About Goa
Goa is India’s beach state – lively North Goa with Calangute, Baga, Anjuna and Vagator, and quieter South Goa with Colva, Benaulim and Palolem. Between them lie Panjim’s Latin quarter, the UNESCO churches of Old Goa and spice plantations.
Most visitors split their stay between North and South Goa and add a day trip to the Dudhsagar waterfall.
Goa – Quick Facts
| Capital | Panaji (Panjim) |
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| Airports | Dabolim (GOI) · Mopa – Manohar International (GOX) |
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| Rail heads | Madgaon · Thivim · Karmali |
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| Best time | November – February |
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| Ideal trip | 3 – 6 days |
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Places to Visit in Goa
- Calangute & Baga
Busy beaches, water sports and nightlife. - Anjuna & Vagator
Flea market, cliffs and Chapora Fort. - Fort Aguada
17th-century Portuguese fort and lighthouse. - Old Goa
Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral – UNESCO World Heritage. - Panjim
Fontainhas Latin quarter, Miramar and the Mandovi river cruise. - Colva & Benaulim
Long, quiet South Goa beaches. - Palolem
Crescent bay in the far south. - Dudhsagar Falls
Four-tier waterfall on the Goa – Karnataka border.
Best Time to Visit Goa
- November – February: dry and pleasant – peak season, Christmas & New Year crowds
- March – May: hot and humid, lower hotel rates
- June – September: monsoon – green and quiet, many beach shacks and water sports closed
- October: season begins
How to Reach Goa
- By air: Dabolim (South / Central Goa) or Mopa (North Goa).
- By train: Madgaon for South Goa, Thivim for North Goa, Karmali for Old Goa / Panjim.
- By road: Mumbai – Goa about 590 km by NH 66.
Goa Distance Chart
| Route | Distance | Drive time |
|---|
| Mopa airport – Calangute | 35 km | 1 hr |
| Dabolim airport – Panjim | 28 km | 45 min |
| Panjim – Calangute | 16 km | 30 min |
| Panjim – Old Goa | 10 km | 20 min |
| Calangute – Colva | 50 km | 1.5 hrs |
| Panjim – Palolem | 70 km | 2 hrs |
| Panjim – Dudhsagar (Collem) | 60 km | 1.5 hrs + jeep |
Approximate road distances and times – mountain roads can take longer in snow or rain.
Goa Travel Tips
- Book Christmas and New Year stays well ahead – rates rise sharply.
- Dudhsagar jeep safaris are closed in the monsoon.
- Dress modestly in Old Goa churches and temples.
Entrance & Permit Fees in Goa 2026
Permits
- No permit is needed in Goa.
🎟️ Entrance fees (per person, paid at the gate or online)
| Place | 🇮🇳 Indian | 🌍 Foreigner |
|---|
| Calangute Beach | Free | Free |
| Fort Aguadalighthouse approx. ₹25 / ₹100 · camera extra | Free | Free |
| Anjuna Flea MarketWednesdays, Oct – Apr | Free | Free |
| Chapora Fort | Free | Free |
| Basilica of Bom Jesusdress modestly · no photos inside | Free | Free |
| Se Cathedraldress modestly | Free | Free |
| Mandovi River Cruisesunset ₹500 · dinner cruise ₹1,500 (child ₹1,000) – in the price calculator | approx. ₹500 – 1,500 | approx. ₹500 – 1,500 |
| Water Sportscombo of 5 rides – in the price calculator · parasailing dip approx. ₹300 extra | approx. ₹1,900 | approx. ₹1,900 |
| Dudhsagar Jeep Safariincl. forest entry ₹100 & life jacket – in the price calculator · Oct – May | approx. ₹850 | approx. ₹850 |
| Spice Plantationguided walk + Goan buffet lunch – in the price calculator | approx. ₹600 | approx. ₹600 |
| Dolphin Trip & Snorkellingboat, snorkel gear & lunch – in the price calculator · Oct – May | approx. ₹1,500 | approx. ₹1,500 |
Fees as published for 2026 and can be revised by the authorities; "approx." rates are local / private and may differ. Children are usually free or half rate. Camera fees extra at some places.
Goa Tour Packages 2026
Packages by Travel Himalayas that stay in Goa – hotels and a private cab, with the complete price for your date on each page.
