An erstwhile Portuguese colonial, Goa is an all year round tourist destination alluring visitors with its plethora of charms – sun-toasted beaches, an unhurried lifestyle, ambrosial food, magnificent churches, brightly-colored traditional houses, cheerful locals, and a vivacious nightlife. No wonder this little coastal haven in Western India is deemed as a have-it-all weekend escapade. Owing to its strategic geographical location, Goa is frequented by vacationers from all the major cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Pune. Its also one of the top cities in India that receives hordes of foreign tourists each year.
Though most of us only recall Goa as the beach-lover’s paradise where rave parties come to life at night, there’s a calmer, more peaceful side to Goa as well. Goa is home to gilt-edged yoga retreats, t’ai chi concourses, and centers for meditation where you’re sure get a step closer to unearthliness. What’s more? You can also tour a spice plantation and learn a thing or two about how they’re grown.
Call it repetitious but Goa is still one of the most visited places in India. Even though you may have been to Goa before and may know all about the best places to hangout, it’s always advisable to plan your trip well in advance. Here are a few tips to help you book a holiday package for Goa:
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Goa Holiday packages
- North vs South: Ask any of your friends and they’ll always have a conflicting opinion about the two regions in Goa. Both the zones have their high and low points; North Goa is relatively fast-paced and houses majority of the tourist attractions, streets are lined with lively cafes, beach shacks interspersed along the shoreline, late night pubs, and a huge influx of mainly young tourists. South Goa on the other hand is home to a large population of locals, more pristine waters, activities focusing on relaxation such as top-notch spa treatments, five-star hotels with private well-groomed beaches, and an overall mellow atmosphere. Ultimately, it all comes down to your personal preferences so make sure that you choose a package accordingly.
- Stay options: Goa has a wide gamut of accommodation ranging from spacious villas to humble homestays to eco cottages to waterfront resorts. You must keep the following factors in mind while booking your stay – budget, proximity from the beach, need for various facilities, and the type of group you’re traveling with, for example – whether you’re alone or with friends or with family. Also check whether meals are included in your accommodation. I’d personally recommend you to explore the largely promoted Goan cuisine instead of eating the same dishes that you may get in your hometown.
- Transportation options: Goa is within close proximity from all major cities and can be reached by air, bus, car, as well as train. Your first preference should be by air but if you’re on a penny-pinching budget, traveling by a bus or a train is your best bet. If everything is sold out, only then consider a road trip as the journey can be quite exhausting.
- Activities: Goa is a lot more than just the Sun, Sea, and the Sand. Having said that, what you wish to do is completely up to you. You can go trekking, take a spice plantation tour, pay a visit to its tranquil churches, indulge in a luxurious spa, or just be the beach bum that you are; play in the ocean, nosh on some food at a beach shack, and get your tan on. You can decide whether you want to do all the touristy stuff or customize the package enough to let you explore the place yourself.
- Season: Although Goa is promoted as a 365-day holiday destination, you need to be careful about when you visit. Even though the Goa is at its zesty best between the months of October and December, it can get quite jam-packed with tourists, also causing a hike in price. Goa is as beautiful during the monsoon season as it is during winter with really low airfares and cheap accommodation.