Goa ghum lo frens
Much needed vacay comes to an end today. Didn't carry laptop after all, thankfully minimal work that I handled on phone.
My observations since my last visit few years ago -
-
It is pretty full of tourists, don't believe social media. Go see for yourself.
-
Plenty of foreigners too, idk why people are saying there aren't enough.
-
Find good cab operators and bike rentals, trusted ones. Yes they charge a lot but will also be warm, friendly and will appreciate good company. Some might even show you hidden gems.
-
Befriend locals if possible, they will tell you more about unexplored beaches and spots than any other source. Any info you need, they have it. They're all mostly from various states settled here over the years.
-
Off season trips will help you save money. Still the same place, just cheaper. Monsoon or heat can be slightly difficult to bear, but less people and cheaper trip is worth it imo.
-
Do visit Museum of Goa and art galleries such as Panjim art gallery and Gitanjali gallery. Underrated places.
Good luck, have fun 🍀
One interview, 1000+ job opportunities
Take a 10-min AI interview to qualify for numerous real jobs auto-matched to your profile 🔑
Visited in January 2025, (it was 5/10 experience, goal was to just relax left alot to be desired.)
Day 1 of trip Got scammed/Ghosted by 2 different self drive car rental services, then at 3rd attempt got hold of real vendor with him experience was good.
Friend in my group wanted to do "scooba diving" we got ripped off there also (promised complete different service) sent us in crowded boat with 30+ folks had to wait for 4 hrs for our turn while they do other activities, only to find out each one gets 60-70 seconds of underwater time, got so pissed didn't even bother to do the activity.
Went to 2 beaches, 1 "kuta beach" was nice, other one was bad, doodhsagar waterfall was peaceful.
Also went to a flea market organised at "the hilltop" one evening, it was well laid out, unique stalls and polite vendors.
Family member works at a casino, hence made some money through external planning (rigged private tables starts from ₹1lkh) but objectively speaking charging general public 5000₹ as entry fees just to stuff among the crowd where everyone is behaving like they're in a bhandara and food/drinks will run out.
Surprisingly traffic police was helpful and every day just checked for drunk driving.
tldr: Too expensive for what it offers.
1 drink costs 1200-1500₹ at half decent setting (we went to 3 places: tikitii, kiki by the sea and purple martini all were good positive experience but way overpriced)
1 night 4* hotel stay costed 9000₹.
Only car rental was fairly priced 1500 per day for swift.
Next time will visit Goa only when able to afford rent of a yatch.
Doesn't seem like you planned it well bro. Like I said, befriend the locals, they help a lot.
Airbnbs start at 2-3k, idk why you'd go for a hotel. Going to popular clubs and bars will obviously be expensive, better to go for shacks and smaller places which are dirt cheap but still decent quality. Same alcohol at the end of the day.
Only go with reputed and popular vendors for scuba and adventure sports. Not random ones.
Next time feel free to ping me, i can share a friend's contact who knows a lot about goa.
Nice Bhidu! :)