Recommendations for those who travel to Goa for the first time on their own. Preparing for an independent trip to india in goa Stories about traveling to goa

So it took place independent travel in GOA, at the beginning of November 2010, we got together a little spontaneously, really wanted to sunbathe, swim in the waves on a bodyboard and just relax under the palm trees. We bought tickets forcharter flight, VimAvia airlines for 18,000 thousand rubles. Direct scheduled flightsfrom Russia to Goa - no (only with transfers), and only charters fly there directly. There is only one airport in GOA, called Dabolim (designation in booking systems (GOI) . Tour operators buy blocks of seats on these flights and then sell them, either together with package tours or separately, through various travel agencies - you can buy only for those dates that are offered. Most often, you can buy tickets for 7-14 days, prices are set by tour operators.

VISA- in Moscow they issue a maximum of 2 months. We received it on one's own, at India Visa Application Center . To do this, you will need tickets and confirmation of a reservation, any accommodation in India. The cost of obtaining a visa independently, in the visa center - 1915 rubles., in agencies - 2900 rubles., for 2010. The visa is issued within 4-5 working days.

Arriving there, we knew in advance that at the airport (at the exit), there is a small office (booth), for ordering a public taxi, the cost is one -1200 rupees without haggling-up toPalolem beach.There are many taxi drivers, but if you have arrived for the first time, it is better not to contact private traders, although you can negotiate with them for 1100 rupees. We purposefully went to South Goa because we wanted to live on the beautiful and beautiful Palolem beach. Although friends advised us to go to North Goa, because. it's more of a party place.

List of useful things that came in handy:

-towel (not terry), we bought "waffle" - take up less space and dry faster.- a rope for drying swimsuits, towels, things. It was very useful, I learned about it on a very good site about Goa.

Mosquito repellent-charger, battery, flash drive, calculator, notepad, pen, a small teapot and thermo mugs, a knife, garbage bags (30l) came in handy- photocopy of passport and air ticket

Food for the first couple of days of adaptation (cookies, servelat, biscuits, sweets)

-Crent a bungalow on the 1st line it costs 1200-1800 rupees (per day), on the 2nd line 800-1500 rupees (40 meters from the beach), rent a room on the 3rd line, but with a little more amenities (refrigerator, air conditioning, TV) - 80 meters to the beach - 900-1500 rupees (per day)

Easy and cheap access to internet-40 rupees per hour (internet cafe).

Note; many cows, crows, dogs. The dogs are pretty, but it is better not to feed them, otherwise the next day 3-4 of them will come and look with compassionate eyes. On Palolem beach, there is an island on the right side, at low tide it turns into a peninsula, you can visit it along a convenient trodden path, you will see through the bushes - (on the right). stones - a beautiful panorama, beautiful pictures, very romantic, a lot of butterflies, it's wonderful to spend the sunset - I advise.

And now, dear readers, after a brief report, I suggest you listen and see, feel the spirit of India;

When preparing an independent trip, we used the information and advice of visitors to this site.

PHOTO REPORT:

Many people go on their own and for this it is not necessary to use the services of travel agents. The whole process will consist of 4 main points that you can easily complete yourself.

Indian visa

If you decide to go to Goa on your own, then the first thing you will have to take care of is an Indian visa. If you are citizens of Russia or Ukraine, then the Indian consulate now issues six-month visas, according to which you can live without a break for 6 months. Citizens of Belarus are issued Indian visas for 1 month.

To make the most of your visa, you should plan your self-guided visit to Goa at the beginning of November, when the tourist season and favorable climatic conditions begin. Until the end of April, you will be able to enjoy an excellent resort environment.

It will be necessary to fill out a visa application form in English through the website of the consulate. The consulate will need to provide copies of booked round-trip air tickets and hotel reservations. In the near future, it is planned to make it easier for tourists to obtain a visa to India and it will be possible to obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport.

To apply for a visa to India, you will need a round trip. If you buy direct flights to Goa, then this will be the most expensive option. The cheapest tickets will be to Delhi, where you will need to transfer to a local airline and fly to Goa. This way is less comfortable, but more acceptable for budget travelers. You can also buy tickets to Mumbai, where you can buy tickets to Goa. You can take a taxi from Dabolim Airport to your hotel in Goa.

Optionally in Goa for the entire planned period of residence. It will be enough to book for a couple of days to rest from the road. Then you can find a cozy house near the sea on the spot. You can also rent part of the house at a price of $ 7 per day, which is naturally cheaper than living in a hotel.

