goa travel guidelines for child

• Traveling To Goa? Here Are The...

Traveling To Goa? Here Are The Updated COVID Guidelines

Goa has extended the covid-19 induced curfew till september 6. here's a list of goa's travel rules..

Goa has once again extended the COVID-19 induced curfew till September 6. This comes following an uptick in the positivity rate. The curfew in Goa had started on May 9 following the second wave of COVID-19 infections. On August 30, the curfew was extended again, with a few relaxations.

So far, an RT-PCR negative report was required to travel to Goa if you were a tourist, even for those who were fully vaccinated. Only residents of Goa were exempted from taking the test. On August 30, in response to a petition by the state government, the Bombay High Court allowed the entry of fully-vaccinated tourists (after completion of the 14-day period) into the state.

Also Read: Sri Lanka Has Re-Opened For Indian Travellers: What You Need To Know

RT-PCR negative reports, however, are mandatory for children between the age of two and 18.

The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) and Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry have also called upon the state's chief minister to reopen borders to foreign arrivals in a bid to reopen the tourism industry.

What do you need if you are travelling to Goa?

Starting August 10, Goa has been open to tourists albeit under curfew regulations. Tourists and residents need to carry an RT-PCR negative report issued 72 hours prior to entry into the state.

Those who are fully vaccinated and have completed 14 days, can enter the state with their vaccination certificate and no longer require an RT-PCR test.

Also Read: What Are Vaccine Passports And Do You Need One To Travel?

Children above the age of two (until 18) are required to carry a negative RT-PCR test report. Asymptomatic children below the age of two require no test for entry in Goa.

What are the travel guidelines in Goa?

While in Goa, here's what you can and cannot do.

All essential services including healthcare, pharmacies, transport, and construction, are permitted.

- Shops and malls are open till 7 pm.

- Restaurants are open at 50 percent capacity till 11 pm.

- Outdoor and indoor sports remain open but without spectators.

- Social, political and cultural gatherings are allowed at 50 per cent capacity of the venue

- Salons are open. Spas and massage parlours are shut.

- River cruises are shut.

- Gyms can run on 50 per cent capacity.

- Cinema theatres are open at 50 per cent capacity.

- Religious places can permit only 15 people at a time, with Covid appropriate behaviour.

- Casinos remain closed.

- Schools are shut.

How safe is it to travel to Goa?

The lifting of regulations, as evidenced during the second wave is no marker of the state's preparedness for a third.

Goa has, as of August 31, 877 active COVID cases . It has recorded 3,201 cumulative deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

In the month of May, during the second wave, Goa went into lockdown only after the 50 percent test positivity mark had been breached. At 51.65 percent on May 5, Goa's positivity rate was among the highest in the country.

Yet, tourists were welcomed without RT-PCR tests. Last year, the Goa government gave the green signal for popular Sunburn Festival to resume, only to revoke it later after much criticism.

Also Read: What Are The Updated Reopening Guidelines For Mumbai And Pune?

Social media was abuzz with mask-less photos and videos of celebrities . All this, while locals warned of a rising death toll and overwhelmed hospitals.

The state suffered a devastating second wave with the most number of deaths per one lakh of population. Delhi came second. A shortage of oxygen at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) claimed 75 lives in four days.

As the fear of a third wave looms large, and Goa opens up to tourism again, throwing caution to the wind may still not be a smart idea.

• OFFBEAT GOA WITH KIDS: A SOLO PARENT’S TRAVEL GUIDE
• May 5, 2022
• By BackpackingIndianMama

You do not visit Goa just once. I’m clearly a firm believer in this and an admirer of the smallest state in India that never fails to make every touristy dream come true.

It shouldn’t surprise you that the total count of my Goa travels is at a record 10 times since 2005! However, my trip to Goa in November 2021 was something else and very special because I explored it as a solo parent in true backpacker style. The Backpacking Indian Mama (with the baby, of course. It was also an ‘offbeat Goa’ experience with so much more that I’m going to be sharing with you through this blog on the Goa trip . Read on to revisit my exploration of Goa, India with baby, backpack and I…

Table of Contents

TOUCHDOWN GOA – ACCOMMODATION, FOOD AND TRANSP ORT

In true backpacking fashion, we set ourselves up to travel light and made sure to not overfill the bags. The stars were aligned for our Goa trip and I realised that as soon as we were blessed with an empty seat next to me on the onward flight. My daughter seized the opportunity to make herself comfortable and catch up on some pre-tour sleep.

My accommodation in Goa was a hostel located in Panjim, the capital city of Goa. More about my entire Goa trip in another blog. For starters, I went for an evening stroll after landing and reaching my hostel. Sidharth, my college friend who was already in Goa phoned me to join him in a small Fontainhas cafe for some coffee and goan snacks. Arianna and I were super hungry and walked down to this little cute cafe serving some tasty choriz, cutlets, and coffee.

After this initiation, we walked around the neighbourhood, indulging in some photography around the colourful buildings, looking at the crowd gather around the offshore casinos, bought Arianna a cool ice lolly from the roadside vendors, and just generally felt happy for making it to Goa with my child.

An evening cannot be complete in Fontainhas/Panaji without a visit to the local bodega of sorts, Joseph Bar, a hole in the wall bar serving some crazy Tambde Rossa (a feni and kokum drink), squid, tuna and choriz delicacies. Come dusk, and the little sign saying “Joseph Bar” lights up, welcoming the local as warmly as the tourist, who within a couple of hours, mingle with you as if you have known each other for ages. This is the part of Goa I admire, and it really feels good to be in places where you are not judged by the way you look, or dress up. Arianna was tired after a few glasses of ice cold Kokum juice and sausages, and wanted to head back. We checked into my room and had a good nights sleep right in the middle of the colourful Fontainhas area.

We started the next day with a light breakfast at the hostel, and a very budget-friendly Fish Thali at a local tiffin centre in Panjim, which included specialities like Rava-fried Surmai and Coconut Fish Curry. This delicious thali must have cost me somewhere around 180-200 bucks, leaving me truly satisfied with the value for money. Having settled into the Goa vibe, my daughter and I couldn’t wait for our touristy trails to commence. Today was going to be interesting, and you will know why if you read the blog further.

To ensure hassle-free movement and to reach the trail points, I rented a scooter from my hostel. One can rent these scooters from the accommodations, as they have tie ups with local bike rental shops, and you can rent a four wheeler as well, if that suits your budget. The rentals during November were around 400 Indian rupees a day, but can go up or down depending on the season. The majority of the transport requirement on the trails I went on, was taken care of by the good ol’ ferries, the lifelines of Goa which are affordable and super convenient even to carry scooters across water bodies.

TOURISTY TRAILS IN GOA

As you shall find out when you read along, my Goa Trip 2021 can best be described as ‘offbeat’ and ‘one-of-a-kind’. I’d got in touch with Soul Travelling to help me explore this side of Goa with my kid. They responded very warmly and took me along on an adventure I hadn’t yet had the chance to explore. The offbeat Goa tour with them included four trails of lesser-explored corners in Goa, with a world’s difference from its usual hustle-bustle. The trails we embarked upon were arranged by Soul Travelling , a company that curates trails across different parts of Goa and aims to showcase the destination from a lens like never seen before. I will cover all of these trails in separate blogs so the post is more detailed and helpful, rather than being a very brief blog. More on this towards the end, let’s get to the first Goa Offbeat trail now:

FIRST TRAIL: DIVAR ISLAND – a slice of nature’s paradise stuck in time

We couldn’t have started our Goa exploration in a better way! We crossed Old Goa and the holy Basilica of Bom Jesus en route to the first ferry point and for those who are not familiar with the region, Goa comprises several mini islands which are situated between Mandovi and Zuari. Connected to Old Goa only through ferry service, one such island is the Divar island, truly a revelation of natural beauty, serenity and tranquillity. The name of this beautiful island – ‘divar’ is said to be derived from the word ‘dipavati’ and pronounced as ‘divaddi’, which means ‘small island’ in the Konkani language.

