Travel Guides: All Countries / Asia / India / Goa
 |  | Fact File : Goa |
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| | | Goa | | Did you know?
Goa's water table is being dramatically lowered every year by tourist water use - so take short showers when you're there.
Language
Konkani, Marathi, Hindi; a smattering of English and Portuguese
Visas
A six-month multiple-entry tourist visa is required. There is a charge - around £30 at time of writing.
Getting there
Direct flights from UK airports, most stop to refuel en route.
Flying time from London
Approximately 11 hours
Getting around
Bus Service: Kadamba Transport Corporation. MSRTC and KSRTC operate frequent bus services. Bicycles, motorbikes or mopeds are best for local transportation and are easily rented - check the brakes. Motorcycle taxis are cheap; identify them by their yellow front mudguards. Combined passenger/vehicle ferries cross the state's many rivers; about 20 other ferry services operate throughout the state.
Currency
Rupee. You are not allowed to bring Indian currency into the country, so change it when you arrive. Torn notes are not legal tender so don't accept damaged ones.
Costs
Litre of petrol 50p; in resorts, moderately priced restaurant meal with wine £7-£12; 36-exposure camera film £1.50; bottle of beer £1.80; four-mile taxi ride £1.60-£2. Prices will vary.
Weather
Hot and sunny all year round but avoid the baking pre-monsoon season in April and May. From October to May, Goa offers an idyllic escape from the northern European winter. Try to avoid the peak season, December to February. Summer: max 33C, min 26C; winter: max 31C, min 20C. Rainfall: June to September 350cms.
Time difference
Five hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT
International dialling code from the UK
00 91 832
Voltage
230-240V, 50 Hz AC. Sockets take round 3-pin plugs; you will need an adapter for European appliances.
Opening hours
Official business hours are 9:30am - 5:30pm, unofficially 10am - 5pm, but banks close by 2pm and travellers cheque transactions usually cease 30 minutes before closing time. Goa has no licensing restrictions so you can drink whenever you want to. Goans also tend to enjoy a siesta - don't be surprised by the closure of some businesses during the hottest part of the day.
Health - Before you go
Take medical advice two months before you travel. Immunisations you should consider include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, cholera and yellow fever. Make sure tetanus and polio jabs are up to date. Malaria is also a risk in certain areas. Take out adequate health insurance to cover emergency costs. Take a medical kit including syringes.
Health - When you are there
Diarrhoea is common due to change in food and climate but need not be serious. Replenish lost fluids. Drink bottled water and avoid ice and ice cream. Try to eat only cooked or peeled fruit and vegetables. The embassy or any five-star hotel will be able to recommend a doctor or clinic.
Warnings
There have been incidents of chilli powder muggings in which the hot spice was thrown into the eyes of tourists and their money snatched. Be wary in deserted areas at night. Women travellers should take extra care in Goa. Drugs are illegal in Goa - even charas (hash) possession in tiny amounts for "personal use" can mean 10 years in Fort Aguada prison.
Emergency
National police emergency number: 100. British Consulate, 2nd floor, Maker Chambers IV, J Bajaj Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai (Bombay). Tel: 283 0517.
Customs
Use your right hand for all social interactions, whether passing money, food or any other item and use only your right hand for eating if not using knife and fork. Left hands are for unmentionable and unclean purposes only - that is why you breach etiquette if you touch someone/thing/food (especially shared food) with your left hand. Even in easy-going Goa, nudism is not legal or tolerated.
Pets
Pets returning from India will have to spend six months in quarantine, as the country is not part of the "passports for pets" scheme.
Tipping
In tourist restaurants or hotels a 10% tip is normal; elsewhere give only a few rupees, not a percentage of the bill. Don't tip taxis but if you are going to use someone's services regularly an initial tip - baksheesh - will ensure standards are kept up.
Tourist office
Government of India Tourist Office, 7 Cork Street, London W1S 3LH. Tel. 020 7437 3677. 24-hour brochure line: 01233 211999.
Useful website
http://www.tourisminindia.com
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| | Available rental properties in Goa |
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| |  | | Villa Salmona: Luxury Heritage Home (private pool)
Lovely Portuguese heritage villa set in tropical garden with pool. Beautifully decorated and located in a charming village minutes from beaches.
|  | | Partial Seaview Aprtment
This is a beautiful apartment having with a partial view of the Zuari river and is perched on top of the hillock called Ocean Heights.
|  | | Breathtaking Studio Apartment
This house is a pretty, 1 bedroom Studio Apartment in North Goa, Panjim, overlooking the Mandovi River and the Dona Paula Jetty.
|  | | Dona Paula Apartment
This modern 4 air conditioned bedroom/4 full bath accommodation in tranquil surroundings offers panoramic views of the nearby ocean and valley.
|  | | Villa at Calungute Beach Goa
Large 7 Bedroom Villa set on the beautiful Calangute Beach Behind one of the original beach shack restaurants now in its seventeenth year.Minutes away
From your sunbeds and sea
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Holiday Rentals in Goa |
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