Be sure while still at home, buy yourself travel insurance for your trip to India for the duration of your trip. It costs a little, but in which case, it will cover your expenses. Especially if you are planning to rent a motorbike, you will not do without insurance. You will observe accidents in Goa with the participation of Russians every day, and only very rich people can afford to pay for treatment in Indian hospitals from their pocket. Keep in mind that standard insurance, which is issued by travel agencies for a trip to Goa, does not reimburse expenses in the event of an accident and extreme sports. When contacting the insurance company, immediately explain what kind of insurance you need and what you plan to do in Goa.

It is best to eat in Goa in beach cafes and restaurants, as they cook delicious food there, and the prices are quite reasonable. There are no supermarkets with a huge selection of food, and many do not want to cook on their own.

Getting around in Goa

The most popular form of transport in Goa is a motorbike. You can either rent it or hire a taxi driver on a moped or motorcycle. Traffic on the roads is not according to the rules, so there is a high probability for foreigners to get into an accident, especially if they do not have much driving experience.

Goa is the smallest state in India, and the most popular among Russian tourists. It is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea in the southwest of the country. Most of those who were there return to Goa again and again. And for those who have not yet been to Goa, I advise you to definitely go, and I hope that this article will help you with this.

What to choose - north or south

Cavelossima beach

The capital of Goa is the city of Panaji.
Goa is traditionally divided into 2 parts - north and south. In the south there are expensive five-star hotels, in the north there are almost none. The beaches in the north are much more crowded, dirtier, and housing and food prices are thought to be slightly lower. If you want a real party, then welcome to the north. The most famous youth beach, famous for its parties all night long, is Calangute. Not far from it is less noisy and cleaner Candolim.

Vagator is popular among dance music lovers. It is not as crowded as Calangute, but there are large stones on it, including under water. Morjim beach was chosen by tourists from Russia, and if you want to meet compatriots, then you are here. Although, by the way, our compatriots can be found in large numbers on any beach in northern Goa. The cleanest of the northern beaches is Arambol, it has almost no infrastructure, the beach is popular among yoga lovers and hippies. On most beaches in North Goa, the sand is yellow or dark (of volcanic origin).
Search for hotels in GOA:

And our path lies to the south. In the south, clean beaches with white sand predominate. Although it can still be called snow-white rather conditionally, it is quite light, clean and creaks underfoot. The main contingent of vacationers are pensioners from the UK. Closest to the airport are the beaches of Valsao and Arossim. Since someone thought of building a large chemical plant not far from them, they have lost their popularity. The plant is clearly visible and looks really ugly. It's pretty clean and deserted here. The beaches are chosen mainly by fishermen, from whom you can buy seafood cheaply.

Despite the popular belief that flying to Goa is too long, this is not entirely true. The flight there lasts only 6 hours with a little, back - an hour longer. It has to do with the rotation of the earth. Flights from Moscow there, as a rule, take off in the evening and arrive in the morning. Accordingly, planes fly back in the morning and arrive in the afternoon. During the flight, they are fed 2 times - first a hot lunch, and then sandwiches and tea.

Visa to India

mobor beach

For Russians traveling to India, it is necessary to apply for a visa in advance. Visas on arrival are currently not issued. Visa can be regular and electronic. A regular visa for a single entry costs $40 when issued independently, and through a tour operator it costs $50. An e-visa is currently issued only for two entries and costs $80. If adults are traveling, then no special documents, except for photographs, are required for a visa. But if a child travels with one of the parents or without parents, then when applying for a regular visa, you will need a notarized consent and a notarized copy of the child’s birth certificate. Also, if the child and mother have different surnames, you need a notarized copy of the marriage or divorce certificate. All these documents require uncertified translations into Russian. Samples of filling out documents can be viewed.
An e-visa is much more popular, as there is no need to go anywhere and no additional documents are required. An electronic visa is not pasted into the passport, but printed on a separate sheet. At Dabolim Airport, upon arrival, people with regular and electronic visas are sent to different queues. The bulk of people are queuing with e-visas. But if you are traveling on a group transfer, then this does not matter to you. For example, after going through the queue with a regular visa in about an hour, we waited for more than an hour for those tourists who had an electronic one. The term of its manufacture is from 1 day, for the usual one - from 3 days.