Not many tourists find their way here but I’m glad my daughter and I could witness and enjoy nature’s beauty with open scenic fields as far as the eyes could see, dotted with stoic structures of Old Goa along its border. As we boarded our bike on the ferry leading us to the island, (we took this service from the ferry point near the Viceroy’s arch in Old Goa), we could spot so many local island folk going back and forth from the mainland to the islands. This is routine life for the people in this part of Goa, but to me it was a novel way of experiencing a destination cut off from the mainland by water. The ferry service runs between 7am-8pm everyday and these ferries connect to Ribandar and Bicholim in Goa from various directions of the island.

Still very unexplored and unexploited by tourism or commercialisation, thanks to being disconnected from the famed ‘party’ culture that mainstream India knows Goa for, this island has a unique history of Old Goa and has stood the test of time through a plague and several changes in accession. Arianna and I rode through the narrow roads of the stunning island gaping at the panoramic views full of little vintage homes, beautiful villas and boutique properties that now embrace tourism on the mini-islands as a welcome change from the noisier mainland. We stopped for a brief intro to the island under a tree which has now become popular, thanks to the film “Finding Fanny”, which was shot here partly.

Travelling lets you learn and take on a world of new things. Rightly so, this trail taught my daughter Arianna and I so much – a wholesome social studies lesson. Divar island consists of three villages, namely Piedade, Naroa and Malar. We visited the Our Lady of Compassion Church in Piedade, a village that’s a replica of a typical Goan village during the time of the Portuguese.

From learning more about the consequences of Portuguese rule in Goa, where persecution of the local population took place due to the Portuguese conquest, to witnessing remnants of the Kadamba dynasty in the cemetery and chapel, to learning about ‘All Souls Day’, quite like the ‘Day of the Dead’ in Mexico, where the cemetery is all done up for the village to pay their respects to the souls that have passed on. This was a unique opportunity to learn a thing or two about Divar’s colonial rule.

PORNE TIRTH TALI – THE STEPWELL TEMPLE SITE

We quickly stopped for a cold drink from the local stores because the sun was still shining strong and rode to an ancient stepwell called Porne Tirth Tali (meaning old pilgrimage site), which consists of the ruins of the Saptakoteshwar temple. During the 16C invasion by the Portuguese, Divar was the first island to be captured and therefore, the temples and deities were shifted across the river for safekeeping. The stepwell is like a structure lost in time, beaten down yet very intriguing with 108 temple carvings from the 12 th Century. Arianna explored the sides of the huge stepwell, and I took a good break from riding as well.

MUD BATH EXPERIENCE ON AN ISLAND UNDER THE SUN

After a break, we got onto the bike again and reached the final location for the trail, which was what Arianna had been looking forward to. We changed into wet suits at a local’s home, and went on a long trail right into the paddy fields with views of the setting sun around us. The views are beautiful as you walk along the dense fields and the sky changes its colours to an ochre yellow. Right in the middle of nowhere, the trail ambassador pointed us to a pond full of fresh water and mud!!

This was where we were going to dip ourselves after an afternoon of riding in the sun, and take a medicinal clay bath – an experience I’d highly recommend and so does my daughter because kids love clay and all things messy, don’t they? The water was very cool, the sun was just about setting and the views were absolutely amazing. Arianna managed to spot some crabs, and we played around in the mud pool for quite a while, while slathering clay onto each other’s bodies. The feel of dipping into a natural mud pool was quite exciting, and relaxing as well.

Divar is now home to some beautiful boutique homestays and wellness resorts, and is a welcome destination for those willing to explore the susegaad island life. Little alleys that take you along the island, panoramic views of paddy fields, mangroves and the natural habitat around make this erstwhile pilgrimage island, a very refreshing tourist destination.

Nature always manages to add its magic. Post some snacks and kokum sharbat at a local’s home, it started raining heavily on our way back to the ferry. We made makeshift rain ponchos out of garbage bags, and wore them on the ride back to the ferry, and then to my hostel. Not only was it a sight to behold, but it was the very first time I saw my daughter adapt to sudden weather conditions while standing on the bike and making sure I was undisturbed while riding.

She held onto her little helmet and grabbed the scooter handles while protecting herself from the rain, while not uttering a single complaint. It’s these small joys and growth that reflect in such times shared with your little ones. As we headed back via the evening ferry to Ribandar, she gave me one of her usual toothless smiles and said “Mama I kinda really liked today”. A stamp of approval, indeed.

ROUND-UP OF TRAIL : DIVAR ISLAND WITH SOUL TRAVELLING

Divar trail at Divar Island with Soul Travelling – Timings: Approx 4.5 hours.

Boarding Point: Old Goa Jetty. Advisable to bring your two/four wheeler along.

Food served: Snacks and tea, and classic Feni tasting.

Other places to visit on Divar Island: Malar and Narao – the other two villages.

Acknowledgements

Kudos and a huge shoutout to Soul Travelling who hosted this experience for my daughter and I, and helped us unlock a whole new world in Goa with countless explorations and experiences. Also, my friend and photographer Sidharth Raveendran who took up the shared challenge of documenting this trail with me as he was stationed in Goa incidentally at the same time I travelled there.

Who are Soul Travelling?

With concepts like nature, heritage, food, architecture, culture and many more, Soul Travelling is a Goa based travel operator that enabled us to see Goa in a different light this time. Like I always say, the best way to explore a place is to interact and meet with the locals. Soul Travelling consists of a team of locals who know their state in and out, truly value their roots, and want to showcase it beyond just the typical tags of the sun, sand and sea with utmost hospitality and care. Special thanks to Kedar and Clyde and the Soul Travelling ambassadors (the guides that accompanied us on this particular trail) – Mayuresh, Deepak and the team for coordinating this Divar trail for us.

The views expressed about my experiences of the trails and Soul Travelling, in particular, are my own and completely authentic. While we go places together, rest assured that I have always strived to bring forth real anecdotes and honest reviews of the experiences for all of you, my dear readers. So if you are tempted to take up the Divar island trail, I say trust me and go for it! Backpacking Indian Mama wishes you all happy, safe travels.

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Hey there fellow travel lover! I am Deenaz and I have been backpacking with my daughter Arianna since she was born. In this blog, i write about destinations in India and abroad, recommend child friendly trip itineraries, give unfiltered product and stay reviews, and recommend best practices for travelling the World with your kids. As an Indian woman, I have learnt how to stay safe and travel confidently with my child. Here I am retelling my travel stories so it helps you travel with your children. Come along on my journey!

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Backpacking Mom from India. Carry my baby and backpack all over the World. 17 countries, 23 states. Encouraging other moms to travel with their kids. Follow my journey!