⭐ 3N / 4D🛣️ approx. 215 km
🚗 Pickup: Dabolim Airport (GOI) / Madgaon Railway Station
🌇 Drop: Dabolim Airport (GOI) / Madgaon Railway Station
🏨 Night stay: North Goa × 3
- Day 1 Dabolim Airport / Madgaon Pickup → North Goa · Calangute & Baga Beach
- Day 2 North Goa Sightseeing – Fort Aguada, Anjuna, Vagator & Chapora Fort
- Day 3 Old Goa Churches, Mangueshi Temple, Panaji & Mandovi River Cruise
- Day 4 North Goa → Dabolim Airport / Madgaon Drop
⭐ 3N / 4D🛣️ approx. 275 km
🚗 Pickup: Dabolim Airport (GOI) / Madgaon Railway Station
🌇 Drop: Dabolim Airport (GOI) / Madgaon Railway Station
🏨 Night stay: North Goa × 3
- Day 1 Dabolim Airport / Madgaon Pickup → North Goa · Calangute & Baga Beach
- Day 2 North Goa Sightseeing – Fort Aguada, Anjuna, Vagator & Chapora Fort
- Day 3 South Goa Day Trip – Old Goa, Mangueshi Temple & Colva Beach
- Day 4 North Goa → Dabolim Airport / Madgaon Drop
⭐ 4N / 5D🛣️ approx. 285 km
🚗 Pickup: Dabolim Airport (GOI) / Madgaon Railway Station
🌇 Drop: Dabolim Airport (GOI) / Madgaon Railway Station
🏨 Night stay: North Goa × 2 · South Goa × 2
- Day 1 Dabolim Airport / Madgaon Pickup → North Goa · Calangute & Baga Beach
- Day 2 North Goa Sightseeing – Fort Aguada, Anjuna, Vagator & Chapora Fort
- Day 3 North Goa → Old Goa Churches → Mangueshi Temple → South Goa
- Day 4 South Goa Sightseeing – Cabo de Rama Fort & Palolem Beach
- Day 5 South Goa → Dabolim Airport / Madgaon Drop
⭐ 4N / 5D🛣️ approx. 270 km
🚗 Pickup: Dabolim Airport (GOI) / Madgaon Railway Station
🌇 Drop: Dabolim Airport (GOI) / Madgaon Railway Station
🏨 Night stay: North Goa × 3 · South Goa × 1
- Day 1 Dabolim Airport / Madgaon Pickup → North Goa · Calangute & Baga Beach
- Day 2 North Goa Sightseeing – Fort Aguada, Anjuna, Vagator & Chapora Fort
- Day 3 Grand Island Dolphin Trip & Snorkelling · Mandovi Sunset Cruise
- Day 4 North Goa → Old Goa → Palolem · Candle-light Dinner
- Day 5 South Goa → Dabolim Airport / Madgaon Drop
⭐ 5N / 6D🛣️ approx. 405 km
🚗 Pickup: Dabolim Airport (GOI) / Madgaon Railway Station
🌇 Drop: Dabolim Airport (GOI) / Madgaon Railway Station
🏨 Night stay: North Goa × 2 · South Goa × 3
- Day 1 Dabolim Airport / Madgaon Pickup → North Goa · Calangute & Baga Beach
- Day 2 North Goa Sightseeing – Fort Aguada, Anjuna, Vagator & Chapora Fort
- Day 3 North Goa → Old Goa Churches → Mangueshi Temple → South Goa
- Day 4 Dudhsagar Waterfall Jeep Safari & Spice Plantation
- Day 5 South Goa Sightseeing – Cabo de Rama Fort & Palolem Beach
- Day 6 South Goa → Dabolim Airport / Madgaon Drop
⭐ 6N / 7D🛣️ approx. 440 km
🚗 Pickup: Dabolim Airport (GOI) / Madgaon Railway Station
🌇 Drop: Dabolim Airport (GOI) / Madgaon Railway Station
🏨 Night stay: North Goa × 4 · South Goa × 2
- Day 1 Dabolim Airport / Madgaon Pickup → North Goa · Calangute & Baga Beach
- Day 2 North Goa Sightseeing – Fort Aguada, Anjuna, Vagator & Chapora Fort
- Day 3 Old Goa Churches, Mangueshi Temple, Panaji & Mandovi River Cruise
- Day 4 Grand Island Dolphin Trip & Snorkelling · Mandovi Sunset Cruise
- Day 5 North Goa → Old Goa Churches → Mangueshi Temple → South Goa
- Day 6 Dudhsagar Waterfall Jeep Safari & Spice Plantation
- Day 7 South Goa → Dabolim Airport / Madgaon Drop
Frequently Asked Questions
North Goa or South Goa – where should I stay?
North Goa for beaches with nightlife and markets; South Goa for quiet, cleaner beaches. Our packages combine both.
Is Goa good in the monsoon?
Yes for greenery, waterfalls and low rates, but the sea is rough – swimming and water sports are stopped from June to September.
What is the best time to visit Goa?
November – February: dry and pleasant – peak season, Christmas & New Year crowds. March – May: hot and humid, lower hotel rates. June – September: monsoon – green and quiet, many beach shacks and water sports closed. October: season begins.
How to reach Goa?
By air – Dabolim (South / Central Goa) or Mopa (North Goa). By train – Madgaon for South Goa, Thivim for North Goa, Karmali for Old Goa / Panjim. By road – Mumbai – Goa about 590 km by NH 66.
How much does a Goa tour cost?
Our Goa packages start from about ₹10,500 per person (2 sharing) with hotels and a private cab – open a package for the complete price on your date.