s not hard to get decent rates for taxis or rented cars. One can either book a taxi in advance from tour operators/taxi rentals or hire cabs on a direct payment basis from the airport or railway station.
Self-Drive
Hiring cars and motorcycles on self-drive basis is popular in Goa. This is the best and most economical ways to tour the beach capital on your own.
WHAT TO CARRY TO YOUR GOA TRIP?
LUGGAGE AND BAGS
Carry an extra NORMAL sized suitcase as you would NEED it to bring back the goodies that you buy there.
CLOTHING/SHOES/WEATHER GEAR
Try to dress up in your MOST comfortable attire so as to feel fresh throughout the day. You may carry –
• Shorts/T-shirts for the Days
• Thin tops, cropped cotton trousers or loose skirts and flat sandals for the Nights Avoid heels
• Do carry an UMBRELLA for unexpected showers
TOILETRIES AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES
• Toothbrush
• Shower Gel
• Shampoo
• Moisturiser
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito Repellent
• Towels
• Sunglasses
• Lip Balm
• Sanitary Napkins
• Personal Toiletries Kit consisting of other essentials.
You NEED NOT carry medicines along with you as there exist a thousand and one chemists across the length and breadth of the state. They’re both accessible and affordable.
ELECTRONICS
• A camera/Video-cam that can capture ALL your top notch moments.
• Extra memory cards.
• Carry chargers and don’t forget to keep your batteries FULLY charged while leaving.
• Do carry three pin sockets.
DO’S AND DON’T’S
• Carry your wallet/cash/credit cards in the inside pocket or a side trouser pocket- NEVER in the rear pocket.
• Prefer to take small amount of money according to your travel need and cost with you prefers to withdraw money from ATMs when necessary.
• Do not leave valuables, important documents, passports unattended in your room. Keep them safely stored in the hotel’s safe deposit box.
• In case of business meetings, never hold meetings at unknown places.
• While checking in and checking out, hand over luggage to only official hotel bell porters.
• For privacy and peace, prefer hitting the less crowded beaches instead of those famous ones.
• From Chinese to Thai, you get EACH cuisine in Goa but what you mustn’t miss is the SEAFOOD.
• Do not forget to apply SPF/ UV protectors.
• Keep your feet clean; avoid barefoot walking to prevent any kind of fungal infections.
• Take good care of your drinking water; always prefer a sealed bottle of mineral water for drinking.
• Nothing has a fixed rate in city, from taxi fares to household goods so don’t forget to bargain.
• Possession of drugs and its trade is illegal in city and if you’re caught, you might have to pay huge penalty to the Police or even end up in the prison for 10 years. BEWARE.
WHERE TO STAY?
Pousada Tauma
A well-constructed and landscaped boutique hotel, Pousada Tauma is located at the corner of Calangute. Once you're inside this luxurious and exotic place, the rest of the world would feel far, far away. It offers guests Ayurvedic treatment to help replenish body and soul. A free shuttle service to the beach is also provided.
Casa Candolim
Located right on clean Candolim beach, and with only four well-appointed rooms, this boutique hotel is actually more like a beach house. Casa Candolim is ideal for anyone looking to stay somewhere a little different. It's like a home away from home, with delightful personalized service. There's no swimming pool but the beach is at the doorstep.
Presa Di Goa Country
The charming and captivating Presa di Goa Country House is carefully restored Portuguese manor that's furnished in traditional colonial style. Located in a peaceful village around 10 minutes drive from Baga beach, the hotel offers a cosy and tranquil escape in Goa.
Sur La Mer
Sur La Mer is a welcoming boutique hotel, with outstanding hospitality, for discerning guests. In the form of a Spanish style villa, it's located close to many trendy bars and restaurants at Morjim beach, including Bardo and La Plage.
Coco Shambhala
Coco Shambhala is a collection of four stylish luxury villas that have been voted amongst the "25 Best Beach Villas in the World" by Conde Nast Traveller. The aim is to provide guests with a unique experience that exceeds expectations.
La Mangrove
La Mangrove adds a new dimension to glamming with its chic tipis located close to one of south Goa's best kept secret beaches, Galjibag. The tipis come with their own private attached open-air bathrooms. The European owners have done a fabulous job of creating an idyllic, eco-friendly place where everyone is made to feel at home.
Casa Severina
The restored gloriously restored Casa Severina is more like a home than a boutique hotel, and it will take you back to a bygone era. Decorated in Spanish-Portuguese style and surrounded by landscaped gardens, it has a convenient yet peaceful location between Calangute and Candolim beaches.
WHERE TO EAT?
• KU, Morjim - LIMITED menu but finger licking food and the location & ambience is outstanding.
• Zoori’s, Anjuna – Located right on the cliff, Zoori’s is famous for its Chocolate Souffle.
• Sublime, Morjim – Sublime is the BEST place to tantalise your taste buds with steaks.
• Ganesh Fruit Juice, Chapora – Mouth watering and affordable juice available HERE . The banyan tree next to it is a great place to sit and take some passive smoke of the other kind.
• Salt & Pepper, Little Vagator – Run by a father and his daughters, this place is famous for its burgers.
• Bean Me Up, Vagator - For people who believe in Organic food, this is the place to set foot in.
• Cafe Chocolatti, Candolim- Great brownies, sandwiches, English breakfast and of course home-made chocolates.
• Villa Blanche, Assagaon - A bistro and a bakery, located in a nice old villa in Assagaon, one of Goa’s most charming villages. If you want to eat authentic European food, this could be your choice.
FAMOUS MARKETS
Anjuna Flea Market - The flea market at Anjuna Beach is one of the most important shopping destinations in North Goa. Held every Wednesday, this market is the perfect place to shop till you drop. Here, bargaining works very WELL and the products on offer include everything ranging from handicrafts and clothes to jewellery and funky accessories.
Saturday Night Bazaar, Arpora - This market offers an exciting mix of shopping opportunities ranging from foodstuff, herbs and spices to handicrafts, bags, accessories, designer jewellery, rugs and carpets. The “night” factor of the Arpora market not only allows you to shop while the weather is pleasant but also adds a happening feel to it.
Mapusa Market - Mapusa market is the Goan bazaar for most of the week, where local traders bring in their usual fare except for Fridays, when the market turns into a platform for Goan entrepreneurs to showcase their produce in the most vibrant fashion.
Panjim Market - A must-visit for all those who wish to carry a bit of Goa back with them, this market offers a variety of goods like wines, cashew nuts, local handicrafts, Goan spices and also has a multiplex and an array of eateries in the vicinity.
Calangute Market Square - One of the most frequented beach spots in North Goa, Calangute features its own market with an array of stalls and shacks selling everything from clothes, beachwear, sea shells, local handicrafts, trinkets and carpets to lots of seafood snacks and beer.
ADVENTURE SPORTS IN GOA
Water Sports, Dolphin Watching, Zoological Parks, Nature Walks/Tours, John’s Boat Day Tours, Hem Travels Day Tours, Goa Tourism Backwater Thrills Day Tours and Konkan Explorers Day Tour.
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