All about holidays in Goa in 2020! Reviews of tourists, the pros and cons. Prices for tours, hotels, food. The best resorts and beaches. Useful tips.
Goa is India's smallest, most Europeanized, and most touristic state. After a vacation in Goa, someone imbues him with eternal love, some even leave to live, and you can’t lure someone else with gingerbread. We will tell you everything you need to know about holidays in Goa, and you decide whether to go there or not.
When to go to Goa
High season. According to reviews, the best time to relax in Goa is november to March. The peak of the season when the state is crowded with tourists and prices soar - December-February. The weather is perfect: almost no precipitation, the humidity is comfortable. Water temperature +28 ... + 29 ° С, air temperature during the day +33 ... + 34 ° С, at night around +22 ... + 24 ° С. In the evenings it’s cool by the sea, so take a light jacket with sleeves.
Low season. Some go to Goa to relax in the low season - so you can save and relax in silence. For example, in April the weather is still good, only it gets hotter and the wind is getting stronger, and there are already fewer tourists.
Here is the weather during the high season in Goa (Photo © Sergi Hill / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Tours in Goa in 2020
Prices are for two people departing from Moscow.
The most expensive holiday in Goa is for the New Year and Catholic Christmas. Prices jump sharply, and the minimum prices for tours to the cheapest hotels 1-2 * cost from 90 thousand rubles per week, and in 4-5 * - from 150 thousand!
Much cheaper in January: a week-long rest in Goa in budget hotels costs from 40 thousand, in 4-5 * - from 90 thousand. Prices for trips for 11 nights are only slightly higher - by 10-20 thousand, and sometimes coincide in price with tours for a week!
In February and March, trips are a little more expensive: a week in inexpensive hotels - from 45-50 thousand rubles, in 4-5 * - from 70-90 thousand rubles.
Tip. Always compare the cost of tours for a week and for 11 days - sometimes the prices are the same or the difference is small. Also look for last-minute tours - there are a lot of them in Goa.
Palolem Beach in Goa (Photo © tripster.ru / Unexplored beaches of North Goa) How much are tickets to Goa
Minimum prices for flights to Goa from Moscow and back in winter and spring - 23-28 thousand rubles per person. Fly from St. Petersburg is almost twice as expensive - from 42 thousand rubles. Tickets from Voronezh, Novosibirsk, Kazan, Perm, Krasnoyarsk, Ufa and Samara are in the range of 42-45 thousand rubles.
Insurance. Before traveling to India, we advise you to buy a medical center for your peace of mind. Get insurance on sites or - they compare prices at all major insurance companies. You can choose a policy for the necessary parameters and the best price. The policy costs from 450 rubles for 10 days.
Do Russians need a visa to Goa
Yes, a visa is needed. It can be obtained online, upon arrival (if you fly on a tour) or pre-arranged. According to reviews, most tourists make out electronic visa Goa online is the easiest and most convenient solution. You send documents and pay a fee, and a document will be sent to you by e-mail, which you need to print and show to the officer at the airport. Valid for 60 days. Price - $ 100 + $ 2 for payment by card.
Incredible view when traveling by train, Goa (Photo © unsplash.com / @jk) South or North Goa - what to choose?
North and South Goa are very different! Find out how to choose the best resort.
South goa: expensive and relaxing holiday. Southern Goa is almost 2.5 times larger than its northern counterpart and 3 times larger than the coastline. It has excellent sandy beaches, clear water and mountains. In the reviews, tourists are advised to go to South Goa for families with children and those who want privacy - there are fewer people here, but hotels are mostly expensive.
North Goa: budget and party getaway. In the north of the state there are beaches with grayish sand of volcanic origin, not as beautiful as in the south. The infrastructure here is better developed, the choice of housing is greater - from luxury hotels to cheap guesthouses. And if lovers of secluded relaxation prefer the south, then noisy parties are boiling in the north and nightlife is raging. Mostly unpretentious people come here, their goal is entertainment. It was this part of the state that was once chosen by hippies in the 60s of the last century.
It used to be a hippie vacation spot, now it is a popular crowded beach with hotels and restaurants. Local people like to visit Calangute; it does not happen empty. Around - palm groves, at the entrance rises the dome of the temple. There is also an art gallery with the creations of local painters. According to reviews of holidays in Goa, the main drawback of this beach is a lot of populace and obsession of local merchants.
Calangute Beach (Photo © booking.com / Canopus by Vista Rooms) Candolim Beach
The beach is clean and not as crowded as Calangute. That's just the descent to it is pretty steep. Candolim is considered more prestigious: locals are rarely here, most often foreigners.
