Going to Goa First Time? 23 Useful Points that will Come Handy

Last updated on October 27th, 2023 at 11:20 am

Reading Time: 9 minutes

The excitement to visit Goa gets doubled, especially when you are going to Goa for the first time.

A trip to Goa will always bring excitement & butterflies. All those insects bounce inside the stomach.

I know you have been part of many groups that have canceled the Goa trip every time & spoiled your mood. So, I went on a solo trip to Goa to avoid any group cancellations if, by chance, it took place.

The article is all about the pointers to know when going to Goa first time.

How to Reach Goa by Train?

Suppose you are someone who prefers to travel long distances & wants to enjoy slow traveling. Then, Delhi to Goa by train would be an excellent decision.

Delhi to Goa distance is 1872km.

The travel time distance could be more depending upon your train too.

Rajdhani express departs from New Delhi Hazrat Nizamuddin to Madgaon Junction in Goa on Fridays and Saturdays.

Trivandrum Rajdhani departs from New Delhi Hazrat Nizamuddin to Trivandrum station in Thiruvananthapuram Kerala on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays. You can drop out at Madgaon Junction in Goa.

The travel time distance could be more depending upon your train too.

If you had chosen Delhi to Goa Rajdhani Express, the traveling time would be 25-26hrs approx. That was totally from my experience while traveling, and yes, the arrival time will be accurate in many cases.

The Delhi to Goa train fare will range according to your preference of the train & class (3A,2A,1A).

Taking a 25-hour journey by train would be an unusual experience that you should take once in a lifetime.

23 Things to Note Down When You Are Going to Goa First Time

You can write down or bookmark this article or even pin this article for future reference because you need this as a constant companion in Goa.

Three Golden Rules 

1. The Dogs may Bark at you without any Reason!

That was not a one-time experience, but I can honestly say it happened almost daily when I went on the roads.

People have dogs inside their house, sometimes 2-3 dogs. The dogs will start barking at you without reason whenever you pass a particular home. They would follow you till you become extinct from their eyes. 

The dogs would not do anything as such. Instead, they want you to move quickly from the guarding house.

In that case, carry a stick or stone whenever you cross a house to scare them.

That would be necessary, especially when you get scared of the dogs. Also, this point will make up your mind before experiencing this time. facilely

During my 30 days of Volunteering in Goa, I used to capture images. But unfortunately, almost regularly, I encounter street dogs that bark needlessly.

2. Be Prepared to count Footsteps

If you are going to Goa on a tight budget, I hope you already have a fixed budget in your mind.

In that case, you will be willing to save as well.

Hardly you will find anyone walking on the roads. Goa’s rent rate is so low that everyone prefers scooters over anything else. Sometimes, you would not even see a local walking along the roadside.

Therefore, Walking along the roadside can help you save some money. But you will find yourself an odd one out.

The point will make you prepared for shorter distances that you can walk. But, If you wanted to go far away, finding a means of transport would be advisable.

3. The language will not be going to be a problem when you know English

People from all over the world visit Goa.

It becomes necessary for people to communicate in a language that the Goan people easily understand.

In Goa, the people speak and understand Hindi English very well. But the local people of Goa are more comfortable with their local Konkan language.

You will have to communicate with a translator for a foreign tourist who does not speak English.

The chances of bumping into a person from the same city are high in Goa.

Beaches and Season in Goa go Hand-in-Hand.

4. Division of Beaches

Beaches like Arambol and Vagator have become divided among tourists.

For e.x., On Arambol Beach, you will mostly see foreign tourists & on Vagator Beach, you will come across Indian tourists, in most cases.

The people divided the beaches among their preferences, tastes, and word of mouth.

Also Read, 3 Days in Goa Itinerary from Remarkable 30 Days of My Adventure

5. Know about seasons in Goa

Just like any other state, Goa also has an offseason.

The high tourist season in Goa is from November to March when people majorly celebrate Christmas and New Year. However, summer & monsoon seasons remain to be an offseason in Goa.

But you can also visit Goa in the off-season. So the off-season would be a different experience for you as well.

Food lovers in Goa

6. Try the most loved Goan food

I know you have eaten Samosa and Pav before, but have you tried the combination?

I hope most of you have not!

The Samosa Pav had become my favorite from the first day. I used to have Samosa Pav every time I got hungry.

Every state offers some combination that keeps knocking our minds when we feel hungry.

Let me know in the comments the most famous food of your state & fill all the readers with cravings.

7. Try Local Restaurant food with No Menus

Most small Goa local restaurants do not have menus. You read it right: the restaurants do not have a menu. However, they will give either Veg thalli or Fish thalli.

The Veg thali will cost Rs. 70-80 per thali, and the Fish thalli will cost you Rs. 90-100.

Trying local food will also save a few bucks in Goa on food.

After being a first-timer in Goa, I advise you to try Veg and Fish thali.

8. Low-cost local Restaurants

The local restaurants in Goa have lower prices when you compare them with beachside cafes and restaurants.

The beachside cafes keep the tourists and local restaurants where the locals come and eat. So I do not think you will see a local eating at a beachside cafe.

Q. How to Identify a local restaurant?

Ans. You can pinpoint while on the road from the outside. The food will be tasty; you will feel like visiting every day to eat the delicious Goan fish curry.

To Avoid Pointers

9. Avoid staying in Hostels with Kids

If you are a family man with kids, avoid going to hostels because the hostels are not made primarily for families and kids under 18. The Hostel concept existed, keeping backpackers and low-budget travelers in mind.

How does spending one month in Goa under an 11k budget sound?