What is the best way to go to Goa - on your own or through a tour operator

In many ways, the answer to this question depends on how long you are going there. When traveling up to 2 weeks, as a rule, it is more profitable to buy a ready-made tour. Tour operators often include the cost of tickets in package tours lower than when selling them separately. In addition, they often negotiate with hotels for a lower cost of living. It also makes sense to buy a ready-made tour if you are going to an expensive hotel. Just order an individual transfer or take a taxi at the airport, remembering to warn the representative of the tour operator about it. When traveling for a long time, it makes sense to fly on your own. Is it worth booking accommodation in advance? In my opinion, this is worth doing for the first time, so as not to look for accommodation with suitcases and tired from the road. The most popular accommodation facilities in Goa are guest houses or, as they are called for short, guest houses. This is an analogue of the private sector of our Russian south. The price depends on the location, distance from the sea and the availability of amenities. In the north, the cost of a room starts from 400 rubles, in the south - from 700. If breakfast is included in the price, then, as a rule, it is tea or instant coffee and toast. You can pick up a ready-made tour to Goa.
And I, as always, wish you great trips!

Yes, we thought for a long time and decided for a long time, and finally, we decided on a place. However, as it turned out later, we knew practically nothing not only about the country, but also about the rest in it, which, however, did not stop us - there is the Internet where you can find out everything about the proposed place of the trip so that there are no unforeseen surprises already on arrival.

India is an amazing country, but practically unknown to us. All we heard about her was beautiful outfits, dances and songs for any occasion, spices and yoga. Therefore, we had to collect and investigate a lot of information, which until now was of little interest to us. You can read thousands of books about India and Goa in particular and still not understand anything, you can visit thousands of forums and websites and form an erroneous opinion, but it’s easier to just go and see for yourself. However, before you get to India, you will have to overcome many obstacles that complicate life. To begin with, we just looked at a map of the world: all of India, not excluding the state of Goa, is located in the northern hemisphere, which means that summer in Russia and summer in India come at the same time, only the conditions are very different. The high season in Goa is from December to March, many come earlier, as the prices in December-January are too biting, sometimes reaching the point of absurdity (on New Year's Eve, the price of a bike broke up to 1200 rupees per day). For this reason, a lot of winterers live from October to April, but in October it is still stuffy in Goa after the rainy season (monsuna), and in April it is already too hot before it.

From Moscow to Dabolim (the airport in Goa) is more than 5000 km and, although such a distance can theoretically be overcome by land, in fact it is extremely difficult to do this, although there are experiments similar to a story. However, this is an option for those who love to travel and really dislike airplanes. I have not studied the issues of overland travel to India, so let's get back to the aircraft.

Things to Do Before Traveling to Goa

• Duration of travel and type of visa to India. It is important to determine the duration of the trip, because it determines what type of visa to India should be issued: an electronic one for a month, a single one for three, or maybe you need a multivisa for 6 months. , not difficult at all and most economical
• Route to Goa. The easiest way to get to Goa is to take a plane ticket to Dabolima, but it is not the most economical, and it is terribly routine, although we personally are visiting India for the first time. By the way, having flown to Delhi, and then taking the train, you can save about 25% on tickets, besides, I fly direct flights to Delhi from many cities. In addition, you can use the airport in Mumbai and again come to Goa by train. The last two options will allow you to see non-touristic India, and if you decide to take buses, then the immersion will be complete, but we did not take risks, especially since we only took a month for the trip.
• Buying a cheap ticket to Goa. With a greater desire, diligence and a bit of luck, you can, especially in cases of timely trip planning - here to help and the price of a round-trip ticket is about $ 250-300 per person. By the way, you can still use charters and hot tours, the latter, at the price of a cheap air ticket, will also offer a transfer to the hotel along with accommodation in it.
• Booking accommodation in Goa. Here, the easiest solution would be to use any: Agoda, Booking and or use the form at the bottom of the article (so also tell me thank you) It makes sense to book just for a couple of days, because when you arrive at the place and leave your bags at the hotel, you can easily find a good one in a day housing, and much cheaper. For example, the cheapest room for our period cost 700 rupees on booking (I do not take into account a bed in a dormitory room), while in Arombol we settled in a kopeck piece for 400 rupees, from April dropping the price to almost 200
• Travel insurance for India. I have not yet disclosed the topic of insurance, but I think to deal with them in the near future, because. I already have a lot of materials and life instructive situations. In general, it’s up to you to decide whether or not to take it, but if you decide, don’t sell too cheap by buying a piece of paper for a couple of thousand. Choose reliable and trusted companies. Something came over me, and in fear of being denied a visa to India and losing tickets and all sorts of force majeure, I took out insurance for three days. It included protection against non-departure, and loss of luggage and other factors little dependent on me, including various injuries before I settled in Goa. Looking ahead, I’ll say that even though it was not useful, it warmed my soul a lot.
• Exploring forums and joining thematic communities. I will leave forums such as the Vinsky forum to your discretion, decide for yourself how much they can be trusted, ordinary people write there. But joining communities, especially on Facebook, is an extremely useful action. Don't have an FB account yet? If you like to travel, I advise you to start one, it will help you save money on trips, according to statistics, this is where a really lively audience sits, posting not only useful information, but also profitable local offers. Of course, I joined, the most popular among Russian-speaking people in Goa. So I was able to sort out the prices and partially immerse myself in the life of this amazing place, as well as make a small memo about the rest in Goa.
• Finally save money for vacation. As I already wrote, take the average trip budget (for a month without a road, excursions and it will be about $ 400 in Goa in 2016, the rest is how you bargain), add 50%, and leave NZ for a return ticket

