Travel to Goa………It sort of happened the way some bad decisions happen—slowly, casually, with too much confidence and not enough sunscreen.
I remember telling a friend, “Yeah, I’ll just travel to Goa for a few days. Beaches, chill, nothing crazy.”
Narrator voice: it was crazy. In the best possible way.
And also sweaty. Always sweaty.
If you’re sitting there Googling travel to Goa and wondering if it’s all parties, or all hippies, or all honeymoon vibes—yes. It’s all of that. Sometimes on the same beach. At the same time.
I’m writing this like I’d tell you over coffee. Or maybe over a beer that’s gone warm because we got distracted talking. This isn’t polished. This is what I wish someone told me before I went.
First: Goa Is Not One Place (It’s Several Personalities Fighting for Attention)
This is important.
Goa isn’t just Goa. It’s like that friend group where everyone claims to be “low-key” but means wildly different things.
There’s North Goa—loud, chaotic, fun, sometimes exhausting, sometimes exactly what you need.
And South Goa—quiet, slower, softer, the kind of place that makes you whisper without knowing why.
I stayed in both or liked both. I needed both.
Trying to do Goa in one vibe is like trying to eat only one dish at a buffet. Why would you limit yourself like that?
North Goa: Where Sleep Is Optional and Time Is Fake
North Goa is… a lot.
In a good way. Mostly.
Baga, Calangute, Anjuna—these places don’t ease you in. They grab you by the wrist and say, “You’re awake now. Let’s go.”
Beach shacks blasting music at noon. People already dancing. Someone trying to sell you sunglasses you absolutely don’t need. Another guy offering a tattoo you’ll regret (don’t do it, please).
Zero regrets.
Goa nightlife isn’t just clubs. It’s conversations and strangers becoming friends because the music hit just right. It’s losing track of time and deciding that’s okay.
South Goa: When You Accidentally Learn How to Relax
South Goa feels like an apology.
Like Goa saying, “Okay, yeah, that was a lot. Sit down. Breathe.”
Colva. Benaulim. Palolem. Beaches that stretch forever with barely anyone on them. Waves you can actually hear. Time that slows down whether you like it or not.
I spent one afternoon doing absolutely nothing. No phone. No plan. Just sitting, watching the water, thinking about… nothing important.
For someone from Queens, that’s huge.
If North Goa is a party playlist, South Goa is acoustic guitar at sunset. Both valid. Different moods.
The Beaches (Yes, We Need to Talk About Them)
Everyone asks, “Which is the best beach in Goa?”
Wrong question.
It’s more like—what kind of day are you having?
- Want people, music, energy? → Baga, Anjuna
- Want balance? → Vagator
- Want quiet, space, thoughts? → Cola, Butterfly, Agonda
I stumbled onto a hidden beach once because I followed a random dirt path thinking it led somewhere else. It didn’t. It led to a tiny stretch of sand with maybe six people on it.
I stayed for hours. Didn’t tell anyone where I was. Felt slightly rebellious.
That’s the magic of Goa—you find places by accident and then pretend you knew all along.
Food in Goa: Spicy, Emotional, Unforgettable
Let’s get something straight.
Goa food is not messing around.
Fish curry rice. Prawn balchão. Pork vindaloo that doesn’t apologize for itself. Bebinca for dessert (trust me).
And the beach shack food? Simple. Fresh. Perfect when you’re hungry in a way only swimming all day can create.
I had one meal—grilled fish, lime, salt—nothing fancy. I still think about it. Regularly.
Also, side note: order less spice than you think you can handle. This isn’t a challenge. This is survival advice.
Parties, Yes—but Not Just That
People reduce Goa to parties. That’s lazy.
Yes, there are legendary parties. Full moon stuff. Beach raves. Silent discos where everyone looks ridiculous and happy.
But there are also yoga mornings. Quiet cafés. Old Portuguese houses with peeling paint and stories in the walls. Churches that make you slow down. Flea markets where you buy things you don’t need but feel right.
One night I skipped a party and sat on the beach talking to someone I’d met that morning. No music. Just waves. That night stayed with me longer than any club.
The Hidden Havens (The Real Reason You Travel to Goa)
Here’s where it gets good.
Beyond the famous beaches and Instagram spots, Goa hides things on purpose.
- Backwater kayaking at sunrise
- Tiny inland villages where nothing changes
- Waterfalls that show up only after the monsoon
- Cafés with no signage that somehow survive
I asked a guy at a coffee place where I should go next. He looked at me and said, “You want noise or peace?”
I said, “Peace.”
He scribbled a name on a napkin. No directions. Just vibes.
It worked.
Getting Around Goa Is… an Experience
Rent a scooter. Yes, even if you’re nervous. Carefully nervous is fine.
Traffic rules are more like suggestions. Horns mean everything and nothing. You will miss turns. You will end up somewhere unexpected.
That’s part of it.
I once stopped because cows were crossing the road and thought, Yeah. This checks out.
Taxis exist. Apps work sometimes. Patience helps always.
Things No One Warns You About (So I Will)
- You’ll lose track of days
- You’ll eat later than planned
- You’ll stay longer than planned
- You’ll rethink “normal life” slightly
- You’ll get sand in places sand should not be
Also—hydration matters. Learn from my mistakes.
Two Internet Corners Worth Clicking
- Mark Wiens in Goa – food obsession level: high
- The Blonde Abroad – helpful Goa guides with personality
Final Thought about travel to Goa
If you travel to Goa expecting it to behave, you’re going to be frustrated.
Goa does its own thing.
Some days it’s loud or Some days it’s quiet. Some days it’s both before lunch. It gives you what you need, not what you planned.
And honestly? That’s why it works.
Travel to Goa if you want beaches, yes—but also if you want moments you didn’t schedule. Conversations you didn’t expect. Versions of yourself you forgot existed.
You’ll come back with stories that start with,
“So this wasn’t the plan, but…”
Those are always the best ones.
