Anjuna, Vagator & Assagao

Panjim & Old Goa

Pernem Coast — Morjim, Ashwem, Mandrem & Arambol

Ponda & the Dudhsagar Hinterland

Sinquerim–Candolim–Calangute–Baga

South Goa Coast — Colva to Palolem

About Us

TRAVJOY

CITIES

XMLID_468_.svg

Chat with us

mail_send_envelope_envelope_email_message_unopened_sealed_close_8cc78e55d6.png

query@travjoy.com

GET HELP 24 / 7

Trav_Logo_aa739c59ff.svg

Experience Providers

Affiliates

Creators & Influencers

PARTNERS

upi.svg

Discover_a828ad0dd1.svg

Paypal_05b4c0b013.svg

Visa_c472a14759.svg

Mastercard_fc8c29e8bd.svg

PAYMENTS WE ACCEPT

linkedin.png

facebook.png

instagram_black_1_369560fdc9.png

youtube_color_1_8b9ea42a1b.png

SOCIAL MEDIA

couple.jpg

Couples Guide to GOA

other traveller.jpg

 Other Traveller Types Guide

cultural n heritage.jpg

Culture and Heritage Guide to GOA

food and beverages.jpg

Food in Goa is not a side note to the beaches; it is the reason many travellers keep coming back. Four and a half centuries of Portuguese rule, Konkani kitchens and a working fishing coast built a cuisine found nowhere else in India. Bread still arrives by bicycle, lunch is a long rice-and-curry affair, and evenings stretch out in family-run taverns. Skip the food and you have only seen half of Goa.

Food & Beverage Guide to GOA

introducing goa.jpg

Introducing Goa

luxury hotels.jpg

Hotel Selection Guide

shopping in goa.jpg

Goa shops in two registers: loud, haggle-friendly weekly markets along the north coast, and quiet design stores set inside restored Portuguese-era homes inland.

Shopping Guide

kids guide.jpg

Kid Guide to GOA

information.jpg

GOA 

<ul>
<li>Christmas & New Year: 24 December to 1 January Midnight mass at village churches, lit-up streets and packed beach parties. This is the busiest and most expensive week of the year. Book hotels, cars and restaurant tables well ahead.</li>

xmas and new year.jpg

Christmas & New Year

<ul>
<li>Feast of St Francis Xavier: 3 December Pilgrims fill Old Goa for the feast at the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Expect heavy crowds and traffic around Old Goa in the preceding days.</li>

feast if st xavier.jpg

Feast of St Francis Xavier

<ul>
<li>Carnival: February, the days before Lent (early February in 2027) Float parades, music and street dancing roll through Panaji, Margao, Mapusa and Vasco. Parade days close main roads in town centres.</li>

carnival.jpg

Carnival

<ul>
<li>Shigmo: March (around Holi) Goa's spring festival brings folk dance troupes and themed floats to parades in different towns over two weeks. Check the official schedule for parade dates in each town.</li>

shigmo festival.webp

Shigmo

<ul>
<li>Sao Joao: 24 June A monsoon feast of St John the Baptist. Young men wear flower crowns and jump into village wells and ponds. Siolim's boat festival is the best-known celebration.</li>

_Sao_Joao__festival_in_Goa.jpg

Sao Joao

</ul>
<li>Ganesh Chaturthi & Narkasur: August/September and October/November Ganesh Chaturthi is Goa's main Hindu festival, celebrated largely at home with family. On the eve of Diwali, towns build and burn giant Narkasur effigies at dawn.</li>
</ul>

ganesh chaturthi.jpg

Ganesh Chaturthi & Narkasur

<ul>
<li>Buses Kadamba (KTCL) runs state buses between Panaji, Mapusa, Margao and Vasco, plus private buses on village routes. Electric AC shuttles link Mopa airport to Calangute, Mapusa, Panaji and Margao. Fares are low, but frequency drops sharply after dark.</li>
<li>Trains Konkan Railway stations at Thivim (North), Karmali (near Old Goa) and Madgaon (South) connect Goa with Mumbai and Kerala. Trains are useful for arriving, not for moving between beaches.</li>
<li>Taxis Tourist taxis are white with yellow-on-black permits and rarely use meters. Agree the fare before you get in. Hotel desks can quote fair rates for common routes.</li>
<li>Motorcycle Taxis (Pilots) Licensed pilots wait at stands near markets and junctions. They suit short solo hops through narrow lanes. Agree the fare first and wear the helmet offered.</li>
<li>Ferries Government ferries cross the Mandovi and other rivers to villages such as Divar and Chorao. Fares are nominal. They work as a slow scenic link, not a time-saver.</li>
</ul>

