Goa Travel Guide

Goa (Konkani: गोंय / Gõy), a state on India's West coast, is a former Portuguese colony with a rich history. Spread over 3,700 km² with a population of approximately 1.4 million, Goa is small by Indian standards. It has a unique mix of Indian and Portuguese cultures and architecture that attracts an estimated 2.5 million visitors each year (including about 400,000 foreign tourists). Goa is blessed with waterfalls (Dudhsagar, Amboli, Mangeli, Dodamarg) and ghats. Since the 1960s, Goa has been attracting a steady flow of visitors: first the hippies and returning expatriate Goans, then the charter tourists (starting with the Germans in 1987), pilgrims visiting Catholic and Hindu shrines, those opting to settle in Goa as their home, people going for medical treatment, and a growing number who attend seminars and conferences in Goa.

Goa can be reached by two airports, by train, and by the many buses connecting the state with cities in India (primarily Mumbai, Mangalore and Bangalore). If you are travelling from Mumbai or Pune, car travel will provide you a journey through breathtaking scenery of the Konkan area.

High resolution maps are not available for Goa. For example, some popular isles are not shown in many maps.

There have been some serious incidents involving foreign nationals in the early 2020s, including sexual assaults.

Goa is one of the more expensive states in India to stay in. During the peak season, which lasts from November to late March, the prices are very high. Especially in December, 5-star hotel rates range from around ₹20,000—35,000 per night. All tourist spots charge more in the peak season.