On this, perhaps, you can end the list of things to do in advance. Everything else should be done immediately before the trip.

Not long before the trip to India

Of course, I did not write about such obvious things as issuing bank cards, buying travel equipment: backpacks, suitcases, or how you like to relax, and printing copies of documents and photographs. This minimum is always necessary, as soon as you like to travel. And now let's get down to the really necessary actions:

• Applying for a visa to India. About that, my wife has already prepared an article. Therefore, I will not dwell on this step in too much detail. The main thing to remember is that a visa to India received at the visa center with your own hands begins to be valid from the moment it is received, and not from the moment you enter the country, so you cannot apply for it too early, at the same time there is always a chance of delaying the process, so the best time is for my opinion is two weeks before the trip. And for an online visa for 30 days (which you will receive upon arrival), a certain time corridor (approximately 30 days) is given in which you must enter the country and from the moment of entry it will begin to operate.
• If you want to earn extra money or do a good deed. In the Goa People group, there are always a lot of people who want to get something from their distant homeland, not for free, of course, at least for a plus to karma. We brought Russian delicacies to our friends, and they gave us shelter. Bringing goods to India, you won’t earn much (except for professional activities), but you can get a lot of kind words and advice.
• Buying groceries in India. A couple of days before departure, you can buy rare products: buckwheat, sausage, herring, caviar, cigarettes - in a word, without which it will be difficult for you in a foreign land. You can safely take a lot, as long as it doesn’t deteriorate, because as a rule, suitcases are brought to India without things. By the way, if you are flying with a low-cost airline, then you can also buy food to the salon in advance, of course, not boiled chicken with an egg, but a piece of fried meat or just sandwiches can be carried through.
• Buying a currency. In fact, with the modern unstable exchange rate, it may not be worth gaining a lot. Cash dollars and euros are good and can always be changed in Asia, and in some countries dead presidents are the second currency. However, you should always remember about. By the way, in Goa there are banks that issue rupees without a commission, and with banks that are quite loyal to customers (I have one of the Tinkoff black cards), it is more profitable to withdraw here. So for example, bought for 7080 rubles 100 bucks, I replaced 6700 rupees here, having received a rate of 0.94. A couple of days later, having withdrawn 10,000 rupees from the card, I paid 10,246 rubles, receiving a much more favorable rate of 0.98
• Transfer to your accommodation in Goa. We missed this point, fortunately we were lucky on the plane, in total the taxi came out twice cheaper (the total cost of a taxi is 1500 rupees). Although I’m lying, we wanted to get from the airport on our own by several buses, but we were still lucky to meet Iskander. Always on the road.
• Travel first aid kit. It makes sense to take care of your health in advance and buy a minimum set of inexpensive medicines. - this is what should be at hand and it does not matter that India is famous for its medicines. Sometimes some herbs are not enough, and domestic chemistry comes to the rescue. And peroxide and iodine are essential companions of any tourist.

That, perhaps, is all the preparation, in theory, everything about everything takes a couple of days, so it’s better not to be too lazy. For convenience and simplicity, I have prepared a few more articles of advice:

• - what to take with you on a trip
• - the main points about the rest, which are better to know in advance

Once in Goa, I can say with confidence, so you can safely take a step towards one of the oldest cultures in the world.

Be sure to tell your friends about us

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Goa is the smallest Indian state, a former Portuguese colony and a popular tourist destination for resort and independent recreation.

