The state of Goa, which stretches along the Arabian Sea coastline, is famous for its beaches, 17th-century churches, and tropical spice plantations. The place is classified into two districts- North Goa and South Goa. North Goa with its hippie vibe features well-known places to visit like Candolim Beach, Aguada Fort, Calangute Beach, Grand Island, Chorao Island and Goa State Museum. While in South Goa, people can simply enjoy lazing on the beaches and hog over palatable seafood that is served in the beach shacks.
One of India’s most popular tourist destinations, Goa attracts a large number of visitors every year. Nevertheless, unless you plan meticulously before your trip, any journey can end up being a complete disaster, especially if this is your first time visiting the place. To help you out with the needful, here are 7 essential tips for first time Goa visitors. But before going forward with the checklist, do book a room in advance in one of the most comfortable hotels in Goa to ensure a worry-free stay.
Keep your essential documents safe and handy
A must-thing to do is to organize your essential documents while travelling. These shall include your identification card, drivers’ license, visa and passport. Just in case you can’t carry all of them together make sure to keep soft copies of those documents safe on your mobile.
Pack essentials
It might seem too easy, but we all tend to pack a lot of stuff and forget to make room for the essential ones. Always remember to pack your belongings for any trip depending on the location and climate of the place. Like in Goa, it is desired that you add your sunscreen lotion, goggles and flip flops into the travelling bag. Also, do not forget to pack proper swimwear, hat or scarf on the vacation.
Relish the Goan cuisine
A trip to any city or town involves not only getting acquainted with the popular tourist attractions the place houses, but also with its culture, cuisine, and lifestyle. Thus, when you plan your dream trip to Goa, do not forget to try the traditional Goan cuisine that constitutes the food habit of the place. From delicious Goan curry to lips-smacking seafood, Goa has a lot to offer. Lazing on the beach with some prawn curry and fried kingfish is a mandatory thing for you to do in Goa. Try to avoid spicy food if you have a sensitive stomach and do make sure to double-check the ingredients while you place an order so that you don’t regret your Goan meal.
Ace up your bargaining skills
Goa houses a wide range of shopping places and is a paradise for shopaholics. Not only you will find flea markets and night bazaars at this shopping destination, but also designer boutique studios are flocked with tourists that sell beachwear and tees. The place displays traditional Goan attires and jewellery that you can add to your wardrobe. Remember to bargain well for any product before you buy it. For many local vendors, the handmade goods at these markets are their only source of income, so don’t be stubborn in your bargaining. Pro tip: check the quality of the product before making the final purchase.
Explore both North & South Goa
Both North & South Goa are unique in their own way. Thus it is highly recommended that you explore both the regions to get a complete picture of the magnificent place. You can start from North Goa and tick off the popular tourist destinations like Calangute Beach, Goa State Museum and Bom Jesus Basilica from your bucket list and experience the tranquillity of Vasco Da Gama and old Goa that South Goa has to offer.
Be cautious while clicking pictures
Goa with its undeniable beauty poses an ideal destination for photography lovers. Also considered as a popular wedding destination, the exquisite beach resorts at Goa exhibit suitable locations for pre-wedding photoshoots. However, before flashing your camera lookout for signs that say “No flash” or “Photography is prohibited”. There are many museums, churches and temples in Goa where photography is banned. So it is always better to be extra cautious before clicking pictures.
Choose the right place to stay
Since Goa houses many beautiful beaches, it is certainly expected of people that they would like to stay at places near the beaches. If you are one of them, who are looking for hotels by the beach, make sure to get the final bookings done accordingly. To make things simpler, you can look out for resorts and hotels in Goa on online hotel booking sites, and check out authentic reviews made by fellow travellers.
Goa is one of the favourite tourist destinations that welcome visitors from all around the globe. The several beaches, churches, forts and temples found here add up to its beauty. Thus, if you are a first time visitor to this amazing place, make sure to follow the aforementioned tips and experience a memory of a lifetime.