According to tourists, this beach in Goa is very popular with Indians and come to relax with their families. They are mostly crowded at the main entrances, so move 200-300 meters to the side - there are fewer people.
Colva Beach (Photo © booking.com / C Roque) Betalbatim Beach
Well suited for family and relaxing holidays, several hotels and shacks on almost 1.5 km of sand strip. The most popular among our tourists is Nanu Resort Goa.
This beach is loved by the Russians. Prices on Morjim are higher, but the infrastructure is developed - new bungalows, excellent restaurants, always well-groomed territory. The wave is well suited for surfing and kiting. All hotels are located in a green zone one kilometer from Morjim.
Morjim Beach (Photo © booking.com / Larisa Beach Resort) Arambol Beach
The fine sandy beach is white-golden in color, around there are cottages and huts. A yoga center is also organized here. Arambol is popular among surfers and hippies, but the place is quite calm and peaceful.
Ashvem Beach
Ashvem is calm and not crowded. Small warm backwater and shacks with a varied cuisine. According to reviews, it is better for romantics and families with children to relax on this beach in Goa.
(Photo © Natesh Ramasamy / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC 2.0)
Goa hotel reviews and prices - 2020
Hotels in South Goa are better than hotels in the north. But in North Goa there are a lot of budget housing. The spread in housing prices in the state is huge: you can rent a double room from $ 8 per night to $ 400-500 and even more.
There are many hotels here - choose for every taste! The cost of a simple double room near the coast starts from $ 8-9 per night, many housing offers in the range of $ 10-30. Pay attention to hotel ratings and reviews - this is especially important in India.
Goa Hotel Prices in the high season of 2020 for double occupancy:
- a beautiful area, a garden, separate bungalows, a clean beach, delicious breakfasts, but there are also rooms with falling apart furniture and old-fashioned linen.Bad hotels. Tourists have left a lot negative reviews about Valentines Retreat Hotel in Candolim: old furniture and a bathroom, poor food and poor service, it is better not to use laundries. Complain about the hotel The Golden Palms Colva 4 * - poor service, worn furniture, unpretentious food, which in the summer due to the influx of Indian tourists becomes too spicy.
Top view on ITC Grand Goa Resort & Spa (Photo © booking.com) Goa Food Prices - 2020
According to reviews, the prices in Goa pleasantly surprise tourists, they are so low here: a portion of soup costs 50-60 rupees, rice with chicken 100-150 rupees, shrimp - 150 rupees, tea - about 30 rupees, juice - from 50 rupees. True, for lobster will have to lay out at least 1,200 rupees. .
The main catering establishment is beach shek. Kitchen-shed with everything you need, in front of it there is a terrace and tables for visitors. So primitive, but how delicious! There are dishes of Indian, Chinese, European cuisine, necessarily seafood, chicken, rice, juices.
In reviews of food in Goa, tourists call Cafe Maitree in Arambol the best and frankly expensive - check the price of the meal in advance. If you take the homesickness, go to the Home Cafe Dacha in Arambol, where you can eat for 300-500 rupees. Rainbow Bar is popular in Morjim - tasty, inexpensive, good service, average bill - 500 rupees.
Find out where else you can inexpensively relax and live.
Thali - several dishes on a tray or banana leaf (Photo © bionicgrrrl / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) South Goa is a true paradise for those who travel with children. Here you will not find informal hippies, do not hear loud electronic music and do not feel the round-the-clock fuss that reigns in North Goa. In this part of the Indian resort, you can relax from the annoying noise of the metropolis during the year and enjoy a pleasant retreat on the shores of the warm Arabian Sea.
Holidays with children in this part of the peninsula are not only interesting, but also safe. All local beaches are covered with light, soft to the touch, sand, which is pleasant to walk on. The cleanliness of the tourist areas is constantly monitored by specialized workers, so the risk of stepping on a splinter of a bottle or an uncut stub is zero.
Location
The territory of South Goa is located in the central part of the west coast of India. Today, the resort covers an area of \u200b\u200b1,966 km². The coastline is washed by the calm waters of the Arabian Sea, smoothly turning into the vast expanses of the warm Indian Ocean. To the north of Goa is the state of Maharashtra. In the southeast, the resort borders Karnataka and the picturesque plateau, which stretches the Sahyadri mountain range.
Beach
The resort has more than ten kilometers of sandy beaches, the most popular of which is considered Palolem. For its natural beauty, silence and solitude, the locals call this place a little paradise.
Under the impregnable walls of the medieval fort of Aguada, there is another comfortable beach of the same name. Elite five-star hotels rise close to the coastline, and the tourist village of Taj is located.