Here, along the 100-kilometer coastline, there are more than 50 beaches stretching from several kilometers to bays only a hundred meters long.

The only airport in the state of Dabolim is located in the center of the coast in the largest city of the state, Vasco da Gama. The railway, which envelops the whole of India with its network, bypassed the beaches. So inside the state you will have to travel by taxi, bike, or a developed and extremely cheap bus network.

north goa

It was once the center of attraction for hippies from all over the world due to low prices, round-the-clock raves and a huge drug market. All this is long in the past, but the atmosphere of the eternal holiday, youth and easy attitude to life is perfectly preserved on the local beaches.

Arambol - Mandrem - Ashvem - Morjim

The 16-kilometer coastline in the very north combines four completely different beaches in terms of atmosphere.

Arambol is a beach for bohemian youth. Musicians, designers, artists and acrobats from all over the world flock here. In the evenings, the whole district turns into one big concert venue.

Are you planning a trip? That way!

We have prepared some useful gifts for you. They will help save money at the stage of preparation for the trip.

Mandrem is a quiet place between Arambol and Morjim. Families with children and people of the age who appreciate the calm sea, the silence of the night and the opportunity to have fun in the establishments on neighboring beaches settle here.

In the “Russian village” of Morjim, not only freelancers and “hippies” who arrived for the winter, who threw away their passports upon arrival, live here, you can often meet domestic stars here. If in Arambol concert venues are spontaneous, then in Morjim and the neighboring sparsely populated Ashvem there are clubs, bars and restaurants that are not inferior in service to Moscow ones.

How to get there

1. A taxi from Dabolim Airport to the northernmost regions costs an average of 1600 - 2200 INR. The cost of the trip depends on the time (from 11 am to 3 pm and more expensive at night), as well as the availability of air conditioning in the car. You can order and pay for a taxi at the counters at the airport.
2. It takes about 3 hours by bus with two transfers in the capital of the state of Panaji and in the main transport hub of North Goa - Mapuse (Mapse). But the whole road will cost 90 INR, and along the way you can fully enjoy the Indian flavor.
3. When traveling by rail, you should go to Pernem station and from there take a taxi (500 INR), a rickshaw (350 INR) or a bus ticket (10 INR) to the beaches. On average, the trip to the nearest Arambol station will take 30-40 minutes.

Things to do

• kite surfing
  North Goa is a paradise for kite surfers. The waves here are small and not suitable for full-fledged surfing. But winter winds are great for those who have just decided to master kite skating. There are schools right on the beach that offer equipment for rent and kite lessons for beginners.
• Sweet Lake
  In the northern part of Arambol, right behind a high cliff, there is a small lake with clear green fresh water. There are only a few bungalows in the area, so it is beautiful and peaceful here. The path to the lake, passing along the cliff, is quite easy to find - along it there is a market with clothes and souvenirs.
• Sunsets
  That for which hundreds of creative people come to Arambol. The ritual of meeting the sunset is common throughout the Arabian coast, but in Arambol it takes on a truly impressive scale. A few hours before dusk, hundreds of performances of musicians, artists, jugglers and acrobats begin along the entire beach line, and a spontaneous hand-made market appears. All tourists and locals living in the area go to the beach, and all the action continues until dark.
• Concerts
  After sunset, crowds of vacationers and artists disperse to many local bars and cafes, where concerts continue to play throughout the night. Many up-and-coming musicians advocate for donations, and well-known bands often play on the streets or on the beach during the sunset as promotional events for their performances.

Cafes, clubs and restaurants

• Loekie Cafe
  The oldest cafe in Arambol with that same hippie spirit. On Thursday and Sunday evenings, jams are held here, in which any professional musician or amateur can take part.
• german bakery
  The bakery with the best croissants, brownies and tarts in India is located in the heart of the main street of Arambol. However, in order to enjoy wonderful pastries, you should hurry up - local expats buy almost the entire assortment presented in the morning.
• happy banana
  A small fresh station, where there are queues around the clock and it can be crowded inside. The most popular menu items are freshly squeezed pomegranate juice and a fruit platter with ice cream.
• Re:Fresh Club
  A glamorous club on the border of Ashvem and Morjim with DJ sets and quality electronic music, light installations and lounges overlooking the beach. There is face control at the entrance, wealthy bohemians gather inside, most of them from our compatriots.

