Goa Travel Guides: An Insider's View

Goa's Complete Guide

Tropical Goa is India's smallest state, yet it is also the most relaxed and popular with tourists from India and throughout the world. The majority of tourists visit during the winter months to experience sunny days, beautiful beaches, wonderful seafood, spicy curries, colorful markets, wild nightlife, and much more, all of which are blended with a unique and compelling blend of Portuguese and Indian traditions. There is nowhere quite like Goa, and few people know it as well as I do, so keep reading my insider's guide to Goa to get the most out of your vacation!

Even though Goa is known for its busy beaches, cheap wine, wild parties, and thousands of people flocking to the beaches, this is only a tourist's impression of God. The actual Goa is a far more relaxed, peaceful, and eerily beautiful place.

And, with everything from luxury hotels and world-class fine dining restaurants to tranquil yoga retreats, adventurous sports, wild all-night beach parties, and cheap and colourful beach huts and hippie markets, Goa truly has something for everyone. Although Goa is India's most westernised and touristy state, there is still plenty to see and do, and the best parts are usually found away from the main tourist hotspots (cough cough Baga and Calangute), zipping through paddy fields and colourful villages fringed with palm trees, past white-washed Portuguese churches, and discovering quieter beaches.

Goa is one of the greatest spots in India for backpackers to meet other travellers, enjoy the beaches, party until dawn, shop until you drop, or simply relax and study yoga. Many people arrive for a few days and end up staying for months because they can't leave, so be careful. Goa is a terrific site to start your Indian backpacking adventure, but many backpackers have spent their entire vacation in Goa and never left to explore the rest of India!

How Long Should You Stay in Goa?

The answer is that it depends on how much of Goa you want to visit. To see everything there is to see in Goa, you would need at least 10-14 days in Goa. However, you can see the major tourist attractions in Goa in 3-4 days. My personal recommendation is that you spend  5 -7 days in Goa to acquire a feel for the place .Some of the most popular tourist attractions, beaches, and other attractions in Goa.

In Goa, there are a variety of things to do.

•Beaches!

Swimming, watersports, or simply relaxing on the beach, sunbathing, or eating and drinking at the incredibly inexpensive beach shacks are all popular activities in Goa. Each beach has its own personality, and beach hopping to find your favourite may be a lot of fun. Many visitors travel to Goa solely for the beach, but make an effort to get out of your sun lounger and explore to discover the true Indian culture and enchantment of Goa.

Shopping.

Don't leave Goa without paying a visit to this fascinating location, and if you happen to be here, don't leave empty-handed. A trip to Arpora's Saturday night market is one of the most popular nighttime activities in Goa with family and friends. The night market is separated into three zones: the lower field features local products from across the country, the middle section features the centre stage, and the upper zone features designer shops and boutiques. Local handicrafts, clothing, accessories, souvenirs, shoes, local food, and raw ingredients are available for purchase. There are also various food stalls to satisfy the appetites of foodies. The Goa Mantra is to eat, shop, and have fun!

Drool, Taste, and Relish Your Way Through A Seafood Tour

Have you been to Goa but haven't sampled the seafood? It's a sin, and it's not acceptable in any way. Goa is known for its amazing food, as well as its sightseeing, shopping, and water sports. The enormous variety of seafood available here will leave you with an instant food coma. Trying Goan specialties is perhaps one of the top things to do in Goa if you are a foodie. Drool and appreciate the flavours of grilled kingfish, pomfret recheado, batter-fried calamari, Tonnak, tisryo, Rawa fried mussels, or crab masala.

Motorbikes are a great way to see Goa.

One of the greatest ways to see Goa is to rent a scooter or motorcycle (even a Royal Enfield!) for a day (about 450 Rupees) and go exploring. 

You don't have to travel far from the beach resorts to get a sense of India's fascinating history. 

Green paddy fields, wandering cows, white washed Portuguese churches and colourful Hindu temples, bustling market places, chilled out farms, colourful villages, crumbling colonial villas and forts, sari draped ladies, curious children, crumbling forts complete with stunning coastal views, and feel the breeze along a riverside road – it doesn't really matter where you go – just explore!