local transport.jpg

LOCAL TRANSPORT

<ul>
<li>Where to Rent Self-drive cars and scooters are available at both airports, in Panaji and across the beach belt. Rent only vehicles with black number plates and yellow lettering — the legal rental category.</li>
<li>Licence Foreign visitors need an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence. Carry physical copies of both and the rental agreement in the vehicle.</li>
<li>Scooters Scooters are the most common way tourists get around. Helmets are compulsory for rider and pillion, and police checks are frequent.</li>
<li>Deposits & Damage Expect a refundable deposit, often in cash or UPI. Photograph the vehicle at pickup and list existing damage in writing.</li>
<li>Car-Sharing App-based car-sharing is not established in Goa. Hiring a car with driver for the day is the common premium alternative.</li>
</ul>

car rental.jpg

CAR RENTALS / SHARING

<ul>
<li>GoaMiles The state-backed taxi app and the main legal app option. Fares are fixed upfront and usually below street-taxi rates. Payment is digital; load the in-app wallet or link a card before your first ride.</li>
<li>Uber, Ola & Rapido National aggregators are not permitted to operate in Goa. Do not plan your trip around them.</li>
<li>Tips Drivers sometimes call to confirm the destination and may cancel long or traffic-heavy trips. Book early for airport runs and late nights. A Goa Taxi App is planned under the state's new digital taxi policy, so check for updates before you travel.</li>
</ul>

riding.webp

RIDE-HAILING APPS

Goa has no tourist travel card or stored-value transit card. Bus tickets are bought on board in cash or by UPI. For airport shuttles, book through RedBus or at the airport counter.

travel cards.jpg

TRAVEL CARDS

<ul>
<li>Reliability Google Maps works well for driving routes, drive times and finding restaurants and beaches. Village lanes can be narrower than the map suggests.</li>
<li>Public Transport Real-time bus data is not available. Use Maps for road routes, and ask locally for bus timings.</li>
<li>Offline Maps Download Goa offline before you arrive. Signal drops in the hinterland, near the Western Ghats and on some southern beaches.</li>
</ul>

google maps.jpg

GOOGLE MAPS

Goa is a small state, but it does not move like a compact city. Beaches, villages and towns sit along a 100-km coastline linked by two-lane roads and river bridges. North to south can take two to three hours in season traffic. The state suits travellers who pick a base and explore outward, rather than those who want to see everything in one trip.
Split your days by geography. Use North Goa for beach clubs, flea markets and nightlife. Use Panaji and Old Goa for heritage walks, galleries and Goan dining. Use South Goa for quieter beaches and slower village days. Public transport is limited, so plan around a driver, a self-drive car or the state taxi app.

introduction.jpg

INTRODUCTION

<ul>
<li>Restaurants Some restaurants add a service charge. It is optional by law, and you can ask for it to be removed. Where none is added, 5–10% is appreciated.</li>
<li>Beach Shacks Leave a small tip or round up the bill. Staff often work long seasonal shifts.</li>
<li>Hotels ₹50–100 for porters and a similar amount per day for housekeeping is common.</li>
<li>Taxis Not expected on agreed fares. For a full-day driver, ₹200–500 at the end of the day is customary.</li>
<li>Tour Guides Optional, but common for good private tours. Tip in cash at the end.</li>
</ul>

TIPPING CULTURE

<ul>
<li>Konkani The official language of Goa and the everyday language at home and in markets.</li>
<li>English Widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, shops and by taxi drivers. Road signs and menus are in English.</li>
<li>Hindi & Marathi Commonly understood, especially among workers from other states.</li>
<li>Portuguese Spoken by a small, mostly older community. It survives mainly in surnames, place names and Goan Catholic culture.</li>
</ul>
Tourist tip: English is enough for most travel. "Dev borem korum" (thank you) in Konkani is always well received.

