WHY GOA IS DIFFERENT FROM THE REST OF INDIA

There is truly no other part of India quite like Goa, it has the ultimate hippie vibe with a crazy nightlife scene and equally as impressive tranquil beach towns. This part of India feels almost as if you are in a different country all together. You can run and walk around in a bikini without anyone looking twice, parties go until 4am, and there is a very strong sense of community up and down the coast that feels both welcoming and safe. This state is where India goes to vacation and there is truly something for every kind of traveler here. Rather you’re seeking out pristine beaches, yoga training, nightlife, or history, Goa promises an adventure that will have you contemplating changing your plane ticket. I suggest giving yourself at least a week. The North and South of the state have very different atmospheres, so read below about how to plan your time in each. 

NORTH GOA

Though North Goa also has stunning beaches, this part of the state is much more developed and has a lot more parties and tourist attractions going on. North Goa is where you can drink expect to find people drinking in the streets, dancing at beach clubs, and going to psych trance parties till the sun rises. Despite not being as relaxing as the Southern part of the state, the North has so much to do and is a bit easier to get around than the more secluded beach towns of the South. I suggest starting your trip in North Goa, because it’s much closer to the airport and then making your way South. I think about 3 days in North Goa is a good amount of time to spend here. We loved staying in the Chapora Beach Area because it was a walking distance to amazing restaurants and nightlife. I highly recommend making it a point to go to Hilltop Club one night during your time in North Goa. Another favorite spot of ours was Olive Bar and Kitchen for amazing cocktails and an ocean view, I suggest going at sunset. 

SOUTH GOA 

South Goa is where you will find a tranquil beach escape from reality. I would suggest the South for those who are looking to skip over crowds of tourists and immerse themselves in smaller beach communities. I absolutely loved staying in Agonda Beach during my time in the North. The town is tiny but has enough food options that you can try new places, and many restaurants offer dining on the beach. There is an amazing yoga and surf community here with extremely affordable options to try both. Things close early here creating a serene experience at night when you can walk the beaches alone and see few other people. If you are coming to India in search of Yoga Teacher Training I would highly recommend checking out Sampoorna Yoga School in Agonda, the amenities were amazing and it’s the ideal town to spend a few months, or even just take a class while you are passing through. Another favorite spot of ours that had easily one of the best brunches I experienced in India was Zest Cafe.  I wish we had ended our India trip in Agonda beach because it was one of the most relaxing communities we experienced. 

GETTING AROUND GOA 

Goa has a bus system but it is not the most reliable and I don’t suggest depending on it if you are in a time crunch. Instead I suggest having a local restaurant or hotel reserve a cab for you in advance. As a tourist you will be charged heavily for anything you try to book yourself. We paid about $30 USD for a ride from the South of Goa to the North which took about an hour and half. Similar to the rest of India, transport will only accept Cash and the ATM withdrawal fees can be charged in touristic areas so I suggest preparing ahead of time. 

OTHER GOA EXPERIENCES I LOVED 

• Sahakari Spice Farm is an awesome afternoon experience to plan for. Admission is extremely affordable and we paid 400 Rupees per person which also included an amazing Thali Lunch. The tour is offered in many different languages and was less than an hour but extremely educational on all the spices of India. 

• Old Goa is very cool to check out if you are interested in learning more about the tumultuous history of this area, I suggest starting off at the Viceroy Arch. 

• Arpora Saturday Night Market is a super fun way to spend a Saturday night, highly recommended for shopping or sampling local cuisines.