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Goa Travel Guidelines

Last Updated on: 19th Apr 2022

The state of Goa has released new travel guidelines considering the ongoing situation of Covid-19 pandemic. While the Government lifted most of the travel restrictions in several phases post Covid-19 lockdown, the third wave of Covid in Goa has made the Government rethink on travel guidelines.

In a bid to deal with the second onslaught of Coronavirus, the Government has issued new restrictions on traveling and fines for rule-breaking. Given below are the intra-state and inter-state travel guidelines for Goa. The information is subject to change as per the updates issued by the Goa Government.

Goa Interstate Travel Guidelines

• No restriction as per latest Guidelines issued by the state government.

Goa Intrastate Travel Guidelines

For more information, check out:

COVID State-wise Status

COVID Information Portal, Goa

You can visit redBus.in to check bus boarding points, bus schedule, and book bus tickets in Goa. For extra safety and comfort, you can book Primo buses. redBus provides a hassle-free experience of booking bus tickets online in Goa.  

Disclaimer:

Please note that according to the guidelines issued by States/UTs, all passengers will have to undergo mandatory thermal screening at the point of departure and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the flight/train/bus. Thermal screening at the exit point shall also be arranged.  

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Goa Travel Guidelines

• Epass is not required.
• Health Screening:
• Fully vaccinated: Can travel without RT-PCR Negative Report.
• Partially vaccinated: Can travel with Partial Vaccinated Certificate + RT-PCR Negative Report of test done under 72 hrs. of travel to the destination
• Not vaccinated: Can travel with RT-PCR Negative Report of test done under 72 hrs. of travel to the destination + Mandatory Rapid Antigen Test [RAT] happening on the State Borders and Goa Airport.
• Domestic Passengers:
• Travellers from other states are allowed to travel in Goa
• COVID Test not required.
• No need of Quarantine
• International Passengers:
• Thermal Screening upon arrival is carried out by APHO and passengers shall submit self-declaration form.
• Rapid Test Mandatory for all arriving passengers. If report comes positive, passenger will be sent to COVID Care Centre as per State Govt. guidelines.
• As per the Goa Quarantine rules if the test report is negative, passengers are allowed to proceed for 14 days of Home Quarantine.
• Passenger obligation
• COVID-19 Negative Certificate is not mandatory while travelling.
• All passengers must download Aarogya Setu App
• Operating Status:
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• Nightclubs/ Discotheques
• Boat Cruises

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Covid Protocol for kids - Goa Forum

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We (husband wife) are fully vaccinated. What are the rules for kids (< 7 years)? Are they straightaway exempted or they have to undergo RT-PCR?

21 replies to this topic

Those fully vaccinated should have completed 14 days from the second dose. The RT-PCR test for the kid should be within 48hrs of boarding. We took the test for our son (9 years) one day prior and carried the copy with us.

And is there checking during entry to churches, exit from railway station etc

Lack of clarity regarding this. My own experience. We did the test for the kid while going to goa but not while returning to mumbai.

Hi,van you please share experience. Did anyone asked for kids test?

Have the same info. Kids below 5 are exempt from RTPCR requirement for GOA

Can anyone confirm if the rule for RT-PCR for kids is still in place? We are a fully vaccinated couple traveling in Dec last week with a 8 years old .

Yes, I contacted them and they said it's necessary for everyone above age 5.

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26 Goa Travel Tips: Important Must-Knows for Your Goa Trip

This website contains no sponsored content. The content is written entirely on my own and is based on my personal experience and extensive research. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the  disclaimer  for more information.

Travelling to Goa soon? In this post, I am going to share with you the Goa travel tips that you absolutely need to know before you travel to Goa.

The tips are in random order but comprehensively cover everything you need to know about

• Commuting within Goa
• Renting a car or a scooter in Goa
• Shopping in Goa
• Drinking and eating in Goa
• Planning your Goa itinerary
• and many more aspects associated to Goa travel

All the tips contain detailed insights based on my 20+ trips to Goa. So if you want your trip to be magical but not challenging and fun but not frustrating, make sure you read the article thoroughly!

(You can thank me later… I will tell you how!)

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please read the  disclaimer  for more information.

Goa Travel Tips: Everything you need to know before your Goa trip

1. book your taxi at the airport prepaid counter or using the goamiles app.

As soon as you exit Goa airport, you will notice hundreds of pick-up placards and dozens of cab drivers calling you out.

Don’t pick the first driver who approaches you as he will definitely take overcharge you.

Instead, choose one of the options below:

• Book a prepaid taxi from the prepaid taxi counter just before you exit the Goa airport. Expect to wait for about 10-15 minutes for your prepaid taxi to arrive. The benefit of booking a prepaid taxi is that the charges are fixed and you don’t have to worry about getting ripped.
• Download the Goamiles app on your phone and book a cab once you’re ready to exit. Goamiles is a Government app that lets you book a cab online the same way in which you would book an Uber. The rates are usually much cheaper than local drivers and at times even cheaper than the prepaid counter. The only caveat – you may have to wait for a cab to be available for booking.
• Prebook your cab online – this option would be a bit expensive but it would ensure that you have a cab ready the moment you’re ready to leave from the airport. In any case, this option often works out cheaper than booking an airport pick up from your hotel (Especially if you’re staying in 4+ star property)

See airport pick up options here

2. Carry your ID cards for renting a vehicle

To rent a vehicle in Goa, you need the following ID cards

• two Government issued ID card and
• a valid driving license

Also a practice that I find rather annoying is that of depositing your ID card like your PAN, Aadhar Card or Passport with the bike rental shop for the duration of your rental.

So it would be prudent to carry two Government ID cards – one to be kept as a deposit and the other to show at bars and clubs requiring age verification.

Make sure you get a written acknowledgment of the deposit of your Government ID card to avoid issues later.

3. Understand how huge Goa is

Many people who have never visited Goa imagine it to be like any other tourist destination in India – i.e. they believe it to be a small town or a city.

But what you must remember is that Goa is a state. Even though it is one of the smallest states in India, it is still much bigger than a regular tourist town in India.

In fact, the vertical length of Goa is approximately 105 kilometres and its approximate width is 60 kilometres.

Thus, you can never ‘cover’ all of Goa in one trip. You will have to mostly cover only a small part of Goa in one trip or divide your time in Goa wisely between North and South Goa to make the most of your trip.

As a first-timer in Goa trying to visit major tourist attraction, understand that you will spend a considerable amount of time commuting between places.

In my digital travel plan Goa: Planned for You , I have created a full itinerary to cut down your trip planning process.

All you have to do is follow it!

Goa: Planned for You

A handy digital travel plan that includes

• Specially curated stay recommendations
• restaurant suggestions
• a day-wise break-up of things to do
• a fully interactive Goa map
• special insights and lots more!

4. Rent a two-wheeler to make the most of your trip

Given how huge Goa is, the best way to cut down on time spent travelling is by renting a two-wheeler.

Two-wheelers are perfect

• for riding through the narrow interior roads of Goa
• for avoiding traffic jams in main cities like Panjim or Madgaon
• to cut down overall costs as a typical per day scooter rental only costs INR 400 and petrol in Goa is also much cheaper than most Indian states.

The roads in Goa are also in good condition for most parts of the year.

The only time when riding a scooter won’t be a convenient option is during monsoons.

Foreigners not used to riding in India can safely initiate themselves in Goa as there is hardly any traffic in the internal roads in Goa. Once you build confidence, you can then venture on the highways and in main cities.