One of the most prestigious tourist areas of the peninsula was recognized as Dona Paula Beach. In its western part is the official residence of the current governor of Goa.
Climate
The resort has a comfortable subtropical climate. The weather is warm here constantly, so you can enjoy a beach holiday in South Goa all year round. However, tourists prefer to choose the months to travel when the dry season begins on the peninsula. The optimal time to visit this amazing place is the period from October to May. The air temperature these days is + 30 ... + 32 ° C, and the water warms up to +26 ° C. Thanks to this, you can swim in the Arabian Sea at any time of the day.
Souvenirs and shopping
Foreign tourists bring a lot of interesting and unusual things from India, among which graceful sarees and practical harem pants are especially popular. Vibrant beach towels and bedspreads with traditional Indian motifs can be purchased cheaply at local shops. You can bring airy beach pareos and cotton T-shirts dyed with natural Holi dyes to your family and friends.
Unusual and at the same time widespread souvenir became incense sticks, the delicate aroma of which will remind you of a wonderful trip to this amazing country.
Transport
Public transport in South Goa is represented by several bus routes. The fare is 5 INR. In most cases, the inner space of buses is divided into two halves: male and female.
Foreign tourists prefer to travel by regular taxis or motor rickshaws. In the first case, fare for 1 km starts from 17 INR, in the second - from 9 INR. If you want to explore the sights of the resort on your own, you can rent a bicycle. A daily rental of a two-wheeled vehicle will cost you 70-100 INR.
sights
The main attraction of the resort was the legendary Old Goa - one of the ancient capitals of India, which became the administrative center of the state during the Portuguese colonization. A large number of architectural and religious monuments are concentrated on its territory. Including the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Catherine, the famous Indian church of Francis of Assisi and the magnificent Basilica of Bom Jesus.
Near the resort is Dudhsagar Falls 3120 meters high. From all sides, this miracle of nature is surrounded by green thickets of centuries-old forests, against which truly spectacular photographs are obtained.
Fans of the wild will enjoy aesthetic pleasure visiting the Kotigao Nature Reserve. If you're lucky, you can see for yourself exotic birds, agile monkeys and wild boars. Hunting in this part is strictly prohibited, so animals are not afraid of the presence of people. The most daring of them are in contact with a person.
GOA - the main resort of India. It is completely unlike the rest of the country's resorts. Hotels located in the South GOA are expensive and not only by Indian measures. They are visited by wealthy Europeans. Northern GOA is the exact opposite of the southern. It is relatively inexpensive and affordable. Young people from America and Europe love to come here.
GOA is a state of India covering an area of \u200b\u200b3,702 square kilometers. It is located on the west coast of the Hindustan Peninsula. It is washed by the waters of the Arabian Sea. The population of GOA is 3.1046 million people.
Climate
The climate of GOA is considered subtropical. There is no familiar change of seasons. In the cool period from December to January, the minimum temperature is up to +19 degrees. The maximum temperature reaches +30 degrees. In the hot period from May to June, the minimum temperature drops to +25 degrees. And the largest is +34 degrees. Humidity in summer is moderate. Therefore, even too high a temperature is tolerated well enough.
January has a tropical climate. In the afternoon, the air warms up to +30 degrees. In the evening, the temperature can be +19. There is no precipitation at this time, so it is comfortable to relax in January. Water temperature is +27 degrees.
The hottest month is May. During the day, the air temperature reaches +33 degrees, at night up to +27. The weather at this time becomes hot and humid. June is also hot. It rains more than half of July. In August, humidity is high. In September, the temperature drops. It rains every other day, there is a lot of cloudiness. In October, the weather becomes unpredictable, and tourists may need warm clothes.
Goa has two seasons: dry and rain season. The dry season runs from October to May. The rainy season begins in June and ends in September.
So, a favorable rest falls on the winter months from November to March. It was at this time that most of the tourists from Europe and Russia came here.
Types of rest
Any tourist will find for themselves at GOA suitable entertainment. There are golden beaches, warm sea, and magnificent Indian architecture, which is surrounded by tropical landscapes. Vacationers can choose various types of recreation and entertainment, both extreme and more relaxed.
Beach vacation
If you like a relaxing holiday in a deserted place, then you should go to the beaches of Majorda, Utorda and Betalbatim. It is clean and quiet. There are no shops or bars nearby.
More lively in Benaulim. Here you can sit in a restaurant, go to the store.
Mobor, Cavelossim and Varca are respectable resorts.
Sightseeing vacation
If you travel here, be sure to visit the excursions. On them you can see the forts of Alorne and Aguada, the Cathedral of St. Catherine, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. Those who wish can also go on an interesting tour “Northern GOA Night”, take a ride on the Vasco da Gama Gold cruise, admire the mysterious Dudhsagara Falls, and visit the Bondla Nature Reserve.
