Comparison · Goa vs Kerala · India
Goa vs Kerala
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sam 8393, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Goa for Beach shacks, Portuguese heritage, nightlife and free sights; choose Kerala for Backwaters and Houseboats. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 547 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 547 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Goa
- November–February
- Best time for Kerala
- November–February
Side by side
| Goa | Kerala | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | India | India |
| Known for | Beach shacks, Portuguese heritage and Old Goa churches | Backwaters, Houseboats and Tea plantations |
| Best time to visit | November–February | November–February |
| Ideal stay | 7 days | 10 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $70–$150 | $70–$150 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | March, 33°C (91°F) | March, 33°C (91°F) |
| Coldest month | July, 29°C (84°F) | June, 29°C (84°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 11 | 5 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 5 |
| Beaches | Baga | Papanasam Beach, Varkala |
| Airports | GOI, GOX | COK, TRV, CCJ |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Goa for…
Beach shacks, Portuguese heritage, nightlife and free sights. Goa is India's smallest state, a strip of about 100 km of Arabian Sea coast backed by rice paddies, coconut groves and the Western Ghats. Four and a half centuries of Portuguese rule, which ended in 1961, left the baroque churches of Old Goa, the colourful…
.jpg){kind=link}
Choose Kerala for…
Backwaters and Houseboats. Kerala is a narrow state on India's south-west coast, squeezed between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. A typical route starts in Kochi, an old spice port with Portuguese, Dutch and Jewish heritage in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, then climbs about four…
Top sights compared
| # | Goa | Kerala |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basilica of Bom Jesus | Backwater houseboat cruise |
| 2 | Sé Cathedral | Chinese fishing nets |
| 3 | Church of St Francis of Assisi and Archaeological Museum | Mattancherry Palace |
| 4 | Fontainhas Latin Quarter | Paradesi Synagogue and Jew Town |
| 5 | Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception | St Francis Church |
Food compared
| Goa | Kerala |
|---|---|
| Goan fish curry rice | Appam and stew |
| Pork vindaloo | Puttu and kadala curry |
| Chicken xacuti | Sadya |
| Sorpotel and sannas | Karimeen pollichathu |
Which is cheaper?
Goa and Kerala cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $70–$150 in Goa and $70–$150 in Kerala (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Goa on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Goa and Kerala are about 547 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 7 days in Goa and 10 in Kerala.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Goa or Kerala cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $70–$150 in Goa and $70–$150 in Kerala (estimates).
+Is Goa or Kerala better for a first trip?
Pick Goa for Beach shacks, Portuguese heritage, nightlife and free sights, or Kerala for Backwaters and Houseboats.
+How far is Goa from Kerala?
About 547 km in a straight line.