LANGUAGES SPOKEN

<ul>
<li>Dress Swimwear is fine on the beach but not in towns, markets or restaurants away from the sand. Cover shoulders and knees at churches and temples.</li>
<li>Shoes Remove shoes before entering temples and homes. Leave them at the entrance.</li>
<li>Drinking in Public Drinking alcohol and cooking in open public places, including beaches outside licensed shacks, is an offence with fines.</li>
<li>Photography Ask before photographing people, especially fishermen and villagers. Photography is restricted inside some churches and temples.</li>
<li>Affection Keep public affection low-key outside resorts and beach clubs.</li>
<li>Village Life Many beaches back onto residential villages. Keep noise down at night and respect private property and church grounds.</li>
</ul>

LOCAL ETIQUETTE

Goa is generally safe for tourists, and violent crime against visitors is uncommon. Petty theft from bags on beaches and unlocked rentals is the main risk. Road accidents are the biggest real danger, especially on scooters at night.
<ul>
<li>On the Road Wear a helmet, avoid riding after drinking and take a taxi after dark on unlit roads.</li>
<li>On the Beach Do not leave valuables unattended while swimming. Avoid isolated beaches late at night.</li>
<li>Drugs Drug laws are strict and enforced. Refuse any offers, especially around party areas.</li>
<li>Touts Decline unsolicited offers on beaches and roadsides. Details are in the Scams section.</li>
</ul>
Emergency number: 112 (police, fire, ambulance). Ambulance: 108.

SAFETY

Cards are accepted at hotels, upscale restaurants, beach clubs, malls and branded stores. Visa and Mastercard have the widest coverage. American Express is accepted mainly at premium hotels and restaurants. Beach shacks, small cafés, flea markets and taxis often take only cash or UPI.

credit cards.jpg

CREDIT CARDS

<ul>
<li>Currency The Indian Rupee (INR, ₹). Notes come in ₹10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500.</li>
<li>When You Need It Taxis, pilots, shacks, flea markets, village shops, temple donations and tips. Rental deposits are often cash too.</li>
<li>Small Notes Carry ₹100 and ₹200 notes. Small vendors struggle to break ₹500.</li>
<li>UPI QR-code payment via UPI is everywhere, even at stalls. Some foreign visitors can use UPI through prepaid wallets issued for international travellers; check eligibility before you rely on it.</li>
</ul>

cash.jpg

CASH

ATMs are common in Panaji, Mapusa, Margao and the Calangute–Candolim belt. They are scarcer near remote South Goa beaches, so withdraw before heading there. Look for Visa, Mastercard, Maestro or Cirrus logos. Local banks charge a per-withdrawal fee, and your home bank may add its own. Machines in busy beach areas can run dry on peak weekends.

atms.jpg

ATMS

<ul>
<li>Airport Exchange a small amount on arrival for taxis and tips. Airport rates are weaker than in town.</li>
<li>In Town Use banks or RBI-authorised money changers in Panaji, Calangute and Margao. Compare two or three counters against the live rate.</li>
<li>Paperwork Carry your passport. Keep the encashment receipt; you need it to convert rupees back when you leave.</li>
<li>Avoid Street exchangers and shops offering rates above the market. Short-changing and counterfeit notes are the usual catch.</li>
</ul>

money exchange.jpg

MONEY EXCHANGE

<ul>
<li>Inflated Taxi Fares Street taxis at airports and beach junctions often quote several times the fair rate, with no meter. Book GoaMiles, use the prepaid counter or arrange a hotel transfer. Always agree the fare before the ride.</li>

Inflated Taxi Fares

<ul>
<li>Scratch Card Prizes Strangers near Calangute, Aguada and Palolem hand out scratch cards with a "guaranteed" prize. Claiming it means a long, high-pressure timeshare pitch at a resort. Decline the card and walk on.</li>

Scratch Card Prizes

<ul>
<li>Beach Lounger Charges Loungers that look free can trigger a rental demand once you sit down. Ask whether they are for customers before you settle in, and order from that shack if so.</li>

Beach Lounger Charges

<ul>
<li>Rental Damage Claims Some scooter and car hire shops blame you for existing scratches and keep the deposit. Film the vehicle at pickup and get damage listed on the agreement.</li>

Rental Damage Claims

</ul>
<li>Fake Villa Listings Villas offered on WhatsApp or unknown sites at deep discounts, payable by bank transfer or UPI, may not exist. Book through established platforms or the property's own website.</li>
</ul>