You can also get fancier, bigger bikes on rent. Expect to pay a higher rent for these.

I personally prefer a scooter over a bike for its storage space.

5. Practice caution when getting a vehicle on rent

It is very common for tourists to take a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler on rent when in Goa.

But to avoid getting in any kind of rental troubles later, check the following

• the condition of the vehicle you are taking on rent. It is advisable to take a good-quality video recording of the vehicle you plan to take on rent before you make a payment in respect of the same. Make sure you capture all dents, scratches and damages to the vehicle.
• the vehicle you’re taking on rent is a tourist vehicle i.e. one with a yellow number plate. White number plates are private vehicles and you will be penalized for taking those on rent.
• The quantity of petrol in the tank. Most vehicles will only come with just about enough petrol to take you to the nearest petrol pump.

6. Check reviews on multiple platforms before you book your hotel

Goa is one of the prime most tourist destinations in India. As a result, there is cut throat competition amongst hotels, hostels and homestays.

To lure customers into booking the hotel, a few hotels have been known

• to put false photos on websites or
• put photos of superior rooms only or
• put super edited photos

Tourists have faced difficulties on account of such scammy behavior.

To avoid getting into such situations, please

• check tourist photos of a hotel
• read reviews across multiple booking platforms
• book a hotel recommended to you by an expert or someone who has stayed at the property in the recent past.

I faced a similar issue on one of my trips when I booked a highly-rated hotel only to find multiple cockroaches in my room. It was a horror!

After that, I have exercised tremendous caution when booking hotels in Goa. To avoid getting into trouble, I book all my stays in Goa using Booking.com which allows free cancellation.

7. Book a taxi outside your hotel

Booking a taxi for sightseeing or for pick up and drops to the nearest station often proves to be much more expensive.

This is because hotels are not allowed to hire their own drivers.

Most hotels use the services of local taxi drivers from their area and thus charge a surcharge or extra commission to you.

To save money, directly approach a taxi driver waiting outside your hotel.

The only minor inconvenience caused to you is that you will have to carry your luggage outside as the taxi driver that you’ve booked directly won’t be allowed entry inside the hotel premises.

(As ridiculous as this may sound, that’s exactly how Goa works!)

8. Be prepared for massive crowds in touristy Goa

Many a times when people read that some areas in Goa are crowded, they don’t fathom the degree.

So let me help you get an idea.

The tourist side of Goa i.e. areas between Candolim and Vagator are massively crowded.

• Thousands of tourists throng the beaches in this area at any given point in time.
• Most of the restaurants are full and you will need to wait to get a place.
• Every inch of party clubs is packed with people

If you are someone who absolutely can’t stand such massive crowds, please avoid visiting touristy areas on weekends (in particular long weekends).

The crowds in touristy Goa recedes considerably on weekdays.

9. Bargain hard everywhere

Like all tourist destinations, if you want to maximise the return on your buck, bargain hard.

Don’t hestitate to bargain at

• flea markets
• street shops
• vehicle rentals
• tourist taxis
• tour operators
• watersport vendors

Put your shameless haggle pants on and start negotiating from at least 60% of the price quoted and then go upwards.

Probably the only places where you won’t be allowed to bargain is at cafés and restaurants.

10. Pack light and shop locally

As I have stated in my (soon to be published) article on what to pack for a trip to Goa , it’s is best to pack light for a Goa trip.

You can find lots of shops selling clothes, swimwear, sarongs, jewellery, hats and other accessories near all beach and tourist areas.

Plus, all the areas have

• grocery stores
• medical shops and
• liquor shops

So it is best to buy stuff that you need on reaching Goa and pack as lightly as possible.

This saves space in your luggage as well as proves to be economic especially for longer stays in Goa.

Don’t plan a hectic trip (you’ll miss the real beauty of Goa)

11. Skip tourist attractions that don’t interest you

Let me be honest with you-

As much as I recommend visiting the tourist places in Goa, in my opinion, they hardly encapsulate the essence of visiting Goa.

The essence of Goa lies in experiencing

• a laid-back way of living
• a live and let live way policy where there is a lot more social acceptance to practices otherwise frowned upon in the country like drinking, partying, dressing less conservatively, etc.

Unfortunately, a mere visit to a tourist attraction hardly let’s us experience this beauty of Goa.

Therefore, if visiting churches, museums or forts doesn’t interest you, it’s okay to leave those places out of your itinerary.

12. Explore as many offbeat places as possible

Goan tourism has grown extremely commercial over the years. This has resulted in slow damage and loss of charm of prime tourist attractions like

• Fort Aguada
• Chapora Fort
• Old Goan Churches
• Calangute and Baga beaches

To enhance the quality of your visit, include as many offbeat locations in your itinerary as possible.

Some recommendations are

• Tambdi Surla temple
• Bondla Wildlife sanctuary
• Mahavir Wildlife sanctuary
• Less touristy beaches like Cola beach, Patnem beach, Talpona beach, Betalbatim beach etc.

13. Try out street food and local bakeries

While Instagrammers may be populating your feed with the trendiest restaurants and cafés all around Goa, the real magic lies in its local street food and bakeries.

Local street food and bakeries in Goa offer absolutely delicious yet inexpensive food.

For breakfast, eating freshly baked food at a bakery feels much more satiating than eating at a fancy eatery.

For main meals too, you can safely rely on streed food joints that serve Poi, Ros Omelette, Xacuti, Goan Chilly Chicken, Samosas, Bhaje and Patal Bhaji and Wada. The food is super filling and hardly puts a dent in your pocket.

The food sold here is also classic Goan food that you won’t get to taste in other bigger food joints.

14. Be ready for food overdose

When in Goa… you eeeaaaaaat!

It’s so difficult to limit your portion sizes thanks to the sheer variety of delicious food that surrounds you.

From seafood specialities to a fish thali to continental cuisine to baked goods, it is safe to label Goa as a foodie’s paradise.

The intake of main meals is further loaded with occasional drinks, juices, finger foods, coffees and desserts.

So, in short, be ready for some calorie overload.

15. Don’t accept random stuff from strangers

The consumption and distribution of drugs is a serious legal offence in India. The law prescribes a very harsh punishment that includes rigorous imprisonment for the same.

Yet, cases of illegal distribution and consumption of drugs repeatedly come to light as Goa police cracks down on offenders.

Don’t accidentally fall prey to such crimes.

• Accepting anything from strangers
• Visiting a stranger’s room
• Attending parties hosted by people you don’t know

16. Don’t be tempted to drink irresponsibly

Alcohol is available all across Goa. From liquor shops, to restaurants to beach shacks, you can find liquor easily.

But don’t be tempted to drink irresponsibly.

• you aren’t drinking and driving
• you have made arrangements of being dropped back to your accommodation if you are planning to get drunk at a late night party.

17. Beware of common scams

Like every major tourist destination in the world, Goa has its share of scamsters looking for innocent tourist preys.

Here are a few common scams

• Owner of the vehicle secretly damaging the vehicle rented to you to stake a claim at the deposit.
• Selling you a boat ride promising a certain distance or time and then finishing it off much sooner
• Guaranteeing a dolphin watching experience when in fact there is hardly any likelihood of dolphin spotting
• Paying for a permanent tattoo and it getting washed away in a few days
• Showing high-quality cashews from the window of a packet but the rest of the packet being filled with spoilt cashews.
• Claiming to sell top-quality spices and tea to foreigners which then turn out to be fake or of extremely low quality
• A friendly-stranger chatting with you and singing songs with you at the beach and then forcing you to pay for his performance

On top of this, there are many scams where people looking to engage in illegal activities like drugs and prostitution are duped. But the only way to protect yourself from such scams is by not indulging in any activity that’s illegal as per the laws of the land.