Dolphin Observation – A Unique Experience

Take a boat cruise to see dolphins and enjoy one of North Goa's most unusual activities. 20-seater ferries depart from Sinquerim beach, taking passengers out into the sea to see dolphins. It's a lot of fun to see Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphins and finless porpoises, as well as crocodiles. This exhilarating 45-minute to 1-hour boat journey will leave you with lifelong memories.

Try Your Luck at the Casino

Ships moored on the Mandovi River are home to thriving casinos that welcome visitors and residents alike. Big Daddy Casino, Deltin Royale, Deltin Caravela, Casino Pride, Casino Palms, and Crown Casino are all open 24 hours a day and provide games such as 3-card poker, roulette, baccarat, mini flush, and blackjack. Winning here is pure joy and one among the most exciting bachelor activities in Goa. Aside from gaming zones, there are elegant clubs, discotheques, luxurious restaurants, and massage facilities to suit everyone's needs.

Yoga and other alternative therapy should be practised.

Goa is a famous destination for yoga practitioners.

Yoga is  omnipresent 

Goa 

from Ashtanga to Hathand all in between, and with so many yoga schools, every inclination is provided for - from beginners to more intensive retreats and teacher training courses. 

You can also try Ayurveda, an ancient science of  plant based natural medicine, Reiki, Tai Chi, Pilates, Acupuncture, Reflexology, Bollywood dancing, or Indian cookery workshops, to name a few....

Rekindle the romance on Grand Island.

Goa is a honeymooners' dream, and there are plenty of things to do in North Goa for couples looking to amp up their romance. 

An exhilarating journey to Grand Island is one of them. 

This island is  about a 

40

 minute ferry journey away and has a few activities to offer. 

Take a walk through the spice farms if you want to spend some quality time together, or go scuba diving andsnorkeling with your partner if you like excitement.

40 minute ferry journey away and has a few activities to offer. 

Take a walk through the spice farms if you want to spend some quality time together, or go scuba diving and snorkeling with your partner if you like excitement.

   

Goa's Different Types of Accommodations
Let us now look at the types of accommodations that you can expect to discover in Goa.

Hostels in Goa offer a variety of lodging options.

If you're on a budget, backpacking, or travelling alone to Goa, I'm sure you'll be seeking for low-cost accommodations. Hostels are the ideal solution for you in that case.

In the last few years, a slew of hostels have sprung up all throughout Goa, offering travelers a clean and affordable place to stay .For a dorm bed, these hostels typically charge between 200 and 800 INR, and often provide amenities such as air conditioning, television, complimentary breakfast, bicycles, games, and more .It's also an excellent area to meet other visitors, or you can join one of the many group trips and parties held here .For more information about the hostels in Goa, click here.

Hotels in Goa on a Budget

Despite the fact that Goa is a renowned tourist destination in India, there are plenty of affordable hotels in the state. Budget hotels can be found in all part of Goa, including South and North Goa. Booking.com is a good place to start looking for cheap hotels in Goa. If that isn't an option, you may always use airbnb to get a cheap room.

Homes with a History

Do you enjoy staying in old, rural houses? Then there are the heritage residences in Goa, which are simply old mansions and buildings that have been turned into guest lodgings.

Heritage Homes will transport you to a bygone era while providing current conveniences. Because Goa is so rich in Portuguese history, there are many Portuguese-styled villas and mansions where guests can stay. These places tend to be a little pricey due to their rich history.]

Spending a night here can cost anywhere between 3000 and 4000 INR.

Beach Cottages

Staying in a beach hut or shack is a terrific idea for individuals who want to enjoy the beach and the sea breeze.

On the beaches, you'll discover both budget-friendly and comfortable shacks and huts with spectacular views and easy access to the water. These beach huts/shacks range in price from 500 to 3000 INR and are ideal for individuals looking to unwind on the beach.