I read once that as a travel writer you shouldn’t use the word “paradise”, but there is truly no other way to describe Goa. Imagine people who love their lives completely. They came to Goa to start a business they dreamed of, play music, or sell paintings. With a low cost of living, people can actually do work they love. Everyone is happy in Goa. You’ll see the slogan “Live Happy” all over. After living here for a year, I’ve gotten pretty used to where to go eat, the best beaches to tan on, and how to avoid crowds. I get e-mails pretty often asking me for tips so it’s time I gave them. Although I’ve written a few guest posts for other blogs with guides to Goa, like for That Backpacker, My Local Eats for Ashley Abroad, and Anjuna on Under 25 Dollars for eTramping, somehow, I haven’t gotten around to putting an ultimate guide on my own blog until now! Goa is separated into North and South, North being more “party” and south being a place people go to relax and get away from the party scene in the North.

In the future, I hope to give you great advice about South Goa, but as I live and spent more time up north, I’m going to stick to this part of Goa. In Goa they speak Konkani. Time is GMT +5.5 (IST). The currency is rupees. It is not an international airport unless you take a charted flight from say Manchester or somewhere in Russia. Most likely you’ll fly in from Bombay- which mean only a secondary 45 minute flight to Goa. For international flights check out Skyscanner. It’s hot and tropical. There is a risk for malaria and a small risk for dengue. There are fabulous hospitals and many come to Goa for medical tourism to get plastic surgery or dental work on the cheap. You cannot drink the water. Tipping is expected to hotels, services like massage and hair, and nicer restaurants, but not to drivers and other basics. To call India start with country code +91. You need travel insurace. Goa is more expensive that most of India and hospitals can be very expensive if you crash your scooter or whatever may happen.

I swear by World Nomads Travel Insurance. DO check into what visa you need. to figure this out. October through April is best, but by end of April it’s HOT HOT HOT. freeguider laptop backpackDecember is the peak and it is crowded to the max. tusting backpackYou’ll need to book ahead at this time and expect to pay 5x as much as normal. two angle backpack yokoMonsoon is in the summer, May through September and although I love it and stay, most people try not to come during this time.wanderpacks laptop backpack l black/black Here are more tips for seasonal travel in India.bonner iii backpack

There is nothing more important than food in Goa and for this one I’m going to redirect you to a recent post I’ve written on the topic: Top Restaurants in Goa 2015ram backpack gw2 What I don’t mention on these is Sri, a popular little spot in Vagator that everyone from locals to Bollywood stars stops in for a bite. Personally, the food isn’t my favorite, but the scene is pretty cool. I also didn’t mention a cute little place in Assagao called Vinayak which you’ll pass on the way to Villa Blanche. It’s a local spot with great curries. I love their garlic butter prawns. Unlike the rest of India, you’ll be substituting chai for sweet lime soda, typical snacks for lime drizzled corn on the cob, and picking up street snacks like Isreali inspired shwarmas, Goan samosas (little less spice I think), and Goan sausages (great on pizza). The inexpensive local dish is any fish curry rice or chicken xacuti, which is a coconut curry.

Goans eat fish almost every day! Also yummy and Goan is cafreal, vindaloo, sorpotel eith fermented rice cakes and chouris. The local drink is cashew feni, which is very hardcore moonshine- beware! The local bread is pao, which is delivered to each home by bicycle! Fresh and warm, these buns are great for sandwiches! Check with your guesthouse for hook up, but you can go whitewater rafting (more on this later), hiking, waterfall chasing, paragliding, SUP, kite-surfing, or head south to the spice plantation to ride an elephant.  Of course you need time to beach out! There are dolphin boat trips, river houseboat rentals, Tai Chi, Yoga all over the place, and Silks and dance at Tito’s White house. My favorite beach is Vagator, which actually is three beaches. Love going there for a beach shack lunch or a nice greek lunch at Thalassa. We take Huckleberry, our dog, here for a swim on Ozram beach often, the smallest bit of Vagator beach. Anjuna beach is more crowded, but still nice.

At night this beach comes alive with trance parties. You can get 30 minute foot massages for about 200 Rs at both beaches. Women will come by selling sarongs and such- they can be very persistant, and YES there are cows on the beaches ;) Keri farther up north is gorgeous and empty and known to locals as the best. Arambol is where you’ll find the hippie drum circles and little beach parties. Mandrem/Morjim and Ashwem are nice beaches and I like to go there on Sundays for lunch and lounging! I guess I would call these fancier beaches? People say they are too Russian, but I say who cares- they are great beaches and I don’t get what the problem is with all this Russian talk! Baga, Calangute, and Candolim are not only three beaches I avoid, but in general I don’t go to these areas very much and if you have limited time they can be skipped. There is much more to Goa than this! Goa has THE best market in India, if not the whole world: the Saturday night market, followed closely by the flea market.

These aren’t the only places to shop but are a great place to start. The two biggest markets are only open on season: end of October through March-April. As I wrote this, it got quite long (go figure my shopping information is the most detailed) so I’m linking separate posts: Anjuna Flea Market: A Hippie’s Paradise Ultimate Shopping Guide to Goa Goa is the place to stay right on the beach. Shacks are typically non A/C (you don’t need it most of the year). If you are coming peak season (December and Janurary) you need to book way ahead of time. I tell backpackers who e-mail me to stay one of two areas. 1. Way up north in Ashwem/Morjim 2. The other option is in Anjuna/Vagator/Siolim area. There are great backpacking options in this area like: If you’re looking to splurge out a bit, which most people are who email me… here are some options that I have reviewed and LOVE in Goa: For more places to stay check out these 3 articles

My FAVORITE hotels in Goa It’s not secret that Goa is psychedelic, and probably the trance capital of the world. The hippies may have left, but the scene is still psy. Popular psy parties: Shiva Valley, Disco Valley, Hillop, Club 9, Westend, Curlies (maybe), Techno/less trance like clubs: Teso, Chronicle, Terrace, Waters, Katzensuppe, Bardo, Guru, Marbela, Sunset Ashram, UV Bar, and Bubble Brunch. These are the ones that I love going to! Clubs: There are a handful in North Goa. I know near Baga and Calangute there are loads but I haven’t been. For one, I know they are full of drunk dudes on vacation. In Arpora close to home there is Club Cubana though. On Wednesday, it’s ladies night (aka free) at Cubana and I enjoy the music there a lot. They are strict at the door on who enters so you can go and drink without having any issues from men. I mention this on my post about FAQ in Goa for my favorite place to hear r&b and hip hop in Goa and actually have some discount passes if you’re interested.

Snips Salon is where I get my hair done and they have amazing facials and massages. If you’re curious about Old Goa and Panjim, take a day to hire a driver and see them. Don’t stay in Panjim! You can get a cuter cheaper place right on the beach, next to great restaurants. Glamour Salon in Arpora between the Saturday market and Club Cubana will do eyebrow threading for 20 rupees. She does a great job! I like to go to Resort Rio for a massage and to chill by the pool while eating pizza! Even if you don’t stay at a 5 Star Hotel, doesn’t mean you can’t go to them for drinks! Try the Taj at Fort Agauada! The neighborhood I live in, Assagao, is adorable. Some call it the “beverly hills” of Goa. Look into staying here. Think about renting a villa if you have 4 or more people. Airbnb is cool now in India and you can get great deals. Even my complex has our villas on airbnb. I have a discount code for you: $25 (1,555 Rs) off your stay if you use this airbnb link to book.