18. Don’t travel with a pocket full of cash

I think in today’s age of technological advancement, not travelling with a pocket full of cash should be a no-brainer.

Why attract the risk of being robbed when you could be transacting digitally, right?

So to avoid being pickpocketed or robbed in Goan tourist areas, don’t walk around with a loaded pocket.

There are plenty of ATMs in all tourist areas. Most commercial establishments also accept digital payments and cards.

19. Embrace slowness

Goa takes the meaning of ‘slow’ to a whole other level.

People in Goa don’t hustle and that’s evident from

• shops and restaurants remaining shut in the afternoons (Don’t worry, beachside shacks and popular joints remain open)
• shopkeepers taking their own sweet time to get you what you need
• Taxi drivers and autorickshaw drivers driving at their own pace (i.e. slowly)
• Dispensaries and offices opening by 10 am and shutting down before 6 pm + take an afternoon break.
• Restaurants and cafés taking time to serve you your food

You will also notice the laidback attitude in all walks of life.

You will rarely find rickshaws queueing up at railway stations or airports early in the morning, in the afternoon or after sunset.

If you have a flight or a train to catch at odd hours, please book your commute in advance.

Finding someone on the streets at odd hours is nearly impossible.

Basically, if you want something done fast or need some urgent assistance, you are in the wrong region.

The only way to cope with this slowness of lifestyle is by embracing it and planning around it.

20. Protect your skin

I have written extensively about the damage sunrays can cause you in Goa in my article on what to pack for a trip to Goa.

I have learned the hard way by getting my skin burnt to the point of the sunburnt skin flaking and peeling off. But you can learn from my mistakes.

Please do the following to protect yourself from the harsh sun

• use an SPF-50 sunscreen like this one
• wear good sunglasses (avoid buying the cheap ones you get at local street-side shops)
• wear a hat or a cap (buy locally – good variety at affordable pricing)
• drink plenty of water and stay hydrated
• avoid direct sunlight in outdoor areas in the afternoon
• wear comfortable, light cotton clothing

Likewise, expect mosquitoes and small insects in many budget rooms and beachside accommodations. Carry a good skin cream and mosquito repellant to protect yourself.

21. Choose to stay longer

As I told you earlier, Goa is not another tourist town.

It’s an entire state and the only way to do justice to it is by

• planning a long trip to Goa
• planning multiple trips to Goa where you explore different sides of Goa everytime

Doing this will get you closer to the beauty of Goa, make you understand its culture and its way of life.

A rushed trip to Goa that covers tourist places and leaves no extra time is the worst way of exploring Goa.

22. Buy drinks from a liquor shop

I have let you in on this trick in my article on 12 useful ways to visit Goa on a budget . But let me quickly summarise it for you here-

Alcohol is cheaper in Goa but only if you buy it at a local liquor shop.

Popular restaurants and pubs serve alcohol at rates comparable with major Indian cities. Drinking here will cause a hole in your pocket.

So be smart and buy drinks from a liquor shop and enjoy it with your friends and family at your hotel or hostel.

23. Opt for street-side shops to buy clothing (instead of flea markets)

Goan flea markets are truly one of a kind. They are weekly and have a certain attractive vibe to it. The most famous flea markets in Goa are

• Anjuna flea market (Wednesday only)
• Night Bazaar at Vagator (Friday only)
• Saturday Night Market at Arpora (closed following the pandemic, could reopen shortly)

While these places sell some truly exquisite clothing and jewellery items, I think that they don’t justify their once a week tease.

Most of the clothes sold at these markets are found in street-side shops (Especially in the everyday market that sits near Anjuna). Buying at street-side shops proves to be beneficial for two main reasons

• it’s often much cheaper
• damaged items are easier to replace or return as the shop is available on all days and not just once a week.

Plus, you also save on the entry fee charged by some flea markets by shopping from local street-side vendors instead.

24. Dress modestly at temples and churches

Just because Goan dressing standards are not as orthodox as many other places in India does not mean that you are allowed to disrespect local culture.

Goa is home to some of the most beautiful and religiously symbollic temples and churches.

Do not enter these religious institutions skimpily dressed.

Avoid wearing sleeveless clothing, deep neck tops or clothing that’s above your knees.

25. Save maps offline

Goa, in general, enjoys excellent network coverage. But there are still a few regions where you won’t get any connectivity. These areas include

• some routes leading to Cabo de Rama
• Cola beach and nearby areas
• portions on the highway near Uttorda and Majorda
• approach road towards Dudhsagar falls.

If you are using Google Maps or Maps to navigate, you may risk getting stuck in such regions.

Always save maps offline when covering major distances by road.

26. Wear night driving glasses for riding on Goan roads at night

Riding a two-wheeler in Goa is a fun experience, except at night. At night, when you ride from one place to another you will notice a number of small flying insects. (I wish I knew the name of these insects). My husband was troubled by these insects as they would enter his eye and make riding extremely difficult.

This problem is particularly faced on the highway connecting North Goa to South Goa.

Wear night driving glasses to beat this issue.

Final Thoughts

I have tried to pour all my experience of travelling to Goa in a long helpful listicle. I am sure you found it helpful. Is there something you would like to add? If yes, please leave a comment down below.

Travelling to Goa soon? Read my other articles on Goa:

• 17 best areas to stay in Goa: A comprehensive guide – read article
• 46 kickass things to do in Goa: An ultimate guide – read article
• The best places to visit in North Goa: A 3-day guide – read article
• The Ultimate 5-day Goa itinerary – read article
• How many days are enough in Goa – read article

In my readymade digital Goa travel plan, I recommend where to stay, where to eat and what to do to suit your travel style . Check it out here .

GOA: PLANNED FOR YOU

Benefit from our expertise in Goa. Save hours of trip planning effort, save thousands of rupees on travel agents and kill trip planning overwhelm.

Get access to the best Goa trip plan with specially curated stay recommendations, restaurant suggestions, day-wise break-up of things to do, a fully interactive Goa map and much more in a single downloadable pdf.

Save for later!

TOP TRAVEL RESOURCES

Here is a list of our favorite travel resources- the ones that I absolutely swear by when planning almost every trip. Go through this list to plan a hassle-free trip and save a lot of money!

Flight Booking: Check the availability of tickets, the best time to fly, and the cheapest fares on Skyscanner . You may also find a cheap flight via CheapOair

Accommodation: I absolutely love booking through Agoda . In most countries and particularly in Asia, I often find the best fares on Agoda. But I also love the no prepayment and no cancellation fee policy of Booking.com . For cheap accommodations and hostels, nothing beats Hostelworld .

Car Rentals: You may find and rent an appropriate car via RentalCars . It’s hassle-free and reliable.

Guided Tours: I absolutely love GetYourGuide for local sightseeing tours, walking tours, history tours, and food tours. The booking process is seamless, and the tours are super affordable. But in Asian countries, I prefer Viator or Klook for their affordably priced tours.

Lounge Access : Get Priority Pass – my personal favorite card that gives me unlimited access to premium airport lounges all over the world

Hey, if you found this post helpful, share it with more people or buy me a coffee !

