Explore Goa
Goa is India’s coastal paradise, once a legendary stop on the Hippie Trail, nowadays enormously popular with tied-dyed techno freaks and UK family package tours. A Portuguese colony until as late as 1960, each beach town draws its own clientele, although all are accessible by scooter or bus. Follow your nose to sleepy Arambol, finding a quiet rustic room for a few bucks a night, and perfectly grilled slabs of kingfish for the same. The romance comes from walking under the stars, amongst the tall coconut trees, a warm breeze in the air. Arambol is quieter than other Goan towns, some of which have a bit more of a party-tourist scene.
Length of Trip : 4-5 Days, but do be careful as a few days in Goa can somehow turn into a few week !
Cost :
There's no better way to see Goa than by scooter. Renting a scooter doesn't cost much. Hotels and meals are generally well priced and span budget ranges.
Best time to go : Year round, though hotels offer their best prices from June to September
Wheelchair friendly : Yes
Family friendly : Yes
Where to eat :
For breakfast, try Lila Cafe located at Tito's White House, Arpora-Siolim Road, Anjuna
Thalassa is the finest Greek food in Goa
Official Site :
Goa Tourism
Where to Stay :
Budget: Inn Anjuna
Mid-Level: Nirvana Hermitage
High-End: Resort Rio
Getting There :
Most international airports offer service to Mumbai, and from there it's just an hour-long flight to Goa International Airport. Another option is the overnight train service from Mumbai, an adventure unto itself. Once you arrive, look into renting a scooter or motorbike. There are also (usually crowded) bus services and taxis to get around between the towns.
Note from Robin :
Goa has hundreds of villages, and sniffing out “the next Anjuna” is part of the fun. Why not take a look through Arambol, Palolem, Morjim, Calangute/Baga, and Mandrem to see if you can discover the next hippie wonderland? Each beach town has its own charms and quirks.
Arambol: The village has grown with hundreds of restaurants, ample accommodation and market stalls. With a long beach safe for swimming, Arambol has become increasingly family-friendly.
Anjuna: Once the epicentre of the Hippie Trail, Anjuna draws backpackers and holidaymakers with pricier options than Arambol. Visit the hugely popular flea market every Wednesday, where the eclectic diversity of visitors will be on full display.
Palolem: Once a mellow village for those in the know, Palolem’s crescent beach has exploded in popularity and become increasingly crowded. Development has notably brought higher prices but also good restaurants and accommodation options.
Morjim: The village to check out if you’re craving borscht. Russians tourists love this beachfront village, which has nightlife and restaurants straight out of Moscow. Located at the mouth of a river, it’s a good location for kite surfing.
Calangute/Baga: Calagute and the nearby resort town of Baga are the likely destination for European sun and sand package holidays. All-inclusive resorts line the beach, serviced by shops, restaurants and nightlife. It is less India, more anywhere.
Mandrem: Close to Arambol, Mandrem is a world away from the bustle of Calangute. Quiet beachfront bungalows and resorts attract those to yoga, reiki courses, Ayurvedic massages, and epic sunsets.