All about holidays in Goa in 2021! Reviews of tourists, pros and cons. Prices for tours, hotels, food. The best resorts and beaches. Helpful hints.
Goa is the smallest, most Europeanized and most tourist state in India. After a vacation in Goa, someone is imbued with eternal love for him, some even leave to live, and someone else cannot be lured with gingerbread. We will tell you everything you need to know about a vacation in Goa, and you decide whether to go there or not.
Currency exchange rate: 1 Indian rupee (INR) ≈ 1 RUB.
When is the best time to go to Goa
High season. According to reviews, the best time to stay in Goa is from November to March... The peak season, when the state is overcrowded with tourists and prices skyrocket, is December-February. The weather is ideal: almost no precipitation, the humidity is comfortable. Water temperature +28 ... + 29 ° С, air temperature during the day +33 ... + 34 ° С, at night around +22 ... + 24 ° С. It can be chilly by the sea in the evenings, so bring a light sweater with sleeves.
New Year. Goa in December, according to reviews, is ideal for celebrating the New Year: from the cold winter you will be transported to the hot summer. The state celebrates New Years and Catholic Christmas, so there is a tourist boom during the holidays. The entourage is appropriate: on the beaches there are snowmen made of sand, and local bushes temporarily act as a Christmas tree. Celebrate at discos or by the sea. If you want a relaxing holiday, then it is better not to go to Goa on New Year's Eve: it is crowded, people are frankly drunk, traffic jams, and rental prices soar 1.5-2 times and stay high until January 10. Restaurants are also more expensive than usual. Find out how to celebrate the New Year in Goa >>
Low season. Some people go to Goa to rest in the low season - so you can save money and relax in silence. For example, in April the weather is still good, only it gets hotter and the wind intensifies, and there are fewer tourists. See the weather in Goa by month >>
Find out: Is it worth going to Goa in winter?
Tours to Goa in 2021
Prices are indicated for two people with a flight from Moscow.
The most expensive vacation in Goa is for New Year and Catholic Christmas. Prices jump sharply, and the minimum prices for tours to the cheapest hotels 1-2 * cost from 90 thousand rubles per week, and in 4-5 * - from 150 thousand!
Much cheaper in January: a week's vacation in Goa in budget hotels costs from 40 thousand, in 4-5 * - from 90 thousand. Prices for vouchers for 11 nights are only slightly higher - by 10-20 thousand, and sometimes they coincide in price with tours for a week!
In February and March, vouchers are slightly more expensive: a week in inexpensive hotels - from 45-50 thousand rubles, in 4-5 * - from 70-90 thousand rubles.
Advice. Always compare the cost of tours for a week and 11 days - sometimes the prices are the same or the difference is small. Also look for last minute tours - there are especially many of them in Goa.
How much are tickets to Goa
Lowest prices for air tickets to Goa from Moscow and back in winter and spring - 23-28 thousand rubles per person. To fly from St. Petersburg is almost twice as expensive - from 42 thousand rubles. In the range of 42-45 thousand rubles there are tickets from Voronezh, Novosibirsk, Kazan, Perm, Krasnoyarsk, Ufa and Samara.
Insurance. Before traveling to India, we advise you to buy a medical policy for your peace of mind. Apply for insurance on Sravn.Ru or Cherehapa websites - they compare prices from all major insurance companies. You can choose a policy according to the parameters you need and the best price. The policy costs from 450 rubles for 10 days.
Do Russians need a visa to Goa
Yes, you need a visa. You can get it online, upon arrival (if you fly on a tour), or order it in advance. According to reviews, most tourists make out e-visa in Goa online is the simplest and most convenient solution. You send the documents and pay the fee, and a document will be sent to you by e-mail, which must be printed and shown to the officer at the airport. Valid for 60 days. Price - $ 100 + $ 2 for payment by card.
South or North Goa - which one to choose?
North and South Goa are very different! Find out how to choose the best resort.
South Goa: dear and calm rest. South Goa is almost 2.5 times larger than its northern counterpart in area and 3 times in length of the coastline. There are excellent sandy beaches, clear water and mountains. In the reviews, tourists are advised to go to South Goa for families with children and those who want privacy - there are fewer people here, but hotels are mostly expensive.
North Goa: budget and party holidays. In the north of the state, there are beaches with grayish sand of volcanic origin, not as beautiful as in the south. The infrastructure is better developed here, the choice of housing is greater - from luxury hotels to cheap guesthouses. And if the south is preferred by lovers of secluded relaxation, then in the north noisy parties and nightlife are in full swing. Generally unpretentious audiences come here, their goal is entertainment. This part of the state was once chosen by hippies in the 60s of the last century.
So which one to choose - North or South Goa? Review of beaches and resorts.
Goa Beaches Reviews 2021
Almost all of the life of local residents has focused on the beaches - and the state itself stretches along the coast. Most of the hotels are located along and a little further from it. We will give reviews about the beaches of Goa and give a short description of each so that you can choose the best one for yourself.
Calangute beach
It used to be a hippie vacation spot, now it is a popular crowded beach with hotels and restaurants. Locals love to visit Calangute, it never happens empty. Around - palm groves, at the entrance rises the dome of the temple. There is also an art gallery with works by local painters. According to reviews about a vacation in Goa, the main drawback of this beach is a lot of crowds and the obsession of local merchants.
Candolim beach
The beach is clean and not as crowded as Calangute. But the descent to it is quite steep. Candolim is considered more prestigious: locals rarely come here, more often foreigners.