Vrushali Ketkar is a lawyer turned travel blogger. She has travelled to 14 countries. She travels like a regular working woman with family. Her lawyer-level research skills make her a destination expert and help her get the most out of my trips. Today, her travel articles and videos help thousands of people across the world plan their trips to various parts of the world.

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• 12 Affordable Things To Do In Goa With Kids For Your Family Adventure In 2024!

23 Mar 2023

Holidays give you the space and freedom to relax and interact with your loved ones. This is why a trip to Goa with kids is a perfect choice for a family getaway. There are a range of activities that fit for the entire family to enjoy while holidaying at this idyllic destination. While most resorts in Goa provide family-friendly facilities and services with fully-equipped kids clubs, there is still much for the whole family to do outside the hotel grounds.

12 Things To Do In Goa With Kids

if you are wondering where to go on a trip with your family then you must pick Goa as your first choice as this place is not just for friends and loved ones but fun and happening for family vacation as well. Explore Goa in March for an exotic vacation.  Have a look at COVID-19 travel advisory for Maharashtra updates if you are planning for Goa. Here are 12 recommendations of experiences ideal for a family trip to the tropical paradise. Take a look at the list of things to do in Goa with Kids and pick the ones that suit your kid’s tastes:

• Sahakari Spice Farm : Visit A Spice Plantation
• Wildernest : Kid-Friendly Trek
• Fort Aguada : Step Back In Time
• Dudhsagar Falls : Take A Dip
• Arpora : Go Karting
• Splashdown Water Park: Hop-On A Ride
• Butterfly Conservatory Of Goa : Spot Vibrant Butterflies
• Olaulim Backyards: A Superb Staycation
• Snow Park: Build A Snowman
• Goa’s Ark: Relish Delicious Snacks
• Parasailing: Have A Splash Of Water

1. Sahakari Spice Farm: Visit A Spice Plantation

Sahakari Spice Farm is situated amidst lush green surroundings at Curti. Besides the guided tour in the Spice plantation, the farm offers its guests other modes of entertainment, some of which they can opt to avail of. During the tour, the guests are given a demonstration on how to climb the tall betel-nut palms and then the art of swinging from these palms is shown. Any guest willing to try out this feat is given an opportunity.

Entry Fee: INR 400 per person Location: Belgaum Highway, Curti, Ponda, Goa What’s Special: Play with elephants, Explore the farms

Must Read: 9 Incredibly Interesting Museums In Goa: From The Ancient Centuries

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2. Wildernest: Kid-Friendly Trek

Pack your rucksack and fasten your shoes to walk away into paradise. A pair of binoculars and a bottle of water is all you need to set into the wilds, for an experience of a lifetime. Designed for various age groups our trails and route offer adventure and excitement at every step and transport you to a world you’ve never seen before. Your kids will walk in the realms of nature accompanied by a young naturalist.

Room Tariff: INR 6,342 Location: Off Sankhali, Chorla Ghats, Chorla What’s Special: Hiking, Birdwatching

Suggested Read: Sao Joao Festival In Goa: Soak In The Spirit Of Celebration!

3. Bhagwan Mahaveer: Spot Wild Animals

Nature lovers will enjoy the wildlife tours here like the one at Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary where you can view several species of flowering plants and endemic plants as well as numerous birds and animals. An invigorating wildlife tour is held at the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary where you can spot wild boar, wild dogs, sambar, spotted deer and porcupine.

Entry Fee: INR 5 for children, INR 20 for adults, INR 30 for still camera, and INR 150 for video camera Location: Caranzol, Goa What’s Special: Spot Animals, Birdwatching

Suggested Read: 17 Luxury Villas In Goa: Ditch Hotels For An Intimate Escape

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4. Fort Aguada: Step Back In Time

Built by the Portuguese, the formidable Fort Aguada sits south of the Sinquerim Beach in Goa near the mouth of the Mandovi River. Facing the inviting waters of the Arabian Sea, a lighthouse inside the fort attracts visitors throughout the year. Today its remnants stand as a testimony to the glory days of the Portuguese Empire. You can teach your kids Portuguese history while you’re there.

Entry Fee: Free Location: Fort Aguada Rd, Aguada Fort Area, Candolim, Goa What’s Special: A historical tour

Suggested Read: 15 Best Casinos In Goa Where One Can Try Their Luck On Board

5. Dudhsagar Falls: Take A Dip

Home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, the vicinity around Dudhsagar Waterfall famously shelters nearly 200 bird species including Indian Black Woodpecker, Paradise Fly Catcher, and the Malabar Pied Hornbill. This four-tiered waterfall ranks among the tallest waterfalls in India. You can take your kids for a dip in the cool water of the pool formed at the base of the falls. Beware of slippery rocks.

Entry Fee: Free Location: Sonaulim, Goa What’s Special: Spot bird species, Relax amidst nature

Suggested Read: Plan A Honeymoon In Goa And Ride The Myriad Waves Of Romance

6. Arpora: Go Karting

Sit behind the wheel, press the accelerator to full throttle, and enjoy the fun of riding on professional racing tracks by indulging in the activity of Go Karting. Take full advantage of this opportunity and experience the life of a racer while sitting behind the wheel for those few memorable laps. Make sure your child is wearing all the necessary safety equipment before he embarks on a ride.

Cost: INR 200 for 10 laps Location: Goa What’s Special: Try Go Karting and have fun with your kids

Suggested Read: Here’s Why Butterfly Beach In Goa Should Be On Your Bucket List

7. Splashdown Water Park: Hop On A Ride

Splashdown Park has several outstanding slides like the Solar Splash, Twist, Boomerango, Loop The Loop, Double Trouble, Eddy’s Eagle Run and many more. These rides are as exciting as they sound and your children are going to have a blast at this water park. This water park also has a vast kid-friendly pool. The stunning Ramp Slide will drop you in it. If you’re a parent reading this, don’t fret, the pool is not too deep.

Ticket Price: INR 500 Location: Near Double Tree Hilton Hotel, Bardez, Goa What’s Special: Water Rides, Ramp Slide

Suggested Read: 55 Best Places To Visit In Goa For A Splendid Vacay!

8. Butterfly Conservatory Of Goa: Spot Vibrant Butterflies

Image Credit: Sathya K Selvam for Wikimedia Commons

Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.

Located in the Ponda district, the Butterfly Conservatory of Goa is one of the best places to visit with kids on your vacation. Take your kids to the conservatory for a leisurely walk and for spotting vibrant butterflies. Surrounded by beauty and greenery, the Butterfly Conservatory is spread around a large area of 4000 square meters which makes it perfect for taking a stroll and playing around with your kids.

Location: Ponda, Pisgah, Priol, Goa What’s Special: Spot various butterfly species

Suggested Read: Scuba Diving In Goa: An Experience That Goes Beyond An Adventurer’s Imagination

9. Olaulim Backyards: A Superb Staycation

Image Credit: olaulimgoa.com

If you are looking for a wonderful stay option where you can try some of the best things to do in Goa with kids , then Olaulim Backyards are an excellent choice. At Olaulim Backyards, you can enjoy a relaxing stay while indulging in swimming, kayaking, and other fun activities. Gorge on delicious meals and enjoy a remarkable stay with your kids to make the most of your vacation.