Vagator - Anjuna

Two small beaches, separated by a cliff and united by one party atmosphere. The coast in the resort of Anjuna and Vagator is extremely compact, built up with many cafes and guest houses and is not intended for a traditional beach holiday. Daily raves in local clubs under Goa trance - that's why party-goers from all over the world flock here.

How to get there

1. Taxi from Dabolim Airport it will cost 1200-1700 INR, and from the nearest railway station to the beaches, Thivim (Thivim) at 600-800 INR. The road from the airport will take 1 hour, from the railway station no more than 25 minutes.
2. By bus in both cases, you will have to travel with a change in Mapusa. The trip from the airport with another transfer in Panaji will cost 70 INR and take about 1.5 hours. From Thivim, the cost of bus tickets will be 30 INR for a 40-minute journey.

Things to do

• Extreme entertainment
  They are widely used in Vagator and Anjuna. From the hills surrounding the beaches, you can fly paragliders. But one of the main attractions of the area has become a 25-meter iron tower for bungee jumping. The cost of the jump is 500 INR, the second jump on the same day is 50% off.
• Wednesday Market
  Traders, designers and tourists flock to Anjuna every Wednesday. On a huge wasteland away from the beach, the largest Goan market is organized, where you can buy everything from traditional Indian clothes and souvenirs to collections of local and foreign young designers, jewelry and religious paraphernalia.
• Fort Chapora
  Portuguese military fortress, erected 5 centuries ago on the ruins of an Indian fort. Now only dilapidated fortress walls remain from Chapora, but a wonderful view of the Arabian Sea opens from the cliff. A small rocky path leads from Vagator to the fort. It is customary for vacationers to meet the sunset on the cliff on the last day of vacation to charge with positive energy for many months ahead.
• goa trance
  Since the 1970s, party-goers from all over the world have come to Anjuna and, under the influence of LSD, staged large-scale trance parties on the beach. Since then, everything has become strict with drugs here, but Anjuna has remained the capital of trance music - Goa trance. Goan authorities have also banned nighttime raves and imposed a curfew from 10pm. However, the owners of local clubs get around this ban, and dozens of parties last almost until the morning.

Cafes, clubs and restaurants

• Lilliput Cafe
  The oldest cafe right in the center of Anjuna beach. Even at the dawn of the trance movement, perhaps all famous DJs played sets here. And to this day, Lilliput hosts top notch trance parties. However, due to the legend of the place, prices are high here.
• pastel de nata
  Considering the colonial past, it is not surprising that the famous pastry chain Pastel de nata opened its cafe in Anjuna. Moreover, Anjuna's Pastel de nata is the only place in India where Portuguese pasta is prepared.
• shiva valley
  The legendary bar and club hosts some of the best raves on the Anjuna coast. Parties with sets from eminent DJs take place every Tuesday. The entrance is free.
• Nyex Beach Club
  Opened on the site of the legendary Paradiso. Built according to all the rules of civilized clubs with comfortable lounge areas and a good dance floor, it is very different from the old wave beach trance clubs. Entrance - 1000 INR, so the audience here is appropriate.

Calangute - Candolim

This is where package tourists from all over the world are taken. Accordingly, the beaches and their surroundings are densely built up with cafes, restaurants, guest houses, bungalows and hotels for every taste and budget. The resort of Candolim is quieter and calmer than in the neighboring "youthful" Calangute, so older tourists prefer to stay there.

How to get there

1. Taxifrom Dabolim airport will cost 1100-1500 INR, 1 hour on the way. From the railway station Thivim (Thivim) will be delivered to the beaches in 35 minutes and 500-800 INR.
2. By busfrom Thivim you will have to go again through Mapusa for 30 INR and spend 40 minutes on the road. And from Dabolim, you will need to make 2 transfers to Panaji and Mapusa, spend 1.5 hours on the road and pay 70 INR.

Things to do

• Fort Aguada
  The largest and most important fort built by the Portuguese on a cape at the very end of Candolim beach. Perhaps this is the only well-preserved Goan fortress of colonial times. The fort is still used by the Indians: in the southern part, near the sea, there is a prison, and in the northern part there is a 5-star hotel.
• Ayurveda and spa
  There are many massage parlors, Ayurvedic clinics and spas in Calangute and Candolim. Here you can undergo wellness procedures and body cleansing based on the famous Indian medicine.