Fake Villa Listings

Goa has a tropical coastal climate with three distinct seasons.
<ul>
<li>Peak Season (Nov to Feb) Dry, sunny days and cooler evenings. Hotel prices and crowds peak around Christmas and New Year. Pack light cottons, sunscreen and a thin layer for nights.</li>
<li>Pre-Monsoon (Mar to May) Hot and humid, with temperatures in the low to mid 30s °C. Plan sightseeing early and keep afternoons for the pool. Pack breathable clothing, a hat and electrolytes.</li>
<li>Monsoon (Jun to Sep) Heavy, sustained rain and rough seas. Swimming is banned at most beaches, and many shacks close. Waterfalls, spice farms and the hinterland are at their greenest. Pack a rain jacket, quick-dry clothes and waterproof sandals.</li>
<li>October A transition month. Occasional showers, rising humidity and shacks reopening for the season.</li>
</ul>

weather.jpg

WEATHER

<ul>
<li>Manohar International Airport, Mopa (GOX) In Pernem, far North Goa — about 35 km from Panaji and 40 km from Calangute. Opened in 2023 and operates 24/7. DigiYatra facial-recognition entry is available for domestic flights, and lounges are accessible via Priority Pass and eligible cards.</li>
<li>Dabolim Airport (GOI) Near Vasco, about 30 km from Panaji. A civil enclave on a naval airbase, with some time restrictions linked to naval operations. Closer for South Goa stays. Lounges are available for domestic and international passengers.</li>
<li>Choosing an Airport Check which airport your flight uses before booking transfers. Mopa to Palolem is roughly two hours by road.</li>
<li>Meet & Greet Paid meet-and-assist services operate at both airports, covering porterage and escorted check-in. Pre-book through your airline, hotel or a service provider.</li>
<li>Ground Transfers Prepaid taxi counters, GoaMiles and Kadamba shuttles serve both airports. Hotel transfers are the simplest option for late arrivals.</li>
</ul>

airport.jpg

AIRPORTS & VIP SERVICES

<ul>
<li>SIM Cards Foreign visitors need their original passport, visa, a photo and a local address such as a hotel booking. KYC is done in person at an operator store. Activation can take from a few minutes to 24 hours.</li>
<li>Preferred Operators Jio and Airtel have the strongest coverage across Goa. Both sell 28-day plans with daily data allowances.</li>
<li>eSIM An international travel eSIM bought before you fly is the quickest option. It gives data only, with no Indian number for OTPs or local calls.</li>
<li>Wi-Fi Available in most hotels, cafés and beach clubs. Speeds vary, and power cuts during the monsoon can interrupt service.</li>
<li>Speed 4G and 5G are reliable in towns and the main beach belt. Coverage thins in the hinterland and on remote southern beaches.</li>
</ul>

connectivity.jpg

CONNECTIVITY

India charges GST rather than VAT. A tourist refund scheme exists in law, but it is not operational at Goa's airports or most retailers. Plan your shopping on the basis that GST is not refundable. Keep tax invoices for high-value purchases in case you need them at customs.

vat refund.webp

VAT REFUNDS

<ul>
<li>What Works WhatsApp, Google, Instagram, Facebook, FaceTime and other VoIP calls all work normally. WhatsApp is the default way to contact hotels, drivers and restaurants.</li>
<li>What Is Blocked India blocks TikTok, WeChat and a range of other Chinese-owned apps. Visitors who rely on WeChat should set up WhatsApp or another alternative before arrival.</li>
<li>Useful Downloads GoaMiles for taxis, Swiggy or Zomato for food and table bookings, and Google Maps with Goa saved offline.</li>
</ul>

apps.jpg

APPS

<ul>
<li>Water Do not drink tap water. Use sealed bottled or filtered water, and check that ice comes from a filtered source.</li>
<li>Food Choose busy restaurants and shacks with high turnover. Seafood is best on the day it is caught; avoid it at places with little footfall.</li>
<li>Common Ailments Stomach upsets and dehydration are the usual issues. Pharmacies are easy to find and stock ORS, antacids and basic medicines without fuss.</li>
<li>Mosquitoes Dengue and malaria cases rise during and just after the monsoon. Use repellent at dawn and dusk, and choose rooms with screens or air-conditioning.</li>
<li>Sea Safety Rip currents are common. Swim only between the lifeguard flags, and never swim after drinking.</li>
<li>Vaccinations No vaccinations are mandatory for most travellers. Check hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus with your doctor before you travel.</li>
<li>Heat Sunburn and heat exhaustion are common from March to May. Use high-SPF sunscreen and drink water through the day.</li>
</ul>

healths.webp

HEALTH

<ul>
<li>Zomato — Wide restaurant coverage across Panaji, Margao and the North Goa beach belt. Also useful for menus and reviews.</li>
<li>Swiggy — The other major delivery app, with comparable coverage and a grocery delivery service in larger towns.</li>
</ul>
Coverage thins out in remote South Goa villages, where calling the restaurant directly on WhatsApp often works better.

Key Information Guide GOA

INTRODUCTION

Getting There

LOCAL TRANSPORT