Active
GOA has created excellent conditions for diving. Here you can also play paintball, ride on elephants, go hunting for crocodiles. Water skiing and paragliding are some of the most popular attractions for tourists. Water sports are one of the reasons people come to GOA. Local beaches are an almost inexhaustible source of seafood. Agonda Beach in Kankanoa is in demand with fishermen. Salmon, mullet and other fish species are caught here.
Wellness
At GOA, you can take a course of Ayurvedic procedures. However, in order to get even greater effect, it is necessary to devote at least 2.5 weeks to this course. Also, tourists can attend a course of oil massage or a course of treatment with natural remedies.
Night life
Young and active tourists want to relax not only during the day, but also at night. GOA has great restaurants that travelers can visit. They play live music, visitors are entertained by show programs. Also, tourists can walk through the night markets. Night bars and clubs are open until morning. They usually have cheap booze.
Shopping
GOA has many shops offering clothes, household goods, shoes and other goods.
Where to stay at GOA?
The choice of accommodation at this resort will depend on the purpose of the trip. If travelers come to rest with family and children, it is worth choosing hotels in the South GOA that have 4 or more stars. You can also rent a spacious house or villa. If vacationers came alone for the purpose of outdoor activities, rental housing in the Northern GOA is suitable. There is a vibrant nightlife, a large number of bars and clubs. Tourists can settle on GOA in several types of housing.
Guesthouses
These are guest houses, which are a budget option and are popular among young people. As a rule, they are a mini-hotel with its own territory. Most of the guesthouses are located in areas with developed infrastructure.
Hotels
Hotels can have a different number of stars. Three star hotels are perfect for independent travelers. They have the necessary service. Five-star hotels offer a wide range of services and excellent service. Such hotels are aimed at wealthy tourists and vacationers with children.
Houses, apartments, villas
Tourists who want to enjoy their home environment prefer to rent them. Bungalows are small huts that are made of cane or bamboo. Living in them is unsafe.
How to get to GOA?
You can get to the GOA by plane, bus, taxi or rented car. Most tourists choose a plane and fly through Delhi or Mumbai. It is cheaper. A direct flight from Moscow to Delhi will cost 25,000 rubles. Travel time is 3 hours.
Traveling by train will be longer. from Mumbai to Goa will have to go 9-13 hours. The ticket will cost 450-3000 INR. It all depends on what class of carriage a tourist travels to.
Traveling by bus takes approximately 11-16 hours. A ticket costs 500-2000 INR.
Taxi is a convenient option for a group of friends or family. From Mumbai to Goa can be reached in 8-12 hours. You will have to pay 10,000 INR.
Pros and cons of leisure at GOA
GOA is a real paradise for tourists. But this resort has both its pros and cons.
pros recreation in GOA:
- A wide variety of entertainment;
- Gorgeous beaches;
- Tasty food;
- Affordable prices for holidays;
- Wonderful nature.
Minuses recreation in GOA:
- Low quality of drinking water;
- Fraud and theft;
- The mentality of local residents;
- Disadvantaged areas;
- Messy traffic on the roads.
In general, most tourists evaluate the rest on GOA positively. After all, here is a magical atmosphere, which is compared with Bali, Phangan, Lake Toba. Incredible nature, clean beaches, interesting entertainment - this is all that a tourist needs. The warm sea and the bright sun will give a sense of peace. A cozy sunbed, coconut palms - all this is available even when you first get to know the resort. The beaches of GOA are not crowded, you can enjoy peace and quiet on them.
Enjoy your holiday in a paradise of the planet!
Tatyana Solomatina
Which beach and resort to choose in Goa?
Good day, dear friends! I present to you a brief overview of the resorts of Goa. I personally visited some of them, some were told by friends, so I allowed myself to describe all the beaches of Goa. However, this is only my point of view, draw your own conclusions, there is a lot of information.
Goa is a great choice for a beach holiday. Here, gorgeous sandy beaches, warm, clear sea, comfortable sunny weather in season. However, all the beaches of Goa have their own characteristics, and if you do not know about them in advance, your vacation can be spoiled thoroughly. We will talk about this in this article.
The state of Goa stretches along the sea for about 100 km. There are many beaches, some have the names of coastal villages, however, it is very difficult to determine where one beach ends and another begins, especially in South Goa.
Nominally, the state is divided into two parts, northern and southern. The northern part is more lively and the prices here are much cheaper. The South is calmer, the beaches are cleaner, but the rest is more expensive. Although, of course, this is a general characteristic, there are always exceptions.