Location: Olaulim, North Goa, Goa What’s Special: Adventure Activities, Swimming Pool

Suggested Read: 13 Essential Goa Travel Tips You Must Abide By To Make Your Vacation Happening And Memorable

10. Snow Park: Build A Snowman

Image Credit: Pixabay for Wikimedia Commons

Another great option on this list of best things to do in Goa with kids is visiting the Snow Park. An amazing spot where you and your kids can play with snow, enjoy rides, build a snowman, Snow Park is one of the best places to visit in Goa. Your vacation will be incomplete without visiting this terrific park. Its time for a snow battle with your kids and Snow Park in Goa is the perfect place for it.

Location: Tito’s Lane, 2, Calangute – Baga Rd, Baga, Goa What’s Special: Snow rides, Food, Drinks

Suggested Read: Shopping In Goa: 18 Things You Must Buy When Exploring The Tourist Paradise

11. Goa’s Ark: Relish Delicious Snacks

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

For savoring scrumptious snacks on your family vacation, you must stop by Goa’s Ark. This restaurant offers flavorsome dishes like The Ark Burger, The Aged Beef Fillet Mignon, Thali Meze and more. Offering a delightful dining experience to all guests and other fun activities, Goa’s Ark attracts a lot of families every year. This place is a superb choice for a fun-packed picnic with your kids.

Location: 882, Anjuna Mapusa Rd, Mazal Waddo, Anjuna, Goa What’s Special: Delicious Food

Suggested Read: 16 Winter Honeymoon Destinations In India

12. Parasailing: Have A Splash Of Water

Image Credit: Author Name for Wikimedia Commons Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.

Experience a splash of water by choosing for one of the best water sports in Goa and that is parasailing which will indeed be fun for you and your family.

Fees: Vary from INR 1000 to INR 3000 Location: Baga beach, Calangute Goa What’s Special: Thrilling water sport.

Further Read: 41 Awesome Places To Visit In North Goa For A Kick-Ass Beach Holiday

Some of the best things to do in Goa with kids range from nature activities, safaris, and water sports. There are also indoor activities such as amusement park rides and visiting galleries loaded with artwork that appeals to kids. You can also strike funny poses with your family members in photo booth stationed at cafes in Goa. Book a trip to goa with TravelTriangle right away and take the trip of a lifetime with your tiny tots.

Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Do In Goa With Kids

In how many days can you visit most of the places on your Goa trip?

It will take you only 4 days to visit most of the places of Goa so you can start with North Goa and indulge in several water sports like scuba diving, banana ride, and parasailing. Make sure you also visit the beaches of Goa like Candolim, Anjuna, and Calangute.

Which beach you should visit in Goa during the family trip?

One can visit the Benaulim Beach for the peaceful vibes and Cavelossim Beach to see the black lava rocks. There are several other beaches like Mandrem Beach, Patnem Beach and Betul Beach that you can visit in Goa with kids.

Which month is perfect for a Goa trip?

You can visit Goa from mid-November to mid-February as the weather during this time is comfortable and pleasantly cool.

Is Goa Expensive?

Expenses for any trip totally depends on the travel style of a person. In comparison to other places, you can say that Goa is quite affordable to explore.

What are the beautiful places in Goa?

Fort Aguada, Bodgeshwar Temple, Anjuna Flea Market, Kala Academy, Chapora Fort, and Vagator Beach are some of the most beautiful places to explore in Goa.

Which one is better North Goa or South Goa?

Both places have their own charm and you can choose any one according to your preferences. Saying that, South Goa is home to some of the most beautiful, clean and peaceful beaches in comparison to the beaches of North Goa.

Is Goa a safe place to visit?

Yes, Goa is a very safe place for travelers. However, you must take some safety precautions and stay at a place that will be secure and safe.

Which one is more expensive South Goa or North Goa?

Both the places are going to provide you with tropical weather. If you visit South Goa then it will be more expensive than North Goa. But South Goa is a great choice if you want to visit beautiful beaches.

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• A. 15th June 2020

Covid-19 Goa Travel Guidelines 2021

• Epass is not required.
• Health Screening:
• Fully vaccinated: Can travel without RT-PCR Negative Report.
• Partially vaccinated: Can travel with Partial Vaccinated Certificate + RT-PCR Negative Report of test done under 72 hrs. of travel to the destination
• Not vaccinated: Can travel with RT-PCR Negative Report of test done under 72 hrs. of travel to the destination + Mandatory Rapid Antigen Test [RAT] happening on the State Borders and Goa Airport.
• Domestic Passengers:
• Travellers from other states are allowed to travel in Goa
• COVID Test not required.
• No need of Quarantine
• International Passengers:
• Thermal Screening upon arrival is carried out by APHO and passengers shall submit self-declaration form.
• Rapid Test Mandatory for all arriving passengers. If report comes positive, passenger will be sent to COVID Care Centre as per State Govt. guidelines.
• As per the Goa Quarantine rules if the test report is negative, passengers are allowed to proceed for 14 days of Home Quarantine.
• Passenger obligation
• COVID-19 Negative Certificate is not mandatory while travelling.
• All passengers must download Aarogya Setu App
• Operating Status:
• What is open now?
• Beaches/ sightseeing points
• Nightclubs/ Discotheques
• Boat Cruises

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Travelfornoobs

The Ultimate Goa Packing List

Goa packing list – all the things you should not forget, what to take in your bag for goa.

You’ve booked your plane ticket and the time of departure is fast approaching? After the joys of such a decision, comes the question of knowing what to put in your suitcase to go to Goa. No need to panic, we have prepared a very complete list of the essential things to bring to make sure you don’t miss anything once you are there.

In order to leave no room for unforeseen events, it’s of course preferable to go through this list a few days before leaving rather than the day before departure, as you might miss some items.

Take the time to read and download it in order to identify the things that you absolutely must pack and that you might miss and that could make you lose time and money if you forget them.

You will also need to think about packing according to the type of accommodation you will be staying in, the different modes of transportation you will use during your trip, the climate and the season, as well as the activities you plan to do.

In order to help you prepare your suitcase, this checklist of the essential things to bring in Goa gathers several categories: clothes, accessories, various objects… It will allow you to have a concrete vision of a typical suitcase for Goa.

An advice, think of keeping some space in your luggage if you wish to bring back souvenirs or to make some clothing shopping on the spot.

Thanks to this travel list, preparing your bag for Goa will be a real child’s play and you will just have to enjoy your adventure!

Note : This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.

• Important hings to do before you go
• Essential documents
• Transport essentials
• Backpack & luggage
• Clothing and shoes
• Hygiene & Toiletries
• Photo, Video & High Tech
• Useful accessories
• Medication and first aid kit
• Activities and Useful Links (+ Printable checklist PDF)

1/ Important things to do before you go

 Prepare your travel itinerary  Apply for a visa (if necessary)  Make your vaccinations (if necessary)  Check-up at the doctor / dentist  Take out a travel insurance  Photocopy or scan important documents (passport)  Write down e-mail and useful phone numbers in your address book  Warn your bank about your trip abroad (if necessary)  Book accomodation for your first night ( Do it now before everything is fully booked! Check the best hotels on Booking )  Download offline applications and maps for Maps.me  Download movies offline   Prepare your favorite music playlist  Turn off or turn down the heat of your house  Empty garbage cans  Water the plants   Give a copy of your house/car keys to a family member or friend  Close doors and windows

2/ Essential documents

Even before you buy your plane ticket, remember to check the validity of your passport : it must be valid for at least six months after your return date (for some countries) and have a blank page. Another tip: send your important documents to a secondary email in case you lose them.