Cafes, clubs and restaurants

• stone house
  Cozy restaurant, popular with tourists, where local blues bands perform during the high season and European cuisine is served.
• F Beach Club
  One of the most popular clubs in Candolim, designed for a wealthy Western audience. During the day, it is quiet and peaceful, the lounge plays and serves Pan-Asian and Japanese dishes. And at sunset, house parties begin, guest DJs play sets and tourists have fun all night long.
• Earthen Oven
  An excellent restaurant specializing in Mughlai cuisine originating from North India. Dishes are prepared here in a clay oven - tandoor, including the famous tandoori chicken.

South Goa

Unlike the party north, South Goa is more in line with the concept of a resort for a beach holiday. There are no round-the-clock raves, endless bars and clubs, night markets and other northern activities. Therefore, the southern beaches are chosen by those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a relaxing beach holiday surrounded by natural beauty.

It is most convenient to get to the beaches, as well as to the north of the state, from the Goan airport Dabolim or from the railway station and the main transport hub of South Goa - Margao (Madgaon). A shuttle from Vasco da Gama to Margao will cost 37 INR and will take you to the city in 30 minutes.

Also from the airport to the southern beaches can be reached by rail. Trains from Vasco da Gamo station to Margao go every hour and deliver in 30 minutes. Availability and ticket prices must be checked at email.in . And already at the bus station in Margao, take a bus to the desired beach.

Colva – Benaulim

The most densely populated beaches of South Goa stretch for 20 kilometers. The Indians themselves prefer to relax here, especially when they come to the coast for the weekend. Compared to Colva, the resort of Benaulim is more deserted, and here you can still observe the life of a small fishing village and local crafts.

How to get there

1. For a 30-minute taxi ride from Dabolim Airport, you need to pay 600-900 INR. A taxi from the railway station in Margao will cost 200-300 INR, the journey takes 20 minutes.
2. From the bus station in Margao, the coast can also be reached by bus in just 10 INR and 25-30 minutes on the way.

Things to do

• Goa Chitra Museum
  One of the best ethnographic museums in India tells about the life of fishermen, farmers and artisans. The museum presents more than 4,000 exhibits from the life of Goan families. Works by contemporary artists and sculptors are also exhibited here. The entrance is free.
• Church John the Baptist Church
  A large Rococo Catholic church was built by the Portuguese in Benaulim in honor of John the Baptist. It is considered one of the most famous here and constantly attracts many pilgrims and tourists.
• Church Nossa Senhora de Merces
  The main attraction of Colva is not only because it is a monument of Portuguese colonial architecture of the 17th century, but also a place of religious pilgrimage. The temple houses a miraculous statue of the baby Jesus. In honor of her, a holiday is held with street processions, performances and fairs.

Cafes, clubs and restaurants

• Splash
  The most popular nightclub on the coast is located south of Colva. Parties in the high season here last all night long. And the entrance to the club is decorated with an art installation in the form of a tube of red paint.
• Ziggy's
  A trendy club on the coast of Palolem, where curfews are strictly observed and parties end by 22:00. But daily themed evenings with music, dancing and cocktails are held.
• Johnny Cool's
  Another bar on Colva, open until 22:00. Visiting tourists here have leisurely conversations over beer and snacks, listen to Indian music and see off the sunset.

Varka – Cavelossim – Mobor

Perhaps the most expensive Goan beaches, where the coast is occupied by high-class hotels, and the golden dunes are replaced by white sand. European pensioners and wealthy families like to relax here, for whom comfort and service are above all else!

How to get there

1. Taxi from Dabolim airport will cost 1000-1400 INR, about an hour on the way. From the station in Margao, the trip takes only 35 minutes and costs 350-500 INR.
2. Bus from Margao to the beaches costs 15 INR, 40 minutes on the way.

Things to do

• Dolphin Cruise
  Sousa humpback dolphins live off the coast of the Arabian Sea. Therefore, boat trips to the dolphins are extremely popular in Mobor. You can also see dolphins frolicking in the sea in the early morning from the shore.
• Picking oysters
  Cavelossim and Mobor attract wealthy tourists for a reason! At the mouth of the Sal River, which flows here into the Arabian Sea, colonies of oysters live. At the same time, you can not only order fresh seafood in coastal restaurants, but also take part in their collection or watch the work of Indian fishermen from a boat.
• Church of Holy Cross
  The Catholic church with an elegant facade and a modest interior was built in the best traditions of Portuguese architecture and adorns the central square of Cavelossim. The church serves daily masses for local Christians.