10. Avoid clicking Strangers on the Beach

Avoid taking photos and videos of the people on the beaches. Let people enjoy their privacy.

It is OK to click pictures of your near and dear ones but not strangers.

It is a crime to click pictures of strangers without even asking them. However, if you are a photographer and want to showcase the vibes of the Beach, then try the Landscape mode in which the presence is felt.

Similar to the image below. A person is walking along the seashore.

Zoom-in and close-ups are A big NO.

11. Avoid going out in the Afternoon in Goa

Avoid going out during the Afternoon, especially if you want to walk. That is because the Afternoon remains quite hot, and the evening would be the best time to go on a long walk in Goa along the seashore.

Low-budget Transport 

12. Bus Interchange option

Mapusa is a big town in Goa, and you can take any bus to anywhere, like – Anjuna, Mandrem, etc. 

At first, the bus will go to Mapusa, and then you have to interchange to reach your destination.

Towns like Mapusa’s capital, Panjim, are more commercialized by locals than foreign tourists. So the Goa local buses are the best way to travel longer and see Goa.

13. Avoid Overcrowded Buses in the Afternoon

The buses in Goa sometimes become overcrowded. Not sometimes, but the majority of the time.

You cannot put your hands inside the pocket because you will hold bars from both hands. You do not want to confuse yourself by taking your one hand down.

The best thing you can do is travel early morning by bus, around 9 a.m – 10 a.m. That will ensure that your one-side journey will be hassle-free on the bus.

14. Don’t expect a lift on your own

If you go to Goa solo, do not expect anyone to give you a lift, keeping the heat factor in mind. An exception would be foreign tourists, especially women.

That is a hard truth, but YES, it is a truth!

Others will give you a lift if you try by yourself.

15. Search for cycles to save a bit more

You can rent cycles in Goa, and that too from very selective places. Cycles would be handy in Goa because the roads are smooth and straight.

Therefore, it is easy to keep going with the flow of the cycles on the straight road.

16. Use Roadside Shops when your vehicle gets out of Petrol

You can buy Petrol from the roadside shops; almost every shop in Goa keeps 1ltr of Petrol in a bottle to sell.

The shop owners will provide Rs.90, keeping the current price. However, they will charge Rs.20 extra from the current price of the petrol pump.

The petrol pumps are located quite far in Goa. Therefore, buying Petrol from the roadside shops will eventually save you from dragging your wheeler to the pumps.

Let your Skills Talk

17. Show your Talent

If you want to stay longer in Goa and are also a first-timer to Goa, you will find this point interesting.

You can earn money while holidaying on the beaches of Goa. On beaches like Arambol, especially foreign tourists set up stalls and show their talents.

For e.x.-

• People will provide you with a massage service.
• Handmade cakes.
• People Showing acrobatic skills, etc.

Foreign tourists wanted to survive to know more about India and its culture. So foreign tourists must make something aside from hassle to stay longer in Goa.

Managing daily Goa expenses will be an option that will allow international travelers to spend a long time in Goa.

18. Be Creative when you want Good pictures

The Streets of Old Goa are creative and fascinating to the eyes.

It is suitable for street photography with natural colors in the backdrop. Moreover, the architecture of the churches of Old Goa will fascinate you to click as many pictures as possible for a lifetime memory.

The churches in Goa give an ancient vibe.

(One Photography tip – Just before Sunset is the best time to go on the roads and capture some breathtaking colors.)

Just in Case – You would not find foot-over bridges in Goa for the night trail photography.

19. Visit Night Market

Arpora Saturday Night Market will remind you of a perfect market to go out with your family and friends. Music, food stalls, local items, and more will amaze you.

The tourists who get settled in Goa & local people set up their food stalls. The people will perform as musicians and dancers, set up food stalls, and add spice to the night market.

There are no entry fees to enter the Arpora night market. You can go any evening, just a few minutes from Anjuna Beach.

The Anjuna Beach to Arpora night market distance is 4.4km.

Explore more, but Gather Info

20. Locals are the way to go

You will agree that locals are the Google of any particular area.

For e.x., If there are no fixed departures of buses in towns like Anjuna, Vagator, Mandrem, etc.

You probably have to ask a local when the bus will arrive. The local people will give an estimated arrival of the bus.

If you somehow miss a bus, the next bus will arrive approximately. 1-2 hrs most of the time and even more sometimes.

The buses at main terminals, such as Mapusa and Panjim, have fixed daily departures.

21. Gather prior Knowledge of the Unknown areas

Don’t walk alone in the areas of Goa you haven’t been to before—especially foreign women. The nights are alive in Goa, and you don’t want to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It would be fine if you are in a group, but avoid hanging out late at night at unknown places.

You can go to clubs and pubs that you have seen and are in the nearby surroundings.

Also, Read How to make One Exciting Month Exploring Alone in Goa.

22. Don’t end up exploring everything without prior Knowledge

Stay away from the jungle area at night if you hate insects because the night is the right time for the insects.

Water bodies and forests majorly surround Goa.

Therefore, Insects are a normal part of daily life there.

23. Escape from Beach life to explore more

Beaches are the first thing that comes to your mind & even mine, when I hear about Goa.

But do you know that apart from the beaches, Goa has a waterfall too?—Dudhsagar Waterfall is counted among the highest waterfalls in India and is 50 km from Madgaon Railway Junction.

Conclusion

I hope you’re now going to Goa by being more knowledgeable as a first-timer.

The first time to any place brings enthusiasm.

Similarly, read the First-Time to Jama Masjid of Delhi.

That was from my experience.

Would you please share and follow the blog? It will be going to help me to come up with more informative content.

Until then, See you on the roads.