   Passport   ID card    Plane or train ticket (have a paper copy just in case)   Reservation documents (e-ticket, train ticket, hotel reservation)   Visa (if necessary)   International driver’s license, if you wish to rent a car   Health insurance card   Travel insurance   Credit card   Cash   Useful numbers in case of emergency   Itinerary and address of your accommodation (hotel / AirBnB / camping)   Vaccination certificate   Diving license, sailing license, etc.   Some business cards with your contact information, email, blog, website

3/ Transport essentials

The little things to have with you at all times during the flight or the trip by train or bus:

 Phone and charger  Book / Magazine / Kindle / Travel Guide  MP3 player   Chewing gum   Pen + notepad  Travel pillow ( my favorite )  Sleep mask ( my favorite )   Earplugs   Snacks / sandwich   Small water bottle  Nasal ointment for dry nose  Sunglasses   Glasses case   Watch   Hand sanitizer   Disposable face mask   Tissues   Motion sickness medication

4/ Backpack & luggage

 Waterproof dry bag ( my favorite )  Handbag   Travel laundry bag ( my favorite )  Carry-on suitcase ( my favorite )  Travel bag ( my favorite )   Luggage tag ( my favorite )   Travel Packing Organizers ( my favorite )   Rain cover for backpack ( my favorite )   Zippered carry-on bag   Shoe bag ( my favorite )   Fanny pack   Lightweight foldable backpack ( my favorite )

5/ Clothing and shoes

  Socks  Underwear (panties, thongs, bras, briefs, boxers…)  Tank tops  Skirt ♀  Dress ♀  Pajamas  T-shirts  Long sleeve shirt ( for her , for him )  Short sleeve shirt ( for her , for him )  Polo shirt ( for her , for him )   Sweatshirt / pullover ( for her , for him )   Jeans   Lightweight pants ( for her , for him )   Money belt ( my favorite )   Shorts   Jogging suit   Jacket / coat   K-way ( for her , for him )   Windbreaker ( for her , for him )  Hat / cap / beanie   Scarf / bandana   Swimsuit   Buff scarf ( my favorite )

For shoes, you will have to choose according to the activities you plan to do:

 Comfortable walking shoes   Shoes for going out (restaurants, bars, clubs…)  Flip-flops (for the beach, showers…) ( for her , for him )  Hiking shoes ( for her , for him )  Sandals ( for her , for him )   Water shoes for walking in water (beaches, waterfalls, rivers…) ( for her , for him )  Light trekking shoes ( for her , for him )  Crocs

6/ Hygiene & Toiletries

 Microfiber towel ( my favorite )   Toilet bag   Portable Travel Bottles ( my favorite )  Toothbrush & toothpaste  Dental floss  Soap   Shampoo   Facial cleanser   Nail clippers   Cotton buds (biodegradable)   Tweezers   Make-up   Deodorant   Comb / Hairbrush   Razor & shaving foam ♂   Biodegradable wipes ( my favorite )   Toilet paper roll   Perfume   Makeup ♀   Contact Lenses   Contact lens product   Pocket mirror

7/ Photo, Video & High Tech

For photographers and videographers:

 Camera  Lens  Memory card  Polarizing filters   ND filter   Extra battery   Charger + cable + plug adapter   Cleaning kit   External hard drive   USB key   Stabilizer   Drone ( my favorite )    Waterproof phone case   Flash   Solar charger ( my favorite )    Gopro ( my favorite )   Waterproof case   Selfie Pole  External battery / Powerbank ( my favorite ) 

Don’t forget:

 Portable speaker  Ipad / Tablet  Laptop PC  External battery  Headphones or noise cancelling headphones ( my favorite )

Useful apps to download before you go to Goa:

 AirBnB  Booking  Couchsurfing  Flush – Public Toilet Finder (Useful for finding toilets!)  Google Maps  Google Translator  Google Trips  Lonely Planet Guide  LoungeBuddy  Maps.me  Meetup  Tripadvisor  Uber  Whatsapp  XE Currency

8/ Useful accessories

The accessories you will take in your bag for Goa will depend on your travel style:

  TSA lock ( my favorite )  Headlamp ( my favorite )  Sleeping bag ( my favorite )  Sheets ( my favorite )  Swiss Army knife (not in the hand luggage!) ( my favorite )  Travel clothesline ( my favorite )  Powdered or liquid detergent  Clothes pegs  Spork ( my favorite )  Ziploc bags  Lighter  Folding umbrella ( my favorite )  Toilet paper  Mosquito repellent ( my favorite )   Mosquito net ( my favorite )   Sunscreen cream  Aloe vera gel   Waterproof pouch for smartphone    For hikers : GPS, map, compass, water bottle   Walking stick ( my favorite )   Anti-sweat talcum powder ( my favorite )   Beach towel ( my favorite )   Sawyer water filter ( must-have !)  Pills to purify non-drinking water   Mask, snorkel, fins   Diving accessories (gloves, dive computer, lamp, knife…)

9/ Medication and first aid kit

I suggest that you consult your doctor and dentist before leaving. Beware of unauthorized medication and remember to keep your vaccinations up to date!

If you have a treatment don’t forget to take your personal medication and your prescription if necessary (or medical certificate).

You can buy a first aid kit already prepared ( my favorite ).

  Cotton buds   Tweezers   Round-tipped scissors   Pairs of single-use latex gloves  Bandages   Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain   Sterile compresses   Disinfectant spray for wounds   Physiological saline solution in pods (wound cleaning)   Condoms and other contraceptives

For longer trips and higher risk locations, we can also add:

  Sterile adhesive skin sutures (steristrips)   Rehydration solutions (in case of dehydration)   Water purification tablets   Water decontamination tablets (Aquatabs or Micropur)   Medication for altitude   Medication for sore throat    Anti-malarial medication   Survival blanket   Tick tweezers   Ointment against itching (antihistamine)   Probiotics for the stomach   Corticosteroid pills and cream   Analgesics (painkillers)   Survival blanket   Cold medicine (decongestant)   Biafine (in case of burns or sunburns)   Broad-spectrum antibiotics without a prescription   Anti-diarrhea tablets (immodium, smecta)

10/ Activities and Useful Links + Printable checklist

You can download the complete travel list in PDF format and print it by clicking here.

Book your hotel in Goa now on Booking.com

AirBnb : Get a discount for your first booking!

Book now your activities in Goa on Getyourguide:

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Warnings and insurance

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.

India-Pakistan border area

FCDO advises against all travel within the vicinity of the India-Pakistan border, except for at Wagah where travellers can cross the border.

Jammu and Kashmir

FCDO advises against all travel to the region of Jammu and Kashmir (including Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, the city of Srinagar, and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway), except for:

• travel by air to and from the city of Jammu
• travel within the city of Jammu
• travel within the region of Ladakh

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the state of Manipur.

In April-May 2023 violent ethnic clashes broke out across Manipur, including in the state capital Imphal. Curfews and other restrictions have been imposed in many parts of the state. There may be transport disruptions. Internet services may be limited and restrictions might be imposed at short notice.

You should:

• avoid protests or large gatherings
• follow the advice of the local authorities and your travel company
• monitor local media and follow any curfew restrictions

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel to these regions .

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
• information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

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If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and potential expenses in an emergency.

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