Colva beach
According to the reviews of tourists, this beach in Goa is very fond of Indians and come to rest with their families. Mostly they crowd at the main entrances, so move 200-300 meters to the side - there are fewer people.
Betalbatim beach
Well suited for family and relaxing holidays, several hotels and shacks on almost 1.5 km of sandy strip. The most popular among our tourists is Nanu Resort Goa.
Morjim beach
This beach is loved by Russians. Prices in Morjim are higher, but the infrastructure is developed - new bungalows, excellent restaurants, always well-groomed territory. The wave is good for surfing and kiting. All hotels are located in the green zone one kilometer from Morjim.
Arambol beach
The beach is with fine sand, white and gold, surrounded by cottages and huts. A yoga center is also organized here. Arambol is popular with surfers and hippies, but the place is quite calm and peaceful.
Ashvem Beach
Ashvem is calm and not crowded. Shallow warm backwater and shakes with varied cuisine. According to reviews, it is better for romantics and families with children to relax on this beach in Goa.
Reviews of Goa hotels and prices - 2021
South Goa hotels are better than hotels in the north. But in North Goa, there are many budget housing. The range of housing prices in the state is huge: you can rent a double room from $ 8 per night to $ 400-500 and even more.
There are many hotels here - choose for every taste! The cost of a simple double room near the coast starts from $ 8-9 per night, many housing offers in the $ 10-30 range. Pay attention to hotel ratings and reviews - this is especially important in India.
Find out about the 10 best hotels in Goa.
Prices for hotels in Goa in high season 2021 for double occupancy:
| Price | Example | |
| Guest House | From 8 $ | Aguiar Guest House |
| Hotel 1-2 * | From 14 $ | |
| Hotel 3 * | From 15 $ | Treebo jesant valley |
| Hotel 4 * | From 35 $ | Hotel Casa Ahaana |
| Hotel 5 * | From 80 $ | The crown goa |
Where is it better to book accommodation:
Roomguru - Search for hotels at the best price, discounts and last minute offers. Compares prices on Booking, Ostrovka and other sites.
Airbnb.ru - rent of rooms, apartments, houses and villas from the owners. Huge selection of good housing at any price. Renting an apartment or a villa is especially beneficial if you are relaxing with your family or with friends.
Good hotels... In general, reviews about Goa hotels are good.Here are the hotels that tourists recommend:
- Majorda Beach Resort - beautiful grounds, a garden, separate bungalows, a clean beach, delicious breakfasts, but there are also rooms with crumbling furniture and worn out linens.
- ITC Grand Goa Resort & Spa 5 * in Kansaulim - new rooms, spa services and Ayurveda. Cons - the kitchen and the slowness of the staff.
- Leela Goa 5 * in Cavelossim - great rooms, great beach and good food. A small minus - because of the river, there are many mosquitoes in the neighborhood, and there is nowhere to walk - there are only poor fishing villages around.
Bad hotels... Tourists left a lot of negative reviews about the Valentines Retreat in Candolim: old furniture and a bathroom, poor food and poor service, it is better not to use laundries. They complain about The Golden Palms Colva 4 * hotel - poor service, worn-out furniture, unpretentious food, which in summer, due to the influx of Indian tourists, becomes too spicy.
Goa food prices - 2021
According to reviews, the prices in Goa pleasantly surprise tourists, they are so low here: a portion of soup costs 50-60 rupees, rice with chicken 100-150 rupees, shrimp - 150 rupees, tea - about 30 rupees, juice - from 50 rupees. True, you will have to pay at least 1200 rupees for the lobster. Learn more about food prices.
The main catering establishment is a beach shack (shek). Kitchen-shed with everything you need, in front of it there is a terrace and tables for visitors. So primitive, but how delicious! There are dishes of Indian, Chinese, European cuisine, necessarily seafood, chicken, rice, juices. Find out what to try in India.
In reviews about food in Goa, tourists call Cafe Maitree in Arambol the best and frankly expensive - check the price of the dish in advance. If homesickness takes over, stop by Home Cafe Dacha in Arambol, where you can eat for Rs 300-500. Rainbow Bar is popular in Morjim - tasty, inexpensive, good service, the average check is 500 rupees. Find out how much money to take in Goa.
Paradise for a penny - find out where else you can have an inexpensive vacation and live.
Goa holiday reviews: pros and cons
+ Clean sea and wide sandy beaches, mild and comfortable climate - such reviews about Goa are left by tourists.
+ Ayurveda. In 1.5 hours, a skilled masseur will go through all parts of the body - from the tips of the toes to the head, rubbing warm aromatic oil into the skin. There is no need to shower after the massage because the oil must be absorbed. All the sores of the civilized world like nervous stress and headaches disappear surprisingly quickly.
+ Tourists speak of the locals as welcoming, sincere, good-natured. They like to come up themselves, often ask to be photographed. As a rule, everyone speaks English, and some master Russian.
+ Exotic, tasty and inexpensive food.
Look: What to bring from Goa as a gift to friends and family.
- Sightseeing is the weak side of the holiday in Goa, there are not very many of them. Much more interesting in other states. In the reviews for 2019-2020, tourists recommend visiting the Dudhsagar waterfall, Hampi and the statue of the god Shiva in the state of Karnataka. Fishing and boat trips are inexpensive.
- The annoying sellers bother them, and local men pay close attention to women.
- The beauty of the landscapes is spoiled by the smell of garbage. Some are embarrassed by locals sleeping on the ground and cows lying imposingly on the beaches.
