Goa

Basking in Goa's Glory: The Ultimate Guide to Fun, Parties, and Beaches

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There is always hype surrounding a trip to Goa with friends right? I had always thought that I would be let down if I did visit Goa. To my surprise, I wasn't, and believe me, I can be very critical but Goa deserves the hype. I visited Goa with family and while enjoying it I simultaneously thought about how amazing this place would have been with friends.

South Goa: Palolem

South Goa: Palolem

South Goa: Palolem

Palolem Beach

Palolem Beach

How to begin planning? First, decide how to reach Goa. If you live in North India, it can cost you dearly in terms of money or time. You have two main options: rail or air travel. While the former is cheaper, the latter is more convenient but expensive. You can find direct flights to and from Goa from major cities or connecting flights via Delhi or Mumbai. Expect to spend around 7,000 to 10,000 rupees for flight tickets. If you're looking for a trip to Goa under 10,000, it's probably not possible. However, let's explore the alternatives.

You can reach Mumbai by train and then take another train to Madgaon, or opt for direct trains like Goa Sampark Kranti Express and Trivandrum Express, which connect many North Indian cities to Madgaon and Vasco Da Gama in Goa. But be prepared for long travel times. For example, if you're taking a train from Delhi, it will take approximately 38 hours to reach Madgaon/Vasco Da Gama, and about 20 hours to reach Mumbai. Plan accordingly and expect the round trip travel cost from Delhi to be around Rs. 5,000. The rail route offers scenic views and can be an extremely delightful experience with friends. So if you opt for this mode of travel and cut some expenses in Goa, well, you are in for a treat as the trip might cost you just under Rs. 10000.

There are two other ways to reach Goa. The first is by road. You can easily drive or take a taxi from Pune, Mumbai, or Bangalore to reach Panaji. This will cost around 9,000, but traveling in a group can help reduce individual costs. The second option is an interesting one: a cruise trip. Yes, it will be expensive, but hear me out, the experience is truly amazing. A cruise trip should cost at least 35,000 per couple/room, including food, travel, and more. Cordelia Cruises operates the only cruise from Mumbai and Kochi, and you can explore Mumbai, Kochi, and the surprise surprise, Lakshadweep Islands! I will write an extensive post about the cruise trip soon, so stay tuned. But for now, the party in Goa awaits.

Choosing accommodation can be a challenge, but an easy recommendation from my side is a beach resort/stay, which is a convenient and affordable option. You can expect to pay about 1000 to 2000 rupees per night for beach stays. They offer easy access to the beaches, and you can even find beachfront stays at lower prices. While luxury may not be guaranteed, the food is generally good, especially if you're a seafood lover. My personal favorite beach stay is the Big Fish resort in South Goa, located right on the Palolem beach. Now, an important decision is whether to stay in North Goa or South Goa. North Goa offers the lively atmosphere and noise that you expect from a Goa trip, while South Goa attracts those who prefer a more relaxed and chilled-out vibe.

I suggest sticking to South Goa for your stay as Agonda and Palolem beaches offer plenty of beach stay options. The nightlife is still amazing, with beautiful tables set up on the beaches, lit with candles. You can find party beaches as well as romantic setups in both South and North Goa. However, what sets them apart is the crowd. North Goa's popular beaches like Calangute and Baga attract enormous footfall, even in the off-season, while South Goa is more serene and less crowded. The waves are a different kind, the mud, and the sand is different and the vibe is different. Thus, even if you choose one part of Goa for your stay, I recommend visiting both sides to experience the diverse beaches Goa has to offer. My dad always tells us that a local taxi driver once told him that if you flip a coin in Goa, it will either land on a church or on a beach, so don't blame me for going on and on about beaches but enjoy them as much as you can!

Now, let's talk about the parties right! You can find parties happening almost everywhere, even on the beaches, but the real magic begins after 9 pm in Panjim. Yes, I'm talking about party cruises. If you're interested in gambling, you're at the right place. However, keep in mind that party cruises with gambling setups can be quite expensive. But if you're looking for just a good time and dancing, there are plenty of party cruise options to choose from. Once you reach Panjim, you will be led to the party places by yourself, I mean at least the guys with the brochures will. Enjoy there if you want and if you are not yet done, head to some beaches and you might find some people vibing to the music or partying at some food outlet, join them! Which ones you ask, there are too many beaches with good nightlife. Baga, Candolim, Calangute and Anjuna are a few beaches in Northa Goa are reputed as being the party beaches in the night. Palolem, Agonda and other beaches of the South also have an amazing nightlife, calmer than its Northern counterparts. You can also head to Butterfly Island to enjoy an even calmer setup. Don't miss Divar Island, it is an unbelievably beautiful place in Goa, and is on my top list for places to explore too!

No trip is complete without some thrills, and Goa has you covered with a variety of watersports activities. Jet skiing, flyboarding, kayaking, surfing, parasailing, and snorkeling are just a few examples. The rates for these activities are generally affordable. For example, a jet ski ride costs around 250-400. I recommend taking a package that includes major sports, breakfast, and a complimentary beer, costing around 1,200-1,500. Baga and Calangute beaches should be on your top list as they provide the best of these watersport adventures. However, I will strongly advise against scuba diving in Goa. The beaches here do not have the right aquatic life, and the water is too polluted. You don't want to pay 1,500 rupees only to see garbage instead of corals. Personally, scuba diving is one of the best watersports activity I have tried, thus it is important to have a thrilling experience as for many of us scuba diving might also be a one-time adventure. There are plenty of options within India itself where you can dive and have an amazing time, Lakshadweep and Andaman are on my top list. I will be posting a blog post on both places, so stay tuned again!

To push the throttle on the thrill further, consider renting a bike or scooty to explore Goa on your own. You will easily find shops renting the same in every other gali in Goa. My personal favorite ride was from Calangute to Panjim. So rent a bike, go for a ride and explore the famous beaches and the unexplored lanes of Goa, the off-market side of Goa is beautiful too!

Contact me for any relevant details you would want to know.