Cafes, clubs and restaurants

• Party Zone
  One of the first disco clubs in South Goa, located in the 5-star Holiday Inn, still holds the mark of the best parties in the south of the state. Guest DJs play pop, reggae, hip-hop and 70s-80s music, paying tribute to the hippies who opened these places to the general public.
• Rivercove
  Restaurant on the banks of the Sal river, a short distance from Cavelossim beach. The menu has a wide variety of local seafood prepared according to traditional Indian recipes with lots of hot spices.
• Mike's Place and Love Shack
  A cozy restaurant in the center of Cavelossim is extremely popular with both locals and tourists. Both Indian and European seafood dishes are prepared here. And in the evenings, small parties are held in the cafe on the Love Shack beach.

Agonda

One of the quietest and most deserted beaches. It is not crowded here and there is no usual tourist infrastructure, and even loud music and illumination on the beach are prohibited in the evenings. A great place for ecotourism and independent recreation away from civilization.

How to get there

1. For a taxi from Dabolim Airport and 1.5 hours of travel, they will ask for 1800-2400 INR, and from the station in Margao - 1000-1400 INR for an hour trip.
2. The bus from Margao to the beaches will take at least an hour, you will have to pay 40 INR for the ticket.
3. The nearest railway station to the southernmost beaches of Goa is Cancona. True, only a few trains stop here, and you can also get there by train from Margao (30 INR and 40 minutes of travel). A taxi from the station to Agonda will take you just 20 minutes and 200-300 INR. And the bus for the same 20 minutes will cost 10 INR.

Things to do

• Olive Turtle Watching
  In the high season (October-March), olive ridley turtles arrive on the coast of Agonda in order to acquire offspring. That is why the beach is under state protection - loud music, typical beach activities and even powerful electric lights at night are prohibited here. But tourists are allowed to settle in specially built eco-huts and watch the turtles.
• Fort Cabo de Rama
  The ruins of the Portuguese military fort Cabo de Rama are located on a rocky coast north of Agonda. From here you have amazing views of the sea and sunsets. On the territory of the fort, a small Catholic church of St. Antonio's Church.

Cafes, clubs and restaurants

• Blue Planet Cafe
  A small vegetarian and vegan cafe with a rich menu, organic food, a variety of fruit dishes, juices and smoothies.
• Leonard Valley
  If you want to have fun during a measured eco-vacation, then you should go to Leonard Valley, a club hidden in the jungle between Agonda and Palolem. On Fridays, open-air parties are held here, and on Wednesdays, the owners arrange small markets.

Palolem - Putnem

The southernmost beaches of the state are located within a short drive from each other. Despite the peace reigning around, European youth flock to the beaches and the atmosphere is similar to Arambol and Anjuna.

How to get there

1. Ride on Taxifrom Dabolim airport will take 1.5 hours and will cost 1700-2300 INR. A taxi from Margao will cost 1000-1300 INR, about an hour on the way. But a taxi from the Cancona railway station will cost only 60 INR, rickshaws will ask for the same distance 40 INR, in both cases the trip will take no more than 10 minutes.
2. Busfrom Margao to Canacona it will cost only 20 INR, and from there you can take all the same rickshaws or taxis to the beaches.

Things to do

• Cancon Island
  Or Monkey Island is next to Palolem. Besides the fact that you can see a lot of monkeys here, on the top of the hill in the center of the island there is a conceptual sculpture in the form of a stone bowl with the inscription: “Give if you can, take if you have to”. According to the idea of ​​the author Jacek Tylicki, any traveler in need of funds can take from the bowl the money left by wealthier visitors to the island.
• Party Silent Noise
  Unique silent discos are held in the very south of Palolem Beach in Neptune Point. All participants of the evening, from DJs and dancers to tourists, put on headphones, choose a channel with their favorite music and dance until the morning! The idea of ​​such parties originated in Palolem, when the authorities imposed a curfew, interrupted night raves and fined club owners.

Cafes, clubs and restaurants

• Cafe Inn
  Restaurant on Palolem Main Beach Road, opposite the rickshaw stand, serving Western cuisine with a wide selection of juices, cocktails and smoothies. The cafe also has a special vegetarian and vegan menu.
• Magic Italy
  An Italian restaurant in the center of Palolem beach serving traditional seafood pasta and pizza, considered the best in all of South Goa. The high quality and authentic taste of dishes in distant India can be preserved thanks to the Italian owners.
• Dropadi
  Cozy restaurant right on Palolema beach, serving Indian and Western cuisines. But especially here they specialize in fish and seafood dishes, which are prepared according to Indian recipes.

Cover photo: Ian D. Keating

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